Neurexin1⍺ differentially regulates synaptic efficacy within striatal circuits

Compensation between FOXP transcription factors maintains proper striatal function

Spiny projection neurons (SPNs) of the striatum are critical in integrating neurochemical information to coordinate motor and reward-based behavior. Mutations in the regulatory transcription factors expressed in SPNs can result in neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). Paralogous transcription factors Foxp1 and Foxp2, which are both expressed in the dopamine receptor 1 (D1) expressing SPNs, are known to have variants implicated in NDDs. Utilizing mice with a D1-SPN-specific loss of Foxp1, Foxp2, or both and a combination of behavior, electrophysiology, and cell-type-specific genomic analysis, loss of both genes results in impaired motor and social behavior as well as increased firing of the D1-SPNs. Differential gene expression analysis implicates genes involved in autism risk, electrophysiological properties, and neuronal development and function. Viral-mediated re-expression of Foxp1 into the double knockouts is sufficient to restore electrophysiological and behavioral deficits. These data indicate complementary roles between Foxp1 and Foxp2 in the D1-SPNs.

Bridging the translational gap: what can synaptopathies tell us about autism?

Multiple molecular pathways and cellular processes have been implicated in the neurobiology of autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions. There is a current focus on synaptic gene conditions, or synaptopathies, which refer to clinical conditions associated with rare genetic variants disrupting genes involved in synaptic biology. Synaptopathies are commonly associated with autism and developmental delay and may be associated with a range of other neuropsychiatric outcomes. Altered synaptic biology is suggested by both preclinical and clinical studies in autism based on evidence of differences in early brain structural development and altered glutamatergic and GABAergic neurotransmission potentially perturbing excitatory and inhibitory balance. This review focusses on the NRXN-NLGN-SHANK pathway, which is implicated in the synaptic assembly, trans-synaptic signalling, and synaptic functioning. We provide an overview of the insights from preclinical molecular studies of the pathway. Concentrating on NRXN1 deletion and SHANK3 mutations, we discuss emerging understanding of cellular processes and electrophysiology from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) models derived from individuals with synaptopathies, neuroimaging and behavioural findings in animal models of Nrxn1 and Shank3 synaptic gene conditions, and key findings regarding autism features, brain and behavioural phenotypes from human clinical studies of synaptopathies. The identification of molecular-based biomarkers from preclinical models aims to advance the development of targeted therapeutic treatments. However, it remains challenging to translate preclinical animal models and iPSC studies to interpret human brain development and autism features. We discuss the existing challenges in preclinical and clinical synaptopathy research, and potential solutions to align methodologies across preclinical and clinical research. Bridging the translational gap between preclinical and clinical studies will be necessary to understand biological mechanisms, to identify targeted therapies, and ultimately to progress towards personalised approaches for complex neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism.

Compensation between FOXP transcription factors maintains proper striatal function

Spiny projection neurons (SPNs) of the striatum are critical in integrating neurochemical information to coordinate motor and reward-based behavior. Mutations in the regulatory transcription factors expressed in SPNs can result in neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). Paralogous transcription factors Foxp1 and Foxp2, which are both expressed in the dopamine receptor 1 (D1) expressing SPNs, are known to have variants implicated in NDDs. Utilizing mice with a D1-SPN specific loss of Foxp1, Foxp2, or both and a combination of behavior, electrophysiology, and cell-type specific genomic analysis, loss of both genes results in impaired motor and social behavior as well as increased firing of the D1-SPNs. Differential gene expression analysis implicates genes involved in autism risk, electrophysiological properties, and neuronal development and function. Viral mediated re-expression of Foxp1 into the double knockouts was sufficient to restore electrophysiological and behavioral deficits. These data indicate complementary roles between Foxp1 and Foxp2 in the D1-SPNs.

Extracellular vesicles improve GABAergic transmission in Huntington's disease iPSC-derived neurons

Background: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) carry bioactive molecules associated with various biological processes, including miRNAs. In both Huntington's disease (HD) models and human samples, altered expression of miRNAs involved in synapse regulation was reported. Recently, the use of EV cargo to reverse phenotypic alterations in disease models with synaptopathy as the end result of the pathophysiological cascade has become an interesting possibility. Methods: Here, we assessed the contribution of EVs to GABAergic synaptic alterations using a human HD model and studied the miRNA content of isolated EVs. Results: After differentiating human induced pluripotent stem cells into electrophysiologically active striatal-like GABAergic neurons, we found that HD-derived neurons displayed reduced density of inhibitory synapse markers and GABA receptor-mediated ionotropic signaling. Treatment with EVs secreted by control (CTR) fibroblasts reversed the deficits in GABAergic synaptic transmission and increased the density of inhibitory synapses in HD-derived neuron cultures, while EVs from HD-derived fibroblasts had the opposite effects on CTR-derived neurons. Moreover, analysis of miRNAs from purified EVs identified a set of differentially expressed miRNAs between manifest HD, premanifest, and CTR lines with predicted synaptic targets. Conclusion: The EV-mediated reversal of the abnormal GABAergic phenotype in HD-derived neurons reinforces the potential role of EV-miRNAs on synapse regulation.

Schizophrenia-associated NRXN1 deletions induce developmental-timing- and cell-type-specific vulnerabilities in human brain organoids

De novo mutations and copy number deletions in NRXN1 (2p16.3) pose a significant risk for schizophrenia (SCZ). It is unclear how NRXN1 deletions impact cortical development in a cell type-specific manner and disease background modulates these phenotypes. Here, we leveraged human pluripotent stem cell-derived forebrain organoid models carrying NRXN1 heterozygous deletions in isogenic and SCZ patient genetic backgrounds and conducted single-cell transcriptomic analysis over the course of brain organoid development from 3 weeks to 3.5 months. Intriguingly, while both deletions similarly impacted molecular pathways associated with ubiquitin-proteasome system, alternative splicing, and synaptic signaling in maturing glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons, SCZ-NRXN1 deletions specifically perturbed developmental trajectories of early neural progenitors and accumulated disease-specific transcriptomic signatures. Using calcium imaging, we found that both deletions led to long-lasting changes in spontaneous and synchronous neuronal networks, implicating synaptic dysfunction. Our study reveals developmental-timing- and cell-type-dependent actions of NRXN1 deletions in unique genetic contexts.

The molecular pathology of schizophrenia: an overview of existing knowledge and new directions for future research

Despite enormous efforts employing various approaches, the molecular pathology in the schizophrenia brain remains elusive. On the other hand, the knowledge of the association between the disease risk and changes in the DNA sequences, in other words, our understanding of the genetic pathology of schizophrenia, has dramatically improved over the past two decades. As the consequence, now we can explain more than 20% of the liability to schizophrenia by considering all analyzable common genetic variants including those with weak or no statistically significant association. Also, a large-scale exome sequencing study identified single genes whose rare mutations substantially increase the risk for schizophrenia, of which six genes (SETD1A, CUL1, XPO7, GRIA3, GRIN2A, and RB1CC1) showed odds ratios larger than ten. Based on these findings together with the preceding discovery of copy number variants (CNVs) with similarly large effect sizes, multiple disease models with high etiological validity have been generated and analyzed. Studies of the brains of these models, as well as transcriptomic and epigenomic analyses of patient postmortem tissues, have provided new insights into the molecular pathology of schizophrenia. In this review, we overview the current knowledge acquired from these studies, their limitations, and directions for future research that may redefine schizophrenia based on biological alterations in the responsible organ rather than operationalized criteria.

Neurexin1α knockout rats display oscillatory abnormalities and sensory processing deficits back-translating key endophenotypes of psychiatric disorders

Neurexins are presynaptic transmembrane proteins crucial for synapse development and organization. Deletion and missense mutations in all three Neurexin genes have been identified in psychiatric disorders, with mutations in the NRXN1 gene most strongly linked to schizophrenia (SZ) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). While the consequences of NRXN1 deletion have been extensively studied on the synaptic and behavioral levels, circuit endophenotypes that translate to the human condition have not been characterized yet. Therefore, we investigated the electrophysiology of cortico-striatal-thalamic circuits in Nrxn1α-/- rats and wildtype littermates focusing on a set of translational readouts, including spontaneous oscillatory activity, auditory-evoked oscillations and potentials, as well as mismatch negativity-like (MMN) responses and responses to social stimuli. On the behavioral level Nrxn1α-/- rats showed locomotor hyperactivity. In vivo freely moving electrophysiology revealed pronounced increases of spontaneous oscillatory power within the gamma band in all studied brain areas and elevation of gamma coherence in cortico-striatal and thalamocortical circuits of Nrxn1α-/- rats. In contrast, auditory-evoked oscillations driven by chirp-modulated tones showed reduced power in cortical areas confined to slower oscillations. Finally, Nrxn1α-/- rats exhibited altered auditory evoked-potentials and profound deficits in MMN-like responses, explained by reduced prediction error. Despite deficits for auditory stimuli, responses to social stimuli appeared intact. A central hypothesis for psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders is that a disbalance of excitation-to-inhibition is underlying oscillatory and sensory deficits. In a first attempt to explore the impact of inhibitory circuit modulation, we assessed the effects of enhancing tonic inhibition via δ-containing GABAA receptors (using Gaboxadol) on endophenotypes possibly associated with network hyperexcitability. Pharmacological experiments applying Gaboxadol showed genotype-specific differences, but failed to normalize oscillatory or sensory processing abnormalities. In conclusion, our study revealed endophenotypes in Nrxn1α-/- rats that could be used as translational biomarkers for drug development in psychiatric disorders.

Formation of the Mouse Internal Capsule and Cerebral Peduncle: A Pioneering Role for Striatonigral Axons as Revealed in Isl1 Conditional Mutants

The projection neurons of the striatum, the principal nucleus of the basal ganglia, belong to one of the following two major pathways: the striatopallidal (indirect) pathway or the striatonigral (direct) pathway. Striatonigral axons project long distances and encounter ascending tracts (thalamocortical) while coursing alongside descending tracts (corticofugal) as they extend through the internal capsule and cerebral peduncle. These observations suggest that striatal circuitry may help to guide their trajectories. To investigate the developmental contributions of striatonigral axons to internal capsule formation, we have made use of Sox8-EGFP (striatal direct pathway) and Fezf2-TdTomato (corticofugal pathway) BAC transgenic reporter mice in combination with immunohistochemical markers to trace these axonal pathways throughout development. We show that striatonigral axons pioneer the internal capsule and cerebral peduncle and are temporally and spatially well positioned to provide guidance for corticofugal and thalamocortical axons. Using Isl1 conditional knock-out (cKO) mice, which exhibit disrupted striatonigral axon outgrowth, we observe both corticofugal and thalamocortical axon defects with either ventral forebrain- or telencephalon-specific Isl1 inactivation, despite Isl1 not being expressed in either cortical or thalamic projection neurons. Striatonigral axon defects can thus disrupt internal capsule formation. Our genome-wide transcriptomic analysis in Isl1 cKOs reveals changes in gene expression relevant to cell adhesion, growth cone dynamics, and extracellular matrix composition, suggesting potential mechanisms by which the striatonigral pathway exerts this guidance role. Together, our data support a novel pioneering role for the striatal direct pathway in the correct assembly of the ascending and descending axon tracts within the internal capsule and cerebral peduncle.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The basal ganglia are a group of subcortical nuclei with established roles in the coordination of voluntary motor programs, aspects of cognition, and the selection of appropriate social behaviors. Hence, disruptions in basal ganglia connectivity have been implicated in the motor, cognitive, and social dysfunction characterizing common neurodevelopmental disorders such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and tic disorder. Here, we identified a novel role for the striatonigral (direct) pathway in pioneering the internal capsule and cerebral peduncle, and in guiding axons extending to and from the cortex. Our findings suggest that the abnormal development of basal ganglia circuits can drive secondary internal capsule defects and thereby may contribute to the pathology of these disorders.

Spatial and Temporal Gene Function Studies in Rodents: Towards Gene-Based Therapies for Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition that is characterized by differences in social interaction, repetitive behaviors, restricted interests, and sensory differences beginning early in life. Especially sensory symptoms are highly correlated with the severity of other behavioral differences. ASD is a highly heterogeneous condition on multiple levels, including clinical presentation, genetics, and developmental trajectories. Over a thousand genes have been implicated in ASD. This has facilitated the generation of more than two hundred genetic mouse models that are contributing to understanding the biological underpinnings of ASD. Since the first symptoms already arise during early life, it is especially important to identify both spatial and temporal gene functions in relation to the ASD phenotype. To further decompose the heterogeneity, ASD-related genes can be divided into different subgroups based on common functions, such as genes involved in synaptic function. Furthermore, finding common biological processes that are modulated by this subgroup of genes is essential for possible patient stratification and the development of personalized early treatments. Here, we review the current knowledge on behavioral rodent models of synaptic dysfunction by focusing on behavioral phenotypes, spatial and temporal gene function, and molecular targets that could lead to new targeted gene-based therapy.

Copy number variants in neurexin genes: phenotypes and mechanisms

Neurexins are central to trans-synaptic cell adhesion and signaling during synapse specification and maintenance. The past two decades of human genetics research have identified structural variations in the neurexin gene family, in particular NRXN1 copy number variants (CNVs), implicated in multiple neuropsychiatric and developmental disorders. The heterogeneity and reduced penetrance of NRXN1 deletions, in addition to the pleiotropic, circuit-specific functions of NRXN1, present substantial obstacles to understanding how compromised NRXN1 function predisposes individuals to neuropsychiatric disorders. Here, we provide an updated review of NRXN1 genetics in disease, followed by recently published work using both human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) derived systems and animal models to understand the mechanisms of disease pathophysiology. Finally, we suggest our outlook on how the field should progress to improve our understanding of neurexin mediated disease pathogenesis. We believe that understanding how structural genetic variants in NRXN1 contribute to disease pathophysiology requires parallel approaches in iPSC and mouse model systems, each leveraging their unique strengths — analysis of genetic interactions and background effects in iPSCs and neural circuit and behavioral analysis in mice.