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Jaudon F, Thalhammer A, Zentilin L, Cingolani LA. CRISPR-mediated activation of autism gene Itgb3 restores cortical network excitability via mGluR5 signaling. MOLECULAR THERAPY - NUCLEIC ACIDS 2022; 29:462-480. [PMID: 36035754 PMCID: PMC9382421 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2022.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Many mutations in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affect a single allele, indicating a key role for gene dosage in ASD susceptibility. Recently, haplo-insufficiency of ITGB3, the gene encoding the extracellular matrix receptor β3 integrin, was associated with ASD. Accordingly, Itgb3 knockout (KO) mice exhibit autism-like phenotypes. The pathophysiological mechanisms of Itgb3 remain, however, unknown, and the potential of targeting this gene for developing ASD therapies uninvestigated. By combining molecular, biochemical, imaging, and pharmacological analyses, we establish that Itgb3 haplo-insufficiency impairs cortical network excitability by promoting extra-synaptic over synaptic signaling of the metabotropic glutamate receptor mGluR5, which is similarly dysregulated in fragile X syndrome, the most frequent monogenic form of ASD. To assess the therapeutic potential of regulating Itgb3 gene dosage, we implemented CRISPR activation and compared its efficacy with that of a pharmacological rescue strategy for fragile X syndrome. Correction of neuronal Itgb3 haplo-insufficiency by CRISPR activation rebalanced network excitability as effectively as blockade of mGluR5 with the selective antagonist MPEP. Our findings reveal an unexpected functional interaction between two ASD genes, thereby validating the pathogenicity of ITGB3 haplo-insufficiency. Further, they pave the way for exploiting CRISPR activation as gene therapy for normalizing gene dosage and network excitability in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanny Jaudon
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology (NSYN), Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 16132 Genoa, Italy
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Agnes Thalhammer
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Lorena Zentilin
- AAV Vector Unit, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Lorenzo A. Cingolani
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology (NSYN), Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 16132 Genoa, Italy
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
- Corresponding author Lorenzo A. Cingolani, Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy.
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102
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Mason L, Moessnang C, Chatham C, Ham L, Tillmann J, Dumas G, Ellis C, Leblond CS, Cliquet F, Bourgeron T, Beckmann C, Charman T, Oakley B, Banaschewski T, Meyer-Lindenberg A, Baron-Cohen S, Bölte S, Buitelaar JK, Durston S, Loth E, Oranje B, Persico A, Dell'Acqua F, Ecker C, Johnson MH, Murphy D, Jones EJH. Stratifying the autistic phenotype using electrophysiological indices of social perception. Sci Transl Med 2022; 14:eabf8987. [PMID: 35976994 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abf8987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by difficulties in social communication, but also great heterogeneity. To offer individualized medicine approaches, we need to better target interventions by stratifying autistic people into subgroups with different biological profiles and/or prognoses. We sought to validate neural responses to faces as a potential stratification factor in ASD by measuring neural (electroencephalography) responses to faces (critical in social interaction) in N = 436 children and adults with and without ASD. The speed of early-stage face processing (N170 latency) was on average slower in ASD than in age-matched controls. In addition, N170 latency was associated with responses to faces in the fusiform gyrus, measured with functional magnetic resonance imaging, and polygenic scores for ASD. Within the ASD group, N170 latency predicted change in adaptive socialization skills over an 18-month follow-up period; data-driven clustering identified a subgroup with slower brain responses and poor social prognosis. Use of a distributional data-driven cutoff was associated with predicted improvements of power in simulated clinical trials targeting social functioning. Together, the data provide converging evidence for the utility of the N170 as a stratification factor to identify biologically and prognostically defined subgroups in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke Mason
- Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, Birkbeck, University of London, WC1E 7HX, London, UK
| | - Carolin Moessnang
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, 68159 Mannheim, Germany
| | | | - Lindsay Ham
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Julian Tillmann
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College, London, London, UK
| | - Guillaume Dumas
- Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions, Institut Pasteur, UMR3571 CNRS, Université de Paris, 75015 Paris, France.,Precision Psychiatry and Social Physiology laboratory, CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Montreal, H3T 1C5 Quebec, Canada
| | - Claire Ellis
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College, London, London, UK
| | - Claire S Leblond
- Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions, Institut Pasteur, UMR3571 CNRS, Université de Paris, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Freddy Cliquet
- Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions, Institut Pasteur, UMR3571 CNRS, Université de Paris, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Thomas Bourgeron
- Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions, Institut Pasteur, UMR3571 CNRS, Université de Paris, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Christian Beckmann
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboudumc, 6525 EN Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Tony Charman
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College, London, London, UK
| | - Beth Oakley
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College, London, London, UK
| | - Tobias Banaschewski
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, 68159 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Andreas Meyer-Lindenberg
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, 68159 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Simon Baron-Cohen
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, CB2 3EB Cambridge, UK
| | - Sven Bölte
- Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND), Centre for Psychiatry Research Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Stockholm 171 77, Sweden
| | - Jan K Buitelaar
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboudumc, 6525 EN Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Sarah Durston
- NICHE-lab, Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center of University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Eva Loth
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College, London, London, UK
| | - Bob Oranje
- NICHE-lab, Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center of University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, Netherlands
| | | | - Flavio Dell'Acqua
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College, London, London, UK
| | - Christine Ecker
- Curtin Autism Research Group, School of Occupational Therapy, Social Work and Speech Pathology, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia 6102, Australia
| | - Mark H Johnson
- Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, Birkbeck, University of London, WC1E 7HX, London, UK.,Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, CB2 3EB Cambridge, UK
| | - Declan Murphy
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College, London, London, UK
| | - Emily J H Jones
- Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, Birkbeck, University of London, WC1E 7HX, London, UK
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103
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Fóthi Á, Pintér C, Pollner P, Lőrincz A. Peripheral gene interactions define interpretable clusters of core ASD genes in a network-based investigation of the omnigenic theory. NPJ Syst Biol Appl 2022; 8:28. [PMID: 35948596 PMCID: PMC9365765 DOI: 10.1038/s41540-022-00240-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
According to the recently proposed omnigenic theory, all expressed genes in a relevant tissue are contributing directly or indirectly to the manifestation of complex disorders such as autism. Thus, holistic approaches can be complementary in studying genetics of these complex disorders to focusing on a limited number of candidate genes. Gene interaction networks can be used for holistic studies of the omnigenic nature of autism. We used Louvain clustering on tissue-specific gene interaction networks and their subgraphs exclusively containing autism-related genes to study the effects of peripheral gene interactions. We observed that the autism gene clusters are significantly weaker connected to each other and the peripheral genes in non-neuronal tissues than in brain-related tissues. The biological functions of the brain clusters correlated well with previous findings on autism, such as synaptic signaling, regulation of DNA methylation, or regulation of lymphocyte activation, however, on the other tissues they did not enrich as significantly. Furthermore, ASD subjects with disruptive mutations in specific gene clusters show phenotypical differences compared to other disruptive variants carrying ASD individuals. Our results strengthen the omnigenic theory and can advance our understanding of the genetic background of autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ábel Fóthi
- Department of Artificial Intelligence, Faculty of Informatics, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary.
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary.
- Institute of Archaeogenomics, Research Centre for the Humanities, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Csaba Pintér
- Department of Artificial Intelligence, Faculty of Informatics, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Péter Pollner
- MTA-ELTE Statistical and Biological Physics Research Group, Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH), Department of Biological Physics, Eötvös University, Budapest, Hungary
- Health Services Management Training Centre, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - András Lőrincz
- Department of Artificial Intelligence, Faculty of Informatics, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
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104
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A common epigenetic mechanism across different cellular origins underlies systemic immune dysregulation in an idiopathic autism mouse model. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:3343-3354. [PMID: 35491410 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01566-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Immune dysregulation plays a key role in the pathogenesis of autism. Changes occurring at the systemic level, from brain inflammation to disturbed innate/adaptive immune in the periphery, are frequently observed in patients with autism; however, the intrinsic mechanisms behind them remain elusive. We hypothesize a common etiology may lie in progenitors of different types underlying widespread immune dysregulation. By single-cell RNA sequencing (sc-RNA seq), we trace the developmental origins of immune dysregulation in a mouse model of idiopathic autism. It is found that both in aorta-gonad-mesonephros (AGM) and yolk sac (YS) progenitors, the dysregulation of HDAC1-mediated epigenetic machinery alters definitive hematopoiesis during embryogenesis and downregulates the expression of the AP-1 complex for microglia development. Subsequently, these changes result in the dysregulation of the immune system, leading to gut dysbiosis and hyperactive microglia in the brain. We further confirm that dysregulated immune profiles are associated with specific microbiota composition, which may serve as a biomarker to identify autism of immune-dysregulated subtypes. Our findings elucidate a shared mechanism for the origin of immune dysregulation from the brain to the gut in autism and provide new insight to dissecting the heterogeneity of autism, as well as the therapeutic potential of targeting immune-dysregulated autism subtypes.
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105
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SARM1 deletion in parvalbumin neurons is associated with autism-like behaviors in mice. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:638. [PMID: 35869039 PMCID: PMC9307765 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05083-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2021] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a group of neurodevelopmental disorder diseases, is characterized by social deficits, communication difficulties, and repetitive behaviors. Sterile alpha and TIR motif-containing 1 protein (SARM1) is known as an autism-associated protein and is enriched in brain tissue. Moreover, SARM1 knockdown mice exhibit autism-like behaviors. However, its specific mechanism in ASD pathogenesis remains unclear. Here we generated parvalbumin-positive interneurons (PVI)-specific conditional SARM1 knockout (SARM1PV-CKO) mice. SARM1PV-CKO male mice showed autism-like behaviors, such as mild social interaction deficits and repetitive behaviors. Moreover, we found that the expression level of parvalbumin was reduced in SARM1PV-CKO male mice, together with upregulated apoptosis-related proteins and more cleaved-caspase-3-positive PVIs, suggesting that knocking out SARM1 may cause a reduction in the number of PVIs due to apoptosis. Furthermore, the expression of c-fos was shown to increase in SARM1PV-CKO male mice, in combination with upregulation of excitatory postsynaptic proteins such as PSD-95 or neuroligin-1, indicating enhanced excitatory synaptic input in mutant mice. This notion was further supported by the partial rescue of autism-like behavior deficits by the administration of GABA receptor agonists in SARM1PV-CKO male mice. In conclusion, our findings suggest that SARM1 deficiency in PVIs may be involved in the pathogenesis of ASD.
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106
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Jiang CC, Lin LS, Long S, Ke XY, Fukunaga K, Lu YM, Han F. Signalling pathways in autism spectrum disorder: mechanisms and therapeutic implications. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:229. [PMID: 35817793 PMCID: PMC9273593 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-01081-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2022] [Revised: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a prevalent and complex neurodevelopmental disorder which has strong genetic basis. Despite the rapidly rising incidence of autism, little is known about its aetiology, risk factors, and disease progression. There are currently neither validated biomarkers for diagnostic screening nor specific medication for autism. Over the last two decades, there have been remarkable advances in genetics, with hundreds of genes identified and validated as being associated with a high risk for autism. The convergence of neuroscience methods is becoming more widely recognized for its significance in elucidating the pathological mechanisms of autism. Efforts have been devoted to exploring the behavioural functions, key pathological mechanisms and potential treatments of autism. Here, as we highlight in this review, emerging evidence shows that signal transduction molecular events are involved in pathological processes such as transcription, translation, synaptic transmission, epigenetics and immunoinflammatory responses. This involvement has important implications for the discovery of precise molecular targets for autism. Moreover, we review recent insights into the mechanisms and clinical implications of signal transduction in autism from molecular, cellular, neural circuit, and neurobehavioural aspects. Finally, the challenges and future perspectives are discussed with regard to novel strategies predicated on the biological features of autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen-Chen Jiang
- International Joint Laboratory for Drug Target of Critical Illnesses; Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular & Cerebrovascular Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Li-Shan Lin
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Sen Long
- Department of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Seventh People's Hospital, Mental Health Center Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310013, China
| | - Xiao-Yan Ke
- Child Mental Health Research Center, Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Kohji Fukunaga
- Department of CNS Drug Innovation, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, 980-8578, Japan
| | - Ying-Mei Lu
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
| | - Feng Han
- International Joint Laboratory for Drug Target of Critical Illnesses; Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular & Cerebrovascular Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China. .,Institute of Brain Science, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China. .,Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, 215002, China.
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107
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Abstract
Mounting evidence indicates that microglia, which are the resident immune cells of the brain, play critical roles in a diverse array of neurodevelopmental processes required for proper brain maturation and function. This evidence has ultimately led to growing speculation that microglial dysfunction may play a role in neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD) pathoetiology. In this review, we first provide an overview of how microglia mechanistically contribute to the sculpting of the developing brain and neuronal circuits. To provide an example of how disruption of microglial biology impacts NDD development, we also highlight emerging evidence that has linked microglial dysregulation to autism spectrum disorder pathogenesis. In recent years, there has been increasing interest in how the gut microbiome shapes microglial biology. In the last section of this review, we put a spotlight on this burgeoning area of microglial research and discuss how microbiota-dependent modulation of microglial biology is currently thought to influence NDD progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- John R Lukens
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA;
- Center for Brain Immunology and Glia, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Ukpong B Eyo
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA;
- Center for Brain Immunology and Glia, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
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108
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Wolter JM, Jimenez JA, Stein JL, Zylka MJ. ToxCast chemical library Wnt screen identifies diethanolamine as an activator of neural progenitor proliferation. FASEB Bioadv 2022; 4:441-453. [PMID: 35812078 PMCID: PMC9254222 DOI: 10.1096/fba.2021-00163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous autism spectrum disorder (ASD) risk genes are associated with Wnt signaling, suggesting that brain development may be especially sensitive to genetic perturbation of this pathway. Additionally, valproic acid, which modulates Wnt signaling, increases risk for ASD when taken during pregnancy. We previously found that an autism-linked gain-of-function UBE3A T485A mutant construct hyperactivated canonical Wnt signaling, providing a genetic means to elevate Wnt signaling above baseline levels. To identify environmental use chemicals that enhance or suppress Wnt signaling, we screened the ToxCast Phase I and II libraries in cells expressing this autism-linked UBE3A T485A gain-of-function mutant construct. Using structural comparisons, we identify classes of chemicals that stimulated Wnt signaling, including ethanolamines, as well as chemicals that inhibited Wnt signaling, such as agricultural pesticides, and synthetic hormone analogs. To prioritize chemicals for follow-up, we leveraged predicted human exposure data, and identified diethanolamine (DEA) as a chemical that stimulates Wnt signaling in UBE3A T485A -transfected cells, and has a high potential for prenatal exposure in humans. DEA enhanced proliferation in primary human neural progenitor cell lines (phNPC), but did not affect expression of canonical Wnt target genes in NPCs or primary mouse neuron cultures. Instead, we found DEA increased expression of the H3K9 methylation sensitive gene CALB1, consistent with competitive inhibition of the methyl donor enzymatic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin M. Wolter
- UNC Neuroscience CenterThe University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
- Department of Cell Biology and PhysiologyThe University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
- Carolina Institute for Developmental DisabilitiesThe University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Jessica A. Jimenez
- Curriculum in Toxicology & Environmental MedicineThe University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Jason L. Stein
- UNC Neuroscience CenterThe University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
- Department of GeneticsThe University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Mark J. Zylka
- UNC Neuroscience CenterThe University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
- Department of Cell Biology and PhysiologyThe University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
- Carolina Institute for Developmental DisabilitiesThe University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
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109
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Context-aware deconvolution of cell-cell communication with Tensor-cell2cell. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3665. [PMID: 35760817 PMCID: PMC9237099 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31369-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell interactions determine phenotypes, and intercellular communication is shaped by cellular contexts such as disease state, organismal life stage, and tissue microenvironment. Single-cell technologies measure the molecules mediating cell–cell communication, and emerging computational tools can exploit these data to decipher intercellular communication. However, current methods either disregard cellular context or rely on simple pairwise comparisons between samples, thus limiting the ability to decipher complex cell–cell communication across multiple time points, levels of disease severity, or spatial contexts. Here we present Tensor-cell2cell, an unsupervised method using tensor decomposition, which deciphers context-driven intercellular communication by simultaneously accounting for multiple stages, states, or locations of the cells. To do so, Tensor-cell2cell uncovers context-driven patterns of communication associated with different phenotypic states and determined by unique combinations of cell types and ligand-receptor pairs. As such, Tensor-cell2cell robustly improves upon and extends the analytical capabilities of existing tools. We show Tensor-cell2cell can identify multiple modules associated with distinct communication processes (e.g., participating cell–cell and ligand-receptor pairs) linked to severities of Coronavirus Disease 2019 and to Autism Spectrum Disorder. Thus, we introduce an effective and easy-to-use strategy for understanding complex communication patterns across diverse conditions. Cellular contexts such as disease state, organismal life stage and tissue microenvironment, shape intercellular communication, and ultimately affect an organism’s phenotypes. Here, the authors present Tensor-cell2cell, an unsupervised method for deciphering context-driven intercellular communication.
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110
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Doi M, Li M, Usui N, Shimada S. Genomic Strategies for Understanding the Pathophysiology of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:930941. [PMID: 35813066 PMCID: PMC9263364 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.930941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent breakthroughs in sequencing technology and technological developments have made it easier to analyze the entire human genome than ever before. In addition to disease-specific genetic mutations and chromosomal aberrations, epigenetic alterations in individuals can also be analyzed using genomics. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD) caused by genetic and/or environmental factors. More than a thousand genes associated with ASD have been identified which are known to be involved in brain development. However, it is difficult to decode the roles of ASD-associated genes without in vitro and in vivo validations, particularly in the process of brain development. In this review, we discuss genomic strategies for understanding the pathological mechanisms underlying ASD. For this purpose, we discuss ASD-associated genes and their functions, as well as analytical strategies and their strengths and weaknesses in cellular and animal models from a basic research perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miyuki Doi
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- Addiction Research Unit, Osaka Psychiatric Research Center, Osaka Psychiatric Medical Center, Osaka, Japan
| | - Mengwei Li
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Noriyoshi Usui
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- Addiction Research Unit, Osaka Psychiatric Research Center, Osaka Psychiatric Medical Center, Osaka, Japan
- United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- Global Center for Medical Engineering and Informatics, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- *Correspondence: Noriyoshi Usui
| | - Shoichi Shimada
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- Addiction Research Unit, Osaka Psychiatric Research Center, Osaka Psychiatric Medical Center, Osaka, Japan
- United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- Global Center for Medical Engineering and Informatics, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
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111
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Berto S, Treacher AH, Caglayan E, Luo D, Haney JR, Gandal MJ, Geschwind DH, Montillo AA, Konopka G. Association between resting-state functional brain connectivity and gene expression is altered in autism spectrum disorder. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3328. [PMID: 35680911 PMCID: PMC9184501 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31053-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene expression covaries with brain activity as measured by resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, it is unclear how genomic differences driven by disease state can affect this relationship. Here, we integrate from the ABIDE I and II imaging cohorts with datasets of gene expression in brains of neurotypical individuals and individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with regionally matched brain activity measurements from fMRI datasets. We identify genes linked with brain activity whose association is disrupted in ASD. We identified a subset of genes that showed a differential developmental trajectory in individuals with ASD compared with controls. These genes are enriched in voltage-gated ion channels and inhibitory neurons, pointing to excitation-inhibition imbalance in ASD. We further assessed differences at the regional level showing that the primary visual cortex is the most affected region in ASD. Our results link disrupted brain expression patterns of individuals with ASD to brain activity and show developmental, cell type, and regional enrichment of activity linked genes. Gene expression patterns have been associated with functional activity patterns in the brain. Here the authors determine how gene expression patterns in the human brain supports brain phenotypes obtained from resting state fMRI imaging, identifying brain regions and genes relevant to autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Berto
- Department of Neuroscience, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Alex H Treacher
- Lyda Hill Department of Bioinformatics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Emre Caglayan
- Department of Neuroscience, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Danni Luo
- Lyda Hill Department of Bioinformatics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Jillian R Haney
- Program in Neurobehavioral Genetics, Department of Psychiatry, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.,Center for Autism Research and Treatment, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.,Program in Neurogenetics, Department of Neurology, Center for Autism Research and Treatment, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Michael J Gandal
- Program in Neurobehavioral Genetics, Department of Psychiatry, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.,Center for Autism Research and Treatment, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.,Program in Neurogenetics, Department of Neurology, Center for Autism Research and Treatment, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.,Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Daniel H Geschwind
- Program in Neurobehavioral Genetics, Department of Psychiatry, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.,Center for Autism Research and Treatment, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.,Program in Neurogenetics, Department of Neurology, Center for Autism Research and Treatment, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.,Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Albert A Montillo
- Lyda Hill Department of Bioinformatics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA. .,Department of Radiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA. .,Advanced Imaging Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
| | - Genevieve Konopka
- Department of Neuroscience, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA.
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112
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Epigenetics of Autism Spectrum Disorder: Histone Deacetylases. Biol Psychiatry 2022; 91:922-933. [PMID: 35120709 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2021.11.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The etiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) remains unknown, but gene-environment interactions, mediated through epigenetic mechanisms, are thought to be a key contributing factor. Prenatal environmental factors have been shown to be associated with both increased risk of ASD and altered histone deacetylases (HDACs) or acetylation levels. The relationship between epigenetic changes and gene expression in ASD suggests that alterations in histone acetylation, which lead to changes in gene transcription, may play a key role in ASD. Alterations in the acetylome have been demonstrated for several genes in ASD, including genes involved in synaptic function, neuronal excitability, and immune responses, which are mechanisms previously implicated in ASD. We review preclinical and clinical studies that investigated HDACs and autism-associated behaviors and discuss risk genes for ASD that code for proteins associated with HDACs. HDACs are also implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders with a known genetic etiology, such as 15q11-q13 duplication and Phelan-McDermid syndrome, which share clinical features and diagnostic comorbidities (e.g., epilepsy, anxiety, and intellectual disability) with ASD. Furthermore, we highlight factors that affect the behavioral phenotype of acetylome changes, including sensitive developmental periods and brain region specificity in the context of epigenetic programming.
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113
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Mpoulimari I, Zintzaras E. Synthesis of genetic association studies on autism spectrum disorders using a genetic model-free approach. Psychiatr Genet 2022; 32:91-104. [PMID: 35353796 DOI: 10.1097/ypg.0000000000000316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental disorders. Despite the extensive efforts of scientists, the etiology of ASD is far from completely elucidated. In an effort to enlighten the genetic architecture of ASDs, a meta-analysis of all available genetic association studies (GAS) was conducted. METHODS We searched in the Human Genome Epidemiology Navigator (HuGE Navigator) and PubMed for available case-control GAS of ASDs. The threshold for meta-analysis was two studies per genetic variant. The association between genotype distribution and ASDs was examined using the generalized linear odds ratio (ORG). For variants with available allele frequencies, the examined model was the allele contrast. RESULTS Overall, 57 candidate genes and 128 polymorphisms were investigated in 159 articles. In total 28 genetic polymorphisms have been shown to be associated with ASDs, that are harbored in 19 genes. Statistically significant results were revealed for the variants of the following genes adenosine deaminase (ADA), bone marrow stromal cell antigen-1 (CD157/BST1), Dopamine receptor D1 (DRD1), engrailed homolog 2 (EN2), met proto-oncogene (MET), methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), solute carrier family 6 member 4 (SLC6A4), Synaptosomal-associated protein, 25kDa (SNAP-25) and vitamin D receptor (VDR). In the allele contrast model of cases versus healthy controls, significant associations were observed for Adrenoceptor Alpha 1B (ADRA1B), acetyl serotonin O - methyltransferase (ASMT), complement component 4B (C4B), dopamine receptor D3 (DRD3), met proto-oncogene (MET), neuroligin 4, X-linked (NLGN4), neurexin 1 (NRXN1), oxytocin receptor (OXTR), Serine/Threonine-Protein Kinase PFTAIRE-1 (PFTK1), Reelin (RELN) and Ras-like without CAAX 2 (RIT2). CONCLUSION These significant findings provide further evidence for genetic factors' implication in ASDs offering new perspectives in means of prevention and prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioanna Mpoulimari
- Department of Biomathematics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Elias Zintzaras
- Department of Biomathematics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
- Department of Medicine, The Institute for Clinical Research and Health Policy Studies, Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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114
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Hunt AD, Jaeggi AV. Specialised minds: extending adaptive explanations of personality to the evolution of psychopathology. EVOLUTIONARY HUMAN SCIENCES 2022; 4:e26. [PMID: 37588937 PMCID: PMC10426115 DOI: 10.1017/ehs.2022.23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Traditional evolutionary theory invoked natural and sexual selection to explain species- and sex-typical traits. However, some heritable inter-individual variability in behaviour and psychology - personality - is probably adaptive. Here we extend this insight to common psychopathological traits. Reviewing key findings from three background areas of importance - theoretical models, non-human personality and evolved human social dynamics - we propose that a combination of social niche specialisation, negative frequency-dependency, balancing selection and adaptive developmental plasticity should explain adaptation for individual differences in psychology - 'specialised minds' - explaining some variance in personality and psychopathology trait dimensions, which share various characteristics. We suggest that anthropological research of behavioural differences should be extended past broad demographic factors (age and sex) to include individual specialisations. As a first step towards grounding psychopathology in ancestral social structure, we propose a minimum plausible prevalence, given likely ancestral group sizes, for negatively frequency-dependent phenotypes to be maintained as specialised tails of adaptive distributions - below the calculated prevalence, specialisation is highly unlikely. For instance, chronic highly debilitating forms of autism or schizophrenia are too rare for such explanations, whereas attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder and broad autism phenotypes are common enough to have existed in most hunter-gatherer bands, making adaptive explanations more plausible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam D. Hunt
- Institute of Evolutionary Medicine, University of Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Adrian V. Jaeggi
- Institute of Evolutionary Medicine, University of Zürich, Switzerland
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115
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Mehra S, Ul Ahsan A, Seth E, Chopra M. Critical Evaluation of Valproic Acid-Induced Rodent Models of Autism: Current and Future Perspectives. J Mol Neurosci 2022; 72:1259-1273. [DOI: 10.1007/s12031-022-02033-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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116
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Connacher R, Williams M, Prem S, Yeung PL, Matteson P, Mehta M, Markov A, Peng C, Zhou X, McDermott CR, Pang ZP, Flax J, Brzustowicz L, Lu CW, Millonig JH, DiCicco-Bloom E. Autism NPCs from both idiopathic and CNV 16p11.2 deletion patients exhibit dysregulation of proliferation and mitogenic responses. Stem Cell Reports 2022; 17:1380-1394. [PMID: 35623351 PMCID: PMC9214070 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2022.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Neural precursor cell (NPC) dysfunction has been consistently implicated in autism. Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived NPCs from two autism groups (three idiopathic [I-ASD] and two 16p11.2 deletion [16pDel]) were used to investigate if proliferation is commonly disrupted. All five individuals display defects, with all three macrocephalic individuals (two 16pDel, one I-ASD) exhibiting hyperproliferation and the other two I-ASD subjects displaying hypoproliferation. NPCs were challenged with bFGF, and all hyperproliferative NPCs displayed blunted responses, while responses were increased in hypoproliferative cells. mRNA expression studies suggest that different pathways can result in similar proliferation phenotypes. Since 16pDel deletes MAPK3, P-ERK was measured. P-ERK is decreased in hyperproliferative but increased in hypoproliferative NPCs. While these P-ERK changes are not responsible for the phenotypes, P-ERK and bFGF response are inversely correlated with the defects. Finally, we analyzed iPSCs and discovered that 16pDel displays hyperproliferation, while idiopathic iPSCs were normal. These data suggest that NPC proliferation defects are common in ASD. NPC proliferation defects are common in idiopathic and 16p11.2 CNV-deletion ASD All macrocephalic I-ASD and 16pDel individuals have hyperproliferative NPCs NPC proliferative responses to bFGF correlate inversely with P-ERK levels Both NPCs and IPSCs derived from 16pDel individuals exhibit hyperproliferation
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Connacher
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, USA; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Madeline Williams
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, USA; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Smrithi Prem
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, USA; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Percy L Yeung
- Child Health Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Paul Matteson
- Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Monal Mehta
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA; Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Anna Markov
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Cynthia Peng
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Xiaofeng Zhou
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Courtney R McDermott
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, USA; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Zhiping P Pang
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, USA; Child Health Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Judy Flax
- Department of Genetics, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | | | - Che-Wei Lu
- Child Health Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA; Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - James H Millonig
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, USA; Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA.
| | - Emanuel DiCicco-Bloom
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.
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117
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Komada M, Nishimura Y. Epigenetics and Neuroinflammation Associated With Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Microglial Perspective. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:852752. [PMID: 35646933 PMCID: PMC9133693 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.852752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroinflammation is a cause of neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorders, fetal alcohol syndrome, and cerebral palsy. Converging lines of evidence from basic and clinical sciences suggest that dysregulation of the epigenetic landscape, including DNA methylation and miRNA expression, is associated with neuroinflammation. Genetic and environmental factors can affect the interaction between epigenetics and neuroinflammation, which may cause neurodevelopmental disorders. In this minireview, we focus on neuroinflammation that might be mediated by epigenetic dysregulation in microglia, and compare studies using mammals and zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Munekazu Komada
- Mammalian Embryology, Department of Life Science, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Kindai University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yuhei Nishimura
- Department of Integrative Pharmacology, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Japan
- *Correspondence: Yuhei Nishimura,
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118
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Kawano S, Baba M, Fukushima H, Miura D, Hashimoto H, Nakazawa T. Autism-associated ANK2 regulates embryonic neurodevelopment. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2022; 605:45-50. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.03.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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119
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Lindenmaier Z, Ellegood J, Stuive M, Easson K, Yee Y, Fernandes D, Foster J, Anagnostou E, Lerch JP. Examining the effect of chronic intranasal oxytocin administration on the neuroanatomy and behavior of three autism-related mouse models. Neuroimage 2022; 257:119243. [PMID: 35508216 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2022.119243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Although initially showing great potential, oxytocin treatment has encountered a translational hurdle in its promise of treating the social deficits of autism. Some debate surrounds the ability of oxytocin to successfully enter the brain, and therefore modify neuroanatomy. Moreover, given the heterogeneous nature of autism, treatment will only amerliorate symptoms in a subset of patients. Therefore, to determine whether oxytocin changes brain circuitry, and whether it does so variably, depending on genotype, we implemented a large randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled, preclinical study on chronic intranasal oxytocin treatment in three different mouse models related to autism with a focus on using neuroanatomical phenotypes to assess and subset treatment response. Intranasal oxytocin (0.6IU) was administered daily, for 28 days, starting at 5 weeks of age to the 16p11.2 deletion, Shank3 (exon 4-9) knockout, and Fmr1 knockout mouse models. Given the sensitivity of structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to the neurological effects of interventions like drugs, along with many other advantages, the mice underwent in vivo longitudinal and high-resolution ex vivo imaging with MRI. The scans included three in vivo T1weighted, 90um isotropic resolution scans and a T2-weighted, 3D fast spin echo with 40um isotropic resolution ex vivo scan to assess the changes in neuroanatomy using established automated image registration and deformation based morphometry approaches in response to oxytocin treatment. The behavior of the mice was assessed in multiple domains, including social behaviours and repetitive behaviours, among others. Treatment effect on the neuroanatomy did not reach significance, although the pattern of trending effects was promising. No significant effect of treatment was found on social behavior in any of the strains, although a significant effect of treatment was found in the Fmr1 mouse, with treatment normalizing a grooming deficit. No other treatment effect on behavior was observed that survived multiple comparisons correction. Overall, chronic treatment with oxytocin had limited effects on the three mouse models related to autism, and no promising pattern of response susceptibility emerged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zsuzsa Lindenmaier
- Mouse Imaging Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Jacob Ellegood
- Mouse Imaging Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Monique Stuive
- Mouse Imaging Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kaitlyn Easson
- Mouse Imaging Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Yohan Yee
- Mouse Imaging Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Darren Fernandes
- Mouse Imaging Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jane Foster
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, McMaster University, St.Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Evdokia Anagnostou
- Autism Research Center, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, Canada
| | - Jason P Lerch
- Mouse Imaging Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Wellcome Centre for Integrative NeuroImaging, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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120
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Kepler LD, McDiarmid TA, Rankin CH. Rapid assessment of the temporal function and phenotypic reversibility of neurodevelopmental disorder risk genes in Caenorhabditis elegans. Dis Model Mech 2022; 15:274939. [PMID: 35363276 PMCID: PMC9092656 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.049359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have indicated that some phenotypes caused by decreased function of select neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD) risk genes can be reversed by restoring gene function in adulthood. However, few of the hundreds of risk genes have been assessed for adult phenotypic reversibility. We developed a strategy to rapidly assess the temporal requirements and phenotypic reversibility of NDD risk gene orthologs using a conditional protein degradation system and machine-vision phenotypic profiling in Caenorhabditis elegans. We measured how degrading and re-expressing orthologs of EBF3, BRN3A and DYNC1H1 at multiple periods throughout development affect 30 morphological, locomotor, sensory and learning phenotypes. We found that phenotypic reversibility was possible for each gene studied. However, the temporal requirements of gene function and degree of rescue varied by gene and phenotype. This work highlights the critical need to assess multiple windows of degradation and re-expression and a large number of phenotypes to understand the many roles a gene can have across the lifespan. This work also demonstrates the benefits of using a high-throughput model system to prioritize NDD risk genes for re-expression studies in other organisms. Summary: We identified diverse temporal functional windows and phenotypic reversibility profiles for three neurodevelopmental disorder risk genes: EBF3•unc-3, BRN3A•unc-86 and DYNC1H1•dhc-1. Re-expression of certain genes could rescue multiple phenotypes later in life, prioritizing them for study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lexis D Kepler
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, 2211 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, Canada
| | - Troy A McDiarmid
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, 2211 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, Canada.,Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Foege Building S-250 3720 15th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Catharine H Rankin
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, 2211 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, Canada.,Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, 2136 West Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
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121
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Allen M, Huang BS, Notaras MJ, Lodhi A, Barrio-Alonso E, Lituma PJ, Wolujewicz P, Witztum J, Longo F, Chen M, Greening DW, Klann E, Ross ME, Liston C, Colak D. Astrocytes derived from ASD individuals alter behavior and destabilize neuronal activity through aberrant Ca 2+ signaling. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:2470-2484. [PMID: 35365802 PMCID: PMC9135629 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01486-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The cellular mechanisms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are poorly understood. Cumulative evidence suggests that abnormal synapse function underlies many features of this disease. Astrocytes regulate several key neuronal processes, including the formation of synapses and the modulation of synaptic plasticity. Astrocyte abnormalities have also been identified in the postmortem brain tissue of ASD individuals. However, it remains unclear whether astrocyte pathology plays a mechanistic role in ASD, as opposed to a compensatory response. To address this, we combined stem cell culturing with transplantation techniques to determine disease-specific properties inherent to ASD astrocytes. We demonstrate that ASD astrocytes induce repetitive behavior as well as impair memory and long-term potentiation when transplanted into the healthy mouse brain. These in vivo phenotypes were accompanied by reduced neuronal network activity and spine density caused by ASD astrocytes in hippocampal neurons in vitro. Transplanted ASD astrocytes also exhibit exaggerated Ca2+ fluctuations in chimeric brains. Genetic modulation of evoked Ca2+ responses in ASD astrocytes modulates behavior and neuronal activity deficits. Thus, this study determines that astrocytes derived from ASD iPSCs are sufficient to induce repetitive behavior as well as cognitive deficit, suggesting a previously unrecognized primary role for astrocytes in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Allen
- Center for Neurogenetics, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ben S Huang
- Center for Neurogenetics, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Michael J Notaras
- Center for Neurogenetics, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Aiman Lodhi
- Center for Neurogenetics, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Estibaliz Barrio-Alonso
- Center for Neurogenetics, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Pablo J Lituma
- Center for Neurogenetics, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Paul Wolujewicz
- Center for Neurogenetics, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jonathan Witztum
- Center for Neurogenetics, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Francesco Longo
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Maoshan Chen
- Molecular Proteomics, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Baker Department of Cardiometabolic Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Baker Department of Cardiovascular Research, Translation and Implementation, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - David W Greening
- Molecular Proteomics, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Baker Department of Cardiometabolic Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Baker Department of Cardiovascular Research, Translation and Implementation, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Eric Klann
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - M Elizabeth Ross
- Center for Neurogenetics, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Conor Liston
- Center for Neurogenetics, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Dilek Colak
- Center for Neurogenetics, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA. .,Gale and Ira Drukier Institute for Children's Health, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA.
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122
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Shao E, Chang CW, Li Z, Yu X, Ho K, Zhang M, Wang X, Simms J, Lo I, Speckart J, Holtzman J, Yu GQ, Roberson ED, Mucke L. TAU ablation in excitatory neurons and postnatal TAU knockdown reduce epilepsy, SUDEP, and autism behaviors in a Dravet syndrome model. Sci Transl Med 2022; 14:eabm5527. [PMID: 35476595 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abm5527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Intracellular accumulation of TAU aggregates is a hallmark of several neurodegenerative diseases. However, global genetic reduction of TAU is beneficial also in models of other brain disorders that lack such TAU pathology, suggesting a pathogenic role of nonaggregated TAU. Here, conditional ablation of TAU in excitatory, but not inhibitory, neurons reduced epilepsy, sudden unexpected death in epilepsy, overactivation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase-AKT-mammalian target of rapamycin pathway, brain overgrowth (megalencephaly), and autism-like behaviors in a mouse model of Dravet syndrome, a severe epileptic encephalopathy of early childhood. Furthermore, treatment with a TAU-lowering antisense oligonucleotide, initiated on postnatal day 10, had similar therapeutic effects in this mouse model. Our findings suggest that excitatory neurons are the critical cell type in which TAU has to be reduced to counteract brain dysfunctions associated with Dravet syndrome and that overall cerebral TAU reduction could have similar benefits, even when initiated postnatally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Shao
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Che-Wei Chang
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Zhiyong Li
- Alzheimer's Disease Center, Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Xinxing Yu
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Kaitlyn Ho
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Michelle Zhang
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Xin Wang
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Jeffrey Simms
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Iris Lo
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Jessica Speckart
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Julia Holtzman
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Gui-Qiu Yu
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Erik D Roberson
- Alzheimer's Disease Center, Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Lennart Mucke
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.,Department of Neurology and Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
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123
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Irie K, Doi M, Usui N, Shimada S. Evolution of the Human Brain Can Help Determine Pathophysiology of Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:871979. [PMID: 35431788 PMCID: PMC9010664 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.871979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The evolution of humans brought about a co-occurring evolution of the human brain, which is far larger and more complex than that of many other organisms. The brain has evolved characteristically in humans in many respects, including macro-and micro-anatomical changes in the brain structure, changes in gene expression, and cell populations and ratios. These characteristics are essential for the execution of higher functions, such as sociality, language, and cognition, which express humanity, and are thought to have been acquired over evolutionary time. However, with the acquisition of higher functions also comes the risk of the disease in which they fail. This review focuses on human brain evolution and neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) and discusses brain development, molecular evolution, and human brain evolution. Discussing the potential for the development and pathophysiology of NDDs acquired by human brain evolution will provide insights into the acquisition and breakdown of higher functions from a new perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koichiro Irie
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- Center for Medical Research and Education, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Miyuki Doi
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Noriyoshi Usui
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- Global Center for Medical Engineering and Informatics, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- Addiction Research Unit, Osaka Psychiatric Research Center, Osaka Psychiatric Medical Center, Osaka, Japan
- *Correspondence: Noriyoshi Usui,
| | - Shoichi Shimada
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- Global Center for Medical Engineering and Informatics, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- Addiction Research Unit, Osaka Psychiatric Research Center, Osaka Psychiatric Medical Center, Osaka, Japan
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Montanari M, Martella G, Bonsi P, Meringolo M. Autism Spectrum Disorder: Focus on Glutamatergic Neurotransmission. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073861. [PMID: 35409220 PMCID: PMC8998955 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Disturbances in the glutamatergic system have been increasingly documented in several neuropsychiatric disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Glutamate-centered theories of ASD are based on evidence from patient samples and postmortem studies, as well as from studies documenting abnormalities in glutamatergic gene expression and metabolic pathways, including changes in the gut microbiota glutamate metabolism in patients with ASD. In addition, preclinical studies on animal models have demonstrated glutamatergic neurotransmission deficits and altered expression of glutamate synaptic proteins. At present, there are no approved glutamatergic drugs for ASD, but several ongoing clinical trials are currently focusing on evaluating in autistic patients glutamatergic pharmaceuticals already approved for other conditions. In this review, we provide an overview of the literature concerning the role of glutamatergic neurotransmission in the pathophysiology of ASD and as a potential target for novel treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Montanari
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Plasticity, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00179 Rome, Italy; (M.M.); (G.M.)
- Department of Systems Neuroscience, University Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Martella
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Plasticity, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00179 Rome, Italy; (M.M.); (G.M.)
| | - Paola Bonsi
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Plasticity, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00179 Rome, Italy; (M.M.); (G.M.)
- Correspondence: (P.B.); (M.M.)
| | - Maria Meringolo
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Plasticity, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00179 Rome, Italy; (M.M.); (G.M.)
- Correspondence: (P.B.); (M.M.)
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125
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Lynch MA. Exploring Sex-Related Differences in Microglia May Be a Game-Changer in Precision Medicine. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:868448. [PMID: 35431903 PMCID: PMC9009390 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.868448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
One area of microglial biology that has been relatively neglected until recently is sex differences and this is in spite of the fact that sex is a risk factor in several diseases that are characterized by neuroinflammation and, by extension, microglial activation. Why these sex differences exist is not known but the panoply of differences extend to microglial number, genotype and phenotype. Significantly, several of these sex-related differences are also evident in health and change during life emphasizing the dynamic and plastic nature of microglia. This review will consider how age impacts on sex-related differences in microglia and ask whether the advancement of personalized medicine demands that a greater focus is placed on studying sex-related differences in microglia in Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and models of inflammatory stress and trauma in order to make true progress in dealing with these conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina A. Lynch
- Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
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126
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Lee K, Jung Y, Vyas Y, Skelton I, Abraham WC, Hsueh YP, Montgomery JM. Dietary zinc supplementation rescues fear-based learning and synaptic function in the Tbr1 +/- mouse model of autism spectrum disorders. Mol Autism 2022; 13:13. [PMID: 35303947 PMCID: PMC8932001 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-022-00494-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by a dyad of behavioural symptoms—social and communication deficits and repetitive behaviours. Multiple aetiological genetic and environmental factors have been identified as causing or increasing the likelihood of ASD, including serum zinc deficiency. Our previous studies revealed that dietary zinc supplementation can normalise impaired social behaviours, excessive grooming, and heightened anxiety in a Shank3 mouse model of ASD, as well as the amelioration of synapse dysfunction. Here, we have examined the efficacy and breadth of dietary zinc supplementation as an effective therapeutic strategy utilising a non-Shank-related mouse model of ASD—mice with Tbr1 haploinsufficiency. Methods We performed behavioural assays, amygdalar slice whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology, and immunohistochemistry to characterise the synaptic mechanisms underlying the ASD-associated behavioural deficits observed in Tbr1+/− mice and the therapeutic potential of dietary zinc supplementation. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Šídák's post hoc test and one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s post hoc multiple comparisons were performed for statistical analysis. Results Our data show that dietary zinc supplementation prevents impairments in auditory fear memory and social interaction, but not social novelty, in the Tbr1+/− mice. Tbr1 haploinsufficiency did not induce excessive grooming nor elevate anxiety in mice. At the synaptic level, dietary zinc supplementation reversed α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor (AMPAR) and N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) hypofunction and normalised presynaptic function at thalamic-lateral amygdala (LA) synapses that are crucial for auditory fear memory. In addition, the zinc supplemented diet significantly restored the synaptic puncta density of the GluN1 subunit essential for functional NMDARs as well as SHANK3 expression in both the basal and lateral amygdala (BLA) of Tbr1+/− mice. Limitations The therapeutic effect of dietary zinc supplementation observed in rodent models may not reproduce the same effects in human patients. The effect of dietary zinc supplementation on synaptic function in other brain structures affected by Tbr1 haploinsufficiency including olfactory bulb and anterior commissure will also need to be examined. Conclusions Our data further the understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the effect of dietary zinc supplementation and verify the efficacy and breadth of its application as a potential treatment strategy for ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Lee
- Department of Physiology and Centre for Brain Research, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand
| | - Yewon Jung
- Department of Physiology and Centre for Brain Research, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand
| | - Yukti Vyas
- Department of Physiology and Centre for Brain Research, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand.,INSERM, Neurocentre Magendie, U1215, Bordeaux, France
| | - Imogen Skelton
- Department of Physiology and Centre for Brain Research, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand
| | - Wickliffe C Abraham
- Department of Psychology and Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Yi-Ping Hsueh
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, 128, Section 2, Academia Rd., Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Johanna M Montgomery
- Department of Physiology and Centre for Brain Research, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand.
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Wen TH, Cheng A, Andreason C, Zahiri J, Xiao Y, Xu R, Bao B, Courchesne E, Barnes CC, Arias SJ, Pierce K. Large scale validation of an early-age eye-tracking biomarker of an autism spectrum disorder subtype. Sci Rep 2022; 12:4253. [PMID: 35277549 PMCID: PMC8917231 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-08102-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Few clinically validated biomarkers of ASD exist which can rapidly, accurately, and objectively identify autism during the first years of life and be used to support optimized treatment outcomes and advances in precision medicine. As such, the goal of the present study was to leverage both simple and computationally-advanced approaches to validate an eye-tracking measure of social attention preference, the GeoPref Test, among 1,863 ASD, delayed, or typical toddlers (12-48 months) referred from the community or general population via a primary care universal screening program. Toddlers participated in diagnostic and psychometric evaluations and the GeoPref Test: a 1-min movie containing side-by-side dynamic social and geometric images. Following testing, diagnosis was denoted as ASD, ASD features, LD, GDD, Other, typical sibling of ASD proband, or typical. Relative to other diagnostic groups, ASD toddlers exhibited the highest levels of visual attention towards geometric images and those with especially high fixation levels exhibited poor clinical profiles. Using the 69% fixation threshold, the GeoPref Test had 98% specificity, 17% sensitivity, 81% PPV, and 65% NPV. Sensitivity increased to 33% when saccades were included, with comparable validity across sex, ethnicity, or race. The GeoPref Test was also highly reliable up to 24 months following the initial test. Finally, fixation levels among twins concordant for ASD were significantly correlated, indicating that GeoPref Test performance may be genetically driven. As the GeoPref Test yields few false positives (~ 2%) and is equally valid across demographic categories, the current findings highlight the ability of the GeoPref Test to rapidly and accurately detect autism before the 2nd birthday in a subset of children and serve as a biomarker for a unique ASD subtype in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa H Wen
- Autism Center of Excellence, Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, 8110 La Jolla Shores Dr., La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA.
| | - Amanda Cheng
- Autism Center of Excellence, Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, 8110 La Jolla Shores Dr., La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Charlene Andreason
- Autism Center of Excellence, Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, 8110 La Jolla Shores Dr., La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Javad Zahiri
- Autism Center of Excellence, Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, 8110 La Jolla Shores Dr., La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Yaqiong Xiao
- Autism Center of Excellence, Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, 8110 La Jolla Shores Dr., La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Ronghui Xu
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Department of Mathematics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Bokan Bao
- Autism Center of Excellence, Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, 8110 La Jolla Shores Dr., La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
- Department of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Eric Courchesne
- Autism Center of Excellence, Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, 8110 La Jolla Shores Dr., La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Cynthia Carter Barnes
- Autism Center of Excellence, Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, 8110 La Jolla Shores Dr., La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Steven J Arias
- Autism Center of Excellence, Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, 8110 La Jolla Shores Dr., La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Karen Pierce
- Autism Center of Excellence, Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, 8110 La Jolla Shores Dr., La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA.
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128
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Kalman ZE, Dudola D, Mészáros B, Gáspári Z, Dobson L. PSINDB: the postsynaptic protein-protein interaction database. Database (Oxford) 2022; 2022:baac007. [PMID: 35234850 PMCID: PMC9216581 DOI: 10.1093/database/baac007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The postsynaptic region is the receiving part of the synapse comprising thousands of proteins forming an elaborate and dynamically changing network indispensable for the molecular mechanisms behind fundamental phenomena such as learning and memory. Despite the growing amount of information about individual protein-protein interactions (PPIs) in this network, these data are mostly scattered in the literature or stored in generic databases that are not designed to display aspects that are fundamental to the understanding of postsynaptic functions. To overcome these limitations, we collected postsynaptic PPIs complemented by a high amount of detailed structural and biological information and launched a freely available resource, the Postsynaptic Interaction Database (PSINDB), to make these data and annotations accessible. PSINDB includes tens of thousands of binding regions together with structural features, mediating and regulating the formation of PPIs, annotated with detailed experimental information about each interaction. PSINDB is expected to be useful for various aspects of molecular neurobiology research, from experimental design to network and systems biology-based modeling and analysis of changes in the protein network upon various stimuli. Database URL https://psindb.itk.ppke.hu/.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zsofia E Kalman
- Faculty of Information Technology and Bionics, Pázmány Péter Catholic University, Práter u. 50/A, Budapest 1083, Hungary
| | - Dániel Dudola
- Faculty of Information Technology and Bionics, Pázmány Péter Catholic University, Práter u. 50/A, Budapest 1083, Hungary
| | - Bálint Mészáros
- Structural and Computational Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Meyerhofstraße 1, Heidelberg 69117, Germany
| | - Zoltán Gáspári
- Faculty of Information Technology and Bionics, Pázmány Péter Catholic University, Práter u. 50/A, Budapest 1083, Hungary
| | - Laszlo Dobson
- *Corresponding author: Tel: +49 6221 387 8398; Fax: +49 6221 387 8530;
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Choe KY, Bethlehem RAI, Safrin M, Dong H, Salman E, Li Y, Grinevich V, Golshani P, DeNardo LA, Peñagarikano O, Harris NG, Geschwind DH. Oxytocin normalizes altered circuit connectivity for social rescue of the Cntnap2 knockout mouse. Neuron 2022; 110:795-808.e6. [PMID: 34932941 PMCID: PMC8944915 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2021.11.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The neural basis of abnormal social behavior in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) remains incompletely understood. Here we used two complementary but independent brain-wide mapping approaches, mouse resting-state fMRI and c-Fos-iDISCO+ imaging, to construct brain-wide activity and connectivity maps of the Cntnap2 knockout (KO) mouse model of ASD. At the macroscale level, we detected reduced functional coupling across social brain regions despite general patterns of hyperconnectivity across major brain structures. Oxytocin administration, which rescues social deficits in KO mice, strongly stimulated many brain areas and normalized connectivity patterns. Notably, chemogenetically triggered release of endogenous oxytocin strongly stimulated the nucleus accumbens (NAc), a forebrain nucleus implicated in social reward. Furthermore, NAc-targeted approaches to activate local oxytocin receptors sufficiently rescued their social deficits. Our findings establish circuit- and systems-level mechanisms of social deficits in Cntnap2 KO mice and reveal the NAc as a region that can be modulated by oxytocin to promote social interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrina Y Choe
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Center for Autism Research and Treatment, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada.
| | - Richard A I Bethlehem
- Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0SZ, UK
| | - Martin Safrin
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Hongmei Dong
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Elena Salman
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Ying Li
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Valery Grinevich
- Department of Neuropeptide Research for Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim 68159, Germany
| | - Peyman Golshani
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Center for Autism Research and Treatment, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Laura A DeNardo
- Department of Physiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Olga Peñagarikano
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Vizcaya 48940, Spain
| | - Neil G Harris
- Department of Neurosurgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Daniel H Geschwind
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Center for Autism Research and Treatment, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
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130
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Zaheer J, Kim H, Ko IO, Jo EK, Choi EJ, Lee HJ, Shim I, Woo HJ, Choi J, Kim GH, Kim JS. Pre/post-natal exposure to microplastic as a potential risk factor for autism spectrum disorder. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 161:107121. [PMID: 35134716 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
In common with the increase in environmental pollution in the past 10 years, there has also been a recent increase in the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In this regard, we hypothesized that exposure to microplastics is a potential risk factor for ASD. To evaluate the validity of this hypothesis, we initially examined the accumulation of polyethylene (PE) in the brains of mice and then assessed the behavioral effects using mouse models at different life stages, namely, prenatal, post-weaning, puberty, and adult models. Based on typical behavioral assessments of autistic traits in the model mice, we established that ASD-like traits were induced in mice after PE feeding. In addition, we examined the induction of ASD-like traits in response to microplastic exposure using positron emission tomography, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, microarray, and microbiome analysis. We believe these findings provide evidence in microplastics as a potential risk factor for ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javeria Zaheer
- Division of RI Application, Korea Institute Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul 01812, Republic of Korea; Radiological and Medico-Oncological Sciences, University of Science and Technology (UST), Seoul 01812, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeongi Kim
- Division of RI Application, Korea Institute Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul 01812, Republic of Korea; Department of Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - In Ok Ko
- Division of RI Application, Korea Institute Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul 01812, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun-Kyeong Jo
- School of Health & Environmental Science, College of Health Science, Korea University Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Eui-Ju Choi
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Hae-June Lee
- Division of Radiation Biomedical Research, Korea Institute Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul 01812, Republic of Korea
| | - Insop Shim
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02453, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun-Jeong Woo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Integrative Engineering, College of ICT Engineering, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Jonghoon Choi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Integrative Engineering, College of ICT Engineering, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Gun-Ha Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Korea Cancer Center Hospital, Korea Institute Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul 01812, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Su Kim
- Division of RI Application, Korea Institute Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul 01812, Republic of Korea; Radiological and Medico-Oncological Sciences, University of Science and Technology (UST), Seoul 01812, Republic of Korea.
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131
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Al Dera H. Cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying autism spectrum disorders and associated comorbidities: A pathophysiological review. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 148:112688. [PMID: 35149383 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.112688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a group of neurodevelopmental disorders that develop in early life due to interaction between several genetic and environmental factors and lead to alterations in brain function and structure. During the last decades, several mechanisms have been placed to explain the pathogenesis of autism. Unfortunately, these are reported in several studies and reviews which make it difficult to follow by the reader. In addition, some recent molecular mechanisms related to ASD have been unrevealed. This paper revises and highlights the major common molecular mechanisms responsible for the clinical symptoms seen in people with ASD, including the roles of common genetic factors and disorders, neuroinflammation, GABAergic signaling, and alterations in Ca+2 signaling. Besides, it covers the major molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways involved in initiating the epileptic seizure, including the alterations in the GABAergic and glutamate signaling, vitamin and mineral deficiency, disorders of metabolism, and autoimmunity. Finally, this review also discusses sleep disorder patterns and the molecular mechanisms underlying them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hussain Al Dera
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine at King Saud, Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
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132
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Kopachev N, Netser S, Wagner S. Sex-dependent features of social behavior differ between distinct laboratory mouse strains and their mixed offspring. iScience 2022; 25:103735. [PMID: 35098101 PMCID: PMC8783130 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.103735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The survival of individuals of gregarious species depends on their social interactions. In humans, atypical social behavior is a hallmark of several psychopathological conditions, many of which have sex-specific manifestations. Various laboratory mouse strains are used to reveal the mechanisms mediating typical and atypical social behavior in mammals. Here, we used three social discrimination tests to characterize social behavior in males and females of three widely used laboratory mouse strains (C57BL/6J, BALB/c, and ICR). We found marked sex- and strain-specific differences in the behavior exhibited by subjects, in a test-dependent manner. Interestingly, some characteristics were strain-dependent, while others were sex-dependent. We then crossbred C57BL/6J and BALB/c mice and found that offspring of such crossbreeding exhibit social behavior which differs from both parental strains and depends on the specific combination of parental strains. Thus, social behavior of laboratory mice is sex- and strain-specific and depends on both genetic and environmental factors. Social investigation behavior of laboratory mice is highly strain- and sex-specific Some behavioral aspects are either strain- or sex-specific, but not both Mixed offspring of distinct strains behave differently from both parental strains The behavior of mixed offspring depends on the specific combination of parents
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Li M, Zhao SX, Chen WJ, Huang TY, Chen LS. Knowledge and Attitudes toward Genetic Testing for Autism Spectrum Disorders among Parents of Affected Children in Taiwan. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13020239. [PMID: 35205283 PMCID: PMC8871752 DOI: 10.3390/genes13020239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Revised: 01/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in Taiwan has been increasing, and genetic testing for ASD has been available and provided to parents of children diagnosed with ASD in Taiwan. However, there is still limited understanding of Taiwanese parents’ knowledge of and attitudes toward such testing. Therefore, the present study addressed this gap by assessing the attitudes toward as well as actual and perceived knowledge of ASD genetic testing among Taiwanese parents of children diagnosed with ASD. A sample of 443 parents of children with ASD recruited from 236 public schools in Taiwan completed a paper-and-pencil survey. Although parents generally held favorable attitudes toward ASD genetic testing, they had deficient knowledge of such test (with only a 31.4% average correct rate on the actual knowledge scale). Tailored health education materials should be developed to improve the knowledge of ASD genetic testing among parents with affected children in Taiwan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Li
- Department of Health Sciences, Towson University, Towson, MD 21252, USA;
| | - Shi-Xi Zhao
- Department of Health, Exercise & Sports Sciences, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA;
| | - Wei-Ju Chen
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas Permian Basin, Odessa, TX 79762, USA;
| | - Tse-Yang Huang
- Department of Special Education, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan;
| | - Lei-Shih Chen
- Department of Health and Kinesiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(979)-862-2912
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Hegde R, Hegde S, Kulkarni SS, Pandurangi A, Gai PB, Das KK. Genetic analysis of the postsynaptic transmembrane X-linked neuroligin 3 gene in autism. Genomics Inform 2022; 19:e44. [PMID: 35012288 PMCID: PMC8752989 DOI: 10.5808/gi.21029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder, the prevalence of which has increased drastically in India in recent years. Neuroligin is a type I transmembrane protein that plays a crucial role in synaptogenesis. Alterations in synaptic genes are most commonly implicated in autism and other cognitive disorders. The present study investigated the neuroligin 3 gene in the Indian autistic population by sequencing and in silico pathogenicity prediction of molecular changes. In total, 108 clinically described individuals with autism were included from the North Karnataka region of India, along with 150 age-, sex-, and ethnicity-matched healthy controls. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood, and exonic regions were sequenced. The functional and structural effects of variants of the neuroligin 3 protein were predicted. One coding sequence variant (a missense variant) and four non-coding variants (two 5'-untranslated region [UTR] variants and two 3'-UTR variants) were recorded. The novel missense variant was found in 25% of the autistic population. The C/C genotype of c.551T>C was significantly more common in autistic children than in controls (p = 0.001), and a significantly increased risk of autism (24.7-fold) was associated with this genotype (p = 0.001). The missense variant showed pathogenic effects and high evolutionary conservation over the functions of the neuroligin 3 protein. In the present study, we reported a novel missense variant, V184A, which causes abnormal neuroligin 3 and was found with high frequency in the Indian autistic population. Therefore, neuroligin is a candidate gene for future molecular investigations and functional analysis in the Indian autistic population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajat Hegde
- Laboratory of Vascular Physiology and Medicine, Department of Physiology, Shri B.M Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, BLDE (Deemed to be University), Vijayapura, Karnataka 586101, India.,Karnataka Institute for DNA Research (KIDNAR), Dharwad, Karnataka 580003, India
| | - Smita Hegde
- Karnataka Institute for DNA Research (KIDNAR), Dharwad, Karnataka 580003, India.,Human Genetics Laboratory, Department. of Anatomy, Shri B.M Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, BLDE (Deemed to be University), Vijayapura, Karnataka 586101, India
| | | | - Aditya Pandurangi
- Department of Psychiatry, Dharwad Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Dharwad, Karnataka 580008, India
| | - Pramod B Gai
- Karnataka Institute for DNA Research (KIDNAR), Dharwad, Karnataka 580003, India
| | - Kusal K Das
- Laboratory of Vascular Physiology and Medicine, Department of Physiology, Shri B.M Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, BLDE (Deemed to be University), Vijayapura, Karnataka 586101, India
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135
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Usui N, Matsumoto-Miyai K, Koyama Y, Kobayashi Y, Nakamura Y, Kobayashi H, Shimada S. Social Communication of Maternal Immune Activation-Affected Offspring Is Improved by Si-Based Hydrogen-Producing Agent. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:872302. [PMID: 35492705 PMCID: PMC9043691 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.872302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal immune activation (MIA) is triggered by infection or autoimmune predisposition during pregnancy, and cytokines produced by MIA are transmitted through the placenta to the fetal brain, implicating at the onset risks and vulnerability for developmental and psychiatric disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia. To address these kinds of problem in child health, we have developed a silicon (Si)-based hydrogen-producing antioxidant (Si-based agent) that continuously and effectively produces hydrogen in the body. Medical hydrogen is known to have antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic effects, therefore we applied our Si-based agent as a potential therapeutic agent to MIA. Using a MIA mouse model, we found that the Si-based agent improved the social communication of MIA offspring mice. We also found that the Si-based agent suppressed the expressions of inflammation-associated genes Ifna1 and Il-6 in the mouse brain. These results demonstrate that the Si-based agent is an effective prophylactic agent against MIA during pregnancy, suggesting that our Si-based agent may be a preventative or therapeutic agent for ASD and other disease risks in child health suppressing MIA damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noriyoshi Usui
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan.,United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Suita, Japan.,Global Center for Medical Engineering and Informatics, Osaka University, Suita, Japan.,Addiction Research Unit, Osaka Psychiatric Research Center, Osaka Psychiatric Medical Center, Osaka, Japan
| | | | - Yoshihisa Koyama
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan.,Addiction Research Unit, Osaka Psychiatric Research Center, Osaka Psychiatric Medical Center, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yuki Kobayashi
- Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Yukiko Nakamura
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan.,Addiction Research Unit, Osaka Psychiatric Research Center, Osaka Psychiatric Medical Center, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hikaru Kobayashi
- Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Shoichi Shimada
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan.,United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Suita, Japan.,Global Center for Medical Engineering and Informatics, Osaka University, Suita, Japan.,Addiction Research Unit, Osaka Psychiatric Research Center, Osaka Psychiatric Medical Center, Osaka, Japan
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136
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Hu C, Li H, Li J, Luo X, Hao Y. Microglia: Synaptic modulator in autism spectrum disorder. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:958661. [PMID: 36465285 PMCID: PMC9714329 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.958661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by variable impairment of social communication and repetitive behaviors, highly restricted interests, and/or sensory behaviors beginning early in life. Many individuals with ASD have dysfunction of microglia, which may be closely related to neuroinflammation, making microglia play an important role in the pathogenesis of ASD. Mounting evidence indicates that microglia, the resident immune cells of the brain, are required for proper brain function, especially in the maintenance of neuronal circuitry and control of behavior. Dysfunction of microglia will ultimately affect the neural function in a variety of ways, including the formation of synapses and alteration of excitatory-inhibitory balance. In this review, we provide an overview of how microglia actively interact with neurons in physiological conditions and modulate the fate and functions of synapses. We put a spotlight on the multi-dimensional neurodevelopmental roles of microglia, especially in the essential influence of synapses, and discuss how microglia are currently thought to influence ASD progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong Hu
- Division of Child Healthcare, Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Heli Li
- Division of Child Healthcare, Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jinhui Li
- Division of Child Healthcare, Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaoping Luo
- Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yan Hao
- Division of Child Healthcare, Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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137
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Dichter GS, Rodriguez-Romaguera J. Anhedonia and Hyperhedonia in Autism and Related Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2022; 58:237-254. [PMID: 35397066 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2022_312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Although autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is defined by impaired social communication and restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests, ASD is also characterized by impaired motivational processes. The "social motivation theory of autism" describes how social motivation disruptions in ASD in early childhood may impede the drive to engage in reciprocal social behaviors and ultimately interfere with the development of neural networks critical for social communication (Chevallier et al., Trends Cogn Sci 16:231-239, 2012b). Importantly, clinical studies and preclinical research using model organisms for ASD indicate that motivational impairments in ASD are not constrained to social rewards but are evident in response to a range of nonsocial rewards as well. Additionally, translational studies on certain genetically defined neurodevelopmental disorders associated with ASD indicate that these syndromic forms of ASD are also characterized by motivational deficits and mesolimbic dopamine impairments. In this chapter we summarize clinical and preclinical research relevant to reward processing impairments in ASD and related neurodevelopmental disorders. We also propose a nosology to describe reward processing impairments in these disorders that uses a three-axes model. In this triaxial nosology, the first axis defines the direction of the reward response (i.e., anhedonic, hyperhedonic); the second axis defines the construct of the reward process (e.g., reward liking, reward wanting); and the third axis defines the context of the reward response (e.g., social, nonsocial). A more precise nosology for describing reward processing impairments in ASD and related neurodevelopmental disorders will aid in the translation of preclinical research to clinical investigations which will ultimately help to speed up the development of interventions that target motivational systems for ASD and related neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel S Dichter
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
| | - Jose Rodriguez-Romaguera
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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138
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Cucinotta F, Ricciardello A, Turriziani L, Mancini A, Keller R, Sacco R, Persico AM. Efficacy and Safety of Q10 Ubiquinol With Vitamins B and E in Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Retrospective Chart Review. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:829516. [PMID: 35308885 PMCID: PMC8927903 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.829516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Increased oxidative stress and defective mitochondrial functioning are shared features among many brain disorders. The aim of this study was to verify retrospectively the clinical efficacy and safety of a metabolic support therapy with Q10 ubiquinol, vitamin E and complex-B vitamins in various neurodevelopmental disorders. This retrospective chart review study included 59 patients (mean age 10.1 ± 1.2 y.o., range 2.5-39 years; M:F = 2.47:1), diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (n = 17), Autism Spectrum Disorder with co-morbid Intellectual Disability (n = 19), Intellectual Disability or Global Developmental Delay (n = 15), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (n = 3) and Intellectual Disability in Phelan-McDermid syndrome due to chr. 22q13.33 deletion (n = 5). After a minimum of 3 months of therapy, a positive outcome was recorded in 45/59 (76.27%) patients, with Clinical Global Impression-Improvement scores ranging between 1 ("very much improved") and 3 ("minimally improved"). The most widespread improvements were recorded in cognition (n = 26, 44.1%), adaptative functioning (n = 26, 44.1%) and social motivation (n = 19, 32.2%). Improvement rates differed by diagnosis, being observed most consistently in Phelan-McDermid Syndrome (5/5, 100%), followed by Intellectual Disability/Global Developmental Delay (13/15, 86.7%), Autism Spectrum Disorder with co-morbid Intellectual Disability (15/19, 78.9%), Autism Spectrum Disorder (11/17, 64.7%) and ADHD (1/3, 33.3%). No significant adverse event or side effect leading to treatment discontinuation were recorded. Mild side effects were reported in 18 (30.5%) patients, with the most frequent being increased hyperactivity (9/59, 15.3%). This retrospective chart review suggests that metabolic support therapy with Q10 ubiquinol, vitamin E and complex-B vitamins is well tolerated and produces some improvement in the majority of patients with neurodevelopmental disorders, especially in the presence of intellectual disability. Randomized controlled trials for each single neurodevelopmental disorder are now warranted to conclusively demonstrate the efficacy of these mitochondrial bioenergetic and antioxidant agents and to estimate their therapeutic effect size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Cucinotta
- Interdepartmental Program "Autism 0-90", "G. Martino" University Hospital, Messina, Italy.,IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino-Pulejo", Messina, Italy
| | - Arianna Ricciardello
- Interdepartmental Program "Autism 0-90", "G. Martino" University Hospital, Messina, Italy.,Villa Miralago, Cuasso al Monte, Italy
| | - Laura Turriziani
- Interdepartmental Program "Autism 0-90", "G. Martino" University Hospital, Messina, Italy
| | - Arianna Mancini
- Interdepartmental Program "Autism 0-90", "G. Martino" University Hospital, Messina, Italy
| | - Roberto Keller
- Mental Health Department, Adult Autism Centre, Rete Ospedaliera Territorio Nord-Ovest, Azienda Sanitaria Locale Città di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Roberto Sacco
- Service for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, University "Campus Bio-Medico", Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio M Persico
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Program, Modena University Hospital and Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
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139
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He X, Tu Y, Song Y, Yang G, You M. The relationship between pesticide exposure during critical neurodevelopment and autism spectrum disorder: A narrative review. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 203:111902. [PMID: 34416252 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2021] [Revised: 08/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Agricultural pesticides have been one of the most extensively used compounds throughout the world. The main sources of contamination for humans are dietary intake and occupational exposure. The impairments caused by agricultural pesticide exposure have been a significant global public health problem. Recent studies have shown that low-level agricultural pesticide exposure during the critical period of neurodevelopment (pregnancy and lactation) is closely related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, gut microbiota, neural dendrite morphology, synaptic function, and glial cells are targets for the effects of pesticides during nervous system development. In the present review, we summarize the associations between several highly used and frequently studied pesticides (e.g., glyphosate, chlorpyrifos, pyrethroids, and avermectins) and ASD. We also discusse future epidemiological and toxicological research directions on the relationship between pesticides and ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiu He
- School of Public Heath, the Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550025, PR China
| | - Ying Tu
- School of Public Heath, the Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550025, PR China
| | - Yawen Song
- School of Public Heath, the Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550025, PR China
| | - Guanghong Yang
- Guizhou Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550004, PR China.
| | - Mingdan You
- School of Public Heath, the Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550025, PR China.
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140
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Williams LA, LaSalle JM. Future Prospects for Epigenetics in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Mol Diagn Ther 2022; 26:569-579. [PMID: 35962910 PMCID: PMC9626414 DOI: 10.1007/s40291-022-00608-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Despite decades of investigation into the genetics of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a current consensus in the field persists that ASD risk is too heterogeneous to be diagnosed by a single set of genetic variants. As such, ASD research has broadened to include assessment of other molecular biomarkers implicated in the condition that may be reflective of environmental exposures or gene by environment interactions. Epigenetic variance, and specifically differential DNA methylation, have emerged as areas of particularly high interest to ASD, as the epigenetic markers from specific chromatin loci collectively can reflect influences of multiple genetic and environmental factors and can also result in differential gene expression patterns. This review examines recent studies of the ASD epigenome, detailing common gene pathways found to be differentially methylated in people with ASD, and considers how these discoveries may inform our understanding of ASD etiology. We also consider future applications of epigenetics in ASD research and clinical practice, focusing on substratification, biomarker development, and experimental preclinical models of ASD that test causality. In combination with other -omics approaches, epigenomics allows an improved conceptualization of the multifactorial nature of ASD, and opens future lines of inquiry for both basic research and clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Logan A. Williams
- grid.27860.3b0000 0004 1936 9684Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Davis, CA USA ,grid.27860.3b0000 0004 1936 9684Perinatal Origins of Disparities Center, University of California Davis, Davis, CA USA ,grid.27860.3b0000 0004 1936 9684MIND Institute, University of California Davis, Davis, CA USA ,grid.27860.3b0000 0004 1936 9684Genome Center, University of California Davis, Davis, CA USA
| | - Janine M. LaSalle
- grid.27860.3b0000 0004 1936 9684Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Davis, CA USA ,grid.27860.3b0000 0004 1936 9684Perinatal Origins of Disparities Center, University of California Davis, Davis, CA USA ,grid.27860.3b0000 0004 1936 9684MIND Institute, University of California Davis, Davis, CA USA ,grid.27860.3b0000 0004 1936 9684Genome Center, University of California Davis, Davis, CA USA
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141
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Garrido D, Beretta S, Grabrucker S, Bauer HF, Bayer D, Sala C, Verpelli C, Roselli F, Bockmann J, Proepper C, Catanese A, Boeckers TM. Shank2/3 double knockout-based screening of cortical subregions links the retrosplenial area to the loss of social memory in autism spectrum disorders. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:4994-5006. [PMID: 36100669 PMCID: PMC9763120 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01756-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Members of the Shank protein family are master scaffolds of the postsynaptic architecture and mutations within the SHANK genes are causally associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). We generated a Shank2-Shank3 double knockout mouse that is showing severe autism related core symptoms, as well as a broad spectrum of comorbidities. We exploited this animal model to identify cortical brain areas linked to specific autistic traits by locally deleting Shank2 and Shank3 simultaneously. Our screening of 10 cortical subregions revealed that a Shank2/3 deletion within the retrosplenial area severely impairs social memory, a core symptom of ASD. Notably, DREADD-mediated neuronal activation could rescue the social impairment triggered by Shank2/3 depletion. Data indicate that the retrosplenial area has to be added to the list of defined brain regions that contribute to the spectrum of behavioural alterations seen in ASDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Débora Garrido
- grid.6582.90000 0004 1936 9748Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany ,grid.6582.90000 0004 1936 9748International Graduate School, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Stefania Beretta
- grid.424247.30000 0004 0438 0426German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Ulm site, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Stefanie Grabrucker
- grid.6582.90000 0004 1936 9748Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Helen Friedericke Bauer
- grid.6582.90000 0004 1936 9748Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany ,grid.6582.90000 0004 1936 9748International Graduate School, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - David Bayer
- grid.6582.90000 0004 1936 9748International Graduate School, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany ,grid.6582.90000 0004 1936 9748Department of Neurology, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Carlo Sala
- grid.418879.b0000 0004 1758 9800CNR, Institute for Neuroscience, Milano, Italy
| | - Chiara Verpelli
- grid.418879.b0000 0004 1758 9800CNR, Institute for Neuroscience, Milano, Italy
| | - Francesco Roselli
- grid.424247.30000 0004 0438 0426German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Ulm site, 89081 Ulm, Germany ,grid.6582.90000 0004 1936 9748Department of Neurology, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Juergen Bockmann
- grid.6582.90000 0004 1936 9748Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Christian Proepper
- grid.6582.90000 0004 1936 9748Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Alberto Catanese
- grid.6582.90000 0004 1936 9748Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany ,grid.424247.30000 0004 0438 0426German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Ulm site, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Tobias M. Boeckers
- grid.6582.90000 0004 1936 9748Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany ,grid.424247.30000 0004 0438 0426German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Ulm site, 89081 Ulm, Germany
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142
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Erbescu A, Papuc SM, Budisteanu M, Arghir A, Neagu M. Re-emerging concepts of immune dysregulation in autism spectrum disorders. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:1006612. [PMID: 36339838 PMCID: PMC9626859 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1006612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by communication and social interaction deficits, and by restricted interests and stereotyped, repetitive behavior patterns. ASD has a strong genetic component and a complex architecture characterized by the interplay of rare and common genetic variants. Recently, increasing evidence suggest a significant contribution of immune system dysregulation in ASD. The present paper reviews the latest updates regarding the altered immune landscape of this complex disorder highlighting areas with potential for biomarkers discovery as well as personalization of therapeutic approaches. Cross-talk between the central nervous system and immune system has long been envisaged and recent evidence brings insights into the pathways connecting the brain to the immune system. Disturbance of cytokine levels plays an important role in the establishment of a neuroinflammatory milieu in ASD. Several other immune molecules involved in antigen presentation and inflammatory cellular phenotypes are also at play in ASD. Maternal immune activation, the presence of brain-reactive antibodies and autoimmunity are other potential prenatal and postnatal contributors to ASD pathophysiology. The molecular players involved in oxidative-stress response and mitochondrial system function, are discussed as contributors to the pro-inflammatory pattern. The gastrointestinal inflammation pathways proposed to play a role in ASD are also discussed. Moreover, the body of evidence regarding some of the genetic factors linked to the immune system dysregulation is reviewed and discussed. Last, but not least, the epigenetic traits and their interactions with the immune system are reviewed as an expanding field in ASD research. Understanding the immune-mediated pathways that influence brain development and function, metabolism, and intestinal homeostasis, may lead to the identification of robust diagnostic or predictive biomarkers for ASD individuals. Thus, novel therapeutic approaches could be developed, ultimately aiming to improve their quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alina Erbescu
- Victor Babes National Institute of Pathology, Bucharest, Romania.,Faculty of Biology, Doctoral School, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
| | | | - Magdalena Budisteanu
- Victor Babes National Institute of Pathology, Bucharest, Romania.,Prof. Dr. Alex. Obregia Clinical Hospital of Psychiatry, Bucharest, Romania.,Faculty of Medicine, Titu Maiorescu University, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Aurora Arghir
- Victor Babes National Institute of Pathology, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Monica Neagu
- Victor Babes National Institute of Pathology, Bucharest, Romania.,Faculty of Biology, Doctoral School, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania.,Colentina Clinical Hospital, Bucharest, Romania
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143
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Carter M, Casey S, O'Keeffe GW, Gibson L, Gallagher L, Murray DM. Maternal Immune Activation and Interleukin 17A in the Pathogenesis of Autistic Spectrum Disorder and Why It Matters in the COVID-19 Era. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:823096. [PMID: 35250672 PMCID: PMC8891512 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.823096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is the commonest neurodevelopmental disability. It is a highly complex disorder with an increasing prevalence and an unclear etiology. Consensus indicates that ASD arises as a genetically modulated, and environmentally influenced condition. Although pathogenic rare genetic variants are detected in around 20% of cases of ASD, no single factor is responsible for the vast majority of ASD cases or that explains their characteristic clinical heterogeneity. However, a growing body of evidence suggests that ASD susceptibility involves an interplay between genetic factors and environmental exposures. One such environmental exposure which has received significant attention in this regard is maternal immune activation (MIA) resulting from bacterial or viral infection during pregnancy. Reproducible rodent models of ASD are well-established whereby induction of MIA in pregnant dams, leads to offspring displaying neuroanatomical, functional, and behavioral changes analogous to those seen in ASD. Blockade of specific inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-17A during gestation remediates many of these observed behavioral effects, suggesting a causative or contributory role. Here, we review the growing body of animal and human-based evidence indicating that interleukin-17A may mediate the observed effects of MIA on neurodevelopmental outcomes in the offspring. This is particularly important given the current corona virus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection during pregnancy is a potent stimulator of the maternal immune response, however the long-term effects of maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection on neurodevelopmental outcomes is unclear. This underscores the importance of monitoring neurodevelopmental outcomes in children exposed to SARS-CoV-2-induced MIA during gestation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Carter
- INFANT Research Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,National Children's Research Centre, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sophie Casey
- INFANT Research Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Gerard W O'Keeffe
- INFANT Research Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Louise Gibson
- INFANT Research Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Louise Gallagher
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, St. James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Deirdre M Murray
- INFANT Research Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
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144
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Doi M, Usui N, Shimada S. Prenatal Environment and Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:860110. [PMID: 35370942 PMCID: PMC8964779 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.860110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The internal and external environment of the mother during the developmental stages of the fetus affects the offspring's health. According to the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) theory, environmental factors influence the offspring and also affect health in adulthood. Recently, studies based on this theory have gained attracted attention because of their clinical utility in identifying the risk groups for various diseases. Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can be caused by exposure to certain prenatal environments during pregnancy. This review describes the latest findings on the effect of prenatal environment on the onset mechanism of NDDs based on the DOHaD theory. Unravelling the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of NDDs is important, because there are no therapeutic drugs for these disorders. Furthermore, elucidating the relationship between the DOHaD theory and NDDs will contribute to the popularization of preventive medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miyuki Doi
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Noriyoshi Usui
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- Global Center for Medical Engineering and Informatics, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- Addiction Research Unit, Osaka Psychiatric Research Center, Osaka Psychiatric Medical Center, Osaka, Japan
- *Correspondence: Noriyoshi Usui,
| | - Shoichi Shimada
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- Global Center for Medical Engineering and Informatics, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- Addiction Research Unit, Osaka Psychiatric Research Center, Osaka Psychiatric Medical Center, Osaka, Japan
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145
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Soyer-Gobillard MO, Gaspari L, Courtet P, Sultan C. Diethylstilbestrol and autism. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:1034959. [PMID: 36479217 PMCID: PMC9720308 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1034959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
It is acknowledged that diethylstilbestrol (DES), a synthetic diphenol with powerful estrogenic properties, causes structural anomalies of the reproductive tract and increases the risk of cancer and genital malformations in children and grandchildren of mothers treated during pregnancy. Conversely, data on DES effects on neurodevelopment and psychiatric disorders in in-utero exposed children and their descendants are rare, especially concerning Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Recent studies presented in this review strengthen the hypothesis that in-utero exposure to DES and also other synthetic estrogens and progestogens, which all are endocrine disruptors, contributes to the pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders, especially ASD. A large epidemiological study in the USA in 2010 reported severe depression in in-utero exposed children (n=1,612), and a French cohort study (n=1,002 in-utero DES exposed children) in 2016 found mainly bipolar disorders, schizophrenia, major depression, suicide attempts, and suicide. Few publications described ASD in in-utero exposed children, mainly a Danish cohort study and a large Chinese epidemiological study. Molecular studies on endocrine disruptors demonstrated the transgenerational induction of diseases and DES epigenetic impact (DNA methylation changes) at two genes implicated in neurodevelopment (ZFP57 and ADAM TS9). We recently described in an informative family, somatic and psychiatric disorders in four generations, particularly ASD in boys of the third and fourth generation. These data show that the principle of precaution must be retained for the protection of future generations: women (pregnant or not) should be extremely vigilant about synthetic hormones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Odile Soyer-Gobillard
- Univ Sorbonne, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Paris, France
- Association Halte aux HORmones Artificielles pour les GrossessES (Hhorages)-France, Perpignan, France
| | - Laura Gaspari
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Montpellier: Univ Montpellier, Unité d’Endocrinologie-Gynécologie Pédiatrique, Service de Pédiatrie, Montpellier, France
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Montpellier: Univ Montpellier, Centre de Référence Maladies Rares du Développement Génital, Constitutif Sud, Hôpital Lapeyronie, Montpellier, France
- Univ Montpellier, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (Inserm) 1203, Développement Embryonnaire Fertilité Environnement, Montpellier, France
| | - Philippe Courtet
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle (IGF), Univ. Montpellier, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (Inserm), Montpellier, France
- Department of Emergency Psychiatry and Acute Care, Lapeyronie Hospital, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Charles Sultan
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Montpellier: Univ Montpellier, Unité d’Endocrinologie-Gynécologie Pédiatrique, Service de Pédiatrie, Montpellier, France
- *Correspondence: Charles Sultan,
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146
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Takahashi E, Allan N, Peres R, Ortug A, van der Kouwe AJW, Valli B, Ethier E, Levman J, Baumer N, Tsujimura K, Vargas-Maya NI, McCracken TA, Lee R, Maunakea AK. Integration of structural MRI and epigenetic analyses hint at linked cellular defects of the subventricular zone and insular cortex in autism: Findings from a case study. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:1023665. [PMID: 36817099 PMCID: PMC9935943 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.1023665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social interaction, communication and repetitive, restrictive behaviors, features supported by cortical activity. Given the importance of the subventricular zone (SVZ) of the lateral ventrical to cortical development, we compared molecular, cellular, and structural differences in the SVZ and linked cortical regions in specimens of ASD cases and sex and age-matched unaffected brain. Methods We used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion tractography on ex vivo postmortem brain samples, which we further analyzed by Whole Genome Bisulfite Sequencing (WGBS), Flow Cytometry, and RT qPCR. Results Through MRI, we observed decreased tractography pathways from the dorsal SVZ, increased pathways from the posterior ventral SVZ to the insular cortex, and variable cortical thickness within the insular cortex in ASD diagnosed case relative to unaffected controls. Long-range tractography pathways from and to the insula were also reduced in the ASD case. FACS-based cell sorting revealed an increased population of proliferating cells in the SVZ of ASD case relative to the unaffected control. Targeted qPCR assays of SVZ tissue demonstrated significantly reduced expression levels of genes involved in differentiation and migration of neurons in ASD relative to the control counterpart. Finally, using genome-wide DNA methylation analyses, we identified 19 genes relevant to neurological development, function, and disease, 7 of which have not previously been described in ASD, that were significantly differentially methylated in autistic SVZ and insula specimens. Conclusion These findings suggest a hypothesis that epigenetic changes during neurodevelopment alter the trajectory of proliferation, migration, and differentiation in the SVZ, impacting cortical structure and function and resulting in ASD phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emi Takahashi
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Research, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, United States.,Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Nina Allan
- Epigenomics Research Program, Department of Anatomy, Institute for Biogenesis Research, Biochemistry and Physiology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
| | - Rafael Peres
- Epigenomics Research Program, Department of Anatomy, Institute for Biogenesis Research, Biochemistry and Physiology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
| | - Alpen Ortug
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Research, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, United States.,Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Andre J W van der Kouwe
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Research, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, United States.,Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Briana Valli
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Elizabeth Ethier
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Jacob Levman
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Research, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, United States.,Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science, St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, NS, Canada
| | - Nicole Baumer
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Keita Tsujimura
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Research, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, United States.,Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Nauru Idalia Vargas-Maya
- Epigenomics Research Program, Department of Anatomy, Institute for Biogenesis Research, Biochemistry and Physiology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
| | - Trevor A McCracken
- Epigenomics Research Program, Department of Anatomy, Institute for Biogenesis Research, Biochemistry and Physiology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
| | - Rosa Lee
- Epigenomics Research Program, Department of Anatomy, Institute for Biogenesis Research, Biochemistry and Physiology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
| | - Alika K Maunakea
- Epigenomics Research Program, Department of Anatomy, Institute for Biogenesis Research, Biochemistry and Physiology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
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147
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Electrophysiological signatures of brain aging in autism spectrum disorder. Cortex 2022; 148:139-151. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2021.09.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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148
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Fanjul-Fernández M, Brown NJ, Hickey P, Diakumis P, Rafehi H, Bozaoglu K, Green CC, Rattray A, Young S, Alhuzaimi D, Mountford HS, Gillies G, Lukic V, Vick T, Finlay K, Coe BP, Eichler EE, Delatycki MB, Wilson SJ, Bahlo M, Scheffer IE, Lockhart PJ. A family study implicates GBE1 in the etiology of autism spectrum disorder. Hum Mutat 2022; 43:16-29. [PMID: 34633740 PMCID: PMC8720068 DOI: 10.1002/humu.24289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are neurodevelopmental disorders with an estimated heritability of >60%. Family-based genetic studies of ASD have generally focused on multiple small kindreds, searching for de novo variants of major effect. We hypothesized that molecular genetic analysis of large multiplex families would enable the identification of variants of milder effects. We studied a large multigenerational family of European ancestry with multiple family members affected with ASD or the broader autism phenotype (BAP). We identified a rare heterozygous variant in the gene encoding 1,4-ɑ-glucan branching enzyme 1 (GBE1) that was present in seven of seven individuals with ASD, nine of ten individuals with the BAP, and none of four tested unaffected individuals. We genotyped a community-acquired cohort of 389 individuals with ASD and identified three additional probands. Cascade analysis demonstrated that the variant was present in 11 of 13 individuals with familial ASD/BAP and neither of the two tested unaffected individuals in these three families, also of European ancestry. The variant was not enriched in the combined UK10K ASD cohorts of European ancestry but heterozygous GBE1 deletion was overrepresented in large ASD cohorts, collectively suggesting an association between GBE1 and ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Fanjul-Fernández
- Victorian Clinical Genetics Services, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Natasha J Brown
- Victorian Clinical Genetics Services, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute Victoria, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Royal Children’s Hospital Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Barwon Health, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Peter Hickey
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Peter Diakumis
- University of Melbourne Centre for Cancer Research, Victorian Comprehensive Cancer, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Haloom Rafehi
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Population Health and Immunity Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kiymet Bozaoglu
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Bruce Lefroy Centre for Genetic Health Research, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Cherie C Green
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Psychology and Counselling, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Audrey Rattray
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Savannah Young
- Bruce Lefroy Centre for Genetic Health Research, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Dana Alhuzaimi
- Bruce Lefroy Centre for Genetic Health Research, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Hayley S Mountford
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
| | - Greta Gillies
- Bruce Lefroy Centre for Genetic Health Research, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Vesna Lukic
- Population Health and Immunity Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tanya Vick
- Barwon Health, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Bradley P Coe
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Evan E Eichler
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Martin B Delatycki
- Victorian Clinical Genetics Services, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Bruce Lefroy Centre for Genetic Health Research, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sarah J Wilson
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Florey Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Melanie Bahlo
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ingrid E Scheffer
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Florey Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Paul J Lockhart
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Bruce Lefroy Centre for Genetic Health Research, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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149
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A Next Generation Sequencing-Based Protocol for Screening of Variants of Concern in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Cells 2021; 11:cells11010010. [PMID: 35011571 PMCID: PMC8750892 DOI: 10.3390/cells11010010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with strong genetic influences. There is an increasing demand for ASD genetic testing beyond the traditionally recommended microarray and syndromic autism testing; however, the current whole genome sequencing (WGS) and whole exome sequencing (WES) methods are lacking an academic standard for WGS variant annotation, reporting, and interpretation, tailored towards patients with ASD and offer very limited interpretation for clinical significance. Using WGS data from six family trios, we demonstrate the clinical feasibility and technical implementation of an evidence-based, fully transparent bioinformatics pipeline and report framework for an ASD-focused WGS genetic report. We confirmed a portion of the key variants with Sanger sequencing and provided interpretation with consideration of patients’ clinical symptoms and detailed literature review. Furthermore, we showed that identification of the genetic contributions of ASD core symptoms and comorbidities may promote a better understanding of the ASD pathophysiology, lead to early detection of associated comorbidities, and facilitate pharmacologic intervention based on pathological pathways inferred from the genetic information. We will make the bioinformatics pipeline and interpretation framework publicly available, in an easily accessible format, after validation with a larger cohort. We hope that the present proposed protocol can serve as a starting point to invite discourse and debate to further improve approaches in WGS-based genetic consultation for patients with ASD.
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150
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Zarantonello G, Arnoldi M, Filosi M, Tebaldi T, Spirito G, Barbieri A, Gustincich S, Sanges R, Domenici E, Di Leva F, Biagioli M. Natural SINEUP RNAs in Autism Spectrum Disorders: RAB11B-AS1 Dysregulation in a Neuronal CHD8 Suppression Model Leads to RAB11B Protein Increase. Front Genet 2021; 12:745229. [PMID: 34880900 PMCID: PMC8647803 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.745229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
CHD8 represents one of the highest confidence genetic risk factors implied in Autism Spectrum Disorders, with most mutations leading to CHD8 haploinsufficiency and the insurgence of specific phenotypes, such as macrocephaly, facial dysmorphisms, intellectual disability, and gastrointestinal complaints. While extensive studies have been conducted on the possible consequences of CHD8 suppression and protein coding RNAs dysregulation during neuronal development, the effects of transcriptional changes of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) remain unclear. In this study, we focused on a peculiar class of natural antisense lncRNAs, SINEUPs, that enhance translation of a target mRNA through the activity of two RNA domains, an embedded transposable element sequence and an antisense region. By looking at dysregulated transcripts following CHD8 knock down (KD), we first identified RAB11B-AS1 as a potential SINEUP RNA for its domain configuration. Then we demonstrated that such lncRNA is able to increase endogenous RAB11B protein amounts without affecting its transcriptional levels. RAB11B has a pivotal role in vesicular trafficking, and mutations on this gene correlate with intellectual disability and microcephaly. Thus, our study discloses an additional layer of molecular regulation which is altered by CHD8 suppression. This represents the first experimental confirmation that naturally occurring SINEUP could be involved in ASD pathogenesis and underscores the importance of dysregulation of functional lncRNAs in neurodevelopment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Zarantonello
- Laboratory of Neuroepigenetics, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Michele Arnoldi
- Laboratory of Neuroepigenetics, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Michele Filosi
- Laboratory of Neurogenomic Biomarkers, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Toma Tebaldi
- Section of Hematology, Yale Cancer Center and Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, United States.,Laboratory of RNA and Disease Data Science, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Giovanni Spirito
- Laboratory of Computational Genomics, Area of Neuroscience, International School of Advanced Studies (SISSA), Trieste, Italy.,Central RNA Laboratory, Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), Genova, Italy
| | - Anna Barbieri
- Laboratory of Neuroepigenetics, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Stefano Gustincich
- Central RNA Laboratory, Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), Genova, Italy
| | - Remo Sanges
- Laboratory of Computational Genomics, Area of Neuroscience, International School of Advanced Studies (SISSA), Trieste, Italy.,Central RNA Laboratory, Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), Genova, Italy
| | - Enrico Domenici
- Laboratory of Neurogenomic Biomarkers, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Trento, Italy.,Fondazione The Microsoft Research - University of Trento Centre for Computational and Systems Biology (COSBI), Rovereto, Italy
| | - Francesca Di Leva
- Laboratory of Neuroepigenetics, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Marta Biagioli
- Laboratory of Neuroepigenetics, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Trento, Italy
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