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Leone R, Zuglian C, Brambilla R, Morella I. Understanding copy number variations through their genes: a molecular view on 16p11.2 deletion and duplication syndromes. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1407865. [PMID: 38948459 PMCID: PMC11211608 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1407865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) include a broad spectrum of pathological conditions that affect >4% of children worldwide, share common features and present a variegated genetic origin. They include clinically defined diseases, such as autism spectrum disorders (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), motor disorders such as Tics and Tourette's syndromes, but also much more heterogeneous conditions like intellectual disability (ID) and epilepsy. Schizophrenia (SCZ) has also recently been proposed to belong to NDDs. Relatively common causes of NDDs are copy number variations (CNVs), characterised by the gain or the loss of a portion of a chromosome. In this review, we focus on deletions and duplications at the 16p11.2 chromosomal region, associated with NDDs, ID, ASD but also epilepsy and SCZ. Some of the core phenotypes presented by human carriers could be recapitulated in animal and cellular models, which also highlighted prominent neurophysiological and signalling alterations underpinning 16p11.2 CNVs-associated phenotypes. In this review, we also provide an overview of the genes within the 16p11.2 locus, including those with partially known or unknown function as well as non-coding RNAs. A particularly interesting interplay was observed between MVP and MAPK3 in modulating some of the pathological phenotypes associated with the 16p11.2 deletion. Elucidating their role in intracellular signalling and their functional links will be a key step to devise novel therapeutic strategies for 16p11.2 CNVs-related syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Leone
- Università di Pavia, Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie “Lazzaro Spallanzani”, Pavia, Italy
| | - Cecilia Zuglian
- Università di Pavia, Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie “Lazzaro Spallanzani”, Pavia, Italy
| | - Riccardo Brambilla
- Università di Pavia, Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie “Lazzaro Spallanzani”, Pavia, Italy
- Cardiff University, School of Biosciences, Neuroscience and Mental Health Innovation Institute, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Ilaria Morella
- Cardiff University, School of Biosciences, Neuroscience and Mental Health Innovation Institute, Cardiff, United Kingdom
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2
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Ju J, Li X, Pan Y, Du J, Yang X, Men S, Liu B, Zhang Z, Zhong H, Mai J, Wang Y, Hou ST. Adenosine mediates the amelioration of social novelty deficits during rhythmic light treatment of 16p11.2 deletion female mice. Mol Psychiatry 2024:10.1038/s41380-024-02596-4. [PMID: 38740879 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02596-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Non-invasive brain stimulation therapy for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has shown beneficial effects. Recently, we and others demonstrated that visual sensory stimulation using rhythmic 40 Hz light flicker effectively improved cognitive deficits in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease and stroke. However, whether rhythmic visual 40 Hz light flicker stimulation can ameliorate behavioral deficits in ASD remains unknown. Here, we show that 16p11.2 deletion female mice exhibit a strong social novelty deficit, which was ameliorated by treatment with a long-term 40 Hz light stimulation. The elevated power of local-field potential (LFP) in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of 16p11.2 deletion female mice was also effectively reduced by 40 Hz light treatment. Importantly, the 40 Hz light flicker reversed the excessive excitatory neurotransmission of PFC pyramidal neurons without altering the firing rate and the number of resident PFC neurons. Mechanistically, 40 Hz light flicker evoked adenosine release in the PFC to modulate excessive excitatory neurotransmission of 16p11.2 deletion female mice. Elevated adenosine functioned through its cognate A1 receptor (A1R) to suppress excessive excitatory neurotransmission and to alleviate social novelty deficits. Indeed, either blocking the A1R using a specific antagonist DPCPX or knocking down the A1R in the PFC using a shRNA completely ablated the beneficial effects of 40 Hz light flicker. Thus, this study identified adenosine as a novel neurochemical mediator for ameliorating social novelty deficit by reducing excitatory neurotransmission during 40 Hz light flicker treatment. The 40 Hz light stimulation warrants further development as a non-invasive ASD therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Ju
- Brain Research Centre, Department of Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, 1088 Xueyuan Blvd, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Xuanyi Li
- Brain Research Centre, Department of Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, 1088 Xueyuan Blvd, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Yifan Pan
- Brain Research Centre, Department of Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, 1088 Xueyuan Blvd, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Jun Du
- The Brain Science Center, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, 100850, Beijing, China
| | - Xinyi Yang
- Brain Research Centre, Department of Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, 1088 Xueyuan Blvd, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Siqi Men
- Brain Research Centre, Department of Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, 1088 Xueyuan Blvd, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Bo Liu
- Brain Research Centre, Department of Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, 1088 Xueyuan Blvd, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Zhenyu Zhang
- Brain Research Centre, Department of Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, 1088 Xueyuan Blvd, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Haolin Zhong
- Brain Research Centre, Department of Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, 1088 Xueyuan Blvd, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Jinyuan Mai
- Brain Research Centre, Department of Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, 1088 Xueyuan Blvd, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Yizheng Wang
- Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Sheng-Tao Hou
- Brain Research Centre, Department of Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, 1088 Xueyuan Blvd, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, PR China.
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3
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Jiang J, Wang D, Jiang Y, Yang X, Sun R, Chang J, Zhu W, Yao P, Song K, Chang S, Wang H, Zhou L, Zhang XS, Li H, Li N. The gut metabolite indole-3-propionic acid activates ERK1 to restore social function and hippocampal inhibitory synaptic transmission in a 16p11.2 microdeletion mouse model. MICROBIOME 2024; 12:66. [PMID: 38549163 PMCID: PMC10976717 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-024-01755-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Microdeletion of the human chromosomal region 16p11.2 (16p11.2+ / - ) is a prevalent genetic factor associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other neurodevelopmental disorders. However its pathogenic mechanism remains unclear, and effective treatments for 16p11.2+ / - syndrome are lacking. Emerging evidence suggests that the gut microbiota and its metabolites are inextricably linked to host behavior through the gut-brain axis and are therefore implicated in ASD development. Despite this, the functional roles of microbial metabolites in the context of 16p11.2+ / - are yet to be elucidated. This study aims to investigate the therapeutic potential of indole-3-propionic acid (IPA), a gut microbiota metabolite, in addressing behavioral and neural deficits associated with 16p11.2+ / - , as well as the underlying molecular mechanisms. RESULTS Mice with the 16p11.2+ / - showed dysbiosis of the gut microbiota and a significant decrease in IPA levels in feces and blood circulation. Further, these mice exhibited significant social and cognitive memory impairments, along with hyperactivation of hippocampal dentate gyrus neurons and reduced inhibitory synaptic transmission in this region. However, oral administration of IPA effectively mitigated the histological and electrophysiological alterations, thereby ameliorating the social and cognitive deficits of the mice. Remarkably, IPA treatment significantly increased the phosphorylation level of ERK1, a protein encoded by the Mapk3 gene in the 16p11.2 region, without affecting the transcription and translation of the Mapk3 gene. CONCLUSIONS Our study reveals that 16p11.2+ / - leads to a decline in gut metabolite IPA levels; however, IPA supplementation notably reverses the behavioral and neural phenotypes of 16p11.2+ / - mice. These findings provide new insights into the critical role of gut microbial metabolites in ASD pathogenesis and present a promising treatment strategy for social and cognitive memory deficit disorders, such as 16p11.2 microdeletion syndrome. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Jiang
- Tomas Lindahl Nobel Laureate Laboratory, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Dilong Wang
- Tomas Lindahl Nobel Laureate Laboratory, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
- Department of Pediatrics, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Youheng Jiang
- Tomas Lindahl Nobel Laureate Laboratory, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiuyan Yang
- Tomas Lindahl Nobel Laureate Laboratory, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Runfeng Sun
- Institute of Molecular Physiology, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jinlong Chang
- Tomas Lindahl Nobel Laureate Laboratory, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wenhui Zhu
- Tomas Lindahl Nobel Laureate Laboratory, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Peijia Yao
- Tomas Lindahl Nobel Laureate Laboratory, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Kun Song
- Brain Research Centre, Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shuwen Chang
- The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hong Wang
- The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lei Zhou
- Institute of Molecular Physiology, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xue-Song Zhang
- Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA.
| | - Huiliang Li
- Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research, Division of Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University College London, London, UK.
| | - Ningning Li
- Tomas Lindahl Nobel Laureate Laboratory, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China.
- China-UK Institute for Frontier Science, Shenzhen, China.
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Afliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise, China.
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Cum M, Santiago Pérez JA, Wangia E, Lopez N, Wright ES, Iwata RL, Li A, Chambers AR, Padilla-Coreano N. A systematic review and meta-analysis of how social memory is studied. Sci Rep 2024; 14:2221. [PMID: 38278973 PMCID: PMC10817899 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52277-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Social recognition is crucial for survival in social species, and necessary for group living, selective reproduction, pair bonding, and dominance hierarchies. Mice and rats are the most commonly used animal models in social memory research, however current paradigms do not account for the complex social dynamics they exhibit in the wild. To assess the range of social memories being studied, we conducted a systematic analysis of neuroscience articles testing the social memory of mice and rats published within the past two decades and analyzed their methods. Our results show that despite these rodent's rich social memory capabilities, the majority of social recognition papers explore short-term memories and short-term familiarity levels with minimal exposure between subject and familiar stimuli-a narrow type of social memory. We have identified several key areas currently understudied or underrepresented: kin relationships, mates, social ranks, sex variabilities, and the effects of aging. Additionally, reporting on social stimulus variables such as housing history, strain, and age, is limited, which may impede reproducibility. Overall, our data highlight large gaps in the diversity of social memories studied and the effects social variables have on social memory mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghan Cum
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32610, USA
| | | | - Erika Wangia
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32610, USA
| | - Naeliz Lopez
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32610, USA
| | - Elizabeth S Wright
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32610, USA
| | - Ryo L Iwata
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32610, USA
| | - Albert Li
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32610, USA
| | - Amelia R Chambers
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32610, USA
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Gur R, Bearden C, Jacquemont S, Jizi K, Amelsvoort van T, van den Bree M, Vorstman J, Sebat J, Ruparel K, Gallagher R, Swillen A, McClellan E, White L, Crowley T, Giunta V, Kushan L, O'Hora K, Verbesselt J, Vandensande A, Vingerhoets C, van Haelst M, Hall J, Harwood J, Chawner S, Patel N, Palad K, Hong O, Guevara J, Martin CO, Bélanger AM, Scherer S, Bassett A, McDonald-McGinn D, Gur R. Neurocognitive Profiles of 22q11.2 and 16p11.2 Deletions and Duplications. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3393845. [PMID: 38234766 PMCID: PMC10793509 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3393845/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Rare recurrent copy number variants (CNVs) at chromosomal loci 22q11.2 and 16p11.2 are among the most common rare genetic disorders associated with significant risk for neuropsychiatric disorders across the lifespan. Microdeletions and duplications in these loci are associated with neurocognitive deficits, yet there are few studies comparing these groups using the same measures. We address this gap in a prospective international collaboration applying the same computerized neurocognitive assessment. The Penn Computerized Neurocognitive Battery (CNB) was administered in a multi-site study on rare genomic disorders: 22q11.2 deletion (n = 397); 22q11.2 duplication (n = 77); 16p11.2 deletion (n = 94); and 16p11.2 duplication (n = 26). Domains examined include executive functions, episodic memory, complex cognition, social cognition, and sensori-motor speed. Accuracy and speed for each neurocognitive domain were included as dependent measures in a mixed-model repeated measures analysis, with locus (22q11.2, 16p11.2) and copy number (deletion/duplication) as grouping factors and neurocognitive domain as a repeated measures factor, with age and sex as covariates. We also examined correlation with IQ and site effects. We found that 22q11.2 deletions were associated with greater deficits in overall performance accuracy than 22q11.2 duplications, while 16p11.2 duplications were associated with greater deficits than 16p11.2 deletions. Duplications at both loci were associated with reduced speed. Performance profiles differed among the groups with particularly poor performance of 16p11.2 duplication on non-verbal reasoning and social cognition. Average accuracy on the CNB was moderately correlated with Full Scale IQ. No site effects were observed. Deletions and duplications of 22q11.2 and 16p11.2 have varied effects on neurocognition indicating locus specificity, with performance profiles differing among the groups. These profile differences can help inform mechanistic substrates to heterogeneity in presentation and outcome. Future studies could aim to link performance profiles to clinical features and brain function.
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Cum M, Pérez JS, Wangia E, Lopez N, Wright ES, Iwata RL, Li A, Chambers AR, Padilla-Coreano N. Mind the gap: A systematic review and meta-analysis of how social memory is studied. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.20.572606. [PMID: 38187659 PMCID: PMC10769336 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.20.572606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Social recognition is crucial for survival in social species, and necessary for group living, selective reproduction, pair bonding, and dominance hierarchies. Mice and rats are the most commonly used animal models in social memory research, however current paradigms do not account for the complex social dynamics they exhibit in the wild. To assess the range of social memories being studied, we conducted a systematic analysis of neuroscience articles testing the social memory of mice and rats published within the past two decades and analyzed their methods. Our results show that despite these rodent's rich social memory capabilities, the majority of social recognition papers explore short-term memories and short-term familiarity levels with minimal exposure between subject and familiar stimuli - a narrow type of social memory. We have identified several key areas currently understudied or underrepresented: kin relationships, mates, social ranks, sex variabilities, and the effects of aging. Additionally, reporting on social stimulus variables such as housing history, strain, and age, is limited, which may impede reproducibility. Overall, our data highlight large gaps in the diversity of social memories studied and the effects social variables have on social memory mechanisms.
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7
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Rusu A, Chevalier C, de Chaumont F, Nalesso V, Brault V, Hérault Y, Ey E. Day-to-day spontaneous social behaviours is quantitatively and qualitatively affected in a 16p11.2 deletion mouse model. Front Behav Neurosci 2023; 17:1294558. [PMID: 38173978 PMCID: PMC10763239 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1294558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Autism spectrum disorders affect more than 1% of the population, impairing social communication and increasing stereotyped behaviours. A micro-deletion of the 16p11.2 BP4-BP5 chromosomic region has been identified in 1% of patients also displaying intellectual disabilities. In mouse models generated to understand the mechanisms of this deletion, learning and memory deficits were pervasive in most genetic backgrounds, while social communication deficits were only detected in some models. Methods To complement previous studies, we itemized the social deficits in the mouse model of 16p11.2 deletion on a hybrid C57BL/6N × C3H.Pde6b+ genetic background. We examined whether behavioural deficits were visible over long-term observation periods lasting several days and nights, to parallel everyday-life assessment of patients. We recorded the individual and social behaviours of mice carrying a heterozygous deletion of the homologous 16p11.2 chromosomic region (hereafter Del/+) and their wild-type littermates from both sexes over two or three consecutive nights during social interactions of familiar mixed-genotype quartets of males and of females, and of same-genotype unfamiliar female pairs. Results We observed that Del/+ mice of both sexes increased significantly their locomotor activity compared to wild-type littermates. In the social domain, Del/+ mice of both sexes displayed widespread deficits, even more so in males than in females in quartets of familiar individuals. In pairs, significant perturbations of the organisation of the social communication and behaviours appeared in Del/+ females. Discussion Altogether, this suggests that, over long recording periods, the phenotype of the 16p11.2 Del/+ mice was differently affected in the locomotor activity and the social domains and between the two sexes. These findings confirm the importance of testing models in long-term conditions to provide a comprehensive view of their phenotype that will refine the study of cellular and molecular mechanisms and complement pre-clinical targeted therapeutic trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Rusu
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, INSERM, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire‑UMR 7104-UMR-S 1258, Illkirch, France
| | - Claire Chevalier
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, INSERM, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire‑UMR 7104-UMR-S 1258, Illkirch, France
| | - Fabrice de Chaumont
- Génétique Humaine et Fonctions Cognitives, Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Valérie Nalesso
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, INSERM, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire‑UMR 7104-UMR-S 1258, Illkirch, France
| | - Véronique Brault
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, INSERM, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire‑UMR 7104-UMR-S 1258, Illkirch, France
| | - Yann Hérault
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, INSERM, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire‑UMR 7104-UMR-S 1258, Illkirch, France
- Génétique Humaine et Fonctions Cognitives, Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Elodie Ey
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, INSERM, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire‑UMR 7104-UMR-S 1258, Illkirch, France
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8
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Chari T, Hernandez A, Portera-Cailliau C. A Novel Head-Fixed Assay for Social Touch in Mice Uncovers Aversive Responses in Two Autism Models. J Neurosci 2023; 43:7158-7174. [PMID: 37669860 PMCID: PMC10601375 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0226-23.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Social touch, an important aspect of social interaction and communication, is essential to kinship across animal species. How animals experience and respond to social touch has not been thoroughly investigated, in part because of the lack of appropriate assays. Previous studies that examined social touch in freely moving rodents lacked the necessary temporal and spatial control over individual touch interactions. We designed a novel head-fixed assay for social touch in mice, in which the experimenter has complete control to elicit highly stereotyped bouts of social touch between two animals. The user determines the number, duration, context, and type of social touch interactions, while monitoring an array of complex behavioral responses with high resolution cameras. We focused on social touch to the face because of its high translational relevance to humans. We validated this assay in two different models of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the Fmr1 knock-out (KO) model of Fragile X syndrome (FXS) and maternal immune activation (MIA) mice. We observed higher rates of avoidance running, hyperarousal, and aversive facial expressions (AFEs) to social touch than to object touch, in both ASD models compared with controls. Fmr1 KO mice showed more AFEs to mice of the same sex but whether they were stranger or familiar mice mattered less. Because this new social touch assay for head-fixed mice can be used to record neural activity during repeated bouts of social touch it could be used to uncover underlying circuit differences.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Social touch is important for communication in animals and humans. However, it has not been extensively studied and current assays to measure animals' responses to social touch have limitations. We present a novel head-fixed assay to quantify how mice respond to social facial touch with another mouse. We validated this assay in autism mouse models since autistic individuals exhibit differences in social interaction and touch sensitivity. We find that mouse models of autism exhibit more avoidance, hyperarousal, and aversive facial expressions (AFEs) to social touch compared with controls. Thus, this novel assay can be used to investigate behavioral responses to social touch and the underlying brain mechanisms in rodent models of neurodevelopmental conditions, and to evaluate therapeutic responses in preclinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trishala Chari
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095
- Neuroscience Interdepartmental Program, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095
| | - Ariana Hernandez
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095
| | - Carlos Portera-Cailliau
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095
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9
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Openshaw RL, Thomson DM, Bristow GC, Mitchell EJ, Pratt JA, Morris BJ, Dawson N. 16p11.2 deletion mice exhibit compromised fronto-temporal connectivity, GABAergic dysfunction, and enhanced attentional ability. Commun Biol 2023; 6:557. [PMID: 37225770 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04891-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders are more common in males, and have a substantial genetic component. Chromosomal 16p11.2 deletions in particular carry strong genetic risk for autism, yet their neurobiological impact is poorly characterised, particularly at the integrated systems level. Here we show that mice reproducing this deletion (16p11.2 DEL mice) have reduced GABAergic interneuron gene expression (decreased parvalbumin mRNA in orbitofrontal cortex, and male-specific decreases in Gad67 mRNA in parietal and insular cortex and medial septum). Metabolic activity was increased in medial septum, and in its efferent targets: mammillary body and (males only) subiculum. Functional connectivity was altered between orbitofrontal, insular and auditory cortex, and between septum and hippocampus/subiculum. Consistent with this circuit dysfunction, 16p11.2 DEL mice showed reduced prepulse inhibition, but enhanced performance in the continuous performance test of attentional ability. Level 1 autistic individuals show similarly heightened performance in the equivalent human test, also associated with parietal, insular-orbitofrontal and septo-subicular dysfunction. The data implicate cortical and septal GABAergic dysfunction, and resulting connectivity changes, as the cause of pre-attentional and attentional changes in autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca L Openshaw
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Sir James Black Building, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - David M Thomson
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0RE, UK
| | - Greg C Bristow
- Department of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YW, UK
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford, BD7 1DP, UK
| | - Emma J Mitchell
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0RE, UK
| | - Judith A Pratt
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0RE, UK
| | - Brian J Morris
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Sir James Black Building, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK.
| | - Neil Dawson
- Department of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YW, UK.
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Nakamura T, Takata A. The molecular pathology of schizophrenia: an overview of existing knowledge and new directions for future research. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:1868-1889. [PMID: 36878965 PMCID: PMC10575785 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02005-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
Despite enormous efforts employing various approaches, the molecular pathology in the schizophrenia brain remains elusive. On the other hand, the knowledge of the association between the disease risk and changes in the DNA sequences, in other words, our understanding of the genetic pathology of schizophrenia, has dramatically improved over the past two decades. As the consequence, now we can explain more than 20% of the liability to schizophrenia by considering all analyzable common genetic variants including those with weak or no statistically significant association. Also, a large-scale exome sequencing study identified single genes whose rare mutations substantially increase the risk for schizophrenia, of which six genes (SETD1A, CUL1, XPO7, GRIA3, GRIN2A, and RB1CC1) showed odds ratios larger than ten. Based on these findings together with the preceding discovery of copy number variants (CNVs) with similarly large effect sizes, multiple disease models with high etiological validity have been generated and analyzed. Studies of the brains of these models, as well as transcriptomic and epigenomic analyses of patient postmortem tissues, have provided new insights into the molecular pathology of schizophrenia. In this review, we overview the current knowledge acquired from these studies, their limitations, and directions for future research that may redefine schizophrenia based on biological alterations in the responsible organ rather than operationalized criteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takumi Nakamura
- Laboratory for Molecular Pathology of Psychiatric Disorders, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Atsushi Takata
- Laboratory for Molecular Pathology of Psychiatric Disorders, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan.
- Research Institute for Diseases of Old Age, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan.
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11
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Maurer JJ, Choi A, An I, Sathi N, Chung S. Sleep disturbances in autism spectrum disorder: Animal models, neural mechanisms, and therapeutics. Neurobiol Sleep Circadian Rhythms 2023; 14:100095. [PMID: 37188242 PMCID: PMC10176270 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbscr.2023.100095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Sleep is crucial for brain development. Sleep disturbances are prevalent in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Strikingly, these sleep problems are positively correlated with the severity of ASD core symptoms such as deficits in social skills and stereotypic behavior, indicating that sleep problems and the behavioral characteristics of ASD may be related. In this review, we will discuss sleep disturbances in children with ASD and highlight mouse models to study sleep disturbances and behavioral phenotypes in ASD. In addition, we will review neuromodulators controlling sleep and wakefulness and how these neuromodulatory systems are disrupted in animal models and patients with ASD. Lastly, we will address how the therapeutic interventions for patients with ASD improve various aspects of sleep. Together, gaining mechanistic insights into the neural mechanisms underlying sleep disturbances in children with ASD will help us to develop better therapeutic interventions.
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12
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Crawley JN. Twenty years of discoveries emerging from mouse models of autism. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 146:105053. [PMID: 36682425 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
More than 100 single gene mutations and copy number variants convey risk for autism spectrum disorder. To understand the extent to which each mutation contributes to the trajectory of individual symptoms of autism, molecular genetics laboratories have introduced analogous mutations into the genomes of laboratory mice and other species. Over the past twenty years, behavioral neuroscientists discovered the consequences of mutations in many risk genes for autism in animal models, using assays with face validity to the diagnostic and associated behavioral symptoms of people with autism. Identified behavioral phenotypes complement electrophysiological, neuroanatomical, and biochemical outcome measures in mutant mouse models of autism. This review describes the history of phenotyping assays in genetic mouse models, to evaluate social and repetitive behaviors relevant to the primary diagnostic criteria for autism. Robust phenotypes are currently employed in translational investigations to discover effective therapeutic interventions, representing the future direction of an intensely challenging research field.
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13
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Wang W, Tan T, Cao Q, Zhang F, Rein B, Duan WM, Yan Z. Histone Deacetylase Inhibition Restores Behavioral and Synaptic Function in a Mouse Model of 16p11.2 Deletion. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2022; 25:877-889. [PMID: 35907244 PMCID: PMC9593221 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyac048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Microdeletion of the human 16p11.2 gene locus confers risk for autism spectrum disorders and intellectual disability. How 16p11.2 deletion is linked to these neurodevelopmental disorders and whether there are treatment avenues for the manifested phenotypes remain to be elucidated. Emerging evidence suggests that epigenetic aberrations are strongly implicated in autism. METHODS We performed behavioral and electrophysiological experiments to examine the therapeutic effects of epigenetic drugs in transgenic mice carrying 16p11.2 deletion (16p11del/+). RESULTS We found that 16p11del/+ mice exhibited a significantly reduced level of histone acetylation in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). A short (3-day) treatment with class I histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor MS-275 or Romidepsin led to the prolonged (3-4 weeks) rescue of social and cognitive deficits in 16p11del/+ mice. Concomitantly, MS-275 treatment reversed the hypoactivity of PFC pyramidal neurons and the hyperactivity of PFC fast-spiking interneurons. Moreover, the diminished N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-mediated synaptic currents and the elevated GABAA receptor-mediated synaptic currents in PFC pyramidal neurons of 16p11del/+ mice were restored to control levels by MS-275 treatment. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that HDAC inhibition provides a highly effective therapeutic strategy for behavioral deficits and excitation/inhibition imbalance in 16p11del/+ mice, likely via normalization of synaptic function in the PFC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Tao Tan
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Qing Cao
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Freddy Zhang
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Benjamin Rein
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Wei-Ming Duan
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Zhen Yan
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
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14
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Jabarin R, Netser S, Wagner S. Beyond the three-chamber test: toward a multimodal and objective assessment of social behavior in rodents. Mol Autism 2022; 13:41. [PMID: 36284353 PMCID: PMC9598038 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-022-00521-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
MAIN: In recent years, substantial advances in social neuroscience have been realized, including the generation of numerous rodent models of autism spectrum disorder. Still, it can be argued that those methods currently being used to analyze animal social behavior create a bottleneck that significantly slows down progress in this field. Indeed, the bulk of research still relies on a small number of simple behavioral paradigms, the results of which are assessed without considering behavioral dynamics. Moreover, only few variables are examined in each paradigm, thus overlooking a significant portion of the complexity that characterizes social interaction between two conspecifics, subsequently hindering our understanding of the neural mechanisms governing different aspects of social behavior. We further demonstrate these constraints by discussing the most commonly used paradigm for assessing rodent social behavior, the three-chamber test. We also point to the fact that although emotions greatly influence human social behavior, we lack reliable means for assessing the emotional state of animals during social tasks. As such, we also discuss current evidence supporting the existence of pro-social emotions and emotional cognition in animal models. We further suggest that adequate social behavior analysis requires a novel multimodal approach that employs automated and simultaneous measurements of multiple behavioral and physiological variables at high temporal resolution in socially interacting animals. We accordingly describe several computerized systems and computational tools for acquiring and analyzing such measurements. Finally, we address several behavioral and physiological variables that can be used to assess socio-emotional states in animal models and thus elucidate intricacies of social behavior so as to attain deeper insight into the brain mechanisms that mediate such behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, we suggest that combining automated multimodal measurements with machine-learning algorithms will help define socio-emotional states and determine their dynamics during various types of social tasks, thus enabling a more thorough understanding of the complexity of social behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renad Jabarin
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.
| | - Shai Netser
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Shlomo Wagner
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
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15
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Wilde M, Constantin L, Thorne PR, Montgomery JM, Scott EK, Cheyne JE. Auditory processing in rodent models of autism: a systematic review. J Neurodev Disord 2022; 14:48. [PMID: 36042393 PMCID: PMC9429780 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-022-09458-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism is a complex condition with many traits, including differences in auditory sensitivity. Studies in human autism are plagued by the difficulty of controlling for aetiology, whereas studies in individual rodent models cannot represent the full spectrum of human autism. This systematic review compares results in auditory studies across a wide range of established rodent models of autism to mimic the wide range of aetiologies in the human population. A search was conducted in the PubMed and Web of Science databases to find primary research articles in mouse or rat models of autism which investigate central auditory processing. A total of 88 studies were included. These used non-invasive measures of auditory function, such as auditory brainstem response recordings, cortical event-related potentials, electroencephalography, and behavioural tests, which are translatable to human studies. They also included invasive measures, such as electrophysiology and histology, which shed insight on the origins of the phenotypes found in the non-invasive studies. The most consistent results across these studies were increased latency of the N1 peak of event-related potentials, decreased power and coherence of gamma activity in the auditory cortex, and increased auditory startle responses to high sound levels. Invasive studies indicated loss of subcortical inhibitory neurons, hyperactivity in the lateral superior olive and auditory thalamus, and reduced specificity of responses in the auditory cortex. This review compares the auditory phenotypes across rodent models and highlights those that mimic findings in human studies, providing a framework and avenues for future studies to inform understanding of the auditory system in autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya Wilde
- The Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Lena Constantin
- The Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Peter R Thorne
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Section of Audiology, School of Population Health, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Johanna M Montgomery
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Ethan K Scott
- The Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia.,Department of Anatomy and Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Juliette E Cheyne
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
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16
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Fortier AV, Meisner OC, Nair AR, Chang SWC. Prefrontal Circuits guiding Social Preference: Implications in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 141:104803. [PMID: 35908593 PMCID: PMC10122914 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Although Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is increasing in diagnostic prevalence, treatment options are inadequate largely due to limited understanding of ASD's underlying neural mechanisms. Contributing to difficulties in treatment development is the vast heterogeneity of ASD, from physiological causes to clinical presentations. Recent studies suggest that distinct genetic and neurological alterations may converge onto similar underlying neural circuits. Therefore, an improved understanding of neural circuit-level dysfunction in ASD may be a more productive path to developing broader treatments that are effective across a greater spectrum of ASD. Given the social preference behavioral deficits commonly seen in ASD, dysfunction in circuits mediating social preference may contribute to the atypical development of social cognition. We discuss some of the animal models used to study ASD and examine the function and effects of dysregulation of the social preference circuits, notably the medial prefrontal cortex-amygdala and the medial prefrontal cortex-nucleus accumbens circuits, in these animal models. Using the common circuits underlying similar behavioral disruptions of social preference behaviors as an example, we highlight the importance of identifying disruption in convergent circuits to improve the translational success of animal model research for ASD treatment development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail V Fortier
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Department of Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Olivia C Meisner
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Amrita R Nair
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Steve W C Chang
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Kavli Institute for Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Wu Tsai Institute, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
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17
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Yue F, Xi Q, Zhang X, Jiang Y, Zhang H, Liu R. Molecular cytogenetic characterization of 16p11.2 microdeletions with diverse prenatal phenotypes: Four cases report and literature review. Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol 2022; 61:544-550. [PMID: 35595456 DOI: 10.1016/j.tjog.2022.03.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Chromosome 16p11.2 deletions have been recognized as a genetic disorder with well-described postnatal phenotypes. However, the prenatal manifestations are atypical for lacking of enough evidence. CASE REPORT Four pregnant women underwent amniocentesis for cytogenetic analysis and chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) because of various indications for prenatal diagnosis: prenatal ultrasound abnormalities (cases 1, 2 and 4) and the childbearing history of cerebral palsy child (case 3). No overlapping phenotypes were observed in cases 1, 2 and 4, which might indicate phenotypic diversities in prenatal phenotypes for 16p11.2 microdeletion. All four fetuses showed normal karyotypic results while CMA identified 0.303-0.916 Mb microdeletions of 16p11.2, encompassing BP2-BP3 and BP4-BP5 regions separately. According to the parental CMA verification, case 1 carried a maternal inherited duplication in the region of Xp22.33 and a de novo deletion in the region of Xp21.1. All parents opted for the termination of pregnancies based upon genetic counselling. CONCLUSION Our findings enriched the intrauterine phenotypic features of 16p11.2 microdeletions, which would be beneficial for genetic counselling in clinic. In addition, preimplantation genetic testing was recognized as a first-tier approach for such carriers if they intended to conceive again.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fagui Yue
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Center for Prenatal Diagnosis, First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China; Jilin Engineering Research Center for Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Qi Xi
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Center for Prenatal Diagnosis, First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China; Jilin Engineering Research Center for Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Xinyue Zhang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Center for Prenatal Diagnosis, First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China; Jilin Engineering Research Center for Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Yuting Jiang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Center for Prenatal Diagnosis, First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China; Jilin Engineering Research Center for Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Hongguo Zhang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Center for Prenatal Diagnosis, First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China; Jilin Engineering Research Center for Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Ruizhi Liu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Center for Prenatal Diagnosis, First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China; Jilin Engineering Research Center for Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China.
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18
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Benedetti A, Molent C, Barcik W, Papaleo F. Social behavior in 16p11.2 and 22q11.2 copy number variations: Insights from mice and humans. GENES, BRAIN, AND BEHAVIOR 2021; 21:e12787. [PMID: 34889032 PMCID: PMC9744525 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Genetic 16p11.2 and 22q11.2 deletions and duplications in humans may alter behavioral developmental trajectories increasing the risk of autism and schizophrenia spectrum disorders, and of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. In this review, we will concentrate on 16p11.2 and 22q11.2 deletions' effects on social functioning, beyond diagnostic categorization. We highlight diagnostic and social sub-constructs discrepancies. Notably, we contrast evidence from human studies with social profiling performed in several mouse models mimicking 16p11.2 and 22q11.2 deletion syndromes. Given the complexity of social behavior, there is a need to assess distinct social processes. This will be important to better understand the biology underlying such genetic-dependent dysfunctions, as well as to give perspective on how therapeutic strategies can be improved. Bridges and divergent points between human and mouse studies are highlighted. Overall, we give challenges and future perspectives to sort the genetics of social heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arianna Benedetti
- Genetics of Cognition laboratory, Neuroscience areaIstituto Italiano di TecnologiaGenoaItaly,CNRS, GREDEGUniversité Côte d'AzurNiceFrance
| | - Cinzia Molent
- Genetics of Cognition laboratory, Neuroscience areaIstituto Italiano di TecnologiaGenoaItaly,Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale(Di. Mes) Università degli Studi di GenovaGenoaItaly
| | - Weronika Barcik
- Genetics of Cognition laboratory, Neuroscience areaIstituto Italiano di TecnologiaGenoaItaly
| | - Francesco Papaleo
- Genetics of Cognition laboratory, Neuroscience areaIstituto Italiano di TecnologiaGenoaItaly,Department of Neurosciences and Mental HealthFondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore PoliclinicoMilanItaly
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19
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Nakamura M, Ye K, E Silva MB, Yamauchi T, Hoeppner DJ, Fayyazuddin A, Kang G, Yuda EA, Nagashima M, Enomoto S, Hiramoto T, Sharp R, Kaneko I, Tajinda K, Adachi M, Mihara T, Tokuno S, Geyer MA, Broin PÓ, Matsumoto M, Hiroi N. Computational identification of variables in neonatal vocalizations predictive for postpubertal social behaviors in a mouse model of 16p11.2 deletion. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:6578-6588. [PMID: 33859357 PMCID: PMC8517042 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01089-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2020] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is often signaled by atypical cries during infancy. Copy number variants (CNVs) provide genetically identifiable cases of ASD, but how early atypical cries predict a later onset of ASD among CNV carriers is not understood in humans. Genetic mouse models of CNVs have provided a reliable tool to experimentally isolate the impact of CNVs and identify early predictors for later abnormalities in behaviors relevant to ASD. However, many technical issues have confounded the phenotypic characterization of such mouse models, including systematically biased genetic backgrounds and weak or absent behavioral phenotypes. To address these issues, we developed a coisogenic mouse model of human proximal 16p11.2 hemizygous deletion and applied computational approaches to identify hidden variables within neonatal vocalizations that have predictive power for postpubertal dimensions relevant to ASD. After variables of neonatal vocalizations were selected by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (Lasso), random forest, and Markov model, regression models were constructed to predict postpubertal dimensions relevant to ASD. While the average scores of many standard behavioral assays designed to model dimensions did not differentiate a model of 16p11.2 hemizygous deletion and wild-type littermates, specific call types and call sequences of neonatal vocalizations predicted individual variability of postpubertal reciprocal social interaction and olfactory responses to a social cue in a genotype-specific manner. Deep-phenotyping and computational analyses identified hidden variables within neonatal social communication that are predictive of postpubertal behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitsuteru Nakamura
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kenny Ye
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Science, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Mariel Barbachan E Silva
- School of Mathematics, Statistics & Applied Mathematics, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Takahira Yamauchi
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Daniel J Hoeppner
- La Jolla Laboratory, Astellas Research Institute of America LLC, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Amir Fayyazuddin
- La Jolla Laboratory, Astellas Research Institute of America LLC, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Gina Kang
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Emi A Yuda
- Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Masako Nagashima
- Department of Psychiatry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Shingo Enomoto
- Department of Psychiatry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Takeshi Hiramoto
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Richard Sharp
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Itaru Kaneko
- Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Katsunori Tajinda
- La Jolla Laboratory, Astellas Research Institute of America LLC, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Megumi Adachi
- La Jolla Laboratory, Astellas Research Institute of America LLC, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Takuma Mihara
- Drug Discovery Research, Astellas Pharma Inc., Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Shinichi Tokuno
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Graduate School of Health Innovation, Kanagawa University of Human Services, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Mark A Geyer
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Pilib Ó Broin
- School of Mathematics, Statistics & Applied Mathematics, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Mitsuyuki Matsumoto
- La Jolla Laboratory, Astellas Research Institute of America LLC, San Diego, CA, USA
- Drug Discovery Research, Astellas Pharma Inc., Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Noboru Hiroi
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.
- Department of Cell Systems Anatomy, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.
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20
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Li S, Cheng C, Lu L, Ma X, Zhang X, Li A, Chen J, Qian X, Gao X. Hearing Loss in Neurological Disorders. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:716300. [PMID: 34458270 PMCID: PMC8385440 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.716300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) affects approximately 466 million people worldwide, which is projected to reach 900 million by 2050. Its histological characteristics are lesions in cochlear hair cells, supporting cells, and auditory nerve endings. Neurological disorders cover a wide range of diseases affecting the nervous system, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), etc. Many studies have revealed that neurological disorders manifest with hearing loss, in addition to typical nervous symptoms. The prevalence, manifestations, and neuropathological mechanisms underlying vary among different diseases. In this review, we discuss the relevant literature, from clinical trials to research mice models, to provide an overview of auditory dysfunctions in the most common neurological disorders, particularly those associated with hearing loss, and to explain their underlying pathological and molecular mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyu Li
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Jiangsu Provincial Key Medical Discipline (Laboratory), Nanjing, China
- Research Institute of Otolaryngology, Nanjing, China
| | - Cheng Cheng
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Jiangsu Provincial Key Medical Discipline (Laboratory), Nanjing, China
- Research Institute of Otolaryngology, Nanjing, China
| | - Ling Lu
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Jiangsu Provincial Key Medical Discipline (Laboratory), Nanjing, China
- Research Institute of Otolaryngology, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaofeng Ma
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Jiangsu Provincial Key Medical Discipline (Laboratory), Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoli Zhang
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Jiangsu Provincial Key Medical Discipline (Laboratory), Nanjing, China
- Research Institute of Otolaryngology, Nanjing, China
| | - Ao Li
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Jiangsu Provincial Key Medical Discipline (Laboratory), Nanjing, China
- Research Institute of Otolaryngology, Nanjing, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Jiangsu Provincial Key Medical Discipline (Laboratory), Nanjing, China
- Research Institute of Otolaryngology, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoyun Qian
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Jiangsu Provincial Key Medical Discipline (Laboratory), Nanjing, China
- Research Institute of Otolaryngology, Nanjing, China
| | - Xia Gao
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Jiangsu Provincial Key Medical Discipline (Laboratory), Nanjing, China
- Research Institute of Otolaryngology, Nanjing, China
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21
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Fyke W, Premoli M, Echeverry Alzate V, López-Moreno JA, Lemaire-Mayo V, Crusio WE, Marsicano G, Wöhr M, Pietropaolo S. Communication and social interaction in the cannabinoid-type 1 receptor null mouse: Implications for autism spectrum disorder. Autism Res 2021; 14:1854-1872. [PMID: 34173729 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Clinical and preclinical findings have suggested a role of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the etiopathology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Previous mouse studies have investigated the role of ECS in several behavioral domains; however, none of them has performed an extensive assessment of social and communication behaviors, that is, the main core features of ASD. This study employed a mouse line lacking the primary endocannabinoid receptor (CB1r) and characterized ultrasonic communication and social interaction in CB1-/- , CB1+/- , and CB1+/+ males and females. Quantitative and qualitative alterations in ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) were observed in CB1 null mice both during early development (i.e., between postnatal days 4 and 10), and at adulthood (i.e., at 3 months of age). Adult mutants also showed marked deficits in social interest in the three-chamber test and social investigation in the direct social interaction test. These behavioral alterations were mostly observed in both sexes and appeared more marked in CB1-/- than CB1+/- mutant mice. Importantly, the adult USV alterations could not be attributed to differences in anxiety or sensorimotor abilities, as assessed by the elevated plus maze and auditory startle tests. Our findings demonstrate the role of CB1r in social communication and behavior, supporting the use of the CB1 full knockout mouse in preclinical research on these ASD-relevant core domains. LAY SUMMARY: The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is important for brain development and neural function and is therefore likely to be involved in neurodevelopmental disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Here we investigated changes in social behavior and communication, which are core features of ASD, in male and female mice lacking the chief receptor of this system. Our results show that loss of this receptor results in several changes in social behavior and communication both during early development and in adulthood, thus supporting the role of the ECS in these ASD-core behavioral domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Fyke
- University of Bordeaux, CNRS, EPHE, INCIA, UMR 5287, Bordeaux, France.,Graduate Program in Neural and Behavioral Science, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York, USA
| | - Marika Premoli
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Victor Echeverry Alzate
- Department of Psychobiology and Methodology on Behavioral Sciences, Faculty of Psychology, Madrid Complutense University, Spain.,Unidad Gestión Clínica de Salud Mental, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, Malaga University, Spain
| | - José A López-Moreno
- Department of Psychobiology and Methodology on Behavioral Sciences, Faculty of Psychology, Madrid Complutense University, Spain
| | | | - Wim E Crusio
- University of Bordeaux, CNRS, EPHE, INCIA, UMR 5287, Bordeaux, France
| | - Giovanni Marsicano
- University of Bordeaux, INSERM, U862 NeuroCentre Magendie, Group Endocannabinoids and Neuroadaptation, Bordeaux, France
| | - Markus Wöhr
- KU Leuven, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Research Unit Brain and Cognition, Laboratory of Biological Psychology, Social and Affective Neuroscience Research Group, Leuven, Belgium.,KU Leuven, Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium.,Faculty of Psychology, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience, Philipps-University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany.,Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior, Philipps-University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
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22
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Giovanniello J, Ahrens S, Yu K, Li B. Sex-Specific Stress-Related Behavioral Phenotypes and Central Amygdala Dysfunction in a Mouse Model of 16p11.2 Microdeletion. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY GLOBAL OPEN SCIENCE 2021; 1:59-69. [PMID: 36324434 PMCID: PMC9616311 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsgos.2021.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [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: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Substantial evidence indicates that a microdeletion on human chromosome 16p11.2 is linked to neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Carriers of this deletion show divergent symptoms besides the core features of autism spectrum disorder, such as anxiety and emotional symptoms. The neural mechanisms underlying these symptoms are poorly understood. Methods We used mice heterozygous for a deletion allele of the genomic region corresponding to the human 16p11.2 microdeletion locus (i.e., 16p11.2 del/+ mice) and their sex-matched wild-type littermates for the study and examined their anxiety-related behaviors, auditory perception, and central amygdala circuit function using behavioral, circuit tracing, and electrophysiological techniques. Results Mice heterozygous for a deletion allele of the genomic region corresponding to the human 16p11.2 microdeletion locus (i.e., 16p11.2 del/+ mice) had sex-specific anxiety-related behavioral and neural circuit changes. Specifically, we found that female, but not male, 16p11.2 del/+ mice showed enhanced fear generalization-a hallmark of anxiety disorders-after auditory fear conditioning and displayed increased anxiety-like behaviors after physical restraint stress. Notably, such sex-specific behavioral changes were paralleled by an increase in activity in central amygdala neurons projecting to the globus pallidus in female, but not male, 16p11.2 del/+ mice. Conclusions Together, these results reveal female-specific anxiety phenotypes related to 16p11.2 microdeletion syndrome and a potential underlying neural circuit mechanism. Our study therefore identifies previously underappreciated sex-specific behavioral and neural changes in a genetic model of 16p11.2 microdeletion syndrome and highlights the importance of investigating female-specific aspects of this syndrome for targeted treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline Giovanniello
- School of Biological Sciences, Cold Spring Harbor, New York
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York
| | - Sandra Ahrens
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York
| | - Kai Yu
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York
| | - Bo Li
- School of Biological Sciences, Cold Spring Harbor, New York
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York
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23
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Reversal of synaptic and behavioral deficits in a 16p11.2 duplication mouse model via restoration of the GABA synapse regulator Npas4. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:1967-1979. [PMID: 32099100 PMCID: PMC7483162 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-020-0693-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Revised: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The human 16p11.2 gene locus is a hot spot for copy number variations, which predispose carriers to a range of neuropsychiatric phenotypes. Microduplications of 16p11.2 are associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), intellectual disability (ID), and schizophrenia (SZ). Despite the debilitating nature of 16p11.2 duplications, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here we performed a comprehensive behavioral characterization of 16p11.2 duplication mice (16p11.2dp/+) and identified social and cognitive deficits reminiscent of ASD and ID phenotypes. 16p11.2dp/+ mice did not exhibit the SZ-related sensorimotor gating deficits, psychostimulant-induced hypersensitivity, or motor impairment. Electrophysiological recordings of 16p11.2dp/+ mice found deficient GABAergic synaptic transmission and elevated neuronal excitability in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), a brain region critical for social and cognitive functions. RNA-sequencing identified genome-wide transcriptional aberrance in the PFC of 16p11.2dp/+ mice, including downregulation of the GABA synapse regulator Npas4. Restoring Npas4 expression in PFC of 16p11.2dp/+ mice ameliorated the social and cognitive deficits and reversed GABAergic synaptic impairment and neuronal hyperexcitability. These findings suggest that prefrontal cortical GABAergic synaptic circuitry and Npas4 are strongly implicated in 16p11.2 duplication pathology, and may represent potential targets for therapeutic intervention in ASD.
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24
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Simmons DH, Titley HK, Hansel C, Mason P. Behavioral Tests for Mouse Models of Autism: An Argument for the Inclusion of Cerebellum-Controlled Motor Behaviors. Neuroscience 2021; 462:303-319. [PMID: 32417339 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Mouse models of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have been interrogated using a variety of behavioral tests in order to understand the symptoms of ASD. However, the hallmark behaviors that are classically affected in ASD - deficits in social interaction and communication as well as the occurrence of repetitive behaviors - do not have direct murine equivalents. Thus, it is critical to identify the caveats that come with modeling a human disorder in mice. The most commonly used behavioral tests represent complex cognitive processes based on largely unknown brain circuitry. Motor impairments provide an alternative, scientifically rigorous approach to understanding ASD symptoms. Difficulties with motor coordination and learning - seen in both patients and mice - point to an involvement of the cerebellum in ASD pathology. This brain area supports types of motor learning that are conserved throughout vertebrate evolution, allowing for direct comparisons of functional abnormalities between humans with autism and ASD mouse models. Studying simple motor behaviors provides researchers with clearly interpretable results. We describe and evaluate methods used on mouse behavioral assays designed to test for social, communicative, perseverative, anxious, nociceptive, and motor learning abnormalities. We comment on the effectiveness and validity of each test based on how much information its results give, as well as its relevance to ASD, and will argue for an inclusion of cerebellum-supported motor behaviors in the phenotypic description of ASD mouse models. LAY SUMMARY: Mouse models of Autism Spectrum Disorder help us gain insight about ASD symptoms in human patients. However, there are many differences between mice and humans, which makes interpreting behaviors challenging. Here, we discuss a battery of behavioral tests for specific mouse behaviors to explore whether each test does indeed evaluate the intended measure, and whether these tests are useful in learning about ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana H Simmons
- Department of Neurobiology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Heather K Titley
- Department of Neurobiology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Christian Hansel
- Department of Neurobiology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Peggy Mason
- Department of Neurobiology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
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25
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Jabarin R, Levy N, Abergel Y, Berman JH, Zag A, Netser S, Levy AP, Wagner S. Pharmacological modulation of AMPA receptors rescues specific impairments in social behavior associated with the A350V Iqsec2 mutation. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:234. [PMID: 33888678 PMCID: PMC8062516 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-021-01347-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study we tested the hypothesis that pharmacological modulation of glutamatergic neurotransmission could rescue behavioral deficits exhibited by mice carrying a specific mutation in the Iqsec2 gene. The IQSEC2 protein plays a key role in glutamatergic synapses and mutations in the IQSEC2 gene are a frequent cause of neurodevelopmental disorders. We have recently reported on the molecular pathophysiology of one such mutation A350V and demonstrated that this mutation downregulates AMPA type glutamatergic receptors (AMPAR) in A350V mice. Here we sought to identify behavioral deficits in A350V mice and hypothesized that we could rescue these deficits by PF-4778574, a positive AMPAR modulator. Using a battery of social behavioral tasks, we found that A350V Iqsec2 mice exhibit specific deficits in sex preference and emotional state preference behaviors as well as in vocalizations when encountering a female mouse. The social discrimination deficits, but not the impaired vocalization, were rescued with a single dose of PF-4778574. We conclude that social behavior deficits associated with the A350V Iqsec2 mutation may be rescued by enhancing AMPAR mediated synaptic transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renad Jabarin
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Nina Levy
- Technion Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Yasmin Abergel
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Joshua H Berman
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Amir Zag
- Technion Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Shai Netser
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Andrew P Levy
- Technion Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.
| | - Shlomo Wagner
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.
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26
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Distinct Basal Metabolism in Three Mouse Models of Neurodevelopmental Disorders. eNeuro 2021; 8:ENEURO.0292-20.2021. [PMID: 33820803 PMCID: PMC8174051 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0292-20.2021] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Revised: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Prevalence of metabolic disturbances is higher among individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), yet this association has been largely overlooked. Investigation into human disease remains challenging, as a complete pathophysiological understanding relies on accurate modeling and highly controlled variables. Genetically engineered mouse models are widely used to gain insight into the biology of human NDDs, but research focus has been on behavioral and neurophysiological abnormalities. Such models not only allow for evaluating usefulness in reproducing human features, including similarities and discrepancies with rodent phenotypes, but they also represent a unique opportunity to observe and quantify novel anomalies. Here, we present the first characterization and comparison of basal metabolism in three mouse models of NDDs, namely, Down syndrome (DS; Dp(16)Yey/+ mice), 16p11.2 deletion syndrome (16pDel; 16p11.2df/+ mice), and fragile X syndrome [FXS; Fmr1 knock-out (KO) mice] and their wild-type (WT) counterparts. Using the Comprehensive Lab Animal Monitoring System (CLAMS) coupled to EchoMRI, as well as quantification of key plasma metabolites by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS), our in vivo study reveals that each mouse model expresses a unique metabolic signature that is sex-specific, independent of the amount of food consumed and minimally influenced by physical activity. In particular, we identify striking differences in body composition, respiratory exchange ratio (RER), caloric expenditure (CE), and concentrations of circulating plasma metabolites related to mitochondrial function. Providing novel insight into NDD-associated metabolic alterations is an essential prerequisite for future preclinical and clinical interventions.
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27
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Osório JMA, Rodríguez-Herreros B, Romascano D, Junod V, Habegger A, Pain A, Richetin S, Yu P, Isidor B, Van Maldergem L, Pons L, Manificat S, Chabane N, Jequier Gygax M, Maillard AM. Touch and olfaction/taste differentiate children carrying a 16p11.2 deletion from children with ASD. Mol Autism 2021; 12:8. [PMID: 33546725 PMCID: PMC7863523 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-020-00410-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Sensory processing atypicalities are frequent in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD). Different domains of sensory processing appear to be differentially altered in these disorders. In this study, we explored the sensory profile of two clinical cohorts, in comparison with a sample of typically developing children. Methods Behavioral responses to sensory stimuli were assessed using the Sensory Processing Measure (parent-report questionnaire). We included 121 ASD children, 17 carriers of the 16p11.2 deletion (Del 16p11.2) and 45 typically developing (TD) children. All participants were aged between 2 and 12 years. Additional measures included the Tactile Defensiveness and Discrimination Test-Revised, Wechsler Intelligence Scales and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2). Statistical analyses included MANCOVA and regression analyses. Results ASD children score significantly higher on all SPM subscales compared to TD. Del16p11.2 also scored higher than TD on all subscales except for tactile and olfactory/taste processing, in which they score similarly to TD. When assessing sensory modulation patterns (hyper-, hypo-responsiveness and seeking), ASD did not significantly differ from del16p11.2. Both groups had significantly higher scores across all patterns than the TD group. There was no significant association between the SPM Touch subscale and the TDDT-R. Limitations Sensory processing was assessed using a parent-report questionnaire. Even though it captures observable behavior, a questionnaire does not assess sensory processing in all its complexity. The sample size of the genetic cohort and the small subset of ASD children with TDDT-R data render some of our results exploratory. Divergence between SPM Touch and TDDT-R raises important questions about the nature of the process that is assessed. Conclusions Touch and olfaction/taste seem to be particularly affected in ASD children compared to del16p11.2. These results indicate that parent report measures can provide a useful perspective on behavioral expression. Sensory phenotyping, when combined with neurobiological and psychophysical methods, might have the potential to provide a better understanding of the sensory processing in ASD and in other NDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Maria Almeida Osório
- CHUV-Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Service des Troubles du Spectre de l'Autisme et apparentés, Lausanne University Hospital, Les Allières - Av. Beaumont 23, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Borja Rodríguez-Herreros
- CHUV-Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Service des Troubles du Spectre de l'Autisme et apparentés, Lausanne University Hospital, Les Allières - Av. Beaumont 23, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - David Romascano
- CHUV-Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Service des Troubles du Spectre de l'Autisme et apparentés, Lausanne University Hospital, Les Allières - Av. Beaumont 23, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Vincent Junod
- CHUV-Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Service des Troubles du Spectre de l'Autisme et apparentés, Lausanne University Hospital, Les Allières - Av. Beaumont 23, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Aline Habegger
- CHUV-Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Service des Troubles du Spectre de l'Autisme et apparentés, Lausanne University Hospital, Les Allières - Av. Beaumont 23, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Aurélie Pain
- CHUV-Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Service des Troubles du Spectre de l'Autisme et apparentés, Lausanne University Hospital, Les Allières - Av. Beaumont 23, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sonia Richetin
- CHUV-Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Service des Troubles du Spectre de l'Autisme et apparentés, Lausanne University Hospital, Les Allières - Av. Beaumont 23, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Paola Yu
- CHUV-Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Service des Troubles du Spectre de l'Autisme et apparentés, Lausanne University Hospital, Les Allières - Av. Beaumont 23, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Laboratory for Investigative Neurophysiology (LINE), Department of Radiology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Lionel Van Maldergem
- Centre de Génétique Humaine, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire, Université de Franche-Comté, Besançon, France.,Unité de recherche en neurosciences intégratives et cognitives EA481, Université de Franche-Comté, Besançon, France.,Centre d'investigation clinique 1431, INSERM, Besançon, France
| | - Linda Pons
- Service Génopsy - Pôle Hospitalo-Universitaire ADIS, Centre hospitalier Le Vinatier, Bron, France
| | - Sabine Manificat
- CHUV-Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Service des Troubles du Spectre de l'Autisme et apparentés, Lausanne University Hospital, Les Allières - Av. Beaumont 23, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nadia Chabane
- CHUV-Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Service des Troubles du Spectre de l'Autisme et apparentés, Lausanne University Hospital, Les Allières - Av. Beaumont 23, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Marine Jequier Gygax
- CHUV-Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Service des Troubles du Spectre de l'Autisme et apparentés, Lausanne University Hospital, Les Allières - Av. Beaumont 23, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Anne Manuela Maillard
- CHUV-Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Service des Troubles du Spectre de l'Autisme et apparentés, Lausanne University Hospital, Les Allières - Av. Beaumont 23, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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28
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Jones KL, Pride MC, Edmiston E, Yang M, Silverman JL, Crawley JN, Van de Water J. Autism-specific maternal autoantibodies produce behavioral abnormalities in an endogenous antigen-driven mouse model of autism. Mol Psychiatry 2020; 25:2994-3009. [PMID: 29955164 PMCID: PMC6310680 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-018-0126-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2018] [Revised: 05/25/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Immune dysregulation has been noted consistently in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families, including the presence of autoantibodies reactive to fetal brain proteins in nearly a quarter of mothers of children with ASD versus <1% in mothers of typically developing children. Our lab recently identified the peptide epitope sequences on seven antigenic proteins targeted by these maternal autoantibodies. Through immunization with these peptide epitopes, we have successfully created an endogenous, antigen-driven mouse model that ensures a constant exposure to the salient autoantibodies throughout gestation in C57BL/6J mice. This exposure more naturally mimics what is observed in mothers of children with ASD. Male and female offspring were tested using a comprehensive sequence of behavioral assays, as well as measures of health and development highly relevant to ASD. We found that MAR-ASD male and female offspring had significant alterations in development and social interactions during dyadic play. Although 3-chambered social approach was not significantly different, fewer social interactions with an estrous female were noted in the adult male MAR-ASD animals, as well as reduced vocalizations emitted in response to social cues with robust repetitive self-grooming behaviors relative to saline treated controls. The generation of MAR-ASD-specific epitope autoantibodies in female mice prior to breeding created a model that demonstrates for the first time that ASD-specific antigen-induced maternal autoantibodies produced alterations in a constellation of ASD-relevant behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen L. Jones
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Clinical Immunology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA,MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Michael C. Pride
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Elizabeth Edmiston
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Clinical Immunology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Mu Yang
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA, USA,Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jill L. Silverman
- MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, CA, USA,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Jacqueline N. Crawley
- MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, CA, USA,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Judy Van de Water
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Clinical Immunology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA. .,MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.
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29
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Dutta R, Crawley JN. Behavioral Evaluation of Angelman Syndrome Mice at Older Ages. Neuroscience 2020; 445:163-171. [PMID: 31730795 PMCID: PMC7214203 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2019.10.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Revised: 10/15/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Angelman syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder presenting with severe deficits in motor, speech, and cognitive abilities. The primary genetic cause of Angelman syndrome is a maternally transmitted mutation in the Ube3a gene, which has been successfully modeled in Ube3a mutant mice. Phenotypes have been extensively reported in young adult Ube3a mice. Because symptoms continue throughout life in Angelman syndrome, we tested multiple behavioral phenotypes of male Ube3a mice and WT littermate controls at older adult ages. Social behaviors on both the 3-chambered social approach and male-female social interaction tests showed impairments in Ube3a at 12 months of age. Anxiety-related scores on both the elevated plus-maze and the light ↔ dark transitions assays indicated anxiety-like phenotypes in 12 month old Ube3a mice. Open field locomotion parameters were consistently lower at 12 months. Reduced general exploratory locomotion at this age prevented the interpretation of an anxiety-like phenotype, and likely impacted social tasks. Robust phenotypes in middle-aged Ube3a mice appear to result from continued motor decline. Motor deficits may provide the best outcome measures for preclinical testing of pharmacological targets, towards reductions of symptoms in adults with Angelman syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Dutta
- MIND Institute, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Jacqueline N Crawley
- MIND Institute, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.
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30
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Rein B, Yan Z. 16p11.2 Copy Number Variations and Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Trends Neurosci 2020; 43:886-901. [PMID: 32993859 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2020.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 08/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Copy number variations (CNVs) of the human 16p11.2 genetic locus are associated with a range of neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, and epilepsy. In this review, we delineate genetic information and diverse phenotypes in individuals with 16p11.2 CNVs, and synthesize preclinical findings from transgenic mouse models of 16p11.2 CNVs. Mice with 16p11.2 deletions or duplications recapitulate many core behavioral phenotypes, including social and cognitive deficits, and exhibit altered synaptic function across various brain areas. Mechanisms of transcriptional dysregulation and cortical maldevelopment are reviewed, along with potential therapeutic intervention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Rein
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, State University of New York at Buffalo, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA.
| | - Zhen Yan
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, State University of New York at Buffalo, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA.
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31
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Rein B, Ma K, Yan Z. A standardized social preference protocol for measuring social deficits in mouse models of autism. Nat Protoc 2020; 15:3464-3477. [PMID: 32895524 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-020-0382-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social communication deficits and other behavioral abnormalities. The three-chamber social preference test is often used to assess social deficits in mouse models of ASD. However, varying and often contradicting phenotypic descriptions of ASD mouse models can be found in the scientific literature, and the substantial variability in the methods used by researchers to assess social deficits in mice could be a contributing factor. Here we describe a standardized three-chamber social preference protocol, which is sensitive and reliable at detecting social preference deficits in several mouse models of ASD. This protocol comprises three phases that can all be completed within 1 d. The test mouse is first habituated to the apparatus containing two empty cups in the side chambers, followed by the pre-test phase in which the mouse can interact with two identical inanimate objects placed in the cups. During the test phase, the mouse is allowed to interact with a social stimulus (an unfamiliar wild-type (WT) mouse) contained in one cup and a novel non-social stimulus contained in the other cup. The protocol is thus designed to assess preference between social and non-social stimuli under conditions of equal salience. The broad implementation of the three-chamber social preference protocol presented here should improve the accuracy and consistency of assessments for social preference deficits associated with ASD and other psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Rein
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Kaijie Ma
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Zhen Yan
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA.
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Caruso A, Ricceri L, Scattoni ML. Ultrasonic vocalizations as a fundamental tool for early and adult behavioral phenotyping of Autism Spectrum Disorder rodent models. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 116:31-43. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2020] [Revised: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Lynch JF, Ferri SL, Angelakos C, Schoch H, Nickl-Jockschat T, Gonzalez A, O'Brien WT, Abel T. Comprehensive Behavioral Phenotyping of a 16p11.2 Del Mouse Model for Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Autism Res 2020; 13:1670-1684. [PMID: 32857907 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Revised: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
The microdeletion of copy number variant 16p11.2 is one of the most common genetic mutations associated with neurodevelopmental disorders, such as Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). Here, we describe our comprehensive behavioral phenotyping of the 16p11.2 deletion line developed by Alea Mills on a C57BL/6J and 129S1/SvImJ F1 background (Delm ). Male and female Delm mice were tested in developmental milestones as preweanlings (PND2-PND12), and were tested in open field activity, elevated zero maze, rotarod, novel object recognition, fear conditioning, social approach, and other measures during post-weaning (PND21), adolescence (PND42), and adulthood (>PND70). Developmentally, Delm mice show distinct weight reduction that persists into adulthood. Delm males also have reduced grasp reflexes and limb strength during development, but no other reflexive deficits whereas Delm females show limb strength deficits and decreased sensitivity to heat. In a modified version of a rotarod task that measures balance and coordinated motor activity, Delm males, but not females, show improved performance at high speeds. Delm males and females also show age-specific reductions in anxiety-like behavior compared with WTs, but neither sex show deficits in a social preference task. When assessing learning and memory, Delm males and females show age-specific impairments in a novel object or spatial object recognition, but no deficits in contextual fear memory. This work extends the understanding of the behavioral phenotypes seen with 16p11.2 deletion by emphasizing age and sex-specific deficits; important variables to consider when studying mouse models for neurodevelopmental disorders. LAY SUMMARY: Autism spectrum disorder is a common neurodevelopmental disorder that causes repetitive behavior and impairments in social interaction and communication. Here, we assess the effects of one of the most common genetic alterations in ASDs, a deletion of one copy of 29 genes, using a mouse model. These animals show differences in behavior between males and females and across ages compared with control animals, including changes in development, cognition, and motor coordination. Autism Res 2020, 13: 1670-1684. © 2020 International Society for Autism Research and Wiley Periodicals LLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph F Lynch
- Department of Psychology, Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Sarah L Ferri
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Christopher Angelakos
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Hannah Schoch
- Eison S. Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University Spokane, Spokane, Washington, USA
| | - Thomas Nickl-Jockschat
- Department of Psychiatry, Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Arnold Gonzalez
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Ted Abel
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
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Mitchell EJ, Thomson DM, Openshaw RL, Bristow GC, Dawson N, Pratt JA, Morris BJ. Drug-responsive autism phenotypes in the 16p11.2 deletion mouse model: a central role for gene-environment interactions. Sci Rep 2020; 10:12303. [PMID: 32704009 PMCID: PMC7378168 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-69130-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
There are no current treatments for autism, despite its high prevalence. Deletions of chromosome 16p11.2 dramatically increase risk for autism, suggesting that mice with an equivalent genetic rearrangement may offer a valuable model for the testing of novel classes of therapeutic drug. 16p11.2 deletion (16p11.2 DEL) mice and wild-type controls were assessed using an ethological approach, with 24 h monitoring of activity and social interaction of groups of mice in a home-cage environment. The ability of the excitation/inhibition modulator N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) and the 5-HT1B/1D/1F receptor agonist eletriptan to normalise the behavioural deficits observed was tested. 16p11.2 DEL mice exhibited largely normal behaviours, but, following the stress of an injection, showed hyperlocomotion, reduced sociability, and a strong anxiolytic phenotype. The hyperactivity and reduced sociability, but not the suppressed anxiety, were effectively attenuated by both NAC and eletriptan. The data suggest that 16p11.2 DEL mice show an autism-relevant phenotype that becomes overt after an acute stressor, emphasising the importance of gene-environmental interactions in phenotypic analysis. Further, they add to an emerging view that NAC, or 5-HT1B/1D/1F receptor agonist treatment, may be a promising strategy for further investigation as a future treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma J Mitchell
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0RE, UK
| | - David M Thomson
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0RE, UK
| | - Rebecca L Openshaw
- Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Sir James Black Building, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Greg C Bristow
- Department of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YW, UK.,School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford, BD7 1DP, UK
| | - Neil Dawson
- Department of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YW, UK
| | - Judith A Pratt
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0RE, UK
| | - Brian J Morris
- Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Sir James Black Building, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK.
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Vascular contributions to 16p11.2 deletion autism syndrome modeled in mice. Nat Neurosci 2020; 23:1090-1101. [PMID: 32661394 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-020-0663-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
While the neuronal underpinnings of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are being unraveled, vascular contributions to ASD remain elusive. Here, we investigated postnatal cerebrovascular development in the 16p11.2df/+ mouse model of 16p11.2 deletion ASD syndrome. We discover that 16p11.2 hemizygosity leads to male-specific, endothelium-dependent structural and functional neurovascular abnormalities. In 16p11.2df/+ mice, endothelial dysfunction results in impaired cerebral angiogenesis at postnatal day 14, and in altered neurovascular coupling and cerebrovascular reactivity at postnatal day 50. Moreover, we show that there is defective angiogenesis in primary 16p11.2df/+ mouse brain endothelial cells and in induced-pluripotent-stem-cell-derived endothelial cells from human carriers of the 16p11.2 deletion. Finally, we find that mice with an endothelium-specific 16p11.2 deletion (16p11.2ΔEC) partially recapitulate some of the behavioral changes seen in 16p11.2 syndrome, specifically hyperactivity and impaired motor learning. By showing that developmental 16p11.2 haploinsufficiency from endothelial cells results in neurovascular and behavioral changes in adults, our results point to a potential role for endothelial impairment in ASD.
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Agarwalla S, Arroyo NS, Long NE, O'Brien WT, Abel T, Bandyopadhyay S. Male-specific alterations in structure of isolation call sequences of mouse pups with 16p11.2 deletion. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2020; 19:e12681. [PMID: 32558237 PMCID: PMC7116069 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2020] [Revised: 06/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
16p11.2 deletion is one of the most common gene copy variations that increases the susceptibility to autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders. This syndrome leads to developmental delays, including speech impairment and delays in expressive language and communication skills. To study developmental impairment of vocal communication associated with 16p11.2 deletion syndrome, we used the 16p11.2del mouse model and performed an analysis of pup isolation calls (PICs). The earliest PICs at postnatal day 5 from 16p11.2del pups were found altered in a male‐specific fashion relative to wild‐type (WT) pups. Analysis of sequences of ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) emitted by pups using mutual information between syllables at different positions in the USV spectrograms showed that dependencies exist between syllables in WT mice of both sexes. The order of syllables was not random; syllables were emitted in an ordered fashion. The structure observed in the WT pups was identified and the pattern of syllable sequences was considered typical for the mouse line. However, typical patterns were totally absent in the 16p11.2del male pups, showing on average random syllable sequences, while the 16p11.2del female pups had dependencies similar to the WT pups. Thus, we found that PICs were reduced in number in male 16p11.2 pups and their vocalizations lack the syllable sequence order emitted by WT males and females and 16p11.2 females. Therefore, our study is the first to reveal sex‐specific perinatal communication impairment in a mouse model of 16p11.2 deletion and applies a novel, more granular method of analysing the structure of USVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swapna Agarwalla
- Department of Electronics and Electrical Communication Engineering, IIT Kharagpur, Kharagpur, India
| | - Noelle S Arroyo
- Department of Anesthesiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Natalie E Long
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - William T O'Brien
- Department of Pharmacology/ITMAT, University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ted Abel
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Sharba Bandyopadhyay
- Department of Electronics and Electrical Communication Engineering, IIT Kharagpur, Kharagpur, India.,Advanced Technology Development Centre (ATDC), IIT Kharagpur, Kharagpur, India
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Hertz S, Weiner B, Perets N, London M. Temporal structure of mouse courtship vocalizations facilitates syllable labeling. Commun Biol 2020; 3:333. [PMID: 32591576 PMCID: PMC7320152 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-1053-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Mice emit sequences of ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) but little is known about the rules governing their temporal order and no consensus exists on the classification of USVs into syllables. To address these questions, we recorded USVs during male-female courtship and found a significant temporal structure. We labeled USVs using three popular algorithms and found that there was no one-to-one relationships between their labels. As label assignment affects the high order temporal structure, we developed the Syntax Information Score (based on information theory) to rank labeling algorithms based on how well they predict the next syllable in a sequence. Finally, we derived a novel algorithm (Syntax Information Maximization) that utilizes sequence statistics to improve the clustering of individual USVs with respect to the underlying sequence structure. Improvement in USV classification is crucial for understanding neural control of vocalization. We demonstrate that USV syntax holds valuable information towards achieving this goal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stav Hertz
- The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Benjamin Weiner
- Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Nisim Perets
- The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Michael London
- The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.
- Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.
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Yang L, You C, Qiu S, Yang X, Li Y, Liu F, Zhang D, Niu Y, Xu L, Xu N, Li X, Luo F, Yang J, Li B. Novel and de novo point and large microdeletion mutation in PRRT2-related epilepsy. Brain Behav 2020; 10:e01597. [PMID: 32237035 PMCID: PMC7218244 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.1597] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Revised: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Point and copy number variant mutations in the PRRT2 gene have been identified in a variety of paroxysmal disorders and different types of epilepsy. In this study, we analyzed the phenotypes and PRRT2-related mutations in Chinese epilepsy children. METHODS A total of 492 children with epilepsy were analyzed by whole exome sequencing (WES) and low-coverage massively parallel CNV sequencing (CNV-seq) to find the single nucleotide variants and copy number variations (CNVs). And quantitative polymerase chain reaction was utilized to verify the CNVs. Their clinical information was followed up. RESULTS We found PRRT2-related mutations in 19 patients (10 males and nine females, six sporadic cases and 13 family cases). Twelve point mutations, four whole gene deletion, and three 16p11.2 deletions were detected. The clinical features of 39 patients in 19 families included one early childhood myoclonic epilepsy (ECME), one febrile seizure (FS), two infantile convulsions with paroxysmal choreoathetosis (ICCA), six paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesias (PKD), 12 benign infantile epilepsy (BIE), and 17 benign familial infantile epilepsy (BFIE). All patients had normal brain MRI. Interictal EEG showed only one patient had generalized polyspike wave and five patients had focal transient discharges. Focal seizures originating in the frontal region were recorded in one patient, two from the temporal region, and two from the occipital region. Most patients were treated effectively with VPA or OXC, and the child with myoclonic seizures was not sensitive to antiepileptic drugs. CONCLUSION PRRT2 mutations can be inherited or de novo, mainly inherited. The clinical spectrum of PRRT2 mutation includes BIE, BFIE, ICCA, PKD, FS, and ECME. The PRRT2-related mutations contained point mutation, whole gene deletion and 16p11.2 deletions, and large microdeletion mutations mostly de novo. It is the first report of PRRT2 mutation found in ECME. Our report expands the mutation and clinical spectrum of PRRT2-related epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Department of Pediatrics, Linyi People's Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Linyi, China
| | - Cuiping You
- Central Laboratory, Linyi People's Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Linyi, China
| | - Shiyan Qiu
- Department of Pediatrics, Linyi People's Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Linyi, China
| | - Xiaofan Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yufen Li
- Department of Pediatrics, Linyi People's Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Linyi, China
| | - Feng Liu
- Department of Neurology, Zibo Zhangdian Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zibo, China
| | - Dongqing Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yue Niu
- Department of Pediatrics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Liyun Xu
- Department of Pediatrics, Linyi People's Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Linyi, China.,Department of Pediatrics, Shandong medical college, Linyi, China
| | - Na Xu
- Department of Pediatrics, Linyi People's Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Linyi, China
| | - Xia Li
- Department of Pediatrics, Linyi People's Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Linyi, China
| | | | - Junli Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Baomin Li
- Department of Pediatrics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
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Campbell PD, Granato M. Zebrafish as a tool to study schizophrenia-associated copy number variants. Dis Model Mech 2020; 13:dmm043877. [PMID: 32433025 PMCID: PMC7197721 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.043877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia remains one of the most debilitating human neurodevelopmental disorders, with few effective treatments and striking consequences felt by individuals, communities and society as a whole. As such, there remains a critical need for further investigation into the mechanistic underpinnings of schizophrenia so that novel therapeutic targets can be identified. Because schizophrenia is a highly heritable disorder, genetic risk factors remain an attractive avenue for this research. Given their clear molecular genetic consequences, recurrent microdeletions and duplications, or copy number variants (CNVs), represent one of the most tractable genetic entry points to elucidating these mechanisms. To date, eight CNVs have been shown to significantly increase the risk of schizophrenia. Although rodent models of these CNVs that exhibit behavioral phenotypes have been generated, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely elusive. Over the past decades, the zebrafish has emerged as a powerful vertebrate model that has led to fundamental discoveries in developmental neurobiology and behavioral genetics. Here, we review the attributes that make zebrafish exceptionally well suited to investigating individual and combinatorial gene contributions to CNV-mediated brain dysfunction in schizophrenia. With highly conserved genetics and neural substrates, an ever-expanding molecular genetic and imaging toolkit, and ability to perform high-throughput and high-content genetic and pharmacologic screens, zebrafish is poised to generate deep insights into the molecular genetic mechanisms of schizophrenia-associated neurodevelopmental and behavioral deficits, and to facilitate the identification of therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip D Campbell
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Michael Granato
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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40
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Lieberman OJ, Frier MD, McGuirt AF, Griffey CJ, Rafikian E, Yang M, Yamamoto A, Borgkvist A, Santini E, Sulzer D. Cell-type-specific regulation of neuronal intrinsic excitability by macroautophagy. eLife 2020; 9:e50843. [PMID: 31913125 PMCID: PMC6984822 DOI: 10.7554/elife.50843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The basal ganglia are a group of subcortical nuclei that contribute to action selection and reinforcement learning. The principal neurons of the striatum, spiny projection neurons of the direct (dSPN) and indirect (iSPN) pathways, maintain low intrinsic excitability, requiring convergent excitatory inputs to fire. Here, we examined the role of autophagy in mouse SPN physiology and animal behavior by generating conditional knockouts of Atg7 in either dSPNs or iSPNs. Loss of autophagy in either SPN population led to changes in motor learning but distinct effects on cellular physiology. dSPNs, but not iSPNs, required autophagy for normal dendritic structure and synaptic input. In contrast, iSPNs, but not dSPNs, were intrinsically hyperexcitable due to reduced function of the inwardly rectifying potassium channel, Kir2. These findings define a novel mechanism by which autophagy regulates neuronal activity: control of intrinsic excitability via the regulation of potassium channel function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ori J Lieberman
- Department of PsychiatryColumbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and SurgeonsNew YorkUnited States
| | - Micah D Frier
- Department of PsychiatryColumbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and SurgeonsNew YorkUnited States
| | - Avery F McGuirt
- Department of PsychiatryColumbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and SurgeonsNew YorkUnited States
| | - Christopher J Griffey
- Department of NeurologyColumbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and SurgeonsNew YorkUnited States
| | - Elizabeth Rafikian
- Mouse NeuroBehavior Core, Institute for Genomic MedicineColumbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and SurgeonsNew YorkUnited States
| | - Mu Yang
- Mouse NeuroBehavior Core, Institute for Genomic MedicineColumbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and SurgeonsNew YorkUnited States
| | - Ai Yamamoto
- Department of NeurologyColumbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and SurgeonsNew YorkUnited States
| | | | | | - David Sulzer
- Department of PsychiatryColumbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and SurgeonsNew YorkUnited States
- Department of NeurologyColumbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and SurgeonsNew YorkUnited States
- Department of PharmacologyColumbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and SurgeonsNew YorkUnited States
- Division of Molecular TherapeuticsNew York State Psychiatric InstituteNew YorkUnited States
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41
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Premoli M, Bonini SA, Mastinu A, Maccarinelli G, Aria F, Paiardi G, Memo M. Specific profile of ultrasonic communication in a mouse model of neurodevelopmental disorders. Sci Rep 2019; 9:15912. [PMID: 31685905 PMCID: PMC6828716 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-52378-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Mice emit ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) in different social conditions: pups maternal separation, juveniles play, adults mating and social investigation. The USVs measurement has become an important instrument for behavioural phenotyping in neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). Recently, we have demonstrated that the deletion of the NFκB1 gene, which encodes the p50 NF-κB subunit, causes NDDs phenotype in mice. In this study, we investigated the ultrasonic communication and the effects of an early social enrichment in mice lacking the NF-κB p50 subunit (p50 KO). In particular, USVs of wild-type (WT), p50 KO and KO exposed to early social enrichment (KO enriched) were recorded using an ultrasound sensitive microphone and analysed by Avisoft software. USVs analysis showed that p50 KO pups emit more and longer vocalizations compared to WT pups. On the contrary, in adulthood, p50 KO mice emit less USVs than WT mice. We also found significant qualitative differences in p50 KO mice USVs compared to WT mice; the changes specifically involved two USVs categories. Early social enrichment had no effect on USVs number, duration and type in p50 KO mice. Together, these data revealed social communication alterations in a mouse model of NDDs; these deficits were not recovered by early social enrichment, strengthening the fact that genetic background prevails on environmental enrichment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marika Premoli
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123, Brescia, Italy.
| | - Sara Anna Bonini
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123, Brescia, Italy
| | - Andrea Mastinu
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123, Brescia, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Maccarinelli
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123, Brescia, Italy
| | - Francesca Aria
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123, Brescia, Italy
| | - Giulia Paiardi
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123, Brescia, Italy
| | - Maurizio Memo
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123, Brescia, Italy
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Matveeva TM, Pisansky MT, Young A, Miller RF, Gewirtz JC. Sociality deficits in serine racemase knockout mice. Brain Behav 2019; 9:e01383. [PMID: 31515952 PMCID: PMC6790321 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.1383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies of schizophrenia have pointed to the role of glutamate in its pathophysiology. Mice lacking D-serine show impairments in neurotransmission through NMDA receptors and display behaviors consistent with features of schizophrenia. Yet, socio-communicative deficits, a characteristic of schizophrenia, have not been reported in serine racemase knockout mice. METHODS We use behavioral testing (the three-chambered social approach task, the dyadic interaction task, and the novel object recognition task) to examine socio-communicative behaviors in these mice. RESULTS Serine racemase mice show abnormal social investigation and approach behavior, and differ from wild-type controls in the duration and number of vocalizations they emit in the presence of a conspecific. Serine racemase knockout mice were not impaired in a cognitive test (novel object recognition), although they displayed abnormal behavior in the acquisition phase of the task. CONCLUSIONS Serine racemase knockout mice demonstrate abnormalities in socio-communicative behaviors consistent with an impairment in sociality, a negative symptom of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatyana M Matveeva
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Marc T Pisansky
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Amy Young
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Robert F Miller
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Jonathan C Gewirtz
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota.,Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota
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Qiu Y, Arbogast T, Lorenzo SM, Li H, Tang SC, Richardson E, Hong O, Cho S, Shanta O, Pang T, Corsello C, Deutsch CK, Chevalier C, Davis EE, Iakoucheva LM, Herault Y, Katsanis N, Messer K, Sebat J. Oligogenic Effects of 16p11.2 Copy-Number Variation on Craniofacial Development. Cell Rep 2019; 28:3320-3328.e4. [PMID: 31553903 PMCID: PMC6988705 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.08.071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2019] [Revised: 07/18/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
A copy-number variant (CNV) of 16p11.2 encompassing 30 genes is associated with developmental and psychiatric disorders, head size, and body mass. The genetic mechanisms that underlie these associations are not understood. To determine the influence of 16p11.2 genes on development, we investigated the effects of CNV on craniofacial structure in humans and model organisms. We show that deletion and duplication of 16p11.2 have "mirror" effects on specific craniofacial features that are conserved between human and rodent models of the CNV. By testing dosage effects of individual genes on the shape of the mandible in zebrafish, we identify seven genes with significant effects individually and find evidence for others when genes were tested in combination. The craniofacial phenotypes of 16p11.2 CNVs represent a model for studying the effects of genes on development, and our results suggest that the associated facial gestalts are attributable to the combined effects of multiple genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqi Qiu
- Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Thomas Arbogast
- Center for Human Disease Modeling, Duke University, Durham, NC 27701, USA
| | - Sandra Martin Lorenzo
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR7104, Illkirch, France; Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U964, Illkirch, France
| | - Hongying Li
- Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Shih C Tang
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Ellen Richardson
- Center for Human Disease Modeling, Duke University, Durham, NC 27701, USA
| | - Oanh Hong
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Shawn Cho
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Omar Shanta
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Department of Electrical Engineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Timothy Pang
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Christina Corsello
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA 92123, USA
| | - Curtis K Deutsch
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center UMMS, Charlestown and Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Claire Chevalier
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR7104, Illkirch, France; Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U964, Illkirch, France
| | - Erica E Davis
- Center for Human Disease Modeling, Duke University, Durham, NC 27701, USA
| | - Lilia M Iakoucheva
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Yann Herault
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR7104, Illkirch, France; Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U964, Illkirch, France
| | - Nicholas Katsanis
- Center for Human Disease Modeling, Duke University, Durham, NC 27701, USA
| | - Karen Messer
- Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Jonathan Sebat
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Beyster Center for Genomics of Psychiatric Diseases, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
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44
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Takumi T, Tamada K, Hatanaka F, Nakai N, Bolton PF. Behavioral neuroscience of autism. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2019; 110:60-76. [PMID: 31059731 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2018] [Revised: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 04/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder. Several genetic causes of ASD have been identified and this has enabled researchers to construct mouse models. Mouse behavioral tests reveal impaired social interaction and communication, as well as increased repetitive behavior and behavioral inflexibility in these mice, which correspond to core behavioral deficits observed in individuals with ASD. However, the connection between these behavioral abnormalities and the underlying dysregulation in neuronal circuits and synaptic function is poorly understood. Moreover, different components of the ASD phenotype may be linked to dysfunction in different brain regions, making it even more challenging to chart the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in ASD. Here we summarize the research on mouse models of ASD and their contribution to understanding pathophysiological mechanisms. Specifically, we emphasize abnormal serotonin production and regulation, as well as the disruption in circadian rhythms and sleep that are observed in a subset of ASD, and propose that spatiotemporal disturbances in brainstem development may be a primary cause of ASD that propagates towards the cerebral cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toru Takumi
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan.
| | - Kota Tamada
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | | | - Nobuhiro Nakai
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Patrick F Bolton
- Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK
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45
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Li W, Wang Y, Li B, Tang B, Sun H, Lai J, He N, Li B, Meng H, Liao W, Liu X. 16p11.2 deletion in patients with paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia but without intellectual disability. Brain Behav 2018; 8:e01134. [PMID: 30307717 PMCID: PMC6236233 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.1134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2018] [Revised: 09/09/2018] [Accepted: 09/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Mutations of the PRRT2 gene are the most common cause for paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia. However, patients with negative PRRT2 mutations are not rare. The aim of this study is to determine whether copy number variant of PRRT2 gene is another potential pathogenic mechanism in the patients with paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia with negative PRRT2 point and frameshift mutations. METHODS We screened PRRT2 copy number variants using the AccuCopy™ method in 29 patients with paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia with negative PRRT2 point and frameshift mutations. Next-generation sequencing was used to determine the chromosomal deletion sites in patients with PRRT2 copy number variants, and to exclude mutations in other known causative genes for paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia. RESULTS Two sporadic patients with negative PRRT2 point and frameshift mutations (6.9%) were identified to have de novo PRRT2 copy number deletions (591 and 832 Kb deletions located in 16p11.2). The two patients presented with pure paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia and paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia and benign infantile convulsions, respectively. They had normal intelligence and neuropsychiatric development, in contrast to those previously reported with 16p11.2 deletions complicated with neuropsychiatric disorders. No correlation between the deletion ranges and phenotypic variations was found. CONCLUSION 16p11.2 deletions play causative roles in paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia, especially for sporadic cases. Our findings extend the phenotype of 16p11.2 deletions to pure paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia. Screening for 16p11.2 deletions should thus be included in genetic evaluations for patients with paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Li
- Institute of Neuroscience, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province, the Ministry of Education of China, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yifan Wang
- Institute of Neuroscience, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province, the Ministry of Education of China, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bin Li
- Institute of Neuroscience, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province, the Ministry of Education of China, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bin Tang
- Institute of Neuroscience, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province, the Ministry of Education of China, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hui Sun
- Institute of Neuroscience, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province, the Ministry of Education of China, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinxing Lai
- Institute of Neuroscience, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province, the Ministry of Education of China, Guangzhou, China
| | - Na He
- Institute of Neuroscience, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province, the Ministry of Education of China, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bingmei Li
- Institute of Neuroscience, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province, the Ministry of Education of China, Guangzhou, China
| | - Heng Meng
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weiping Liao
- Institute of Neuroscience, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province, the Ministry of Education of China, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaorong Liu
- Institute of Neuroscience, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province, the Ministry of Education of China, Guangzhou, China
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46
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Abstract
The MAPK pathway is a prominent intracellular signaling pathway regulating various intracellular functions. Components of this pathway are mutated in a related collection of congenital syndromes collectively referred to as neuro-cardio-facio-cutaneous syndromes (NCFC) or Rasopathies. Recently, it has been appreciated that these disorders are associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). In addition, idiopathic ASD has also implicated the MAPK signaling cascade as a common pathway that is affected by many of the genetic variants that have been found to be linked to ASDs. This chapter describes the components of the MAPK pathway and how it is regulated. Furthermore, this chapter will highlight the various functions of the MAPK pathway during both embryonic development of the central nervous system (CNS) and its roles in neuronal physiology and ultimately, behavior. Finally, we will summarize the perturbations to MAPK signaling in various models of autism spectrum disorders and Rasopathies to highlight how dysregulation of this pivotal pathway may contribute to the pathogenesis of autism.
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47
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Waddington JL, O'Tuathaigh CM. Modelling the neuromotor abnormalities of psychotic illness: Putative mechanisms and systems dysfunction. Schizophr Res 2018; 200:12-19. [PMID: 28867516 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2017.08.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2017] [Revised: 08/11/2017] [Accepted: 08/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Limitations in access to antipsychotic-naïve patients and in the incisiveness of studies that can be conducted on them, together with the inevitability of subsequent antipsychotic treatment, indicate an enduring role for animal models that can inform on the pathobiology of neuromotor abnormalities in schizophrenia and related psychotic illness. This review focusses particularly on genetically modified mouse models that involve genes associated with risk for schizophrenia and with mechanisms implicated in the neuromotor abnormalities evident in psychotic patients, as well as developmental models that seek to mirror the trajectory, phenomenology and putative pathophysiology of psychotic illness. Such abnormalities are inconsistent and subtle in mice mutant for some schizophrenia risk genes but more evident for others. The phenotype of dopaminergic and glutamatergic mutants indicates the involvement of these mechanisms, informs on the roles of specific receptor subtypes, and implicates the interplay of cortical and subcortical processes. Developmental models suggest a criticality in the timing of early adversity for diversity in the relative emergence of psychological symptoms vis-à-vis neuromotor abnormalities in the overall psychosis phenotype. These findings elaborate current concepts of dysfunction in a neuronal network linking the cerebral cortex, basal ganglia, thalamus and cerebellum. Both findings in model systems and clinical evidence converge in indicating that any distinction between 'psychomotor' and 'neuromotor' abnormality is artificial and arbitrary due to a unitary origin in developmentally determined systems/network dysfunction that underlies the lifetime trajectory of psychotic illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- John L Waddington
- Molecular & Cellular Therapeutics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Translational Research and Therapy for Neuro-Psychiatric-Diseases, Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
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48
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Jouda J, Wöhr M, Del Rey A. Immunity and ultrasonic vocalization in rodents. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2018; 1437:68-82. [PMID: 30062701 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.13931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2018] [Revised: 06/20/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) serve important communicative functions in rodents. Different types of USVs can be triggered in the sender, for example, by maternal separation, social interactions, or exposure to predators, and they evoke affiliative or alarming behaviors in recipients. This review focusses on studies evaluating possible links between immunity and USVs. Most studies have been performed in a murine model of maternal immune activation and subsequent evaluation of effects in the offspring. This model has received large attention in recent years because it mimics behavioral abnormalities observed in certain human neuropsychiatric disorders, including autism spectrum disorder. Although there is still some controversy, the results indicate that stimulation of the immune system of mice and rats during pregnancy affects ultrasonic calling in pups. Few studies are available on immunization during adulthood and USVs. In most cases, immune stimulation led to disease, complicating conclusions about a possible direct link between vocalization and immunity. Although much work is still needed, this is certainly a rather new and promising aspect of interactions between the immune system and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamela Jouda
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Al-Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Markus Wöhr
- Behavioral Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Philipps-University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany.,Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior, Philipps-University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Adriana Del Rey
- Immunophysiology, Division of Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Philipps-University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
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49
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Pharmacological Inhibition of ERK Signaling Rescues Pathophysiology and Behavioral Phenotype Associated with 16p11.2 Chromosomal Deletion in Mice. J Neurosci 2018; 38:6640-6652. [PMID: 29934348 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0515-17.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2017] [Revised: 06/05/2018] [Accepted: 06/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The human 16p11.2 microdeletion is one of the most common gene copy number variations linked to autism, but the pathophysiology associated with this chromosomal abnormality is largely unknown. The 593 kb deletion contains the ERK1 gene and other genes that converge onto the ERK/MAP kinase pathway. Perturbations in ERK signaling are linked to a group of related neurodevelopmental disorders hallmarked by intellectual disability, including autism. We report that mice harboring the 16p11.2 deletion exhibit a paradoxical elevation of ERK activity, cortical cytoarchitecture abnormalities and behavioral deficits. Importantly, we show that treatment with a novel ERK pathway inhibitor during a critical period of brain development rescues the molecular, anatomical and behavioral deficits in the 16p11.2 deletion mice. The ERK inhibitor treatment administered to adult mice ameliorates a subset of these behavioral deficits. Our findings provide evidence for potential targeted therapeutic intervention in 16p11.2 deletion carriers.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The ERK/MAPK pathway is genetically linked to autism spectrum disorders and other syndromes typified by intellectual disability. We provide direct evidence connecting the ERK/MAP kinases to the developmental abnormalities in neurogenesis and cortical cytoarchitecture associated with the 16p11.2 chromosomal deletion. Most importantly, we demonstrate that treatment with a novel ERK-specific inhibitor during development rescues aberrant cortical cytoarchitecture and restores normal levels of cell-cycle regulators during cortical neurogenesis. These treatments partially reverse the behavioral deficits observed in the 16p11.2del mouse model, including hyperactivity, memory as well as olfaction, and maternal behavior. We also report a rescue of a subset of these deficits upon treatment of adult 16p11.2del mice. These data provide a strong rationale for therapeutic approaches to this disorder.
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50
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Broin PÓ, Beckert MV, Takahashi T, Izumi T, Ye K, Kang G, Pouso P, Topolski M, Pena JL, Hiroi N. Computational Analysis of Neonatal Mouse Ultrasonic Vocalization. CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN MOUSE BIOLOGY 2018; 8:e46. [PMID: 29927553 PMCID: PMC6055925 DOI: 10.1002/cpmo.46] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Neonatal vocalization is structurally altered in mouse models of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Our published data showed that pup vocalization, under conditions of maternal separation, contains sequences whose alterations in a genetic mouse model of ASD impair social communication between pups and mothers. We describe details of a method which reveals the statistical structure of call sequences that are functionally critical for optimal maternal care. Entropy analysis determines the degree of non-random call sequencing. A Markov model determines the actual call sequences used by pups. Sparse partial least squares discriminant analysis (sPLS-DA) identifies call sequences that differentiate groups and reveals the degrees of individual variability in call sequences between groups. These three sets of analyses can be used to identify the otherwise hidden call structure that is altered in mouse models of developmental neuropsychiatric disorders, including not only autism but also schizophrenia. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pilib Ó Broin
- School of Mathematics, Statistics & Applied Mathematics,
National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Michael V. Beckert
- Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine,
Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Tomohisa Takahashi
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein
College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Takeshi Izumi
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein
College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Kenny Ye
- Department of Epidemiology & Population Health, Albert
Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Gina Kang
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein
College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Patricia Pouso
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein
College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Mackenzie Topolski
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein
College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Jose L. Pena
- Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine,
Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Noboru Hiroi
- Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine,
Bronx, NY, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein
College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx,
NY, USA
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