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Camacho-Morales A, Cárdenas-Tueme M. Prenatal Programming of Monocyte Chemotactic Protein-1 Signaling in Autism Susceptibility. Mol Neurobiol 2024; 61:6119-6134. [PMID: 38277116 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-024-03940-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that involves functional and structural defects in selective central nervous system (CNS) regions, harming the individual capability to process and respond to external stimuli, including impaired verbal and non-verbal communications. Etiological causes of ASD have not been fully clarified; however, prenatal activation of the innate immune system by external stimuli might infiltrate peripheral immune cells into the fetal CNS and activate cytokine secretion by microglia and astrocytes. For instance, genomic and postmortem histological analysis has identified proinflammatory gene signatures, microglia-related expressed genes, and neuroinflammatory markers in the brain during ASD diagnosis. Active neuroinflammation might also occur during the developmental stage, promoting the establishment of a defective brain connectome and increasing susceptibility to ASD after birth. While still under investigation, we tested the hypothesis whether the monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) signaling is prenatally programmed to favor peripheral immune cell infiltration and activate microglia into the fetal CNS, setting susceptibility to autism-like behavior. In this review, we will comprehensively provide the current understanding of the prenatal activation of MCP-1 signaling by external stimuli during the developmental stage as a new selective node to promote neuroinflammation, brain structural alterations, and behavioral defects associated to ASD diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Camacho-Morales
- College of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo Leon, Monterrey, NL, Mexico.
- Center for Research and Development in Health Sciences, Neurometabolism Unit, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo Leon, San Nicolás de los Garza, Monterrey, NL, Mexico.
| | - Marcela Cárdenas-Tueme
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de La Salud and The Institute for Obesity Research, 64710, Monterrey, Mexico
- Nutrition Unit, Center for Research and Development in Health Sciences, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, 64460, Monterrey, Mexico
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2
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Schaer R, Mueller FS, Notter T, Weber-Stadlbauer U, Meyer U. Intrauterine position effects in a mouse model of maternal immune activation. Brain Behav Immun 2024; 120:391-402. [PMID: 38897330 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2024.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Rodent models of maternal immune activation (MIA) are increasingly used as experimental tools in preclinical research of immune-mediated neurodevelopmental disorders and mental illnesses. Using a viral-like MIA model that is based on prenatal poly(I:C) exposure in mice, we have recently identified the existence of subgroups of MIA-exposed offspring that show dissociable behavioral, transcriptional, brain network and inflammatory profiles even under conditions of genetic homogeneity and identical MIA. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the intrauterine positions of fetuses, which are known to shape individual variability in litter-bearing mammals through variations in fetal hormone exposure, may contribute to the variable outcomes of MIA in mice. MIA was induced by maternal administration of poly(I:C) on gestation day 12 in C57BL/6N mice. Determining intrauterine positions using delivery by Cesarean section (C-section), we found that MIA-exposed offspring developing between female fetuses only (0M-MIA offspring) displayed significant deficits in sociability and sensorimotor gating at adult age, whereas MIA-exposed offspring developing between one or two males in utero (1/2M-MIA offspring) did not show the same deficits. These intrauterine position effects similarly emerged in male and female offspring. Furthermore, while MIA elevated fetal brain levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines independently of the precise intrauterine position and sex of adjacent fetuses during the acute phase, fetal brain levels of TNF-α remained elevated in 0M-MIA but not 1/2M-MIA offspring until the post-acute phase in late gestation. As expected, 1/2M offspring generally showed higher testosterone levels in the fetal brain during late gestation as compared to 0M offspring, confirming the transfer of testosterone from male fetuses to adjacent male or female fetuses. Taken together, our findings identify a novel source of within-litter variability contributing to heterogeneous outcomes of short- and long-term effects in a mouse model of MIA. In broader context, our findings highlight that individual differences in fetal exposure to hormonal and inflammatory signals may be a perinatal factor that shapes risk and resilience to MIA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ron Schaer
- Institute of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Flavia S Mueller
- Institute of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tina Notter
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ulrike Weber-Stadlbauer
- Institute of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Urs Meyer
- Institute of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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Tu G, Jiang N, Chen W, Liu L, Hu M, Liao B. The neurobiological mechanisms underlying the effects of exercise interventions in autistic individuals. Rev Neurosci 2024; 0:revneuro-2024-0058. [PMID: 39083671 DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2024-0058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder is a pervasive and heterogeneous neurodevelopmental condition characterized by social communication difficulties and rigid, repetitive behaviors. Owing to the complex pathogenesis of autism, effective drugs for treating its core features are lacking. Nonpharmacological approaches, including education, social-communication, behavioral and psychological methods, and exercise interventions, play important roles in supporting the needs of autistic individuals. The advantages of exercise intervention, such as its low cost, easy implementation, and high acceptance, have garnered increasing attention. Exercise interventions can effectively improve the core features and co-occurring conditions of autism, but the underlying neurobiological mechanisms are unclear. Abnormal changes in the gut microbiome, neuroinflammation, neurogenesis, and synaptic plasticity may individually or interactively be responsible for atypical brain structure and connectivity, leading to specific autistic experiences and characteristics. Interestingly, exercise can affect these biological processes and reshape brain network connections, which may explain how exercise alleviates core features and co-occurring conditions in autistic individuals. In this review, we describe the definition, diagnostic approach, epidemiology, and current support strategies for autism; highlight the benefits of exercise interventions; and call for individualized programs for different subtypes of autistic individuals. Finally, the possible neurobiological mechanisms by which exercise improves autistic features are comprehensively summarized to inform the development of optimal exercise interventions and specific targets to meet the needs of autistic individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genghong Tu
- Department of Sports Medicine, 47878 Guangzhou Sport University , Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510500, P.R. China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Physical Activity and Health Promotion, 47878 Scientific Research Center, Guangzhou Sport University , Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510500, P.R. China
| | - Nan Jiang
- Graduate School, 47878 Guangzhou Sport University , Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510500, P.R. China
| | - Weizhong Chen
- Graduate School, 47878 Guangzhou Sport University , Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510500, P.R. China
| | - Lining Liu
- Graduate School, 47878 Guangzhou Sport University , Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510500, P.R. China
| | - Min Hu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Physical Activity and Health Promotion, 47878 Scientific Research Center, Guangzhou Sport University , Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510500, P.R. China
| | - Bagen Liao
- Department of Sports Medicine, 47878 Guangzhou Sport University , Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510500, P.R. China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Physical Activity and Health Promotion, 47878 Scientific Research Center, Guangzhou Sport University , Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510500, P.R. China
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4
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Tillmann KE, Schaer R, Mueller FS, Mueller K, Voelkl B, Weber-Stadlbauer U, Pollak DD. Differential effects of purified low molecular weight Poly(I:C) in the maternal immune activation model depend on the laboratory environment. Transl Psychiatry 2024; 14:300. [PMID: 39033141 PMCID: PMC11271296 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-024-03014-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The Poly (I:C) (polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidilic acid) paradigm of maternal immune activation (MIA) is most widely used as experimental model for the evaluation of the effects of gestational infection on the brain and behavior of the progeny. We have previously reported significant batch-to-batch variability in the effects of Poly (I:C), purchased from the same supplier (Sigma-Aldrich), on maternal and fetal immune responses and found these differences to be dependent on the relative amount of synthetic double-stranded RNA fragments in the high versus low molecular weight (LMW) range contained in the compound. We here resorted to Poly (I:C) purified for LMW dsRNA fragments to establish a MIA paradigm with increased reproducibility and enhanced standardization in an effort to refine the MIA paradigm and characterize its effect on offspring behavior. We found that the parallel application of LMW Poly (I:C) in two different MIA-experienced laboratories (Vienna and Zurich) yielded differential outcomes in terms of maternal immune responses and behavioral phenotypes in the offspring generation. In both experimental sites, administration of LMW Poly (I:C) induced a significant sickness response and cytokine induction in the pregnant dam and fetal brains, while the expected deficit in sociability as one main behavioral outcome parameter in the MIA progeny, was only present in the Zurich, but not the Vienna cohort. We conclude that although using Poly (I:C) purified for a defined molecular weight range reduces batch-to-batch variability, it does not make the MIA model more reliable and robust. The differential response in behavioral phenotypes of the MIA offspring between the two laboratories illustrates the highly complex interaction between prenatal and postnatal milieus - including the laboratory environment - that determine offspring phenotypic outcomes after MIA. Consequently, establishing a new MIA protocol or implementing the MIA model firstly under new or changed environmental conditions must include the assessment of offspring behavior to ensure solid and reproducible experimental outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina E Tillmann
- Department of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ron Schaer
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich-Vetsuisse, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Flavia S Mueller
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich-Vetsuisse, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Karin Mueller
- Department of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Bernhard Voelkl
- Animal Welfare Division, Veterinary Public Health Institute University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ulrike Weber-Stadlbauer
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich-Vetsuisse, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and ETH, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Daniela D Pollak
- Department of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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Smail MA, Lenz KM. Developmental Functions of Microglia: Impact of Psychosocial and Physiological Early Life Stress. Neuropharmacology 2024:110084. [PMID: 39025401 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2024.110084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Microglia play numerous important roles in brain development. From early embryonic stages through adolescence, these immune cells influence neuronal genesis and maturation, guide connectivity, and shape brain circuits. They also interact with other glial cells and structures, influencing the brain's supportive microenvironment. While this central role makes microglia essential, it means that early life perturbations to microglia can have widespread effects on brain development, potentially resulting in long-lasting behavioral impairments. Here, we will focus on the effects of early life psychosocial versus physiological stressors in rodent models. Psychosocial stress refers to perceived threats that lead to stress axes activation, including prenatal stress, or chronic postnatal stress, including maternal separation and resource scarcity. Physiological stress refers to with physical threats, including maternal immune activation, postnatal infection, and traumatic brain injury. Differing sources of early life stress have varied impacts on microglia, and these effects are moderated by factors such as developmental age, brain region, and sex. Overall, these stressors appear to either 1) upregulate basal microglia numbers and activity throughout the lifespan, while possibly blunting their responsivity to subsequent stressors, or 2) shift the developmental curve of microglia, resulting in differential timing and function, impacting the critical periods they govern. Either could contribute to behavioral dysfunctions that occur after the resolution of early life stress. Exploring how different stressors impact microglia, as well as how the experience of multiple stressors interacts to alter microglia's developmental functions, could deepen our understanding of how early life stress changes the brain's developmental trajectory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marissa A Smail
- Department of Psychology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States.
| | - Kathryn M Lenz
- Department of Psychology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States; Department of Neuroscience, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States; Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States; Chronic Brain Injury Program, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
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6
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Pedrazzi JFC, Hassib L, Ferreira FR, Hallak JC, Del-Bel E, Crippa JA. Therapeutic potential of CBD in Autism Spectrum Disorder. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2024; 177:149-203. [PMID: 39029984 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2024.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/21/2024]
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction, as well as restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior. Despite extensive research, effective pharmacological interventions for ASD remain limited. Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychotomimetic compound of the Cannabis sativa plant, has potential therapeutic effects on several neurological and psychiatric disorders. CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system, a complex cell-signaling system that plays a crucial role in regulating various physiological processes, maintaining homeostasis, participating in social and behavioral processing, and neuronal development and maturation with great relevance to ASD. Furthermore, preliminary findings from clinical trials indicate that CBD may have a modulatory effect on specific ASD symptoms and comorbidities in humans. Interestingly, emerging evidence suggests that CBD may influence the gut microbiota, with implications for the bidirectional communication between the gut and the central nervous system. CBD is a safe drug with low induction of side effects. As it has a multi-target pharmacological profile, it becomes a candidate compound for treating the central symptoms and comorbidities of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- João F C Pedrazzi
- Department of Neurosciences and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Lucas Hassib
- Department of Mental Health, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Jaime C Hallak
- Department of Neurosciences and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Elaine Del-Bel
- Department of Basic and Oral Biology, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil; National Institute for Science and Technology, Translational Medicine, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil; Center for Cannabinoid Research, Mental Health Building, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - José A Crippa
- Department of Neurosciences and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
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Shook LL, Batorsky RE, De Guzman RM, McCrea LT, Brigida SM, Horng JE, Sheridan SD, Kholod O, Cook AM, Li JZ, Slonim DK, Goods BA, Perlis RH, Edlow AG. Maternal SARS-CoV-2 impacts fetal placental macrophage programs and placenta-derived microglial models of neurodevelopment. J Neuroinflammation 2024; 21:163. [PMID: 38918792 PMCID: PMC11197235 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-024-03157-w] [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: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The SARS-CoV-2 virus activates maternal and placental immune responses. Such activation in the setting of other infections during pregnancy is known to impact fetal brain development. The effects of maternal immune activation on neurodevelopment are mediated at least in part by fetal brain microglia. However, microglia are inaccessible for direct analysis, and there are no validated non-invasive surrogate models to evaluate in utero microglial priming and function. We have previously demonstrated shared transcriptional programs between microglia and Hofbauer cells (HBCs, or fetal placental macrophages) in mouse models. METHODS AND RESULTS We assessed the impact of maternal SARS-CoV-2 on HBCs isolated from 24 term placentas (N = 10 SARS-CoV-2 positive cases, 14 negative controls). Using single-cell RNA-sequencing, we demonstrated that HBC subpopulations exhibit distinct cellular programs, with specific subpopulations differentially impacted by SARS-CoV-2. Assessment of differentially expressed genes implied impaired phagocytosis, a key function of both HBCs and microglia, in some subclusters. Leveraging previously validated models of microglial synaptic pruning, we showed that HBCs isolated from placentas of SARS-CoV-2 positive pregnancies can be transdifferentiated into microglia-like cells (HBC-iMGs), with impaired synaptic pruning behavior compared to HBC models from negative controls. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that HBCs isolated at birth can be used to create personalized cellular models of offspring microglial programming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia L Shook
- Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Thier Research Building, 903B, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Rose M De Guzman
- Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Thier Research Building, 903B, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Liam T McCrea
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sara M Brigida
- Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Thier Research Building, 903B, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Joy E Horng
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Steven D Sheridan
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Olha Kholod
- Thayer School of Engineering and Program, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Aidan M Cook
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Jonathan Z Li
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Donna K Slonim
- Department of Computer Science, Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA
| | - Brittany A Goods
- Thayer School of Engineering and Program, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Roy H Perlis
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Andrea G Edlow
- Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Thier Research Building, 903B, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Fan L, Zeng X, Jiang Y, Zheng D, Wang H, Qin Q, Li M, Wang H, Liu H, Liang S, Pang X, Shi S, Wu L, Liang S. Yigansan ameliorates maternal immune activation-induced autism-like behaviours by regulating the IL-17A/TRAF6/MMP9 pathway: Network analysis and experimental validation. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 128:155386. [PMID: 38522317 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2024.155386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Maternal immune activation (MIA) is a significant factor inducing to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in offspring. The fundamental principle underlying MIA is that inflammation during pregnancy impedes fetal brain development and triggers behavioural alterations in offspring. The intricate pathogenesis of ASD renders drug treatment effects unsatisfactory. Traditional Chinese medicine has strong potential due to its multiple therapeutic targets. Yigansan, composed of seven herbs, is one of the few that has been proven to be effective in treating neuro-psychiatric disorders among numerous traditional Chinese medicine compounds, but its therapeutic effect on ASD remains unknown. HYPOTHESIS Yigansan improves MIA-induced ASD-like behaviours in offspring by regulating the IL-17 signalling pathway. METHODS Pregnant C57BL/6J mice were intraperitoneally injected with poly(I:C) to construct MIA models and offspring ASD models. Network analysis identified that the IL-17A/TRAF6/MMP9 pathway is a crucial pathway, and molecular docking confirmed the binding affinity between the monomer of Yigansan and target proteins. qRT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect the expression levels of inflammatory factors and pathway proteins, immunofluorescence was used to detect the distribution of IL-17A, and behavioural tests were used to evaluate the ASD-like behaviours of offspring. RESULTS We demonstrated that Yigansan can effectively alleviate MIA-induced neuroinflammation of adult offspring by regulating the IL-17A/TRAF6/MMP9 pathway, and the expression of IL-17A was reduced in the prefrontal cortex. Importantly, ASD-like behaviours have been significantly improved. Moreover, we identified that quercetin is the effective monomer for Yigansan to exert therapeutic effects. CONCLUSION Overall, this study was firstly to corroborate the positive therapeutic effect of Yigansan in the treatment of ASD. We elucidated the relevant molecular mechanism and regulatory pathway involved, determined the optimal therapeutic dose and effective monomer, providing new solutions for the challenges of drug therapy for ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linlin Fan
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
| | - Xin Zeng
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
| | - Yutong Jiang
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
| | - Danyang Zheng
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
| | - Han Wang
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
| | - Qian Qin
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
| | - Mengyue Li
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
| | - Hao Liu
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
| | - Shengjun Liang
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
| | - Xiuming Pang
- Outpatient Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Shanyi Shi
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Prevention and Treatment Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Lijie Wu
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China.
| | - Shuang Liang
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China.
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Fajardo-Martinez V, Ferreira F, Fuller T, Cambou MC, Kerin T, Paiola S, Mok T, Rao R, Mohole J, Paravastu R, Zhang D, Marschik P, Iyer S, Kesavan K, Borges Lopes MDC, Britto JAA, Moreira ME, Brasil P, Nielsen-Saines K. Neurodevelopmental delay in children exposed to maternal SARS-CoV-2 in-utero. Sci Rep 2024; 14:11851. [PMID: 38789553 PMCID: PMC11126599 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61918-2] [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: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
It is unclear if SARS CoV-2 infection during pregnancy is associated with adverse neurodevelopmental repercussions to infants. We assessed pediatric neurodevelopmental outcomes in children born to mothers with laboratory-confirmed SARS CoV-2 infection during pregnancy. Neurodevelopmental outcomes of in-utero exposed children were compared to that of pre-pandemic control children in Los Angeles (LA), CA, USA and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, 3rd edition (Bayley-III), the gold standard tool for evaluating neurodevelopment until 36 months of age and Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ-3), a frequently used screening instrument for evaluating neurodevelopment in this same age group were the assessment tools used. Developmental delay (DD) was defined as having a score < - 2 SD below the norm (< 70) in at least one of three Bayley-III domains, (cognitive, motor or language) or a score below the cut-off (dark zone) in at least one of five ASQ-3 domains (communication, gross motor, fine motor, problem solving, personal-social). Exposed children were born between April 2020 and December 2022 while control children were born between January 2016 to December 2019. Neurodevelopmental testing was performed in 300 children total: 172 COVID-19 exposed children between 5-30 months of age and 128 control children between 6-38 months of age. Bayley-III results demonstrated that 12 of 128 exposed children (9.4%) had DD versus 2 of 128 controls (1.6%), p = 0.0007. Eight of 44 additional exposed children had DD on ASQ-3 testing. Fully, 20 of 172 exposed children (11.6%) and 2 of 128 control children (1.6%), p = 0.0006 had DD. In Rio, 12% of exposed children versus 2.6% of controls, p = 0.02 had DD. In LA, 5.7% of exposed children versus 0 controls, p = 0.12 had DD. Severe/critical maternal COVID-19 predicted below average neurodevelopment in the exposed cohort (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.1-6.4). Children exposed to antenatal COVID-19 have a tenfold higher frequency of DD as compared to controls and should be offered neurodevelopmental follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Trevon Fuller
- UCLA Institute for the Environment and Sustainability, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | | | - Tara Kerin
- David Geffen, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Sophia Paiola
- David Geffen, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Thalia Mok
- David Geffen, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Rashmi Rao
- David Geffen, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jyodi Mohole
- David Geffen, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Dajie Zhang
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Göttingen and Leibniz ScienceCampus Primate Cognition, Göttingen, Germany
- Interdisciplinary Developmental Neuroscience (IDN), Division of Phoniatrics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Peter Marschik
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Göttingen and Leibniz ScienceCampus Primate Cognition, Göttingen, Germany
- Interdisciplinary Developmental Neuroscience (IDN), Division of Phoniatrics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Sai Iyer
- David Geffen, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Maroon M, Haddad F, Doornaert E, Allman B, Schmid S. Investigating gene-environment interaction on attention in a double-hit model for Autism Spectrum Disorder. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0299380. [PMID: 38748694 PMCID: PMC11095761 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0299380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental behavioral disorder characterized by social, communicative, and motor deficits. There is no single etiological cause for ASD, rather, there are various genetic and environmental factors that increase the risk for ASD. It is thought that some of these factors influence the same underlying neural mechanisms, and that an interplay of both genetic and environmental factors would better explain the pathogenesis of ASD. To better appreciate the influence of genetic-environment interaction on ASD-related behaviours, rats lacking a functional copy of the ASD-linked gene Cntnap2 were exposed to maternal immune activation (MIA) during pregnancy and assessed in adolescence and adulthood. We hypothesized that Cntnap2 deficiency interacts with poly I:C MIA to aggravate ASD-like symptoms in the offspring. In this double-hit model, we assessed attention, a core deficit in ASD due to prefrontal cortical dysfunction. We employed a well-established attentional paradigm known as the 5-choice serial reaction time task (5CSRTT). Cntnap2-/- rats exhibited greater perseverative responses which is indicative of repetitive behaviors. Additionally, rats exposed to poly I:C MIA exhibited premature responses, a marker of impulsivity. The rats exposed to both the genetic and environmental challenge displayed an increase in impulsive activity; however, this response was only elicited in the presence of an auditory distractor. This implies that exacerbated symptomatology in the double-hit model may situation-dependent and not generally expressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melvin Maroon
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Faraj Haddad
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Ella Doornaert
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Brian Allman
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
- Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Susanne Schmid
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
- Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
- Psychology, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
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11
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Debs SR, Conn I, Navaneethan B, Penklis AG, Meyer U, Killcross S, Weickert CS, Purves-Tyson TD. Maternal immune activation and estrogen receptor modulation induce sex-specific dopamine-related behavioural and molecular alterations in adult rat offspring. Brain Behav Immun 2024; 118:236-251. [PMID: 38431238 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2024.02.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Dopamine dysregulation contributes to psychosis and cognitive deficits in schizophrenia that can be modelled in rodents by inducing maternal immune activation (MIA). The selective estrogen receptor (ER) modulator, raloxifene, can improve psychosis and cognition in men and women with schizophrenia. However, few studies have examined how raloxifene may exert its therapeutic effects in mammalian brain in both sexes during young adulthood (age relevant to most prevalent age at diagnosis). Here, we tested the extent to which raloxifene alters dopamine-related behaviours and brain transcripts in young adult rats, both control and MIA-exposed females and males. We found that raloxifene increased amphetamine (AMPH)-induced locomotor activity in female controls, and in contrast, raloxifene reduced AMPH-induced locomotor activity in male MIA offspring. We did not detect overt prepulse inhibition (PPI) deficits in female or male MIA offspring, yet raloxifene enhanced PPI in male MIA offspring. Whereas, raloxifene ameliorated increased startle responsivity in female MIA offspring. In the substantia nigra (SN), we found reduced Drd2s mRNA in raloxifene-treated female offspring with or without MIA, and increased Comt mRNA in placebo-treated male MIA offspring relative to placebo-treated controls. These data demonstrate an underlying dopamine dysregulation in MIA animals that can become more apparent with raloxifene treatment, and may involve selective alterations in dopamine receptor levels and dopamine breakdown processes in the SN. Our findings support sex-specific, differential behavioural responses to ER modulation in MIA compared to control offspring, with beneficial effects of raloxifene treatment on dopamine-related behaviours relevant to schizophrenia found in male MIA offspring only.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie R Debs
- Preclinical Neuropsychiatry Laboratory, Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, Australia; Schizophrenia Research Laboratory, Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, Australia; Discipline of Psychiatry & Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Illya Conn
- Preclinical Neuropsychiatry Laboratory, Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, Australia; Schizophrenia Research Laboratory, Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, Australia
| | - Brendan Navaneethan
- Preclinical Neuropsychiatry Laboratory, Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, Australia
| | - Andriane G Penklis
- Preclinical Neuropsychiatry Laboratory, Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, Australia; Schizophrenia Research Laboratory, Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, Australia
| | - Urs Meyer
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zürich-Vetsuisse, Zürich, Switzerland; Switzerland Neuroscience Centre Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Simon Killcross
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Cynthia Shannon Weickert
- Schizophrenia Research Laboratory, Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, Australia; Discipline of Psychiatry & Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Department of Neuroscience & Physiology, Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, USA
| | - Tertia D Purves-Tyson
- Preclinical Neuropsychiatry Laboratory, Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, Australia; Discipline of Psychiatry & Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
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12
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Long J, Dang H, Su W, Moneruzzaman M, Zhang H. Interactions between circulating inflammatory factors and autism spectrum disorder: a bidirectional Mendelian randomization study in European population. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1370276. [PMID: 38742104 PMCID: PMC11089225 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1370276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Extensive observational studies have reported an association between inflammatory factors and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but their causal relationships remain unclear. This study aims to offer deeper insight into causal relationships between circulating inflammatory factors and ASD. Methods Two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis method was used in this study. The genetic variation of 91 circulating inflammatory factors was obtained from the genome-wide association study (GWAS) database of European ancestry. The germline GWAS summary data for ASD were also obtained (18,381 ASD cases and 27,969 controls). Single nucleotide polymorphisms robustly associated with the 91 inflammatory factors were used as instrumental variables. The random-effects inverse-variance weighted method was used as the primary analysis, and the Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons was applied. Sensitivity tests were carried out to assess the validity of the causal relationship. Results The forward MR analysis results suggest that levels of sulfotransferase 1A1, natural killer cell receptor 2B4, T-cell surface glycoprotein CD5, Fms-related tyrosine kinase 3 ligand, and tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand are positively associated with the occurrence of ASD, while levels of interleukin-7, interleukin-2 receptor subunit beta, and interleukin-2 are inversely associated with the occurrence of ASD. In addition, matrix metalloproteinase-10, caspase 8, tumor necrosis factor-related activation-induced cytokine, and C-C motif chemokine 19 were considered downstream consequences of ASD. Conclusion This MR study identified additional inflammatory factors in patients with ASD relative to previous studies, and raised a possibility of ASD-caused immune abnormalities. These identified inflammatory factors may be potential biomarkers of immunologic dysfunction in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junzi Long
- School of Rehabilitation, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Department of Neurorehabilitation, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Beijing, China
- Division of Brain Sciences, Changping Laboratory, Beijing, China
| | - Hui Dang
- Department of Neurorehabilitation, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Beijing, China
- Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Wenlong Su
- School of Rehabilitation, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Department of Neurorehabilitation, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Beijing, China
| | - Md. Moneruzzaman
- School of Rehabilitation, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Department of Neurorehabilitation, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Beijing, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- School of Rehabilitation, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Department of Neurorehabilitation, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Beijing, China
- Division of Brain Sciences, Changping Laboratory, Beijing, China
- Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
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13
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Chen Y, Li W, Lv L, Yue W. Shared Genetic Determinants of Schizophrenia and Autism Spectrum Disorder Implicate Opposite Risk Patterns: A Genome-Wide Analysis of Common Variants. Schizophr Bull 2024:sbae044. [PMID: 38616054 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbae044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS The synaptic pruning hypothesis posits that schizophrenia (SCZ) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may represent opposite ends of neurodevelopmental disorders: individuals with ASD exhibit an overabundance of synapses and connections while SCZ was characterized by excessive pruning of synapses and a reduction. Given the strong genetic predisposition of both disorders, we propose a shared genetic component, with certain loci having differential regulatory impacts. STUDY DESIGN Genome-Wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data of European descent from SCZ (N cases = 53 386, N controls = 77 258) and ASD (N cases = 18 381, N controls = 27 969) were analyzed. We used genetic correlation, bivariate causal mixture model, conditional false discovery rate method, colocalization, Transcriptome-Wide Association Study (TWAS), and Phenome-Wide Association Study (PheWAS) to investigate the genetic overlap and gene expression pattern. STUDY RESULTS We found a positive genetic correlation between SCZ and ASD (rg = .26, SE = 0.01, P = 7.87e-14), with 11 genomic loci jointly influencing both conditions (conjFDR <0.05). Functional analysis highlights a significant enrichment of shared genes during early to mid-fetal developmental stages. A notable genetic region on chromosome 17q21.31 (lead SNP rs2696609) showed strong evidence of colocalization (PP.H4.abf = 0.85). This SNP rs2696609 is linked to many imaging-derived brain phenotypes. TWAS indicated opposing gene expression patterns (primarily pseudogenes and long noncoding RNAs [lncRNAs]) for ASD and SCZ in the 17q21.31 region and some genes (LRRC37A4P, LINC02210, and DND1P1) exhibit considerable variation in the cerebellum across the lifespan. CONCLUSIONS Our findings support a shared genetic basis for SCZ and ASD. A common genetic variant, rs2696609, located in the Chr17q21.31 locus, may exert differential risk regulation on SCZ and ASD by altering brain structure. Future studies should focus on the role of pseudogenes, lncRNAs, and cerebellum in synaptic pruning and neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, China
- Henan Key Lab of Biological Psychiatry, International Joint Research Laboratory for Psychiatry and Neuroscience of Henan, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, China
- Henan Collaborative Innovation Center of Prevention and Treatment of Mental Disorder, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, China
- Institute of Mental Health, Peking University Sixth Hospital, Beijing, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China
| | - Wenqiang Li
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, China
- Henan Key Lab of Biological Psychiatry, International Joint Research Laboratory for Psychiatry and Neuroscience of Henan, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, China
- Henan Collaborative Innovation Center of Prevention and Treatment of Mental Disorder, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, China
| | - Luxian Lv
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, China
- Henan Key Lab of Biological Psychiatry, International Joint Research Laboratory for Psychiatry and Neuroscience of Henan, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, China
- Henan Collaborative Innovation Center of Prevention and Treatment of Mental Disorder, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, China
- Henan Province People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Weihua Yue
- Institute of Mental Health, Peking University Sixth Hospital, Beijing, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China
- PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Research Unit of Diagnosis and Treatment of Mood Cognitive Disorder (2018RU006), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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14
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Liu Y, Hang X, Zhang Y, Fang Y, Yuan S, Zhang Y, Wu B, Kong Y, Kuang Z, Sun W. Maternal immune activation induces sex-dependent behavioral differences in a rat model of schizophrenia. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1375999. [PMID: 38659461 PMCID: PMC11040086 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1375999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Maternal immune activation (MIA) is a mature means to construct a schizophrenia model. However, some preclinical studies have reported that a MIA-induced schizophrenia model seemed to have gender heterogeneity in behavioral phenotype. On the other hand, the MIA's paradigms were diverse in different studies, and many details could affect the effect of MIA. To some extent, it is not credible and scientific to directly compare the gender differences of different MIA programs. Therefore, it is necessary to study whether the sex of the exposed offspring leads to behavioral differences on the premise of maintaining a consistent MIA mode. Methods An animal model of schizophrenia was established by the administration of 10 mg/kg Poly (I: C) when dams were on day 9 of gestation. Then, a number of female and male offspring completed a series of behavioral tests during postnatal days 61-75. Results Compared with the female control group (n = 14), female MIA offspring (n = 12) showed a longer movement distance (d = 1.07, p < 0.05) and higher average speed (d = 1.08, p < 0.05) in the open field test (OFT). In the Y maze test, the percentage of entering the novel arm of female MIA offspring was lower (d = 0.92, p < 0.05). Compared with the male control group (n = 14), male MIA offspring (n = 13) displayed less movement distance (d = 0.93, p < 0.05) and a lower average speed (d = 0.94, p < 0.05) in the OFT. In the Y maze test, the proportion of exploration time in the novel arm of male MIA offspring was lower (d = 0.96, p < 0.05). In the EPM, male MIA offspring showed less time (d = 0.85, p < 0.05) and a lower percentage of time spent in the open arms (d = 0.85, p < 0.05). Male MIA offspring also had a lower PPI index (76 dB + 120 dB, d = 0.81, p < 0.05; 80 dB + 120 dB, d = 1.45, p < 0.01). Conclusions Our results showed that the behavioral phenotypes induced by prenatal immune activation were highly dependent on the sex of the offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunxia Liu
- The Third Clinical Medical College, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyi Hang
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yijie Zhang
- The Third Clinical Medical College, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yilin Fang
- The Third Clinical Medical College, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Shanfang Yuan
- The Third Clinical Medical College, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Encephalopathy, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Third Affiliated Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Bin Wu
- The Third Clinical Medical College, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Kong
- The Third Clinical Medical College, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Zihe Kuang
- The Third Clinical Medical College, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Wenjun Sun
- Department of Encephalopathy, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Third Affiliated Hospital, Beijing, China
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15
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Hughes HK, Moreno RJ, Ashwood P. Innate Immune Dysfunction and Neuroinflammation in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). FOCUS (AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC PUBLISHING) 2024; 22:229-241. [PMID: 38680981 PMCID: PMC11046725 DOI: 10.1176/appi.focus.24022004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a highly heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by communication and social behavior deficits. The presence of restricted and repetitive behaviors often accompanies these deficits, and these characteristics can range from mild to severe. The past several decades have seen a significant rise in the prevalence of ASD. The etiology of ASD remains unknown; however, genetic and environmental risk factors play a role. Multiple hypotheses converge to suggest that neuroinflammation, or at least the interaction between immune and neural systems, may be involved in the etiology of some ASD cases or groups. Repeated evidence of innate immune dysfunction has been seen in ASD, often associated with worsening behaviors. This evidence includes data from circulating myeloid cells and brain resident macrophages/microglia in both human and animal models. This comprehensive review presents recent findings of innate immune dysfunction in ASD, including aberrant innate cellular function, evidence of neuroinflammation, and microglia activation. Appeared originally in Brain Behav Immun 2023; 108:245-254.
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Affiliation(s)
- H K Hughes
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, UC Davis, CA, USA (all authors);The M.I.N.D. Institute, University of California at Davis, CA, USA (all authors)
| | - R J Moreno
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, UC Davis, CA, USA (all authors);The M.I.N.D. Institute, University of California at Davis, CA, USA (all authors)
| | - P Ashwood
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, UC Davis, CA, USA (all authors);The M.I.N.D. Institute, University of California at Davis, CA, USA (all authors)
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16
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Li H, Wang X, Hu C, Cui J, Li H, Luo X, Hao Y. IL-6 Enhances the Activation of PI3K-AKT/mTOR-GSK-3β by Upregulating GRPR in Hippocampal Neurons of Autistic Mice. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 2024; 19:12. [PMID: 38536552 PMCID: PMC10972920 DOI: 10.1007/s11481-024-10111-3] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological disorder associated with brain inflammation. The underlying mechanisms could be attributed to the activation of PI3K signaling in the inflamed brain of ASD. Multiple studies highlight the role of GRPR in regulating ASD like abnormal behavior and enhancing the PI3K signaling. However, the molecular mechanism by which GRPR regulates PI3K signaling in neurons of individuals with ASD is still unclear. In this study, we utilized a maternal immune activation model to investigate the effects of GRPR on PI3K signaling in the inflamed brain of ASD mice. We used HT22 cells with and without GRPR to examine the impact of GRP-GRPR on the PI3K-AKT pathway with IL-6 treatment. We analyzed a dataset of hippocampus samples from ASD mice to identify hub genes. Our results demonstrated increased expression of IL-6, GRPR, and PI3K-AKT signaling in the hippocampus of ASD mice. Additionally, we observed increased GRPR expression and PI3K-AKT/mTOR activation in HT22 cells after IL-6 treatment, but decreased expression in HT22 cells with GRPR knockdown. NetworkAnalyst identified GSK-3β as the most crucial gene in the PI3K-AKT/mTOR pathway in the hippocampus of ASD. Furthermore, we found that IL-6 upregulated the expression of GSK-3β in HT22 cells by upregulating GRP-GRPR. Our findings suggest that IL-6 can enhance the activation of PI3K-AKT/mTOR-GSK-3β in hippocampal neurons of ASD mice by upregulating GRPR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heli Li
- Division of Child Healthcare, Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Xinyuan Wang
- Division of Child Healthcare, Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Cong Hu
- Division of Child Healthcare, Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Jinru Cui
- Division of Child Healthcare, Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Hao Li
- Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Xiaoping Luo
- Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Yan Hao
- Division of Child Healthcare, Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
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17
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Jaswa EG, Cedars MI, Lindquist KJ, Bishop SL, Kim YS, Kaing A, Prahl M, Gaw SL, Corley J, Hoskin E, Cho YJ, Rogers E, Huddleston HG. In Utero Exposure to Maternal COVID-19 Vaccination and Offspring Neurodevelopment at 12 and 18 Months. JAMA Pediatr 2024; 178:258-265. [PMID: 38252445 PMCID: PMC10804280 DOI: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2023.5743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Importance Uptake of COVID-19 vaccines among pregnant individuals was hampered by safety concerns around potential risks to unborn children. Data clarifying early neurodevelopmental outcomes of offspring exposed to COVID-19 vaccination in utero are lacking. Objective To determine whether in utero exposure to maternal COVID-19 vaccination was associated with differences in scores on the Ages and Stages Questionnaire, third edition (ASQ-3), at 12 and 18 months of age. Design, Setting, and Participants This prospective cohort study, Assessing the Safety of Pregnancy During the Coronavirus Pandemic (ASPIRE), enrolled pregnant participants from May 2020 to August 2021; follow-up of children from these pregnancies is ongoing. Participants, which included pregnant individuals and their offspring from all 50 states, self-enrolled online. Study activities were performed remotely. Exposure In utero exposure of the fetus to maternal COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy was compared with those unexposed. Main Outcomes and Measures Neurodevelopmental scores on validated ASQ-3, completed by birth mothers at 12 and 18 months. A score below the established cutoff in any of 5 subdomains (communication, gross motor, fine motor, problem solving, social skills) constituted an abnormal screen for developmental delay. Results A total of 2487 pregnant individuals (mean [SD] age, 33.3 [4.2] years) enrolled at less than 10 weeks' gestation and completed research activities, yielding a total of 2261 and 1940 infants aged 12 and 18 months, respectively, with neurodevelopmental assessments. In crude analyses, 471 of 1541 exposed infants (30.6%) screened abnormally for developmental delay at 12 months vs 203 of 720 unexposed infants (28.2%; χ2 = 1.32; P = .25); the corresponding prevalences at 18 months were 262 of 1301 (20.1%) vs 148 of 639 (23.2%), respectively (χ2 = 2.35; P = .13). In multivariable mixed-effects logistic regression models adjusting for maternal age, race, ethnicity, education, income, maternal depression, and anxiety, no difference in risk for abnormal ASQ-3 screens was observed at either time point (12 months: adjusted risk ratio [aRR], 1.14; 95% CI, 0.97-1.33; 18 months: aRR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.72-1.07). Further adjustment for preterm birth and infant sex did not affect results (12 months: aRR, 1.16; 95% CI, 0.98-1.36; 18 months: aRR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.71-1.07). Conclusions and Relevance Results of this cohort study suggest that COVID-19 vaccination was safe during pregnancy from the perspective of infant neurodevelopment to 18 months of age. Additional longer-term research should be conducted to corroborate these findings and buttress clinical guidance with a strong evidence base.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleni G. Jaswa
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco
| | - Marcelle I. Cedars
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco
| | - Karla J. Lindquist
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco
| | - Somer L. Bishop
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco
| | - Young-Shin Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco
| | - Amy Kaing
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco
| | - Mary Prahl
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Infectious Disease and Global Health, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco
| | - Stephanie L. Gaw
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco
| | - Jamie Corley
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco
| | - Elena Hoskin
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco
| | - Yoon Jae Cho
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco
| | - Elizabeth Rogers
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco
| | - Heather G. Huddleston
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco
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18
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Vacharasin JM, Ward JA, McCord MM, Cox K, Imitola J, Lizarraga SB. Neuroimmune mechanisms in autism etiology - untangling a complex problem using human cellular models. OXFORD OPEN NEUROSCIENCE 2024; 3:kvae003. [PMID: 38665176 PMCID: PMC11044813 DOI: 10.1093/oons/kvae003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects 1 in 36 people and is more often diagnosed in males than in females. Core features of ASD are impaired social interactions, repetitive behaviors and deficits in verbal communication. ASD is a highly heterogeneous and heritable disorder, yet its underlying genetic causes account only for up to 80% of the cases. Hence, a subset of ASD cases could be influenced by environmental risk factors. Maternal immune activation (MIA) is a response to inflammation during pregnancy, which can lead to increased inflammatory signals to the fetus. Inflammatory signals can cross the placenta and blood brain barriers affecting fetal brain development. Epidemiological and animal studies suggest that MIA could contribute to ASD etiology. However, human mechanistic studies have been hindered by a lack of experimental systems that could replicate the impact of MIA during fetal development. Therefore, mechanisms altered by inflammation during human pre-natal brain development, and that could underlie ASD pathogenesis have been largely understudied. The advent of human cellular models with induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) and organoid technology is closing this gap in knowledge by providing both access to molecular manipulations and culturing capability of tissue that would be otherwise inaccessible. We present an overview of multiple levels of evidence from clinical, epidemiological, and cellular studies that provide a potential link between higher ASD risk and inflammation. More importantly, we discuss how stem cell-derived models may constitute an ideal experimental system to mechanistically interrogate the effect of inflammation during the early stages of brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janay M Vacharasin
- Department of Biological Sciences, and Center for Childhood Neurotherapeutics, Univ. of South Carolina, 715 Sumter Street, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Francis Marion University, 4822 East Palmetto Street, Florence, S.C. 29506, USA
| | - Joseph A Ward
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, & Biochemistry, Brown University, 185 Meeting Street, Providence, RI 02912, USA
- Center for Translational Neuroscience, Carney Institute of Brain Science, Brown University, 70 Ship Street, Providence, RI 02903, USA
| | - Mikayla M McCord
- Department of Biological Sciences, and Center for Childhood Neurotherapeutics, Univ. of South Carolina, 715 Sumter Street, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Kaitlin Cox
- Department of Biological Sciences, and Center for Childhood Neurotherapeutics, Univ. of South Carolina, 715 Sumter Street, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Jaime Imitola
- Laboratory of Neural Stem Cells and Functional Neurogenetics, UConn Health, Departments of Neuroscience, Neurology, Genetics and Genome Sciences, UConn Health, 263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT 06030-5357, USA
| | - Sofia B Lizarraga
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, & Biochemistry, Brown University, 185 Meeting Street, Providence, RI 02912, USA
- Center for Translational Neuroscience, Carney Institute of Brain Science, Brown University, 70 Ship Street, Providence, RI 02903, USA
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Ross FC, Mayer DE, Gupta A, Gill CIR, Del Rio D, Cryan JF, Lavelle A, Ross RP, Stanton C, Mayer EA. Existing and Future Strategies to Manipulate the Gut Microbiota With Diet as a Potential Adjuvant Treatment for Psychiatric Disorders. Biol Psychiatry 2024; 95:348-360. [PMID: 37918459 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2023.10.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Nutrition and diet quality play key roles in preventing and slowing cognitive decline and have been linked to multiple brain disorders. This review compiles available evidence from preclinical studies and clinical trials on the impact of nutrition and interventions regarding major psychiatric conditions and some neurological disorders. We emphasize the potential role of diet-related microbiome alterations in these effects and highlight commonalities between various brain disorders related to the microbiome. Despite numerous studies shedding light on these findings, there are still gaps in our understanding due to the limited availability of definitive human trial data firmly establishing a causal link between a specific diet and microbially mediated brain functions and symptoms. The positive impact of certain diets on the microbiome and cognitive function is frequently ascribed with the anti-inflammatory effects of certain microbial metabolites or a reduction of proinflammatory microbial products. We also critically review recent research on pro- and prebiotics and nondietary interventions, particularly fecal microbiota transplantation. The recent focus on diet in relation to brain disorders could lead to improved treatment outcomes with combined dietary, pharmacological, and behavioral interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiona C Ross
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Dylan E Mayer
- Institute of Human Nutrition, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Arpana Gupta
- Goodman-Luskin Microbiome Center, G. Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience, UCLA Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Chris I R Gill
- Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health, Ulster University, Coleraine, United Kingdom
| | - Daniele Del Rio
- Department of Food and Drugs, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - John F Cryan
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Aonghus Lavelle
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - R Paul Ross
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Catherine Stanton
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; Teagasc Moorepark Food Research Centre, Fermoy, Cork, Ireland.
| | - Emeran A Mayer
- Goodman-Luskin Microbiome Center, G. Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience, UCLA Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.
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20
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Duan X, Chen Z, Zhan Z, Li L, Lei X, Long Y, Xie X, Chen H. Establishment of new transurethral catheterization methods for male mice. Biol Methods Protoc 2024; 9:bpae005. [PMID: 38414648 PMCID: PMC10898326 DOI: 10.1093/biomethods/bpae005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Transurethral catheterization in mice is multifaceted, serving essential functions such as perfusion and drug delivery, and is critical in the development of various urological animal disease models. The complex anatomy of the male mouse urethra presents significant challenges in transurethral catheterization, leading to a predominance of research focused on female specimens. This bias limits the utilization of male mice in lower urinary tract disease studies. Our research aims to develop new reliable methods for transurethral catheterization in adult male mice, thereby expanding their use in relevant disease research. Experiments were conducted on adult male C57BL/6J mice. Utilizing a PE10 catheter measuring 4.5-5 cm in length, the catheter was inserted into the bladder via the mouse's urethra under anesthesia. The intubation technique entailed regulating the insertion force, ensuring the catheter's lubrication, using a trocar catheter, modifying the catheter's trajectory, and accommodating the curvature of the bladder neck. Post-catheter insertion, ultrasound imaging was employed to confirm the catheter's accurate positioning within the bladder. Subsequent to catheterization, the bladder was perfused using trypan blue. This method was further validated through its successful application in establishing an acute urinary retention (AUR) model, where the mouse bladder was infused with saline to a pressure of 50 or 80 cm H2O, maintained steadily for 30 min. A thorough morphological assessment of the mouse bladder was conducted after the infusion. Our study successfully pioneered methods for transurethral catheterization in male mice. This technique not only facilitates precise transurethral catheterization but also proves applicable to male mouse models for lower urinary tract diseases, such as AUR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Duan
- The School of Basic Medical Science, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
- Public Center of Experimental Technology, Model Animal and Human Disease Research of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Zhibin Chen
- Department of Urology, Neijiang First People's Hospital, Neijiang 641099, China
| | - Zhean Zhan
- The School of Basic Medical Science, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
- Public Center of Experimental Technology, Model Animal and Human Disease Research of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Langhui Li
- The School of Basic Medical Science, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
- Public Center of Experimental Technology, Model Animal and Human Disease Research of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Xianying Lei
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Yang Long
- Metabolic Vascular Disease Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Xiang Xie
- The School of Basic Medical Science, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
- Public Center of Experimental Technology, Model Animal and Human Disease Research of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Huan Chen
- The School of Basic Medical Science, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
- Public Center of Experimental Technology, Model Animal and Human Disease Research of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
- Nucleic Acid Medicine of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
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21
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Dorsey SG, Mocci E, Lane MV, Krueger BK. Rapid effects of valproic acid on the fetal brain transcriptome: Implications for brain development and autism. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-3684653. [PMID: 38260618 PMCID: PMC10802704 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3684653/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
There is an increased incidence of autism among the children of women who take the anti-epileptic, mood-stabilizing drug, valproic acid (VPA) during pregnancy; moreover, exposure to VPA in utero causes autistic-like symptoms in rodents and non-human primates. Analysis of RNA-seq data obtained from E12.5 fetal mouse brains 3 hours after VPA administration to the pregnant dam revealed that VPA rapidly and significantly increased or decreased the expression of approximately 7,300 genes. No significant sex differences in VPA-induced gene expression were observed. Expression of 399 autism risk genes was significantly altered by VPA as was expression of 255 genes that have been reported to play fundamental roles in fetal brain development but are not otherwise linked to autism. Expression of genes associated with intracellular signaling pathways, neurogenesis, and excitation-inhibition balance as well as synaptogenesis, neuronal fate determination, axon and dendritic development, neuroinflammation, circadian rhythms, and epigenetic modulation of gene expression was dysregulated by VPA. The goal of this study was to identify mouse genes that are: (a) significantly up- or down-regulated by VPA in the fetal brain and (b) known to be associated with autism and/or to play a role in embryonic neurodevelopmental processes, perturbation of which has the potential to alter brain connectivity and, consequently behavior, in the adult. The set of genes meeting these criteria provides potential targets for future hypothesis-driven studies to elucidate the proximal causes of errors in brain connectivity underlying neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan G. Dorsey
- Department of Pain and Translational Symptom Sciences, University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Evelina Mocci
- Department of Pain and Translational Symptom Sciences, University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Malcolm V. Lane
- Translational Toxicology/Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Bruce K. Krueger
- Departments of Physiology and Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201
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22
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Shook LL, Batorsky RA, De Guzman RM, McCrea LT, Brigida SM, Horng JE, Sheridan SD, Kholod O, Cook AM, Li JZ, Goods BA, Perlis RH, Edlow AG. Maternal SARS-CoV-2 impacts fetal placental macrophage programs and placenta-derived microglial models of neurodevelopment. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.12.29.23300544. [PMID: 38234776 PMCID: PMC10793528 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.29.23300544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 virus activates maternal and placental immune responses, which in the setting of other infections occurring during pregnancy are known to impact fetal brain development. The effects of maternal immune activation on neurodevelopment are mediated at least in part by fetal brain microglia. However, microglia are inaccessible for direct analysis, and there are no validated non-invasive surrogate models to evaluate in utero microglial priming and function. We have previously demonstrated shared transcriptional programs between microglia and Hofbauer cells (HBCs, or fetal placental macrophages) in mouse models. Here, we assessed the impact of maternal SARS-CoV-2 on HBCs isolated from term placentas using single-cell RNA-sequencing. We demonstrated that HBC subpopulations exhibit distinct cellular programs, with specific subpopulations differentially impacted by SARS-CoV-2. Assessment of differentially expressed genes implied impaired phagocytosis, a key function of both HBCs and microglia, in some subclusters. Leveraging previously validated models of microglial synaptic pruning, we showed that HBCs isolated from placentas of SARS-CoV-2 positive pregnancies can be transdifferentiated into microglia-like cells, with altered morphology and impaired synaptic pruning behavior compared to HBC models from negative controls. These findings suggest that HBCs isolated at birth can be used to create personalized cellular models of offspring microglial programming.
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23
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Mohebalizadeh M, Babapour G, Maleki Aghdam M, Mohammadi T, Jafari R, Shafiei-Irannejad V. Role of Maternal Immune Factors in Neuroimmunology of Brain Development. Mol Neurobiol 2023:10.1007/s12035-023-03749-2. [PMID: 38057641 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03749-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Inflammation during pregnancy may occur due to various factors. This condition, in which maternal immune system activation occurs, can affect fetal brain development and be related to neurodevelopmental diseases. MIA interacts with the fetus's brain development through maternal antibodies, cytokines, chemokines, and microglial cells. Antibodies are associated with the development of the nervous system by two mechanisms: direct binding to brain inflammatory factors and binding to brain antigens. Cytokines and chemokines have an active presence in inflammatory processes. Additionally, glial cells, defenders of the nervous system, play an essential role in synaptic modulation and neurogenesis. Maternal infections during pregnancy are the most critical factors related to MIA; however, several studies show the relation between these infections and neurodevelopmental diseases. Infection with specific viruses, such as Zika, cytomegalovirus, influenza A, and SARS-CoV-2, has revealed effects on neurodevelopment and the onset of diseases such as schizophrenia and autism. We review the relationship between maternal infections during pregnancy and their impact on neurodevelopmental processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Mohebalizadeh
- Student Research Committee, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
- Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Urmia, Iran
- Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Expert Group (SRMEG), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Urmia, Iran
| | - Golsa Babapour
- Student Research Committee, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Mahdi Maleki Aghdam
- Student Research Committee, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
- Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Urmia, Iran
| | - Tooba Mohammadi
- Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Expert Group (SRMEG), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Urmia, Iran
| | - Reza Jafari
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Cellular and Molecular Medicine Research Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Vahid Shafiei-Irannejad
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Cellular and Molecular Medicine Research Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.
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24
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Sarieva K, Kagermeier T, Khakipoor S, Atay E, Yentür Z, Becker K, Mayer S. Human brain organoid model of maternal immune activation identifies radial glia cells as selectively vulnerable. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:5077-5089. [PMID: 36878967 PMCID: PMC9986664 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-01997-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
Maternal immune activation (MIA) during critical windows of gestation is correlated with long-term neurodevelopmental deficits in the offspring, including increased risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in humans. Interleukin 6 (IL-6) derived from the gestational parent is one of the major molecular mediators by which MIA alters the developing brain. In this study, we establish a human three-dimensional (3D) in vitro model of MIA by treating induced pluripotent stem cell-derived dorsal forebrain organoids with a constitutively active form of IL-6, Hyper-IL-6. We validate our model by showing that dorsal forebrain organoids express the molecular machinery necessary for responding to Hyper-IL-6 and activate STAT signaling upon Hyper-IL-6 treatment. RNA sequencing analysis reveals the upregulation of major histocompatibility complex class I (MHCI) genes in response to Hyper-IL-6 exposure, which have been implicated with ASD. We find a small increase in the proportion of radial glia cells after Hyper-IL-6 treatment through immunohistochemistry and single-cell RNA-sequencing. We further show that radial glia cells are the cell type with the highest number of differentially expressed genes, and Hyper-IL-6 treatment leads to the downregulation of genes related to protein translation in line with a mouse model of MIA. Additionally, we identify differentially expressed genes not found in mouse models of MIA, which might drive species-specific responses to MIA. Finally, we show abnormal cortical layering as a long-term consequence of Hyper-IL-6 treatment. In summary, we establish a human 3D model of MIA, which can be used to study the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the increased risk for developing disorders such as ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kseniia Sarieva
- Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- International Max Planck Research School, Graduate Training Centre of Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Theresa Kagermeier
- Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- International Max Planck Research School, Graduate Training Centre of Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Shokoufeh Khakipoor
- Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ezgi Atay
- Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Zeynep Yentür
- Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- International Max Planck Research School, Graduate Training Centre of Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Heidelberger Akademie der Wissenschaften, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Katharina Becker
- Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Simone Mayer
- Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
- International Max Planck Research School, Graduate Training Centre of Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
- Heidelberger Akademie der Wissenschaften, Heidelberg, Germany.
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25
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Cording KR, Bateup HS. Altered motor learning and coordination in mouse models of autism spectrum disorder. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1270489. [PMID: 38026686 PMCID: PMC10663323 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1270489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder with increasing prevalence. Over 1,000 risk genes have now been implicated in ASD, suggesting diverse etiology. However, the diagnostic criteria for the disorder still comprise two major behavioral domains - deficits in social communication and interaction, and the presence of restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior (RRBs). The RRBs associated with ASD include both stereotyped repetitive movements and other motor manifestations including changes in gait, balance, coordination, and motor skill learning. In recent years, the striatum, the primary input center of the basal ganglia, has been implicated in these ASD-associated motor behaviors, due to the striatum's role in action selection, motor learning, and habit formation. Numerous mouse models with mutations in ASD risk genes have been developed and shown to have alterations in ASD-relevant behaviors. One commonly used assay, the accelerating rotarod, allows for assessment of both basic motor coordination and motor skill learning. In this corticostriatal-dependent task, mice walk on a rotating rod that gradually increases in speed. In the extended version of this task, mice engage striatal-dependent learning mechanisms to optimize their motor routine and stay on the rod for longer periods. This review summarizes the findings of studies examining rotarod performance across a range of ASD mouse models, and the resulting implications for the involvement of striatal circuits in ASD-related motor behaviors. While performance in this task is not uniform across mouse models, there is a cohort of models that show increased rotarod performance. A growing number of studies suggest that this increased propensity to learn a fixed motor routine may reflect a common enhancement of corticostriatal drive across a subset of mice with mutations in ASD-risk genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine R. Cording
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Helen S. Bateup
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
- Molecular and Cell Biology Department, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, United States
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26
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Guerrin CG, Prasad K, Vazquez-Matias DA, Zheng J, Franquesa-Mullerat M, Barazzuol L, Doorduin J, de Vries EF. Prenatal infection and adolescent social adversity affect microglia, synaptic density, and behavior in male rats. Neurobiol Stress 2023; 27:100580. [PMID: 37920548 PMCID: PMC10618826 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2023.100580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal infection during pregnancy and childhood social trauma have been associated with neurodevelopmental and affective disorders, such as schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorders, bipolar disorder and depression. These disorders are characterized by changes in microglial cells, which play a notable role in synaptic pruning, and synaptic deficits. Here, we investigated the effect of prenatal infection and social adversity during adolescence - either alone or in combination - on behavior, microglia, and synaptic density. Male offspring of pregnant rats injected with poly I:C, mimicking prenatal infection, were exposed to repeated social defeat during adolescence. We found that maternal infection during pregnancy prevented the reduction in social behavior and increase in anxiety induced by social adversity during adolescence. Furthermore, maternal infection and social adversity, alone or in combination, induced hyperlocomotion in adulthood. Longitudinal in vivo imaging with [11C]PBR28 positron emission tomography revealed that prenatal infection alone and social adversity during adolescence alone induced a transient increase in translocator protein TSPO density, an indicator of glial reactivity, whereas their combination induced a long-lasting increase that remained until adulthood. Furthermore, only the combination of prenatal infection and social adversity during adolescence induced an increase in microglial cell density in the frontal cortex. Prenatal infection increased proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β protein levels in hippocampus and social adversity reduced anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 protein levels in hippocampus during adulthood. This reduction in IL-10 was prevented if rats were previously exposed to prenatal infection. Adult offspring exposed to prenatal infection or adolescent social adversity had a higher synaptic density in the frontal cortex, but not hippocampus, as evaluated by synaptophysin density. Interestingly, such an increase in synaptic density was not observed in rats exposed to the combination of prenatal infection and social adversity, perhaps due to the long-lasting increase in microglial density, which may lead to an increase in microglial synaptic pruning. These findings suggest that changes in microglia activity and cytokine release induced by prenatal infection and social adversity during adolescence may be related to a reduced synaptic pruning, resulting in a higher synaptic density and behavioral changes in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cyprien G.J. Guerrin
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9713, GZ, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Kavya Prasad
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9713, GZ, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Daniel A. Vazquez-Matias
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9713, GZ, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Jing Zheng
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9713, GZ, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Maria Franquesa-Mullerat
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9713, GZ, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Lara Barazzuol
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ, Groningen, the Netherlands
- Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells and Systems, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Janine Doorduin
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9713, GZ, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Erik F.J. de Vries
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9713, GZ, Groningen, the Netherlands
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27
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Zhang S, Shi K, Lyu N, Zhang Y, Liang G, Zhang W, Wang X, Wen H, Wen L, Ma H, Wang J, Yu X, Guan L. Genome-wide DNA methylation analysis in families with multiple individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia and intellectual disability. World J Biol Psychiatry 2023; 24:741-753. [PMID: 37017099 DOI: 10.1080/15622975.2023.2198595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Schizophrenia (SZ) and intellectual disability (ID) are both included in the continuum of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). DNA methylation is known to be important in the occurrence of NDDs. The family study is conducive to eliminate the effects of relative epigenetic backgrounds, and to screen for differentially methylated positions (DMPs) and regions (DMRs) that are truly associated with NDDs. METHODS Four monozygotic twin families were recruited, and both twin individuals suffered from NDDs (either SZ, ID, or SZ plus ID). Genome-wide methylation analysis was performed in all samples and each family. DMPs and DMRs between NDD patients and unaffected individuals were identified. Functional and pathway enrichment analyses were performed on the annotated genes. RESULTS Two significant DMPs annotated to CYP2E1 were found in all samples. In Family One, 1476 DMPs mapped to 880 genes, and 162 DMRs overlapping with 153 unique genes were recognised. Our results suggested that the altered methylation levels of FYN, STAT3, RAC1, and NR4A2 were associated with the development of SZ and ID. Neurodevelopment and the immune system may participate in the occurrence of SZ and ID. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggested that DNA methylation participated in the development of NDDs by affecting neurodevelopment and the immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengmin Zhang
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Centre for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China
| | - Kaiyu Shi
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Centre for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China
- Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Nan Lyu
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Centre for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China
- Beijing Anding Hospital, Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, The National Clinical Research Centre for Mental Disorders, The Advanced Innovation Centre for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yunshu Zhang
- The Sixth People's Hospital of Hebei Province, Hebei Mental Health Centre, Baoding, Hebei, China
| | | | - Wufang Zhang
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Centre for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China
| | - Xijin Wang
- The First Psychiatric Hospital of Harbin, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Hong Wen
- The Third Hospital of Mianyang, Mianyang, Sichuan, China
| | - Liping Wen
- Zigong Mental Health Centre, Zigong, Sichuan, China
| | - Hong Ma
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Centre for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China
| | - Jijun Wang
- Shanghai Mental Health Centre, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Yu
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Centre for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China
| | - Lili Guan
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Centre for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China
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Mondal A, Sharma R, Abiha U, Ahmad F, Karan A, Jayaraj RL, Sundar V. A Spectrum of Solutions: Unveiling Non-Pharmacological Approaches to Manage Autism Spectrum Disorder. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2023; 59:1584. [PMID: 37763703 PMCID: PMC10536417 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59091584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder that causes difficulty while socializing and communicating and the performance of stereotyped behavior. ASD is thought to have a variety of causes when accompanied by genetic disorders and environmental variables together, resulting in abnormalities in the brain. A steep rise in ASD has been seen regardless of the numerous behavioral and pharmaceutical therapeutic techniques. Therefore, using complementary and alternative therapies to treat autism could be very significant. Thus, this review is completely focused on non-pharmacological therapeutic interventions which include different diets, supplements, antioxidants, hormones, vitamins and minerals to manage ASD. Additionally, we also focus on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies, herbal remedies, camel milk and cannabiodiol. Additionally, we concentrate on how palatable phytonutrients provide a fresh glimmer of hope in this situation. Moreover, in addition to phytochemicals/nutraceuticals, it also focuses on various microbiomes, i.e., gut, oral, and vaginal. Therefore, the current comprehensive review opens a new avenue for managing autistic patients through non-pharmacological intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arunima Mondal
- Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Central University of Punjab, Ghudda 151401, India
| | - Rashi Sharma
- Department of Biotechnology, Delhi Technological University, Bawana, Delhi 110042, India
| | - Umme Abiha
- IDRP, Indian Institute of Technology, Jodhpur 342030, India
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur 342005, India
| | - Faizan Ahmad
- Department of Medical Elementology and Toxicology, Jamia Hamdard University, Delhi 110062, India
| | | | - Richard L. Jayaraj
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain 15551, United Arab Emirates
| | - Vaishnavi Sundar
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
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Guerrin CGJ, de Vries EFJ, Prasad K, Vazquez-Matias DA, Manusiwa LE, Barazzuol L, Doorduin J. Maternal infection during pregnancy aggravates the behavioral response to an immune challenge during adolescence in female rats. Behav Brain Res 2023; 452:114566. [PMID: 37419332 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
Prenatal and early postnatal infection have been associated with changes in microglial activity and the development of psychiatric disorders. Here, we investigated the effect of prenatal immune activation and postnatal immune challenge, alone and combined, on behavior and microglial cell density in female Wistar rats. Pregnant rats were injected with poly I:C to induce a maternal immune activation (MIA). Their female offspring were subsequently exposed to a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) immune challenge during adolescence. Anhedonia, social behavior, anxiety, locomotion, and working memory were measured with the sucrose preference, social interaction, open field, elevated-plus maze, and Y-maze test, respectively. Microglia cell density was quantified by counting the number of Iba-1 positive cells in the brain cortex. Female MIA offspring were more susceptible to the LPS immune challenge during adolescence than control offspring as demonstrated by a more pronounced reduction in sucrose preference and body weight on the days following the LPS immune challenge. Furthermore, only the rats exposed to both MIA and LPS showed long-lasting changes in social behavior and locomotion. Conversely, the combination MIA and LPS prevented the anxiety induced by MIA alone during adulthood. MIA, LPS, or their combination did not change microglial cell density in the parietal and frontal cortex of adult rats. The results of our study suggest that the maternal immune activation during pregnancy aggravates the response to an immune challenge during adolescence in female rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cyprien G J Guerrin
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, Groningen 9713 GZ, the Netherlands
| | - Erik F J de Vries
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, Groningen 9713 GZ, the Netherlands
| | - Kavya Prasad
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, Groningen 9713 GZ, the Netherlands
| | - Daniel A Vazquez-Matias
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, Groningen 9713 GZ, the Netherlands
| | - Lesley E Manusiwa
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, Groningen 9713 GZ, the Netherlands
| | - Lara Barazzuol
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, Groningen 9713 GZ, the Netherlands; Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells and Systems, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, Groningen 9713 GZ, the Netherlands
| | - Janine Doorduin
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, Groningen 9713 GZ, the Netherlands.
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Gundacker A, Cuenca Rico L, Stoehrmann P, Tillmann KE, Weber-Stadlbauer U, Pollak DD. Interaction of the pre- and postnatal environment in the maternal immune activation model. DISCOVER MENTAL HEALTH 2023; 3:15. [PMID: 37622027 PMCID: PMC10444676 DOI: 10.1007/s44192-023-00042-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Adverse influences during pregnancy are associated with a range of unfavorable outcomes for the developing offspring. Maternal psychosocial stress, exposure to infections and nutritional imbalances are known risk factors for neurodevelopmental derangements and according psychiatric and neurological manifestations later in offspring life. In this context, the maternal immune activation (MIA) model has been extensively used in preclinical research to study how stimulation of the maternal immune system during gestation derails the tightly coordinated sequence of fetal neurodevelopment. The ensuing consequence of MIA for offspring brain structure and function are majorly manifested in behavioral and cognitive abnormalities, phenotypically presenting during the periods of adolescence and adulthood. These observations have been interpreted within the framework of the "double-hit-hypothesis" suggesting that an elevated risk for neurodevelopmental disorders results from an individual being subjected to two adverse environmental influences at distinct periods of life, jointly leading to the emergence of pathology. The early postnatal period, during which the caregiving parent is the major determinant of the newborn´s environment, constitutes a window of vulnerability to external stimuli. Considering that MIA not only affects the developing fetus, but also impinges on the mother´s brain, which is in a state of heightened malleability during pregnancy, the impact of MIA on maternal brain function and behavior postpartum may importantly contribute to the detrimental consequences for her progeny. Here we review current information on the interaction between the prenatal and postnatal maternal environments in the modulation of offspring development and their relevance for the pathophysiology of the MIA model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Gundacker
- Department of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Schwarzspanierstrasse, 17, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Laura Cuenca Rico
- Department of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Schwarzspanierstrasse, 17, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Stoehrmann
- Department of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Schwarzspanierstrasse, 17, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Katharina E. Tillmann
- Department of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Schwarzspanierstrasse, 17, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Ulrike Weber-Stadlbauer
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich-Vetsuisse, Zurich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and ETH, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Daniela D. Pollak
- Department of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Schwarzspanierstrasse, 17, 1090 Vienna, Austria
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McColl ER, Henderson JT, Piquette-Miller M. Dysregulation of Amino Acid Transporters in a Rat Model of TLR7-Mediated Maternal Immune Activation. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:1857. [PMID: 37514044 PMCID: PMC10385561 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15071857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal immune activation (MIA) during pregnancy is linked to neurodevelopmental disorders in humans. Similarly, the TLR7 agonist imiquimod alters neurodevelopment in rodents. While the mechanisms underlying MIA-mediated neurodevelopmental changes are unknown, they could involve dysregulation of amino acid transporters essential for neurodevelopment. Therefore, we sought to determine the nature of such transporter changes in both imiquimod-treated rats and human placentas during infection. Pregnant rats received imiquimod on gestational day (GD)14. Transporter expression was measured in placentas and fetal brains via qPCR (GD14.5) and immunoblotting (GD16). To monitor function, fetal brain amino acid levels were measured by HPLC on GD16. Gene expression in the cortex of female fetal brains was further examined by RNAseq on GD19. In human placentas, suspected active infection was associated with decreased ASCT1 and SNAT2 protein expression. Similarly, in imiquimod-treated rats, ASCT1 and SNAT2 protein was also decreased in male placentas, while EAAT2 was decreased in female placentas. CAT3 was increased in female fetal brains. Consistent with this, imiquimod altered amino acid levels in fetal brains, while RNAseq demonstrated changes in expression of several genes implicated in autism. Thus, imiquimod alters amino acid transporter levels in pregnant rats, and similar changes occur in human placentas during active infection. This suggests that changes in expression of amino acid transporters may contribute to effects mediated by MIA toward altered neurodevelopment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliza R McColl
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, 144 College St, Toronto, ON M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Jeffrey T Henderson
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, 144 College St, Toronto, ON M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Micheline Piquette-Miller
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, 144 College St, Toronto, ON M5S 3M2, Canada
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Perdikaris P, Dermon CR. Altered GABAergic, glutamatergic and endocannabinoid signaling is accompanied by neuroinflammatory response in a zebrafish model of social withdrawal behavior. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1120993. [PMID: 37284463 PMCID: PMC10239971 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1120993] [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: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Deficits in social communication are in the core of clinical symptoms characterizing many neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder. The occurrence of anxiety-related behavior, a common co-morbid condition in individuals with impairments in social domain, suggests the presence of overlapping neurobiological mechanisms between these two pathologies. Dysregulated excitation/inhibition balance and excessive neuroinflammation, in specific neural circuits, are proposed as common etiological mechanisms implicated in both pathologies. Methods and Results In the present study we evaluated changes in glutamatergic/GABAergic neurotransmission as well as the presence of neuroinflammation within the regions of the Social Decision-Making Network (SDMN) using a zebrafish model of NMDA receptor hypofunction, following sub-chronic MK-801 administration. MK-801-treated zebrafish are characterized by impaired social communication together with increased anxiety levels. At the molecular level, the behavioral phenotype was accompanied by increased mGluR5 and GAD67 but decreased PSD-95 protein expression levels in telencephalon and midbrain. In parallel, MK-801-treated zebrafish exhibited altered endocannabinoid signaling as indicated by the upregulation of cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1R) in the telencephalon. Interestingly, glutamatergic dysfunction was positively correlated with social withdrawal behavior whereas defective GABAergic and endocannabinoid activity were positively associated with anxiety-like behavior. Moreover, neuronal and astrocytic IL-1β expression was increased in regions of the SDMN, supporting the role of neuroinflammatory responses in the manifestation of MK-801 behavioral phenotype. Colocalization of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) with β2-adrenergic receptors (β2-ARs) underlies the possible influence of noradrenergic neurotransmission to increased IL-1β expression in comorbidity between social deficits and elevated anxiety comorbidity. Discussion Overall, our results indicate the contribution of altered excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission as well as excessive neuroinflammatory responses in the manifestation of social deficits and anxiety-like behavior of MK-801-treated fish, identifying possible novel targets for amelioration of these symptoms.
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Costa AN, Ferguson BJ, Hawkins E, Coman A, Schauer J, Ramirez-Celis A, Hecht PM, Bruce D, Tilley M, Talebizadeh Z, Van de Water J, Beversdorf DQ. The Relationship between Maternal Antibodies to Fetal Brain and Prenatal Stress Exposure in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Metabolites 2023; 13:663. [PMID: 37233704 PMCID: PMC10224143 DOI: 10.3390/metabo13050663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Environmental and genetic factors contribute to the etiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but their interaction is less well understood. Mothers that are genetically more stress-susceptible have been found to be at increased risk of having a child with ASD after exposure to stress during pregnancy. Additionally, the presence of maternal antibodies for the fetal brain is associated with a diagnosis of ASD in children. However, the relationship between prenatal stress exposure and maternal antibodies in the mothers of children diagnosed with ASD has not yet been addressed. This exploratory study examined the association of maternal antibody response with prenatal stress and a diagnosis of ASD in children. Blood samples from 53 mothers with at least one child diagnosed with ASD were examined by ELISA. Maternal antibody presence, perceived stress levels during pregnancy (high or low), and maternal 5-HTTLPR polymorphisms were examined for their interrelationship in ASD. While high incidences of prenatal stress and maternal antibodies were found in the sample, they were not associated with each other (p = 0.709, Cramér's V = 0.051). Furthermore, the results revealed no significant association between maternal antibody presence and the interaction between 5-HTTLPR genotype and stress (p = 0.729, Cramér's V = 0.157). Prenatal stress was not found to be associated with the presence of maternal antibodies in the context of ASD, at least in this initial exploratory sample. Despite the known relationship between stress and changes in immune function, these results suggest that prenatal stress and immune dysregulation are independently associated with a diagnosis of ASD in this study population, rather than acting through a convergent mechanism. However, this would need to be confirmed in a larger sample.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy N Costa
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Bradley J Ferguson
- Department of Health Psychology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Interdiscipinary Neuroscience Program, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Emily Hawkins
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Adriana Coman
- Department of Biochemistry, Grinnell College, Grinnell, IA 50112, USA
| | - Joseph Schauer
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, University of California, Davis, CA 95161, USA
| | - Alex Ramirez-Celis
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, University of California, Davis, CA 95161, USA
| | - Patrick M Hecht
- Interdiscipinary Neuroscience Program, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Danielle Bruce
- Department of Biology, Central Methodist University, Fayette, MO 65248, USA
| | - Michael Tilley
- Department of Biology, Central Methodist University, Fayette, MO 65248, USA
| | - Zohreh Talebizadeh
- The American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Judy Van de Water
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, University of California, Davis, CA 95161, USA
| | - David Q Beversdorf
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Interdiscipinary Neuroscience Program, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Departments of Radiology and Neurology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
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Dorsey SG, Mocci E, Lane MV, Krueger BK. Rapid effects of valproic acid on the fetal brain transcriptome: Implications for brain development and autism. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.01.538959. [PMID: 37205520 PMCID: PMC10187231 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.01.538959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
There is an increased incidence of autism among the children of women who take the anti-epileptic, mood stabilizing drug, valproic acid (VPA) during pregnancy; moreover, exposure to VPA in utero causes autistic-like symptoms in rodents and non-human primates. Analysis of RNAseq data obtained from fetal mouse brains 3 hr after VPA administration revealed that VPA significantly [p(FDR) ≤ 0.025] increased or decreased the expression of approximately 7,300 genes. No significant sex differences in VPA-induced gene expression were observed. Expression of genes associated with neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism as well as neurogenesis, axon growth and synaptogenesis, GABAergic, glutaminergic and dopaminergic synaptic transmission, perineuronal nets, and circadian rhythms was dysregulated by VPA. Moreover, expression of 400 autism risk genes was significantly altered by VPA as was expression of 247 genes that have been reported to play fundamental roles in the development of the nervous system, but are not linked to autism by GWAS. The goal of this study was to identify mouse genes that are: (a) significantly up- or down-regulated by VPA in the fetal brain and (b) known to be associated with autism and/or to play a role in embryonic neurodevelopmental processes, perturbation of which has the potential to alter brain connectivity in the postnatal and adult brain. The set of genes meeting these criteria provides potential targets for future hypothesis-driven approaches to elucidating the proximal underlying causes of defective brain connectivity in neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism.
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Couch ACM, Solomon S, Duarte RRR, Marrocu A, Sun Y, Sichlinger L, Matuleviciute R, Polit LD, Hanger B, Brown A, Kordasti S, Srivastava DP, Vernon AC. Acute IL-6 exposure triggers canonical IL6Ra signaling in hiPSC microglia, but not neural progenitor cells. Brain Behav Immun 2023; 110:43-59. [PMID: 36781081 PMCID: PMC10682389 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2023.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal exposure to elevated interleukin (IL)-6 levels is associated with increased risk for psychiatric disorders with a putative neurodevelopmental origin, such as schizophrenia (SZ), autism spectrum condition (ASC) and bipolar disorder (BD). Although rodent models provide causal evidence for this association, we lack a detailed understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms in human model systems. To close this gap, we characterized the response of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC-)derived microglia-like cells (MGL) and neural progenitor cells (NPCs) to IL-6 in monoculture. RESULTS We observed that human forebrain NPCs did not respond to acute IL-6 exposure in monoculture at both protein and transcript levels due to the absence of IL6R expression and soluble (s)IL6Ra secretion. By contrast, acute IL-6 exposure resulted in STAT3 phosphorylation and increased IL6, JMJD3 and IL10 expression in MGL, confirming activation of canonical IL6Ra signaling. Bulk RNAseq identified 156 up-regulated genes (FDR < 0.05) in MGL following acute IL-6 exposure, including IRF8, REL, HSPA1A/B and OXTR, which significantly overlapped with an up-regulated gene set from human post-mortem brain tissue from individuals with schizophrenia. Acute IL-6 stimulation significantly increased MGL motility, consistent with gene ontology pathways highlighted from the RNAseq data and replicating rodent model indications that IRF8 regulates microglial motility. Finally, IL-6 induces MGLs to secrete CCL1, CXCL1, MIP-1α/β, IL-8, IL-13, IL-16, IL-18, MIF and Serpin-E1 after 3 h and 24 h. CONCLUSION Our data provide evidence for cell specific effects of acute IL-6 exposure in a human model system, ultimately suggesting that microglia-NPC co-culture models are required to study how IL-6 influences human cortical neural progenitor cell development in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amalie C M Couch
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Shiden Solomon
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Rodrigo R R Duarte
- Department of Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, NY, USA
| | - Alessia Marrocu
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; Division of Immunology, Infection and Inflammatory Disease, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Yiqing Sun
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Laura Sichlinger
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Rugile Matuleviciute
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Lucia Dutan Polit
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Bjørn Hanger
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Amelia Brown
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Shahram Kordasti
- Comprehensive Cancer Centre, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Deepak P Srivastava
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Anthony C Vernon
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London, UK.
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Cieślik M, Zawadzka A, Czapski GA, Wilkaniec A, Adamczyk A. Developmental Stage-Dependent Changes in Mitochondrial Function in the Brain of Offspring Following Prenatal Maternal Immune Activation. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087243. [PMID: 37108406 PMCID: PMC10138707 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal immune activation (MIA) is an important risk factor for neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism. The aim of the current study was to investigate the development-dependent changes in the mitochondrial function of MIA-exposed offspring, which may contribute to autism-like deficits. MIA was evoked by the single intraperitoneal administration of lipopolysaccharide to pregnant rats at gestation day 9.5, and several aspects of mitochondrial function in fetuses and in the brains of seven-day-old pups and adolescent offspring were analyzed along with oxidative stress parameters measurement. It was found that MIA significantly increased the activity of NADPH oxidase (NOX), an enzyme generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the fetuses and in the brain of seven-day-old pups, but not in the adolescent offspring. Although a lower mitochondrial membrane potential accompanied by a decreased ATP level was already observed in the fetuses and in the brain of seven-day-old pups, persistent alterations of ROS, mitochondrial membrane depolarization, and lower ATP generation with concomitant electron transport chain complexes downregulation were observed only in the adolescent offspring. We suggest that ROS observed in infancy are most likely of a NOX activity origin, whereas in adolescence, ROS are produced by damaged mitochondria. The accumulation of dysfunctional mitochondria leads to the intense release of free radicals that trigger oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, resulting in an interlinked vicious cascade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Cieślik
- Department of Cellular Signalling, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Zawadzka
- Department of Cellular Signalling, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Grzegorz A Czapski
- Department of Cellular Signalling, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Wilkaniec
- Department of Cellular Signalling, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Agata Adamczyk
- Department of Cellular Signalling, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
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Brito A, Franco F, Brentani H, Beltrão-Braga PCB. Assessment of vulnerability dimensions considering Family History and environmental interplay in Autism Spectrum Disorder. BMC Psychiatry 2023; 23:254. [PMID: 37059985 PMCID: PMC10105456 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-04747-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite previous studies have recently shown Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) as having a strong genetics background, over a minimum environmental background, no study up to date has investigated the interplay between genetics and environment. METHODS We have collected data regarding Family History (FH) and Environmental Factors (EF) from 2,141 individuals with ASD and their caretakers throughout Brazil, based on an online questionnaire. Most of the ASD individuals were males (81%) and the average age was 02 years minimum for males and females, and the maximum age was 41 years for males and 54 for females. People from all states in Brazil have answered the questionnaire. Genetic inheritance was obtained based on the declared FH of Psychiatric and Neurological diagnosis. As for EF, exposure to risk factors during pregnancy was considered, like infections, diabetes, drugs/chemicals exposure, socioeconomic, and psychological factors. Respondents were invited to answer the questionnaire in lectures given throughout Brazil, and by the social networks of the NGO "The Tooth Fairy Project". A Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) was conducted to search vulnerability dimensions, and a Cluster Analysis was conducted to classify and identify the subgroups. RESULTS Regarding EF, social and psychological exposures contributed to the first two dimensions. Concerning FH, the first dimension represented psychiatric FH, while the second represented neurological FH. When analyzed together, EF and FH contributed to two new dimensions: 1. psychiatric FH, and 2. a psychosocial component. Using Cluster Analysis, it was not possible to isolate subgroups by genetic vulnerability or environmental exposure. Instead, a gradient of psychiatric FH with similar contributions of EF was observed. CONCLUSION In this study, it was not possible to isolate groups of patients that correspond to only one component, but rather a continuum with different compositions of genetic and environmental interplay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Brito
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Scientific Platform Pasteur-USP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Felipe Franco
- Psychiatry Institute, University of São Paulo's Faculty of Medicine (IPq-FMUSP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Interunit Postgraduate Program On Bioinformatics, Institute of Mathematics and Statistics (IME), University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Helena Brentani
- Psychiatry Institute, University of São Paulo's Faculty of Medicine (IPq-FMUSP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Cristina Baleeiro Beltrão-Braga
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
- Scientific Platform Pasteur-USP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
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Huang L, Zhan D, Xing Y, Yan Y, Li Q, Zhang J, Li S, Ning Q, Zhang C, Luo X. FGL2 deficiency alleviates maternal inflammation-induced blood-brain barrier damage by blocking PI3K/NF-κB mediated endothelial oxidative stress. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1157027. [PMID: 37051251 PMCID: PMC10083319 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1157027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/28/2023] Open
Abstract
IntroductionThe impairment of blood-brain barrier (BBB) is one of the key contributors to maternal inflammation induced brain damage in offspring. Our previous studies showed Fibrinogen-like protein 2 (FGL2) deficiency alleviated maternal inflammation induced perinatal brain damage. However, its role in BBB remains undefined.MethodsLipopolysaccharide (LPS) was intraperitoneally injected to dams at Embryonic day 17 to establish maternal inflammation model. FGL2 knockout mice and primary brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) were used for the in-vivo and in-vitro experiments. BBB integrity was assessed by sodium fluorescein extravasation and tight junction (TJ) protein expression. Oxidative stress and the activation of PI3K/NF-κB pathway were evaluated to explore the mechanisms underlying.ResultsUpon maternal inflammation, BBB integrity was remarkedly reduced in neonatal mice. Meanwhile, FGL2 expression was consistently increased in BBB-impaired brain as well as in LPS-treated BMECs. Moreover, FGL2 deficiency attenuated the hyperpermeability of BBB, prevented the decline of TJ proteins, and reduced the cytokine expressions in LPS-exposed pups. Mechanistically, the indicators of oxidative stress, as well as the activation of PI3K/NF-κB pathway, were upregulated after LPS exposure in vivo and in vitro. FGL2 deletion decreased the generation of ROS and NO, reduced the endothelial iNOS and NOX2 expressions, and suppressed the PI3K/NF-κB pathway activation. Besides, inhibition of PI3K by LY294002 decreased the oxidative stress in LPS-treated wild-type BMECs. While, overexpression of PI3K by lentivirus reemerged the induction of NOX2 and iNOS as well as NF-κB activation in FGL2-deleted BMECs.ConclusionOur findings indicate that FGL2 deficiency alleviates the maternal inflammation-induced BBB disruption by inhibiting PI3K/NF-κB mediated oxidative stress in BMECs. Targeting FGL2 may provide a new therapy for prenatal brain damage of offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lianjing Huang
- Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Di Zhan
- Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Ying Xing
- Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yaqin Yan
- Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Qing Li
- Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Jingyi Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Sujuan Li
- Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Qin Ning
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Cai Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaoping Luo, ; Cai Zhang,
| | - Xiaoping Luo
- Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaoping Luo, ; Cai Zhang,
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Landolfo E, Cutuli D, Decandia D, Balsamo F, Petrosini L, Gelfo F. Environmental Enrichment Protects against Neurotoxic Effects of Lipopolysaccharide: A Comprehensive Overview. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065404. [PMID: 36982478 PMCID: PMC10049264 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroinflammation is a pathophysiological condition associated with damage to the nervous system. Maternal immune activation and early immune activation have adverse effects on the development of the nervous system and cognitive functions. Neuroinflammation during adulthood leads to neurodegenerative diseases. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is used in preclinical research to mimic neurotoxic effects leading to systemic inflammation. Environmental enrichment (EE) has been reported to cause a wide range of beneficial changes in the brain. Based on the above, the purpose of the present review is to describe the effects of exposure to EE paradigms in counteracting LPS-induced neuroinflammation throughout the lifespan. Up to October 2022, a methodical search of studies in the literature, using the PubMed and Scopus databases, was performed, focusing on exposure to LPS, as an inflammatory mediator, and to EE paradigms in preclinical murine models. On the basis of the inclusion criteria, 22 articles were considered and analyzed in the present review. EE exerts sex- and age-dependent neuroprotective and therapeutic effects in animals exposed to the neurotoxic action of LPS. EE’s beneficial effects are present throughout the various ages of life. A healthy lifestyle and stimulating environments are essential to counteract the damages induced by neurotoxic exposure to LPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugenia Landolfo
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Via Ardeatina 306, 00179 Rome, Italy
| | - Debora Cutuli
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Via Ardeatina 306, 00179 Rome, Italy
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Marsi 78, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Davide Decandia
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Via Ardeatina 306, 00179 Rome, Italy
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Marsi 78, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Balsamo
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Via Ardeatina 306, 00179 Rome, Italy
- Department of Human Sciences, Guglielmo Marconi University, Via Plinio 44, 00193 Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Petrosini
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Via Ardeatina 306, 00179 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Gelfo
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Via Ardeatina 306, 00179 Rome, Italy
- Department of Human Sciences, Guglielmo Marconi University, Via Plinio 44, 00193 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence:
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40
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Hanson KL, Weir RK, Iosif AM, Van de Water J, Carter CS, McAllister AK, Bauman MD, Schumann CM. Altered dendritic morphology in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex of nonhuman primates prenatally exposed to maternal immune activation. Brain Behav Immun 2023; 109:92-101. [PMID: 36610487 PMCID: PMC10023379 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2023.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Women who contract a viral or bacterial infection during pregnancy have an increased risk of giving birth to a child with a neurodevelopmental or psychiatric disorder. The effects of maternal infection are likely mediated by the maternal immune response, as preclinical animal models have confirmed that maternal immune activation (MIA) leads to long lasting changes in offspring brain and behavior development. The present study sought to determine the impact of MIA-exposure during the first or second trimester on neuronal morphology in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and hippocampus from brain tissue obtained from MIA-exposed and control male rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) during late adolescence. MIA-exposed offspring display increased neuronal dendritic branching in pyramidal cells in DLPFC infra- and supragranular layers relative to controls, with no significant differences observed between offspring exposed to maternal infection in the first and second trimester. In addition, the diameter of apical dendrites in DLPFC infragranular layer is significantly decreased in MIA-exposed offspring relative to controls, irrespective of trimester exposure. In contrast, alterations in hippocampal neuronal morphology of MIA-exposed offspring were not evident. These findings demonstrate that a maternal immune challenge during pregnancy has long-term consequences for primate offspring dendritic structure, selectively in a brain region vital for socioemotional and cognitive development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kari L Hanson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis School of Medicine, United States; MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, United States
| | - Ruth K Weir
- Innovation & Enterprise Department, University College London, United Kingdom
| | - Ana-Maria Iosif
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, United States
| | - Judy Van de Water
- MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, United States; Rheumatology/Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California, Davis, United States
| | - Cameron S Carter
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis School of Medicine, United States; Center for Neuroscience, University of California, Davis, United States
| | | | - Melissa D Bauman
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis School of Medicine, United States; MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, United States; California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, United States.
| | - Cynthia M Schumann
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis School of Medicine, United States; MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, United States.
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41
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Dabbah-Assadi F, Rashid S, Golani I, Rubinstein A, Doron R, Alon D, Palzur E, Beloosesky R, Shamir A. Long-term effects of prophylactic MgSO 4 in maternal immune activation rodent model at adolescence and adulthood. J Neurosci Res 2023; 101:316-326. [PMID: 36434794 PMCID: PMC10100175 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.25148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The effects of MgSO4 as an anti-inflammatory agent in pregnant women have been investigated in the last few years. Infections can cause an inflammatory reaction involving the placenta membranes and amniotic cavity. They may have short-term effects on the mother and her fetuses, like preterm birth, cerebral palsy, and developmental delay. Despite the alleged advantages of MgSO4 as a neuroprotective agent in the preterm brain, the long-term molecular and behavioral function of MgSO4 has not been fully elucidated. Here, we investigated the long-term effect of antenatal MgSO4 , during late gestation, on offspring's behavior focusing on cognitive function, motor activity, and social cognition in adolescence and adulthood, and explored its influence on brain gene expression (e.g., ErbB signaling, pro-inflammatory, and dopaminergic markers) in adulthood. A significant abnormal exploratory behavior of offspring of MgSO4 -treated dams was found compared to the control group in both adolescence and adulthood. Furthermore, we found that adult females exposed to MgSO4 under inflammation displayed working and recognition memory impairment. A reduction in IL-6 expression was detected in the prefrontal cortex, and hippocampus specimens derived from LPS-Mg-treated group. In contrast, an imbalanced expression of dopamine 1 and 2 receptors was detected only in prefrontal cortex specimens. Besides, we found that MgSO4 ameliorated the overexpression of the Nrg1 and Erbb4 receptors induced by LPS in the hippocampus. Thus, MgSO4 treatment for preventing brain injuries can adversely affect offspring cognition behavior later in life, depending on the sex and age of the offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fadwa Dabbah-Assadi
- Psychobiology Research Laboratory, Mazor Mental Health Center, Akko, Israel.,The Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Sally Rashid
- Department of Biotechnology Engineering, ORT Braude College, Karmiel, Israel
| | - Idit Golani
- Department of Biotechnology Engineering, ORT Braude College, Karmiel, Israel
| | - Alon Rubinstein
- Faculty of Medicine in the Galilee, Bar-Ilan University, Zefat, Israel
| | - Ravid Doron
- Department of Education and Psychology, the Open University, Raanana, Israel
| | - David Alon
- Psychobiology Research Laboratory, Mazor Mental Health Center, Akko, Israel
| | - Eilam Palzur
- The Neuroscience Laboratory, Galilee Medical Center Research Institute, Nahariya, Israel
| | - Ron Beloosesky
- The Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rambam Medical Center, Haifa, Israel
| | - Alon Shamir
- Psychobiology Research Laboratory, Mazor Mental Health Center, Akko, Israel.,The Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
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42
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Edlow AG, Castro VM, Shook LL, Haneuse S, Kaimal AJ, Perlis RH. Sex-Specific Neurodevelopmental Outcomes Among Offspring of Mothers With SARS-CoV-2 Infection During Pregnancy. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e234415. [PMID: 36951861 PMCID: PMC10037162 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.4415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance Prior studies using large registries have suggested a modest increase in risk for neurodevelopmental diagnoses among children of mothers with immune activation during pregnancy, and such risk may be sex-specific. Objective To determine whether in utero exposure to SARS-CoV-2 is associated with sex-specific risk for neurodevelopmental disorders up to 18 months after birth, compared with unexposed offspring born during or prior to the COVID-19 pandemic period. Design, Setting, and Participants This retrospective cohort study included the live offspring of all mothers who delivered between January 1 and December 31, 2018 (born and followed up before the COVID-19 pandemic), between March 1 and December 31, 2019 (born before and followed up during the COVID-19 pandemic), and between March 1, 2020, and May 31, 2021 (born and followed up during the COVID-19 pandemic). Offspring were born at any of 8 hospitals across 2 health systems in Massachusetts. Exposures Polymerase chain reaction evidence of maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy. Main Outcomes and Measures Electronic health record documentation of International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision diagnostic codes corresponding to neurodevelopmental disorders. Results The COVID-19 pandemic cohort included 18 355 live births (9399 boys [51.2%]), including 883 (4.8%) with maternal SARS-CoV-2 positivity during pregnancy. The cohort included 1809 Asian individuals (9.9%), 1635 Black individuals (8.9%), 12 718 White individuals (69.3%), and 1714 individuals (9.3%) who were of other race (American Indian or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, more than 1 race); 2617 individuals (14.3%) were of Hispanic ethnicity. Mean maternal age was 33.0 (IQR, 30.0-36.0) years. In adjusted regression models accounting for race, ethnicity, insurance status, hospital type (academic center vs community), maternal age, and preterm status, maternal SARS-CoV-2 positivity was associated with a statistically significant elevation in risk for neurodevelopmental diagnoses at 12 months among male offspring (adjusted OR, 1.94 [95% CI 1.12-3.17]; P = .01) but not female offspring (adjusted OR, 0.89 [95% CI, 0.39-1.76]; P = .77). Similar effects were identified using matched analyses in lieu of regression. At 18 months, more modest effects were observed in male offspring (adjusted OR, 1.42 [95% CI, 0.92-2.11]; P = .10). Conclusions and Relevance In this cohort study of offspring with SARS-CoV-2 exposure in utero, such exposure was associated with greater magnitude of risk for neurodevelopmental diagnoses among male offspring at 12 months following birth. As with prior studies of maternal infection, substantially larger cohorts and longer follow-up will be required to reliably estimate or refute risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea G. Edlow
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston
| | - Victor M. Castro
- Center for Quantitative Health, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
- Research Information Science and Computing, Mass General Brigham, Somerville, Massachusetts
| | - Lydia L. Shook
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston
| | - Sebastien Haneuse
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Anjali J. Kaimal
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa
| | - Roy H. Perlis
- Center for Quantitative Health, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston
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43
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Rieger NS, Ng AJ, Lee S, Brady BH, Christianson JP. Maternal immune activation alters social affective behavior and sensitivity to corticotropin releasing factor in male but not female rats. Horm Behav 2023; 149:105313. [PMID: 36706685 PMCID: PMC9974777 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2023.105313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Prenatal infection increases risk for neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism in offspring. In rodents, prenatal administration of the viral mimic Polyinosinic: polycytidylic acid (Poly I: C) allows for investigation of developmental consequences of gestational sickness on offspring social behavior and neural circuit function. Because maternal immune activation (MIA) disrupts cortical development and sociability, we examined approach and avoidance in a rat social affective preference (SAP) task. Following maternal Poly I:C (0.5 mg/kg) injection on gestational day 12.5, male adult offspring (PN 60-64) exhibited atypical social interactions with stressed conspecifics whereas female SAP behavior was unaffected by maternal Poly I:C. Social responses to stressed conspecifics depend upon the insular cortex where corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) modulates synaptic transmission and SAP behavior. We characterized insular field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSP) in adult offspring of Poly I:C or control treated dams. Male MIA offspring showed decreased sensitivity to CRF (300 nM) while female MIA offspring showed greater sensitivity to CRF compared to sham offspring. These sex specific effects appear to be behaviorally relevant as CRF injected into the insula of male and female rats prior to social exploration testing had no effect in MIA male offspring but increased social interaction in female MIA offspring. We examined the cellular distribution of CRF receptor mRNA but found no effect of maternal Poly I:C in the insula. Together, these experiments reveal sex specific effects of prenatal infection on offspring responses to social affective stimuli and identify insular CRF signaling as a novel neurobiological substrate for autism risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathaniel S Rieger
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Avenue, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA
| | - Alexandra J Ng
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Avenue, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA
| | - Shanon Lee
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Avenue, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA
| | - Bridget H Brady
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Avenue, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA
| | - John P Christianson
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Avenue, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA.
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Raymann S, Schalbetter SM, Schaer R, Bernhardt AC, Mueller FS, Meyer U, Weber-Stadlbauer U. Late prenatal immune activation in mice induces transgenerational effects via the maternal and paternal lineages. Cereb Cortex 2023; 33:2273-2286. [PMID: 36857721 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhac207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Prenatal exposure to infectious or noninfectious immune activation is an environmental risk factor for neurodevelopmental disorders and mental illnesses. Recent research using animal models suggests that maternal immune activation (MIA) during early to middle stages of pregnancy can induce transgenerational effects on brain and behavior, likely via inducing stable epigenetic modifications across generations. Using a mouse model of viral-like MIA, which is based on gestational treatment with poly(I:C), the present study explored whether transgenerational effects can also emerge when MIA occurs in late pregnancy. Our findings demonstrate that the direct descendants born to poly(I:C)-treated mothers display deficits in temporal order memory, which are similarly present in second- and third-generation offspring. These transgenerational effects were mediated via both the maternal and paternal lineages and were accompanied by transient changes in maternal care. In addition to the cognitive effects, late prenatal immune activation induced generation-spanning effects on the prefrontal expression of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic genes, including parvalbumin and distinct alpha-subunits of the GABAA receptor. Together, our results suggest that MIA in late pregnancy has the potential to affect cognitive functions and prefrontal gene expression patterns in multiple generations, highlighting its role in shaping disease risk across generations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Raymann
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich-Vetsuisse, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sina M Schalbetter
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich-Vetsuisse, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ron Schaer
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich-Vetsuisse, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Alexandra C Bernhardt
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich-Vetsuisse, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Flavia S Mueller
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich-Vetsuisse, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Urs Meyer
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich-Vetsuisse, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.,Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and ETH, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ulrike Weber-Stadlbauer
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich-Vetsuisse, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.,Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and ETH, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
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45
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Newborn Auditory Brainstem Responses in Children with Developmental Disabilities. J Autism Dev Disord 2023; 53:776-788. [PMID: 34181140 PMCID: PMC9549590 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-021-05126-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
We integrated data from a newborn hearing screening database and a preschool disability database to examine the relationship between newborn click evoked auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) and developmental disabilities. This sample included children with developmental delay (n = 2992), speech impairment (SI, n = 905), language impairment (n = 566), autism spectrum disorder (ASD, n = 370), and comparison children (n = 128,181). We compared the phase of the ABR waveform, a measure of sound processing latency, across groups. Children with SI and children with ASD had greater newborn ABR phase values than both the comparison group and the developmental delay group. Newborns later diagnosed with SI or ASD have slower neurological responses to auditory stimuli, suggesting sensory differences at birth.
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46
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Innate immune dysfunction and neuroinflammation in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Brain Behav Immun 2023; 108:245-254. [PMID: 36494048 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2022.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a highly heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by communication and social behavior deficits. The presence of restricted and repetitive behaviors often accompanies these deficits, and these characteristics can range from mild to severe. The past several decades have seen a significant rise in the prevalence of ASD. The etiology of ASD remains unknown; however, genetic and environmental risk factors play a role. Multiple hypotheses converge to suggest that neuroinflammation, or at least the interaction between immune and neural systems, may be involved in the etiology of some ASD cases or groups. Repeated evidence of innate immune dysfunction has been seen in ASD, often associated with worsening behaviors. This evidence includes data from circulating myeloid cells and brain resident macrophages/microglia in both human and animal models. This comprehensive review presents recent findings of innate immune dysfunction in ASD, including aberrant innate cellular function, evidence of neuroinflammation, and microglia activation.
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47
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Inflammation and the Potential Implication of Macrophage-Microglia Polarization in Human ASD: An Overview. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032703. [PMID: 36769026 PMCID: PMC9916462 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032703] [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: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous collection of neurodevelopmental disorders, difficult to diagnose and currently lacking treatment options. The possibility of finding reliable biomarkers useful for early identification would offer the opportunity to intervene with treatment strategies to improve the life quality of ASD patients. To date, there are many recognized risk factors for the development of ASD, both genetic and non-genetic. Although genetic and epigenetic factors may play a critical role, the extent of their contribution to ASD risk is still under study. On the other hand, non-genetic risk factors include pollution, nutrition, infection, psychological states, and lifestyle, all together known as the exposome, which impacts the mother's and fetus's life, especially during pregnancy. Pathogenic and non-pathogenic maternal immune activation (MIA) and autoimmune diseases can cause various alterations in the fetal environment, also contributing to the etiology of ASD in offspring. Activation of monocytes, macrophages, mast cells and microglia and high production of pro-inflammatory cytokines are indeed the cause of neuroinflammation, and the latter is involved in ASD's onset and development. In this review, we focused on non-genetic risk factors, especially on the connection between inflammation, macrophage polarization and ASD syndrome, MIA, and the involvement of microglia.
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48
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Casquero-Veiga M, Lamanna-Rama N, Romero-Miguel D, Rojas-Marquez H, Alcaide J, Beltran M, Nacher J, Desco M, Soto-Montenegro ML. The Poly I:C maternal immune stimulation model shows unique patterns of brain metabolism, morphometry, and plasticity in female rats. Front Behav Neurosci 2023; 16:1022622. [PMID: 36733452 PMCID: PMC9888250 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.1022622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Prenatal infections are associated with an increased risk of the onset of schizophrenia. Rodent models of maternal immune stimulation (MIS) have been extensively used in preclinical studies. However, many of these studies only include males, omitting pathophysiological features unique to females. The aim of this study is to characterize the MIS model in female rats using positron emission tomography (PET), structural magnetic resonance imaging (MR), and neuroplasticiy studies. Methods: In gestational day 15, Poly I:C (or Saline) was injected into pregnant Wistar rats to induce the MIS model. Imaging studies: [18F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose-PET scans of female-offspring were acquired at post-natal day (PND) 35 and PND100. Furthermore, T2-MR brain images were acquired in adulthood. Differences in FDG uptake and morphometry between groups were assessed with SPM12 and Regions of Interest (ROI) analyses. Ex vivo study: The density of parvalbumin expressing interneurons (PV), perineuronal nets (PNN), and parvalbumin expressing interneurons surrounded by perineuronal nets (PV-PNN) were evaluated in the prelimbic cortex and basolateral amygdala using confocal microscopy. ROIs and neuroplasticity data were analyzed by 2-sample T-test and 2-way-ANOVA analyses, respectively. Results: A significant increase in brain metabolism was found in all animals at adulthood compared to adolescence. MIS hardly modified brain glucose metabolism in females, highlighting a significant hypometabolism in the thalamus at adulthood. In addition, MIS induced gray matter (GM) enlargements in the pituitary, hippocampus, substantia nigra, and cingulate cortex, and GM shrinkages in some thalamic nuclei, cerebelar areas, and brainstem. Moreover, MIS induced white matter shrinkages in the cerebellum, brainstem and corpus callosum, along with cerebrospinal fluid enlargements in the lateral and 4th ventricles. Finally, MIS reduced the density of PV, PNN, and PV-PNN in the basolateral amygdala. Conclusion: Our work showed in vivo the differential pattern of functional and morphometric affectation in the MIS model in females, as well as the deficits caused at the synaptic level according to sex. The differences obtained highlight the relevance of including both sexes in psychiatric research in order to consider their pathophysiological particularities and successfully extend the benefits obtained to the entire patient population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Casquero-Veiga
- Laboratorio de Imagen Médica, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain,Cardiovascular Imaging and Population Studies, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Nicolás Lamanna-Rama
- Laboratorio de Imagen Médica, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain,Departamento de Bioingeniería e Ingeniería Aeroespacial, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Diego Romero-Miguel
- Laboratorio de Imagen Médica, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain,Departamento de Bioingeniería e Ingeniería Aeroespacial, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Henar Rojas-Marquez
- Laboratorio de Imagen Médica, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain,Department of Genetics, Physical Anthropology and Animal Physiology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain,Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - Julia Alcaide
- Neurobiology Unit, Cell Biology Departament, BIOTECMED Institute, Universitat de València, Burjassot, Spain,CIBER de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain,Fundación Investigación Hospital Clínico de Valencia, INCLIVA, Valencia, Spain
| | - Marc Beltran
- Neurobiology Unit, Cell Biology Departament, BIOTECMED Institute, Universitat de València, Burjassot, Spain
| | - Juan Nacher
- Neurobiology Unit, Cell Biology Departament, BIOTECMED Institute, Universitat de València, Burjassot, Spain,CIBER de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain,Fundación Investigación Hospital Clínico de Valencia, INCLIVA, Valencia, Spain
| | - Manuel Desco
- Laboratorio de Imagen Médica, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain,CIBER de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain,Advanced Imaging Unit, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain,Departamento de Bioingeniería e Ingeniería Aeroespacial, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Campus de Getafe, Madrid, Spain,*Correspondence: Manuel Desco Maria Luisa Soto-Montenegro
| | - Maria Luisa Soto-Montenegro
- Laboratorio de Imagen Médica, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain,CIBER de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain,High Performance Research Group in Physiopathology and Pharmacology of the Digestive System (NeuGut), University Rey Juan Carlos (URJC), Alcorcón, Spain,*Correspondence: Manuel Desco Maria Luisa Soto-Montenegro
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Camacho-Morales A, Montalvo-Martínez L, Cruz-Carrillo G, Maldonado-Ruiz R, Trujillo-Villarreal L, Garza-Villarreal E. Prenatal programing of motivated behaviors: can innate immunity prime behavior? Neural Regen Res 2023; 18:280-283. [PMID: 35900403 PMCID: PMC9396490 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.346475] [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] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Prenatal programming during pregnancy sets physiological outcomes in the offspring by integrating external or internal stimuli. Accordingly, pregnancy is an important stage of physiological adaptations to the environment where the fetus becomes exposed and adapted to the maternal milieu. Maternal exposure to high-energy dense diets can affect motivated behavior in the offspring leading to addiction and impaired sociability. A high-energy dense exposure also increases the pro-inflammatory cytokines profile in plasma and brain and favors microglia activation in the offspring. While still under investigation, prenatal exposure to high-energy dense diets promotes structural abnormalities in selective brain regions regulating motivation and social behavior in the offspring. The current review addresses the role of energy-dense foods programming central and peripheral inflammatory profiles during embryonic development and its effect on motivated behavior in the offspring. We provide preclinical and clinical evidence that supports the contribution of prenatal programming in shaping immune profiles that favor structural and brain circuit disruption leading to aberrant motivated behaviors after birth. We hope this minireview encourages future research on novel insights into the mechanisms underlying maternal programming of motivated behavior by central immune networks.
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50
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Herrero F, Mueller FS, Gruchot J, Küry P, Weber-Stadlbauer U, Meyer U. Susceptibility and resilience to maternal immune activation are associated with differential expression of endogenous retroviral elements. Brain Behav Immun 2023; 107:201-214. [PMID: 36243285 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2022.10.006] [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: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are ancestorial retroviral elements that were integrated into the mammalian genome through germline infections and insertions during evolution. While increased ERV expression has been repeatedly implicated in psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders, recent evidence suggests that aberrant endogenous retroviral activity may contribute to biologically defined subgroups of psychotic disorders with persisting immunological dysfunctions. Here, we explored whether ERV expression is altered in a mouse model of maternal immune activation (MIA), a transdiagnostic environmental risk factor of psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders. MIA was induced by maternal administration of poly(I:C) on gestation day 12 in C57BL/6N mice. Murine ERV transcripts were quantified in the placentae and fetal brains shortly after poly(I:C)-induced MIA, as well as in adult offspring that were stratified according to their behavioral profiles. We found that MIA increased and reduced levels of class II ERVs and syncytins, respectively, in placentae and fetal brain tissue. We also revealed abnormal ERV expression in MIA-exposed offspring depending on whether they displayed overt behavioral anomalies or not. Taken together, our findings provide a proof of concept that an inflammatory stimulus, even when initiated in prenatal life, has the potential of altering ERV expression across fetal to adult stages of development. Moreover, our data highlight that susceptibility and resilience to MIA are associated with differential ERV expression, suggesting that early-life exposure to inflammatory factors may play a role in determining disease susceptibility by inducing persistent alterations in the expression of endogenous retroviral elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felisa Herrero
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich-Vetsuisse, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Flavia S Mueller
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich-Vetsuisse, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Joel Gruchot
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Patrick Küry
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Ulrike Weber-Stadlbauer
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich-Vetsuisse, Zurich, Switzerland; Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Urs Meyer
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich-Vetsuisse, Zurich, Switzerland; Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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