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Wang X, Zhang Y, Luo S, Zhao K, Gao C, Mei D, Duan Y, Hu S. Restoration of nNOS Expression Rescues Autistic-Like Phenotypes Through Normalization of AMPA Receptor-Mediated Neurotransmission. Mol Neurobiol 2024:10.1007/s12035-024-03997-w. [PMID: 38329681 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-024-03997-w] [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: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated with a range of abnormalities characterized by deficits in socialization, communication, repetitive behaviors, and restricted interests. We have recently shown that neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) expression was decreased in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) of mice after postnatal valproic acid exposure. Neuronal activity-regulated pentraxin (Narp) could contribute to the regulation of the GluA4 2-amino-3-(5-methyl-3-oxo-1,2-oxazol-4-yl) propanoic acid (AMPA) subunits which are predominantly expressed in interneurons. However, the specific role of nNOS re-expression on excitatory neurotransmitter with relevance to ASD core symptoms in VPA-treated animals remains to be elucidated. Herein, nNOS overexpression using a lentiviral vector and L-arginine-activating PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling can restore nNOS expression in the BLA induced by VPA. Restoration of nNOS expression in these mice was sufficient to reduce the severity of ASD-like behavioral patterns such that animals exhibited decreases in abnormal social interactions and communication, stereotyped/repetitive behaviors, and anxiety-like traits. Most strikingly, re-expression of nNOS upregulated surface expression of Narp and GluA4 in nNOS-positive interneuron as shown by immunoprecipitation and Western blotting. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings demonstrated that restoration of nNOS had a significant enhancing effect on AMPA receptor-mediated excitatory glutamatergic synaptic neurotransmission, which was inhibited by disturbing the interaction between Narp and GluA4 in acutely dissociated BLA slices. Overall, these data offer a scientific basis for the additional study of nNOS re-expression as a promising therapeutic target by correcting AMPA receptor-mediated synaptic function in ASD and related neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaona Wang
- Henan Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou Children's Hospital, Henan Key Laboratory of Children's Genetics and Metabolic Diseases, Henan Children's Neurodevelopment Engineering Research Center, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
| | - Yaodong Zhang
- Henan Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou Children's Hospital, Henan Key Laboratory of Children's Genetics and Metabolic Diseases, Henan Children's Neurodevelopment Engineering Research Center, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Shuying Luo
- Henan Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou Children's Hospital, Henan Key Laboratory of Children's Genetics and Metabolic Diseases, Henan Children's Neurodevelopment Engineering Research Center, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ke Zhao
- Henan Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou Children's Hospital, Henan Key Laboratory of Children's Genetics and Metabolic Diseases, Henan Children's Neurodevelopment Engineering Research Center, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Chao Gao
- Department of Rehabilitation, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Daoqi Mei
- Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yongtao Duan
- Henan Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou Children's Hospital, Henan Key Laboratory of Children's Genetics and Metabolic Diseases, Henan Children's Neurodevelopment Engineering Research Center, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Shunan Hu
- Henan Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou Children's Hospital, Henan Key Laboratory of Children's Genetics and Metabolic Diseases, Henan Children's Neurodevelopment Engineering Research Center, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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2
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Wang X, Zhang Y, Cheng W, Gao Y, Li S. Decreased excitatory drive onto hilar neuronal nitric oxide synthase expressing interneurons in chronic models of epilepsy. Brain Res 2021; 1764:147467. [PMID: 33831408 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2021.147467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Excitation-inhibition imbalance of GABAergic interneurons is predisposed to develop chronic temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). We have previously shown that virtually every neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS)-positive cell is a GABAergic inhibitory interneuron in the denate gyrus. The present study was designed to quantify the number of nNOS-containing hilar interneurons using stereology in pilocapine- and kainic acid (KA)-exposed transgenic adult mice that expressed GFP under the nNOS promoter. In addition, we studied the properties of miniature excitatory postsynaptic current (mEPSC) and paired-pulse response ratio (PPR) of evoked EPSC in nNOS interneurons using whole cell recording techniques. Results showed that there were fewer nNOS-immunoreactive interneurons of chronically epileptic animals. Importantly, patch-clamp recordings revealed reduction in mEPSC frequency, indicating diminished global excitatory input. In contrast, PPR of evoked EPSC following the granule cell layer stimulation was increased in epileptic animals suggesting reduced neurotransmitter release from granule cell input. In summary, we propose that impaired excitatory drive onto hippocampal nNOS interneurons may be implicated in the development of refractory epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaona Wang
- Henan Neurodevelopment Engineering Research Center for Children, Henan Key Laboratory of Children's Genetics and Metabolic Diseases, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, 33 Longhu Outer Circle Dong Road, Zhengzhou, 450018, Henan, China.
| | - Yaodong Zhang
- Henan Neurodevelopment Engineering Research Center for Children, Henan Key Laboratory of Children's Genetics and Metabolic Diseases, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, 33 Longhu Outer Circle Dong Road, Zhengzhou, 450018, Henan, China
| | - Weyland Cheng
- Department of Orthopaedics, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, 33 Longhu Outer Circle Dong Road, Zhengzhou 450018, Henan, China
| | - Yinbo Gao
- Henan Neurodevelopment Engineering Research Center for Children, Henan Key Laboratory of Children's Genetics and Metabolic Diseases, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, 33 Longhu Outer Circle Dong Road, Zhengzhou, 450018, Henan, China
| | - Shao Li
- Department of Physiology, Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Cerebral Diseases, National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Drug-Research and Development (R&D) of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116044, China
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Wang X, Yang Z, Fang S, Zhang Y, Guo J, Gou L. Declining Levels of Specialized Synaptic Surface Proteins in nNOS-Expressing Interneurons in Mice Treated Prenatally with Valproic Acid. Neurochem Res 2021; 46:1794-1800. [PMID: 33876374 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-021-03326-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2020] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction, and repetitive or restricted interests and behaviors. Membrane proteins are a significant part of the proteins in cell and play key functions in synaptic transmission. We have recently shown that neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) expression was reduced in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) of mice following postnatal valproic acid (VPA) exposure. In the current study, we utilized a label-free proteomics approach to identify and quantify surface protein expression in nNOS-positive interneurons between VPA-treated and control mice. Western blot was used to confirm the expression of selected membrane proteins. Our proteomics data revealed differentially expressed surface proteins in nNOS interneurons, e.g. Narp, AMPA-type glutamate (AMPA) receptor subunit GluA4 and Protein kinase C gamma (PKCγ), which were validated by Western blotting in mice treated with VPA. This work will pave the way for further elucidation of the mechanisms of these differentially membrane proteins in nNOS interneurons-medicated ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaona Wang
- Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Children's Genetics and Metabolic Diseases, Henan Engineering Research Center of Childhood Neurodevelopment, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, 33 Longhu Outer Circle Dong Road, Zhengzhou, 450018, Henan, China.
| | - Zhigang Yang
- Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, 33 Longhu Outer Circle Dong Road, Zhengzhou, 450018, Henan, China
| | - Shuanfeng Fang
- Healthcare Department, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, 33 Longhu Outer Circle Dong Road, Zhengzhou, 450018, Henan, China
| | - Yaodong Zhang
- Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Children's Genetics and Metabolic Diseases, Henan Engineering Research Center of Childhood Neurodevelopment, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, 33 Longhu Outer Circle Dong Road, Zhengzhou, 450018, Henan, China
| | - Jisheng Guo
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Yantai Campus of Binzhou Medical University, 346 Guanhai Road, Laishan District, Yantai City, 264003, Shandong, China
| | - Lingshan Gou
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Xuzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Xuzhou, China
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Wang X, Gao C, Zhang Y, Xu J, Fang Q, Gou L, Yang Z, Mei D, Liu L, Li L, Liu J, Zhang H, Song Y. Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase Knockdown Within Basolateral Amygdala Induces Autistic-Related Phenotypes and Decreases Excitatory Synaptic Transmission in Mice. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:886. [PMID: 32982674 PMCID: PMC7488195 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.00886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by deficits in communication, impaired social interaction, and repetitive or restricted interests and behaviors. We have recently shown that neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) expression was reduced in the basolateral amygdala of mice after postnatal valproic acid exposure. However, the specific role of nNOS downregulation in mice remains to be elucidated. Herein, we investigated the behavioral alternations of naive mice with a recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV)-mediated knockdown of nNOS in a comprehensive test battery, including the social interaction, marble burying, self-grooming, and open field tests. Further, the electrophysiological and surface expression changes induced by nNOS deficiency of the basolateral amygdala in these animals were examined. Our results show that nNOS knockdown displayed typical symptoms of ASD-like behaviors, such as reduced social interaction and communication, elevated stereotypes, and anxiety in mice. Surprisingly, we found that nNOS knockdown exhibited greatly reduced excitatory synaptic transmission concomitant with the lower surface expression of GluN2B-containing N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors and postsynaptic density protein 95 in mice. These findings support a notion that dysregulation of nNOS might contribute to ASD-associated phenotypes, with disease pathogenesis most likely resulting from deficits in excitatory synaptic transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaona Wang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Children's Genetics and Metabolic Diseases, Henan Neurodevelopment Engineering Research Center for Children, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Chao Gao
- Department of Rehabilitation, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yaodong Zhang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Children's Genetics and Metabolic Diseases, Henan Neurodevelopment Engineering Research Center for Children, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jinxiu Xu
- School of Basic Medicine, Sanquan Medical College, Xinxiang, China
| | - Quanfeng Fang
- Healthcare Department, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Lingshan Gou
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Xuzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Xuzhou, China
| | - Zhigang Yang
- Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Daoqi Mei
- Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Leiming Liu
- Department of Medical Assistance, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Linfei Li
- Henan Key Laboratory of Children's Genetics and Metabolic Diseases, Henan Neurodevelopment Engineering Research Center for Children, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Henan Key Laboratory of Children's Genetics and Metabolic Diseases, Henan Neurodevelopment Engineering Research Center for Children, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Huichun Zhang
- Department of Rehabilitation, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yinsen Song
- People's Hospital Affiliated to Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
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McDonald AJ. Functional neuroanatomy of the basolateral amygdala: Neurons, neurotransmitters, and circuits. HANDBOOK OF BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE 2020; 26:1-38. [PMID: 34220399 PMCID: PMC8248694 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-815134-1.00001-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander J McDonald
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC, United States
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6
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Beyeler A, Dabrowska J. Neuronal diversity of the amygdala and the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. HANDBOOK OF BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE 2020; 26:63-100. [PMID: 32792868 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-815134-1.00003-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Beyeler
- Neurocentre Magendie, French National Institutes of Health (INSERM) unit 1215, Neurocampus of Bordeaux University, Bordeaux, France
| | - Joanna Dabrowska
- Center for the Neurobiology of Stress Resilience and Psychiatric Disorders, Discipline of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, The Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, United States
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Zielinski MR, Atochin DN, McNally JM, McKenna JT, Huang PL, Strecker RE, Gerashchenko D. Somatostatin+/nNOS+ neurons are involved in delta electroencephalogram activity and cortical-dependent recognition memory. Sleep 2019; 42:zsz143. [PMID: 31328777 PMCID: PMC6783898 DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsz143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2019] [Revised: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Slow-wave activity (SWA) is an oscillatory neocortical activity occurring in the electroencephalogram delta (δ) frequency range (~0.5-4 Hz) during nonrapid eye movement sleep. SWA is a reliable indicator of sleep homeostasis after acute sleep loss and is involved in memory processes. Evidence suggests that cortical neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) expressing neurons that coexpress somatostatin (SST) play a key role in regulating SWA. However, previous studies lacked selectivity in targeting specific types of neurons that coexpress nNOS-cells which are activated in the cortex after sleep loss. We produced a mouse model that knocks out nNOS expression in neurons that coexpress SST throughout the cortex. Mice lacking nNOS expression in SST positive neurons exhibited significant impairments in both homeostatic low-δ frequency range SWA production and a recognition memory task that relies on cortical input. These results highlight that SST+/nNOS+ neurons are involved in the SWA homeostatic response and cortex-dependent recognition memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark R Zielinski
- Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, West Roxbury, MA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, West Roxbury, MA
| | - Dmitriy N Atochin
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA
| | - James M McNally
- Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, West Roxbury, MA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, West Roxbury, MA
| | - James T McKenna
- Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, West Roxbury, MA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, West Roxbury, MA
| | - Paul L Huang
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA
| | - Robert E Strecker
- Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, West Roxbury, MA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, West Roxbury, MA
| | - Dmitry Gerashchenko
- Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, West Roxbury, MA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, West Roxbury, MA
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8
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Zhou QG, Zhu XH, Nemes AD, Zhu DY. Neuronal nitric oxide synthase and affective disorders. IBRO Rep 2018; 5:116-132. [PMID: 30591953 PMCID: PMC6303682 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibror.2018.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2017] [Revised: 11/07/2018] [Accepted: 11/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Affective disorders including major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar disorder (BPD), and general anxiety affect more than 10% of population in the world. Notably, neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), a downstream signal molecule of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) activation, is abundant in many regions of the brain such as the prefrontal cortex (PFC), hippocampus, amygdala, dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN), locus coeruleus (LC), and hypothalamus, which are closely associated with the pathophysiology of affective disorders. Decreased levels of the neurotransmitters including 5-hydroxytryptamine or serotonin (5-HT), noradrenalin (NA), and dopamine (DA) as well as hyperactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis are common pathological changes of MDD, BPD, and anxiety. Increasing data suggests that nNOS in the hippocampus play a crucial role in the etiology of MDD whereas nNOS-related dysregulation of the nitrergic system in the LC is closely associated with the pathogenesis of BPD. Moreover, hippocampal nNOS is implicated in the role of serotonin receptor 1 A (5-HTR1 A) in modulating anxiety behaviors. Augment of nNOS and its carboxy-terminal PDZ ligand (CAPON) complex mediate stress-induced anxiety and disrupting the nNOS-CAPON interaction by small molecular drug generates anxiolytic effect. To date, however, the function of nNOS in affective disorders is not well reviewed. Here, we summarize works about nNOS and its signal mechanisms implicated in the pathophysiology of affective disorders. On the basis of this review, it is suggested that future research should more fully focus on the role of nNOS in the pathomechanism and treatment of affective disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi-Gang Zhou
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy College, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, PR China
| | - Xian-Hui Zhu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy College, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, PR China
| | - Ashley D Nemes
- Department of Neurosciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, USA
| | - Dong-Ya Zhu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy College, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, PR China
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Keller D, Erö C, Markram H. Cell Densities in the Mouse Brain: A Systematic Review. Front Neuroanat 2018; 12:83. [PMID: 30405363 PMCID: PMC6205984 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2018.00083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 198] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2018] [Accepted: 09/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The mouse brain is the most extensively studied brain of all species. We performed an exhaustive review of the literature to establish our current state of knowledge on cell numbers in mouse brain regions, arguably the most fundamental property to measure when attempting to understand a brain. The synthesized information, collected in one place, can be used by both theorists and experimentalists. Although for commonly-studied regions cell densities could be obtained for principal cell types, overall we know very little about how many cells are present in most brain regions and even less about cell-type specific densities. There is also substantial variation in cell density values obtained from different sources. This suggests that we need a new approach to obtain cell density datasets for the mouse brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Keller
- Blue Brain Project, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Geneva, Switzerland
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Wang X, Guo J, Song Y, Wang Q, Hu S, Gou L, Gao Y. Decreased Number and Expression of nNOS-Positive Interneurons in Basolateral Amygdala in Two Mouse Models of Autism. Front Cell Neurosci 2018; 12:251. [PMID: 30150925 PMCID: PMC6099087 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2018.00251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The basolateral amygdala (BLA) controls socio-emotional behaviors and is involved in the etiology of autism. We have recently shown that virtually every neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) positive cell is a GABAergic inhibitory interneuron in the mouse BLA. Here, stereology was used to quantify the number of nNOS-expressing interneurons in valproic acid (VPA)-exposed C57BL/6J (B6) and BTBR T+Itpr3tf/J (BTBR) mice models of autism. Additionally, the protein and mRNA levels of nNOS in the BLA were quantitatively assessed by western blot and qRT-PCR analysis, respectively. Our results showed the decreased number of nNOS interneurons in the BLA of animal models relative to autism. Consistently, nNOS was significantly reduced in the VPA-exposed and BTBR mice at both protein and mRNA levels. Together, these preliminary findings suggest that down-regulation of nNOS may be an attractive target for the pharmacological intervention in autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaona Wang
- Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Children's Genetics and Metabolic Diseases, Children's Hospital Affiliated of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jisheng Guo
- Center for Translational Medicine, The Sixth People's Hospital of Zhengzhou, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yinsen Song
- Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Children's Genetics and Metabolic Diseases, Children's Hospital Affiliated of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Qi Wang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Shunan Hu
- Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Children's Genetics and Metabolic Diseases, Children's Hospital Affiliated of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Lingshan Gou
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Xuzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Xuzhou, China
| | - Yinbo Gao
- Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Children's Genetics and Metabolic Diseases, Children's Hospital Affiliated of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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11
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Gerashchenko D, Schmidt MA, Zielinski MR, Moore ME, Wisor JP. Sleep State Dependence of Optogenetically evoked Responses in Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase-positive Cells of the Cerebral Cortex. Neuroscience 2018; 379:189-201. [PMID: 29438803 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2018.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2017] [Revised: 02/01/2018] [Accepted: 02/02/2018] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Slow-wave activity (SWA) in the electroencephalogram during slow-wave sleep (SWS) varies as a function of sleep-wake history. A putative sleep-active population of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS)-containing interneurons in the cerebral cortex, defined as such by the expression of Fos in animals euthanized after protracted deep sleep, may be a local regulator of SWA. We investigated whether electrophysiological responses to activation of these cells are consistent with their role of a local regulator of SWA. Using a Cre/loxP strategy, we targeted the population of nNOS interneurons to express the light-activated cation channel Channelrhodopsin2 and the histological marker tdTomato in mice. We then performed histochemical and optogenetic studies in these transgenic mice. Our studies provided histochemical evidence of transgene expression and electrophysiological evidence that the cerebral cortex was responsive to optogenetic manipulation of these cells in both anesthetized and behaving mice. Optogenetic stimulation of the cerebral cortex of animals expressing Channelrhodopsin2 in nNOS interneurons triggered an acute positive deflection of the local field potential that was followed by protracted oscillatory events only during quiet wake and slow wave sleep. The response during wake was maximal when the electroencephalogram (EEG) was in a negative polarization state and abolished when the EEG was in a positive polarization state. Since the polarization state of the EEG is a manifestation of slow-wave oscillations in the activity of underlying pyramidal neurons between the depolarized (LFP negative) and hyperpolarized (LFP positive) states, these data indicate that sleep-active cortical neurons expressing nNOS function in sleep slow-wave physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitry Gerashchenko
- Harvard Medical School at VA Medical Center, West Roxbury, MA 02132, United States
| | - Michelle A Schmidt
- Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine and Department of Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience, Washington State University, Spokane, WA 99210, United States
| | - Mark R Zielinski
- Harvard Medical School at VA Medical Center, West Roxbury, MA 02132, United States
| | - Michele E Moore
- Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine and Department of Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience, Washington State University, Spokane, WA 99210, United States
| | - Jonathan P Wisor
- Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine and Department of Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience, Washington State University, Spokane, WA 99210, United States.
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