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Xie L, Li H, Xiao M, Chen N, Zang X, Liu Y, Ye H, Tang C. Epigenetic insights into Fragile X Syndrome. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1432444. [PMID: 39220684 PMCID: PMC11362040 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1432444] [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: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is a genetic neurodevelopmental disorder closely associated with intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorders. The core of the disease lies in the abnormal expansion of the CGG trinucleotide repeat sequence at the 5'end of the FMR1 gene. When the repetition exceeds 200 times, it causes the silencing of the FMR1 gene, leading to the absence of the encoded Fragile X mental retardation protein 1 (FMRP). Although the detailed mechanism by which the CGG repeat expansion triggers gene silencing is yet to be fully elucidated, it is known that this process does not alter the promoter region or the coding sequence of the FMR1 gene. This discovery provides a scientific basis for the potential reversal of FMR1 gene silencing through interventional approaches, thereby improving the symptoms of FXS. Epigenetics, a mechanism of genetic regulation that does not depend on changes in the DNA sequence, has become a new focus in FXS research by modulating gene expression in a reversible manner. The latest progress in molecular genetics has revealed that epigenetics plays a key role in the pathogenesis and pathophysiological processes of FXS. This article compiles the existing research findings on the role of epigenetics in Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) with the aim of deepening the understanding of the pathogenesis of FXS to identify potential targets for new therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liangqun Xie
- The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First College of Clinical Medical Science, Yichang Central People’s Hospital, Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, China
| | - Huiying Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First College of Clinical Medical Science, Yichang Central People’s Hospital, Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, China
| | - MengLiang Xiao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First College of Clinical Medical Science, Yichang Central People’s Hospital, Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, China
| | - Ningjing Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First College of Clinical Medical Science, Yichang Central People’s Hospital, Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Zang
- The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Yingying Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First College of Clinical Medical Science, Yichang Central People’s Hospital, Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, China
| | - Hong Ye
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First College of Clinical Medical Science, Yichang Central People’s Hospital, Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, China
| | - Chaogang Tang
- The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
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2
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Karimi Z, Zarifkar A, Mirzaei E, Dianatpour M, Dara M, Aligholi H. Therapeutic effects of nanosilibinin in valproic acid-zebrafish model of autism spectrum disorder: Focusing on Wnt signaling pathway and autism spectrum disorder-related cytokines. Int J Dev Neurosci 2024; 84:454-468. [PMID: 38961588 DOI: 10.1002/jdn.10348] [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: 07/22/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024] Open
Abstract
In this study, we delved into the intricate world of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and its connection to the disturbance in the Wnt signaling pathway and immunological abnormalities. Our aim was to evaluate the impact of silibinin, a remarkable modulator of both the Wnt signaling pathway and the immune system, on the neurobehavioral and molecular patterns observed in a zebrafish model of ASD induced by valproic acid (VPA). Because silibinin is a hydrophobic molecule and highly insoluble in water, it was used in the form of silibinin nanoparticles (nanosilibinin, NS). After assessing survival, hatching rate, and morphology of zebrafish larvae exposed to different concentrations of NS, the appropriate concentrations were chosen. Then, zebrafish embryos were exposed to VPA (1 μM) and NS (100 and 200 μM) at the same time for 120 h. Next, anxiety and inattentive behaviors and the expression of CHD8, CTNNB, GSK3beta, LRP6, TNFalpha, IL1beta, and BDNF genes were assessed 7 days post fertilization. The results indicated that higher concentrations of NS had adverse effects on survival, hatching, and morphological development. The concentrations of 100 and 200 μM of NS could ameliorate the anxiety-like behavior and learning deficit and decrease ASD-related cytokines (IL1beta and TNFalpha) in VPA-treated larvae. In addition, only 100 μM of NS prevented raising the gene expression of Wnt signaling-related factors (CHD8, CTNNB, GSK3beta, and LRP6). In conclusion, NS treatment for the first 120 h showed therapeutic effect on an autism-like phenotype probably via reducing the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines genes and changing the expression of Wnt signaling components genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Karimi
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Advanced Medical Science and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Asadollah Zarifkar
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Esmaeil Mirzaei
- Department of Medical Nanotechnology, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mehdi Dianatpour
- Stem Cell Technology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mahintaj Dara
- Stem Cell Technology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Hadi Aligholi
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Advanced Medical Science and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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3
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Duan K, Eyler L, Pierce K, Lombardo MV, Datko M, Hagler DJ, Taluja V, Zahiri J, Campbell K, Barnes CC, Arias S, Nalabolu S, Troxel J, Ji P, Courchesne E. Differences in regional brain structure in toddlers with autism are related to future language outcomes. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5075. [PMID: 38871689 PMCID: PMC11176156 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48952-4] [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: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Language and social symptoms improve with age in some autistic toddlers, but not in others, and such outcome differences are not clearly predictable from clinical scores alone. Here we aim to identify early-age brain alterations in autism that are prognostic of future language ability. Leveraging 372 longitudinal structural MRI scans from 166 autistic toddlers and 109 typical toddlers and controlling for brain size, we find that, compared to typical toddlers, autistic toddlers show differentially larger or thicker temporal and fusiform regions; smaller or thinner inferior frontal lobe and midline structures; larger callosal subregion volume; and smaller cerebellum. Most differences are replicated in an independent cohort of 75 toddlers. These brain alterations improve accuracy for predicting language outcome at 6-month follow-up beyond intake clinical and demographic variables. Temporal, fusiform, and inferior frontal alterations are related to autism symptom severity and cognitive impairments at early intake ages. Among autistic toddlers, brain alterations in social, language and face processing areas enhance the prediction of the child's future language ability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuaikuai Duan
- Autism Center of Excellence, Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA.
| | - Lisa Eyler
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- VISN 22 Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, 92161, USA
| | - Karen Pierce
- Autism Center of Excellence, Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Michael V Lombardo
- Laboratory for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems @UniTn, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rovereto, 38068, Italy
| | - Michael Datko
- Autism Center of Excellence, Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Donald J Hagler
- Center for Multimodal Imaging and Genetics, Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Vani Taluja
- Autism Center of Excellence, Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Javad Zahiri
- Autism Center of Excellence, Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Kathleen Campbell
- Autism Center of Excellence, Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Cynthia Carter Barnes
- Autism Center of Excellence, Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Steven Arias
- Autism Center of Excellence, Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Srinivasa Nalabolu
- Autism Center of Excellence, Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Jaden Troxel
- Autism Center of Excellence, Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Peng Ji
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Eric Courchesne
- Autism Center of Excellence, Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA.
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Juarez P, Salcedo-Arellano MJ, Dufour B, Martinez-Cerdeño V. Fragile X cortex is characterized by decreased parvalbumin-expressing interneurons. Cereb Cortex 2024; 34:bhae103. [PMID: 38521994 PMCID: PMC10960956 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhae103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome is a genetic neurodevelopmental disorder caused by a mutation of the fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein 1 (FMR1) gene in the X chromosome. Many fragile X syndrome cases present with autism spectrum disorder and fragile X syndrome cases account for up to 5% of all autism spectrum disorder cases. The cellular composition of the fragile X syndrome cortex is not well known. We evaluated alterations in the number of Calbindin, Calretinin, and Parvalbumin expressing interneurons across 5 different cortical areas, medial prefrontal cortex (BA46), primary somatosensory cortex (BA3), primary motor cortex (BA4), superior temporal cortex (BA22), and anterior cingulate cortex (BA24) of fragile X syndrome and neurotypical brains. Compared with neurotypical cases, fragile X syndrome brains displayed a significant reduction in the number of PV+ interneurons in all areas and of CR+ interneurons in BA22 and BA3. The number of CB+ interneurons did not differ. These findings are the first to demonstrate that fragile X syndrome brains are characterized by cortical wide PV+ interneuron deficits across multiple cortical areas. These add to the idea that deficits in PV+ interneurons could disrupt the cortical balance and promote clinical deficits in fragile X syndrome patients and help to develop novel therapies for neurodevelopmental disorders like fragile X syndrome and autism spectrum disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Juarez
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine; Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine and Shriners Hospitals for Children of Northern CaliforniaSacramento, CA 95817, United States
| | - Maria Jimena Salcedo-Arellano
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine; Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine and Shriners Hospitals for Children of Northern CaliforniaSacramento, CA 95817, United States
- MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, United States
| | - Brett Dufour
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine; Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine and Shriners Hospitals for Children of Northern CaliforniaSacramento, CA 95817, United States
- MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, United States
| | - Veronica Martinez-Cerdeño
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine; Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine and Shriners Hospitals for Children of Northern CaliforniaSacramento, CA 95817, United States
- MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, United States
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Maltman N, Willer R, Sterling A. An Exploratory Study of Pragmatic Language Use Across Contexts With the Pragmatic Rating Scale-School Age Among Autistic Boys and Boys With Fragile X Syndrome Plus Autism. JOURNAL OF SPEECH, LANGUAGE, AND HEARING RESEARCH : JSLHR 2023; 66:4547-4557. [PMID: 37844621 PMCID: PMC10721239 DOI: 10.1044/2023_jslhr-23-00024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Autistic boys and boys with co-occurring fragile X syndrome and autism spectrum disorder (FXS + ASD) demonstrate similar pragmatic language difficulties. The Pragmatic Rating Scale-School Age (PRS-SA) captures ecologically valid metrics of pragmatic language impairments in these populations. It is traditionally scored based on the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), which may limit the use of the PRS-SA more broadly in research and clinical contexts. METHOD This study evaluated the feasibility of the PRS-SA based on a shorter, semistructured conversational context compared to the ADOS in school-age autistic boys (n = 16) and boys with FXS + ASD (n = 16), matched on ASD traits. Differences across ADOS and conversational contexts and associations with ASD-related social difficulties were evaluated. RESULTS Findings revealed differences in PRS-SA scores between ADOS and conversational contexts, but only for the FXS + ASD group. Limited associations were observed between PRS-SA scores and ASD traits. CONCLUSIONS Results from this study indicate the feasibility of using the PRS-SA in a shorter conversational context than the ADOS to assess pragmatic language among autistic boys. For boys with FXS + ASD, contextual differences warrant careful consideration in future work.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rebecca Willer
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Wisconsin–Madison
| | - Audra Sterling
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin–Madison
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Wisconsin–Madison
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Acero-Garcés DO, Saldarriaga W, Cabal-Herrera AM, Rojas CA, Hagerman RJ. Fragile X Syndrome in children. Colomb Med (Cali) 2023; 54:e4005089. [PMID: 37664646 PMCID: PMC10469670 DOI: 10.25100/cm.v54i2.5089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2021] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome is caused by the expansion of CGG triplets in the FMR1 gene, which generates epigenetic changes that silence its expression. The absence of the protein coded by this gene, FMRP, causes cellular dysfunction, leading to impaired brain development and functional abnormalities. The physical and neurologic manifestations of the disease appear early in life and may suggest the diagnosis. However, it must be confirmed by molecular tests. It affects multiple areas of daily living and greatly burdens the affected individuals and their families. Fragile X syndrome is the most common monogenic cause of intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder; the diagnosis should be suspected in every patient with neurodevelopmental delay. Early interventions could improve the functional prognosis of patients with Fragile X syndrome, significantly impacting their quality of life and daily functioning. Therefore, healthcare for children with Fragile X syndrome should include a multidisciplinary approach.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Wilmar Saldarriaga
- Universidad del Valle, Facultad de Salud, Escuela de Medicina, Cali, Colombia
- Universidad del Valle, Facultad de Salud, Escuela de Ciencias Básicas, Cali, Colombia
| | | | - Christian A. Rojas
- Universidad del Valle, Facultad de Salud, Escuela de Medicina, Cali, Colombia
| | - Randi J. Hagerman
- University of California, Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, Sacramento, CA, USA
- Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, USA
- University of California, Department of Pediatrics, Davis, CA, USA
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7
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Duan K, Eyler L, Pierce K, Lombardo M, Datko M, Hagler D, Taluja V, Zahiri J, Campbell K, Barnes C, Arias S, Nalabolu S, Troxel J, Courchesne E. Language, Social, and Face Regions Are Affected in Toddlers with Autism and Predictive of Language Outcome. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2451837. [PMID: 36778379 PMCID: PMC9915795 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2451837/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Identifying prognostic early brain alterations is crucial for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Leveraging structural MRI data from 166 ASD and 109 typical developing (TD) toddlers and controlling for brain size, we found that, compared to TD, ASD toddlers showed larger or thicker lateral temporal regions; smaller or thinner frontal lobe and midline structures; larger callosal subregion volume; and smaller cerebellum. Most of these differences were replicated in an independent cohort of 38 ASD and 37 TD toddlers. Moreover, the identified brain alterations were related to ASD symptom severity and cognitive impairments at intake, and, remarkably, they improved the accuracy for predicting later language outcome beyond intake clinical and demographic variables. In summary, brain regions involved in language, social, and face processing were altered in ASD toddlers. These early-age brain alterations may be the result of dysregulation in multiple neural processes and stages and are promising prognostic biomarkers for future language ability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuaikuai Duan
- Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, Georgia State University
| | | | | | | | | | - Donald Hagler
- Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, USA
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Palumbo JM, Thomas BF, Budimirovic D, Siegel S, Tassone F, Hagerman R, Faulk C, O’Quinn S, Sebree T. Role of the endocannabinoid system in fragile X syndrome: potential mechanisms for benefit from cannabidiol treatment. J Neurodev Disord 2023; 15:1. [PMID: 36624400 PMCID: PMC9830713 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-023-09475-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple lines of evidence suggest a central role for the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the neuronal development and cognitive function and in the pathogenesis of fragile X syndrome (FXS). This review describes the ECS, its role in the central nervous system, how it is dysregulated in FXS, and the potential role of cannabidiol as a treatment for FXS. FXS is caused by deficiency or absence of the fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein 1 (FMR1) protein, FMRP, typically due to the presence of >200 cytosine, guanine, guanine sequence repeats leading to methylation of the FMR1 gene promoter. The absence of FMRP, following FMR1 gene-silencing, disrupts ECS signaling, which has been implicated in FXS pathogenesis. The ECS facilitates synaptic homeostasis and plasticity through the cannabinoid receptor 1, CB1, on presynaptic terminals, resulting in feedback inhibition of neuronal signaling. ECS-mediated feedback inhibition and synaptic plasticity are thought to be disrupted in FXS, leading to overstimulation, desensitization, and internalization of presynaptic CB1 receptors. Cannabidiol may help restore synaptic homeostasis by acting as a negative allosteric modulator of CB1, thereby attenuating the receptor overstimulation, desensitization, and internalization. Moreover, cannabidiol affects DNA methylation, serotonin 5HT1A signal transduction, gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor signaling, and dopamine D2 and D3 receptor signaling, which may contribute to beneficial effects in patients with FXS. Consistent with these proposed mechanisms of action of cannabidiol in FXS, in the CONNECT-FX trial the transdermal cannabidiol gel, ZYN002, was associated with improvements in measures of social avoidance, irritability, and social interaction, particularly in patients who are most affected, showing ≥90% methylation of the FMR1 gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph M. Palumbo
- grid.422480.80000 0004 8307 0679Zynerba Pharmaceuticals Inc., Devon, PA USA
| | | | - Dejan Budimirovic
- grid.240023.70000 0004 0427 667XDepartments of Psychiatry and Neurogenetics, Fragile X Clinic, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD USA ,grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences-Child Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Steven Siegel
- grid.42505.360000 0001 2156 6853Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA USA
| | - Flora Tassone
- grid.413079.80000 0000 9752 8549Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, University of California-Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA USA ,grid.413079.80000 0000 9752 8549Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California-Davis, Sacramento, CA USA
| | - Randi Hagerman
- grid.413079.80000 0000 9752 8549Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, University of California-Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA USA ,grid.27860.3b0000 0004 1936 9684Department of Pediatrics, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA USA
| | - Christopher Faulk
- grid.17635.360000000419368657Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN USA
| | - Stephen O’Quinn
- grid.422480.80000 0004 8307 0679Zynerba Pharmaceuticals Inc., Devon, PA USA
| | - Terri Sebree
- grid.422480.80000 0004 8307 0679Zynerba Pharmaceuticals Inc., Devon, PA USA
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Singh R, Kisku A, Kungumaraj H, Nagaraj V, Pal A, Kumar S, Sulakhiya K. Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Recent Update on Targeting Inflammatory Pathways with Natural Anti-Inflammatory Agents. Biomedicines 2023; 11:115. [PMID: 36672623 PMCID: PMC9856079 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11010115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous category of developmental psychiatric disorders which is characterized by inadequate social interaction, less communication, and repetitive phenotype behavior. ASD is comorbid with various types of disorders. The reported prevalence is 1% in the United Kingdom, 1.5% in the United States, and ~0.2% in India at present. The natural anti-inflammatory agents on brain development are linked to interaction with many types of inflammatory pathways affected by genetic, epigenetic, and environmental variables. Inflammatory targeting pathways have already been linked to ASD. However, these routes are diluted, and new strategies are being developed in natural anti-inflammatory medicines to treat ASD. This review summarizes the numerous preclinical and clinical studies having potential protective effects and natural anti-inflammatory agents on the developing brain during pregnancy. Inflammation during pregnancy activates the maternal infection that likely leads to the development of neuropsychiatric disorders in the offspring. The inflammatory pathways have been an effective target for the subject of translational research studies on ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramu Singh
- Neuro Pharmacology Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Amarkantak 484887, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Anglina Kisku
- Neuro Pharmacology Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Amarkantak 484887, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Haripriya Kungumaraj
- Department of Kinesiology and Health, School of Art and Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Vini Nagaraj
- Keck Center for Collaborative Neuroscience, Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08554, USA
| | - Ajay Pal
- Shriners Hospitals Pediatric Research Center (Center for Neural Rehabilitation and Repair), Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
| | - Suneel Kumar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Kunjbihari Sulakhiya
- Neuro Pharmacology Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Amarkantak 484887, Madhya Pradesh, India
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Abstract
The histories of targeted treatment trials in fragile X syndrome (FXS) are reviewed in animal studies and human trials. Advances in understanding the neurobiology of FXS have identified a number of pathways that are dysregulated in the absence of FMRP and are therefore pathways that can be targeted with new medication. The utilization of quantitative outcome measures to assess efficacy in multiple studies has improved the quality of more recent trials. Current treatment trials including the use of cannabidiol (CBD) topically and metformin orally have positive preliminary data, and both of these medications are available clinically. The use of the phosphodiesterase inhibitor (PDE4D), BPN1440, which raised the level of cAMP that is low in FXS has very promising results for improving cognition in adult males who underwent a controlled trial. There are many more targeted treatments that will undergo trials in FXS, so the future looks bright for new treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devon Johnson
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis Health, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Courtney Clark
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis Health, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Randi Hagerman
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis Health, Sacramento, CA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California Davis Health, Sacramento, CA, USA
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11
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Yang L, Xia Z, Feng J, Zhang M, Miao P, Nie Y, Zhang X, Hao Z, Hu R. Retinoic Acid Supplementation Rescues the Social Deficits in Fmr1 Knockout Mice. Front Genet 2022; 13:928393. [PMID: 35783275 PMCID: PMC9247356 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.928393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heritable neurodevelopmental disorder with the underlying etiology yet incompletely understood and no cure treatment. Patients of fragile X syndrome (FXS) also manifest symptoms, e.g. deficits in social behaviors, that are core traits with ASD. Several studies demonstrated that a mutual defect in retinoic acid (RA) signaling was observed in FXS and ASD. However, it is still unknown whether RA replenishment could pose a positive effect on autistic-like behaviors in FXS. Herein, we found that RA signaling was indeed down-regulated when the expression of FMR1 was impaired in SH-SY5Y cells. Furthermore, RA supplementation rescued the atypical social novelty behavior, but failed to alleviate the defects in sociability behavior or hyperactivity, in Fmr1 knock-out (KO) mouse model. The repetitive behavior and motor coordination appeared to be normal. The RNA sequencing results of the prefrontal cortex in Fmr1 KO mice indicated that deregulated expression of Foxp2, Tnfsf10, Lepr and other neuronal genes was restored to normal after RA treatment. Gene ontology terms of metabolic processes, extracellular matrix organization and behavioral pathways were enriched. Our findings provided a potential therapeutic intervention for social novelty defects in FXS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liqin Yang
- School of Medicine, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Zhixiong Xia
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jianhua Feng
- Department of Pediatrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Menghuan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Pu Miao
- Department of Pediatrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yingjie Nie
- School of Medicine, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Pulmonary Immune-related Diseases, Guizhou Provincial People’s Hospital, Guiyang, China
| | - Xiangyan Zhang
- School of Medicine, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Pulmonary Immune-related Diseases, Guizhou Provincial People’s Hospital, Guiyang, China
- *Correspondence: Xiangyan Zhang, ; Zijian Hao, ; Ronggui Hu,
| | - Zijian Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Xiangyan Zhang, ; Zijian Hao, ; Ronggui Hu,
| | - Ronggui Hu
- School of Medicine, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Xiangyan Zhang, ; Zijian Hao, ; Ronggui Hu,
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Protic DD, Aishworiya R, Salcedo-Arellano MJ, Tang SJ, Milisavljevic J, Mitrovic F, Hagerman RJ, Budimirovic DB. Fragile X Syndrome: From Molecular Aspect to Clinical Treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:1935. [PMID: 35216055 PMCID: PMC8875233 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23041935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by the full mutation as well as highly localized methylation of the fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene on the long arm of the X chromosome. Children with FXS are commonly co-diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, attention and learning problems, anxiety, aggressive behavior and sleep disorder, and early interventions have improved many behavior symptoms associated with FXS. In this review, we performed a literature search of original and review articles data of clinical trials and book chapters using MEDLINE (1990-2021) and ClinicalTrials.gov. While we have reviewed the biological importance of the fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP), the FXS phenotype, and current diagnosis techniques, the emphasis of this review is on clinical interventions. Early non-pharmacological interventions in combination with pharmacotherapy and targeted treatments aiming to reverse dysregulated brain pathways are the mainstream of treatment in FXS. Overall, early diagnosis and interventions are fundamental to achieve optimal clinical outcomes in FXS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dragana D. Protic
- Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11129 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Ramkumar Aishworiya
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute UCDH, University of California Davis, 2825 50th Street, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (R.A.); (M.J.S.-A.); (S.J.T.); (R.J.H.)
- Khoo Teck Puat-National University Children’s Medical Institute, National University Health System, 5 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119074, Singapore
| | - Maria Jimena Salcedo-Arellano
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute UCDH, University of California Davis, 2825 50th Street, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (R.A.); (M.J.S.-A.); (S.J.T.); (R.J.H.)
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Si Jie Tang
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute UCDH, University of California Davis, 2825 50th Street, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (R.A.); (M.J.S.-A.); (S.J.T.); (R.J.H.)
| | - Jelena Milisavljevic
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11129 Belgrade, Serbia; (J.M.); (F.M.)
| | - Filip Mitrovic
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11129 Belgrade, Serbia; (J.M.); (F.M.)
| | - Randi J. Hagerman
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute UCDH, University of California Davis, 2825 50th Street, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (R.A.); (M.J.S.-A.); (S.J.T.); (R.J.H.)
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Dejan B. Budimirovic
- Department of Psychiatry, Fragile X Clinic, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences-Child Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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Precision Autism: Genomic Stratification of Disorders Making Up the Broad Spectrum May Demystify Its "Epidemic Rates". J Pers Med 2021; 11:jpm11111119. [PMID: 34834471 PMCID: PMC8620644 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11111119] [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: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last decade, Autism has broadened and often shifted its diagnostics criteria, allowing several neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders of known etiology. This has resulted in a highly heterogeneous spectrum with apparent exponential rates in prevalence. I ask if it is possible to leverage existing genetic information about those disorders making up Autism today and use it to stratify this spectrum. To that end, I combine genes linked to Autism in the SFARI database and genomic information from the DisGeNET portal on 25 diseases, inclusive of non-neurological ones. I use the GTEx data on genes’ expression on 54 human tissues and ask if there are overlapping genes across those associated to these diseases and those from SFARI-Autism. I find a compact set of genes across all brain-disorders which express highly in tissues fundamental for somatic-sensory-motor function, self-regulation, memory, and cognition. Then, I offer a new stratification that provides a distance-based orderly clustering into possible Autism subtypes, amenable to design personalized targeted therapies within the framework of Precision Medicine. I conclude that viewing Autism through this physiological (Precision) lens, rather than viewing it exclusively from a psychological behavioral construct, may make it a more manageable condition and dispel the Autism epidemic myth.
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Gamarra M, de la Cruz A, Blanco-Urrejola M, Baleriola J. Local Translation in Nervous System Pathologies. Front Integr Neurosci 2021; 15:689208. [PMID: 34276318 PMCID: PMC8279726 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2021.689208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Dendrites and axons can extend dozens to hundreds of centimeters away from the cell body so that a single neuron can sense and respond to thousands of stimuli. Thus, for an accurate function of dendrites and axons the neuronal proteome needs to be asymmetrically distributed within neurons. Protein asymmetry can be achieved by the transport of the protein itself or the transport of the mRNA that is then translated at target sites in neuronal processes. The latter transport mechanism implies local translation of localized mRNAs. The role of local translation in nervous system (NS) development and maintenance is well established, but recently there is growing evidence that this mechanism and its deregulation are also relevant in NS pathologies, including neurodegenerative diseases. For instance, upon pathological signals disease-related proteins can be locally synthesized in dendrites and axons. Locally synthesized proteins can exert their effects at or close to the site of translation, or they can be delivered to distal compartments like the nucleus and induce transcriptional responses that lead to neurodegeneration, nerve regeneration and other cell-wide responses. Relevant key players in the process of local protein synthesis are RNA binding proteins (RBPs), responsible for mRNA transport to neurites. Several neurological and neurodegenerative disorders, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or spinal motor atrophy, are characterized by mutations in genes encoding for RBPs and consequently mRNA localization and local translation are impaired. In other diseases changes in the local mRNA repertoire and altered local protein synthesis have been reported. In this review, we will discuss how deregulation of localized translation at different levels can contribute to the development and progression of nervous system pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Gamarra
- Laboratory of Local Translation in Neurons and Glia, Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Leioa, Spain.,Departamento de Neurociencias, Universidad del País Vasco (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - Aida de la Cruz
- Laboratory of Local Translation in Neurons and Glia, Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Leioa, Spain.,Departamento de Neurociencias, Universidad del País Vasco (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - Maite Blanco-Urrejola
- Laboratory of Local Translation in Neurons and Glia, Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Leioa, Spain.,Departamento de Neurociencias, Universidad del País Vasco (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain.,Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología, Universidad del País Vasco (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - Jimena Baleriola
- Laboratory of Local Translation in Neurons and Glia, Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Leioa, Spain.,Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología, Universidad del País Vasco (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain.,Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain
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15
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RNA Localization and Local Translation in Glia in Neurological and Neurodegenerative Diseases: Lessons from Neurons. Cells 2021; 10:cells10030632. [PMID: 33809142 PMCID: PMC8000831 DOI: 10.3390/cells10030632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell polarity is crucial for almost every cell in our body to establish distinct structural and functional domains. Polarized cells have an asymmetrical morphology and therefore their proteins need to be asymmetrically distributed to support their function. Subcellular protein distribution is typically achieved by localization peptides within the protein sequence. However, protein delivery to distinct cellular compartments can rely, not only on the transport of the protein itself but also on the transport of the mRNA that is then translated at target sites. This phenomenon is known as local protein synthesis. Local protein synthesis relies on the transport of mRNAs to subcellular domains and their translation to proteins at target sites by the also localized translation machinery. Neurons and glia specially depend upon the accurate subcellular distribution of their proteome to fulfil their polarized functions. In this sense, local protein synthesis has revealed itself as a crucial mechanism that regulates proper protein homeostasis in subcellular compartments. Thus, deregulation of mRNA transport and/or of localized translation can lead to neurological and neurodegenerative diseases. Local translation has been more extensively studied in neurons than in glia. In this review article, we will summarize the state-of-the art research on local protein synthesis in neuronal function and dysfunction, and we will discuss the possibility that local translation in glia and deregulation thereof contributes to neurological and neurodegenerative diseases.
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