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Modulation of the genome and epigenome of individuals susceptible to autism by environmental risk factors. Int J Mol Sci 2015; 16:8699-718. [PMID: 25903146 PMCID: PMC4425104 DOI: 10.3390/ijms16048699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2014] [Revised: 04/03/2015] [Accepted: 04/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Diverse environmental factors have been implicated with the development of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Genetic factors also underlie the differential vulnerability to environmental risk factors of susceptible individuals. Currently the way in which environmental risk factors interact with genetic factors to increase the incidence of ASD is not well understood. A greater understanding of the metabolic, cellular, and biochemical events involved in gene x environment interactions in ASD would have important implications for the prevention and possible treatment of the disorder. In this review we discuss various established and more alternative processes through which environmental factors implicated in ASD can modulate the genome and epigenome of genetically-susceptible individuals.
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102
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The many roads to mitochondrial dysfunction in neuroimmune and neuropsychiatric disorders. BMC Med 2015; 13:68. [PMID: 25889215 PMCID: PMC4382850 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-015-0310-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 159] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2014] [Accepted: 03/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mitochondrial dysfunction and defects in oxidative metabolism are a characteristic feature of many chronic illnesses not currently classified as mitochondrial diseases. Examples of such illnesses include bipolar disorder, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, depression, autism, and chronic fatigue syndrome. DISCUSSION While the majority of patients with multiple sclerosis appear to have widespread mitochondrial dysfunction and impaired ATP production, the findings in patients diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, autism, depression, bipolar disorder schizophrenia and chronic fatigue syndrome are less consistent, likely reflecting the fact that these diagnoses do not represent a disease with a unitary pathogenesis and pathophysiology. However, investigations have revealed the presence of chronic oxidative stress to be an almost invariant finding in study cohorts of patients afforded each diagnosis. This state is characterized by elevated reactive oxygen and nitrogen species and/or reduced levels of glutathione, and goes hand in hand with chronic systemic inflammation with elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. SUMMARY This paper details mechanisms by which elevated levels of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species together with elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines could conspire to pave a major road to the development of mitochondrial dysfunction and impaired oxidative metabolism seen in many patients diagnosed with these disorders.
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103
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Garcia SM, Marinho LSR, Lunardelli PA, Seneda MM, Meirelles FV. Developmental block and programmed cell death in Bos indicus embryos: effects of protein supplementation source and developmental kinetics. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0119463. [PMID: 25760989 PMCID: PMC4356560 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0119463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2014] [Accepted: 01/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The aims of this study were to determine if the protein source of the medium influences zebu embryo development and if developmental kinetics, developmental block and programmed cell death are related. The culture medium was supplemented with either fetal calf serum or bovine serum albumin. The embryos were classified as Fast (n = 1,235) or Slow (n = 485) based on the time required to reach the fourth cell cycle (48 h and 90 h post insemination - hpi -, respectively). The Slow group was further separated into two groups: those presenting exactly 4 cells at 48 hpi (Slow/4 cells) and those that reached the fourth cell cycle at 90 hpi (Slow). Blastocyst quality, DNA fragmentation, mitochondrial membrane potential and signs of apoptosis or necrosis were evaluated. The Slow group had higher incidence of developmental block than the Fast group. The embryos supplemented with fetal calf serum had lower quality. DNA fragmentation and mitochondrial membrane potential were absent in embryos at 48 hpi but present at 90 hpi. Early signs of apoptosis were more frequent in the Slow and Slow/4 cell groups than in the Fast group. We concluded that fetal calf serum reduces blastocyst development and quality, but the mechanism appears to be independent of DNA fragmentation. The apoptotic cells detected at 48 hpi reveal a possible mechanism of programmed cell death activation prior to genome activation. The apoptotic cells observed in the slow-developing embryos suggested a relationship between programmed cell death and embryonic developmental kinetics in zebu in vitro-produced embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheila Merlo Garcia
- São Paulo University (USP), Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Pirassununga, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Paula Alvares Lunardelli
- State University of Londrina (UEL), Laboratório de Reprodução Animal, DCV, CCA, Londrina, PR, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Marcondes Seneda
- State University of Londrina (UEL), Laboratório de Reprodução Animal, DCV, CCA, Londrina, PR, Brazil
- * E-mail:
| | - Flávio Vieira Meirelles
- São Paulo University (USP), Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Pirassununga, SP, Brazil
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104
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Oxidative stress induces mitochondrial dysfunction in a subset of autistic lymphoblastoid cell lines. Transl Psychiatry 2015; 5:e526. [PMID: 25756809 PMCID: PMC4354357 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2015.29] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
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105
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Increased susceptibility to ethylmercury-induced mitochondrial dysfunction in a subset of autism lymphoblastoid cell lines. J Toxicol 2015; 2015:573701. [PMID: 25688267 PMCID: PMC4320799 DOI: 10.1155/2015/573701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2014] [Revised: 12/12/2014] [Accepted: 12/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The association of autism spectrum disorders with oxidative stress, redox imbalance, and mitochondrial dysfunction has become increasingly recognized. In this study, extracellular flux analysis was used to compare mitochondrial respiration in lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) from individuals with autism and unaffected controls exposed to ethylmercury, an environmental toxin known to deplete glutathione and induce oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. We also tested whether pretreating the autism LCLs with N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) to increase glutathione concentrations conferred protection from ethylmercury. Examination of 16 autism/control LCL pairs revealed that a subgroup (31%) of autism LCLs exhibited a greater reduction in ATP-linked respiration, maximal respiratory capacity, and reserve capacity when exposed to ethylmercury, compared to control LCLs. These respiratory parameters were significantly elevated at baseline in the ethylmercury-sensitive autism subgroup as compared to control LCLs. NAC pretreatment of the sensitive subgroup reduced (normalized) baseline respiratory parameters and blunted the exaggerated ethylmercury-induced reserve capacity depletion. These findings suggest that the epidemiological link between environmental mercury exposure and an increased risk of developing autism may be mediated through mitochondrial dysfunction and support the notion that a subset of individuals with autism may be vulnerable to environmental influences with detrimental effects on development through mitochondrial dysfunction.
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106
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Morris G, Berk M, Galecki P, Walder K, Maes M. The Neuro-Immune Pathophysiology of Central and Peripheral Fatigue in Systemic Immune-Inflammatory and Neuro-Immune Diseases. Mol Neurobiol 2015; 53:1195-1219. [PMID: 25598355 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-015-9090-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2014] [Accepted: 01/05/2015] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Many patients with systemic immune-inflammatory and neuro-inflammatory disorders, including depression, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjögren's disease, cancer, cardiovascular disorder, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, stroke, and chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis, endure pathological levels of fatigue. The aim of this narrative review is to delineate the wide array of pathways that may underpin the incapacitating fatigue occurring in systemic and neuro-inflammatory disorders. A wide array of immune, inflammatory, oxidative and nitrosative stress (O&NS), bioenergetic, and neurophysiological abnormalities are involved in the etiopathology of these disease states and may underpin the incapacitating fatigue that accompanies these disorders. This range of abnormalities comprises: increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, e.g., interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α and interferon (IFN) α; O&NS-induced muscle fatigue; activation of the Toll-Like Receptor Cycle through pathogen-associated (PAMPs) and damage-associated (DAMPs) molecular patterns, including heat shock proteins; altered glutaminergic and dopaminergic neurotransmission; mitochondrial dysfunctions; and O&NS-induced defects in the sodium-potassium pump. Fatigue is also associated with altered activities in specific brain regions and muscle pathology, such as reductions in maximum voluntary muscle force, downregulation of the mitochondrial biogenesis master gene peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha, a shift to glycolysis and buildup of toxic metabolites within myocytes. As such, both mental and physical fatigue, which frequently accompany immune-inflammatory and neuro-inflammatory disorders, are the consequence of interactions between multiple systemic and central pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerwyn Morris
- Tir Na Nog, Bryn Road seaside 87, Llanelli, SA152LW, Wales, UK
| | - Michael Berk
- IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, School of Medicine, Deakin University, P.O. Box 291, Geelong, 3220, Australia.,Orygen Youth Health Research Centre and the Centre of Youth Mental Health, Poplar Road 35, Parkville, 3052, Australia.,The Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Kenneth Myer Building, Royal Parade 30, Parkville, 3052, Australia.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Level 1 North, Main Block, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, 3052, Australia
| | - Piotr Galecki
- Department of Adult Psychiatry, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Ken Walder
- Metabolic Research Unit, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Michael Maes
- IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, School of Medicine, Deakin University, P.O. Box 291, Geelong, 3220, Australia. .,Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand. .,Health Sciences Graduate Program, Health Sciences Center, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Brazil. .,Impact Strategic Research Center, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.
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107
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Naviaux JC, Wang L, Li K, Bright AT, Alaynick WA, Williams KR, Powell SB, Naviaux RK. Antipurinergic therapy corrects the autism-like features in the Fragile X (Fmr1 knockout) mouse model. Mol Autism 2015; 6:1. [PMID: 25705365 PMCID: PMC4334917 DOI: 10.1186/2040-2392-6-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2014] [Accepted: 12/16/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background This study was designed to test a new approach to drug treatment of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) in the Fragile X (Fmr1) knockout mouse model. Methods We used behavioral analysis, mass spectrometry, metabolomics, electron microscopy, and western analysis to test the hypothesis that the disturbances in social behavior, novelty preference, metabolism, and synapse structure are treatable with antipurinergic therapy (APT). Results Weekly treatment with the purinergic antagonist suramin (20 mg/kg intraperitoneally), started at 9 weeks of age, restored normal social behavior, and improved metabolism, and brain synaptosomal structure. Abnormalities in synaptosomal glutamate, endocannabinoid, purinergic, and IP3 receptor expression, complement C1q, TDP43, and amyloid β precursor protein (APP) were corrected. Comprehensive metabolomic analysis identified 20 biochemical pathways associated with symptom improvements. Seventeen pathways were shared with human ASD, and 11 were shared with the maternal immune activation (MIA) model of ASD. These metabolic pathways were previously identified as functionally related mediators of the evolutionarily conserved cell danger response (CDR). Conclusions The data show that antipurinergic therapy improves the multisystem, ASD-like features of both the environmental MIA, and the genetic Fragile X models. These abnormalities appeared to be traceable to mitochondria and regulated by purinergic signaling. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/2040-2392-6-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane C Naviaux
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, 214 Dickinson St., Bldg CTF, Rm C102, San Diego, CA 92103-8467 USA
| | - Lin Wang
- The Mitochondrial and Metabolic Disease Center, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, 214 Dickinson St., Bldg CTF, Rm C102, San Diego, CA 92103-8467 USA ; Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, 214 Dickinson St., Bldg CTF, Rm C102, San Diego, CA 92103-8467 USA
| | - Kefeng Li
- The Mitochondrial and Metabolic Disease Center, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, 214 Dickinson St., Bldg CTF, Rm C102, San Diego, CA 92103-8467 USA ; Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, 214 Dickinson St., Bldg CTF, Rm C102, San Diego, CA 92103-8467 USA
| | - A Taylor Bright
- The Mitochondrial and Metabolic Disease Center, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, 214 Dickinson St., Bldg CTF, Rm C102, San Diego, CA 92103-8467 USA ; Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, 214 Dickinson St., Bldg CTF, Rm C102, San Diego, CA 92103-8467 USA
| | - William A Alaynick
- The Mitochondrial and Metabolic Disease Center, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, 214 Dickinson St., Bldg CTF, Rm C102, San Diego, CA 92103-8467 USA ; Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, 214 Dickinson St., Bldg CTF, Rm C102, San Diego, CA 92103-8467 USA
| | - Kenneth R Williams
- The Mitochondrial and Metabolic Disease Center, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, 214 Dickinson St., Bldg CTF, Rm C102, San Diego, CA 92103-8467 USA ; Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, 214 Dickinson St., Bldg CTF, Rm C102, San Diego, CA 92103-8467 USA ; General Atomics, Inc, San Diego, CA USA
| | - Susan B Powell
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, 214 Dickinson St., Bldg CTF, Rm C102, San Diego, CA 92103-8467 USA ; Research Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, La Jolla, CA USA
| | - Robert K Naviaux
- The Mitochondrial and Metabolic Disease Center, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, 214 Dickinson St., Bldg CTF, Rm C102, San Diego, CA 92103-8467 USA ; Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, 214 Dickinson St., Bldg CTF, Rm C102, San Diego, CA 92103-8467 USA ; Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, 214 Dickinson St., Bldg CTF, Rm C102, San Diego, CA 92103-8467 USA ; Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, 214 Dickinson St., Bldg CTF, Rm C102, San Diego, CA 92103-8467 USA ; Veterans Affairs Center for Excellence in Stress and Mental Health (CESAMH), La Jolla, CA USA
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108
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Yui K, Imataka G, Nakamura H, Ohara N, Naito Y. Eicosanoids Derived From Arachidonic Acid and Their Family Prostaglandins and Cyclooxygenase in Psychiatric Disorders. Curr Neuropharmacol 2015; 13:776-85. [PMID: 26521945 PMCID: PMC4759316 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x13666151102103305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2015] [Revised: 02/25/2015] [Accepted: 02/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Arachidonic acid (AA)-derived lipid mediators are called eicosanoids. Eicosanoids have emerged as key regulators of a wide variety of physiological responses and pathological processes, and control important cellular processes. AA can be converted into biologically active compounds by metabolism by cyclooxygenases (COX). Beneficial effect of COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib add-on therapy has been reported in early stage of schizophrenia. Moreover, add-on treatment of celecoxib attenuated refractory depression and bipolar depression. Further, the COX/prostaglandin E pathway play an important role in synaptic plasticity and may be included in pathophysiology in autism spectrum disorders (ASD). In this regard, plasma transferrin, which is an iron mediator related to eicosanoid signaling, may be related to social impairment of ASD. COX-2 is typically induced by inflammatory stimuli in the majority of tissues, and the only isoform responsible for propagating the inflammatory response. Thus, COX-2 inhibitors considered as the best target for Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunio Yui
- Research Institute of Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Ashiya University Graduate School of Education. Rokurokusocho 13-22, Ashiya 659-8511, Hyogo, Japan.
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109
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Frye RE, James SJ. Metabolic pathology of autism in relation to redox metabolism. Biomark Med 2014; 8:321-30. [PMID: 24712422 DOI: 10.2217/bmm.13.158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
An imbalance in glutathione-dependent redox metabolism has been shown to be associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Glutathione synthesis and intracellular redox balance are linked to folate and methylation metabolism, metabolic pathways that have also been shown to be abnormal in ASD. Together, these metabolic abnormalities define a distinct ASD endophenotype that is closely associated with genetic, epigenetic and mitochondrial abnormalities, as well as environmental factors related to ASD. Biomarkers that reflect these metabolic abnormalities will be discussed in the context of an ASD metabolic endophenotype that may lead to a better understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying core and associated ASD symptoms. Last, we discuss how these biomarkers have been used to guide the development of novel ASD treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard E Frye
- Arkansas Children's Hospital Research Institute, Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Slot 512-41B, 13 Children's Way, Little Rock, AR 72202, USA
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110
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Webb LMC, Pascall JC, Hepburn L, Carter C, Turner M, Butcher GW. Generation and characterisation of mice deficient in the multi-GTPase domain containing protein, GIMAP8. PLoS One 2014; 9:e110294. [PMID: 25329815 PMCID: PMC4201521 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0110294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2014] [Accepted: 09/17/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background GTPases of the immunity-associated protein family (GIMAPs) are predominantly expressed in mature lymphocytes. Studies of rodents deficient in GIMAP1, GIMAP4, or GIMAP5 have demonstrated that these GTPases regulate lymphocyte survival. In contrast to the other family members, GIMAP8 contains three potential GTP-binding domains (G-domains), a highly unusual feature suggesting a novel function for this protein. To examine a role for GIMAP8 in lymphocyte biology we examined GIMAP8 expression during lymphocyte development. We also generated a mouse deficient in GIMAP8 and examined lymphocyte development and function. Principal Findings We show that GIMAP8 is expressed in the very early and late stages of T cell development in the thymus, at late stages during B cell development, and peripheral T and B cells. We find no defects in T or B lymphocyte development in the absence of GIMAP8. A marginal decrease in the number of recirculating bone marrow B cells suggests that GIMAP8 is important for the survival of mature B cells within the bone marrow niche. We also show that deletion of GIMAP8 results in a delay in apoptotic death of mature T cell in vitro in response to dexamethasone or γ-irradiation. However, despite these findings we find that GIMAP8-deficient mice mount normal primary and secondary responses to a T cell dependent antigen. Conclusions Despite its unique structure, GIMAP8 is not required for lymphocyte development but appears to have a minor role in maintaining recirculating B cells in the bone marrow niche and a role in regulating apoptosis of mature T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise M. C. Webb
- Laboratory of Lymphocyte Signalling and Development, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - John C. Pascall
- Laboratory of Lymphocyte Signalling and Development, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Lucy Hepburn
- Laboratory of Lymphocyte Signalling and Development, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Christine Carter
- Laboratory of Lymphocyte Signalling and Development, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Martin Turner
- Laboratory of Lymphocyte Signalling and Development, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Geoffrey W. Butcher
- Laboratory of Lymphocyte Signalling and Development, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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111
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Çalışkan M, Pritchard JK, Ober C, Gilad Y. The effect of freeze-thaw cycles on gene expression levels in lymphoblastoid cell lines. PLoS One 2014; 9:e107166. [PMID: 25192014 PMCID: PMC4156430 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0107166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2014] [Accepted: 08/06/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) transformed lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) are a widely used renewable resource for functional genomic studies in humans. The ability to accumulate multidimensional data pertaining to the same individual cell lines, from complete genomic sequences to detailed gene regulatory profiles, further enhances the utility of LCLs as a model system. However, the extent to which LCLs are a faithful model system is relatively unknown. We have previously shown that gene expression profiles of newly established LCLs maintain a strong individual component. Here, we extend our study to investigate the effect of freeze-thaw cycles on gene expression patterns in mature LCLs, especially in the context of inter-individual variation in gene expression. We report a profound difference in the gene expression profiles of newly established and mature LCLs. Once newly established LCLs undergo a freeze-thaw cycle, the individual specific gene expression signatures become much less pronounced as the gene expression levels in LCLs from different individuals converge to a more uniform profile, which reflects a mature transformed B cell phenotype. We found that previously identified eQTLs are enriched among the relatively few genes whose regulations in mature LCLs maintain marked individual signatures. We thus conclude that while insight drawn from gene regulatory studies in mature LCLs may generally not be affected by the artificial nature of the LCL model system, many aspects of primary B cell biology cannot be observed and studied in mature LCL cultures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minal Çalışkan
- Department of Human Genetics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Jonathan K. Pritchard
- Departments of Genetics and Biology and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Carole Ober
- Department of Human Genetics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Yoav Gilad
- Department of Human Genetics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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112
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Frye RE, Rossignol DA. Treatments for biomedical abnormalities associated with autism spectrum disorder. Front Pediatr 2014; 2:66. [PMID: 25019065 PMCID: PMC4073259 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2014.00066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2014] [Accepted: 06/09/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies point to the effectiveness of novel treatments that address physiological abnormalities associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This is significant because safe and effective treatments for ASD remain limited. These physiological abnormalities as well as studies addressing treatments of these abnormalities are reviewed in this article. Treatments commonly used to treat mitochondrial disease have been found to improve both core and associated ASD symptoms. Double-blind, placebo-controlled (DBPC) studies have investigated l-carnitine and a multivitamin containing B vitamins, antioxidants, vitamin E, and co-enzyme Q10 while non-blinded studies have investigated ubiquinol. Controlled and uncontrolled studies using folinic acid, a reduced form of folate, have reported marked improvements in core and associated ASD symptoms in some children with ASD and folate related pathway abnormities. Treatments that could address redox metabolism abnormalities include methylcobalamin with and without folinic acid in open-label studies and vitamin C and N-acetyl-l-cysteine in DBPC studies. These studies have reported improved core and associated ASD symptoms with these treatments. Lastly, both open-label and DBPC studies have reported improvements in core and associated ASD symptoms with tetrahydrobiopterin. Overall, these treatments were generally well-tolerated without significant adverse effects for most children, although we review the reported adverse effects in detail. This review provides evidence for potentially safe and effective treatments for core and associated symptoms of ASD that target underlying known physiological abnormalities associated with ASD. Further research is needed to define subgroups of children with ASD in which these treatments may be most effective as well as confirm their efficacy in DBPC, large-scale multicenter studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Eugene Frye
- Department of Pediatrics, Arkansas Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
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