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Cansız D, Özokan G, Bilginer A, Işıkoğlu S, Mızrak Z, Ünal İ, Beler M, Alturfan AA, Emekli-Alturfan E. Effects of benzoic acid synthesized from Cinnamomum cassia by green chemistry on valproic acid-induced neurotoxicity in zebrafish embryos. Toxicol Mech Methods 2024:1-11. [PMID: 38888055 DOI: 10.1080/15376516.2024.2364899] [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: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Benzoic acid, the most basic aromatic carboxylic acid, is produced industrially and used in cosmetic, hygiene, and pharmaceutical items as a flavoring ingredient and/or preservative. The significance of sodium benzoate, a metabolite of cinnamon, used as a food preservative and FDA-approved medication to treat urea cycle abnormalities in humans, has been shown to raise the levels of neurotrophic factors. Valproic acid (VPA), a commonly used anti-epileptic and mood-stabilizing medication, causes behavioral and intellectual problems and is a commonly used agent to induce animal model for autism. Aim of this study is to determine the effects of benzoic acid synthesized from Cinnamomum Cassia by green chemistry method on gene expressions related to autism development in case of VPA toxicity. Zebrafish embryos were exposed to low and high doses of benzoic acid for 72 h post-fertilization. Locomotor activities were determined. Acetylcholinesterase (AchE), lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide (NO), sialic acid (SA), glutathione (GSH)-S-transferase, catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were determined spectrophotometrically. eif4b, adsl, and shank3a expressions were determined by RT-PCR as autism-related genes. Although high-dose benzoic acid inhibited locomotor activity, benzoic acid at both doses ameliorated VPA-induced disruption in oxidant-antioxidant balance and inflammation in zebrafish embryos and was effective in improving the impaired expression of autism-related genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derya Cansız
- Istanbul Medipol University, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Biochemistry, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Gökhan Özokan
- BioArge Laboratories, Yıldız Technical University Technocity, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Abdulkerim Bilginer
- BioArge Laboratories, Yıldız Technical University Technocity, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Semanur Işıkoğlu
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Health Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Marmara University, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Zülal Mızrak
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Health Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Marmara University, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - İsmail Ünal
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Health Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Marmara University, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Merih Beler
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Health Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Marmara University, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - A Ata Alturfan
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Ebru Emekli-Alturfan
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Marmara University, Istanbul, Türkiye
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Harris ST, Schieve LA, Drews-Botsch C, DiGuiseppi C, Tian LH, Soke GN, Bradley CB, Windham GC. Pregnancy Planning and its Association with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Findings from the Study to Explore Early Development. Matern Child Health J 2024; 28:949-958. [PMID: 38198102 PMCID: PMC11001519 DOI: 10.1007/s10995-023-03877-0] [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] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To examine associations between pregnancy planning and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in offspring. METHODS The Study to Explore Early Development (SEED), a multi-site case-control study, enrolled preschool-aged children with ASD, other DDs, and from the general population (POP). Some children with DDs had ASD symptoms but did not meet the ASD case definition. We examined associations between mother's report of trying to get pregnant (pregnancy planning) and (1) ASD and (2) ASD symptomatology (ASD group, plus DD with ASD symptoms group combined) (each vs. POP group). We computed odds ratios adjusted for demographic, maternal, health, and perinatal health factors (aORs) via logistic regression. Due to differential associations by race-ethnicity, final analyses were stratified by race-ethnicity. RESULTS Pregnancy planning was reported by 66.4%, 64.8%, and 76.6% of non-Hispanic White (NHW) mothers in the ASD, ASD symptomatology, and POP groups, respectively. Among NHW mother-child pairs, pregnancy planning was inversely associated with ASD (aOR = 0.71 [95% confidence interval 0.56-0.91]) and ASD symptomatology (aOR = 0.67 [0.54-0.84]). Pregnancy planning was much less common among non-Hispanic Black mothers (28-32% depending on study group) and Hispanic mothers (49-56%) and was not associated with ASD or ASD symptomatology in these two race-ethnicity groups. CONCLUSION Pregnancy planning was inversely associated with ASD and ASD symptomatology in NHW mother-child pairs. The findings were not explained by several adverse maternal or perinatal health factors. The associations observed in NHW mother-child pairs did not extend to other race-ethnicity groups, for whom pregnancy planning was lower overall.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shericka T Harris
- National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy NE, Mailstop S106-4, Atlanta, GA, 30341, USA.
| | - Laura A Schieve
- National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy NE, Mailstop S106-4, Atlanta, GA, 30341, USA
| | - Carolyn Drews-Botsch
- Department of Global and Community Health, College of Health and Human Services, George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, MS: 5B7, Fairfax, VA, 22030, USA
| | - Carolyn DiGuiseppi
- Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 80045, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Lin H Tian
- National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy NE, Mailstop S106-4, Atlanta, GA, 30341, USA
| | - Gnakub N Soke
- Center for Global Health, Global Immunization Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | - Chyrise B Bradley
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Gayle C Windham
- California Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Investigations Branch, Richmond, CA, 94804, USA
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Hegarty JP, Monterrey JC, Tian Q, Cleveland SC, Gong X, Phillips JM, Wolke ON, McNab JA, Hallmayer JF, Reiss AL, Hardan AY, Lazzeroni LC. A Twin Study of Altered White Matter Heritability in Youth With Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2024; 63:65-79. [PMID: 37406770 PMCID: PMC10802971 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaac.2023.05.030] [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: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE White matter alterations are frequently reported in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), yet the etiology is currently unknown. The objective of this investigation was to examine, for the first time, the impact of genetic and environmental factors on white matter microstructure in twins with ASD compared to control twins without ASD. METHOD Diffusion-weighted MRIs were obtained from same-sex twin pairs (6-15 years of age) in which at least 1 twin was diagnosed with ASD or neither twin exhibited a history of neurological or psychiatric disorders. Fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) were examined across different white matter tracts in the brain, and statistical and twin modeling were completed to assess the proportion of variation associated with additive genetic (A) and common/shared (C) or unique (E) environmental factors. We also developed a novel Twin-Pair Difference Score analysis method that produces quantitative estimates of the genetic and environmental contributions to shared covariance between different brain and behavioral traits. RESULTS Good-quality data were available from 84 twin pairs, 50 ASD pairs (32 concordant for ASD [16 monozygotic; 16 dizygotic], 16 discordant for ASD [3 monozygotic; 13 dizygotic], and 2 pairs in which 1 twin had ASD and the other exhibited some subthreshold symptoms [1 monozygotic; 1 dizygotic]) and 34 control pairs (20 monozygotic; 14 dizygotic). Average FA and MD across the brain, respectively, were primarily genetically mediated in both control twins (A = 0.80, 95% CI [0.57, 1.02]; A = 0.80 [0.55, 1.04]) and twins concordant for having ASD (A = 0.71 [0.33, 1.09]; A = 0.84 [0.32,1.36]). However, there were also significant tract-specific differences between groups. For instance, genetic effects on commissural fibers were primarily associated with differences in general cognitive abilities and perhaps some diagnostic differences for ASD because Twin-Pair Difference-Score analysis indicated that genetic factors may have contributed to ∼40% to 50% of the covariation between IQ scores and FA of the corpus callosum. Conversely, the increased impact of environmental factors on some projection and association fibers were primarily associated with differences in symptom severity in twins with ASD; for example, our analyses suggested that unique environmental factors may have contributed to ∼10% to 20% of the covariation between autism-related symptom severity and FA of the cerebellar peduncles and external capsule. CONCLUSION White matter alterations in youth with ASD are associated with both genetic contributions and potentially increased vulnerability or responsivity to environmental influences. DIVERSITY & INCLUSION STATEMENT We worked to ensure sex and gender balance in the recruitment of human participants. We worked to ensure race, ethnic, and/or other types of diversity in the recruitment of human participants. We worked to ensure that the study questionnaires were prepared in an inclusive way. One or more of the authors of this paper self-identifies as a member of one or more historically underrepresented racial and/or ethnic groups in science. One or more of the authors of this paper self-identifies as a member of one or more historically underrepresented sexual and/or gender groups in science. One or more of the authors of this paper self-identifies as living with a disability. The author list of this paper includes contributors from the location and/or community where the research was conducted and they participated in the data collection, design, analysis, and/or interpretation of the work.
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Affiliation(s)
- John P Hegarty
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California.
| | | | - Qiyuan Tian
- Tsinghua University School of Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Sue C Cleveland
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Xinyi Gong
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | | | - Olga N Wolke
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | | | | | - Allan L Reiss
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
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Li X, Feng T, Lu W. The effects of valproic acid neurotoxicity on aggressive behavior in zebrafish autism model. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2024; 275:109783. [PMID: 37926328 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2023.109783] [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: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Valproic acid (VPA) is an effective drug, which is preferred for the treatments of epilepsy and various kinds of seizures. Nonetheless, VPA has many side effects associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Therefore, we conducted molecular and behavior tests in adult proactive zebrafish after VPA exposure to investigate gene transcription changes, social behavior, aggression, anxiety and locomotion. Our findings revealed that VPA exposure generates ASD-like phenotypes and behaviors: genes associated with autism, such as adsl, mbd5 and shank3a altered; social interaction deficit. Further behavioral patterns suggest that VPA exposure induces decreases in aggression and increases the anxiety behavior and body cortisol significantly. VPA exposure did not affect locomotor activity in zebrafish. Additionally, we used correlative analyses to investigate the robustness between the ASD-related genes and the different behavior tests, results showed that ASD-related genes are negatively associated with aggressive behavior. Our study demonstrated that aggressive behavior assay is a better predictor of behavior for neurotoxicology of VPA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxue Li
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Shanghai Ocean University, Ministry of Education, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Tangsong Feng
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Shanghai Ocean University, Ministry of Education, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Weiqun Lu
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Shanghai Ocean University, Ministry of Education, Shanghai 201306, China; International Research Center for Marine Biosciences at Shanghai Ocean University, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai 201306, China.
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5
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Ornoy A, Echefu B, Becker M. Valproic Acid in Pregnancy Revisited: Neurobehavioral, Biochemical and Molecular Changes Affecting the Embryo and Fetus in Humans and in Animals: A Narrative Review. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:390. [PMID: 38203562 PMCID: PMC10779436 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010390] [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: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Valproic acid (VPA) is a very effective anticonvulsant and mood stabilizer with relatively few side effects. Being an epigenetic modulator, it undergoes clinical trials for the treatment of advanced prostatic and breast cancer. However, in pregnancy, it seems to be the most teratogenic antiepileptic drug. Among the proven effects are congenital malformations in about 10%. The more common congenital malformations are neural tube defects, cardiac anomalies, urogenital malformations including hypospadias, skeletal malformations and orofacial clefts. These effects are dose related; daily doses below 600 mg have a limited teratogenic potential. VPA, when added to other anti-seizure medications, increases the malformations rate. It induces malformations even when taken for indications other than epilepsy, adding to the data that epilepsy is not responsible for the teratogenic effects. VPA increases the rate of neurodevelopmental problems causing reduced cognitive abilities and language impairment. It also increases the prevalence of specific neurodevelopmental syndromes like autism (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). High doses of folic acid administered prior to and during pregnancy might alleviate some of the teratogenic effect of VPA and other AEDs. Several teratogenic mechanisms are proposed for VPA, but the most important mechanisms seem to be its effects on the metabolism of folate, SAMe and histones, thus affecting DNA methylation. VPA crosses the human placenta and was found at higher concentrations in fetal blood. Its concentrations in milk are low, therefore nursing is permitted. Animal studies generally recapitulate human data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asher Ornoy
- Department of Morphological Sciences and Teratology, Adelson School of Medicine, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel; (B.E.); (M.B.)
- Department of Medical Neurobiology, Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
| | - Boniface Echefu
- Department of Morphological Sciences and Teratology, Adelson School of Medicine, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel; (B.E.); (M.B.)
| | - Maria Becker
- Department of Morphological Sciences and Teratology, Adelson School of Medicine, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel; (B.E.); (M.B.)
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6
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Benitah KC, Kavaliers M, Ossenkopp KP. The enteric metabolite, propionic acid, impairs social behavior and increases anxiety in a rodent ASD model: Examining sex differences and the influence of the estrous cycle. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2023; 231:173630. [PMID: 37640163 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2023.173630] [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: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Research suggests that certain gut and dietary factors may worsen behavioral features of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Treatment with propionic acid (PPA) has been found to create both brain and behavioral responses in rats that are characteristic of ASD in humans. A consistent male bias in human ASD prevalence has been observed, and several sex-differential genetic and hormonal factors have been suggested to contribute to this bias. The majority of PPA studies in relation to ASD focus on male subjects; research examining the effects of PPA in females is scarce. The present study includes two experiments. Experiment 1 explored sex differences in the effects of systemic administration of PPA (500 mg/kg, ip) on adult rodent social behavior and anxiety (light-dark test). Experiment 2 investigated differential effects of systemic administration of PPA (500 mg/kg) on social behavior and anxiety in relation to fluctuating estrogen and progesterone levels during the adult rodent estrous cycle. PPA treatment impaired social behavior and increased anxiety in females to the same degree in comparison to PPA-treated males. As well, females treated with PPA in their diestrus phase did not differ significantly in comparison to females administered PPA in their proestrus phase, in terms of reduced social behavior and increased anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie C Benitah
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Martin Kavaliers
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Klaus-Peter Ossenkopp
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.
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Turpin V, Schaffhauser M, Thabault M, Aubert A, Joffre C, Balado E, Longueville JE, Francheteau M, Burucoa C, Pichon M, Layé S, Jaber M. Mice prenatally exposed to valproic acid do not show autism-related disorders when fed with polyunsaturated fatty acid-enriched diets. Sci Rep 2023; 13:11235. [PMID: 37433863 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-38423-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Dietary supplementations with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) have been explored in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) but their efficiency and potential in ameliorating cardinal symptoms of the disease remain elusive. Here, we compared a n-3 long-chain (LC) PUFA dietary supplementation (n-3 supp) obtained from fatty fish with a n-3 PUFA precursor diet (n-3 bal) obtained from plant oils in the valproic acid (VPA, 450 mg/kg at E12.5) ASD mouse model starting from embryonic life, throughout lactation and until adulthood. Maternal and offspring behaviors were investigated as well as several VPA-induced ASD biological features: cerebellar Purkinje cell (PC) number, inflammatory markers, gut microbiota, and peripheral and brain PUFA composition. Developmental milestones were delayed in the n-3 supp group compared to the n-3 bal group in both sexes. Whatever the diet, VPA-exposed offspring did not show ASD characteristic alterations in social behavior, stereotypies, PC number, or gut microbiota dysbiosis while global activity, gait, peripheral and brain PUFA levels as well as cerebellar TNF-alpha levels were differentially altered by diet and treatment according to sex. The current study provides evidence of beneficial effects of n-3 PUFA based diets, including one without LCPUFAs, on preventing several behavioral and cellular symptoms related to ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentine Turpin
- Université de Poitiers, Inserm, Laboratoire de Neurosciences Expérimentales et Cliniques, Poitiers, France
| | - Maud Schaffhauser
- Université de Poitiers, Inserm, Laboratoire de Neurosciences Expérimentales et Cliniques, Poitiers, France
| | - Mathieu Thabault
- Université de Poitiers, Inserm, Laboratoire de Neurosciences Expérimentales et Cliniques, Poitiers, France
| | - Agnès Aubert
- Université de Bordeaux, INRAE, Bordeaux INP, NutriNeurO, UMR 1286, Bordeaux, France
| | - Corinne Joffre
- Université de Bordeaux, INRAE, Bordeaux INP, NutriNeurO, UMR 1286, Bordeaux, France
| | - Eric Balado
- Université de Poitiers, Inserm, Laboratoire de Neurosciences Expérimentales et Cliniques, Poitiers, France
| | - Jean-Emmanuel Longueville
- Université de Poitiers, Inserm, Laboratoire de Neurosciences Expérimentales et Cliniques, Poitiers, France
| | - Maureen Francheteau
- Université de Poitiers, Inserm, Laboratoire de Neurosciences Expérimentales et Cliniques, Poitiers, France
| | - Christophe Burucoa
- Université de Poitiers, Inserm, PHAR2, Poitiers, France
- CHU de Poitiers, Poitiers, France
| | - Maxime Pichon
- Université de Poitiers, Inserm, PHAR2, Poitiers, France
- CHU de Poitiers, Poitiers, France
| | - Sophie Layé
- Université de Bordeaux, INRAE, Bordeaux INP, NutriNeurO, UMR 1286, Bordeaux, France
| | - Mohamed Jaber
- Université de Poitiers, Inserm, Laboratoire de Neurosciences Expérimentales et Cliniques, Poitiers, France.
- CHU de Poitiers, Poitiers, France.
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Colniță A, Toma VA, Brezeștean IA, Tahir MA, Dina NE. A Review on Integrated ZnO-Based SERS Biosensors and Their Potential in Detecting Biomarkers of Neurodegenerative Diseases. BIOSENSORS 2023; 13:bios13050499. [PMID: 37232860 DOI: 10.3390/bios13050499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) applications in clinical diagnosis and spectral pathology are increasing due to the potential of the technique to bio-barcode incipient and differential diseases via real-time monitoring of biomarkers in fluids and in real-time via biomolecular fingerprinting. Additionally, the rapid advancements in micro/nanotechnology have a visible influence in all aspects of science and life. The miniaturization and enhanced properties of materials at the micro/nanoscale transcended the confines of the laboratory and are revolutionizing domains such as electronics, optics, medicine, and environmental science. The societal and technological impact of SERS biosensing by using semiconductor-based nanostructured smart substrates will be huge once minor technical pitfalls are solved. Herein, challenges in clinical routine testing are addressed in order to understand the context of how SERS can perform in real, in vivo sampling and bioassays for early neurodegenerative disease (ND) diagnosis. The main interest in translating SERS into clinical practice is reinforced by the practical advantages: portability of the designed setups, versatility in using nanomaterials of various matter and costs, readiness, and reliability. As we will present in this review, in the frame of technology readiness levels (TRL), the current maturity reached by semiconductor-based SERS biosensors, in particular that of zinc oxide (ZnO)-based hybrid SERS substrates, is situated at the development level TRL 6 (out of 9 levels). Three-dimensional, multilayered SERS substrates that provide additional plasmonic hot spots in the z-axis are of key importance in designing highly performant SERS biosensors for the detection of ND biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alia Colniță
- Department of Molecular and Biomolecular Physics, National Institute for Research and Development of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies, 67-103 Donat, 400293 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Vlad-Alexandru Toma
- Department of Molecular and Biomolecular Physics, National Institute for Research and Development of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies, 67-103 Donat, 400293 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babeș-Bolyai University, 5-7 Clinicilor, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Institute of Biological Research, Department of Biochemistry and Experimental Biology, 48 Republicii, Branch of NIRDBS Bucharest, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Ioana Andreea Brezeștean
- Department of Molecular and Biomolecular Physics, National Institute for Research and Development of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies, 67-103 Donat, 400293 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Muhammad Ali Tahir
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution and Prevention, Department of Environmental Science & Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Nicoleta Elena Dina
- Department of Molecular and Biomolecular Physics, National Institute for Research and Development of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies, 67-103 Donat, 400293 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Jaber M. Genetic and environmental mouse models of autism reproduce the spectrum of the disease. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2023; 130:425-432. [PMID: 36318343 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-022-02555-9] [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: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
Genetic and environmental factors increase autism spectrum disorder (ASD) incidence, and this has led to the generation of corresponding animal models, with some showing strong construct and face validity. This short review focuses on results we have recently obtained with environmental and genetic mouse models of ASD and that are the valproic acid, the poly I:C and the Shank 3 models. This has allowed us to provide a comparative description of these widely used animal models providing an interesting perspective as to the pros and cons of each one of them, in our experimental settings. In these papers, we focused on motor and gait disorders which are currently not included in the diagnosis criteria, but which may provide new insights to ASD pathophysiology potentially leading to innovative therapies for a disease that currently has none. In all these models, we reported behavioral, cellular and molecular alterations related to the cerebellum. Motor and gait deficits were observed to various degrees in animal models and, when strongly present, they were correlated to the severity of social deficits as well as to the number of cerebellar Purkinje cells. Additionally, we also reported that, like in humans, males are more severely affected than females in these ASD models. These findings, along with an increasing body of literature, open new hopes in the ASD field pointing to brain regions, such the cerebellum, that are at the crossroads between cognitive, social and motor deficits. Targeting these brain regions and their underlying pathways and synaptic connections may prove of significant benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Jaber
- Université de Poitiers, Inserm, Laboratoire de Neurosciences Expérimentales et Cliniques, Bâtiment B36, 1 Rue Georges Bonnet, BP 633, TSA 51106, 86073, Poitiers cedex9, France.
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Poitiers, Poitiers, France.
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Hussein AM, Mahmoud SA, Elazab KM, Abouelnaga AF, Abass M, Mosa AAH, Hussein MAM, Elsayed MEG. Possible Mechanisms of the Neuroprotective Actions of Date Palm Fruits Aqueous Extracts against Valproic Acid-Induced Autism in Rats. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 45:1627-1643. [PMID: 36826050 PMCID: PMC9954972 DOI: 10.3390/cimb45020105] [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: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The current study aimed to determine how palm date aqueous fruit extracts (AFE) affected the autistic-like behaviors brought on by valproic acid (VPA) injection, as well as any potential contributions from Sirt-1, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and autophagy. The pregnant Sprague Dawley females were treated with VPA at 12.5th gestation day and pregnant females and their offspring were treated with AFE orally at doses of 4 mg/Kg by gastric gavage for 45 days after birth. The elevated plus-T maze, water maze, and rotarod tests were used to examine autism-like behaviors. At the end of the study, the expression of Nrf2, heme oxygenase (HO-1), Sirt-1, caspase-3 (a marker of apoptosis), LC3 (a marker of autophagy), and NFκB (inflammatory cytokines) were evaluated along with the oxidative stress in brain tissues and the histological changes in the cerebellum and hippocampus. The neurobehavioral assessments significantly declined due to VPA, which also significantly increased oxidative stress in the brain tissues and significantly decreased Nrf2 and HO-1 expression. Additionally, VPA administration caused significant increase in the expression of caspase-3 in the cerebellar cortex, not in the hippocampus; LC3 and NFκB in the hippocampus, not in the cerebellar cortex; and significant reduction in the expression of Sirt-1 in the hippocampus, not in the cerebellum. On the other hand, AFE treatment significantly improved the neurobehavioral changes as well as it improved significantly the oxidative stress and the expression of LC3, NFκB, NrF2, HO-1, and Sirt-1 in the cerebellum and hippocampus. Conclusions: AFE administration might improve the autistic-like symptoms induced by VPA in rats via attenuation of the oxidative stress, upregulation of Nrf2 and HO-1, Sirt-1 and LC3 expression with downregulation of caspase-3, and NFκB expression in the cerebellum and hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdelaziz M. Hussein
- Department of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +20-10-02421140; Fax: +20-5-02263717
| | | | | | - Ahmed F. Abouelnaga
- Department of Animal Husbandry and Development of Animal Wealth, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Marwa Abass
- Department of Surgery, Anesthesiology and Radiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Ahmed A. H. Mosa
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Delta University for Science and Technology, Gamasa 11152, Egypt
| | | | - Mohamed E. G. Elsayed
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy III, University of Ulm, 89075 Ulm, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany
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11
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Möhrle D, Yuen M, Zheng A, Haddad FL, Allman BL, Schmid S. Characterizing maternal isolation-induced ultrasonic vocalizations in a gene-environment interaction rat model for autism. GENES, BRAIN, AND BEHAVIOR 2023:e12841. [PMID: 36751016 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Deficits in social communication and language development belong to the earliest diagnostic criteria of autism spectrum disorders. Of the many risk factors for autism spectrum disorder, the contactin-associated protein-like 2 gene, CNTNAP2, is thought to be important for language development. The present study used a rat model to investigate the potential compounding effects of autism spectrum disorder risk gene mutation and environmental challenges, including breeding conditions or maternal immune activation during pregnancy, on early vocal communication in the offspring. Maternal isolation-induced ultrasonic vocalizations from Cntnap2 wildtype and knockout rats at selected postnatal days were analyzed for their acoustic, temporal and syntax characteristics. Cntnap2 knockout pups from heterozygous breeding showed normal numbers and largely similar temporal structures of ultrasonic vocalizations to wildtype controls, whereas both parameters were affected in homozygously bred knockouts. Homozygous breeding further exacerbated altered pitch and transitioning between call types found in Cntnap2 knockout pups from heterozygous breeding. In contrast, the effect of maternal immune activation on the offspring's vocal communication was confined to call type syntax, but left ultrasonic vocalization acoustic and temporal organization intact. Our results support the "double-hit hypothesis" of autism spectrum disorder risk gene-environment interactions and emphasize that complex features of vocal communication are a useful tool for identifying early autistic-like features in rodent models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorit Möhrle
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Megan Yuen
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alice Zheng
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Faraj L Haddad
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Brian L Allman
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Susanne Schmid
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
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12
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Keil-Stietz K, Lein PJ. Gene×environment interactions in autism spectrum disorders. Curr Top Dev Biol 2022; 152:221-284. [PMID: 36707213 PMCID: PMC10496028 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2022.11.001] [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] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
There is credible evidence that environmental factors influence individual risk and/or severity of autism spectrum disorders (hereafter referred to as autism). While it is likely that environmental chemicals contribute to the etiology of autism via multiple mechanisms, identifying specific environmental factors that confer risk for autism and understanding how they contribute to the etiology of autism has been challenging, in part because the influence of environmental chemicals likely varies depending on the genetic substrate of the exposed individual. Current research efforts are focused on elucidating the mechanisms by which environmental chemicals interact with autism genetic susceptibilities to adversely impact neurodevelopment. The goal is to not only generate insights regarding the pathophysiology of autism, but also inform the development of screening platforms to identify specific environmental factors and gene×environment (G×E) interactions that modify autism risk. Data from such studies are needed to support development of intervention strategies for mitigating the burden of this neurodevelopmental condition on individuals, their families and society. In this review, we discuss environmental chemicals identified as putative autism risk factors and proposed mechanisms by which G×E interactions influence autism risk and/or severity using polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) as an example.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly Keil-Stietz
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Veterinary Medicine, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Pamela J Lein
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA, United States.
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13
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Biosca-Brull J, Guardia-Escote L, Blanco J, Basaure P, Cabré M, Sánchez-Santed F, Domingo JL, Colomina MT. Prenatal, but not postnatal exposure to chlorpyrifos affects social behavior of mice and the excitatory-inhibitory balance in a sex-dependent manner. Food Chem Toxicol 2022; 169:113423. [PMID: 36113784 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2022.113423] [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: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The balance between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters is essential for proper brain development. An imbalance between these two systems has been associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. On the other hand, literature also associates the massive use of pesticides with the increase of these disorders, with a particular focus on chlorpyrifos (CPF) a world-wide used organophosphate pesticide. This study was aimed at assessing social autistic-like behaviors on mice pre or postnatally exposed to CPF (0 or 1 mg/kg/day), in both sexes. In prenatal exposure, C57BL/6J pregnant mice were exposed to CPF through the diet, between gestational days (GD) 12 and 18, while a positive control group for some autistic behaviors was exposed to valproic acid (VPA) on GD 12 and 13. To assess postnatal exposure, C57BL/6J mice were orally exposed to the vehicle (corn oil) or CPF, from postnatal days (PND) 10-15. Social behavior and gene expression analysis were assessed on PND 45. Results showed social alterations only in males prenatally treated. GABA system was upregulated in CPF-treated females, whereas an increase in both systems was observed in both treated males. These findings suggest that males are more sensitive to prenatal CPF exposure, favoring the sex bias observed in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judit Biosca-Brull
- Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Research Group in Neurobehavior and Health (NEUROLAB), Tarragona, Spain; Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Department of Psychology and Research Center for Behavior Assessment (CRAMC), Tarragona, Spain; Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health (TECNATOX), Reus, Spain.
| | - Laia Guardia-Escote
- Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Research Group in Neurobehavior and Health (NEUROLAB), Tarragona, Spain; Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Department of Psychology and Research Center for Behavior Assessment (CRAMC), Tarragona, Spain
| | - Jordi Blanco
- Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Research Group in Neurobehavior and Health (NEUROLAB), Tarragona, Spain; Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health (TECNATOX), Reus, Spain; Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Reus, Spain
| | - Pia Basaure
- Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Research Group in Neurobehavior and Health (NEUROLAB), Tarragona, Spain
| | - Maria Cabré
- Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Research Group in Neurobehavior and Health (NEUROLAB), Tarragona, Spain; Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Tarragona, Spain
| | - Fernando Sánchez-Santed
- Department of Psychology, Health Research Center (CEINSA), Almeria University, 04120, Almeria, Spain
| | - José L Domingo
- Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health (TECNATOX), Reus, Spain
| | - Maria Teresa Colomina
- Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Research Group in Neurobehavior and Health (NEUROLAB), Tarragona, Spain; Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Department of Psychology and Research Center for Behavior Assessment (CRAMC), Tarragona, Spain; Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health (TECNATOX), Reus, Spain.
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14
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Alpay M, Yucel F. Changes of Cerebellar Cortex in a Valproic Acid-Induced Rat Model of Autism. Int J Dev Neurosci 2022; 82:606-614. [PMID: 35831992 DOI: 10.1002/jdn.10213] [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: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, 32 male Sprague-Dawley rats (8 for each group) were used in total to examine the effects of valproic acid on rat cerebellum. It was determined that the experimental group received valproic acid (600mg/kg) on embryonic day 15 and postnatal day 11, whereas the control group was treated with saline on the same days. Moreover, on the postnatal 30th day, the cerebellums of all pups were removed and prepared for light and electron microscopy. The numerical density of granule cells in the cerebellum of experimental groups of rats increased whereas the numerical density of Purkinje cells decreased. Furthermore, the granule cells had a smaller mean nuclear diameter in one of the experimental groups while the Purkinje cells had in both experimental groups than those in the comparison group. Thus, the numerical density of synaptic discs and their mean diameter in the cerebellar granular layer of experimental groups were significantly decreased compared to the corresponding controls; also, the synapse-to-neurons ratio, a parameter indicating interneural connectivity, was the same. Consequently, it was seen that valproic acid administration to pups in prenatal or early postnatal days causes changes in number of neurons and synapses in the cerebellum of rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meltem Alpay
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Tekirdag Namik Kemal University, Tekirdag, Turkey
| | - Ferruh Yucel
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Turkey
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15
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Carpita B, Migli L, Chiarantini I, Battaglini S, Montalbano C, Carmassi C, Cremone IM, Dell’Osso L. Autism Spectrum Disorder and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: A Literature Review. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12060792. [PMID: 35741677 PMCID: PMC9221419 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12060792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are a group of conditions associated with the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure and characterized by somatic and neuropsychological alterations. On the other hand, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by a multifaceted neurobehavioral syndrome. Since alcohol can affect every stage of brain development, some authors hypothesized that in utero alcohol exposure might be linked to an increased risk of ASD in subjects with genetic vulnerability. The present review aimed to summarize the available literature on the possible association between FASD and ASD, also focusing on the reported clinical overlaps and on the possible shared pathogenic mechanisms. Studies in this field have stressed similarities and differences between the two conditions, leading to controversial results. The available literature also highlighted that both the disorders are often misdiagnosed or underdiagnosed, stressing the need to broaden the perspective, paying specific attention to milder presentations and sub-syndromic traits.
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16
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Napolitano A, Schiavi S, La Rosa P, Rossi-Espagnet MC, Petrillo S, Bottino F, Tagliente E, Longo D, Lupi E, Casula L, Valeri G, Piemonte F, Trezza V, Vicari S. Sex Differences in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Diagnostic, Neurobiological, and Behavioral Features. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:889636. [PMID: 35633791 PMCID: PMC9136002 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.889636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder with a worldwide prevalence of about 1%, characterized by impairments in social interaction, communication, repetitive patterns of behaviors, and can be associated with hyper- or hypo-reactivity of sensory stimulation and cognitive disability. ASD comorbid features include internalizing and externalizing symptoms such as anxiety, depression, hyperactivity, and attention problems. The precise etiology of ASD is still unknown and it is undoubted that the disorder is linked to some extent to both genetic and environmental factors. It is also well-documented and known that one of the most striking and consistent finding in ASD is the higher prevalence in males compared to females, with around 70% of ASD cases described being males. The present review looked into the most significant studies that attempted to investigate differences in ASD males and females thus trying to shade some light on the peculiar characteristics of this prevalence in terms of diagnosis, imaging, major autistic-like behavior and sex-dependent uniqueness. The study also discussed sex differences found in animal models of ASD, to provide a possible explanation of the neurological mechanisms underpinning the different presentation of autistic symptoms in males and females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Napolitano
- Medical Physics Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Schiavi
- Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, Science Department, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy
| | - Piergiorgio La Rosa
- Division of Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Camilla Rossi-Espagnet
- Neuroradiology Unit, Imaging Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- NESMOS, Neuroradiology Department, S. Andrea Hospital Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Petrillo
- Head Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Unit, Neuroscience Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Bottino
- Medical Physics Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Emanuela Tagliente
- Medical Physics Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Longo
- Neuroradiology Unit, Imaging Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Lupi
- Head Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Unit, Neuroscience Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Casula
- Head Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Unit, Neuroscience Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Valeri
- Head Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Unit, Neuroscience Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Fiorella Piemonte
- Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Viviana Trezza
- Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, Science Department, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Vicari
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Neuroscience Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Life Sciences and Public Health Department, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
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17
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Castro AC, Monteiro P. Auditory Dysfunction in Animal Models of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:845155. [PMID: 35493332 PMCID: PMC9043325 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.845155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder mainly characterized by social-communication impairments, repetitive behaviors and altered sensory perception. Auditory hypersensitivity is the most common sensory-perceptual abnormality in ASD, however, its underlying neurobiological mechanisms remain elusive. Consistently with reports in ASD patients, animal models for ASD present sensory-perception alterations, including auditory processing impairments. Here we review the current knowledge regarding auditory dysfunction in rodent models of ASD, exploring both shared and distinct features among them, mechanistic and molecular underpinnings, and potential therapeutic approaches. Overall, auditory dysfunction in ASD models seems to arise from impaired central processing. Depending on the model, impairments may arise at different steps along the auditory pathway, from auditory brainstem up to the auditory cortex. Common defects found across models encompass atypical tonotopicity in different regions of the auditory pathway, temporal and spectral processing impairments and histological differences. Imbalance between excitation and inhibition (E/I imbalance) is one of the most well-supported mechanisms explaining the auditory phenotype in the ASD models studied so far and seems to be linked to alterations in GABAergic signaling. Such E/I imbalance may have a large impact on the development of the auditory pathway, influencing the establishment of connections responsible for normal sound processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Carolina Castro
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute, School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s–PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
| | - Patricia Monteiro
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute, School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s–PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
- *Correspondence: Patricia Monteiro,
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18
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Dong P, Ye G, Tu X, Luo Y, Cui W, Ma Y, Wei L, Tian X, Wang Q. Roles of ERRα and TGF-β signaling in stemness enhancement induced by 1 µM bisphenol A exposure via human neural stem cells. Exp Ther Med 2022; 23:164. [PMID: 35069845 PMCID: PMC8753968 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2021.11087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a common industrial chemical widely used to produce various plastics and is known to impair neural stem cells (NSCs). However, the effects of low-dose BPA exposure on the stemness maintenance and differentiation fate of NSCs remain unclear in the infant brain. The present study demonstrated that 1 µM BPA promoted human NSC proliferation and stemness, without significantly increasing apoptosis. The Chip-seq experiments demonstrated that both the cell cycle and the TGF-β signaling pathway were accelerated after treatment with 1 µM BPA. Subsequently, estrogen-related receptor α (ERRα) gene knockout cell lines were constructed using CRISPR/Cas9. Further western blotting and chromatin immunoprecipitation-PCR experiments demonstrated that BPA maintained cell stemness by binding to an EERα receptor and activating the TGF-β1 signaling pathway, including the downstream factors Aurora kinases B and Id2. In conclusion, the stemness of NSCs could be maintained by BPA at 1 µM through the activation of the ERRα and TGF-β1 signaling pathways and could restrain the differentiation of NSCs into neurons. The present research further clarified the mechanism of BPA toxicity on NSCs from the novel perspective of ERRα and TGF-β1 signaling pathways regulated by BPA and provided insights into potential novel methods of prevention and therapy for neurogenic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panpan Dong
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering and Technology of Shandong High School, Qilu Medical University, Zibo, Shandong 255213, P.R. China
| | - Ganghui Ye
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering and Technology of Shandong High School, Qilu Medical University, Zibo, Shandong 255213, P.R. China
| | - Xinzhuo Tu
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering and Technology of Shandong High School, Qilu Medical University, Zibo, Shandong 255213, P.R. China
| | - Ying Luo
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Zibo Central Hospital, Zibo, Shandong 255300, P.R. China
| | - Weitong Cui
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering and Technology of Shandong High School, Qilu Medical University, Zibo, Shandong 255213, P.R. China
| | - Yuxin Ma
- College of Sports and Health, Shandong Sport University, Jinan, Shandong 330013, P.R. China
| | - Lei Wei
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering and Technology of Shandong High School, Qilu Medical University, Zibo, Shandong 255213, P.R. China
| | - Xuewen Tian
- College of Sports and Health, Shandong Sport University, Jinan, Shandong 330013, P.R. China
| | - Qinglu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering and Technology of Shandong High School, Qilu Medical University, Zibo, Shandong 255213, P.R. China
- College of Sports and Health, Shandong Sport University, Jinan, Shandong 330013, P.R. China
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19
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Burstein O, Geva R. The Brainstem-Informed Autism Framework: Early Life Neurobehavioral Markers. Front Integr Neurosci 2021; 15:759614. [PMID: 34858145 PMCID: PMC8631363 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2021.759614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have long-term implications on functioning at multiple levels. In this perspective, we offer a brainstem-informed autism framework (BIAF) that traces the protracted neurobehavioral manifestations of ASD to early life brainstem dysfunctions. Early life brainstem-mediated markers involving functions of autonomic/arousal regulation, sleep-wake homeostasis, and sensorimotor integration are delineated. Their possible contributions to the early identification of susceptible infants are discussed. We suggest that the BIAF expands our multidimensional understanding of ASD by focusing on the early involvement of brainstem systems. Importantly, we propose an integrated BIAF screener that brings about the prospect of a sensitive and reliable early life diagnostic scheme for weighing the risk for ASD. The BIAF screener could provide clinicians substantial gains in the future and may carve customized interventions long before the current DSM ASD phenotype is manifested using dyadic co-regulation of brainstem-informed autism markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Or Burstein
- Department of Psychology, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Ronny Geva
- Department of Psychology, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
- Gonda Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
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20
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Gevezova M, Sarafian V, Anderson G, Maes M. Inflammation and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Autism Spectrum Disorder. CNS & NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS-DRUG TARGETS 2021; 19:320-333. [PMID: 32600237 DOI: 10.2174/1871527319666200628015039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Revised: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) is a severe childhood psychiatric condition with an array of cognitive, language and social impairments that can significantly impact family life. ASD is classically characterized by reduced communication skills and social interactions, with limitations imposed by repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, and activities. The pathophysiology of ASD is thought to arise from complex interactions between environmental and genetic factors within the context of individual development. A growing body of research has raised the possibility of identifying the aetiological causes of the disorder. This review highlights the roles of immune-inflammatory pathways, nitro-oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunctions in ASD pathogenesis and symptom severity. The role of NK-cells, T helper, T regulatory and B-cells, coupled with increased inflammatory cytokines, lowered levels of immune-regulatory cytokines, and increased autoantibodies and microglial activation is elucidated. It is proposed that alterations in mitochondrial activity and nitrooxidative stress are intimately associated with activated immune-inflammatory pathways. Future research should determine as to whether the mitochondria, immune-inflammatory activity and nitrooxidative stress changes in ASD affect the development of amygdala-frontal cortex interactions. A number of treatment implications may arise, including prevention-orientated prenatal interventions, treatment of pregnant women with vitamin D, and sodium butyrate. Treatments of ASD children and adults with probiotics, sodium butyrate and butyrate-inducing diets, antipurinergic therapy with suramin, melatonin, oxytocin and taurine are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Gevezova
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University-Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria,Research Institute at Medical University-Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Victoria Sarafian
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University-Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria,Research Institute at Medical University-Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | | | - Michael Maes
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University-Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria,Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand,IMPACT Strategic Research Center, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
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21
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Li S, Cheng C, Lu L, Ma X, Zhang X, Li A, Chen J, Qian X, Gao X. Hearing Loss in Neurological Disorders. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:716300. [PMID: 34458270 PMCID: PMC8385440 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.716300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) affects approximately 466 million people worldwide, which is projected to reach 900 million by 2050. Its histological characteristics are lesions in cochlear hair cells, supporting cells, and auditory nerve endings. Neurological disorders cover a wide range of diseases affecting the nervous system, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), etc. Many studies have revealed that neurological disorders manifest with hearing loss, in addition to typical nervous symptoms. The prevalence, manifestations, and neuropathological mechanisms underlying vary among different diseases. In this review, we discuss the relevant literature, from clinical trials to research mice models, to provide an overview of auditory dysfunctions in the most common neurological disorders, particularly those associated with hearing loss, and to explain their underlying pathological and molecular mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyu Li
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Jiangsu Provincial Key Medical Discipline (Laboratory), Nanjing, China
- Research Institute of Otolaryngology, Nanjing, China
| | - Cheng Cheng
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Jiangsu Provincial Key Medical Discipline (Laboratory), Nanjing, China
- Research Institute of Otolaryngology, Nanjing, China
| | - Ling Lu
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Jiangsu Provincial Key Medical Discipline (Laboratory), Nanjing, China
- Research Institute of Otolaryngology, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaofeng Ma
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Jiangsu Provincial Key Medical Discipline (Laboratory), Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoli Zhang
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Jiangsu Provincial Key Medical Discipline (Laboratory), Nanjing, China
- Research Institute of Otolaryngology, Nanjing, China
| | - Ao Li
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Jiangsu Provincial Key Medical Discipline (Laboratory), Nanjing, China
- Research Institute of Otolaryngology, Nanjing, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Jiangsu Provincial Key Medical Discipline (Laboratory), Nanjing, China
- Research Institute of Otolaryngology, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoyun Qian
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Jiangsu Provincial Key Medical Discipline (Laboratory), Nanjing, China
- Research Institute of Otolaryngology, Nanjing, China
| | - Xia Gao
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Jiangsu Provincial Key Medical Discipline (Laboratory), Nanjing, China
- Research Institute of Otolaryngology, Nanjing, China
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22
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Mirzaei R, Bouzari B, Hosseini-Fard SR, Mazaheri M, Ahmadyousefi Y, Abdi M, Jalalifar S, Karimitabar Z, Teimoori A, Keyvani H, Zamani F, Yousefimashouf R, Karampoor S. Role of microbiota-derived short-chain fatty acids in nervous system disorders. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 139:111661. [PMID: 34243604 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
During the past decade, accumulating evidence from the research highlights the suggested effects of bacterial communities of the human gut microbiota and their metabolites on health and disease. In this regard, microbiota-derived metabolites and their receptors, beyond the immune system, maintain metabolism homeostasis, which is essential to maintain the host's health by balancing the utilization and intake of nutrients. It has been shown that gut bacterial dysbiosis can cause pathology and altered bacterial metabolites' formation, resulting in dysregulation of the immune system and metabolism. The short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), such as butyrate, acetate, and succinate, are produced due to the fermentation process of bacteria in the gut. It has been noted remodeling in the gut microbiota metabolites associated with the pathophysiology of several neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, stress, anxiety, depression, autism, vascular dementia, schizophrenia, stroke, and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders, among others. This review will discuss the current evidence from the most significant studies dealing with some SCFAs from gut microbial metabolism with selected neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasoul Mirzaei
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran; Venom and Biotherapeutics Molecules Lab, Medical Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Behnaz Bouzari
- Department of Pathology, Firouzgar Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Reza Hosseini-Fard
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Mazaheri
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Yaghoub Ahmadyousefi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran; Research Center for Molecular Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Milad Abdi
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saba Jalalifar
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Karimitabar
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Ali Teimoori
- Department of Virology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Hossein Keyvani
- Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Virology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farhad Zamani
- Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Rasoul Yousefimashouf
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran; Research Center for Molecular Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
| | - Sajad Karampoor
- Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Virology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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23
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Mepham JR, MacFabe DF, Boon FH, Foley KA, Cain DP, Ossenkopp KP. Examining the non-spatial pretraining effect on a water maze spatial learning task in rats treated with multiple intracerebroventricular (ICV) infusions of propionic acid: Contributions to a rodent model of ASD. Behav Brain Res 2021; 403:113140. [PMID: 33508348 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2020] [Revised: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Propionic acid (PPA) is produced by enteric gut bacteria and is a dietary short chain fatty acid. Intracerebroventricular (ICV) infusions of PPA in rodents have been shown to produce behavioural changes, including adverse effects on cognition, similar to those seen in autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Previous research has shown that repeated ICV infusions of PPA result in impaired spatial learning in a Morris water maze (MWM) as evidenced by increased search latencies, fewer direct and circle swims, and more time spent in the periphery of the maze than control rats. In the current study rats were first given non-spatial pretraining (NSP) in the water maze in order to familiarize the animals with the general requirements of the non-spatial aspects of the task before spatial training was begun. Then the effects of ICV infusions of PPA on acquisition of spatial learning were examined. PPA treated rats failed to show the positive effects of the non-spatial pretraining procedure, relative to controls, as evidenced by increased search latencies, longer distances travelled, fewer direct and circle swims, and more time spent in the periphery of the maze than PBS controls. Thus, PPA treatment blocked the effects of the pretraining procedure, likely by impairing sensorimotor components or memory of the pretraining.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer R Mepham
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; The Kilee Patchell-Evans Autism Research Group, Department of Psychology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Derrick F MacFabe
- Department of Psychology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; The Kilee Patchell-Evans Autism Research Group, Department of Psychology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Francis H Boon
- Department of Psychology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; The Kilee Patchell-Evans Autism Research Group, Department of Psychology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kelly A Foley
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; The Kilee Patchell-Evans Autism Research Group, Department of Psychology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Donald P Cain
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; The Kilee Patchell-Evans Autism Research Group, Department of Psychology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Klaus-Peter Ossenkopp
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; The Kilee Patchell-Evans Autism Research Group, Department of Psychology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
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24
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García-Domínguez I, Suárez-Pereira I, Santiago M, Pérez-Villegas EM, Bravo L, López-Martín C, Roca-Ceballos MA, García-Revilla J, Espinosa-Oliva AM, Rodríguez-Gómez JA, Joseph B, Berrocoso E, Armengol JÁ, Venero JL, Ruiz R, de Pablos RM. Selective deletion of Caspase-3 gene in the dopaminergic system exhibits autistic-like behaviour. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2021; 104:110030. [PMID: 32634539 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2020.110030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Revised: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/28/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Apoptotic caspases are thought to play critical roles in elimination of excessive and non-functional synapses and removal of extra cells during early developmental stages. Hence, an impairment of this process may thus constitute a basis for numerous neurological and psychiatric diseases. This view is especially relevant for dopamine due to its pleiotropic roles in motor control, motivation and reward processing. Here, we have analysed the effect of caspase-3 depletion on the development of catecholaminergic neurons and performed a wide array of neurochemical, ultrastructural and behavioural assays. To achieve this, we performed selective deletion of the Casp3 gene in tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-expressing cells using Cre-loxP-mediated recombination. Histological evaluation of most relevant catecholaminergic nuclei revealed the ventral mesencephalon as the most affected region. Stereological analysis demonstrated an increase in the number of TH-positive neurons in both the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area along with enlarged volume of the ventral midbrain. Analysis of main innervating tissues revealed a rather contrasting profile. In striatum, basal extracellular levels and potassium-evoked DA release were significantly reduced in mice lacking Casp3, a clear indication of dopaminergic hypofunction in dopaminergic innervating tissues. This view was sustained by analysis of TH-labelled dopaminergic terminals by confocal and electron microscopy. Remarkably, at a behavioural level, Casp3-deficient mice exhibited impaired social interaction, restrictive interests and repetitive stereotypies, which are considered the core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Our study revitalizes the potential involvement of dopaminergic transmission in ASD and provides an excellent model to get further insights in ASD pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene García-Domínguez
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain; Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla-Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Irene Suárez-Pereira
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain; Neuropsychopharmacology & Psychobiology Research Group, Department of Neuroscience, University of Cádiz, 11003 Cádiz, Spain; Instituto de Investigación e Innovación en Ciencias Biomédicas de Cádiz, INiBICA, Hospital Universitario Puerta del Mar, Avda. Ana de Viya 21, 11009 Cádiz, Spain
| | - Marti Santiago
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain; Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla-Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Eva M Pérez-Villegas
- Departamento de Fisiología, Anatomía y Biología Celular, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Lidia Bravo
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain; Neuropsychopharmacology & Psychobiology Research Group, Department of Neuroscience, University of Cádiz, 11003 Cádiz, Spain; Instituto de Investigación e Innovación en Ciencias Biomédicas de Cádiz, INiBICA, Hospital Universitario Puerta del Mar, Avda. Ana de Viya 21, 11009 Cádiz, Spain
| | - Carolina López-Martín
- Neuropsychopharmacology & Psychobiology Research Group, Department of Neuroscience, University of Cádiz, 11003 Cádiz, Spain; Instituto de Investigación e Innovación en Ciencias Biomédicas de Cádiz, INiBICA, Hospital Universitario Puerta del Mar, Avda. Ana de Viya 21, 11009 Cádiz, Spain; Neuropsychopharmacology and Psychobiology Research Group, Department of Psychology, University of Cádiz, 11510 Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
| | - María Angustias Roca-Ceballos
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain; Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla-Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Juan García-Revilla
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain; Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla-Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Ana M Espinosa-Oliva
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain; Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla-Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - José A Rodríguez-Gómez
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain; Departament of Medical Physiology and Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Seville, 41009 Sevilla, Spain; Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla-Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Bertrand Joseph
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Toxicology Unit, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Esther Berrocoso
- Neuropsychopharmacology & Psychobiology Research Group, Department of Neuroscience, University of Cádiz, 11003 Cádiz, Spain; Instituto de Investigación e Innovación en Ciencias Biomédicas de Cádiz, INiBICA, Hospital Universitario Puerta del Mar, Avda. Ana de Viya 21, 11009 Cádiz, Spain; Neuropsychopharmacology and Psychobiology Research Group, Department of Psychology, University of Cádiz, 11510 Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
| | - José Ángel Armengol
- Departamento de Fisiología, Anatomía y Biología Celular, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla, Spain
| | - José L Venero
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain; Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla-Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Rocío Ruiz
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain; Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla-Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain.
| | - Rocío M de Pablos
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain; Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla-Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
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25
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Saroukhani S, Samms-Vaughan M, Lee M, Bach MA, Bressler J, Hessabi M, Grove ML, Shakespeare-Pellington S, Loveland KA, Rahbar MH. Perinatal Factors Associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Jamaican Children. J Autism Dev Disord 2020; 50:3341-3357. [PMID: 31538260 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-019-04229-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Mode of delivery, preterm birth, and low birth weight (LBW) are hypothesized to be associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the offspring. Using data from 343 ASD cases (2-8 years) and their age- and sex-matched typically developing controls in Jamaica we investigated these hypotheses. Our statistical analyses revealed that the parish of residence could modify the association between cesarean delivery and ASD, with a difference found in this relationship in Kingston parish [matched odds ratio (MOR) (95% confidence interval (CI)) 2.30 (1.17-4.53)] and other parishes [MOR (95% CI) 0.87 (0.48-1.59)]. Although the associations of LBW and preterm birth with ASD were not significant, we observed a significant interaction between LBW and the household socioeconomic status. These findings require replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sepideh Saroukhani
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,Biostatistics/Epidemiology/Research Design (BERD) Core, Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCTS), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Maureen Samms-Vaughan
- Department of Child & Adolescent Health, The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus, Kingston, Jamaica
| | - MinJae Lee
- Biostatistics/Epidemiology/Research Design (BERD) Core, Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCTS), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,Division of Clinical and Translational Sciences, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 6410 Fannin Street, UT Professional Building Suite 1100.05, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - MacKinsey A Bach
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,Biostatistics/Epidemiology/Research Design (BERD) Core, Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCTS), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Jan Bressler
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,Human Genetics Center, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Manouchehr Hessabi
- Biostatistics/Epidemiology/Research Design (BERD) Core, Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCTS), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Megan L Grove
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,Human Genetics Center, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | | | - Katherine A Loveland
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77054, USA
| | - Mohammad H Rahbar
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA. .,Biostatistics/Epidemiology/Research Design (BERD) Core, Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCTS), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA. .,Division of Clinical and Translational Sciences, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 6410 Fannin Street, UT Professional Building Suite 1100.05, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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26
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Khalid M, Raza H, M. Driessen T, J. Lee P, Tejwani L, Sami A, Nawaz M, Mehmood Baig S, Lim J, Kaukab Raja G. Genetic Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorder in a Pakistani Population. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11101206. [PMID: 33076578 PMCID: PMC7602870 DOI: 10.3390/genes11101206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of complex multifactorial neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders in children characterized by impairment of communication and social interaction. Several genes with associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been identified for ASD in different genetic association studies, meta-analyses, and genome-wide association studies (GWAS). However, associations between different SNPs and ASD vary from population to population. Four SNPs in genes CNTNAP2, EIF4E, ATP2B2, CACNA1C, and SNP rs4307059 (which is found between CDH9 and CDH10 genes) have been identified and reported as candidate risk factors for ASD. The aim of the present study was, for the first time, to assess the association of SNPs in these genes with ASD in the Pakistani population. PCR-based genotyping was performed using allele-specific primers in 93 ASD and 93 control Pakistani individuals. All genetic associations, genotype frequencies, and allele frequencies were computed as odds’ ratios (ORs) using logistic regression with a threshold of p ≤ 0.01 to determine statistical significance. We found that the homozygous genotypes of mutant T alleles of CNTNAP2 and ATP2B2 were significantly associated with Pakistani ASD patients in unadjusted ORs (p < 0.01), but their significance score was lost in the adjusted model. Other SNPs such as rs4307059, rs17850950 of EIF4E, and rs1006737 of CACNA1C were not statistically significant. Based on this, we conclude that SNPs are not associated with, or are not the main cause of, autism in the Pakistani population, indicating the involvement of additional players, which need to be investigated in future studies in a large population size. One of the limitations of present study is its small sample size. However, this study, being the first on Pakistani ASD patients, may lay the foundations for future studies in larger samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madiha Khalid
- Department of Biochemistry, University Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi 46000, Pakistan; (M.K.); (A.S.)
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA;
| | - Hashim Raza
- Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan;
| | - Terri M. Driessen
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA;
| | - Paul J. Lee
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; (P.J.L.); (L.T.)
| | - Leon Tejwani
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; (P.J.L.); (L.T.)
| | - Abdul Sami
- Department of Biochemistry, University Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi 46000, Pakistan; (M.K.); (A.S.)
| | - Muhammad Nawaz
- Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 41346 Gothenburg, Sweden;
| | - Shahid Mehmood Baig
- Human Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Health Biotechnology Division, National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan;
| | - Janghoo Lim
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA;
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; (P.J.L.); (L.T.)
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Program in Cellular Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration and Repair, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Correspondence: (J.L.); (G.K.R.); Tel.: +1-203-737-6268 (J.L.); +92-(051)-9062-742 (G.K.R.)
| | - Ghazala Kaukab Raja
- Department of Biochemistry, University Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi 46000, Pakistan; (M.K.); (A.S.)
- Correspondence: (J.L.); (G.K.R.); Tel.: +1-203-737-6268 (J.L.); +92-(051)-9062-742 (G.K.R.)
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27
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Gestational exposures to organophosphorus insecticides: From acute poisoning to developmental neurotoxicity. Neuropharmacology 2020; 180:108271. [PMID: 32814088 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.108271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2020] [Revised: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
For over three-quarters of a century, organophosphorus (OP) insecticides have been ubiquitously used in agricultural, residential, and commercial settings and in public health programs to mitigate insect-borne diseases. Their broad-spectrum insecticidal effectiveness is accounted for by the irreversible inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), the enzyme that catalyzes acetylcholine (ACh) hydrolysis, in the nervous system of insects. However, because AChE is evolutionarily conserved, OP insecticides are also toxic to mammals, including humans, and acute OP intoxication remains a major public health concern in countries where OP insecticide usage is poorly regulated. Environmental exposures to OP levels that are generally too low to cause marked inhibition of AChE and to trigger acute signs of intoxication, on the other hand, represent an insidious public health issue worldwide. Gestational exposures to OP insecticides are particularly concerning because of the exquisite sensitivity of the developing brain to these insecticides. The present article overviews and discusses: (i) the health effects and therapeutic management of acute OP poisoning during pregnancy, (ii) epidemiological studies examining associations between environmental OP exposures during gestation and health outcomes of offspring, (iii) preclinical evidence that OP insecticides are developmental neurotoxicants, and (iv) potential mechanisms underlying the developmental neurotoxicity of OP insecticides. Understanding how gestational exposures to different levels of OP insecticides affect pregnancy and childhood development is critical to guiding implementation of preventive measures and direct research aimed at identifying effective therapeutic interventions that can limit the negative impact of these exposures on public health.
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28
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Kurek M, Borowska B, Lubowiedzka-Gontarek B, Rosset I, Żądzińska E. Disturbances in primary dental enamel in Polish autistic children. Sci Rep 2020; 10:12751. [PMID: 32728144 PMCID: PMC7391627 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-69642-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Dental enamel is a structure that is formed as a result of the regular functioning of ameloblasts. The knowledge of the patterns of enamel secretion allows an analysis of their disruptions manifested in pronounced additional accentuated lines. These lines represent a physiological response to stress experienced during enamel development. The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence of accentuated lines in the tooth enamel of autistic boys. The width of the neonatal line and the periodicity of the striae of Retzius were also assessed. The study material consisted of longitudinal ground sections of 56 primary teeth (incisors and molars): 22 teeth from autistic children and 34 teeth from the control group. The Mann-Whitney U test indicates that the accentuated lines were found significantly more often in autistic children (Z = 3.03; p = 0.002). No differentiation in the rate of enamel formation and in the rate of regaining homeostasis after childbirth were found. The obtained results may indicate a higher sensitivity of autistic children to stress factors, manifested in more frequent disturbances in the functioning of ameloblasts or may be a reflection of differences in the occurrence of stress factors in the first years of life in both analyzed groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Kurek
- Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Łódź, Banacha 12/16, 90-237, Łódź, Poland.
| | - Beata Borowska
- Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Łódź, Banacha 12/16, 90-237, Łódź, Poland
| | | | - Iwona Rosset
- Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Łódź, Banacha 12/16, 90-237, Łódź, Poland
| | - Elżbieta Żądzińska
- Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Łódź, Banacha 12/16, 90-237, Łódź, Poland
- Visiting Research Fellow in the School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Adelaide, South Australia, 5005, Australia
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Tian LH, Wiggins LD, Schieve LA, Yeargin-Allsopp M, Dietz P, Aylsworth AS, Elias ER, Hoover-Fong JE, Meeks NJL, Souders MC, Tsai ACH, Zackai EH, Alexander AA, Dowling NF, Shapira SK. Mapping the Relationship between Dysmorphology and Cognitive, Behavioral, and Developmental Outcomes in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Autism Res 2020; 13:1227-1238. [PMID: 32567802 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2314] [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: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies investigating the association between dysmorphology and cognitive, behavioral, and developmental outcomes among individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have been limited by the binary classification of dysmorphology and lack of comparison groups. We assessed the association using a continuous measure of dysmorphology severity (DS) in preschool children aged 2-5 years (322 with ASD and intellectual disability [ID], 188 with ASD without ID, and 371 without ASD from the general population [POP]). In bivariate analyses, an inverse association between DS and expressive language, receptive language, fine motor, and visual reception skills was observed in children with ASD and ID. An inverse association of DS with fine motor and visual reception skills, but not expressive language and receptive language, was found in children with ASD without ID. No associations were observed in POP children. These results persisted after exclusion of children with known genetic syndromes or major morphologic anomalies. Quantile regression models showed that the inverse relationships remained significant after adjustment for sex, race/ethnicity, maternal education, family income, study site, and preterm birth. DS was not associated with autistic traits or autism symptom severity, behaviors, or regression among children with ASD with or without ID. Thus, DS was associated with a global impairment of cognitive functioning in children with ASD and ID, but only with fine motor and visual reception deficits in children with ASD without ID. A better understanding is needed for mechanisms that explain the association between DS and cognitive impairment in children with different disorders. Autism Res 2020, 13: 1227-1238. © 2020 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. LAY SUMMARY: We examined whether having more dysmorphic features (DFs) was related to developmental problems among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with or without intellectual disability (ID), and children without ASD from the general population (POP). Children with ASD and ID had more language, movement, and learning issues as the number of DFs increased. Children with ASD without ID had more movement and learning issues as the number of DFs increased. These relationships were not observed in the POP group. Implications are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin H Tian
- National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Lisa D Wiggins
- National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Laura A Schieve
- National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Marshalyn Yeargin-Allsopp
- National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Patricia Dietz
- National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Arthur S Aylsworth
- Department of Pediatrics and Genetics, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Ellen R Elias
- Department of Pediatrics and Genetics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Julie E Hoover-Fong
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Naomi J L Meeks
- Department of Pediatrics and Genetics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Margaret C Souders
- Clinical Genetics Center, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Anne C-H Tsai
- Department of Pediatrics and Genetics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Elaine H Zackai
- Clinical Genetics Center, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Aimee A Alexander
- National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Nicole F Dowling
- National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Stuart K Shapira
- National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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Sex dependent alterations of resveratrol on social behaviors and nociceptive reactivity in VPA-induced autistic-like model in rats. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2020; 81:106905. [PMID: 32534151 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2020.106905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Revised: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The present study was designed to clarify the effects of resveratrol (RSV) on social behavioral alterations and nociceptive reactivity in valproic acid (VPA)-induced autistic-like model in female and male rats. METHODS Pregnant Wistar rats were randomly divided in five groups. Animals received saline, DMSO, VPA, RSV and RSV + VPA. VPA was administered (600 mg/kg, i. p.) on embryonic day 12.5 (E12.5) and pretreatment by resveratrol (3.6 mg/kg, s. c.) was applied on E6.5 until E18.5. All offspring were weaned on postnatal day 21 and the experiments were done in male and female rats on day 60. Social interaction, hot plate and tail flick tests were set out to assess social deficits and pain threshold, respectively. Sociability index (SI), Social novelty index (SNI) and latency time were calculated as the standard indices of social behaviors and pain threshold, respectively. RESULTS The results indicated that systemic intraperitoneal administration of VPA (600 mg/kg) significantly decreased SI and SNI in social interaction test (SIT) especially in male rats, indicating the social impairments caused by VPA. RSV (3.6 mg/kg, s. c.) reversed VPA-induced social deficits in male rats, but not in female group. VPA administration resulted in significant increase in latency time in the hot plate and tail flick tests in male rats, whereas it had no such dramatic effect in females. RSV administration in combination with VPA had no significant effect on latency time compared to the valproic acid group in male rats. It is important to note that RSV by itself had no significant effect on SI, SNI and latency time in female and male rats. CONCLUSION It can be concluded that valproic acid produces autistic-like behaviors and increases pain threshold in male rats which may be ameliorated at least in part by resveratrol administration. Further studies are needed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved in valproic acid and resveratrol-induced effects.
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Tsugiyama LE, Ida-Eto M, Ohkawara T, Noro Y, Narita M. Altered neuronal activity in the auditory brainstem following sound stimulation in thalidomide-induced autism model rats. Congenit Anom (Kyoto) 2020; 60:82-86. [PMID: 31373055 DOI: 10.1111/cga.12353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Revised: 07/04/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Auditory hypersensitivity in autism is frequently observed in clinics. Dysfunction in the auditory brainstem has been suspected. We have established autism model rats using prenatal thalidomide exposure. Here we investigated whether abnormal response occurs in the brainstem following sound stimulus in autism model rats. Autism model rats were prepared by prenatal exposure to thalidomide on embryonic days 9 and 10 in pregnant rats. Then, the animals were exposed to 16-kHz pure tone auditory stimulus and c-Fos immunostaining was performed to examine the neuronal activity on postnatal day 49 to 51. Following sound stimulus, increased number of c-Fos-positive neurons was observed in the medial nucleus of the trapezoid body of autism model rats compared with the control rats. These results suggest that prenatal thalidomide might cause altered processing of auditory stimulus, leading to the characteristics of auditory hypersensitivity in autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucila E Tsugiyama
- Department of Developmental and Regenerative Medicine, Mie University, Graduate School of Medicine, Mie, Japan
| | - Michiru Ida-Eto
- Department of Developmental and Regenerative Medicine, Mie University, Graduate School of Medicine, Mie, Japan
| | - Takeshi Ohkawara
- Department of Developmental and Regenerative Medicine, Mie University, Graduate School of Medicine, Mie, Japan
| | - Yuichi Noro
- Department of Physics Engineering, Mie University, Graduate School of Engineering, Mie, Japan
| | - Masaaki Narita
- Department of Developmental and Regenerative Medicine, Mie University, Graduate School of Medicine, Mie, Japan
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Lieberman OJ, Cartocci V, Pigulevskiy I, Molinari M, Carbonell J, Broseta MB, Post MR, Sulzer D, Borgkvist A, Santini E. mTOR Suppresses Macroautophagy During Striatal Postnatal Development and Is Hyperactive in Mouse Models of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Front Cell Neurosci 2020; 14:70. [PMID: 32296308 PMCID: PMC7136750 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.00070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Macroautophagy (hereafter referred to as autophagy) plays a critical role in neuronal function related to development and degeneration. Here, we investigated whether autophagy is developmentally regulated in the striatum, a brain region implicated in neurodevelopmental disease. We demonstrate that autophagic flux is suppressed during striatal postnatal development, reaching adult levels around postnatal day 28 (P28). We also find that mTOR signaling, a key regulator of autophagy, increases during the same developmental period. We further show that mTOR signaling is responsible for suppressing autophagy, via regulation of Beclin-1 and VPS34 activity. Finally, we discover that autophagy is downregulated during late striatal postnatal development (P28) in mice with in utero exposure to valproic acid (VPA), an established mouse model of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). VPA-exposed mice also display deficits in striatal neurotransmission and social behavior. Correction of hyperactive mTOR signaling in VPA-exposed mice restores social behavior. These results demonstrate that neurons coopt metabolic signaling cascades to developmentally regulate autophagy and provide additional evidence that mTOR-dependent signaling pathways represent pathogenic signaling cascades in ASD mouse models that are active during specific postnatal windows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ori J. Lieberman
- Division of Molecular Therapeutics, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, United States
- Division of Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, United States
| | | | - Irena Pigulevskiy
- Division of Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, United States
| | - Maya Molinari
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Josep Carbonell
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Michael R. Post
- Division of Molecular Therapeutics, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, United States
| | - David Sulzer
- Division of Molecular Therapeutics, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, United States
| | - Anders Borgkvist
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Emanuela Santini
- Division of Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
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Propionic acid induced behavioural effects of relevance to autism spectrum disorder evaluated in the hole board test with rats. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2020; 97:109794. [PMID: 31639413 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2019.109794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Revised: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a set of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by abnormal social interactions, impaired language, and stereotypic and repetitive behaviours. Among genetically susceptible subpopulations, gut and dietary influences may play a role in etiology. Propionic acid (PPA), produced by enteric gut bacteria, crosses both the gut-blood and the blood-brain barrier. Previous research has demonstrated that repeated intracerebroventricular (ICV) infusions of PPA in adult rats produce behavioural and neuropathological changes similar to those seen in ASD patients, including hyperactivity, stereotypy, and repetitive movements. The current study examined dose and time related changes of exploratory and repetitive behaviours with the use of the hole-board task. Adult male Long-Evans rats received ICV infusions twice a day, 4 h apart, of either buffered PPA (low dose 0.052 M or high dose 0.26 M, pH 7.5, 4 μL/infusion) or phosphate buffered saline (PBS, 0.1 M) for 7 consecutive days. Locomotor activity and hole-poke behaviour were recorded daily in an automated open field apparatus (Versamax), equipped with 16 open wells, for 30 min immediately after the second infusion. In a dose dependent manner PPA infused rats displayed significantly more locomotor activity, stereotypic behaviour and nose-pokes than PBS infused rats. Low-dose PPA animals showed locomotor activity levels similar to those of PBS animals at the start of the infusion schedule, but gradually increased to levels comparable to those of high-dose PPA animals by the end of the infusion schedule, demonstrating a dose and time dependent effect of the PPA treatments.
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Lieberman OJ, Cartocci V, Pigulevskiy I, Molinari M, Carbonell J, Broseta MB, Post MR, Sulzer D, Borgkvist A, Santini E. mTOR Suppresses Macroautophagy During Striatal Postnatal Development and Is Hyperactive in Mouse Models of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Front Cell Neurosci 2020; 14:70. [PMID: 32296308 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.00070/bibtex] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 05/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Macroautophagy (hereafter referred to as autophagy) plays a critical role in neuronal function related to development and degeneration. Here, we investigated whether autophagy is developmentally regulated in the striatum, a brain region implicated in neurodevelopmental disease. We demonstrate that autophagic flux is suppressed during striatal postnatal development, reaching adult levels around postnatal day 28 (P28). We also find that mTOR signaling, a key regulator of autophagy, increases during the same developmental period. We further show that mTOR signaling is responsible for suppressing autophagy, via regulation of Beclin-1 and VPS34 activity. Finally, we discover that autophagy is downregulated during late striatal postnatal development (P28) in mice with in utero exposure to valproic acid (VPA), an established mouse model of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). VPA-exposed mice also display deficits in striatal neurotransmission and social behavior. Correction of hyperactive mTOR signaling in VPA-exposed mice restores social behavior. These results demonstrate that neurons coopt metabolic signaling cascades to developmentally regulate autophagy and provide additional evidence that mTOR-dependent signaling pathways represent pathogenic signaling cascades in ASD mouse models that are active during specific postnatal windows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ori J Lieberman
- Division of Molecular Therapeutics, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, United States
- Division of Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, United States
| | | | - Irena Pigulevskiy
- Division of Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, United States
| | - Maya Molinari
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Josep Carbonell
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Michael R Post
- Division of Molecular Therapeutics, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, United States
| | - David Sulzer
- Division of Molecular Therapeutics, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, United States
| | - Anders Borgkvist
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Emanuela Santini
- Division of Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
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Episodic Prenatal Exposure To Ethanol Affects Postnatal Neurogenesis In The Macaque Dentate Gyrus And Visual Recognition Memory. Int J Dev Neurosci 2019; 79:65-75. [PMID: 31706015 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2019.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Revised: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a prime cause of cognitive dysfunction. The present study tested the hypotheses (a) that gestational ethanol exposure results in deficits in hippocampal-related behaviors and associated neurogenesis and (b) that the period of gastrulation is a time of vulnerability. Pregnant macaques were intubated with ethanol or saline once per week for 3, 6, or 24 weeks. Exposures included or omitted the period of gastrulation. Offspring were given behavioral tests including a Visual-Paired Comparison (VPC), a hippocampal-associated memory task, and euthanized as adolescents. Their dentate gyri were processed for immunohistochemical identification of cells passing through the cell cycle (Ki-67 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen), exiting the cell cycle (p21), or passing through early stages of neuronal morphogenesis (Tuj1). Performance in neurobehavioral tasks was unaffected by ethanol exposure, the notable exception being performance in the VPC that was poorer for macaques exposed to ethanol including gastrulation. Anatomical studies show that the expression of Ki-67 was greater and ratio of p21-positive cells to the ratio of Ki-67-expressing cells was lower in animals in which the ethanol exposure included gastrulation. On the other hand, no ethanol-induced differences in TuJ1 expression were detected. Thus, the dentate gyrus is a bellwether of long-term consequences of gestational ethanol exposure. Targeted effects of ethanol on early neural generation (cell cycle and cycle exit) correlate with the timing-dependent degradation in VPC performance and exposure during gastrulation results in notable deficits. These changes evidence a pattern of fetal programming underlying FAS.
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Yang G, Shcheglovitov A. Probing disrupted neurodevelopment in autism using human stem cell-derived neurons and organoids: An outlook into future diagnostics and drug development. Dev Dyn 2019; 249:6-33. [PMID: 31398277 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2019] [Revised: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) represent a spectrum of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by impaired social interaction, repetitive or restrictive behaviors, and problems with speech. According to a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in 68 children in the US is diagnosed with ASDs. Although ASD-related diagnostics and the knowledge of ASD-associated genetic abnormalities have improved in recent years, our understanding of the cellular and molecular pathways disrupted in ASD remains very limited. As a result, no specific therapies or medications are available for individuals with ASDs. In this review, we describe the neurodevelopmental processes that are likely affected in the brains of individuals with ASDs and discuss how patient-specific stem cell-derived neurons and organoids can be used for investigating these processes at the cellular and molecular levels. Finally, we propose a discovery pipeline to be used in the future for identifying the cellular and molecular deficits and developing novel personalized therapies for individuals with idiopathic ASDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guang Yang
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.,Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Alex Shcheglovitov
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.,Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
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Findings of male genital anomalies in a Turkish population with Autism Spectrum Disorders. ANADOLU KLINIĞI TIP BILIMLERI DERGISI 2019. [DOI: 10.21673/anadoluklin.460738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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39
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De novo Blood Biomarkers in Autism: Autoantibodies against Neuronal and Glial Proteins. Behav Sci (Basel) 2019; 9:bs9050047. [PMID: 31035713 PMCID: PMC6563083 DOI: 10.3390/bs9050047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Revised: 04/20/2019] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are the most common neurodevelopmental disorders with unidentified etiology. The behavioral manifestations of ASD may be a consequence of genetic and/or environmental pathology in neurodevelopmental processes. In this limited study, we assayed autoantibodies to a panel of vital neuronal and glial proteins in the sera of 40 subjects (10 children with ASD and their mothers along with 10 healthy controls, age-matched children and their mothers). Serum samples were screened using Western Blot analysis to measure immunoglobulin (IgG) reactivity against a panel of 9 neuronal proteins commonly associated with neuronal degeneration: neurofilament triplet proteins (NFP), tubulin, microtubule-associated proteins (tau), microtubule-associated protein-2 (MAP-2), myelin basic protein (MBP), myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG), α-synuclein (SNCA) and astrocytes proteins such as glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and S100B protein. Our data show that the levels of circulating IgG class autoantibodies against the nine proteins were significantly elevated in ASD children. Mothers of ASD children exhibited increased levels of autoantibodies against all panel of tested proteins except for S100B and tubulin compared to age-matched healthy control children and their mothers. Control children and their mothers showed low and insignificant levels of autoantibodies to neuronal and glial proteins. These results strongly support the importance of anti-neuronal and glial protein autoantibodies biomarker in screening for ASD children and further confirm the importance of the involvement of the maternal immune system as an index that should be considered in fetal in utero environmental exposures. More studies are needed using larger cohort to verify these results and understand the importance of the presence of such autoantibodies in children with autism and their mothers, both as biomarkers and their role in the mechanism of action of autism and perhaps in its treatment.
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Impaired Spatial Cognition in Adult Rats Treated with Multiple Intracerebroventricular (ICV) Infusions of the Enteric Bacterial Metabolite, Propionic Acid, and Return to Baseline After 1 Week of No Treatment: Contribution to a Rodent Model of ASD. Neurotox Res 2019; 35:823-837. [DOI: 10.1007/s12640-019-0002-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Revised: 12/23/2018] [Accepted: 01/15/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Shams S, Foley KA, Kavaliers M, MacFabe DF, Ossenkopp KP. Systemic treatment with the enteric bacterial metabolic product propionic acid results in reduction of social behavior in juvenile rats: Contribution to a rodent model of autism spectrum disorder. Dev Psychobiol 2019; 61:688-699. [DOI: 10.1002/dev.21825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Revised: 11/27/2018] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Soaleha Shams
- Department of Psychology; University of Toronto Mississauga; Mississauga Ontario Canada
| | - Kelly A. Foley
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience; University of Western Ontario; London Ontario Canada
| | - Martin Kavaliers
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience; University of Western Ontario; London Ontario Canada
- Department of Psychology; University of Western Ontario; London Ontario Canada
| | - Derrick F. MacFabe
- Department of Psychology; University of Western Ontario; London Ontario Canada
| | - Klaus-Peter Ossenkopp
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience; University of Western Ontario; London Ontario Canada
- Department of Psychology; University of Western Ontario; London Ontario Canada
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Azhari A, Azizan F, Esposito G. A systematic review of gut-immune-brain mechanisms in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Dev Psychobiol 2018; 61:752-771. [PMID: 30523646 DOI: 10.1002/dev.21803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Revised: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Despite decades of research, the etiological origins of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) remain elusive. Recently, the mechanisms of ASD have encompassed emerging theories involving the gastrointestinal, immune, and nervous systems. While each of these perspectives presents its own set of supporting evidence, the field requires an integration of these modular concepts and an overarching view of how these subsystems intersect. In this systematic review, we have synthesized relevant evidences from the existing literature, evaluating them in an interdependent manner and in doing so, outlining their possible connections. Specifically, we first discussed gastrointestinal and immuno-inflammation pathways in-depth, exploring the relationships between microbial composition, bacterial metabolites, gut mucosa, and immune system constituents. Accounting for temporal differences in the mechanisms involved in neurodevelopment, prenatal and postnatal phases were further elucidated, where the former focused on maternal immune activation (MIA) and fetal development, while the latter addressed the role of immune dysregulation in contributing to atypical neurodevelopment. As autism remains, foremost, a neurodevelopmental disorder, this review presents an integration of disparate modules into a "Gut-Immune-Brain" paradigm. Existing gaps in the literature have been highlighted, and possible avenues for future research with an integrated physiological perspective underlying ASD have also been suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atiqah Azhari
- Psychology Program, School of Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Farouq Azizan
- Psychology Program, School of Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Gianluca Esposito
- Psychology Program, School of Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento, Rovereto, TN, Italy
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Prenatal Neuropathologies in Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual Disability: The Gestation of a Comprehensive Zebrafish Model. J Dev Biol 2018; 6:jdb6040029. [PMID: 30513623 PMCID: PMC6316217 DOI: 10.3390/jdb6040029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2018] [Revised: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual disability (ID) are neurodevelopmental disorders with overlapping diagnostic behaviors and risk factors. These include embryonic exposure to teratogens and mutations in genes that have important functions prenatally. Animal models, including rodents and zebrafish, have been essential in delineating mechanisms of neuropathology and identifying developmental critical periods, when those mechanisms are most sensitive to disruption. This review focuses on how the developmentally accessible zebrafish is contributing to our understanding of prenatal pathologies that set the stage for later ASD-ID behavioral deficits. We discuss the known factors that contribute prenatally to ASD-ID and the recent use of zebrafish to model deficits in brain morphogenesis and circuit development. We conclude by suggesting that a future challenge in zebrafish ASD-ID modeling will be to bridge prenatal anatomical and physiological pathologies to behavioral deficits later in life.
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Kuo HY, Liu FC. Molecular Pathology and Pharmacological Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder-Like Phenotypes Using Rodent Models. Front Cell Neurosci 2018; 12:422. [PMID: 30524240 PMCID: PMC6262306 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2018.00422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2018] [Accepted: 10/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder with a high prevalence rate. The core symptoms of ASD patients are impaired social communication and repetitive behavior. Genetic and environmental factors contribute to pathophysiology of ASD. Regarding environmental risk factors, it is known that valproic acid (VPA) exposure during pregnancy increases the chance of ASD among offspring. Over a decade of animal model studies have shown that maternal treatment with VPA in rodents recapitulates ASD-like pathophysiology at a molecular, cellular and behavioral level. Here, we review the prevailing theories of ASD pathogenesis, including excitatory/inhibitory imbalance, neurotransmitter dysfunction, dysfunction of mTOR and endocannabinoid signaling pathways, neuroinflammation and epigenetic alterations that have been associated with ASD. We also describe the evidence linking neuropathological changes to ASD-like behavioral abnormalities in maternal VPA-treated rodents. In addition to obtaining an understanding of the neuropathological mechanisms, the VPA-induced ASD-like animal models also serve as a good platform for testing pharmacological reagents that might be use treating ASD. We therefore have summarized the various pharmacological studies that have targeted the classical neurotransmitter systems, the endocannabinoids, the Wnt signal pathway and neuroinflammation. These approaches have been shown to often be able to ameliorate the ASD-like phenotypes induced by maternal VPA treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsiao-Ying Kuo
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Fu-Chin Liu
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Brain Research Center, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
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Systemic Treatment with the Enteric Bacterial Fermentation Product, Propionic Acid, Reduces Acoustic Startle Response Magnitude in Rats in a Dose-Dependent Fashion: Contribution to a Rodent Model of ASD. Neurotox Res 2018; 35:353-359. [DOI: 10.1007/s12640-018-9960-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2018] [Revised: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 09/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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Al Sagheer T, Haida O, Balbous A, Francheteau M, Matas E, Fernagut PO, Jaber M. Motor Impairments Correlate with Social Deficits and Restricted Neuronal Loss in an Environmental Model of Autism. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2018; 21:871-882. [PMID: 29762671 PMCID: PMC6119291 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyy043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2018] [Revised: 04/04/2018] [Accepted: 05/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Motor impairments are amongst the earliest and most consistent signs of autism spectrum disorders but are not used as diagnostic criteria. In addition, the relationship between motor and cognitive impairments and their respective neural substrates remain unknown. Methods Here, we aimed at determining whether a well-acknowledged animal model of autism spectrum disorders, the valproic acid model, displays motor impairments and whether they may correlate with social deficits and neuronal loss within motor brain areas. For this, pregnant female mice (C57BL/6J) received valproic acid (450 mg/kg) at embryonic day 12.5 and offspring underwent a battery of behavioral analyses before being killed for histological correlates in motor cortex, nigrostriatal pathway, and cerebellum. Results We show that while valproic acid male mice show both social and motor impairments, female mice only show motor impairments. Prenatal valproic acid exposure induces specific cell loss within the motor cortex and cerebellum and that is of higher magnitude in males than in females. Finally, we demonstrate that motor dysfunction correlates with reduced social behavior and that motor and social deficits both correlate with a loss of Purkinje cells within the Crus I cerebellar area. Conclusions Our results suggest that motor dysfunction could contribute to social and communication deficits in autism spectrum disorders and that motor and social deficits may share common neuronal substrates in the cerebellum. A systematic assessment of motor function in autism spectrum disorders may potentially help the quantitative diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders and strategies aimed at improving motor behavior may provide a global therapeutic benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tareq Al Sagheer
- INSERM U-1084, Experimental and Clinical Neurosciences Laboratory, University of Poitiers, Poitiers, France
| | - Obelia Haida
- INSERM U-1084, Experimental and Clinical Neurosciences Laboratory, University of Poitiers, Poitiers, France
| | - Anais Balbous
- INSERM U-1084, Experimental and Clinical Neurosciences Laboratory, University of Poitiers, Poitiers, France
- CHU Poitiers, Poitiers, France
| | - Maureen Francheteau
- INSERM U-1084, Experimental and Clinical Neurosciences Laboratory, University of Poitiers, Poitiers, France
| | - Emmanuel Matas
- INSERM U-1084, Experimental and Clinical Neurosciences Laboratory, University of Poitiers, Poitiers, France
| | - Pierre-Olivier Fernagut
- INSERM U-1084, Experimental and Clinical Neurosciences Laboratory, University of Poitiers, Poitiers, France
- Université de Bordeaux, Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, UMR, Bordeaux, France
- CNRS, Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, UMR, Bordeaux, France
| | - Mohamed Jaber
- INSERM U-1084, Experimental and Clinical Neurosciences Laboratory, University of Poitiers, Poitiers, France
- CHU Poitiers, Poitiers, France
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47
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Schieve LA, Tian L, Dowling N, Croen L, Hoover-Fong J, Alexander A, Shapira SK. Associations Between the 2nd to 4th Digit Ratio and Autism Spectrum Disorder in Population-Based Samples of Boys and Girls: Findings from the Study to Explore Early Development. J Autism Dev Disord 2018; 48:2379-2395. [PMID: 29450837 PMCID: PMC5997499 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-018-3495-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The ratio of the index (2nd) finger to ring (4th) finger lengths (2D:4D) is a proxy for fetal testosterone and estradiol. Studies suggesting 2D:4D is inversely associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in males were limited by lack of confounder and subgroup assessments. Studies of females are sparse. We examined associations between ASD and 2D:4D among children in the Study to Explore Early Development; we considered case subgroups and numerous potential demographic and maternal-perinatal health confounders. We observed a modest inverse association between ASD and right-hand 2D:4D in males; subgroup analyses indicated associations were limited to ASD cases with birth defects/genetic syndromes or dysmorphic features. We observed a positive association between ASD and left-hand 2D:4D in females, overall and within most case subgroups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura A Schieve
- National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mailstop E-86, 4770 Buford Hwy NE, Atlanta, GA, 30341, USA.
| | - Lin Tian
- National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mailstop E-86, 4770 Buford Hwy NE, Atlanta, GA, 30341, USA
| | - Nicole Dowling
- National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mailstop E-86, 4770 Buford Hwy NE, Atlanta, GA, 30341, USA
| | - Lisa Croen
- Kaiser Permanente Division of Research, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Julie Hoover-Fong
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Aimee Alexander
- National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mailstop E-86, 4770 Buford Hwy NE, Atlanta, GA, 30341, USA
| | - Stuart K Shapira
- National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mailstop E-86, 4770 Buford Hwy NE, Atlanta, GA, 30341, USA
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Cezar LC, Kirsten TB, da Fonseca CCN, de Lima APN, Bernardi MM, Felicio LF. Zinc as a therapy in a rat model of autism prenatally induced by valproic acid. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2018; 84:173-180. [PMID: 29481896 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2018.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2017] [Revised: 02/05/2018] [Accepted: 02/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Autism is characterized by numerous behavioral impairments, such as in communication, socialization and cognition. Recent studies have suggested that valproic acid (VPA), an anti-epileptic drug with teratogenic activity, is related to autism. In rodents, VPA exposure during pregnancy induces autistic-like effects. Exposure to VPA may alter zinc metabolism resulting in a transient deficiency of zinc. Therefore, we selected zinc as a prenatal treatment to prevent VPA-induced impairments in a rat model of autism. Wistar female rats received either saline solution or VPA (400 mg/kg, i.p) on gestational day (GD) 12.5. To test the zinc supplementation effect, after 1 h of treatment with saline or VPA, a dose of zinc (2 mg/kg, s.c.) was injected. The offspring were tested for abnormal communication behaviors with an ultrasound vocalization task on postnatal day (PND) 11, repetitive behaviors and cognitive ability with a T-maze task on PND 29, and social interaction with a play behavior task on PND 30. Tyrosine hydroxylase protein (TH) expression was evaluated in the striatum. Prenatal VPA decreased ultrasonic vocalization, induced repetitive/restricted behaviors and cognitive inflexibility, impaired socialization, and reduced striatal TH levels compared with control group. Zinc treatment reduced VPA-induced autistic-like behaviors. However, we found no evidence of an effect of zinc on the VPA-induced reduction in TH expression. The persistence of low TH expression in the VPA-Zn group suggests that Zn-induced behavioral improvement in autistic rats may not depend on TH activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luana Carvalho Cezar
- University of São Paulo, School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Pathology, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Thiago Berti Kirsten
- Paulista University, Environmental and Experimental Pathology, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Luciano Freitas Felicio
- University of São Paulo, School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Pathology, Sao Paulo, Brazil
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Schieve LA, Shapira SK. Invited Commentary: Male Reproductive System Congenital Malformations and the Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Am J Epidemiol 2018; 187:664-667. [PMID: 29452336 PMCID: PMC5884740 DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwx369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2017] [Accepted: 10/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a prevalent developmental disorder. Studies indicate that while ASD etiology has a genetic component, the risk is polygenic, with gene-environment interactions being likely. The prenatal period is a critical exposure window for nongenetic risk factors. Previous studies have found positive associations between congenital malformations (all types) and ASD; a few also found specific associations between genitourinary system malformations and ASD; and one study found an association between hypospadias and ASD. In the accompanying article, Rotem et al. (Am J Epidemiol. 2018;187(4):656-663) describe how they conducted a comprehensive analysis focusing on the shared risk of ASD with hypospadias or cryptorchidism, using existing data from a large Israeli health services system, which afforded several advantages because of the large sample size and low attrition of the patient population. The authors conducted a careful analysis, including sensitivity analyses, to account for risk factor and case misclassifications that might have occurred had they relied solely on preexisting diagnostic codes to define exposures and outcome. They observed positive associations between both hypospadias and cryptorchidism and ASD that were independent of numerous sociodemographic and pregnancy health factors. This study advances our understanding of ASD etiology and illustrates how existing data might be used to assess some ASD risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura A. Schieve
- National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia (Laura A. Schieve, Stuart K. Shapira)
| | - Stuart K. Shapira
- National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia (Laura A. Schieve, Stuart K. Shapira)
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50
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Webb E, Moon J, Dyrszka L, Rodriguez B, Cox C, Patisaul H, Bushkin S, London E. Neurodevelopmental and neurological effects of chemicals associated with unconventional oil and natural gas operations and their potential effects on infants and children. REVIEWS ON ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 2018; 33:3-29. [PMID: 29068792 DOI: 10.1515/reveh-2017-0008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2017] [Accepted: 07/28/2017] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Heavy metals (arsenic and manganese), particulate matter (PM), benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes (BTEX), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have been linked to significant neurodevelopmental health problems in infants, children and young adults. These substances are widely used in, or become byproducts of unconventional oil and natural gas (UOG) development and operations. Every stage of the UOG lifecycle, from well construction to extraction, operations, transportation and distribution can lead to air and water contamination. Residents near UOG operations can suffer from increased exposure to elevated concentrations of air and water pollutants. Here we focus on five air and water pollutants that have been associated with potentially permanent learning and neuropsychological deficits, neurodevelopmental disorders and neurological birth defects. Given the profound sensitivity of the developing brain and central nervous system, it is reasonable to conclude that young children who experience frequent exposure to these pollutants are at particularly high risk for chronic neurological diseases. More research is needed to understand the extent of these concerns in the context of UOG, but since UOG development has expanded rapidly in recent years, the need for public health prevention techniques, well-designed studies and stronger state and national regulatory standards is becoming increasingly apparent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Webb
- Center for Environmental Health, 2201 Broadway, Suite 302, Oakland, CA 94612, USA
| | | | - Larysa Dyrszka
- Physicians for Social Responsibility, Glen Spey, NY, USA
| | | | - Caroline Cox
- Center for Environmental Health, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Heather Patisaul
- North Carolina State University College of Sciences, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Sheila Bushkin
- Institute for Health and the Environment, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Eric London
- Institute for Basic Research, New York, NY, USA
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