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Kim HJ, Ko EA, Kwon OB, Jung SC. Prenatal treatment with corticosterone via maternal injection induces learning and memory impairments via delaying postsynaptic development in hippocampal CA1 neurons of rats. J Neurosci Res 2024; 102:e25323. [PMID: 38553948 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.25323] [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: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Previously, we reported that prenatal exposure to high corticosterone induced attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)-like behaviors with cognitive deficits after weaning. In the present study, cellular mechanisms underlying cortisol-induced cognitive dysfunction were investigated using rat pups (Corti.Pups) born from rat mothers that were repetitively injected with corticosterone during pregnancy. In results, Corti.Pups exhibited the failure of behavioral memory formation in the Morris water maze (MWM) test and the incomplete long-term potentiation (LTP) of hippocampal CA1 neurons. Additionally, glutamatergic excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) were remarkably suppressed in Corti.Pups compared to normal rat pups. Incomplete LTP and weaker EPSCs in Corti.Pups were attributed to the delayed postsynaptic development of CA1 neurons, showing a higher expression of NR2B subunits and lower expression of PSD-95 and BDNF. These results indicated that the prenatal treatment with corticosterone to elevate cortisol level might potently downregulate the BDNF-mediated signaling critical for the synaptic development of hippocampal CA1 neurons during brain development, and subsequently, induce learning and memory impairment. Our findings suggest a possibility that the prenatal dysregulation of cortisol triggers the epigenetic pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental psychiatric disorders, such as ADHD and autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hye-Ji Kim
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Jeju National University, Jeju, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun-A Ko
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Jeju National University, Jeju, Republic of Korea
| | - Oh-Bin Kwon
- New Drug Development Center, Kmedihub, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Cherl Jung
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Jeju National University, Jeju, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Medical Science, Jeju National University, Jeju, Republic of Korea
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Wang X, Sun Z, Yang T, Lin F, Ye S, Yan J, Li T, Chen J. Sodium butyrate facilitates CRHR2 expression to alleviate HPA axis hyperactivity in autism-like rats induced by prenatal lipopolysaccharides through histone deacetylase inhibition. mSystems 2023; 8:e0041523. [PMID: 37358267 PMCID: PMC10469781 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00415-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs, especially butyric acid) have been demonstrated to play a promising role in the development of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Recently, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is also suggested to increase the risk of ASD. However, the mechanism underlying SCFAs and HPA axis in ASD development remains unknown. Here, we show that children with ASD exhibited lower SCFA concentrations and higher cortisol levels, which were recaptured in prenatal lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-exposed rat model of ASD. These offspring also showed decreased SCFA-producing bacteria and histone acetylation activity as well as impaired corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 2 (CRHR2) expression. Sodium butyrate (NaB), which can act as histone deacetylases inhibitors, significantly increased histone acetylation at the CRHR2 promoter in vitro and normalized the corticosterone as well as CRHR2 expression level in vivo. Behavioral assays indicated ameliorative effects of NaB on anxiety and social deficit in LPS-exposed offspring. Our results imply that NaB treatment can improve ASD-like symptoms via epigenetic regulation of the HPA axis in offspring; thus, it may provide new insight into the SCFA treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders like ASD. IMPORTANCE Growing evidence suggests that microbiota can affect brain function and behavior through the "microbiome-gut-brain'' axis, but its mechanism remains poorly understood. Here, we show that both children with autism and LPS-exposed rat model of autism exhibited lower SCFA concentrations and overactivation of HPA axis. SCFA-producing bacteria, Lactobacillus, might be the key differential microbiota between the control and LPS-exposed offspring. Interestingly, NaB treatment contributed to the regulation of HPA axis (such as corticosterone as well as CRHR2) and improvement of anxiety and social deficit behaviors in LPS-exposed offspring. The potential underlying mechanism of the ameliorative effect of NaB may be mediated via increasing histone acetylation to the CRHR2 promoter. These results enhance our understanding of the relationship between the SCFAs and the HPA axis in the development of ASD. And gut microbiota-derived SCFAs may serve as a potential therapeutic agent to neurodevelopmental disorders like ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyuan Wang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Childhood Nutrition and Health, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhujun Sun
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Childhood Nutrition and Health, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing, China
| | - Ting Yang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Childhood Nutrition and Health, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing, China
| | - Fang Lin
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Childhood Nutrition and Health, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing, China
| | - Shasha Ye
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Childhood Nutrition and Health, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing, China
| | - Junyan Yan
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Childhood Nutrition and Health, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing, China
| | - Tingyu Li
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Childhood Nutrition and Health, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Childhood Nutrition and Health, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing, China
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He Q, Wang Y, Liu Z, Xia J, Yin H, Qiu Z, Wang H, Xu W, Xu Z, Xie J. Analysis of salivary steroid hormones in boys with autism spectrum disorder. BMC Psychiatry 2023; 23:105. [PMID: 36788524 PMCID: PMC9926760 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-04586-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with high incidence rate and difficult diagnosis. The purpose of this study was to explore whether salivary cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and pregnenolone can be used as biomarkers of ASD children. METHODS The saliva samples of 55 boys with ASD were collected as the experimental group, and the saliva samples of 24 neurotypical boys were collected as the control group. The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC), Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS), Repetitive Behavior Scale (RBS) were used to assess the severity of symptoms in boys with ASD. Cortisol, DHEA and pregnenolone concentrations in saliva were measured using an ABSSCIEX QTRAP® 6500 + LC/MS/MS system. SPSS 23.0 was used for statistical analysis. Comparisons between the two groups which conform to normal distribution were performed by T-test, and those which don't conform to normal distribution were performed by Mann-Whitney U test. Correlation analysis between two variables was performed using Spearman's correlation analysis. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis was performed to evaluate the discriminatory sensitivity of each hormone between ASD and normal control groups. Logistic regression models were used to analyze whether DHEA and salivary pregnenolone can be used as a biomarker of ASD. RESULTS There were no significant differences in age, and weight between the ASD group and the normal control group. The ABC, SRS, RBS and CBCL scale scores in the ASD group were significantly higher than those in the normal control group. The salivary DHEA and pregnenolone concentrations in the ASD group were significantly higher than those in the normal control group, but there was no significant difference in cortisol. Spearman's correlation analysis showed that only pregnenolone associated with ABC. Logistic regression model analysis suggested that pregnenolone in saliva was an independent predictor of ASD. ROC analysis found that pregnenolone had good discrimination sensitivity between ASD and normal controls. CONCLUSION Gave salivary preoperative a space for utilization as biomarker as number of cases are limited to this high expectation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing He
- grid.410578.f0000 0001 1114 4286Department of Pediatrics, School of Clinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000 China ,Guangyuan Central Hospital, Guangyuan, 628000 China
| | - Ying Wang
- Deyang Jingyang Maternal and Child Health Care and Family Planning Service Center, Deyang, 618000 China
| | - Zhichao Liu
- grid.460068.c0000 0004 1757 9645Chengdu Third People’s Hospital, Qinglong Street, Qingyang District, Chengdu, 610031 Sichuan China
| | - Jinrong Xia
- grid.460068.c0000 0004 1757 9645Chengdu Third People’s Hospital, Qinglong Street, Qingyang District, Chengdu, 610031 Sichuan China
| | - Heng Yin
- grid.460068.c0000 0004 1757 9645Chengdu Third People’s Hospital, Qinglong Street, Qingyang District, Chengdu, 610031 Sichuan China
| | - Zhongqing Qiu
- grid.460068.c0000 0004 1757 9645Chengdu Third People’s Hospital, Qinglong Street, Qingyang District, Chengdu, 610031 Sichuan China
| | - Hui Wang
- grid.460068.c0000 0004 1757 9645Chengdu Third People’s Hospital, Qinglong Street, Qingyang District, Chengdu, 610031 Sichuan China
| | - Wenming Xu
- grid.461863.e0000 0004 1757 9397West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041 China
| | - Zhe Xu
- Guangyuan Central Hospital, Guangyuan, 628000 China
| | - Jiang Xie
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Clinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China. .,Chengdu Third People's Hospital, Qinglong Street, Qingyang District, Chengdu, 610031, Sichuan, China.
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Goeke CM, Zhang X, Hashimoto JG, Guizzetti M. Astrocyte tissue plasminogen activator expression during brain development and its role in pyramidal neuron neurite outgrowth. Neurosci Lett 2022; 769:136422. [PMID: 34968722 PMCID: PMC8818278 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2021.136422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The serine protease tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), encoded by the gene Plat, exerts a wide range of proteolysis-dependent and proteolysis-independent functions. In the developing brain, tPA is involved in neuronal development via the modulation of the proteolytic degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Both lack of and excessive tPA are associated with neurodevelopmental disorders and with brain pathology. Astrocytes play a major role in neurite outgrowth of developing neurons as they are major producers of ECM proteins and ECM proteases. In this study we investigated the expression of Plat in developing and mature hippocampal and cortical astrocytes of Aldh1l1-EGFP-Rpl10a mice in vivo following Translating Ribosome Affinity Purification (TRAP) and the role of tPA in modulating astrocyte-mediated neurite outgrowth in an in vitro astrocyte-neuron co-culture system. We show that Plat is highly enriched in astrocytes in the developing, but not in the mature, hippocampus and cortex. Both the silencing of tPA expression in astrocytes and astrocyte exposure to recombinant tPA reduce neuritogenesis in co-cultured hippocampal neurons. These results suggest that astrocyte tPA is involved in modulating neuronal development and that tight control of astrocyte tPA expression is important for normal neuronal development, with both experimentally elevated and reduced levels of this proteolytic enzyme impairing neurite outgrowth. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the ECM, by serving as adhesive substrate, enables neurite outgrowth, but that controlled proteolysis of the ECM is needed for growth cone advancement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Calla M Goeke
- V.A. Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR 97239, USA; Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Xiaolu Zhang
- V.A. Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR 97239, USA; Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Joel G Hashimoto
- V.A. Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR 97239, USA; Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Marina Guizzetti
- V.A. Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR 97239, USA; Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA.
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Gao J, Zou J, Yang L, Zhao J, Wang L, Liu T, Fan X. Alteration of peripheral cortisol and autism spectrum disorder: A meta-analysis. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:928188. [PMID: 35911217 PMCID: PMC9334910 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.928188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cortisol is the main HPA axis hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex, and influences metabolism, cognition, and behavior. Recently, a plethora of studies have tried to confirm the correlation between peripheral cortisol and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the results were controversial. We assessed the effects of peripheral cortisol on ASD in this study. The included studies were identified according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The pooled Hedges' g and its 95% confidence interval were selected to evaluate the association between peripheral cortisol and ASD. Subgroup analyses, sensitivity analyses, meta-regression, and publication bias tests were also undertaken based on the obtained information. There were a total of twelve studies with 375 ASD patients and 335 controls included in our meta-analysis. Obvious heterogeneity across studies was found in the overall analysis. Peripheral cortisol levels were significantly elevated in ASD patients compared with controls in the absence of obvious heterogeneity. A single study did not influence the overall comparison results. Meta-regression analyses revealed that age and gender of the included subjects, sample size, and publication year did not moderate effects on the present results. These findings may provide us some targeted strategies to the diagnosis and treatment of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junwei Gao
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jiao Zou
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ling Yang
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jinghui Zhao
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lian Wang
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Tianyao Liu
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaotang Fan
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
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