1
|
Lu M, Dai S, Dai G, Wang T, Zhang S, Wei L, Luo M, Zhou X, Wang H, Xu D. Dexamethasone induces developmental axon damage in the offspring hippocampus by activating miR-210-3p/miR-362-5p to target the aberrant expression of Sonic Hedgehog. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 226:116330. [PMID: 38815627 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
Given the extensive application of dexamethasone in both clinical settings and the livestock industry, human exposure to this drug can occur through various sources and pathways. Prior research has indicated that prenatal exposure to dexamethasone (PDE) heightens the risk of cognitive and emotional disorders in offspring. Axonal development impairment is a frequent pathological underpinning for neuronal dysfunction in these disorders, yet it remains unclear if it plays a role in the neural damage induced by PDE in the offspring. Through RNA-seq and bioinformatics analysis, we found that various signaling pathways related to nervous system development, including axonal development, were altered in the hippocampus of PDE offspring. Among them, the Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) signaling pathway was the most significantly altered and crucial for axonal development. By using miRNA-seq and targeting miRNAs and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) expression, we identified miR-210-3p and miR-362-5p, which can target and suppress SHH expression. Their abnormal high expression was associated with GR activation in PDE fetal rats. Further testing of PDE offspring rats and infant peripheral blood samples exposed to dexamethasone in utero showed that SHH expression was significantly decreased in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and was positively correlated with SHH expression in the hippocampus and the expression of the axonal development marker growth-associated protein-43. In summary, PDE-induced hippocampal GR-miR-210-3p/miR-362-5p-SHH signaling axis changes lead to axonal developmental damage. SHH expression in PBMCs may reflect axonal developmental damage in PDE offspring and could serve as a warning marker for fetal axonal developmental damage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mengxi Lu
- Department of Obstetric, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Shiyun Dai
- Department of Obstetric, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Clinical Research for Cardiovascular Medications, Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Gaole Dai
- Department of Obstetric, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Tingting Wang
- Department of Obstetric, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Shuai Zhang
- Department of Obstetric, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Liyi Wei
- Department of Obstetric, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Mingcui Luo
- Department of Obstetric, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Xinli Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Dan Xu
- Department of Obstetric, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan 430071, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Sánchez-Hidalgo AC, Martín-Cuevas C, Crespo-Facorro B, Garrido-Torres N. Reelin Alterations, Behavioral Phenotypes, and Brain Anomalies in Schizophrenia: A Systematic Review of Insights From Rodent Models. Front Neuroanat 2022; 16:844737. [PMID: 35401125 PMCID: PMC8986979 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2022.844737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Reelin is an extracellular matrix glycoprotein reduced in brain regions (the prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus) of patients with schizophrenia. There are diverse rodent models of schizophrenia that mimic patient symptoms based on various causal theories; however, likely shared reelin alterations have not yet been systematically assessed in those models. A systematic review of the literature was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) model. Articles focused on psychotic disorders or schizophrenia and their relationship with reelin in rodent models were selected. Data (first author, publication year, results, both open field and prepulse inhibition test results, and type of reelin alteration) were extracted in duplicate by two independent reviewers. The 37 reviewed articles reported about various schizophrenia models and their reelin alterations, brain morphology, and behavioral defects. We conclude that reelin is an altered preclinical biomarker common to all models included, mainly prenatal or genetic models, and a key protein in schizophrenia disease, making the reelin signaling pathway in prenatal stages a target of special interest for future preclinical and clinical studies. All models presented at least one of the four described reelin alteration types. Systematic Review Registration: [https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42021210568], identifier [CRD42021210568].
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana C. Sánchez-Hidalgo
- Spanish Network for Research in Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
- Seville Biomedical Research Centre (IBiS), Seville, Spain
| | - Celia Martín-Cuevas
- Spanish Network for Research in Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
- Seville Biomedical Research Centre (IBiS), Seville, Spain
| | - Benedicto Crespo-Facorro
- Spanish Network for Research in Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
- Seville Biomedical Research Centre (IBiS), Seville, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University Hospital Virgen del Rocío-IBiS, Seville, Spain
- *Correspondence: Benedicto Crespo-Facorro,
| | - Nathalia Garrido-Torres
- Spanish Network for Research in Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
- Seville Biomedical Research Centre (IBiS), Seville, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University Hospital Virgen del Rocío-IBiS, Seville, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Despotovski V, Vivekanandarajah A, Waters KA, Machaalani R. Early Postnatal Exposure to Intermittent Hypercapnic Hypoxia (IHH), but Not Nicotine, Decreases Reelin in the Young Piglet Hippocampus. Neurotox Res 2022; 40:1859-1868. [PMID: 36322363 PMCID: PMC9797456 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-022-00598-0] [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: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
This study evaluated the expression of reelin, an extracellular protein involved in lamination and migration of neurons, in the hippocampus of young piglets, and quantified to examine the following: (i) baseline levels within layers of the hippocampus and dentate gyrus (DG); (ii) differences between ventral and dorsal hippocampi; and (iii) changes attributable to postnatal exposure to continuous nicotine for 12 days, or intermittent hypercapnic hypoxia (IHH), with further analysis according to duration of IHH (1 vs 4 days). Additionally, we analysed whether any exposure altered DG morphology and whether it is related to altered reelin expression. Reelin was visualised via immunohistochemistry, and the number of positive reelin cells/mm2 was measured in the CA4/Hilus, layers of the DG, and the CA1. The dorsal DG had significantly more reelin within the subgranular zone compared to the ventral DG (p < 0.01). There was no difference in reelin between nicotine (n = 5) and controls (n = 5). IHH exposed piglets (n = 10) had significantly lowered reelin in the CA1 (p = 0.05), specifically the stratum pyramidale (p = 0.04) and the hippocampal fissure (p = 0.02), compared to their controls (n = 7); the duration of IHH had no effect. No exposure was associated with an alteration in DG morphology. This study shows that postnatal IHH exposure decreased reelin expression in the developing piglet hippocampal CA1, suggesting that IHH may result in altered neuronal migration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Despotovski
- grid.1013.30000 0004 1936 834XDiscipline of Science, Life and Environmental Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW Australia
| | - Arunnjah Vivekanandarajah
- grid.1013.30000 0004 1936 834XDiscipline of Medicine, Central Clinical School, Children’s Hospital at Westmead Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW Australia
| | - Karen A. Waters
- grid.1013.30000 0004 1936 834XDiscipline of Medicine, Central Clinical School, Children’s Hospital at Westmead Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW Australia ,grid.1013.30000 0004 1936 834XDiscipline of Child and Adolescent Health, Children’s Hospital at Westmead Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW Australia
| | - Rita Machaalani
- grid.1013.30000 0004 1936 834XDiscipline of Medicine, Central Clinical School, Children’s Hospital at Westmead Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW Australia ,grid.1013.30000 0004 1936 834XDiscipline of Child and Adolescent Health, Children’s Hospital at Westmead Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW Australia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
The Reeler Mouse: A Translational Model of Human Neurological Conditions, or Simply a Good Tool for Better Understanding Neurodevelopment? J Clin Med 2019; 8:jcm8122088. [PMID: 31805691 PMCID: PMC6947477 DOI: 10.3390/jcm8122088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The first description of the Reeler mutation in mouse dates to more than fifty years ago, and later, its causative gene (reln) was discovered in mouse, and its human orthologue (RELN) was demonstrated to be causative of lissencephaly 2 (LIS2) and about 20% of the cases of autosomal-dominant lateral temporal epilepsy (ADLTE). In both human and mice, the gene encodes for a glycoprotein referred to as reelin (Reln) that plays a primary function in neuronal migration during development and synaptic stabilization in adulthood. Besides LIS2 and ADLTE, RELN and/or other genes coding for the proteins of the Reln intracellular cascade have been associated substantially to other conditions such as spinocerebellar ataxia type 7 and 37, VLDLR-associated cerebellar hypoplasia, PAFAH1B1-associated lissencephaly, autism, and schizophrenia. According to their modalities of inheritances and with significant differences among each other, these neuropsychiatric disorders can be modeled in the homozygous (reln−/−) or heterozygous (reln+/−) Reeler mouse. The worth of these mice as translational models is discussed, with focus on their construct and face validity. Description of face validity, i.e., the resemblance of phenotypes between the two species, centers onto the histological, neurochemical, and functional observations in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum of Reeler mice and their human counterparts.
Collapse
|
5
|
Sexually Dimorphic Expression of Reelin in the Brain of a Mouse Model of Alzheimer Disease. J Mol Neurosci 2016; 61:359-367. [PMID: 27866325 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-016-0865-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2016] [Accepted: 11/11/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Recent evidence highlights the protective role of reelin against amyloid β (Aβ)-induced synaptic dysfunction and cognitive impairment in Alzheimer disease (AD). In this study, exploiting TgCRND8 mice that overexpress a mutant form of amyloid β precursor protein (AβPP) and display an early onset of AD neuropathological signs, we addressed the question whether changes of reelin expression eventually precede the appearance of Aβ-plaques in a sex-dependent manner. We show that sex-associated and brain region-specific differences in reelin expression appear long before Aβ-plaque formation. However, in spite of a downregulation of reelin expression compared to males, TgCRND8 females display fewer Aβ-plaques, suggesting that additional factors, other than sex and reelin level, influence amyloidosis in this mouse model.
Collapse
|
6
|
Nicotine Significantly Improves Chronic Stress-Induced Impairments of Cognition and Synaptic Plasticity in Mice. Mol Neurobiol 2016; 54:4644-4658. [DOI: 10.1007/s12035-016-0012-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2016] [Accepted: 07/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
|
7
|
Mullen BR, Ross B, Chou JW, Khankan R, Khialeeva E, Bui K, Carpenter EM. A Complex Interaction Between Reduced Reelin Expression and Prenatal Organophosphate Exposure Alters Neuronal Cell Morphology. ASN Neuro 2016; 8:8/3/1759091416656253. [PMID: 27364165 PMCID: PMC4962342 DOI: 10.1177/1759091416656253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2015] [Accepted: 05/11/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic and environmental factors are both likely to contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders including schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorders, and major depressive disorders. Prior studies from our laboratory and others have demonstrated that the combinatorial effect of two factors—reduced expression of reelin protein and prenatal exposure to the organophosphate pesticide chlorpyrifos oxon—gives rise to acute biochemical effects and to morphological and behavioral phenotypes in adolescent and young adult mice. In the current study, we examine the consequences of these factors on reelin protein expression and neuronal cell morphology in adult mice. While the cell populations that express reelin in the adult brain appear unchanged in location and distribution, the levels of full length and cleaved reelin protein show persistent reductions following prenatal exposure to chlorpyrifos oxon. Cell positioning and organization in the hippocampus and cerebellum are largely normal in animals with either reduced reelin expression or prenatal exposure to chlorpyrifos oxon, but cellular complexity and dendritic spine organization is altered, with a skewed distribution of immature dendritic spines in adult animals. Paradoxically, combinatorial exposure to both factors appears to generate a rescue of the dendritic spine phenotypes, similar to the mitigation of behavioral and morphological changes observed in our prior study. Together, our observations support an interaction between reelin expression and chlorpyrifos oxon exposure that is not simply additive, suggesting a complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors in regulating brain morphology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brian R Mullen
- Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Brennan Ross
- Neuroscience Interdepartmental Program, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Joan Wang Chou
- Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Rana Khankan
- Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Elvira Khialeeva
- Molecular Biology Interdepartmental Program, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Kimberly Bui
- Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ellen M Carpenter
- Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA Neuroscience Interdepartmental Program, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA Molecular Biology Interdepartmental Program, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Science, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Mice that lack the C-terminal region of Reelin exhibit behavioral abnormalities related to neuropsychiatric disorders. Sci Rep 2016; 6:28636. [PMID: 27346785 PMCID: PMC4921851 DOI: 10.1038/srep28636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2016] [Accepted: 06/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The secreted glycoprotein Reelin is believed to play critical roles in the pathogenesis of several neuropsychiatric disorders. The highly basic C-terminal region (CTR) of Reelin is necessary for efficient activation of its downstream signaling, and the brain structure of knock-in mice that lack the CTR (ΔC-KI mice) is impaired. Here, we performed a comprehensive behavioral test battery on ΔC-KI mice, in order to evaluate the effects of partial loss-of-function of Reelin on brain functions. The ΔC-KI mice were hyperactive and exhibited reduced anxiety-like and social behaviors. The working memory in ΔC-KI mice was impaired in a T-maze test. There was little difference in spatial reference memory, depression-like behavior, prepulse inhibition, or fear memory between ΔC-KI and wild-type mice. These results suggest that CTR-dependent Reelin functions are required for some specific normal brain functions and that ΔC-KI mice recapitulate some aspects of neuropsychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and autism spectrum disorder.
Collapse
|
9
|
Nullmeier S, Panther P, Frotscher M, Zhao S, Schwegler H. Alterations in the hippocampal and striatal catecholaminergic fiber densities of heterozygous reeler mice. Neuroscience 2014; 275:404-19. [PMID: 24969133 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2014.06.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2014] [Revised: 06/12/2014] [Accepted: 06/15/2014] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The heterozygous reeler mouse (HRM), haploinsufficient for reelin, shares several neurochemical and behavioral similarities with patients suffering from schizophrenia. It has been shown that defective reelin signaling influences the mesolimbic dopaminergic pathways in a specific manner. However, there is only little information about the impact of reelin haploinsufficiency on the monoaminergic innervation of different brain areas, known to be involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. In the present study using immunocytochemical procedures, we investigated HRM and wild-type mice (WT) for differences in the densities of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-immunoreactive (IR) and serotonin (5-HT)-IR fibers in prefrontal cortex, ventral and dorsal hippocampal formation, amygdala and ventral and dorsal striatum. We found that HRM, compared to WT, shows a significant increase in TH-IR fiber densities in dorsal hippocampal CA1, CA3 and ventral CA1. In contrast, HRM exhibits a significant decrease of TH-IR in the shell of the nucleus accumbens (AcbShell), but no differences in the other brain areas investigated. Overall, no genotype differences were found in the 5-HT-IR fiber densities. In conclusion, these results support the view that reelin haploinsufficiency differentially influences the catecholaminergic (esp. dopaminergic) systems in brain areas associated with schizophrenia. The reelin haploinsufficient mouse may provide a useful model for studying the role of reelin in hippocampal dysfunction and its effect on the dopaminergic system as related to schizophrenia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Nullmeier
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Magdeburg, Leipziger Straße 44, D-39120 Magdeburg, Germany.
| | - P Panther
- Department of Stereotactic Neurosurgery, University Hospital of Magdeburg, Leipziger Straße 44, D-39120 Magdeburg, Germany.
| | - M Frotscher
- Institute for Structural Neurobiology, Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg (ZMNH), Martinistrasse 52, D-20246 Hamburg, Germany.
| | - S Zhao
- Institute for Structural Neurobiology, Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg (ZMNH), Martinistrasse 52, D-20246 Hamburg, Germany.
| | - H Schwegler
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Magdeburg, Leipziger Straße 44, D-39120 Magdeburg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Cendelin J. From mice to men: lessons from mutant ataxic mice. CEREBELLUM & ATAXIAS 2014; 1:4. [PMID: 26331028 PMCID: PMC4549131 DOI: 10.1186/2053-8871-1-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2014] [Accepted: 04/21/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Ataxic mutant mice can be used to represent models of cerebellar degenerative disorders. They serve for investigation of cerebellar function, pathogenesis of degenerative processes as well as of therapeutic approaches. Lurcher, Hot-foot, Purkinje cell degeneration, Nervous, Staggerer, Weaver, Reeler, and Scrambler mouse models and mouse models of SCA1, SCA2, SCA3, SCA6, SCA7, SCA23, DRPLA, Niemann-Pick disease and Friedreich ataxia are reviewed with special regard to cerebellar pathology, pathogenesis, functional changes and possible therapeutic influences, if any. Finally, benefits and limitations of mouse models are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jan Cendelin
- Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University in Prague, Lidicka 1, 301 66 Plzen, Czech Republic ; Biomedical Centre, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University in Prague, Plzen, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Romano E, De Angelis F, Ulbrich L, De Jaco A, Fuso A, Laviola G. Nicotine exposure during adolescence: cognitive performance and brain gene expression in adult heterozygous reeler mice. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2014; 231:1775-87. [PMID: 24337025 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-013-3388-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2013] [Accepted: 11/30/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE We have recently reported nicotine-induced stimulation of reelin and glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 (GAD67) mRNA expression levels in the brain of heterozygous reeler mice (HRM), a putative animal model for the study of symptoms relevant to major behavioral disorders. OBJECTIVES We aimed to evaluate long-term behavioral effects and brain molecular changes as a result of adaptations to nicotine exposure in the developing HRM males. METHODS Adolescent mice (pnd 37-42) were exposed to oral nicotine (10 mg/l) in a 6-day free-choice drinking schedule. As expected, no differences in total nicotine intake between WT (wild-type) mice and HRM were found. RESULTS Long-term behavioral effects and brain molecular changes, as a consequence of nicotine exposure during adolescence, were only evidenced in HRM. Indeed, HRM perseverative exploratory behavior and poor cognitive performance were modulated to WT levels by subchronic exposure to nicotine during development. Furthermore, the expected reduction in the expression of mRNA of reelin and GAD67 in behaviorally relevant brain areas of HRM appeared persistently restored by nicotine. For brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA expression, no genotype-dependent changes appeared. However, expression levels were increased by previous nicotine in brains from both genotypes. The mRNA encoding for nicotine receptor subunits (α7, β2 and α4) did not differ between genotypes and as a result of previous nicotine exposure. CONCLUSION These findings support the hypothesis of pre-existing vulnerability (based on haploinsufficiency of reelin) to brain and behavioral disorders and regulative short- and long-term effects associated with nicotine modulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emilia Romano
- Section of Behavioural Neuroscience, Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Michetti C, Romano E, Altabella L, Caruso A, Castelluccio P, Bedse G, Gaetani S, Canese R, Laviola G, Scattoni ML. Mapping pathological phenotypes in reelin mutant mice. Front Pediatr 2014; 2:95. [PMID: 25237666 PMCID: PMC4154529 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2014.00095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2014] [Accepted: 08/21/2014] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are neurodevelopmental disorders with multifactorial origin characterized by social communication deficits and the presence of repetitive behaviors/interests. Several studies showed an association between the reelin gene mutation and increased risk of ASD and a reduced reelin expression in some brain regions of ASD subjects, suggesting a role for reelin deficiency in ASD etiology. Reelin is a large extracellular matrix glycoprotein playing important roles during development of the central nervous system. To deeply investigate the role of reelin dysfunction as vulnerability factor in ASD, we assessed the behavioral, neurochemical, and brain morphological features of reeler male mice. We recently reported a genotype-dependent deviation in the ultrasonic vocal repertoire and a general delay in motor development of reeler pups. We now report that adult male heterozygous (Het) reeler mice did not show social behavior and communication deficits during male-female social interactions. Wildtype and Het mice showed a typical light/dark locomotor activity profile, with a peak during the central interval of the dark phase. However, when faced with a mild stressful stimulus (a saline injection) only Het mice showed an over response to stress. In addition to the behavioral studies, we conducted high performance liquid chromatography and magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy to investigate whether reelin mutation influences brain monoamine and metabolites levels in regions involved in ASD. Low levels of dopamine in cortex and high levels of glutamate and taurine in hippocampus were detected in Het mice, in line with clinical data collected on ASD children. Altogether, our data detected subtle but relevant neurochemical abnormalities in reeler mice supporting this mutant line, particularly male subjects, as a valid experimental model to estimate the contribution played by reelin deficiency in the global ASD neurobehavioral phenotype.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Michetti
- Neurotoxicology and Neuroendocrinology Section, Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità , Rome , Italy ; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "V. Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome , Rome , Italy
| | - Emilia Romano
- Behavioural Neuroscience Section, Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità , Rome , Italy ; Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Istituto Di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico , Rome , Italy
| | - Luisa Altabella
- Molecular and Cellular Imaging Section, Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità , Rome , Italy
| | - Angela Caruso
- Neurotoxicology and Neuroendocrinology Section, Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità , Rome , Italy ; Department of Psychology, School of Behavioural Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome , Rome , Italy
| | - Paolo Castelluccio
- Neurotoxicology and Neuroendocrinology Section, Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità , Rome , Italy
| | - Gaurav Bedse
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "V. Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome , Rome , Italy
| | - Silvana Gaetani
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "V. Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome , Rome , Italy
| | - Rossella Canese
- Molecular and Cellular Imaging Section, Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità , Rome , Italy
| | - Giovanni Laviola
- Behavioural Neuroscience Section, Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità , Rome , Italy
| | - Maria Luisa Scattoni
- Neurotoxicology and Neuroendocrinology Section, Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità , Rome , Italy
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Characterization of neonatal vocal and motor repertoire of reelin mutant mice. PLoS One 2013; 8:e64407. [PMID: 23700474 PMCID: PMC3660261 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0064407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2012] [Accepted: 04/12/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Reelin is a large secreted extracellular matrix glycoprotein playing an important role in early neurodevelopment. Several genetic studies found an association between RELN gene and increased risk of autism suggesting that reelin deficiency may be a vulnerability factor in its etiology. Moreover, a reduced reelin expression has been observed in several brain regions of subjects with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Since a number of reports have documented presence of vocal and neuromotor abnormalities in patients with autism and suggested that these dysfunctions predate the onset of the syndrome, we performed a fine-grain characterization of the neonatal vocal and motor repertoire in reelin mutant mice to explore the developmental precursors of the disorder. Our findings evidence a general delay in motor and vocal development in heterozygous (50% reduced reelin) and reeler (lacking reelin gene) mutant mice. As a whole, an increased number of calls characterized heterozygous pup's emission. Furthermore, the typical ontogenetic peak in the number of calls characterizing wild-type pups on postnatal day 4 appeared slightly delayed in heterozygous pups (to day 6) and was quite absent in reeler littermates, which exhibited a flat profile during development. We also detected a preferential use of a specific call category (two-components) by heterozygous and reeler mice at postnatal days 6 and 8 as compared to their wild-type littermates. With regard to the analysis of spontaneous movements, a differential profile emerged early in development among the three genotypes. While only slight coordination difficulties are exhibited by heterozygous pups, all indices of motor development appear delayed in reeler mice. Overall, our results evidence a genotype-dependent deviation in ultrasonic vocal repertoire and a general delay in motor development in reelin mutant pups.
Collapse
|