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Mackey-Alfonso SE, Butler MJ, Taylor AM, Williams-Medina AR, Muscat SM, Fu H, Barrientos RM. Short-term high fat diet impairs memory, exacerbates the neuroimmune response, and evokes synaptic degradation via a complement-dependent mechanism in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Brain Behav Immun 2024; 121:56-69. [PMID: 39043341 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2024.07.021] [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: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by profound memory impairments, synaptic loss, neuroinflammation, and hallmark pathological markers. High-fat diet (HFD) consumption increases the risk of developing AD even after controlling for metabolic syndrome, pointing to a role of the diet itself in increasing risk. In AD, the complement system, an arm of the immune system which normally tags redundant or damaged synapses for pruning, becomes pathologically overactivated leading to tagging of healthy synapses. While the unhealthy diet to AD link is strong, the underlying mechanisms are not well understood in part due to confounding variables associated with long-term HFD which can independently influence the brain. Therefore, we experimented with a short-term diet regimen to isolate the diet's impact on brain function without causing obesity. This project investigated the effect of short-term HFD on 1) memory, 2) neuroinflammation including complement, 3) AD pathology markers, 4) synaptic markers, and 5) in vitro microglial synaptic phagocytosis in the 3xTg-AD mouse model. Following the consumption of either standard chow or HFD, 3xTg-AD and non-Tg mice were tested for memory impairments. In a separate cohort of mice, levels of hippocampal inflammatory markers, complement proteins, AD pathology markers, and synaptic markers were measured. For the last set of experiments, BV2 microglial phagocytosis of synapses was evaluated. Synaptoneurosomes isolated from the hippocampus of 3xTg-AD mice fed chow or HFD were incubated with equal numbers of BV2 microglia. The number of BV2 microglia that phagocytosed synaptoneurosomes was tracked over time with a live-cell imaging assay. Finally, we incubated BV2 microglia with a complement receptor inhibitor (NIF) and repeated the assay. Behavioral analysis showed 3xTg-AD mice had significantly impaired long-term contextual and cued fear memory compared to non-Tg mice that was further impaired by HFD. HFD significantly increased inflammatory markers and complement expression while decreasing synaptic marker expression only in 3xTg-AD mice, without altering AD pathology markers. Synaptoneurosomes from HFD-fed 3xTg-AD mice were phagocytosed at a significantly higher rate than those from chow-fed mice, suggesting the synapses were altered by HFD. The complement receptor inhibitor blocked this effect in a dose-dependent manner, demonstrating the HFD-mediated increase in phagocytosis was complement dependent. This study indicates HFD consumption increases neuroinflammation and over-activates the complement cascade in 3xTg-AD mice, resulting in poorer memory. The in vitro data point to complement as a potential mechanistic culprit and therapeutic target underlying HFD's influence in increasing cognitive vulnerability to AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina E Mackey-Alfonso
- Medical Scientist Training Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Michael J Butler
- Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Ashton M Taylor
- Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | | | - Stephanie M Muscat
- Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Hongjun Fu
- Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; Chronic Brain Injury Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Ruth M Barrientos
- Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; Chronic Brain Injury Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
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Luo Y, Wang L, Cao Y, Shen Y, Gu Y, Wang L. Reduced excitatory activity in the developing mPFC mediates a PV H-to-PV L transition and impaired social cognition in autism spectrum disorders. Transl Psychiatry 2024; 14:325. [PMID: 39107319 PMCID: PMC11303698 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-024-03043-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Revised: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding the neuropathogenesis of impaired social cognition in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is challenging. Altered cortical parvalbumin-positive (PV+) interneurons have been consistently observed in ASD, but their roles and the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. In our study, we observed a downward-shifted spectrum of PV expression in the developing medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of ASD mouse models due to decreased activity of PV+ neurons. Surprisingly, chemogenetically suppressing PV+ neuron activity during postnatal development failed to induce ASD-like behaviors. In contrast, lowering excitatory activity in the developing mPFC not only dampened the activity state and PV expression of individual PV+ neurons, but also replicated ASD-like social deficits. Furthermore, enhancing excitation, but not PV+ interneuron-mediated inhibition, rescued social deficits in ASD mouse models. Collectively, our findings propose that reduced excitatory activity in the developing mPFC may serve as a shared local circuitry mechanism triggering alterations in PV+ interneurons and mediating impaired social functions in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujian Luo
- Department of Neurology of the First Affiliated Hospital, Interdisciplinary Institute of Neuroscience and Technology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Liangliang Wang
- Department of Neurology of the First Affiliated Hospital, Interdisciplinary Institute of Neuroscience and Technology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Department of Psychiatry, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yirong Cao
- Center of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, and Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science & Brain-Machine Integration, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ying Shen
- Department of Physiology and Department of Psychiatry, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yan Gu
- Center of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, and Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
- MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science & Brain-Machine Integration, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Lang Wang
- Department of Neurology of the First Affiliated Hospital, Interdisciplinary Institute of Neuroscience and Technology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
- School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
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Luque MA, Morcuende S, Torres B, Herrero L. Kv7/M channel dysfunction produces hyperexcitability in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells of Fmr1 knockout mice. J Physiol 2024; 602:3769-3791. [PMID: 38976504 DOI: 10.1113/jp285244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS), the most frequent monogenic form of intellectual disability, is caused by transcriptional silencing of the FMR1 gene that could render neuronal hyperexcitability. Here we show that pyramidal cells (PCs) in the dorsal CA1 region of the hippocampus elicited a larger action potential (AP) number in response to suprathreshold stimulation in juvenile Fmr1 knockout (KO) than wild-type (WT) mice. Because Kv7/M channels modulate CA1 PC excitability in rats, we investigated if their dysfunction produces neuronal hyperexcitability in Fmr1 KO mice. Immunohistochemical and western blot analyses showed no differences in the expression of Kv7.2 and Kv7.3 channel subunits between genotypes; however, the current mediated by Kv7/M channels was reduced in Fmr1 KO mice. In both genotypes, bath application of XE991 (10 μM), a blocker of Kv7/M channels: produced an increased AP number, produced an increased input resistance, produced a decreased AP voltage threshold and shaped AP medium afterhyperpolarization by increasing mean velocities. Retigabine (10 μM), an opener of Kv7/M channels, produced opposite effects to XE991. Both XE991 and retigabine abolished differences in all these parameters found in control conditions between genotypes. Furthermore, a low concentration of retigabine (2.5 μM) normalized CA1 PC excitability of Fmr1 KO mice. Finally, ex vivo seizure-like events evoked by 4-aminopyiridine (200 μM) in the dorsal CA1 region were more frequent in Fmr1 KO mice, and were abolished by retigabine (5-10 μM). We conclude that CA1 PCs of Fmr1 KO mice exhibit hyperexcitability, caused by Kv7/M channel dysfunction, and increased epileptiform activity, which were abolished by retigabine. KEY POINTS: Dorsal pyramidal cells of the hippocampal CA1 region of Fmr1 knockout mice exhibit hyperexcitability. Kv7/M channel activity, but not expression, is reduced in pyramidal cells of the hippocampal CA1 region of Fmr1 knockout mice. Kv7/M channel dysfunction causes hyperexcitability in pyramidal cells of the hippocampal CA1 region of Fmr1 knockout mice by increasing input resistance, decreasing AP voltage threshold and shaping medium afterhyperpolarization. A Kv7/M channel opener normalizes neuronal excitability in pyramidal cells of the hippocampal CA1 region of Fmr1 knockout mice. Ex vivo seizure-like events evoked in the dorsal CA1 region were more frequent in Fmr1 KO mice, and such an epileptiform activity was abolished by a Kv7/M channel opener depending on drug concentration. Kv7/M channels may represent a therapeutic target for treating symptoms associated with hippocampal alterations in fragile X syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Angeles Luque
- Departamento Fisiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Sara Morcuende
- Departamento Fisiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Blas Torres
- Departamento Fisiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Luis Herrero
- Departamento Fisiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
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Volianskis R, Lundbye CJ, Petroff GN, Jane DE, Georgiou J, Collingridge GL. Cage effects on synaptic plasticity and its modulation in a mouse model of fragile X syndrome. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20230484. [PMID: 38853552 PMCID: PMC11343313 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2023.0484] [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: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is characterized by impairments in executive function including different types of learning and memory. Long-term potentiation (LTP), thought to underlie the formation of memories, has been studied in the Fmr1 mouse model of FXS. However, there have been many discrepancies in the literature with inconsistent use of littermate and non-littermate Fmr1 knockout (KO) and wild-type (WT) control mice. Here, the influence of the breeding strategy (cage effect) on short-term potentiation (STP), LTP, contextual fear conditioning (CFC), expression of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) subunits and the modulation of NMDARs, were examined. The largest deficits in STP, LTP and CFC were found in KO mice compared with non-littermate WT. However, the expression of NMDAR subunits was unchanged in this comparison. Rather, NMDAR subunit (GluN1, 2A, 2B) expression was sensitive to the cage effect, with decreased expression in both WT and KO littermates compared with non-littermates. Interestingly, an NMDAR-positive allosteric modulator, UBP714, was only effective in potentiating the induction of LTP in non-littermate KO mice and not the littermate KO mice. These results suggest that commonly studied phenotypes in Fmr1 KOs are sensitive to the cage effect and therefore the breeding strategy may contribute to discrepancies in the literature.This article is part of a discussion meeting issue 'Long-term potentiation: 50 years on'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasa Volianskis
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Sinai Health System, Toronto, OntarioM5G 1X5, Canada
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, OntarioM5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Camilla J. Lundbye
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Sinai Health System, Toronto, OntarioM5G 1X5, Canada
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, OntarioM5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Gillian N. Petroff
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Sinai Health System, Toronto, OntarioM5G 1X5, Canada
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, OntarioM5S 1A8, Canada
| | - David. E. Jane
- Hello Bio Limited, Cabot Park, Avonmouth, BristolBS11 0QL, UK
| | - John Georgiou
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Sinai Health System, Toronto, OntarioM5G 1X5, Canada
- TANZ Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, OntarioM5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Graham L. Collingridge
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Sinai Health System, Toronto, OntarioM5G 1X5, Canada
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, OntarioM5S 1A8, Canada
- TANZ Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, OntarioM5S 1A8, Canada
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Chen CM, Wu CC, Kim Y, Hsu WY, Tsai YC, Chiu SL. Enhancing social behavior in an autism spectrum disorder mouse model: investigating the underlying mechanisms of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum intervention. Gut Microbes 2024; 16:2359501. [PMID: 38841895 PMCID: PMC11164232 DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2024.2359501] [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: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting over 1% of the global population. Individuals with ASD often exhibit complex behavioral conditions, including significant social difficulties and repetitive behaviors. Moreover, ASD often co-occurs with several other conditions, including intellectual disabilities and anxiety disorders. The etiology of ASD remains largely unknown owing to its complex genetic variations and associated environmental risks. Ultimately, this poses a fundamental challenge for the development of effective ASD treatment strategies. Previously, we demonstrated that daily supplementation with the probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum PS128 (PS128) alleviates ASD symptoms in children. However, the mechanism underlying this improvement in ASD-associated behaviors remains unclear. Here, we used a well-established ASD mouse model, induced by prenatal exposure to valproic acid (VPA), to study the physiological roles of PS128 in vivo. Overall, we showed that PS128 selectively ameliorates behavioral abnormalities in social and spatial memory in VPA-induced ASD mice. Morphological examination of dendritic architecture further revealed that PS128 facilitated the restoration of dendritic arborization and spine density in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of ASD mice. Notably, PS128 was crucial for restoring oxytocin levels in the paraventricular nucleus and oxytocin receptor signaling in the hippocampus. Moreover, PS128 alters the gut microbiota composition and increases the abundance of Bifidobacterium spp. and PS128-induced changes in Bifidobacterium abundance positively correlated with PS128-induced behavioral improvements. Together, our results show that PS128 treatment can effectively ameliorate ASD-associated behaviors and reinstate oxytocin levels in VPA-induced mice, thereby providing a promising strategy for the future development of ASD therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Ming Chen
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Research and Development Department, Bened Biomedical Co. Ltd, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Chen Wu
- Research and Development Department, Bened Biomedical Co. Ltd, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yebeen Kim
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology and Neuroscience Program of Academia Sinica, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Yu Hsu
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology and Neuroscience Program of Academia Sinica, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Chieh Tsai
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Ling Chiu
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology and Neuroscience Program of Academia Sinica, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
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Chojnacka M, Beroun A, Magnowska M, Stawikowska A, Cysewski D, Milek J, Dziembowska M, Kuzniewska B. Impaired synaptic incorporation of AMPA receptors in a mouse model of fragile X syndrome. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1258615. [PMID: 38025260 PMCID: PMC10665894 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1258615] [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: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common monogenetic cause of inherited intellectual disability and autism in humans. One of the well-characterized molecular phenotypes of Fmr1 KO mice, a model of FXS, is increased translation of synaptic proteins. Although this upregulation stabilizes in adulthood, abnormalities during the critical period of plasticity have long-term effects on circuit formation and synaptic properties. Using high-resolution quantitative proteomics of synaptoneurosomes isolated from the adult, developed brains of Fmr1 KO mice, we show a differential abundance of proteins regulating the postsynaptic receptor activity of glutamatergic synapses. We investigated the AMPA receptor composition and shuttling in adult Fmr1 KO and WT mice using a variety of complementary experimental strategies such as surface protein crosslinking, immunostaining of surface receptors, and electrophysiology. We discovered that the activity-dependent synaptic delivery of AMPARs is impaired in adult Fmr1 KO mice. Furthermore, we show that Fmr1 KO synaptic AMPARs contain more GluA2 subunits that can be interpreted as a switch in the synaptic AMPAR subtype toward an increased number of Ca2+-impermeable receptors in adult Fmr1 KO synapses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Chojnacka
- Laboratory of Molecular Basis of Synaptic Plasticity, Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Beroun
- Laboratory of Neuronal Plasticity, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marta Magnowska
- Laboratory of Molecular Basis of Synaptic Plasticity, Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Stawikowska
- Laboratory of Molecular Basis of Synaptic Plasticity, Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Dominik Cysewski
- Clinical Research Centre, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
| | - Jacek Milek
- Laboratory of Molecular Basis of Synaptic Plasticity, Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Magdalena Dziembowska
- Laboratory of Molecular Basis of Synaptic Plasticity, Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Bozena Kuzniewska
- Laboratory of Molecular Basis of Synaptic Plasticity, Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
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Zhang J, Zhang X, Gao Y, Li L, Bai L, Wang L, Qiao Y, Wang X, Liang Z, Xu JT. Neuralized1-Mediated CPEB3 Ubiquitination in the Spinal Dorsal Horn Contributes to the Pathogenesis of Neuropathic Pain in Rats. ACS Chem Neurosci 2023; 14:3418-3430. [PMID: 37644621 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00313] [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] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Compelling evidence has shown that Neuralized1 (Neurl1) facilitates hippocampal-dependent memory storage by modulating cytoplasmic polyadenylation element-binding protein 3 (CPEB3)-dependent protein synthesis. In the current study, we investigated the role of Neurl1 in the pathogenesis of neuropathic pain and the underlying mechanisms. The neuropathic pain was evaluated by lumbar 5 spinal nerve ligation (SNL) in rats. Immunofluorescence staining, Western blotting, qRT-PCR, and coimmunoprecipitation (Co-IP) were performed to investigate the underlying mechanisms. Our results showed that SNL led to an increase of Neurl1 in the spinal dorsal horn. Spinal microinjection of AAV-EGFP-Neurl1 shRNA alleviated mechanical allodynia; decreased the level of CPEB3 ubiquitination; inhibited the production of GluA1, GluA2, and PSD95; and reduced GluA1-containing AMPA receptors in the membrane of the dorsal horn following SNL. Knockdown of spinal CPEB3 decreased the production of GluA1, GluA2, and PSD95 in the dorsal horn and attenuated abnormal pain after SNL. Overexpression of Neurl1 in the dorsal horn resulted in pain-related hypersensitivity in naïve rats; raised the level of CPEB3 ubiquitination; increased the production of GluA1, GluA2, and PSD95; and augmented GluA1-containing AMPA receptors in the membrane in the dorsal horn. Moreover, spinal Neurl1 overexpression-induced mechanical allodynia in naïve rats was partially reversed by repeated intrathecal injections of CPEB3 siRNA. Collectively, our results suggest that SNL-induced upregulation of Neurl1 through CPEB3 ubiquitination-dependent production of GluA1, GluA2, and PSD95 in the dorsal horn contributes to the pathogenesis of neuropathic pain in rats. Targeting spinal Neurl1 might be a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Zhang
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Science Avenue, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Xuan Zhang
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Science Avenue, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Yan Gao
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Science Avenue, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Liren Li
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Science Avenue, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Liying Bai
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Science Avenue, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pain and Perioperative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, 1 Jianshe East Road, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Science Avenue, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Yiming Qiao
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Science Avenue, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Xueli Wang
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Science Avenue, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Zongyi Liang
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Science Avenue, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Ji-Tian Xu
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Science Avenue, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Zhengzhou University, 100 Science Avenue, Zhengzhou 450001, China
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Monday HR, Wang HC, Feldman DE. Circuit-level theories for sensory dysfunction in autism: convergence across mouse models. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1254297. [PMID: 37745660 PMCID: PMC10513044 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1254297] [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: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit a diverse range of behavioral features and genetic backgrounds, but whether different genetic forms of autism involve convergent pathophysiology of brain function is unknown. Here, we analyze evidence for convergent deficits in neural circuit function across multiple transgenic mouse models of ASD. We focus on sensory areas of neocortex, where circuit differences may underlie atypical sensory processing, a central feature of autism. Many distinct circuit-level theories for ASD have been proposed, including increased excitation-inhibition (E-I) ratio and hyperexcitability, hypofunction of parvalbumin (PV) interneuron circuits, impaired homeostatic plasticity, degraded sensory coding, and others. We review these theories and assess the degree of convergence across ASD mouse models for each. Behaviorally, our analysis reveals that innate sensory detection behavior is heightened and sensory discrimination behavior is impaired across many ASD models. Neurophysiologically, PV hypofunction and increased E-I ratio are prevalent but only rarely generate hyperexcitability and excess spiking. Instead, sensory tuning and other aspects of neural coding are commonly degraded and may explain impaired discrimination behavior. Two distinct phenotypic clusters with opposing neural circuit signatures are evident across mouse models. Such clustering could suggest physiological subtypes of autism, which may facilitate the development of tailored therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah R. Monday
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | | | - Daniel E. Feldman
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
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Tempio A, Boulksibat A, Bardoni B, Delhaye S. Fragile X Syndrome as an interneuronopathy: a lesson for future studies and treatments. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1171895. [PMID: 37188005 PMCID: PMC10176609 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1171895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is the most common form of inherited intellectual disability (ID) and a primary genetic cause of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). FXS arises from the silencing of the FMR1 gene causing the lack of translation of its encoded protein, the Fragile X Messenger RibonucleoProtein (FMRP), an RNA-binding protein involved in translational control and in RNA transport along dendrites. Although a large effort during the last 20 years has been made to investigate the cellular roles of FMRP, no effective and specific therapeutic intervention is available to treat FXS. Many studies revealed a role for FMRP in shaping sensory circuits during developmental critical periods to affect proper neurodevelopment. Dendritic spine stability, branching and density abnormalities are part of the developmental delay observed in various FXS brain areas. In particular, cortical neuronal networks in FXS are hyper-responsive and hyperexcitable, making these circuits highly synchronous. Overall, these data suggest that the excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) balance in FXS neuronal circuitry is altered. However, not much is known about how interneuron populations contribute to the unbalanced E/I ratio in FXS even if their abnormal functioning has an impact on the behavioral deficits of patients and animal models affected by neurodevelopmental disorders. We revise here the key literature concerning the role of interneurons in FXS not only with the purpose to better understand the pathophysiology of this disorder, but also to explore new possible therapeutic applications to treat FXS and other forms of ASD or ID. Indeed, for instance, the re-introduction of functional interneurons in the diseased brains has been proposed as a promising therapeutic approach for neurological and psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Tempio
- Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Valbonne, France
- Alessandra Tempio,
| | - Asma Boulksibat
- Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Valbonne, France
| | - Barbara Bardoni
- Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Valbonne, France
- Inserm, Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Valbonne, France
- *Correspondence: Barbara Bardoni,
| | - Sébastien Delhaye
- Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Valbonne, France
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