201
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Segawa K, Blumenthal Y, Yamawaki Y, Ohtsuki G. A Destruction Model of the Vascular and Lymphatic Systems in the Emergence of Psychiatric Symptoms. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:34. [PMID: 33419067 PMCID: PMC7825436 DOI: 10.3390/biology10010034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The lymphatic system is important for antigen presentation and immune surveillance. The lymphatic system in the brain was originally introduced by Giovanni Mascagni in 1787, while the rediscovery of it by Jonathan Kipnis and Kari Kustaa Alitalo now opens the door for a new interpretation of neurological diseases and therapeutic applications. The glymphatic system for the exchanges of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and interstitial fluid (ISF) is associated with the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which is involved in the maintenance of immune privilege and homeostasis in the brain. Recent notions from studies of postmortem brains and clinical studies of neurodegenerative diseases, infection, and cerebral hemorrhage, implied that the breakdown of those barrier systems and infiltration of activated immune cells disrupt the function of both neurons and glia in the parenchyma (e.g., modulation of neurophysiological properties and maturation of myelination), which causes the abnormality in the functional connectivity of the entire brain network. Due to the vulnerability, such dysfunction may occur in developing brains as well as in senile or neurodegenerative diseases and may raise the risk of emergence of psychosis symptoms. Here, we introduce this hypothesis with a series of studies and cellular mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kohei Segawa
- Department of Drug Discovery Medicine, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto 606-8397, Japan; (K.S.); (Y.Y.)
| | - Yukari Blumenthal
- Urology Department at Cambridge University Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Hills Road Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK;
| | - Yuki Yamawaki
- Department of Drug Discovery Medicine, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto 606-8397, Japan; (K.S.); (Y.Y.)
| | - Gen Ohtsuki
- Department of Drug Discovery Medicine, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto 606-8397, Japan; (K.S.); (Y.Y.)
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202
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Prednisolone as Adjunctive Treatment to Risperidone in Children With Regressive Type of Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Clin Neuropharmacol 2021; 43:39-45. [PMID: 32168067 DOI: 10.1097/wnf.0000000000000382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study aimed to evaluate efficacy and safety of prednisolone as an adjunctive treatment to risperidone, in children with regressive autism spectrum disorder (ASD). METHODS The current 12-week, randomized, single-blinded, placebo-controlled trial recruited 37 patients with regressive ASD. The participants were allocated to receive either 1 mg/kg per day prednisolone or matched placebo in addition to risperidone. The Aberrant Behavior Checklist-Community Edition (ABC-C) scale and Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) were used to measure behavioral outcomes at weeks 0, 4, 8, and 12 of the study course. The primary outcome was the change in ABC-irritability subscale score, whereas the secondary outcomes were the change in scores of other ABC-C subscales, in CARS score, and in the level of inflammatory biomarkers. RESULTS Twenty-six patients completed the 12 weeks of study period. Repeated-measures analysis demonstrated significant effect for time-treatment interaction in the CARS (F (1, 2.23) = 13.22, P < 0.001), as well as 4 subscales of the ABC-C including: irritability (F (1, 2.12) = 3.84, P = 0.026), hyperactivity (F (1, 2.09) = 3.56, P = 0.039), lethargy (F (1, 2.18) = 31.50, P < 0.001), and stereotypy (F (1, 1.89) = 4.04, P = 0.026). However, no significant time-treatment interaction was identified for inappropriate speech subscale (F (1, 2.03) = 1.71, P = 0.191). In addition, inflammatory biomarkers were significantly decreased after 3 months of prednisolone add-on. No significant adverse event was detected during the trial. CONCLUSIONS Prednisolone, as an add-on to risperidone, could remarkably improve core features in children with regressive ASD.
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203
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Şimşek F, Işık Ü, Aktepe E, Kılıç F, Şirin FB, Bozkurt M. Comparison of Serum VEGF, IGF-1, and HIF-1α Levels in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Healthy Controls. J Autism Dev Disord 2021; 51:3564-3574. [PMID: 33389301 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-020-04820-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine whether serum VEGF, IGF-1, and HIF-1α levels differed between Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) patients and healthy controls. A total of 40 children with ASD and 40 healthy controls aged 4-12 years were included. Serum levels of VEGF, IGF-1, and HIF-1α were measured using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Serum IGF-1 levels were found to be statistically significantly higher in the ASD group than in the control group. Serum HIF-1α levels were borderline significantly lower in the ASD group. There was no statistically significant difference in serum VEGF levels between the two groups. IGF-1 and HIF-1α may play a potential role in the etiopathogenesis of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fulya Şimşek
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Suleyman Demirel University Medicine Faculty, Çünür, East Campus, Isparta, 32260, Turkey
| | - Ümit Işık
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Suleyman Demirel University Medicine Faculty, Çünür, East Campus, Isparta, 32260, Turkey.
| | - Evrim Aktepe
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Suleyman Demirel University Medicine Faculty, Çünür, East Campus, Isparta, 32260, Turkey
| | - Faruk Kılıç
- Department of Psychiatry, Suleyman Demirel University Medicine Faculty, Isparta, Turkey
| | - Fevziye Burcu Şirin
- Department of Biochemistry, Suleyman Demirel University Medicine Faculty, Isparta, Turkey
| | - Mustafa Bozkurt
- Department of Biochemistry, Suleyman Demirel University Medicine Faculty, Isparta, Turkey
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204
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Puricelli C, Rolla R, Gigliotti L, Boggio E, Beltrami E, Dianzani U, Keller R. The Gut-Brain-Immune Axis in Autism Spectrum Disorders: A State-of-Art Report. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:755171. [PMID: 35185631 PMCID: PMC8850385 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.755171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The interest elicited by the large microbial population colonizing the human gut has ancient origins and has gone through a long evolution during history. However, it is only in the last decades that the introduction of high-throughput technologies has allowed to broaden this research field and to disentangle the numerous implications that gut microbiota has in health and disease. This comprehensive ecosystem, constituted mainly by bacteria but also by fungi, parasites, and viruses, is proven to be involved in several physiological and pathological processes that transcend the intestinal homeostasis and are deeply intertwined with apparently unrelated body systems, such as the immune and the nervous ones. In this regard, a novel speculation is the relationship between the intestinal microbial flora and the pathogenesis of some neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders, including the clinical entities defined under the umbrella term of autism spectrum disorders. The bidirectional interplay has led researchers to coin the term gut-brain-immune system axis, subverting the theory of the brain as an immune-privileged site and underscoring the importance of this reciprocal influence already from fetal life and especially during the pre- and post-natal neurodevelopmental process. This revolutionary theory has also unveiled the possibility to modify the gut microbiota as a way to treat and even to prevent different kinds of pathologies. In this sense, some attempts have been made, ranging from probiotic administration to fecal microbiota transplantation, with promising results that need further elaboration. This state-of-art report will describe the main aspects regarding the human gut microbiome and its specific role in the pathogenesis of autism and its related disorders, with a final discussion on the therapeutic and preventive strategies aiming at creating a healthy intestinal microbial environment, as well as their safety and ethical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Puricelli
- Department of Health Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy.,Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory, Ospedale Maggiore della Carità, Novara, Italy
| | - Roberta Rolla
- Department of Health Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy.,Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory, Ospedale Maggiore della Carità, Novara, Italy
| | - Luca Gigliotti
- Department of Health Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Elena Boggio
- Department of Health Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Eleonora Beltrami
- Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory, Ospedale Maggiore della Carità, Novara, Italy
| | - Umberto Dianzani
- Department of Health Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy.,Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory, Ospedale Maggiore della Carità, Novara, Italy
| | - Roberto Keller
- Mental Health Department, Adult Autism Center, ASL Città di Torino, Turin, Italy
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205
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Chew L, Sun KL, Sun W, Wang Z, Rajadas J, Flores RE, Arnold E, Jo B, Fung LK. Association of serum allopregnanolone with restricted and repetitive behaviors in adult males with autism. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2021; 123:105039. [PMID: 33161257 PMCID: PMC8428554 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2020.105039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been associated with imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory (E/I) neurotransmission systems, as well as with neuroinflammation. Sitting at the crossroads between E/I imbalance and neuroinflammation is a class of endogenous hormones known as neurosteroids. Current literature points to dysregulated steroid metabolism and atypical neurosteroid levels in ASD as early as in utero. However, due to the complexity of neurosteroid metabolomics, including possible sex differences, the impact of neurosteroids on ASD symptomatology remains unclear. In this study, we assessed neurosteroid levels and ASD symptom severity of 21 males with ASD and 20 full-scale-IQ-matched typically developing (TD) males, all aged 18-39. Using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, concentrations of allopregnanolone, cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone, progesterone, and testosterone were measured in saliva and serum. With the exception of cortisol's, all neurosteroids' concentrations were found to have ASD vs. TD group differences in distribution, where one group was normally distributed and the other non-normally distributed. Serum allopregnanolone levels in males with ASD were found to negatively correlate with clinician-rated measures of restricted and repetitive behavior measures (ADOS-2 RRB and ADI-R RRSB domain scores). Additionally, lower serum allopregnanolone levels were found to predict more negative camouflaging scores, which represent greater differences in self- and clinician-rated symptom severity, of both ASD symptomatology overall and repetitive behaviors in particular. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that in adult males with ASD, decreased serum allopregnanolone levels are associated with more severe restricted and repetitive behaviors and with less insight into the severity of these behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila Chew
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, California, USA; David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Kevin L Sun
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, California, USA
| | - Wenchao Sun
- Biomaterial and Advanced Drug Delivery Lab, Stanford University, California, USA
| | - Zhe Wang
- Biomaterial and Advanced Drug Delivery Lab, Stanford University, California, USA
| | - Jayakumar Rajadas
- Biomaterial and Advanced Drug Delivery Lab, Stanford University, California, USA
| | - Ryan E Flores
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, California, USA; Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Emily Arnold
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, California, USA
| | - Booil Jo
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, California, USA
| | - Lawrence K Fung
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, California, USA.
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206
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Zhao H, Zhang H, Liu S, Luo W, Jiang Y, Gao J. Association of Peripheral Blood Levels of Cytokines With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Meta-Analysis. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:670200. [PMID: 34276441 PMCID: PMC8283413 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.670200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Although increasing evidence suggests an association between alterations in peripheral cytokines and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a consensus is lacking. To determine whether abnormal cytokine profiles in peripheral blood were associated with ASD, we performed this systemic review and meta-analysis. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted through the Embase, PubMed, Web of Knowledge, PsycINFO, and Cochrane databases up to 4 June 2020. Clinical studies exploring the aberration of peripheral cytokines of autistic patients and controls were included in our meta-analysis. We pooled extracted data using fixed- or random-effects models based on heterogeneity tests with Comprehensive Meta-analysis software. We converted standardized mean differences to Hedges' g statistic to obtain the effect sizes adjusted for sample size. Subgroup analyses, sensitivity analyses, meta-regression, and publication bias tests were also carried out. Results: Sixty-one articles (326 studies) were included to assess the association between 76 cytokines and ASD. We conducted our meta-analysis based on 37 cytokines with 289 studies. Since there were fewer than three studies on any of the other 39 cytokines, we only provided basic information for them. The levels of peripheral IL-6, IL-1β, IL-12p70, macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), eotaxin-1, monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), IL-8, IL-7, IL-2, IL-12, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-17, and IL-4 were defined as abnormal cytokines in the peripheral blood of ASD patients compared with controls. The other 24 cytokines did not obviously change in ASD patients compared with the controls. Conclusions: The findings of our meta-analysis strengthen the evidence for an abnormal cytokine profile in ASD. These abnormal cytokines may be potential biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of ASD in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huaying Zhao
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Fuling Central Hospital of Chongqing City, Chongqing, China
| | - Hongqi Zhang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Fuling Central Hospital of Chongqing City, Chongqing, China
| | - Shijie Liu
- The 947th Hospital of Army, Kashi, China
| | - Wulin Luo
- Department of Medical Psychology and Neurology, The 947th Hospital of Army, Kashi, China
| | - Yongfeng Jiang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The 947th Hospital of Army, Kashi, China
| | - Junwei Gao
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
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207
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Gong W, Qiao Y, Li B, Zheng X, Xu R, Wang M, Mi X, Li Y. The Alteration of Salivary Immunoglobulin A in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:669193. [PMID: 34093280 PMCID: PMC8175640 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.669193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are neurodevelopmental disorders with changes in the gut and oral microbiota. Based on the intimate relationship between the oral microbiota and oral mucosal immunity, this study aimed to investigate changes in salivary immunoglobulin A (IgA) level in ASD and the underlying mechanism for any such changes. Methods: We recruited 36 children diagnosed with ASD and 35 normally developing children and measured their salivary IgA content using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The valproate (VPA) -treated ASD mouse model was established by prenatal exposure to valproate and mouse salivary IgA content was also quantified by ELISA. The submandibular glands of VPA and control mice were isolated and analyzed using qRT-PCR, immunofluorescence staining, and flow cytometry. ASD-related Streptococci were co-incubated with the human salivary gland (HSG) cell line, and western blotting was used to detect the levels of relevant proteins. Results: We found that salivary IgA content was significantly decreased in patients with ASD and had a significant ASD diagnostic value. The salivary IgA content also decreased in VPA mice and was significantly correlated with autistic-like behaviors among them. The mRNA and protein levels of the polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (Pigr) were downregulated in the submandibular glands of VPA mice and the Pigr mRNA level was positively correlated with mouse salivary IgA content. HSG cells treated with ASD-related Streptococci had reduced PIGR protein level. Conclusion: Therefore, protective IgA levels were reduced in the saliva of individuals with ASD, which correlated with the bacteria-induced downregulation of Pigr in salivary glands. This study suggests a new direction for ASD diagnosis and prevention of oral diseases in ASD cohorts and provides evidence for the ASD mucosal immunophenotype in the oral cavity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wuyi Gong
- Department of Orthodontics, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Tooth Restoration and Regeneration, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanan Qiao
- Department of Orthodontics, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Tooth Restoration and Regeneration, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bosheng Li
- Department of Orthodontics, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Tooth Restoration and Regeneration, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoguo Zheng
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Disease, School of Medicine, International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ruihuan Xu
- Clinic Lab, Longgang District People's Hospital of Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | - Mingbang Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defects, Division of Neonatology, National Center for Children's Health, Xiamen Branch of Children's Hospital of Fudan University (Xiamen Children's Hospital), Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaohui Mi
- Department of Orthodontics, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Tooth Restoration and Regeneration, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yongming Li
- Department of Orthodontics, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Tooth Restoration and Regeneration, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
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208
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Healing autism spectrum disorder with cannabinoids: a neuroinflammatory story. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 121:128-143. [PMID: 33358985 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder with a multifactorial etiology. Latest researches are raising the hypothesis of a link between the onset of the main behavioral symptoms of ASD and the chronic neuroinflammatory condition of the autistic brain; increasing evidence of this connection is shedding light on new possible players in the pathogenesis of ASD. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) has a key role in neurodevelopment as well as in normal inflammatory responses and it is not surprising that many preclinical and clinical studies account for alterations of the endocannabinoid signaling in ASD. These findings lay the foundation for a better understanding of the neurochemical mechanisms underlying ASD and for new therapeutic attempts aimed at exploiting the renowned anti-inflammatory properties of cannabinoids to treat pathologies encompassed in the autistic spectrum. This review discusses the current preclinical and clinical evidence supporting a key role of the ECS in the neuroinflammatory state that characterizes ASD, providing hints to identify new biomarkers in ASD and promising therapies for the future.
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209
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Saad K, Abdallah AEM, Abdel-Rahman AA, Al-Atram AA, Abdel-Raheem YF, Gad EF, Abo-Elela MGM, Elserogy YM, Elhoufey A, Nigm DA, Nagiub Abdelsalam EM, Alruwaili TAM. Polymorphism of interleukin-1β and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist genes in children with autism spectrum disorders. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2020; 103:109999. [PMID: 32526258 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2020.109999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we first investigated interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) levels in a cohort of Egyptian children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and in healthy controls. Second, we examined the single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at positions -31 and - 511 of the IL-1β gene promoter and IL1RA and assessed the association between IL1B and IL1RA polymorphisms with ASD. We examined IL1β promoter polymorphism at -511 (IL-1β-511) and - 31 (IL-1β-31) and IL1RA gene polymorphism in 80 children with ASD and 60 healthy children. The children with ASD had significantly higher levels of IL-1β and IL-1RA than the controls. The children with ASD also had significantly higher frequencies of homozygous (CC) and heterozygous (TC) genotype variants of IL-1β-511, and IL-1RA than the controls. Moreover, the frequency of the IL-1β-511 allele (C) was higher in the ASD group than in the controls (p = .001). The homozygous and heterozygous variants of IL-1RA allele II were also significantly higher in the ASD group than in the control group. There was no significant association between the IL-1β-31 genotype and autism classes. However, there were significant differences in the distribution of the IL-1RA heterogeneous genotype and allele II among children with severe autism. The inflammatory role of cytokines has been implicated in a variety of neuropsychiatric pathologies, including autism. Our data show alterations in the IL-1β system, with abnormally increased serum levels of IL-1β and IL-1RA in the children with ASD. Further, polymorphisms in the IL-1β-511 and IL-1RA genotype variants correlated positively with autism severity and behavioral abnormalities. IL-1β-511 and IL-1RA gene polymorphisms could impact ASD risk and may be used as potential biomarkers of ASD. Variations in the IL-1β and IL-1RA systems may have a role in the pathophysiology of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khaled Saad
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt.
| | | | - Ahmed A Abdel-Rahman
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Abdulrahman A Al-Atram
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Majmaah University, Majmaah, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Eman Fathallah Gad
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | | | - Yasser M Elserogy
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Amira Elhoufey
- Department of Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Assiut University, Egypt; Department of Community Health Nursing, Alddrab University College, Jazan University, Saudi Arabia
| | - Dalia A Nigm
- Clinical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Egypt
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210
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Critical Role of the Maternal Immune System in the Pathogenesis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Biomedicines 2020; 8:biomedicines8120557. [PMID: 33271759 PMCID: PMC7760377 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines8120557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Revised: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a group of neurodevelopmental disorders characterised by impairments in communication, social interaction, and the presence of restrictive and repetitive behaviours. Over the past decade, most of the research in ASD has focused on the contribution of genetics, with the identification of a variety of different genes and mutations. However, the vast heterogeneity in clinical presentations associated with this disorder suggests that environmental factors may be involved, acting as a “second hit” in already genetically susceptible individuals. To this regard, emerging evidence points towards a role for maternal immune system dysfunctions. This literature review considered evidence from epidemiological studies and aimed to discuss the pathological relevance of the maternal immune system in ASD by looking at the proposed mechanisms by which it alters the prenatal environment. In particular, this review focuses on the effects of maternal immune activation (MIA) by looking at foetal brain-reactive antibodies, cytokines and the microbiome. Despite the arguments presented here that strongly implicate MIA in the pathophysiology of ASD, further research is needed to fully understand the precise mechanisms by which they alter brain structure and behaviour. Overall, this review has not only shown the importance of the maternal immune system as a risk factor for ASD, but more importantly, has highlighted new promising pathways to target for the discovery of novel therapeutic interventions for the treatment of such a life-changing disorder.
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211
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Abd-Allah NA, Ibrahim OM, Elmalt HA, Shehata MA, Hamed RA, Elsaadouni NM, Hawary B. Thioredoxin level and inflammatory markers in children with autism spectrum disorders. MIDDLE EAST CURRENT PSYCHIATRY 2020. [DOI: 10.1186/s43045-020-00021-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are a group of neurodevelopmental disabilities with unknown etiology. Recent studies suggest the contribution of immune dysfunction and oxidative stress in its pathophysiology. The present study aimed to investigate the serum level of thioredoxin (Trx), as a marker of oxidative stress and some inflammatory cytokines, and to evaluate their role in children with ASD.
Results
Concentrations of Trx, IL-1β, IL-8, and TNF-α were significantly higher in children with ASD compared with matched controls. There were no association between cytokine levels and the severity of clinical manifestations, according to CARS classification of severity.
Conclusion
The present study provides support for the idea that physiological abnormalities, such as oxidative stress and immune dysfunction, may contribute in the pathophysiology of ASD.
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212
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Cyclooxygenase Inhibition Safety and Efficacy in Inflammation-Based Psychiatric Disorders. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25225388. [PMID: 33217958 PMCID: PMC7698629 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25225388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
According to the World Health Organization, the major psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders include major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and autism spectrum disorder. The potential role of inflammation in the onset and progression of these disorders is increasingly being studied. The use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), well-known cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors, combined with first-choice specific drugs have been long investigated. The adjunctive administration of COX inhibitors to classic clinical treatments seems to improve the prognosis of people who suffer from psychiatric disorders. In this review, a broad overview of the use of COX inhibitors in the treatment of inflammation-based psychiatric disorders is provided. For this purpose, a critical analysis of the use of COX inhibitors in the last ten years of clinical trials of the major psychiatric disorders was carried out.
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213
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Sotgiu S, Manca S, Gagliano A, Minutolo A, Melis MC, Pisuttu G, Scoppola C, Bolognesi E, Clerici M, Guerini FR, Carta A. Immune regulation of neurodevelopment at the mother-foetus interface: the case of autism. Clin Transl Immunology 2020; 9:e1211. [PMID: 33209302 PMCID: PMC7662086 DOI: 10.1002/cti2.1211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder defined by deficits in social communication and stereotypical behaviours. ASD’s aetiology remains mostly unclear, because of a complex interaction between genetic and environmental factors. Recently, a strong consensus has developed around ASD’s immune‐mediated pathophysiology, which is the subject of this review. For many years, neuroimmunological studies tried to understand ASD as a prototypical antibody‐ or cell‐mediated disease. Other findings indicated the importance of autoimmune mechanisms such as familial and individual autoimmunity, adaptive immune abnormalities and the influence of infections during gestation. However, recent studies have challenged the idea that autism may be a classical autoimmune disease. Modern neurodevelopmental immunology shows the double‐edged nature of many immune effectors, which can be either beneficial or detrimental depending on tissue homeostasis, stressors, neurodevelopmental stage, inherited and de novo gene mutations and other variables. Nowadays, mother–child interactions in the prenatal environment appear to be crucial for the occurrence of ASD. Studies of animal maternal–foetal immune interaction are being fruitfully carried out using different combinations of type and timing of infection, of maternal immune response and foetal vulnerability and of resilience factors to hostile events. The derailed neuroimmune crosstalk through the placenta initiates and maintains a chronic foetal neuroglial activation, eventually causing the alteration of neurogenesis, migration, synapse formation and pruning. The importance of pregnancy can also allow early immune interventions, which can significantly reduce the increasing risk of ASD and its heavy social burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Sotgiu
- Unit of Child Neuropsychiatry Department of Medical Surgical and Experimental Sciences University of Sassari Sassari Italy
| | - Salvatorica Manca
- Unità Operativa di Neuropsichiatria Infanzia e Adolescenza (UONPIA) ASSL Sassari Sassari Italy
| | - Antonella Gagliano
- Child & Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit Department of Biomedical Sciences University of Cagliari Cagliari Italy
| | - Alessandra Minutolo
- Child & Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit Department of Biomedical Sciences University of Cagliari Cagliari Italy
| | - Maria Clotilde Melis
- Unit of Child Neuropsychiatry Department of Medical Surgical and Experimental Sciences University of Sassari Sassari Italy
| | - Giulia Pisuttu
- Unit of Child Neuropsychiatry Department of Medical Surgical and Experimental Sciences University of Sassari Sassari Italy
| | - Chiara Scoppola
- Unit of Child Neuropsychiatry Department of Medical Surgical and Experimental Sciences University of Sassari Sassari Italy
| | | | - Mario Clerici
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi - ONLUS Milan Italy.,Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation University of Milano Milan Italy
| | | | - Alessandra Carta
- Unit of Child Neuropsychiatry Department of Medical Surgical and Experimental Sciences University of Sassari Sassari Italy
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214
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Shayganfard M. Molecular and biological functions of resveratrol in psychiatric disorders: a review of recent evidence. Cell Biosci 2020; 10:128. [PMID: 33292508 PMCID: PMC7648996 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-020-00491-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Mental disorders including depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorders, bipolar and etc. have a considerable proportion of global disorder burden. Many nutritional psychiatry investigations have been conducted to evaluate the relationship between several individual nutrients such as herbal compounds with mental health. Resveratrol, a famous polyphenol compound, is known as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and neuroprotective agent regulating the function of brain and improves the behavioral factors associated with learning, anxiety, depression, and memory. In addition, this natural compound can cross the blood–brain barrier representing neurological influences. The pharmacological interest of utilizing resveratrol in mental disorders is due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant features. The aim of this paper was to review the studies evaluated the potential effects of resveratrol on mental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehran Shayganfard
- Department of Psychiatry, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran.
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215
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Upregulation of interleukin (IL)-31, a cytokine producing CXCR1 peripheral immune cells, contributes to the immune abnormalities of autism spectrum disorder. J Neuroimmunol 2020; 349:577430. [PMID: 33130460 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2020.577430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a group of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by communication deficits, impaired social interactions, and restricted stereotypical behaviors. Several immune cells are associated with immune dysfunction in ASD; however, IL-31 has not been explored in ASD. This study aims to investigate the role of inflammatory cytokines and transcription factors of the CXCR1 cells in children with ASD. In the current study, we investigated the cytokines and transcription factors produced by CXCR1+ cells (IL-31, IL-9, IL-21R, IL-21, NF-κB p65, RORγT, STAT1, and FoxP3) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), from children with ASD and typically developing (TD) control children, using flow cytometric analysis. In addition, we measured mRNA and protein expression levels of IL-31 using quantitative real-time PCR and western blot analyses in PBMCs. In our study, children with ASD had increased CXCR1+IL-31+, CXCR1+IL-9+, CXCR1+IL-21R+, CXCR1+IL-21+, CXCR1+NF-κB+ p65, CXCR1+RORγT+, and CXCR1+STAT1+, and decreased CXCR1+FoxP3+ cells as compared with cells from the TD control samples. Similarly, children with ASD showed increased IL-31 mRNA and protein expression levels as compared to those of TD control samples. Our results suggest that upregulated production of inflammatory cytokines and transcription factors in CXCR1+ cells cause immunological imbalance in children with ASD. Therefore, attenuation of inflammatory cytokines/mediators and transcription factors could have a therapeutic potential in the treatment of ASD.
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216
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Environmental regulation of the chloride transporter KCC2: switching inflammation off to switch the GABA on? Transl Psychiatry 2020; 10:349. [PMID: 33060559 PMCID: PMC7562743 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-020-01027-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Chloride homeostasis, the main determinant factor for the dynamic tuning of GABAergic inhibition during development, has emerged as a key element altered in a wide variety of brain disorders. Accordingly, developmental disorders such as schizophrenia, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down syndrome, epilepsy, and tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) have been associated with alterations in the expression of genes codifying for either of the two cotransporters involved in the excitatory-to-inhibitory GABA switch, KCC2 and NKCC1. These alterations can result from environmental insults, including prenatal stress and maternal separation which share, as common molecular denominator, the elevation of pro-inflammatory cytokines. In this review we report and systemize recent research articles indicating that different perinatal environmental perturbations affect the expression of chloride transporters, delaying the developmental switch of GABA signaling, and that inflammatory cytokines, in particular interleukin 1β, may represent a key causal factor for this phenomenon. Based on literature data, we provide therefore a unifying conceptual framework, linking environmental hits with the excitatory-to-inhibitory GABA switch in the context of brain developmental disorders.
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217
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Garcia-Gutierrez E, Narbad A, Rodríguez JM. Autism Spectrum Disorder Associated With Gut Microbiota at Immune, Metabolomic, and Neuroactive Level. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:578666. [PMID: 33117122 PMCID: PMC7578228 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.578666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
There is increasing evidence suggesting a link between the autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and the gastrointestinal (GI) microbiome. Experimental and clinical studies have shown that patients diagnosed with ASD display alterations of the gut microbiota. These alterations do not only extend to the gut microbiota composition but also to the metabolites they produce, as a result of its connections with diet and the bidirectional interaction with the host. Thus, production of metabolites and neurotransmitters stimulate the immune system and influence the central nervous system (CNS) by stimulation of the vagal nerve, as an example of the gut-brain axis pathway. In this review we compose an overview of the interconnectivity of the different GI-related elements that have been associated with the development and severity of the ASD in patients and animal models. We review potential biomarkers to be used in future studies to unlock further connections and interventions in the treatment of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enriqueta Garcia-Gutierrez
- Gut Microbes and Health Institute Strategic Program, Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Arjan Narbad
- Gut Microbes and Health Institute Strategic Program, Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Juan Miguel Rodríguez
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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218
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Thom RP, McDougle CJ. Immune Modulatory Treatments for Autism Spectrum Disorder. Semin Pediatr Neurol 2020; 35:100836. [PMID: 32892957 DOI: 10.1016/j.spen.2020.100836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Several lines of evidence from family history studies, immunogenetics, maternal immune activation, neuroinflammation, and systemic inflammation support an immune subtype of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Current Food and Drug Administration-approved medications for ASD do not address the underlying pathophysiology of ASD, have not consistently been shown to address the core symptoms of ASD, and are currently only approved for treating irritability in children and adolescents. In this article, we review the immune modulatory effects of the 2 currently Food and Drug Administration-approved treatments for ASD. We then provide an overview of current data on emerging treatments for ASD from multiple fields of medicine with immune modulatory effects. Although further research is needed to more clearly establish the efficacy and safety of immune modulatory treatments, early data on repurposing medications used to treat systemic inflammation for ASD demonstrate potential benefit and further research is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robyn P Thom
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Christopher J McDougle
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; Lurie Center for Autism, Lexington, MA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
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219
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Ciernia AV, Link VM, Careaga M, LaSalle JM, Ashwood P. Genetic variants drive altered epigenetic regulation of endotoxin response in BTBR macrophages. Brain Behav Immun 2020; 89:20-31. [PMID: 32454135 PMCID: PMC7572655 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2020.05.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The BTBR T+Itpr3tf/J (BTBR) mouse has been used as a complex genetic model of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). While the specific mechanisms underlying BTBR behavioral phenotypes are poorly understood, prior studies have implicated profound differences in innate immune system control of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Innate immune activation and elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines are also detected in blood of children with ASD. In this study, we examined how underlying BTBR genetic variants correspond to strain-specific changes in chromatin accessibility, resulting in a pro-inflammatory response specifically in BTBR bone marrow derived macrophages (BMDM). In response to repeated lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatments, C57BL/6J (C57) BMDM exhibited intact endotoxin tolerance. In contrast, BTBR BMDM exhibited hyper-responsive expression of genes that were normally tolerized in C57. This failure in formation of endotoxin tolerance in BTBR was mirrored at the level of chromatin accessibility. Using ATAC-seq, we specifically identified promoter and enhancer regions with strain-specific differential chromatin accessibility both at baseline and in response to LPS. Regions with strain-specific differences in chromatin accessibility were significantly enriched for BTBR genetic variants, such that an average of 22% of the differential chromatin regions had at least one variant. Together, these results demonstrate that BTBR genetic variants contribute to altered chromatin responsiveness to endotoxin challenge resulting in hyper-responsive innate immunity in BTBR. These findings provide evidence for an interaction between complex genetic variants and differential epigenetic regulation of innate immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annie Vogel Ciernia
- Department Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver V6T2A1, Canada.
| | - Verena M Link
- Metaorganism Immunity Section, Laboratory of Immune System Biology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Milo Careaga
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, MIND Institute, Genome Center, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Janine M LaSalle
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, MIND Institute, Genome Center, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Paul Ashwood
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, MIND Institute, Genome Center, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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220
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Kim YS, Choi J, Yoon BE. Neuron-Glia Interactions in Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Cells 2020; 9:cells9102176. [PMID: 32992620 PMCID: PMC7601502 DOI: 10.3390/cells9102176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have revealed synaptic dysfunction to be a hallmark of various psychiatric diseases, and that glial cells participate in synapse formation, development, and plasticity. Glial cells contribute to neuroinflammation and synaptic homeostasis, the latter being essential for maintaining the physiological function of the central nervous system (CNS). In particular, glial cells undergo gliotransmission and regulate neuronal activity in tripartite synapses via ion channels (gap junction hemichannel, volume regulated anion channel, and bestrophin-1), receptors (for neurotransmitters and cytokines), or transporters (GLT-1, GLAST, and GATs) that are expressed on glial cell membranes. In this review, we propose that dysfunction in neuron-glia interactions may contribute to the pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental disorders. Understanding the mechanisms of neuron-glia interaction for synapse formation and maturation will contribute to the development of novel therapeutic targets of neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoo Sung Kim
- Department of Molecular Biology, Dankook University, Cheonan 31116, Korea; (Y.S.K.); (J.C.)
| | - Juwon Choi
- Department of Molecular Biology, Dankook University, Cheonan 31116, Korea; (Y.S.K.); (J.C.)
| | - Bo-Eun Yoon
- Department of Molecular Biology, Dankook University, Cheonan 31116, Korea; (Y.S.K.); (J.C.)
- Department of Nanobiomedical science, Dankook University, Cheonan 31116, Korea
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-41-529-6085
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221
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Uddin MN, Yao Y, Manley K, Lawrence DA. Development, phenotypes of immune cells in BTBR T +Itpr3 tf/J mice. Cell Immunol 2020; 358:104223. [PMID: 33137646 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2020.104223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition that is characterized by a lack of social interaction, decreased verbal and non-verbal communication skills, and stereotyped repetitive behavior. There is strong evidence that a dysregulated immune response may influence neurodevelopment and thus may have a role in the development of ASD. This study focuses on the characterization of immune cell phenotypes in the BTBR T+Itpr3tf/J (BTBR) mouse strain, a widely used animal model for autism research. Our study demonstrated that BTBR mice have a different immune profile compared to C57BL/6J (B6) mice, which do not display ASD-like characteristics. Thymic cells of BTBR mice have more single positive (SP) CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and fewer double positive (DP) T cells than B6 mice. The development of T cells is increased in BTBR mice with regard to the double negative (DN4) population being much higher in BTBR mice. The spleens and blood of BTBR mice also have more T helper type 1 (Th1), T helper type 2 (Th2) and T regulatory (Treg) cells compared to B6 mice. Aire expression in the thymus and spleen of BTBR mice compared to B6 mice was equivalent and lower, respectively. The mature natural killer (NK) innate immune cell population in blood and spleen is lower in BTBR than B6 mice; NK cell development is blocked prior to the double positive (DN) CD11b+CD27+ stage in BTBR mice. Since BTBR mice have more CD4+ T cells and elevated numbers of Th1 (T-bet+) and Th2 (GATA3+) cells, their low defense against pathogen may be explained by the lower number of NK cells and the significantly lower Th1 to Th2 ratio. The elevated number of plasma cells and autoantibodies of BTBR mice may be due to less presence and function of splenic AIRE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Nizam Uddin
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY, United States
| | - Yunyi Yao
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY, United States
| | - Kevin Manley
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY, United States
| | - David A Lawrence
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY, United States; University at Albany School of Public Health, Rensselaer, NY, United States.
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Carpita B, Marazziti D, Palego L, Giannaccini G, Betti L, Dell'Osso L. Microbiota, Immune System and Autism Spectrum Disorders: An Integrative Model towards Novel Treatment Options. Curr Med Chem 2020; 27:5119-5136. [PMID: 31448708 DOI: 10.2174/0929867326666190328151539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Revised: 03/05/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a condition strongly associated with genetic predisposition and familial aggregation. Among ASD patients, different levels of symptoms severity are detectable, while the presence of intermediate autism phenotypes in close relatives of ASD probands is also known in literature. Recently, increasing attention has been paid to environmental factors that might play a role in modulating the relationship between genomic risk and development and severity of ASD. Within this framework, an increasing body of evidence has stressed a possible role of both gut microbiota and inflammation in the pathophysiology of neurodevelopment. The aim of this paper is to review findings about the link between microbiota dysbiosis, inflammation and ASD. METHODS Articles ranging from 1990 to 2018 were identified on PUBMED and Google Scholar databases, with keyword combinations as: microbiota, immune system, inflammation, ASD, autism, broad autism phenotype, adult. RESULTS Recent evidence suggests that microbiota alterations, immune system and neurodevelopment may be deeply intertwined, shaping each other during early life. However, results from both animal models and human samples are still heterogeneous, while few studies focused on adult patients and ASD intermediate phenotypes. CONCLUSION A better understanding of these pathways, within an integrative framework between central and peripheral systems, might not only shed more light on neural basis of ASD symptoms, clarifying brain pathophysiology, but it may also allow to develop new therapeutic strategies for these disorders, still poorly responsive to available treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Carpita
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, Via Roma, 6756100 Pisa, Italy
| | - Donatella Marazziti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, Via Roma, 6756100 Pisa, Italy
| | - Lionella Palego
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, Via Roma, 6756100 Pisa, Italy
| | - Gino Giannaccini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, Via Roma, 6756100 Pisa, Italy
| | - Laura Betti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, Via Roma, 6756100 Pisa, Italy
| | - Liliana Dell'Osso
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, Via Roma, 6756100 Pisa, Italy
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223
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Samborska-Mazur J, Kostiukow A, Miechowicz I, Sikorska D, Rutkowski R, Wyganowska-Świątkowska M, Błochowiak K. Salivary Cytokine Profile as a Possible Predictor of Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Clin Med 2020; 9:E3101. [PMID: 32992922 PMCID: PMC7601503 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9103101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by neurodevelopmental disorders and alterations in immune function and cytokine levels. The aim of this study is to determine the salivary levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), Regulated on Activation, Normal T-cell Expressed and Secreted (RANTES), and Eotaxin in children with ASD and in healthy controlsto assess their predictive potential. We explored correlations between the cytokine levels and the neurodevelopmental disorders related to ASD. The study comprised 19 children with ASD and 19 typically developing (TD) ones. We analyzed salivary levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, TNFα, MCP-1, RANTES, and eotaxin on Luminex with custom-designed 7-plex kits. The level of RANTES in ASD children was significantly lower than those of TD. In TDs, the salivary levels of IL-1β, MCP-1, and TNFα correlated positively with age. In ASD, the cytokine levels did not correlate with age. There were statistically significant differences between the RANTES level and aggression and gait disturbances, between IL-8 level and fixations/stimulations, and between IL-1β level and no active speech. The levels of the cytokine detected can manifest both systemic and local changes related to ASD. The cytokine pattern cannot be used as a sole ASD predictor, but the salivary levels may be helpful in categorizing the ASD subtype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Samborska-Mazur
- Department of Oral Surgery and Periodontology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Bukowska 70 Street, 60812 Poznan, Poland; (J.S.-M.); (M.W.-Ś.)
| | - Anna Kostiukow
- Department of Rheumatology, Rehabilitation and Internal Diseases, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 28 Czerwca 1956 135 Street, 61545 Poznan, Poland; (A.K.); (D.S.)
| | - Izabela Miechowicz
- Department of Computer Science and Statistics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Rokietnicka 7 Street, 60806 Poznan, Poland;
| | - Dorota Sikorska
- Department of Rheumatology, Rehabilitation and Internal Diseases, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 28 Czerwca 1956 135 Street, 61545 Poznan, Poland; (A.K.); (D.S.)
| | - Rafał Rutkowski
- Department of Pathophysiology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Rokietnicka 8 Street, 60806 Poznan, Poland;
| | - Marzena Wyganowska-Świątkowska
- Department of Oral Surgery and Periodontology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Bukowska 70 Street, 60812 Poznan, Poland; (J.S.-M.); (M.W.-Ś.)
| | - Katarzyna Błochowiak
- Department of Oral Surgery and Periodontology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Bukowska 70 Street, 60812 Poznan, Poland; (J.S.-M.); (M.W.-Ś.)
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224
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Li Y, Qiu S, Shi J, Guo Y, Li Z, Cheng Y, Liu Y. Association between MTHFR C677T/A1298C and susceptibility to autism spectrum disorders: a meta-analysis. BMC Pediatr 2020; 20:449. [PMID: 32972375 PMCID: PMC7517654 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-020-02330-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is becoming increasingly prevalent of late. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) has a significant role in folate metabolism. Owing to the inconsistencies and inconclusiveness on the association between MTHFR single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and ASD susceptibilities, a meta-analysis was conducted to settle the inconsistencies. METHODS For this meta-analysis, a total of 15 manuscripts published up to January 26, 2020, were selected from PubMed, Google Scholar, Medline, WangFang, and CNKI databases using search terms "MTHFR" OR "methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase" AND "ASD" OR "Autism Spectrum Disorders" OR "Autism" AND "polymorphism" OR "susceptibility" OR "C677T" OR "A1298C". RESULTS The findings of the meta-analysis indicated that MTHFR C677T polymorphism is remarkably associated with ASD in the five genetic models, viz., allelic, dominant, recessive, heterozygote, and homozygote. However, the MTHFR A1298C polymorphism was not found to be significantly related to ASD in the five genetic models. Subgroup analyses revealed significant associations of ASD with the MTHFR (C677T and A1298C) polymorphism. Sensitivity analysis showed that this meta-analysis was stable and reliable. No publication bias was identified in the associations between MTHFRC677T polymorphisms and ASD in the five genetic models, except for the one with regard to the associations between MTHFRA1298C polymorphisms and ASD in the five genetic models. CONCLUSION This meta-analysis showed that MTHFR C677T polymorphism is a susceptibility factor for ASD, and MTHFR A1298C polymorphism is not associated with ASD susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Li
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Shuang Qiu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Jikang Shi
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Yanbo Guo
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Zhijun Li
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Yi Cheng
- Institute of Translational Medicine, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China.
| | - Yawen Liu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China.
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225
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Analyzing the Potential Biological Determinants of Autism Spectrum Disorder: From Neuroinflammation to the Kynurenine Pathway. Brain Sci 2020; 10:brainsci10090631. [PMID: 32932826 PMCID: PMC7563403 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10090631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) etiopathogenesis is still unclear and no effective preventive and treatment measures have been identified. Research has focused on the potential role of neuroinflammation and the Kynurenine pathway; here we review the nature of these interactions. Pre-natal or neonatal infections would induce microglial activation, with secondary consequences on behavior, cognition and neurotransmitter networks. Peripherally, higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and anti-brain antibodies have been identified. Increased frequency of autoimmune diseases, allergies, and recurring infections have been demonstrated both in autistic patients and in their relatives. Genetic studies have also identified some important polymorphisms in chromosome loci related to the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system. The persistence of immune-inflammatory deregulation would lead to mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress, creating a self-sustaining cytotoxic loop. Chronic inflammation activates the Kynurenine pathway with an increase in neurotoxic metabolites and excitotoxicity, causing long-term changes in the glutamatergic system, trophic support and synaptic function. Furthermore, overactivation of the Kynurenine branch induces depletion of melatonin and serotonin, worsening ASD symptoms. Thus, in genetically predisposed subjects, aberrant neurodevelopment may derive from a complex interplay between inflammatory processes, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress and Kynurenine pathway overexpression. To validate this hypothesis a new translational research approach is necessary.
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226
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Matelski L, Keil Stietz KP, Sethi S, Taylor SL, Van de Water J, Lein PJ. The influence of sex, genotype, and dose on serum and hippocampal cytokine levels in juvenile mice developmentally exposed to a human-relevant mixture of polychlorinated biphenyls. Curr Res Toxicol 2020; 1:85-103. [PMID: 34296199 PMCID: PMC8294704 DOI: 10.1016/j.crtox.2020.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are pervasive environmental contaminants implicated as risk factors for neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). Immune dysregulation is another NDD risk factor, and developmental PCB exposures are associated with early life immune dysregulation. Studies of the immunomodulatory effects of PCBs have focused on the higher-chlorinated congeners found in legacy commercial mixtures. Comparatively little is known about the immune effects of contemporary, lower-chlorinated PCBs. This is a critical data gap given recent reports that lower-chlorinated congeners comprise >70% of the total PCB burden in serum of pregnant women enrolled in the MARBLES study who are at increased risk for having a child with an NDD. To examine the influence of PCBs, sex, and genotype on cytokine levels, mice were exposed throughout gestation and lactation to a PCB mixture in the maternal diet, which was based on the 12 most abundant PCBs in sera from MARBLES subjects. Using multiplex array, cytokines were quantified in the serum and hippocampus of weanling mice expressing either a human gain-of-function mutation in ryanodine receptor 1 (T4826I mice), a human CGG premutation repeat expansion in the fragile X mental retardation gene 1 (CGG mice), or both mutations (DM mice). Congenic wildtype (WT) mice were used as controls. There were dose-dependent effects of PCB exposure on cytokine concentrations in the serum but not hippocampus. Differential effects of genotype were observed in the serum and hippocampus. Hippocampal cytokines were consistently elevated in T4826I mice and also in WT animals for some cytokines compared to CGG and DM mice, while serum cytokines were usually elevated in the mutant genotypes compared to the WT group. Males had elevated levels of 19 cytokines in the serum and 4 in the hippocampus compared to females, but there were also interactions between sex and genotype for 7 hippocampal cytokines. Only the chemokine CCL5 in the serum showed an interaction between PCB dose, genotype, and sex. Collectively, these findings indicate differential influences of PCB exposure and genotype on cytokine levels in serum and hippocampal tissue of weanling mice. These results suggest that developmental PCB exposure has chronic effects on baseline serum, but not hippocampal, cytokine levels in juvenile mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Matelski
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Kimberly P. Keil Stietz
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Sunjay Sethi
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Sandra L. Taylor
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Judy Van de Water
- MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA,Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Clinical Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Pamela J. Lein
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA 95616, USA,MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA,Corresponding author at: Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Drive, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
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227
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Roussin L, Prince N, Perez-Pardo P, Kraneveld AD, Rabot S, Naudon L. Role of the Gut Microbiota in the Pathophysiology of Autism Spectrum Disorder: Clinical and Preclinical Evidence. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8091369. [PMID: 32906656 PMCID: PMC7563175 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8091369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting 1 in 160 people in the world. Although there is a strong genetic heritability to ASD, it is now accepted that environmental factors can play a role in its onset. As the prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms is four-times higher in ASD patients, the potential implication of the gut microbiota in this disorder is being increasingly studied. A disturbed microbiota composition has been demonstrated in ASD patients, accompanied by altered production of bacterial metabolites. Clinical studies as well as preclinical studies conducted in rodents have started to investigate the physiological functions that gut microbiota might disturb and thus underlie the pathophysiology of ASD. The first data support an involvement of the immune system and tryptophan metabolism, both in the gut and central nervous system. In addition, a few clinical studies and a larger number of preclinical studies found that modulation of the microbiota through antibiotic and probiotic treatments, or fecal microbiota transplantation, could improve behavior. Although the understanding of the role of the gut microbiota in the physiopathology of ASD is only in its early stages, the data gathered in this review highlight that this role should be taken in consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Léa Roussin
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Micalis Institute, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France;
- Correspondence:
| | - Naika Prince
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands; (N.P.); (P.P.-P.); (A.D.K.)
| | - Paula Perez-Pardo
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands; (N.P.); (P.P.-P.); (A.D.K.)
| | - Aletta D. Kraneveld
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands; (N.P.); (P.P.-P.); (A.D.K.)
| | - Sylvie Rabot
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Micalis Institute, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France;
| | - Laurent Naudon
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, CNRS, Micalis Institute, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France;
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228
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Alcohol Addiction, Gut Microbiota, and Alcoholism Treatment: A Review. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21176413. [PMID: 32899236 PMCID: PMC7504034 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21176413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Alcohol addiction is a leading risk factor for personal death and disability. In 2016, alcohol use caused 2.2% of female deaths and 6.8% of male deaths, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) were 2.3% in female and 8.9% in male. Individuals with alcohol use disorder are at high risk of anxiety, depression, impaired cognition performance, and illicit drug use and are comorbid with liver disease, such as alcoholic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis, which is a major cause of personal death and disability worldwide. Psychological interventions, such as cognitive behavior therapy and motivational interviewing, as well as medical treatments, such as disulfiram, naltrexone, acamprosate, and nalmefene, are used for the treatment of alcohol addiction in Europe and the United States. However, the effect of current interventions is limited, and the need for additional interventions is substantial. Alcohol use impairs the intestinal barrier and causes changes to the intestinal permeability as well as the gut microbiota composition. Emerging studies have tried to reveal the role of the gut–brain axis among individuals with alcohol use disorder with or without alcohol liver disease. Bacterial products penetrate the impaired intestinal barrier and cause central inflammation; changes to the gut microbiota impair enterohepatic circulation of bile acids; alcohol abuse causes shortage of vital nutrients such as thiamine. Several studies have suggested that probiotics, through either oral administration or fecal microbiota transplantation, increased intestinal levels of potentially beneficial bacteria such as bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, improving the levels of liver-associated enzymes in patients with mild alcoholic hepatitis, and demonstrating beneficial psychotropic effects on anxiety and depression. In addition to medications for alcohol addiction, gene editing therapy such as clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPRs) may be another potential research target. Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), which are associated with ADH and ALDH genes, are major enzymes involved in alcohol metabolism, and gene editing approaches may have the potential to directly modify specific genes to treat alcoholism caused by genetic defects. Further research is needed to study the effect of the combined treatment for alcohol addiction.
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Dan Z, Mao X, Liu Q, Guo M, Zhuang Y, Liu Z, Chen K, Chen J, Xu R, Tang J, Qin L, Gu B, Liu K, Su C, Zhang F, Xia Y, Hu Z, Liu X. Altered gut microbial profile is associated with abnormal metabolism activity of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Gut Microbes 2020; 11:1246-1267. [PMID: 32312186 PMCID: PMC7524265 DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2020.1747329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 153] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder. To enhance the understanding of the gut microbiota structure in ASD children at different ages as well as the relationship between gut microbiota and fecal metabolites, we first used the 16S rRNA sequencing to evaluate the gut microbial population in a cohort of 143 children aged 2-13 years old. We found that the α-diversity of ASD group showed no significant change with age, while the TD group showed increased α-diversity with age, which indicates that the compositional development of the gut microbiota in ASD varies at different ages in ways that are not consistent with TD group. Recent studies have shown that chronic constipation is one of the most commonly obvious gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms along with ASD core symptoms. To further investigate the potential interaction effects between ASD and GI symptoms, the 30 C-ASD and their aged-matched TD were picked out to perform metagenomics analysis. We observed that C-ASD group displayed decreased diversity, depletion of species of Sutterella, Prevotella, and Bacteroides as well as dysregulation of associated metabolism activities, which may involve in the pathogenesis of C-ASD. Consistent with metagenomic analysis, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS) revealed some of the differential metabolites between C-ASD and TD group were involved in the metabolic network of neurotransmitters including serotonin, dopamine, histidine, and GABA. Furthermore, we found these differences in metabolites were associated with altered abundance of specific bacteria. The study suggested possible future modalities for ASD intervention through targeting the specific bacteria associated with neurotransmitter metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhou Dan
- Department of Pathogen-Microbiology Division, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center of Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China,Key Laboratory of Pathogen of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China,Key Laboratory of Human Functional Genomics of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China,Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Enterology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xuhua Mao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Yixing People’s Hospital, Jiangsu University, Wuxi, China
| | - Qisha Liu
- Department of Pathogen-Microbiology Division, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center of Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China,Key Laboratory of Pathogen of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China,Key Laboratory of Human Functional Genomics of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Mengchen Guo
- Department of Pathogen-Microbiology Division, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center of Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China,Key Laboratory of Pathogen of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China,Key Laboratory of Human Functional Genomics of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yaoyao Zhuang
- Department of Pathogen-Microbiology Division, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center of Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China,Key Laboratory of Pathogen of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China,Key Laboratory of Human Functional Genomics of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhi Liu
- Department of Pathogen-Microbiology Division, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center of Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China,Key Laboratory of Pathogen of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China,Key Laboratory of Human Functional Genomics of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Kun Chen
- Department of Pathogen-Microbiology Division, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center of Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China,Key Laboratory of Pathogen of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China,Key Laboratory of Human Functional Genomics of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Junyu Chen
- Department of Pathogen-Microbiology Division, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center of Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China,Key Laboratory of Pathogen of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China,Key Laboratory of Human Functional Genomics of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Rui Xu
- Department of Pathogen-Microbiology Division, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center of Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China,Key Laboratory of Pathogen of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China,Key Laboratory of Human Functional Genomics of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Junming Tang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Yixing People’s Hospital, Jiangsu University, Wuxi, China
| | - Lianhong Qin
- Children Growth Center of Bo’ai Homestead in Yixing, Yixing, China
| | - Bing Gu
- Medical Technological College of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Kangjian Liu
- Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Enterology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chuan Su
- Department of Pathogen-Microbiology Division, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center of Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Faming Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Enterology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yankai Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhibin Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xingyin Liu
- Department of Pathogen-Microbiology Division, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center of Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China,Key Laboratory of Pathogen of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China,Key Laboratory of Human Functional Genomics of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China,Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Enterology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China,CONTACT Xingyin Liu Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Jiangning District, Nanjing 211166, P.R. China
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230
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Patel S, Dale RC, Rose D, Heath B, Nordahl CW, Rogers S, Guastella AJ, Ashwood P. Maternal immune conditions are increased in males with autism spectrum disorders and are associated with behavioural and emotional but not cognitive co-morbidity. Transl Psychiatry 2020; 10:286. [PMID: 32796821 PMCID: PMC7429839 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-020-00976-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Epidemiological and animal research shows that maternal immune activation increases the risk of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in offspring. Emerging evidence suggests that maternal immune conditions may play a role in the phenotypic expression of neurodevelopmental difficulties in children with ASD and this may be moderated by offspring sex. This study aimed to investigate whether maternal immune conditions were associated with increased severity of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in children with ASD. Maternal immune conditions were examined as predictors of ASD severity, behavioural and emotional well-being, and cognitive functioning in a cohort of 363 children with ASD (n = 363; 252 males, 111 females; median age 3.07 [interquartile range 2.64-3.36 years]). We also explored whether these outcomes varied between male and female children. Results showed that maternal asthma was the most common immune condition reported in mothers of children with ASD. A history of maternal immune conditions (p = 0.009) was more common in male children with ASD, compared to female children. Maternal immune conditions were associated with increased behavioural and emotional problems in male and female children. By contrast, maternal immune conditions were not associated with decreased cognitive function. The findings demonstrate that MIA may influence the expression of symptoms in children with ASD and outcomes may vary between males and females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shrujna Patel
- grid.1013.30000 0004 1936 834XAutism Clinic for Translational Research, Brain and Mind Centre, Children’s Hospital Westmead Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW Australia
| | - Russell C. Dale
- grid.1013.30000 0004 1936 834XKids Neuroscience Centre, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW Australia
| | - Destanie Rose
- grid.27860.3b0000 0004 1936 9684Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology and MIND Institute, UC Davis, Davis, CA USA
| | - Brianna Heath
- grid.27860.3b0000 0004 1936 9684Department of Psychiatry and MIND Institute, UC Davis, Davis, CA USA
| | - Christine W. Nordahl
- grid.27860.3b0000 0004 1936 9684Department of Psychiatry and MIND Institute, UC Davis, Davis, CA USA
| | - Sally Rogers
- grid.27860.3b0000 0004 1936 9684Department of Psychiatry and MIND Institute, UC Davis, Davis, CA USA
| | - Adam J. Guastella
- grid.1013.30000 0004 1936 834XAutism Clinic for Translational Research, Brain and Mind Centre, Children’s Hospital Westmead Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW Australia
| | - Paul Ashwood
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology and MIND Institute, UC Davis, Davis, CA, USA.
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231
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Lee CYQ, Franks AE, Hill-Yardin EL. Autism-associated synaptic mutations impact the gut-brain axis in mice. Brain Behav Immun 2020; 88:275-282. [PMID: 32485290 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2020.05.072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Revised: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Interactions between the gut microbiome and the brain affect mood and behaviour in health and disease. Using preclinical animal models, recent discoveries begin to explain how bacteria in the gut influence our mood as well as highlighting new findings relevant to autism. Autism-associated gene mutations known to alter synapse function in the CNS also affect inflammatory response and modify the enteric nervous system resulting in abnormal gastrointestinal motility and structure. Strikingly, these mutations additionally affect the gut microbiome in mice. This review describes the changes in gut physiology and microbiota in mouse models of autism with modified synapse function. The rationale for different regions of the gastrointestinal tract having variable susceptibility to dysfunction is also discussed. To dissect underlying biological mechanisms involving gut-brain axis dysfunction in preclinical models, a range of multidisciplinary approaches are required. This research will provide insights into the role of the gut-brain axis in health and neurodevelopmental disorders including autism.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ashley E Franks
- School of Life Sciences, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Elisa L Hill-Yardin
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia.
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232
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Shmarina GV, Ershova ES, Simashkova NV, Nikitina SG, Chudakova JM, Veiko NN, Porokhovnik LN, Basova AY, Shaposhnikova AF, Pukhalskaya DA, Pisarev VM, Korovina NJ, Gorbachevskaya NL, Dolgikh OA, Bogush M, Kutsev SI, Kostyuk SV. Oxidized cell-free DNA as a stress-signaling factor activating the chronic inflammatory process in patients with autism spectrum disorders. J Neuroinflammation 2020; 17:212. [PMID: 32677958 PMCID: PMC7364812 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-020-01881-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are known to be associated with an inflammatory process related to immune system dysfunction. This study's aim was to investigate the role of cell-free DNA in chronic inflammatory process in ASD patients. METHODS The study included 133 ASD patients and 27 healthy controls. Sixty-two ASD patients were demonstrated to have mild-to-moderate disease severity (group I) and 71 individuals to have severe ASD (group II). Plasma cell-free (cf) DNA characteristics, plasma cytokine concentrations, expression of the genes for NFкB1 transcription factor and pro-inflammatory cytokines TNFα, IL-1β and IL-8 in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) of ASD patients, and unaffected controls were investigated. Additionally, in vitro experiments with oxidized DNA supplementation to PBL cultures derived from ASD patients and healthy controls were performed. RESULTS The data indicates that ASD patients have demonstrated increased cfDNA concentration in their circulation. cfDNA of patients with severe ASD has been characterized by a high abundance of oxidative modification. Furthermore, ASD patients of both groups have shown elevated plasma cytokine (IL-1β, IL-8, IL-17A) levels and heightened expression of genes for NFкB1 nuclear factor and pro-inflammatory cytokines TNFα, IL-1β, and IL-8 in PBL. In vitro experiments have shown that NF-κB/cytokine mRNA expression profiles of ASD patient PBL treated with oxidized DNA fragments were significantly different from those of healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS It may be proposed that oxidized cfDNA plays a role of stress-signaling factor activating the chronic inflammatory process in patients with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Galina V Shmarina
- Research Centre for Medical Genetics, Moscow, Russia.
- I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia.
- G.N. Gabrichevsky Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Moscow, Russia.
| | - Elizaveta S Ershova
- Research Centre for Medical Genetics, Moscow, Russia
- I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Anna Y Basova
- G.E. Sukhareva Scientific-Practical Centre for Mental Health of Children and Adolescents, Moscow, Russia
| | - Antonina F Shaposhnikova
- G.E. Sukhareva Scientific-Practical Centre for Mental Health of Children and Adolescents, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Vladimir M Pisarev
- V. A. Negovsky Research Institute of General Reanimatology, Federal Research and Clinical Center of Intensive Care Medicine and Rehabilitology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Natalia J Korovina
- G.E. Sukhareva Scientific-Practical Centre for Mental Health of Children and Adolescents, Moscow, Russia
| | - Natalia L Gorbachevskaya
- G.E. Sukhareva Scientific-Practical Centre for Mental Health of Children and Adolescents, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Marina Bogush
- Rowan University Biological Sciences Department, Science Hall, Glassboro, NJ, USA
| | | | - Svetlana V Kostyuk
- Research Centre for Medical Genetics, Moscow, Russia
- I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia
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233
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Integrated Systems Analysis Explores Dysfunctional Molecular Modules and Regulatory Factors in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Mol Neurosci 2020; 71:358-368. [PMID: 32653993 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-020-01658-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a genetic neurodevelopmental disorder involving multiple genes that occurs in early childhood, and a number of risk genes have been reported in previous studies. However, the molecular mechanism of the polygenic regulation leading to pathological changes in ASD remains unclear. First, we identified 8 dysregulated gene coexpression modules by analyzing blood transcriptome data from 96 children with ASD and 42 controls. These modules are rich in ASD risk genes and function related to metabolism, immunity, neurodevelopment, and signaling. The regulatory factors of each module including microRNA (miRNA) and transcription factors (TFs) were subsequently predicted based on transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation. We identified a set of miRNAs that regulate metabolic and immune modules, as well as transcription factors that cause dysregulation of the modules, and we constructed a coregulatory network between the regulatory factors and modules. Our work reveals dysfunctional modules in children with ASD, elucidates the role of miRNA and transcription factor dysregulation in the pathophysiology of ASD, and helps us to further understand the underlying molecular mechanism of ASD.
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234
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Ogbu D, Xia E, Sun J. Gut instincts: vitamin D/vitamin D receptor and microbiome in neurodevelopment disorders. Open Biol 2020; 10:200063. [PMID: 32634371 PMCID: PMC7574554 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.200063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The gut microbiome regulates a relationship with the brain known as the gut–microbiota–brain (GMB) axis. This interaction is influenced by immune cells, microbial metabolites and neurotransmitters. Recent findings show gut dysbiosis is prevalent in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as well as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). There are previously established negative correlations among vitamin D, vitamin D receptor (VDR) levels and severity of ASD as well as ADHD. Both vitamin D and VDR are known to regulate homeostasis in the brain and the intestinal microbiome. This review summarizes the growing relationship between vitamin D/VDR signalling and the GMB axis in ASD and ADHD. We focus on current publications and summarize the progress of GMB in neurodevelopmental disorders, describe effects and mechanisms of vitamin D/VDR in regulating the microbiome and synoptically highlight the potential applications of targeting vitamin D/VDR signalling in neurodevelopment disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Destiny Ogbu
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago 60612, IL, USA
| | - Eric Xia
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago 60612, IL, USA.,Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Jun Sun
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago 60612, IL, USA.,UIC Cancer Center, Chicago, IL, USA
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235
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Yu R, Wu Z, Wang S, Zhang M, Zhou G, Li B. Isolation, identification and characterization of propionic acid bacteria associated with autistic spectrum disorder. Microb Pathog 2020; 147:104371. [PMID: 32634613 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2020.104371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2020] [Revised: 06/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) seriously affects children's health. Recently, propionic acid (PA) has been reported to play a significant role in the formation of ASD. In this study, we investigated the community structure of PA-related bacteria in healthy and ASD children by isolation and culture, while a group of representative PA-related bacteria were identified and characterized based on colony morphological observation, physiological and biochemical tests, as well as living/dead cells staining analysis and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The results showed that the number of PA-related bacteria in healthy children was >100-fold higher than that in ASD children, while compared to healthy children, greater diversity was found in PA-associated bacteria from ASD children. The sensitivity of the representative strains to PA was affected by bacterial species, PA concentration and incubation time. The decrease of pH value was found in PA-resistant Lactobacillus plantarum strain 6-1 but not in PA-sensitive Enterococcus lactis strain 4-1, while biofilm formation of both strains were unaffected by PA. Furthermore, PA inhibited the propagation of the two selected bacteria rather than killed them, while the greater inhibitory effect was observed on strain 4-1. Overall, the result is of great significance for revealing the role of PA-related bacteria in development of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rongrong Yu
- College of Education, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310032, China.
| | - Zhifeng Wu
- Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
| | - Shuhui Wang
- College of Education, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310032, China.
| | - Muchen Zhang
- Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
| | - Guoling Zhou
- Hangzhou Seventh People's Hospital (HSPH), Hangzhou, 310013, China.
| | - Bin Li
- Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
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236
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Zonulin-Dependent Intestinal Permeability in Children Diagnosed with Mental Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients 2020; 12:nu12071982. [PMID: 32635367 PMCID: PMC7399941 DOI: 10.3390/nu12071982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Worldwide, up to 20% of children and adolescents experience mental disorders, which are the leading cause of disability in young people. Research shows that serum zonulin levels are associated with increased intestinal permeability (IP), affecting neural, hormonal, and immunological pathways. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to summarize evidence from observational studies on IP in children diagnosed with mental disorders. The review follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A systematic search of the Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, PubMed, and the Web of Science identified 833 records. Only non-intervention (i.e., observational) studies in children (<18 years) diagnosed with mental disorders, including a relevant marker of intestinal permeability, were included. Five studies were selected, with the risk of bias assessed according to the Newcastle–Ottawa scale (NOS). Four articles were identified as strong and one as moderate, representing altogether 402 participants providing evidence on IP in children diagnosed with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). In ADHD, elevated serum zonulin levels were associated with impaired social functioning compared to controls. Children with ASD may be predisposed to impair intestinal barrier function, which may contribute to their symptoms and clinical outcome compared to controls. Children with ASD, who experience gastro-intestinal (GI) symptoms, seem to have an imbalance in their immune response. However, in children with OCD, serum zonulin levels were not significantly different compared to controls, but serum claudin-5, a transmembrane tight-junction protein, was significantly higher. A meta-analysis of mean zonulin plasma levels of patients and control groups revealed a significant difference between groups (p = 0.001), including the four studies evaluating the full spectrum of the zonulin peptide family. Therefore, further studies are required to better understand the complex role of barrier function, i.e., intestinal and blood–brain barrier, and of inflammation, to the pathophysiology in mental and neurodevelopmental disorders. This review was PROSPERO preregistered, (162208).
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237
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Oh D, Cheon KA. Alteration of Gut Microbiota in Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Overview. Soa Chongsonyon Chongsin Uihak 2020; 31:131-145. [PMID: 32665757 PMCID: PMC7350540 DOI: 10.5765/jkacap.190039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Revised: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The microbiota-gut-brain axis, which refers to the bidirectional communication pathway between gut bacteria and the central nervous system, has a profound effect on important brain processes, from the synthesis of neurotransmitters to the modulation of complex behaviors such as sociability and anxiety. Previous studies have revealed that the gut microbiota is potentially related to not only gastrointestinal disturbances, but also social impairment and repetitive behavior-core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Although studies have been conducted to characterize the microbial composition in patients with ASD, the results are heterogeneous. Nevertheless, it is clear that there is a difference in the composition of the gut microbiota between ASD and typically developed individuals, and animal studies have repeatedly suggested that the gut microbiota plays an important role in ASD pathophysiology. This possibility is supported by abnormalities in metabolites produced by the gut microbiota and the association between altered immune responses and the gut microbiota observed in ASD patients. Based on these findings, various attempts have been made to use the microbiota in ASD treatment. The results reported to date suggest that microbiota-based therapies may be effective for ASD, but largescale, well-designed studies are needed to confirm this.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donghun Oh
- Department of Psychiatry, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Severance Children's Hospital, Seoul, Korea.,Institute of Behavioral Science in Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Keun-Ah Cheon
- Department of Psychiatry, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Severance Children's Hospital, Seoul, Korea.,Institute of Behavioral Science in Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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238
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Kim M, Chung SK, Yang JC, Park JI, Nam SH, Park TW. Development of the Korean Form of the Premonitory Urge for Tics Scale: A Reliability and Validity Study. Soa Chongsonyon Chongsin Uihak 2020; 31:146-153. [PMID: 32665758 PMCID: PMC7350545 DOI: 10.5765/jkacap.200013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Revised: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Korean Form of the Premonitory Urge for Tics Scale (K-PUTS). Methods Thirty-eight patients with Tourette's disorder who visited Jeonbuk National University Hospital were assessed with the K-PUTS. Together with the PUTS, the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS), the Children's Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (CY-BOCS), the attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) rating scale (ARS), and the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) were implemented to evaluate concurrent and discriminant validity. Results The internal consistency of items on the PUTS was high, with a Cronbach's α of 0.79. The test-retest reliability of the PUTS, which was administered at 2 weeks to 2 months intervals, showed high reliability with a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.60. There was a significant positive correlation between the overall PUTS score and the YGTSS score, showing concurrent validity. There was no correlation between the PUTS, CY-BOCS, and ASRS scores, demonstrating the discriminant validity of the PUTS. Factor analysis for construct validity revealed three factors: "presumed functional relationship between the tic and the urge to tic," "the quality of the premonitory urge," and "just right phenomena." Conclusion The results of this study indicate that the K-PUTS is a reliable and valid scale for rating premonitory urge of tics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mira Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Jeonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju, Korea
| | - Sang-Keun Chung
- Department of Psychiatry, Jeonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju, Korea.,Department of Psychiatry, Jeonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju, Korea
| | - Jong-Chul Yang
- Department of Psychiatry, Jeonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju, Korea.,Department of Psychiatry, Jeonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju, Korea
| | - Jong-Il Park
- Department of Psychiatry, Jeonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju, Korea.,Department of Psychiatry, Jeonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju, Korea
| | - Seok Hyun Nam
- Department of Psychiatry, Jeonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju, Korea
| | - Tae Won Park
- Department of Psychiatry, Jeonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju, Korea.,Department of Psychiatry, Jeonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju, Korea
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239
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Benmakhlouf Y, Zian Z, Nourouti NG, Barakat A, Mechita MB. Potential Cytokine Biomarkers in Intellectual Disability. Endocr Metab Immune Disord Drug Targets 2020; 21:569-576. [PMID: 32600239 DOI: 10.2174/1871530320666200628024944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Intellectual disability (ID), previously called mental retardation, is the most common neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by life-long intellectual and adaptive functioning impairments that have an impact on individuals, families, and society. Its prevalence is estimated to 3% of the general population and its etiology is still insufficiently understood. Besides the involvement of genetic and environmental factors, immunological dysfunctions have been also suggested to contribute to the pathophysiology of ID. Over the years, immune biomarkers related to ID have gained significant attention and researchers have begun to look at possible cytokine profiles in individuals suffered from this disorder. In fact, in addition to playing crucial physiological roles in the majority of normal neurodevelopmental processes, cytokines exert an important role in neuroinflammation under pathological conditions, and interactions between the immune system and central nervous system have long been under investigation. Cytokine levels imbalance has been reported associated with some behavioral characteristics and the onset of some syndromic forms of ID. In this review, we will focus on immunological biomarkers, especially the cytokine profiles that have been identified in people with ID. Thus, data reported and discussed in the present paper may provide additional information to start further studies and to plan strategies for early identification and managing of ID.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yousra Benmakhlouf
- Biomedical Genomics and Oncogenetics Research Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques of Tangier, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Tetouan, Morocco
| | - Zeineb Zian
- Biomedical Genomics and Oncogenetics Research Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques of Tangier, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Tetouan, Morocco
| | - Naima G Nourouti
- Biomedical Genomics and Oncogenetics Research Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques of Tangier, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Tetouan, Morocco
| | - Amina Barakat
- Biomedical Genomics and Oncogenetics Research Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques of Tangier, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Tetouan, Morocco
| | - Mohcine B Mechita
- Biomedical Genomics and Oncogenetics Research Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques of Tangier, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Tetouan, Morocco
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240
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Momtazmanesh S, Amirimoghaddam-Yazdi Z, Moghaddam HS, Mohammadi MR, Akhondzadeh S. Sulforaphane as an adjunctive treatment for irritability in children with autism spectrum disorder: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2020; 74:398-405. [PMID: 32347624 DOI: 10.1111/pcn.13016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
AIM Irritability related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) complicates the management of ASD patients at home and in clinical settings. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, we aimed to investigate the beneficial effects of adjuvant treatment with risperidone and sulforaphane in alleviating the irritability of children with ASD. METHODS Sixty drug-free patients aged 4-12 years were randomly assigned to one of two groups receiving risperidone plus sulforaphane or placebo. Risperidone was started with a daily dose of 0.25 mg in patients weighing <20 kg and 0.5 mg in those weighing ≥20 kg and increased stepwise to reach a maximum of 1 mg (<20 kg), 2.5 mg (20-45 kg), and 3.5 mg (>45 kg). Sulforaphane was administered at a daily dose of 50 μmol (≤45 kg) or 100 μmol (>45 kg). The participants were assessed with the Aberrant Behavior Checklist - Community Edition at baseline and at Weeks 5 and 10. RESULTS Compared to the placebo group, ASD patients in the sulforaphane group showed greater improvements in Irritability score (primary outcome measure; P = 0.001) and Hyperactivity/Noncompliance score (secondary outcome measure; P = 0.015), and significant Time × Treatment effect for Irritability (P = 0.007) and Hyperactivity/Noncompliance (P = 0.008). However, no difference was seen in improvements in the other secondary measures: Lethargy/Social Interaction score, Stereotypic Behavior score, Inappropriate Speech score, and frequency of adverse events. CONCLUSION Our results support the safety and efficacy of sulforaphane as an adjuvant to risperidone for improvement of irritability and hyperactivity symptoms in children with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Momtazmanesh
- Psychiatric Research Center, Roozbeh Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | | | - Mohammad Reza Mohammadi
- Psychiatric Research Center, Roozbeh Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shahin Akhondzadeh
- Psychiatric Research Center, Roozbeh Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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241
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Elevated serum neurofilament light chain in children autism spectrum disorder: A case control study. Neurotoxicology 2020; 80:87-92. [PMID: 32592719 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2020.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2019] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We aimed to assess serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) levels in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and to investigate whether they are related to the severity of disease. METHODS The cohorts consisted of 166 children aged 3-8 (83 children diagnosed with ASD and 83 children with typically-developing). sNfL were analyzed using Single Molecule Array (Simoa) technology. ASD symptom severity was assessed according to the Chinese version of the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) score. RESULTS The mean age of those included ASD was 5.1 years (standard deviations [S.D.]: 1.7) and 78.3 % were boys. The mean (SD) sNfL concentrations were significantly (P < 0.001) higher in ASD than in TP children (10.2[5.0] pg/mL and 7.1[3.2]pg/mL). For each 1 pg/mL increase of sNfL, the risk of ASD would increase by 19 % (with the OR unadjusted of 1.19 [95 % CI 1.10-1.29], P < 0.001) and 11 % (with the OR adjusted of 1.11 [1.03-1.23], P < 0.001), respectively. sNfL concentrations in children with severe ASD were higher than in those children with mild-to-moderate ASD (12.4[5.1] pg/mL vs. 8.3[4.2]pg/mL; P < 0.001). Among ASD cases, each 1 pg/mL increase of sNfL is associated with 20 % higher unadjusted or 11 % higher adjusted odds, respectively, of severe (vs. mild-to-moderate) ASD. CONCLUSIONS The data showed that sNfL was elevated in ASD and related to symptom severity, suggesting that sNfL may play a role in ASD progression.
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242
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Postmortem Studies of Neuroinflammation in Autism Spectrum Disorder: a Systematic Review. Mol Neurobiol 2020; 57:3424-3438. [DOI: 10.1007/s12035-020-01976-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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243
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Cieślik M, Gąssowska-Dobrowolska M, Jęśko H, Czapski GA, Wilkaniec A, Zawadzka A, Dominiak A, Polowy R, Filipkowski RK, Boguszewski PM, Gewartowska M, Frontczak-Baniewicz M, Sun GY, Beversdorf DQ, Adamczyk A. Maternal Immune Activation Induces Neuroinflammation and Cortical Synaptic Deficits in the Adolescent Rat Offspring. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E4097. [PMID: 32521803 PMCID: PMC7312084 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21114097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal immune activation (MIA), induced by infection during pregnancy, is an important risk factor for neuro-developmental disorders, such as autism. Abnormal maternal cytokine signaling may affect fetal brain development and contribute to neurobiological and behavioral changes in the offspring. Here, we examined the effect of lipopolysaccharide-induced MIA on neuro-inflammatory changes, as well as synaptic morphology and key synaptic protein level in cerebral cortex of adolescent male rat offspring. Adolescent MIA offspring showed elevated blood cytokine levels, microglial activation, increased pro-inflammatory cytokines expression and increased oxidative stress in the cerebral cortex. Moreover, pathological changes in synaptic ultrastructure of MIA offspring was detected, along with presynaptic protein deficits and down-regulation of postsynaptic scaffolding proteins. Consequently, ability to unveil MIA-induced long-term alterations in synapses structure and protein level may have consequences on postnatal behavioral changes, associated with, and predisposed to, the development of neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Cieślik
- Department of Cellular Signalling, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (M.G.-D.); (H.J.); (G.A.C.); (A.W.); (A.Z.)
| | - Magdalena Gąssowska-Dobrowolska
- Department of Cellular Signalling, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (M.G.-D.); (H.J.); (G.A.C.); (A.W.); (A.Z.)
| | - Henryk Jęśko
- Department of Cellular Signalling, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (M.G.-D.); (H.J.); (G.A.C.); (A.W.); (A.Z.)
| | - Grzegorz A. Czapski
- Department of Cellular Signalling, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (M.G.-D.); (H.J.); (G.A.C.); (A.W.); (A.Z.)
| | - Anna Wilkaniec
- Department of Cellular Signalling, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (M.G.-D.); (H.J.); (G.A.C.); (A.W.); (A.Z.)
| | - Aleksandra Zawadzka
- Department of Cellular Signalling, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (M.G.-D.); (H.J.); (G.A.C.); (A.W.); (A.Z.)
| | - Agnieszka Dominiak
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacogenomics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 61, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Rafał Polowy
- Behavior and Metabolism Research Laboratory, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (R.P.); (R.K.F.)
| | - Robert K. Filipkowski
- Behavior and Metabolism Research Laboratory, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (R.P.); (R.K.F.)
| | - Paweł M. Boguszewski
- Laboratory of Animal Models, Neurobiology Center, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pasteur 3, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Magdalena Gewartowska
- Electron Microscopy Platform, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (M.G.); (M.F.-B.)
| | - Małgorzata Frontczak-Baniewicz
- Electron Microscopy Platform, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (M.G.); (M.F.-B.)
| | - Grace Y. Sun
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, 117 Schweitzer Hall, Columbia, MO 65201, USA;
| | - David Q. Beversdorf
- Departments of Radiology, Neurology, and Psychological Sciences, William and Nancy Thompson Endowed Chair in Radiology, DC069.10, One Hospital Drive, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA;
| | - Agata Adamczyk
- Department of Cellular Signalling, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (M.G.-D.); (H.J.); (G.A.C.); (A.W.); (A.Z.)
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Costa LG, Cole TB, Dao K, Chang YC, Coburn J, Garrick JM. Effects of air pollution on the nervous system and its possible role in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. Pharmacol Ther 2020; 210:107523. [PMID: 32165138 PMCID: PMC7245732 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 184] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Recent extensive evidence indicates that air pollution, in addition to causing respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, may also negatively affect the brain and contribute to central nervous system diseases. Air pollution is comprised of ambient particulate matter (PM) of different sizes, gases, organic compounds, and metals. An important contributor to PM is represented by traffic-related air pollution, mostly ascribed to diesel exhaust (DE). Epidemiological and animal studies have shown that exposure to air pollution may be associated with multiple adverse effects on the central nervous system. In addition to a variety of behavioral abnormalities, the most prominent effects caused by air pollution are oxidative stress and neuro-inflammation, which are seen in both humans and animals, and are supported by in vitro studies. Among factors which can affect neurotoxic outcomes, age is considered most relevant. Human and animal studies suggest that air pollution may cause developmental neurotoxicity, and may contribute to the etiology of neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder. In addition, air pollution exposure has been associated with increased expression of markers of neurodegenerative disease pathologies, such as alpha-synuclein or beta-amyloid, and may thus contribute to the etiopathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucio G Costa
- Dept. of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Dept. of Medicine & Surgery, University of Parma, Italy.
| | - Toby B Cole
- Dept. of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Center on Human Development and Disability, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Khoi Dao
- Dept. of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Yu-Chi Chang
- Dept. of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jacki Coburn
- Dept. of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jacqueline M Garrick
- Dept. of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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245
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Price J. Cell therapy approaches to autism: a review of clinical trial data. Mol Autism 2020; 11:37. [PMID: 32448347 PMCID: PMC7245880 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-020-00348-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
A number of clinical trials of cell therapies for autism spectrum disorder have been conducted, and some have published their outcomes. This review considers the data that have emerged from this small set of published trials, evaluates their success, and proposes further steps that could be taken if this field of endeavour is to be pursued further. A number of reservations arise from this tranche of studies, specifically the absence of identified therapeutic targets, and deficiencies in the therapeutic approach that is being employed. If this therapeutic direction is to be pursued further, then additional pre-clinical studies are recommended that might lead to improvements in patient stratification, biomarkers, the defined mode of action, and the preparation and identification of the therapeutic cells themselves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack Price
- Institute for Psychiatry, Psychology, & Neuroscience, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 8AF, UK.
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Carroll L, Braeutigam S, Dawes JM, Krsnik Z, Kostovic I, Coutinho E, Dewing JM, Horton CA, Gomez-Nicola D, Menassa DA. Autism Spectrum Disorders: Multiple Routes to, and Multiple Consequences of, Abnormal Synaptic Function and Connectivity. Neuroscientist 2020; 27:10-29. [PMID: 32441222 PMCID: PMC7804368 DOI: 10.1177/1073858420921378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a heterogeneous group of
neurodevelopmental disorders of genetic and environmental etiologies.
Some ASD cases are syndromic: associated with clinically defined
patterns of somatic abnormalities and a neurobehavioral phenotype
(e.g., Fragile X syndrome). Many cases, however, are idiopathic or
non-syndromic. Such disorders present themselves during the early
postnatal period when language, speech, and personality start to
develop. ASDs manifest by deficits in social communication and
interaction, restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior across
multiple contexts, sensory abnormalities across multiple modalities
and comorbidities, such as epilepsy among many others. ASDs are
disorders of connectivity, as synaptic dysfunction is common to both
syndromic and idiopathic forms. While multiple theories have been
proposed, particularly in idiopathic ASDs, none address why certain
brain areas (e.g., frontotemporal) appear more vulnerable than others
or identify factors that may affect phenotypic specificity. In this
hypothesis article, we identify possible routes leading to, and the
consequences of, altered connectivity and review the evidence of
central and peripheral synaptic dysfunction in ASDs. We postulate that
phenotypic specificity could arise from aberrant experience-dependent
plasticity mechanisms in frontal brain areas and peripheral sensory
networks and propose why the vulnerability of these areas could be
part of a model to unify preexisting pathophysiological theories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liam Carroll
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Sven Braeutigam
- Oxford Centre for Human Brain Activity, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - John M Dawes
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Zeljka Krsnik
- Croatian Institute for Brain Research, Centre of Research Excellence for Basic, Clinical and Translational Neuroscience, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ivica Kostovic
- Croatian Institute for Brain Research, Centre of Research Excellence for Basic, Clinical and Translational Neuroscience, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ester Coutinho
- Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Jennifer M Dewing
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, Hampshire, UK
| | - Christopher A Horton
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Diego Gomez-Nicola
- Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - David A Menassa
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK.,Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
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247
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De Simone R, Butera A, Armida M, Pezzola A, Boirivant M, Potenza RL, Ricceri L. Beneficial Effects of Fingolimod on Social Interaction, CNS and Peripheral Immune Response in the BTBR Mouse Model of Autism. Neuroscience 2020; 435:22-32. [PMID: 32229233 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.03.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 03/01/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by social communication deficits and repetitive/stereotyped behaviours. We evaluated the effects of a chronic treatment with the immunomodulator drug Fingolimod (FTY720 - a non-selective Sphingosine 1-Phosphate Receptor ligand) in an ASD model, the BTBR T+tf/J (BTBR) mouse strain. In adult BTBR males, chronic FTY720 treatment (4 weeks) increased social and vocal response during a male-female interaction and hippocampal expression of BDNF and Neuregulin 1, two trophic factors reduced in BTBR when compared to control C57 mice. FTY720 also re-established the expression of IL-1β and MnSOD in the hippocampus, whereas it did not modify IL-6 mRNA content. In addition to its central effect, FTY720 modulated the activation state of peripheral macrophages in the BTBR model, both in basal conditions and after stimulation with an immune challenge. Furthermore, IL-6 mRNA colonic content of BTBR mice, reduced when compared with C57 mice, was normalized by chronic treatment with FTY720. Our study, while indicating FTY720 as a tool to attenuate relevant alterations of the BTBR neurobehavioural phenotype, emphasizes the importance of gut mucosal immune evaluation as an additional target that deserve to be investigated in preclinical studies of anti-inflammatory therapeutic approaches in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta De Simone
- National Centre for Drug Research and Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessia Butera
- National Centre for Drug Research and Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Monica Armida
- National Centre for Drug Research and Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Pezzola
- National Centre for Drug Research and Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Monica Boirivant
- National Centre for Drug Research and Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Rosa Luisa Potenza
- National Centre for Drug Research and Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
| | - Laura Ricceri
- Centre for Behavioural Science and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
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248
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Pangrazzi L, Balasco L, Bozzi Y. Oxidative Stress and Immune System Dysfunction in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21093293. [PMID: 32384730 PMCID: PMC7247582 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21093293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Revised: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) represent a group of neurodevelopmental disorders associated with social and behavioral impairments. Although dysfunctions in several signaling pathways have been associated with ASDs, very few molecules have been identified as potentially effective drug targets in the clinic. Classically, research in the ASD field has focused on the characterization of pathways involved in neural development and synaptic plasticity, which support the pathogenesis of this group of diseases. More recently, immune system dysfunctions have been observed in ASD. In addition, high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which cause oxidative stress, are present in ASD patients. In this review, we will describe the major alterations in the expression of genes coding for enzymes involved in the ROS scavenging system, in both ASD patients and ASD mouse models. In addition, we will discuss, in the context of the most recent literature, the possibility that oxidative stress, inflammation and immune system dysfunction may be connected to, and altogether support, the pathogenesis and/or severity of ASD. Finally, we will discuss the possibility of novel treatments aimed at counteracting the interplay between ROS and inflammation in people with ASD.
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249
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Bjørklund G, Meguid NA, El-Bana MA, Tinkov AA, Saad K, Dadar M, Hemimi M, Skalny AV, Hosnedlová B, Kizek R, Osredkar J, Urbina MA, Fabjan T, El-Houfey AA, Kałużna-Czaplińska J, Gątarek P, Chirumbolo S. Oxidative Stress in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Mol Neurobiol 2020; 57:2314-2332. [PMID: 32026227 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-019-01742-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of July 11, 2016, the reported average incidence of children diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) was 1 in 68 (1.46%) among 8-year-old children born in 2004 and living within the 11 monitoring sites' surveillance areas in the United States of America (USA) in 2012. ASD is a multifaceted neurodevelopmental disorder that is also considered a hidden disability, as, for the most part; there are no apparent morphological differences between children with ASD and typically developing children. ASD is diagnosed based upon a triad of features including impairment in socialization, impairment in language, and repetitive and stereotypic behaviors. The increasing incidence of ASD in the pediatric population and the lack of successful curative therapies make ASD one of the most challenging disorders for medicine. ASD neurobiology is thought to be associated with oxidative stress, as shown by increased levels of reactive oxygen species and increased lipid peroxidation, as well as an increase in other indicators of oxidative stress. Children with ASD diagnosis are considered more vulnerable to oxidative stress because of their imbalance in intracellular and extracellular glutathione levels and decreased glutathione reserve capacity. Several studies have suggested that the redox imbalance and oxidative stress are integral parts of ASD pathophysiology. As such, early assessment and treatment of antioxidant status may result in a better prognosis as it could decrease the oxidative stress in the brain before it can induce more irreversible brain damage. In this review, many aspects of the role of oxidative stress in ASD are discussed, taking into account that the process of oxidative stress may be a target for therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geir Bjørklund
- Council for Nutritional and Environmental Medicine (CONEM), Toften 24, 8610, Mo i Rana, Norway.
| | - Nagwa A Meguid
- Research on Children with Special Needs Department, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
- CONEM Egypt Child Brain Research Group, National Research Center, Giza, Egypt
| | - Mona A El-Bana
- CONEM Egypt Child Brain Research Group, National Research Center, Giza, Egypt
- Medical Biochemistry Department, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
| | - Alexey A Tinkov
- Yaroslavl State University, Yaroslavl, Russia
- Peoples' Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Moscow, Russia
- IM Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Khaled Saad
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
- CONEM Upper Egypt Pediatric Research Group, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Maryam Dadar
- Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran
| | - Maha Hemimi
- Research on Children with Special Needs Department, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
- CONEM Egypt Child Brain Research Group, National Research Center, Giza, Egypt
| | - Anatoly V Skalny
- Peoples' Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Moscow, Russia
- IM Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
- Federal Research Centre of Biological Systems and Agro-technologies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Orenburg, Russia
- Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Božena Hosnedlová
- CONEM Metallomics Nanomedicine Research Group (CMNRG), Brno, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Human Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Rene Kizek
- CONEM Metallomics Nanomedicine Research Group (CMNRG), Brno, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Human Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Joško Osredkar
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Biochemistry (KIKKB), Ljubljana University Medical Centre, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Mauricio A Urbina
- Departamento de Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Oceanográficas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Teja Fabjan
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Biochemistry (KIKKB), Ljubljana University Medical Centre, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Amira A El-Houfey
- CONEM Upper Egypt Pediatric Research Group, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
- Department of Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
- Department of Community Health Nursing, Sabia University College, Jazan University, Jizan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Joanna Kałużna-Czaplińska
- Institute of General and Ecological Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
- CONEM Poland Chemistry and Nutrition Research Group, Lodz University of Technology, Lodz, Poland
| | - Paulina Gątarek
- Institute of General and Ecological Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
- CONEM Poland Chemistry and Nutrition Research Group, Lodz University of Technology, Lodz, Poland
| | - Salvatore Chirumbolo
- Department of Neurological and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
- CONEM Scientific Secretary, Verona, Italy
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250
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Alolaby RR, Jiraanont P, Durbin-Johnson B, Jasoliya M, Tang HT, Hagerman R, Tassone F. Molecular Biomarkers Predictive of Sertraline Treatment Response in Young Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder. Front Genet 2020; 11:308. [PMID: 32346385 PMCID: PMC7174723 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.00308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Sertraline is one among several selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) that exhibited improvement of language development in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD); however, the molecular mechanism has not been elucidated. A double blind, randomized, 6-month, placebo-controlled, clinical trial of low-dose sertraline in children ages (3–6 years) with ASD was conducted at the UC Davis MIND Institute. It aimed at evaluating the efficacy and benefit with respect to early expressive language development and global clinical improvement. This study aimed to identify molecular biomarkers that might be key players in the serotonin pathway and might be predictive of a clinical response to sertraline. Fifty eight subjects with the diagnosis of ASD were randomized to sertraline or placebo. Eight subjects from the sertraline arm and five from the placebo arm discontinued from the study. Furthermore, four subjects did not have a successful blood draw. Hence, genotypes for 41 subjects (20 on placebo and 21 on sertraline) were determined for several genes involved in the serotonin pathway including the serotonin transporter-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR), the tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (TPH2), and the Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). In addition, plasma levels of BDNF, Matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9) and a selected panel of cytokines were determined at baseline and post-treatment. Intent-to-treat analysis revealed several primary significant correlations between molecular changes and the Mullen Scales of Early Learning (MSEL) and Clinical Global Impression Scale – Improvement (CGI-I) of treatment and control groups but they were not significant after adjustment for multiple testing. Thus, sertraline showed no benefit for treatment of young children with ASD in language development or changes in molecular markers in this study. These results indicate that sertraline may not be beneficial for the treatment of children with ASD; however, further investigation of larger groups as well as longer term follow-up studies are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reem Rafik Alolaby
- College of Health Sciences, California Northstate University, Rancho Cordova, CA, United States
| | - Poonnada Jiraanont
- Faculty of Medicine, King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Blythe Durbin-Johnson
- Division of Biostatistics, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Mittal Jasoliya
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Hiu-Tung Tang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Randi Hagerman
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis Medical Center, Davis, Davis, CA, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Flora Tassone
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States.,MIND Institute, University of California Davis Medical Center, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
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