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Mesci P, LaRock CN, Jeziorski JJ, Nakashima H, Chermont N, Ferrasa A, Herai RH, Ozaki T, Saleh A, Snethlage CE, Sanchez S, Goldberg G, Trujillo CA, Nakashima K, Nizet V, Muotri AR. Human microglial cells as a therapeutic target in a neurodevelopmental disease model. Stem Cell Reports 2024; 19:1074-1091. [PMID: 39059378 PMCID: PMC11368698 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2024.06.013] [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: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Although microglia are macrophages of the central nervous system, their involvement is not limited to immune functions. The roles of microglia during development in humans remain poorly understood due to limited access to fetal tissue. To understand how microglia can impact human neurodevelopment, the methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MECP2) gene was knocked out in human microglia-like cells (MGLs). Disruption of the MECP2 in MGLs led to transcriptional and functional perturbations, including impaired phagocytosis. The co-culture of healthy MGLs with MECP2-knockout (KO) neurons rescued synaptogenesis defects, suggesting a microglial role in synapse formation. A targeted drug screening identified ADH-503, a CD11b agonist, restored phagocytosis and synapse formation in spheroid-MGL co-cultures, significantly improved disease progression, and increased survival in MeCP2-null mice. These results unveil a MECP2-specific regulation of human microglial phagocytosis and identify a novel therapeutic treatment for MECP2-related conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pinar Mesci
- University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics/Rady Children's Hospital San Diego, Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
| | - Christopher N LaRock
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego School of Medicine and Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Jacob J Jeziorski
- University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics/Rady Children's Hospital San Diego, Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Hideyuki Nakashima
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Natalia Chermont
- University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics/Rady Children's Hospital San Diego, Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Adriano Ferrasa
- Experimental Multiuser Laboratory (LEM), Graduate Program in Health Sciences (PPGCS), School of Medicine, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná (PUCPR), Curitiba, Paraná 80215-901, Brazil; Department of Informatics (DEINFO), Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa (UEPG), Ponta Grossa, Paraná 84030-900, Brazil
| | - Roberto H Herai
- Experimental Multiuser Laboratory (LEM), Graduate Program in Health Sciences (PPGCS), School of Medicine, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná (PUCPR), Curitiba, Paraná 80215-901, Brazil; Research Department, Lico Kaesemodel Institute (ILK), Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Tomoka Ozaki
- University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics/Rady Children's Hospital San Diego, Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Aurian Saleh
- University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics/Rady Children's Hospital San Diego, Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Cedric E Snethlage
- University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics/Rady Children's Hospital San Diego, Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Sandra Sanchez
- University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics/Rady Children's Hospital San Diego, Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Gabriela Goldberg
- University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics/Rady Children's Hospital San Diego, Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Cleber A Trujillo
- University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics/Rady Children's Hospital San Diego, Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Kinichi Nakashima
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Victor Nizet
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego School of Medicine and Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Alysson R Muotri
- University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics/Rady Children's Hospital San Diego, Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; University of California, San Diego, Kavli Institute for Brain and Mind, Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny (CARTA), La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
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2
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Cordone V. Biochemical and molecular determinants of the subclinical inflammatory mechanisms in Rett syndrome. Arch Biochem Biophys 2024; 757:110046. [PMID: 38815782 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2024.110046] [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: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
To date, Rett syndrome (RTT), a genetic disorder mainly caused by mutations in the X-linked MECP2 gene, is increasingly considered a broad-spectrum pathology, instead of just a neurodevelopmental disease, due to the multitude of peripheral co-morbidities and the compromised metabolic pathways, affecting the patients. The altered molecular processes include an impaired mitochondrial function, a perturbed redox homeostasis, a chronic subclinical inflammation and an improper cholesterol metabolism. The persistent subclinical inflammatory condition was first defined ten years ago, as a previously unrecognized feature of RTT, playing a role in the pathology progress and modulation of phenotypical severity. In light of this, the present work aims at reviewing the current knowledge on the chronic inflammatory status and the altered immune/inflammatory functions in RTT, as well as investigating the emerging mechanisms underlying this condition with a special focus on the latest findings about inflammasome system, autoimmunity responses and intestinal micro- and mycobiota. On these bases, although further research is needed, future therapeutic strategies able to re-establish an adequate immune/inflammatory response could represent potential approaches for RTT patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Cordone
- Department of Environmental and Prevention Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
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3
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Generation of cryopreserved macrophages from normal and genetically engineered human pluripotent stem cells for disease modelling. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0250107. [PMID: 33886609 PMCID: PMC8061979 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0250107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Macrophages are innate immune cells that play critical roles in tissue homeostasis, inflammation, and immune oncology. Macrophages differentiated from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) overcome many limitations of using peripheral blood derived macrophages. The ability to scale up and cryopreserve a large amount of end stage macrophages from single clonal iPSCs from normal and disease specific donors offers a unique opportunity for genomic analysis and drug screening. The present study describes the step wise generation and characterization of macrophages from iPSCs using a defined serum free method amenable to scale up to generate a large batch of pure end stage cryopreservable macrophages expressing CD68, CD33, CD11c, CD11b, CD1a, HLA-DR, CD86, CD64, CD80, CD206, CD169, CD47, HLA-ABC, and CX3CR. The end stage macrophages pre and post cryopreservation retain purity, morphology, responsiveness to stimuli and display robust phagocytic function coming right out of cryopreservation. The same differentiation process was used to generate end stage macrophages from isogenic iPSCs engineered to mimic mutations associated with Parkinson's disease (SNCA A53T), neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (GRN2/GRN R493X), and Rett syndrome (MECP2-Knockout). End stage macrophages from isogenic engineered clones displayed differential macrophage-specific purity markers, phagocytic function, and response to specific stimuli. Thus, generating a panel of functional, physiologically relevant iPSC-derived macrophages can potentially facilitate the understanding of neural inflammatory responses associated with neurodegeneration.
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4
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Emerging physiological and pathological roles of MeCP2 in non-neurological systems. Arch Biochem Biophys 2021; 700:108768. [PMID: 33485848 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2021.108768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Numerous neurological and non-neurological disorders are associated with dysfunction of epigenetic modulators, and methyl CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) is one of such proteins. Initially identified as a transcriptional repressor, MeCP2 specifically binds to methylated DNA, and mutations of MeCP2 have been shown to cause Rett syndrome (RTT), a severe neurological disorder. Recently, accumulating evidence suggests that ubiquitously expressed MeCP2 also plays a central role in non-neurological disorders including cardiac dysfunction, liver injury, respiratory disorders, urological dysfunction, adipose tissue metabolism disorders, movement abnormality and inflammatory responses in a DNA methylation dependent or independent manner. Despite significant progresses in our understanding of MeCP2 over the last few decades, there is still a considerable knowledge gap to translate the in vitro and in vivo experimental findings into therapeutic interventions. In this review, we provide a synopsis of the role of MeCP2 in the pathophysiology of non-neurological disorders, MeCP2-based research directions and therapeutic strategies for non-neurological disorders are also discussed.
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Ramirez JM, Karlen-Amarante M, Wang JDJ, Bush NE, Carroll MS, Weese-Mayer DE, Huff A. The Pathophysiology of Rett Syndrome With a Focus on Breathing Dysfunctions. Physiology (Bethesda) 2020; 35:375-390. [PMID: 33052774 PMCID: PMC7864239 DOI: 10.1152/physiol.00008.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Revised: 06/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT), an X-chromosome-linked neurological disorder, is characterized by serious pathophysiology, including breathing and feeding dysfunctions, and alteration of cardiorespiratory coupling, a consequence of multiple interrelated disturbances in the genetic and homeostatic regulation of central and peripheral neuronal networks, redox state, and control of inflammation. Characteristic breath-holds, obstructive sleep apnea, and aerophagia result in intermittent hypoxia, which, combined with mitochondrial dysfunction, causes oxidative stress-an important driver of the clinical presentation of RTT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan-Marino Ramirez
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
- Departments of Neurological Surgery and Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | - Marlusa Karlen-Amarante
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
- Department of Physiology and Pathology, School of Dentistry of Araraquara, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, Brazil
| | - Jia-Der Ju Wang
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | - Nicholas E Bush
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | - Michael S Carroll
- Data Analytics and Reporting, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
- Division of Autonomic Medicine, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Debra E Weese-Mayer
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
- Division of Autonomic Medicine, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Alyssa Huff
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
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Liaudanskaya V, Chung JY, Mizzoni C, Rouleau N, Berk AN, Wu L, Turner JA, Georgakoudi I, Whalen MJ, Nieland TJF, Kaplan DL. Modeling Controlled Cortical Impact Injury in 3D Brain-Like Tissue Cultures. Adv Healthc Mater 2020; 9:e2000122. [PMID: 32406202 PMCID: PMC7395313 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202000122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2020] [Revised: 04/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivors suffer long term from mental illness, neurodegeneration, and neuroinflammation. Studies of 3D tissue models have provided new insights into the pathobiology of many brain diseases. Here, a 3D in vitro contusion model is developed consisting of mouse cortical neurons grown on a silk scaffold embedded in collagen and used outcomes from an in vivo model for benchmarking. Molecular, cellular, and network events are characterized in response to controlled cortical impact (CCI). In this model, CCI induces degradation of neural network structure and function and release of glutamate, which are associated with the expression of programmed necrosis marker phosphorylated Mixed Lineage Kinase Domain Like Pseudokinase (pMLKL). Neurodegeneration is observed first in the directly impacted area and it subsequently spreads over time in 3D space. CCI reduces phosphorylated protein kinase B (pAKT) and Glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3β) in neurons in vitro and in vivo, but discordant responses are observed in phosphprylated ribosomal S6 kinase (pS6) and phosphorylated Tau (pTau) expression. In summary, the 3D brain-like culture system mimicked many aspects of in vivo responses to CCI, providing evidence that the model can be used to study the molecular, cellular, and functional sequelae of TBI, opening up new possibilities for discovery of therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Volha Liaudanskaya
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, 02155, MA, USA
| | - Joon Yong Chung
- Neuroscience Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, 02129, MA, USA
| | - Craig Mizzoni
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, 02155, MA, USA
| | - Nicolas Rouleau
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, 02155, MA, USA
| | - Alexander N Berk
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, 02155, MA, USA
| | - Limin Wu
- Neuroscience Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, 02129, MA, USA
| | - Julia A Turner
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, 02155, MA, USA
| | - Irene Georgakoudi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, 02155, MA, USA
| | - Michael J Whalen
- Neuroscience Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, 02129, MA, USA
| | - Thomas J F Nieland
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, 02155, MA, USA
| | - David L Kaplan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, 02155, MA, USA
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Pecorelli A, Cervellati C, Cordone V, Hayek J, Valacchi G. Compromised immune/inflammatory responses in Rett syndrome. Free Radic Biol Med 2020; 152:100-106. [PMID: 32119978 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2020.02.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Revised: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Mutations in X-linked gene methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MECP2), a key transcriptional regulator, account for most cases of Rett syndrome (RTT), a devastating neurodevelopmental disorder with no known cure. Despite extensive research to elucidate MeCP2 functions, the mechanisms underlying RTT pathophysiology are still unclear. In addition to a variety of neurological symptoms, RTT also includes a plethora of additional phenotypical features including altered lipid metabolism, redox imbalance, immune dysfunction and mitochondrial abnormalities that explain its multisystemic nature. Here, we provide an overview of the current knowledge on the potential role of dysregulated inflammatory and immune responses in RTT. The findings show that abnormalities of humoral and cell-mediated immunity together with chronic low-grade inflammation in multiple organs represent not only clinical manifestations of RTT but rather can contribute to its development and deteriorating course. A future research challenge could be to target therapeutically immune dysfunction as a novel means for RTT management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Pecorelli
- Plants for Human Health Institute, Dept. of Animal Science, NC Research Campus, NC State University, Kannapolis, 28081, NC, USA
| | - Carlo Cervellati
- Dept. of Biomedical and Specialist Surgical Sciences, University of Ferrara, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Valeria Cordone
- Dept. of Biomedical and Specialist Surgical Sciences, University of Ferrara, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Joussef Hayek
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, University General Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Valacchi
- Plants for Human Health Institute, Dept. of Animal Science, NC Research Campus, NC State University, Kannapolis, 28081, NC, USA; Dept. of Biomedical and Specialist Surgical Sciences, University of Ferrara, 44121, Ferrara, Italy; Dept. of Food and Nutrition, Kyung Hee University, 02447, Seoul, South Korea.
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8
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Byiers BJ, Merbler AM, Barney CC, Frenn KA, Panoskaltsis-Mortari A, Ehrhardt MJ, Feyma TJ, Beisang AA, Symons F. Evidence of altered salivary cytokine concentrations in Rett syndrome and associations with clinical severity. Brain Behav Immun Health 2020; 1:100008. [PMID: 38377412 PMCID: PMC8474566 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2019.100008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 10/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Immune dysregulation may play a role in the development of Rett syndrome (RTT), a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutations of the MECP2 gene. Abnormal cytokine concentrations have been documented in the serum of individuals with RTT. Measurement of salivary cytokines has been investigated as a potential alternative approach to measurement in blood and serum, but it is unclear whether salivary cytokine concentrations can provide valid information about systemic immune function in neurodevelopmental disorders. The goal of this study was to evaluate the potential validity of salivary cytokines as biomarkers of immune dysregulation in RTT. Methods Saliva samples from 16 individuals with RTT (all female; age range 2-40 years) and 16 healthy control females (age range 2-40 years) were analyzed for concentrations of 12 cytokines. Between-group differences in concentrations, and correlations with clinical severity in the RTT group were evaluated. Results Concentrations of several salivary cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, GM-CSF, TNF-α, and VEGF) were increased in RTT compared to controls. The same cytokines showed significant positive correlations with clinical severity scores. There were no differences in concentrations of IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-12p70, and IFN-γ. Conclusion The results suggest that salivary cytokines may be a possible indicator of immune dysregulation in RTT. Future research should investigate whether these results can be applied to other neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Breanne J. Byiers
- Department of Educational Psychology, 56 E River Rd, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Alyssa M. Merbler
- Department of Educational Psychology, 56 E River Rd, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Chantel C. Barney
- Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare, 200 University Ave E, St. Paul, Minnesota, 55101, USA
| | - Kristin A. Frenn
- Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare, 200 University Ave E, St. Paul, Minnesota, 55101, USA
| | - Angela Panoskaltsis-Mortari
- Cancer Center and Department of Pediatrics, Division of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, 2450 Riverside Ave, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55454, USA
| | - Michael J. Ehrhardt
- Cancer Center and Department of Pediatrics, Division of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, 2450 Riverside Ave, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55454, USA
| | - Timothy J. Feyma
- Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare, 200 University Ave E, St. Paul, Minnesota, 55101, USA
| | - Arthur A. Beisang
- Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare, 200 University Ave E, St. Paul, Minnesota, 55101, USA
| | - Frank Symons
- Department of Educational Psychology, 56 E River Rd, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
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9
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Raz R, Levine H, Pinto O, Broday DM, Yuval, Weisskopf MG. Traffic-Related Air Pollution and Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Population-Based Nested Case-Control Study in Israel. Am J Epidemiol 2018; 187:717-725. [PMID: 29020136 DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwx294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2017] [Accepted: 08/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggests that perinatal air pollutant exposures are associated with increased risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but evidence for traffic pollutants outside the United States is inconclusive. We assessed the association between nitrogen dioxide, a traffic pollution tracer, and risk of ASD. We conducted a nested case-control study among the entire population of children born during 2005-2009 in the central coastal area of Israel. Cases were identified through the National Insurance Institute of Israel (n = 2,098). Controls were a 20% random sample of the remaining children (n = 54,191). Exposure was based on an optimized dispersion model. We estimated adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals using logistic regression and a distributed-lag model. In models mutually adjusted for the 2 periods, the odds ratio per 5.85-parts per billion (ppb) increment of nitrogen dioxide exposure during pregnancy (median, 16.8 ppb; range, 7.5-31.2 ppb) was 0.77 (95% confidence interval: 0.59, 1.00), and the odds ratio for exposure during the 9 months after birth was 1.40 (95% confidence interval: 1.09, 1.80). A distributed-lag model revealed reduced risk around week 13 of pregnancy and elevated risk around week 26 after birth. These findings suggest that postnatal exposure to nitrogen dioxide in Israel is associated with increased odds of ASD, and prenatal exposure with lower odds. The latter may relate to selection effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raanan Raz
- Braun School of Public Health and Community Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Hadassah Ein Kerem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Hagai Levine
- Braun School of Public Health and Community Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Hadassah Ein Kerem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Ofir Pinto
- Research and Planning Administration, National Insurance Institute of Israel, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - David M Broday
- Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Technion–Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Yuval
- Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Technion–Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Marc G Weisskopf
- Departments of Environmental Health and Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
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Ciernia AV, Careaga M, Ashwood P, LaSalle J. Microglia from offspring of dams with allergic asthma exhibit epigenomic alterations in genes dysregulated in autism. Glia 2018; 66:505-521. [PMID: 29134693 PMCID: PMC5767155 DOI: 10.1002/glia.23261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2017] [Revised: 08/18/2017] [Accepted: 10/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Dysregulation in immune responses during pregnancy increases the risk of a having a child with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases among pregnant women, and symptoms often worsen during pregnancy. We recently developed a mouse model of maternal allergic asthma (MAA) that induces changes in sociability, repetitive, and perseverative behaviors in the offspring. Since epigenetic changes help a static genome adapt to the maternal environment, activation of the immune system may epigenetically alter fetal microglia, the brain's resident immune cells. We therefore tested the hypothesis that epigenomic alterations to microglia may be involved in behavioral abnormalities observed in MAA offspring. We used the genome-wide approaches of whole genome bisulfite sequencing to examine DNA methylation and RNA sequencing to examine gene expression in microglia from juvenile MAA offspring. Differentially methylated regions were enriched for immune signaling pathways and important microglial developmental transcription factor binding motifs. Differential expression analysis identified genes involved in controlling microglial sensitivity to the environment and shaping neuronal connections in the developing brain. Differentially expressed genes significantly overlapped genes with altered expression in human ASD cortex, supporting a role for microglia in the pathogenesis of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annie Vogel Ciernia
- Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616
| | - Milo Careaga
- MIND Institute, 2825 50 Street, Sacramento, CA 95817, University of California, Davis
| | - Paul Ashwood
- MIND Institute, 2825 50 Street, Sacramento, CA 95817, University of California, Davis
| | - Janine LaSalle
- Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616
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11
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New "programmers" in tissue macrophage activation. Pflugers Arch 2017; 469:375-383. [PMID: 28185067 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-017-1943-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2017] [Accepted: 01/26/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Tissue macrophages and monocyte-derived macrophages are under continuous influence from environmental signals that define their activation status. Along these lines, macrophages integrate tissue and stress signals and are specifically programmed by these signals towards a spectrum of functions necessary to fulfill their duty within their particular microenvironment, be it homeostatic tissue function, response to inflammatory pathophysiology, or even resolution of an inflammation. Recent years have seen tremendous progress in our understanding how macrophages at different sites are transcriptionally and epigenetically programmed to execute their diverse tasks throughout the body. The identification of transcription factors guiding these reprogramming activities is currently a major topic in macrophage research. We summarize the most recent findings within the last 18 months concerning the identification of novel transcription factors associated with particular macrophage location or function. Furthermore, we extend the view of cellular programming of macrophages to additional levels of regulation, for example, by long non-coding RNAs. Clearly, in addition to transcription factors, there are many more "programmers" shaping the versatile functionality of these exciting innate immune cells.
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12
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Peng H, Li H, Sheehy A, Cullen P, Allaire N, Scannevin RH. Dimethyl fumarate alters microglia phenotype and protects neurons against proinflammatory toxic microenvironments. J Neuroimmunol 2016; 299:35-44. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2016.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2016] [Revised: 08/03/2016] [Accepted: 08/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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13
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Study of the activated macrophage transcriptome. Exp Mol Pathol 2015; 99:575-80. [PMID: 26439118 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexmp.2015.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2015] [Accepted: 09/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Transcriptome analysis is a powerful modern tool to study possible alterations of gene expression associated with human diseases. It turns out to be especially promising for evaluation of gene expression changes in immunopathology, as immune cells have flexible gene expression patterns that can be switched in response to infection, inflammatory stimuli and exposure to various cytokines. In particular, macrophage polarization towards pro-inflammatory (M1) and anti-inflammatory (M2) phenotypes can be successfully studied using the modern transcriptome analysis approaches. The two mostly used techniques for transcriptome analysis are microarray and next generation sequencing. In this review we will provide an overview of known gene expression changes associated with immunopathology and discuss the advantage and limitations of different methods of transcriptome analysis.
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Ransohoff RM, Schafer D, Vincent A, Blachère NE, Bar-Or A. Neuroinflammation: Ways in Which the Immune System Affects the Brain. Neurotherapeutics 2015; 12:896-909. [PMID: 26306439 PMCID: PMC4604183 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-015-0385-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 152] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroinflammation is the response of the central nervous system (CNS) to disturbed homeostasis and typifies all neurological diseases. The main reactive components of the CNS include microglial cells and infiltrating myeloid cells, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and the blood-brain barrier, cytokines, and cytokine signaling. Neuroinflammatory responses may be helpful or harmful, as mechanisms associated with neuroinflammation are involved in normal brain development, as well as in neuropathological processes. This review examines the roles of various cell types that contribute to the immune dysregulation associated with neuroinflammation. Microglia enter the CNS very early in embryonic development and, as such, play an essential role in both the healthy and diseased brain. B-cell diversity contributes to CNS disease through both antibody-dependent and antibody-independent mechanisms. The influences of these B-cell mechanisms on other cell types, including myeloid cells and T cells, are reviewed in relationship to antibody-mediated CNS disorders, paraneoplastic neurological diseases, and multiple sclerosis. New insights into neuroinflammation offer exciting opportunities to investigate potential therapeutic targets for debilitating CNS diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dorothy Schafer
- University of Massachusetts Medical School, Amherst, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Amit Bar-Or
- Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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