1
|
González-Madrid E, Rangel-Ramírez MA, Opazo MC, Méndez L, Bohmwald K, Bueno SM, González PA, Kalergis AM, Riedel CA. Gestational hypothyroxinemia induces ASD-like phenotypes in behavior, proinflammatory markers, and glutamatergic protein expression in mouse offspring of both sexes. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1381180. [PMID: 38752179 PMCID: PMC11094302 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1381180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has significantly risen in the past three decades, prompting researchers to explore the potential contributions of environmental factors during pregnancy to ASD development. One such factor of interest is gestational hypothyroxinemia (HTX), a frequent condition in pregnancy associated with cognitive impairments in the offspring. While retrospective human studies have linked gestational HTX to autistic traits, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the development of ASD-like phenotypes remain poorly understood. This study used a mouse model of gestational HTX to evaluate ASD-like phenotypes in the offspring. Methods To induce gestational HTX, pregnant mice were treated with 2-mercapto-1-methylimidazole (MMI), a thyroid hormones synthesis inhibitor, in the tap-drinking water from embryonic days (E) 10 to E14. A separate group received MMI along with a daily subcutaneous injection of T4, while the control group received regular tap water during the entire pregnancy. Female and male offspring underwent assessments for repetitive, anxious, and social behaviors from postnatal day (P) 55 to P64. On P65, mice were euthanized for the evaluation of ASD-related inflammatory markers in blood, spleen, and specific brain regions. Additionally, the expression of glutamatergic proteins (NLGN3 and HOMER1) was analyzed in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Results The HTX-offspring exhibited anxious-like behavior, a subordinate state, and impaired social interactions. Subsequently, both female and male HTX-offspring displayed elevated proinflammatory cytokines in blood, including IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17A, and TNF-α, while only males showed reduced levels of IL-10. The spleen of HTX-offspring of both sexes showed increased Th17/Treg ratio and M1-like macrophages. In the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of male HTX-offspring, elevated levels of IL-17A and reduced IL-10 were observed, accompanied by increased expression of hippocampal NLGN3 and HOMER1. All these observations were compared to those observed in the Control-offspring. Notably, the supplementation with T4 during the MMI treatment prevents the development of the observed phenotypes. Correlation analysis revealed an association between maternal T4 levels and specific ASD-like outcomes. Discussion This study validates human observations, demonstrating for the first time that gestational HTX induces ASD-like phenotypes in the offspring, highlighting the need of monitoring thyroid function during pregnancy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Enrique González-Madrid
- Laboratorio de Endocrino-inmunología, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ma. Andreina Rangel-Ramírez
- Laboratorio de Endocrino-inmunología, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - María C. Opazo
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Agronomía, Instituto de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad de las Américas, Santiago, Chile
| | - Luis Méndez
- Laboratorio de Endocrino-inmunología, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Karen Bohmwald
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Susan M. Bueno
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Pablo A. González
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Alexis M. Kalergis
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Departamento de Endocrinología, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Claudia A. Riedel
- Laboratorio de Endocrino-inmunología, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Oberman LM, Francis SM, Beynel L, Hynd M, Jaime M, Robins PL, Deng ZD, Stout J, van der Veen JW, Lisanby SH. Design and methodology for a proof of mechanism study of individualized neuronavigated continuous Theta burst stimulation for auditory processing in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1304528. [PMID: 38389984 PMCID: PMC10881663 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1304528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
It has been suggested that aberrant excitation/inhibition (E/I) balance and dysfunctional structure and function of relevant brain networks may underlie the symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the nomological network linking these constructs to quantifiable measures and mechanistically relating these constructs to behavioral symptoms of ASD is lacking. Herein we describe a within-subject, controlled, proof-of-mechanism study investigating the pathophysiology of auditory/language processing in adolescents with ASD. We utilize neurophysiological and neuroimaging techniques including magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and magnetoencephalography (MEG) metrics of language network structure and function. Additionally, we apply a single, individually targeted session of continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) as an experimental probe of the impact of perturbation of the system on these neurophysiological and neuroimaging outcomes. MRS, fMRI, and MEG measures are evaluated at baseline and immediately prior to and following cTBS over the posterior superior temporal cortex (pSTC), a region involved in auditory and language processing deficits in ASD. Also, behavioral measures of ASD and language processing and DWI measures of auditory/language network structures are obtained at baseline to characterize the relationship between the neuroimaging and neurophysiological measures and baseline symptom presentation. We hypothesize that local gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate concentrations (measured with MRS), and structural and functional activity and network connectivity (measured with DWI and fMRI), will significantly predict MEG indices of auditory/language processing and behavioral deficits in ASD. Furthermore, a single session of cTBS over left pSTC is hypothesized to lead to significant, acute changes in local glutamate and GABA concentration, functional activity and network connectivity, and MEG indices of auditory/language processing. We have completed the pilot phase of the study (n=20 Healthy Volunteer adults) and have begun enrollment for the main phase with adolescents with ASD (n=86; age 14-17). If successful, this study will establish a nomological network linking local E/I balance measures to functional and structural connectivity within relevant brain networks, ultimately connecting them to ASD symptoms. Furthermore, this study will inform future therapeutic trials using cTBS to treat the symptoms of ASD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay M Oberman
- Noninvasive Neuromodulation Unit, Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Sunday M Francis
- Noninvasive Neuromodulation Unit, Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Lysianne Beynel
- Noninvasive Neuromodulation Unit, Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Megan Hynd
- Clinical Affective Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Miguel Jaime
- Noninvasive Neuromodulation Unit, Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Pei L Robins
- Noninvasive Neuromodulation Unit, Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Zhi-De Deng
- Noninvasive Neuromodulation Unit, Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Jeff Stout
- Magnetoencephalography Core, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Jan Willem van der Veen
- Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Core, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Sarah H Lisanby
- Noninvasive Neuromodulation Unit, Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Aspragkathou DD, Spilioti MG, Gkampeta A, Dalpa E, Holeva V, Papadopoulou MT, Serdari A, Dafoulis V, Zafeiriou DI, Evangeliou AE. Branched-chain amino acids as adjunctive-alternative treatment in patients with autism: a pilot study. Br J Nutr 2024; 131:73-81. [PMID: 37424284 DOI: 10.1017/s0007114523001496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
The branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) is a group of essential amino acids that are involved in maintaining the energy balance of a human being as well as the homoeostasis of GABAergic, glutamatergic, serotonergic and dopaminergic systems. Disruption of these systems has been associated with the pathophysiology of autism while low levels of these amino acids have been discovered in patients with autism. A pilot open-label, prospective, follow-up study of the use of BCAA in children with autistic behaviour was carried out. Fifty-five children between the ages of 6 and 18 participated in the study from May 2015 to May 2018. We used a carbohydrate-free BCAA-powdered mixture containing 45·5 g of leucine, 30 g of isoleucine and 24·5 g of valine in a daily dose of 0·4 g/kg of body weight which was administered every morning. Following the initiation of BCAA administration, children were submitted to a monthly psychological examination. Beyond the 4-week mark, BCAA were given to thirty-two people (58·18 %). Six of them (10·9 %) discontinued after 4-10 weeks owing to lack of improvement. The remaining twenty-six children (47·27 %) who took BCAA for longer than 10 weeks displayed improved social behaviour and interactions, as well as improvements in their speech, cooperation, stereotypy and, principally, their hyperactivity. There were no adverse reactions reported during the course of the treatment. Although these data are preliminary, there is some evidence that BCAA could be used as adjunctive treatment to conventional therapeutic methods for the management of autism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Despoina D Aspragkathou
- Department of Pediatrics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Medical School, Papageorgiou Hospital, Efkarpia, 56403Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Martha G Spilioti
- Department of Neurology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Medical School, AHEPA Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Anastasia Gkampeta
- Department of Pediatrics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Medical School, Papageorgiou Hospital, Efkarpia, 56403Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Efterpi Dalpa
- Department of Pediatrics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Medical School, Papageorgiou Hospital, Efkarpia, 56403Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Vasiliki Holeva
- Psychiatric Clinic, Papageorgiou Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Medical School, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Maria T Papadopoulou
- Department of Pediatrics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Medical School, Papageorgiou Hospital, Efkarpia, 56403Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Aspasia Serdari
- Psychiatric Clinic, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Thrace University, Medical School, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Vaios Dafoulis
- Psychiatric Clinic of the Hippokration Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Dimitrios I Zafeiriou
- Department of Pediatrics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Medical School, Hippokration Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Athanasios E Evangeliou
- Department of Pediatrics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Medical School, Papageorgiou Hospital, Efkarpia, 56403Thessaloniki, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Wang D, Perera D, He J, Cao C, Kossinna P, Li Q, Zhang W, Guo X, Platt A, Wu J, Zhang Q. cLD: Rare-variant linkage disequilibrium between genomic regions identifies novel genomic interactions. PLoS Genet 2023; 19:e1011074. [PMID: 38109434 PMCID: PMC10758262 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1011074] [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: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Linkage disequilibrium (LD) is a fundamental concept in genetics; critical for studying genetic associations and molecular evolution. However, LD measurements are only reliable for common genetic variants, leaving low-frequency variants unanalyzed. In this work, we introduce cumulative LD (cLD), a stable statistic that captures the rare-variant LD between genetic regions, which reflects more biological interactions between variants, in addition to lack of recombination. We derived the theoretical variance of cLD using delta methods to demonstrate its higher stability than LD for rare variants. This property is also verified by bootstrapped simulations using real data. In application, we find cLD reveals an increased genetic association between genes in 3D chromatin interactions, a phenomenon recently reported negatively by calculating standard LD between common variants. Additionally, we show that cLD is higher between gene pairs reported in interaction databases, identifies unreported protein-protein interactions, and reveals interacting genes distinguishing case/control samples in association studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dinghao Wang
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Deshan Perera
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jingni He
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Chen Cao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Pathum Kossinna
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Qing Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - William Zhang
- The Harker School, San Jose, California, United States of America
| | - Xingyi Guo
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt Epidemiology Center, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Alexander Platt
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Jingjing Wu
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Qingrun Zhang
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Caruso A, Ricceri L, Caruso A, Nicoletti F, Gaetano A, Scaccianoce S. Postweaning social isolation and autism-like phenotype: a biochemical and behavioral comparative analysis. Behav Brain Res 2022; 428:113891. [PMID: 35421428 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2022.113891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Adolescence is a critical period for brain development. In most mammalian species, disturbances experienced during adolescence constitute a risk factor for several neuropsychiatric disorders. In this study, we compared the biochemical and behavioral profile induced by postweaning social isolation (PWSI) in inbred C57BL/6N mice with that of BTBR mice, a rodent model of autism spectrum disorders. Male C57BL/6N mice were either housed in groups of four or isolated from weaning (postnatal day 21) for four weeks before experimental analyses. After weaning, male BTBR mice were housed four per cage and analyzed at 48 days of age. PWSI reduced hippocampal levels of type 2 metabotropic glutamate (mGlu2) receptors, and glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors. A similar reduction was seen in group-housed BTBR mice. Plasma corticosterone levels in basal conditions were not influenced by PWSI, but were increased in BTBR mice. Social investigation (total and head sniffing) and the number of ultrasonic vocalizations were reduced in both PWSI mice and age-matched group-housed BTBR mice, indicating a lower social responsiveness in both groups of mice. These results suggest that absence of social stimuli during adolescence induces an endophenotype with social deficit features, which mimics the phenotype of a mouse model of autism spectrum disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Caruso
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "V. Erspamer" University Sapienza of Rome, Italy.
| | - Laura Ricceri
- Centre for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
| | - Angela Caruso
- Research Coordination and Support Service, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
| | - Ferdinando Nicoletti
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "V. Erspamer" University Sapienza of Rome, Italy; IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy.
| | - Alessandra Gaetano
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "V. Erspamer" University Sapienza of Rome, Italy.
| | - Sergio Scaccianoce
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "V. Erspamer" University Sapienza of Rome, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Glutamatergic Dysfunction and Synaptic Ultrastructural Alterations in Schizophrenia and Autism Spectrum Disorder: Evidence from Human and Rodent Studies. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 22:ijms22010059. [PMID: 33374598 PMCID: PMC7793137 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22010059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The correlation between dysfunction in the glutamatergic system and neuropsychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder, is undisputed. Both disorders are associated with molecular and ultrastructural alterations that affect synaptic plasticity and thus the molecular and physiological basis of learning and memory. Altered synaptic plasticity, accompanied by changes in protein synthesis and trafficking of postsynaptic proteins, as well as structural modifications of excitatory synapses, are critically involved in the postnatal development of the mammalian nervous system. In this review, we summarize glutamatergic alterations and ultrastructural changes in synapses in schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder of genetic or drug-related origin, and briefly comment on the possible reversibility of these neuropsychiatric disorders in the light of findings in regular synaptic physiology.
Collapse
|
7
|
Dysfunctional d-aspartate metabolism in BTBR mouse model of idiopathic autism. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2020; 1868:140531. [PMID: 32853769 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2020.140531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) comprise a heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental conditions characterized by impairment in social interaction, deviance in communication, and repetitive behaviors. Dysfunctional ionotropic NMDA and AMPA receptors, and metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 activity at excitatory synapses has been recently linked to multiple forms of ASD. Despite emerging evidence showing that d-aspartate and d-serine are important neuromodulators of glutamatergic transmission, no systematic investigation on the occurrence of these D-amino acids in preclinical ASD models has been carried out. METHODS Through HPLC and qPCR analyses we investigated d-aspartate and d-serine metabolism in the brain and serum of four ASD mouse models. These include BTBR mice, an idiopathic model of ASD, and Cntnap2-/-, Shank3-/-, and 16p11.2+/- mice, three established genetic mouse lines recapitulating high confidence ASD-associated mutations. RESULTS Biochemical and gene expression mapping in Cntnap2-/-, Shank3-/-, and 16p11.2+/- failed to find gross cerebral and serum alterations in d-aspartate and d-serine metabolism. Conversely, we found a striking and stereoselective increased d-aspartate content in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and serum of inbred BTBR mice. Consistent with biochemical assessments, in the same brain areas we also found a robust reduction in mRNA levels of d-aspartate oxidase, encoding the enzyme responsible for d-aspartate catabolism. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrated the presence of disrupted d-aspartate metabolism in a widely used animal model of idiopathic ASD. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE Overall, this work calls for a deeper investigation of D-amino acids in the etiopathology of ASD and related developmental disorders.
Collapse
|
8
|
Jain RA, Prakash A, Medhi B. Newer potential pharmacological targets for autism spectrum disorder. Indian J Pharmacol 2019; 51:284-286. [PMID: 31571718 PMCID: PMC6759525 DOI: 10.4103/ijp.ijp_518_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- R Ashish Jain
- Department of Pharmacology, PGIMER, Chandigarh, India
| | - Ajay Prakash
- Department of Pharmacology, PGIMER, Chandigarh, India
| | - Bikash Medhi
- Department of Pharmacology, PGIMER, Chandigarh, India
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Bellozi PMQ, Gomes GF, da Silva MCM, Lima IVDA, Batista CRÁ, Carneiro Junior WDO, Dória JG, Vieira ÉLM, Vieira RP, de Freitas RP, Ferreira CN, Candelario-Jalil E, Wyss-Coray T, Ribeiro FM, de Oliveira ACP. A positive allosteric modulator of mGluR5 promotes neuroprotective effects in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease. Neuropharmacology 2019; 160:107785. [PMID: 31541651 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2019.107785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Revised: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder. Despite advances in the understanding of its pathophysiology, none of the available therapies prevents disease progression. Excess glutamate plays an important role in excitotoxicity by activating ionotropic receptors. However, the mechanisms modulating neuronal cell survival/death via metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) are not completely understood. Recent data indicates that CDPPB, a positive allosteric modulator of mGluR5, has neuroprotective effects. Thus, this work aimed to investigate CDPPB treatment effects on amyloid-β (Aβ) induced pathological alterations in vitro and in vivo and in a transgenic mouse model of AD (T41 mice). Aβ induced cell death in primary cultures of hippocampal neurons, which was prevented by CDPPB. Male C57BL/6 mice underwent stereotaxic surgery for unilateral intra-hippocampal Aβ injection, which induced memory deficits, neurodegeneration, neuronal viability reduction and decrease of doublecortin-positive cells, a marker of immature neurons and neuronal proliferation. Treatment with CDPPB for 8 days reversed neurodegeneration and doublecortin-positive cells loss and recovered memory function. Fourteen months old T41 mice presented cognitive deficits, neuronal viability reduction, gliosis and Aβ accumulation. Treatment with CDPPB for 28 days increased neuronal viability (32.2% increase in NeuN+ cells) and reduced gliosis in CA1 region (Iba-1+ area by 31.3% and GFAP+ area by 37.5%) in transgenic animals, without inducing hepatotoxicity. However, it did not reverse cognitive deficit. Despite a four-week treatment did not prevent memory loss in aged transgenic mice, CDPPB is protective against Aβ stimulus. Therefore, this drug represents a potential candidate for further investigations as AD treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Giovanni Freitas Gomes
- Department of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Juliana Guimarães Dória
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901, Brazil
| | | | - Rafael Pinto Vieira
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901, Brazil
| | | | - Claudia Natália Ferreira
- Clinical Pathology Sector of COLTEC, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901, Brazil
| | | | - Tony Wyss-Coray
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Fabíola Mara Ribeiro
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901, Brazil
| | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Marshall BL, Liu Y, Farrington MJ, Mao J, Helferich WG, Schenk AK, Bivens NJ, Sarma SJ, Lei Z, Sumner LW, Joshi T, Rosenfeld CS. Early genistein exposure of California mice and effects on the gut microbiota-brain axis. J Endocrinol 2019; 242:139-157. [PMID: 31189133 PMCID: PMC6885123 DOI: 10.1530/joe-19-0214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Human offspring encounter high amounts of phytoestrogens, such as genistein (GEN), through maternal diet and soy-based formulas. Such chemicals can exert estrogenic activity and thereby disrupt neurobehavioral programming. Besides inducing direct host effects, GEN might cause gut dysbiosis and alter gut metabolites. To determine whether exposure to GEN affects these parameters, California mice (Peromyscus californicus) dams were placed 2 weeks prior to breeding and throughout gestation and lactation on a diet supplemented with GEN (250 mg/kg feed weight) or AIN93G phytoestrogen-free control diet (AIN). At weaning, offspring socio-communicative behaviors, gut microbiota and metabolite profiles were assayed. Exposure of offspring to GEN-induced sex-dependent changes in gut microbiota and metabolites. GEN exposed females were less likely to investigate a novel female mouse when tested in a three-chamber social test. When isolated, GEN males and females exhibited increased latency to elicit their first call, suggestive of reduced motivation to communicate with other individuals. Correlation analyses revealed interactions between GEN-induced microbiome, metabolome and socio-communicative behaviors. Comparison of GEN males with AIN males revealed the fraction of calls above 20 kHz was associated with daidzein, α-tocopherol, Flexispira spp. and Odoribacter spp. Results suggest early GEN exposure disrupts normal socio-communicative behaviors in California mice, which are otherwise evident in these social rodents. Such effects may be due to GEN disruptions on neural programming but might also be attributed to GEN-induced microbiota shifts and resultant changes in gut metabolites. Findings indicate cause for concern that perinatal exposure to GEN may detrimentally affect the offspring microbiome-gut-brain axis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brittney L Marshall
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
- Biomedical Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Yang Liu
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
- Informatics Institute, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Michelle J Farrington
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
- Biomedical Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Jiude Mao
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
- Biomedical Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - William G Helferich
- Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | | | - Nathan J Bivens
- DNA Core Facility, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Saurav J Sarma
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
- MU Metabolomics Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Zhentian Lei
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
- MU Metabolomics Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Lloyd W Sumner
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
- MU Metabolomics Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Trupti Joshi
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
- Informatics Institute, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
- Department of Health Management and Informatics, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Cheryl S Rosenfeld
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
- Biomedical Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
- Informatics Institute, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
- Thompson Center for Autism and Neurobehavioral Disorders, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
- Genetics Area Program, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Ohtani-Kaneko R. Crmp4-KO Mice as an Animal Model for Investigating Certain Phenotypes of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E2485. [PMID: 31137494 PMCID: PMC6566569 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20102485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Revised: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 05/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous research has demonstrated that the collapsin response mediator protein (CRMP) family is involved in the formation of neural networks. A recent whole-exome sequencing study identified a de novo variant (S541Y) of collapsin response mediator protein 4 (CRMP4) in a male patient with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In addition, Crmp4-knockout (KO) mice show some phenotypes similar to those observed in human patients with ASD. For example, compared with wild-type mice, Crmp4-KO mice exhibit impaired social interaction, abnormal sensory sensitivities, broader distribution of activated (c-Fos expressing) neurons, altered dendritic formation, and aberrant patterns of neural gene expressions, most of which have sex differences. This review summarizes current knowledge regarding the role of CRMP4 during brain development and discusses the possible contribution of CRMP4 deficiencies or abnormalities to the pathogenesis of ASD. Crmp4-KO mice represent an appropriate animal model for investigating the mechanisms underlying some ASD phenotypes, such as impaired social behavior, abnormal sensory sensitivities, and sex-based differences, and other neurodevelopmental disorders associated with sensory processing disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ritsuko Ohtani-Kaneko
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, Toyo University, 1-1-1 Itakura, Oura 374-0193, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Okamoto SI, Prikhodko O, Pina-Crespo J, Adame A, McKercher SR, Brill LM, Nakanishi N, Oh CK, Nakamura T, Masliah E, Lipton SA. NitroSynapsin for the treatment of neurological manifestations of tuberous sclerosis complex in a rodent model. Neurobiol Dis 2019; 127:390-397. [PMID: 30928642 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2019.03.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Revised: 03/07/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tuberous sclerosis (TSC) is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by heterozygous mutations in the TSC1 or TSC2 gene. TSC is often associated with neurological, cognitive, and behavioral deficits. TSC patients also express co-morbidity with anxiety and mood disorders. The mechanism of pathogenesis in TSC is not entirely clear, but TSC-related neurological symptoms are accompanied by excessive glutamatergic activity and altered synaptic spine structures. To address whether extrasynaptic (e)NMDA-type glutamate receptor (NMDAR) antagonists, as opposed to antagonists that block physiological phasic synaptic activity, can ameliorate the synaptic and behavioral features of this disease, we utilized the Tsc2+/- mouse model of TSC to measure biochemical, electrophysiological, histological, and behavioral parameters in the mice. We found that antagonists that preferentially block tonic activity as found at eNMDARs, particularly the newer drug NitroSynapsin, provide biological and statistically significant improvement in Tsc2+/- phenotypes. Accompanying this improvement was correction of activity in the p38 MAPK-TSC-Rheb-mTORC1-S6K1 pathway. Deficits in hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP), histological loss of synapses, and behavioral fear conditioning in Tsc2+/- mice were all improved after treatment with NitroSynapsin. Taken together, these results suggest that amelioration of excessive excitation, by limiting aberrant eNMDAR activity, may represent a novel treatment approach for TSC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Olga Prikhodko
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Juan Pina-Crespo
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Anthony Adame
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Scott R McKercher
- Scintillon Institute, San Diego, CA 92121, USA; Neuroscience Translational Center, Departments of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Laurence M Brill
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | | | - Chang-Ki Oh
- Scintillon Institute, San Diego, CA 92121, USA; Neuroscience Translational Center, Departments of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Tomohiro Nakamura
- Scintillon Institute, San Diego, CA 92121, USA; Neuroscience Translational Center, Departments of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Eliezer Masliah
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Stuart A Lipton
- Scintillon Institute, San Diego, CA 92121, USA; Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Neuroscience Translational Center, Departments of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Danesi C, Keinänen K, Castrén ML. Dysregulated Ca 2+-Permeable AMPA Receptor Signaling in Neural Progenitors Modeling Fragile X Syndrome. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2019; 11:2. [PMID: 30800064 PMCID: PMC6375879 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2019.00002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2018] [Accepted: 01/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that represents a common cause of intellectual disability and is a variant of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Studies that have searched for similarities in syndromic and non-syndromic forms of ASD have paid special attention to alterations of maturation and function of glutamatergic synapses. Copy number variations (CNVs) in the loci containing genes encoding alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid receptors (AMPARs) subunits are associated with ASD in genetic studies. In FXS, dysregulated AMPAR subunit expression and trafficking affect neural progenitor differentiation and synapse formation and neuronal plasticity in the mature brain. Decreased expression of GluA2, the AMPAR subunit that critically controls Ca2+-permeability, and a concomitant increase in Ca2+-permeable AMPARs (CP-AMPARs) in human and mouse FXS neural progenitors parallels changes in expression of GluA2-targeting microRNAs (miRNAs). Thus, posttranscriptional regulation of GluA2 by miRNAs and subsequent alterations in calcium signaling may contribute to abnormal synaptic function in FXS and, by implication, in some forms of ASD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Danesi
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kari Keinänen
- Research Program in Molecular and Integrative Biosciences, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Maija L Castrén
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Fernell E. Further studies of GABA and Glutamate imbalances in autism are important challenges for future research. Acta Paediatr 2019; 108:200-201. [PMID: 30359475 DOI: 10.1111/apa.14589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Fernell
- Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre; Gothenburg University; Gothenburg Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Kidd VD. Cannabinoids in the Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder: Demanding Data Before Using Fad Therapies. Pediatr Neurol 2018; 88:10-11. [PMID: 30318286 DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2018.08.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2018] [Revised: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 08/22/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Vasco Deon Kidd
- Orthopedic Surgery, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, Colton, California.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Parkin GM, Udawela M, Gibbons A, Dean B. Glutamate transporters, EAAT1 and EAAT2, are potentially important in the pathophysiology and treatment of schizophrenia and affective disorders. World J Psychiatry 2018; 8:51-63. [PMID: 29988908 PMCID: PMC6033743 DOI: 10.5498/wjp.v8.i2.51] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Revised: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 06/09/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Glutamate is the predominant excitatory neurotransmitter in the human brain and it has been shown that prolonged activation of the glutamatergic system leads to nerve damage and cell death. Following release from the pre-synaptic neuron and synaptic transmission, glutamate is either taken up into the pre-synaptic neuron or neighbouring glia by transmembrane glutamate transporters. Excitatory amino acid transporter (EAAT) 1 and EAAT2 are Na+-dependant glutamate transporters expressed predominantly in glia cells of the central nervous system. As the most abundant glutamate transporters, their primary role is to modulate levels of glutamatergic excitability and prevent spill over of glutamate beyond the synapse. This role is facilitated through the binding and transportation of glutamate into astrocytes and microglia. The function of EAAT1 and EAAT2 is heavily regulated at the levels of gene expression, post-transcriptional splicing, glycosylation states and cell-surface trafficking of the protein. Both glutamatergic dysfunction and glial dysfunction have been proposed to be involved in psychiatric disorder. This review will present an overview of the roles that EAAT1 and EAAT2 play in modulating glutamatergic activity in the human brain, and mount an argument that these two transporters could be involved in the aetiologies of schizophrenia and affective disorders as well as represent potential drug targets for novel therapies for those disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Georgia M Parkin
- Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory, the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville VIC 3052, Australia
- CRC for Mental Health, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia
| | - Madhara Udawela
- Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory, the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville VIC 3052, Australia
- CRC for Mental Health, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia
| | - Andrew Gibbons
- Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory, the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Brian Dean
- Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory, the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville VIC 3052, Australia
- CRC for Mental Health, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia
- Research Centre for Mental Health, the Faculty of Health, Arts and Design, Swinburne University, Hawthorne VIC 3122, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Tsutiya A, Nakano Y, Hansen-Kiss E, Kelly B, Nishihara M, Goshima Y, Corsmeier D, White P, Herman GE, Ohtani-Kaneko R. Human CRMP4 mutation and disrupted Crmp4 expression in mice are associated with ASD characteristics and sexual dimorphism. Sci Rep 2017; 7:16812. [PMID: 29196732 PMCID: PMC5711804 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-16782-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2017] [Accepted: 11/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are more common among boys than girls. The mechanisms responsible for ASD symptoms and their sex differences remain mostly unclear. We previously identified collapsin response mediator protein 4 (CRMP4) as a protein exhibiting sex-different expression during sexual differentiation of the hypothalamic sexually dimorphic nucleus. This study investigated the relationship between the sex-different development of autistic features and CRMP4 deficiency. Whole-exome sequencing detected a de novo variant (S541Y) of CRMP4 in a male ASD patient. The expression of mutated mouse CRMP4 S540Y, which is homologous to human CRMP4 S541Y, in cultured hippocampal neurons derived from Crmp4-knockout (KO) mice had increased dendritic branching, compared to those transfected with wild-type (WT) Crmp4, indicating that this mutation results in altered CRMP4 function in neurons. Crmp4-KO mice showed decreased social interaction and several alterations of sensory responses. Most of these changes were more severe in male Crmp4-KO mice than in females. The mRNA expression levels of some genes related to neurotransmission and cell adhesion were altered in the brain of Crmp4-KO mice, mostly in a gender-dependent manner. These results indicate a functional link between a case-specific, rare variant of one gene, Crmp4, and several characteristics of ASD, including sexual differences.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Atsuhiro Tsutiya
- Institute of Life Innovation Studies, Toyo University, 1-1-1 Itakura, Oura, Gunma, 374-0193, Japan
- Clinical Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, St. Marianna University Graduate School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Yui Nakano
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, Toyo University, 1-1-1 Itakura, Oura, Gunma, 374-0193, Japan
| | - Emily Hansen-Kiss
- The Institute for Genomic Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital and Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA
| | - Benjamin Kelly
- The Institute for Genomic Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital and Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA
| | - Masugi Nishihara
- Department of Veterinary Physiology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan
| | - Yoshio Goshima
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Neurobiology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-9 Fuku-ura, Kanazawa Ward, Yokohama, 236-0004, Japan
| | - Don Corsmeier
- The Institute for Genomic Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital and Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA
| | - Peter White
- The Institute for Genomic Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital and Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA
| | - Gail E Herman
- The Institute for Genomic Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital and Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA
| | - Ritsuko Ohtani-Kaneko
- Institute of Life Innovation Studies, Toyo University, 1-1-1 Itakura, Oura, Gunma, 374-0193, Japan.
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, Toyo University, 1-1-1 Itakura, Oura, Gunma, 374-0193, Japan.
- Research Center for Biomedical Engineering, Toyo University, 2100 Kujirai, Kawagoe, Saitama, 350-8585, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Tu S, Akhtar MW, Escorihuela RM, Amador-Arjona A, Swarup V, Parker J, Zaremba JD, Holland T, Bansal N, Holohan DR, Lopez K, Ryan SD, Chan SF, Yan L, Zhang X, Huang X, Sultan A, McKercher SR, Ambasudhan R, Xu H, Wang Y, Geschwind DH, Roberts AJ, Terskikh AV, Rissman RA, Masliah E, Lipton SA, Nakanishi N. NitroSynapsin therapy for a mouse MEF2C haploinsufficiency model of human autism. Nat Commun 2017; 8:1488. [PMID: 29133852 PMCID: PMC5684358 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-01563-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2015] [Accepted: 09/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcription factor MEF2C regulates multiple genes linked to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and human MEF2C haploinsufficiency results in ASD, intellectual disability, and epilepsy. However, molecular mechanisms underlying MEF2C haploinsufficiency syndrome remain poorly understood. Here we report that Mef2c +/-(Mef2c-het) mice exhibit behavioral deficits resembling those of human patients. Gene expression analyses on brains from these mice show changes in genes associated with neurogenesis, synapse formation, and neuronal cell death. Accordingly, Mef2c-het mice exhibit decreased neurogenesis, enhanced neuronal apoptosis, and an increased ratio of excitatory to inhibitory (E/I) neurotransmission. Importantly, neurobehavioral deficits, E/I imbalance, and histological damage are all ameliorated by treatment with NitroSynapsin, a new dual-action compound related to the FDA-approved drug memantine, representing an uncompetitive/fast off-rate antagonist of NMDA-type glutamate receptors. These results suggest that MEF2C haploinsufficiency leads to abnormal brain development, E/I imbalance, and neurobehavioral dysfunction, which may be mitigated by pharmacological intervention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shichun Tu
- Neurodegenerative Disease Center, Scintillon Institute, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA.
- Neuroscience and Aging Research Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA.
| | - Mohd Waseem Akhtar
- Neurodegenerative Disease Center, Scintillon Institute, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
- Neuroscience and Aging Research Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Rosa Maria Escorihuela
- Neuroscience and Aging Research Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
- Departament de PsiquiatriaiMedicina Legal, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Alejandro Amador-Arjona
- Neuroscience and Aging Research Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Vivek Swarup
- Center for Autism Research and Treatment (CART), University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - James Parker
- Neurodegenerative Disease Center, Scintillon Institute, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
- Neuroscience and Aging Research Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Jeffrey D Zaremba
- Neuroscience and Aging Research Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Timothy Holland
- Neuroscience and Aging Research Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Neha Bansal
- Neuroscience and Aging Research Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Daniel R Holohan
- Neuroscience and Aging Research Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Kevin Lopez
- Neurodegenerative Disease Center, Scintillon Institute, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
- Neuroscience and Aging Research Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Scott D Ryan
- Neuroscience and Aging Research Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada, N1G 2W1
| | - Shing Fai Chan
- Neuroscience and Aging Research Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Li Yan
- Neuroscience and Aging Research Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Xiaofei Zhang
- Neuroscience and Aging Research Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Xiayu Huang
- Bioinformatics Core Facility, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Abdullah Sultan
- Neurodegenerative Disease Center, Scintillon Institute, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
- Neuroscience and Aging Research Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Scott R McKercher
- Neurodegenerative Disease Center, Scintillon Institute, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
- Neuroscience and Aging Research Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience, Neuroscience Translational Center, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Rajesh Ambasudhan
- Neurodegenerative Disease Center, Scintillon Institute, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
- Neuroscience and Aging Research Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Huaxi Xu
- Neuroscience and Aging Research Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Yuqiang Wang
- Institute of New Drug Research, Jinan University College of Pharmacy, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Daniel H Geschwind
- Center for Autism Research and Treatment (CART), University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Amanda J Roberts
- Department of Neuroscience and Mouse Behavioral Assessment Core, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Alexey V Terskikh
- Neuroscience and Aging Research Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Robert A Rissman
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, 92161, USA
| | - Eliezer Masliah
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- National Institute on Aging, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Stuart A Lipton
- Neurodegenerative Disease Center, Scintillon Institute, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA.
- Neuroscience and Aging Research Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA.
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience, Neuroscience Translational Center, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA.
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
| | - Nobuki Nakanishi
- Neurodegenerative Disease Center, Scintillon Institute, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA.
- Neuroscience and Aging Research Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Chadman KK. Animal models for autism in 2017 and the consequential implications to drug discovery. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2017; 12:1187-1194. [PMID: 28971687 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2017.1383982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by deficits in social communication and restricted interests/repetitive behaviors, for which there are currently no approved drug treatments. The core symptoms of ASD vary widely in severity and are often accompanied by other neuropsychiatric disorders. Drug discovery has been challenging because of the lack of understanding of the underlying pathophysiology of ASD as well as the heterogeneity of symptoms and symptom severity. Areas covered: In this review, the author discusses animal models of ASD used as targets for drug discovery, focusing primarily on non-syndromic models, primarily rodents. They highlight the wide range of drug targets examined in animal models. While very little of this work has resulted in drug therapy for the behavioral symptoms of ASD yet, it has increased our knowledge of the biology of ASD that is critical for driving drug discovery and has already provided many new drug targets for investigation. Expert opinion: The information gathered from the animal models of ASD is increasing our understanding of the underlying pathophysiology for ASD and is leading to better therapeutic targets. However, the issue of small sample size, heterogeneity within clinical samples, and a lack of replicable outcome measures must be addressed to move forward.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn K Chadman
- a Behavioral Pharmacology Laboratory , NYS Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities , Staten Island , NY , USA
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Yeh E, Weiss LA. If genetic variation could talk: What genomic data may teach us about the importance of gene expression regulation in the genetics of autism. Mol Cell Probes 2016; 30:346-356. [PMID: 27751841 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcp.2016.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2016] [Revised: 10/09/2016] [Accepted: 10/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been long known to have substantial genetic etiology. Much research has attempted to identify specific genes contributing to ASD risk with the goal of tying gene function to a molecular pathological explanation for ASD. A unifying molecular pathology would potentially increase understanding of what is going wrong during development, and could lead to diagnostic biomarkers or targeted preventative or therapeutic directions. We review past and current genetic mapping approaches and discuss major results, leading to the hypothesis that global dysregulation of gene or protein expression may be implicated in ASD rather than disturbance of brain-specific functions. If substantiated, this hypothesis might indicate the need for novel experimental and analytical approaches in order to understand this neurodevelopmental disorder, develop biomarkers, or consider treatment approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erika Yeh
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Lauren A Weiss
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA; Institute for Human Genetics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA.
| |
Collapse
|