1
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Mediane DH, Basu S, Cahill EN, Anastasiades PG. Medial prefrontal cortex circuitry and social behaviour in autism. Neuropharmacology 2024; 260:110101. [PMID: 39128583 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2024.110101] [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: 04/15/2024] [Revised: 07/22/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has proven to be highly enigmatic due to the diversity of its underlying genetic causes and the huge variability in symptom presentation. Uncovering common phenotypes across people with ASD and pre-clinical models allows us to better understand the influence on brain function of the many different genetic and cellular processes thought to contribute to ASD aetiology. One such feature of ASD is the convergent evidence implicating abnormal functioning of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) across studies. The mPFC is a key part of the 'social brain' and may contribute to many of the changes in social behaviour observed in people with ASD. Here we review recent evidence for mPFC involvement in both ASD and social behaviours. We also highlight how pre-clinical mouse models can be used to uncover important cellular and circuit-level mechanisms that may underly atypical social behaviours in ASD. This article is part of the Special Issue on "PFC circuit function in psychiatric disease and relevant models".
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego H Mediane
- Department of Translational Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Dorothy Hodgkin Building, Whitson Street, Bristol, BS1 3NY, United Kingdom
| | - Shinjini Basu
- Department of Translational Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Dorothy Hodgkin Building, Whitson Street, Bristol, BS1 3NY, United Kingdom
| | - Emma N Cahill
- Department of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Biomedical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol, BS8 1TD, United Kingdom
| | - Paul G Anastasiades
- Department of Translational Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Dorothy Hodgkin Building, Whitson Street, Bristol, BS1 3NY, United Kingdom.
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2
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Rydzanicz M, Kuzniewska B, Magnowska M, Wójtowicz T, Stawikowska A, Hojka A, Borsuk E, Meyza K, Gewartowska O, Gruchota J, Miłek J, Wardaszka P, Chojnicka I, Kondrakiewicz L, Dymkowska D, Puścian A, Knapska E, Dziembowski A, Płoski R, Dziembowska M. Mutation in the mitochondrial chaperone TRAP1 leads to autism with more severe symptoms in males. EMBO Mol Med 2024:10.1038/s44321-024-00147-6. [PMID: 39333440 DOI: 10.1038/s44321-024-00147-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2024] [Accepted: 09/16/2024] [Indexed: 09/29/2024] Open
Abstract
There is increasing evidence of mitochondrial dysfunction in autism spectrum disorders (ASD), but the causal relationships are unclear. In an ASD patient whose identical twin was unaffected, we identified a postzygotic mosaic mutation p.Q639* in the TRAP1 gene, which encodes a mitochondrial chaperone of the HSP90 family. Additional screening of 176 unrelated ASD probands revealed an identical TRAP1 variant in a male patient who had inherited it from a healthy mother. Notably, newly generated knock-in Trap1 p.Q641* mice display ASD-related behavioral abnormalities that are more pronounced in males than in females. Accordingly, Trap1 p.Q641* mutation also resulted in sex-specific changes in synaptic plasticity, the number of presynaptic mitochondria, and mitochondrial respiration. Thus, the TRAP1 p.Q639* mutation is the first example of a monogenic ASD caused by impaired mitochondrial protein homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bozena Kuzniewska
- Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marta Magnowska
- Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Tomasz Wójtowicz
- Laboratory of Cell Biophysics, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Stawikowska
- Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Hojka
- Bioinformatics Core Facility, International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ewa Borsuk
- Department of Embryology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ksenia Meyza
- Laboratory of Emotions Neurobiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Olga Gewartowska
- Genome Engineering Facility, International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jakub Gruchota
- Laboratory of RNA Biology, International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jacek Miłek
- Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Patrycja Wardaszka
- Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Izabela Chojnicka
- Department of Health and Rehabilitation Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ludwika Kondrakiewicz
- Laboratory of Emotions Neurobiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Dorota Dymkowska
- Laboratory of Cellular Metabolism, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Alicja Puścian
- Laboratory of Emotions Neurobiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ewelina Knapska
- Laboratory of Emotions Neurobiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Andrzej Dziembowski
- Department of Embryology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
- Laboratory of RNA Biology, International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Rafał Płoski
- Department of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Magdalena Dziembowska
- Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
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3
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Gao AYL, Inglebert Y, Shi R, Ilie A, Popic J, Mustian J, Sonenberg N, Orlowski J, McKinney RA. Impaired hippocampal plasticity associated with loss of recycling endosomal SLC9A6/NHE6 is ameliorated by the TrkB agonist 7,8-dihydroxyflavone. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2024:167529. [PMID: 39341363 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2024.167529] [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: 05/05/2024] [Revised: 08/31/2024] [Accepted: 09/24/2024] [Indexed: 10/01/2024]
Abstract
Proper maintenance of intracellular vesicular pH is essential for cargo trafficking during synaptic function and plasticity. Mutations in the SLC9A6 gene encoding the recycling endosomal pH regulator (Na+, K+)/H+ exchanger isoform 6 (NHE6) are causal for Christianson syndrome (CS), a severe form of X-linked intellectual disability. NHE6 expression is also downregulated in other neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder and Alzheimer's disease, suggesting its dysfunction could contribute more broadly to the pathophysiology of other neurological conditions. To understand how ablation of NHE6 function leads to severe learning impairments, we assessed synaptic structure, function, and cellular mechanisms of learning in a novel line of Nhe6 knockout (KO) mice expressing a plasma membrane-tethered green fluorescent protein within hippocampal neurons. We uncovered significant reductions in dendritic spines density, AMPA receptor (AMPAR) expression, and AMPAR-mediated neurotransmission in CA1 pyramidal neurons. The neurons also failed to undergo functional and structural enhancement during long-term potentiation (LTP). Significantly, the selective TrkB agonist 7,8-dihydroxyflavone restored spine density as well as functional and structural LTP in KO neurons. TrkB activation thus may act as a potential clinical intervention to ameliorate cognitive deficits in CS and other neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andy Y L Gao
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Yanis Inglebert
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Roy Shi
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Alina Ilie
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Jelena Popic
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Jamie Mustian
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Nahum Sonenberg
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - John Orlowski
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - R Anne McKinney
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
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4
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Binder MS, Escobar I, Xu Y, Sokolov AM, Zhang L, Bordey A. Reducing Filamin A Restores Cortical Synaptic Connectivity and Early Social Communication Following Cellular Mosaicism in Autism Spectrum Disorder Pathways. J Neurosci 2024; 44:e1245232024. [PMID: 39164108 PMCID: PMC11426378 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1245-23.2024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 08/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Communication in the form of nonverbal, social vocalization, or crying is evolutionary conserved in mammals and is impaired early in human infants that are later diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Defects in infant vocalization have been proposed as an early sign of ASD that may exacerbate ASD development. However, the neural mechanisms associated with early communicative deficits in ASD are not known. Here, we expressed a constitutively active mutant of Rheb (RhebS16H), which is known to upregulate two ASD core pathways, mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) and ERK1/2, in Layer (L) 2/3 pyramidal neurons of the neocortex of mice of either sex. We found that cellular mosaic expression of RhebS16H in L2/3 pyramidal neurons altered the production of isolation calls from neonatal mice. This was accompanied by an expected misplacement of neurons and dendrite overgrowth, along with an unexpected increase in spine density and length, which was associated with increased excitatory synaptic activity. This contrasted with the known decrease in spine density in RhebS16H neurons of 1-month-old mice. Reducing the levels of the actin cross-linking and adaptor protein filamin A (FLNA), known to be increased downstream of ERK1/2, attenuated dendrite overgrowth and fully restored spine properties, synaptic connectivity, and the production of pup isolation calls. These findings suggest that upper-layer cortical pyramidal neurons contribute to communicative deficits in a condition known to affect two core ASD pathways and that these mechanisms are regulated by FLNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew S Binder
- Departments of Neurosurgery, and Cellular & Molecular Physiology, Wu Tsai Institute, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8082
| | - Iris Escobar
- Departments of Neurosurgery, and Cellular & Molecular Physiology, Wu Tsai Institute, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8082
| | - Youfen Xu
- Departments of Neurosurgery, and Cellular & Molecular Physiology, Wu Tsai Institute, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8082
| | - Aidan M Sokolov
- Departments of Neurosurgery, and Cellular & Molecular Physiology, Wu Tsai Institute, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8082
| | - Longbo Zhang
- Departments of Neurosurgery, and Cellular & Molecular Physiology, Wu Tsai Institute, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8082
| | - Angélique Bordey
- Departments of Neurosurgery, and Cellular & Molecular Physiology, Wu Tsai Institute, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8082
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5
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Asad Z, Fakheir Y, Abukhaled Y, Khalil R. Implications of altered pyramidal cell morphology on clinical symptoms of neurodevelopmental disorders. Eur J Neurosci 2024; 60:4877-4892. [PMID: 39054743 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 05/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
The prevalence of pyramidal cells (PCs) in the mammalian cerebral cortex underscore their value as they play a crucial role in various brain functions, ranging from cognition, sensory processing, to motor output. PC morphology significantly influences brain connectivity and plays a critical role in maintaining normal brain function. Pathological alterations to PC morphology are thought to contribute to the aetiology of neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia. This review explores the relationship between abnormalities in PC morphology in key cortical areas and the clinical manifestations in schizophrenia and ASD. We focus largely on human postmortem studies and provide evidence that dendritic segment length, complexity and spine density are differentially affected in these disorders. These morphological alterations can lead to disruptions in cortical connectivity, potentially contributing to the cognitive and behavioural deficits observed in these disorders. Furthermore, we highlight the importance of investigating the functional and structural characteristics of PCs in these disorders to illuminate the underlying pathogenesis and stimulate further research in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zummar Asad
- School of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), Dublin, Ireland
| | - Yara Fakheir
- College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Yara Abukhaled
- College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Reem Khalil
- Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
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6
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Maeda K, Tanimura M, Masago Y, Horiyama T, Takemoto H, Sasaki T, Koyama R, Ikegaya Y, Ogawa K. Development of an in vitro compound screening system that replicate the in vivo spine phenotype of idiopathic ASD model mice. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1455812. [PMID: 39286633 PMCID: PMC11403255 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1455812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 08/19/2024] [Indexed: 09/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental condition characterized by core symptoms including social difficulties, repetitive behaviors, and sensory abnormalities. Aberrant morphology of dendritic spines within the cortex has been documented in genetic disorders associated with ASD and ASD-like traits. We hypothesized that compounds that ameliorate abnormalities in spine dynamics might have the potential to ameliorate core symptoms of ASD. Because the morphology of the spine is influenced by signal inputs from other neurons and various molecular interactions, conventional single-molecule targeted drug discovery methods may not suffice in identifying compounds capable of ameliorating spine morphology abnormalities. In this study, we focused on spine phenotypes in the cortex using BTBR T + Itpr3 tf /J (BTBR) mice, which have been used as a model for idiopathic ASD in various studies. We established an in vitro compound screening system using primary cultured neurons from BTBR mice to faithfully represent the spine phenotype. The compound library mainly comprised substances with known target molecules and established safety profiles, including those approved or validated through human safety studies. Following screening of this specialized library containing 181 compounds, we identified 15 confirmed hit compounds. The molecular targets of these hit compounds were largely focused on the 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor (5-HTR). Furthermore, both 5-HT1AR agonist and 5-HT3R antagonist were common functional profiles in hit compounds. Vortioxetine, possessing dual attributes as a 5-HT1AR agonist and 5-HT3R antagonist, was administered to BTBR mice once daily for a period of 7 days. This intervention not only ameliorated their spine phenotype but also alleviated their social behavior abnormality. These results of vortioxetine supports the usefulness of a spine phenotype-based assay system as a potent drug discovery platform targeting ASD core symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuma Maeda
- Laboratory for Drug Discovery and Disease Research, Shionogi Pharmaceutical Research Center, Shionogi and Co., Ltd., Osaka, Japan
| | - Miki Tanimura
- Laboratory for Drug Discovery and Disease Research, Shionogi Pharmaceutical Research Center, Shionogi and Co., Ltd., Osaka, Japan
| | - Yusaku Masago
- Laboratory for Drug Discovery and Disease Research, Shionogi Pharmaceutical Research Center, Shionogi and Co., Ltd., Osaka, Japan
| | - Tsukasa Horiyama
- Laboratory for Drug Discovery and Disease Research, Shionogi Pharmaceutical Research Center, Shionogi and Co., Ltd., Osaka, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Takemoto
- Laboratory for Drug Discovery and Disease Research, Shionogi Pharmaceutical Research Center, Shionogi and Co., Ltd., Osaka, Japan
| | - Takuya Sasaki
- Laboratory of Chemical Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Ryuta Koyama
- Laboratory of Chemical Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuji Ikegaya
- Laboratory of Chemical Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koichi Ogawa
- Laboratory for Drug Discovery and Disease Research, Shionogi Pharmaceutical Research Center, Shionogi and Co., Ltd., Osaka, Japan
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7
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Schuldt C, Khudayberdiev S, Chandra BD, Linne U, Rust MB. Cyclase-associated protein (CAP) inhibits inverted formin 2 (INF2) to induce dendritic spine maturation. Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:353. [PMID: 39154297 PMCID: PMC11335277 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-024-05393-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 08/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024]
Abstract
The morphology of dendritic spines, the postsynaptic compartment of most excitatory synapses, decisively modulates the function of neuronal circuits as also evident from human brain disorders associated with altered spine density or morphology. Actin filaments (F-actin) form the backbone of spines, and a number of actin-binding proteins (ABP) have been implicated in shaping the cytoskeleton in mature spines. Instead, only little is known about the mechanisms that control the reorganization from unbranched F-actin of immature spines to the complex, highly branched cytoskeleton of mature spines. Here, we demonstrate impaired spine maturation in hippocampal neurons upon genetic inactivation of cyclase-associated protein 1 (CAP1) and CAP2, but not of CAP1 or CAP2 alone. We found a similar spine maturation defect upon overactivation of inverted formin 2 (INF2), a nucleator of unbranched F-actin with hitherto unknown synaptic function. While INF2 overactivation failed in altering spine density or morphology in CAP-deficient neurons, INF2 inactivation largely rescued their spine defects. From our data we conclude that CAPs inhibit INF2 to induce spine maturation. Since we previously showed that CAPs promote cofilin1-mediated cytoskeletal remodeling in mature spines, we identified them as a molecular switch that control transition from filopodia-like to mature spines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cara Schuldt
- Molecular Neurobiology Group, Institute of Physiological Chemistry, Philipps-University of Marburg, 35032, Marburg, Germany
- Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (CMBB), University of Marburg and Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, 35032, Marburg, Germany
| | - Sharof Khudayberdiev
- Molecular Neurobiology Group, Institute of Physiological Chemistry, Philipps-University of Marburg, 35032, Marburg, Germany
- Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (CMBB), University of Marburg and Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, 35032, Marburg, Germany
| | - Ben-David Chandra
- Molecular Neurobiology Group, Institute of Physiological Chemistry, Philipps-University of Marburg, 35032, Marburg, Germany
| | - Uwe Linne
- Department of Chemistry, Philipps-University Marburg, 35032, Marburg, Germany
| | - Marco B Rust
- Molecular Neurobiology Group, Institute of Physiological Chemistry, Philipps-University of Marburg, 35032, Marburg, Germany.
- Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (CMBB), University of Marburg and Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, 35032, Marburg, Germany.
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8
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Thacker JS, Bettio L, Liang S, Shkolnikov I, Collingridge GL, Christie BR. Adiponectin rescues synaptic plasticity in the dentate gyrus of a mouse model of Fragile X Syndrome. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20230221. [PMID: 38853554 PMCID: PMC11343265 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2023.0221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common inherited cause of intellectual disability and is the leading known single-gene cause of autism spectrum disorder. Patients with FXS display varied behavioural deficits that include mild to severe cognitive impairments in addition to mood disorders. Currently, there is no cure for this condition; however, there is an emerging focus on therapies that inhibit mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR)-dependent protein synthesis owing to the clinical effectiveness of metformin for alleviating some behavioural symptoms in FXS. Adiponectin (APN) is a neurohormone that is released by adipocytes and provides an alternative means to inhibit mTOR activation in the brain. In these studies, we show that Fmr1 knockout mice, like patients with FXS, show reduced levels of circulating APN and that both long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD) in the dentate gyrus (DG) are impaired. Brief (20 min) incubation of hippocampal slices in APN (50 nM) was able to rescue both LTP and LTD in the DG and increased both the surface expression and phosphorylation of GluA1 receptors. These results provide evidence for reduced APN levels in FXS playing a role in decreasing bidirectional synaptic plasticity and show that therapies which enhance APN levels may have therapeutic potential for this and related conditions.This article is part of a discussion meeting issue 'Long-term potentiation: 50 years on'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan S. Thacker
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Health System, Toronto, OntarioM5G 1X5, Canada
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, OntarioM5S 1A8, Canada
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British ColumbiaV8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Luis Bettio
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British ColumbiaV8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Stanley Liang
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British ColumbiaV8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Irene Shkolnikov
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British ColumbiaV8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Graham L. Collingridge
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Health System, Toronto, OntarioM5G 1X5, Canada
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, OntarioM5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Brian R. Christie
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British ColumbiaV8P 5C2, Canada
- Island Medical Program, University of British Columbia, Victoria, British ColumbiaV8P 5C2, Canada
- Center for Behavioral Teratology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA92120, USA
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9
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Akhgari A, Michel TM, Vafaee MS. Dendritic spines and their role in the pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental and neurological disorders. Rev Neurosci 2024; 35:489-502. [PMID: 38440811 DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2023-0151] [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: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
Since Cajal introduced dendritic spines in the 19th century, they have attained considerable attention, especially in neuropsychiatric and neurologic disorders. Multiple roles of dendritic spine malfunction and pathology in the progression of various diseases have been reported. Thus, it is inevitable to consider these structures as new therapeutic targets for treating neuropsychiatric and neurologic disorders such as autism spectrum disorders, schizophrenia, dementia, Down syndrome, etc. Therefore, we attempted to prepare a narrative review of the literature regarding the role of dendritic spines in the pathogenesis of aforementioned diseases and to shed new light on their pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aisan Akhgari
- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Golgasht Street, Tabriz 5166616471, Iran
| | - Tanja Maria Michel
- Research Unit for Psychiatry, Odense University Hospital, J. B. Winsløws Vej 4, Odense 5000, Denmark
- Clinical Institute, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, Odense 5230, Denmark
| | - Manouchehr Seyedi Vafaee
- Research Unit for Psychiatry, Odense University Hospital, J. B. Winsløws Vej 4, Odense 5000, Denmark
- Clinical Institute, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, Odense 5230, Denmark
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10
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Kaizuka T, Takumi T. Alteration of synaptic protein composition during developmental synapse maturation. Eur J Neurosci 2024; 59:2894-2914. [PMID: 38571321 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
The postsynaptic density (PSD) is a collection of specialized proteins assembled beneath the postsynaptic membrane of dendritic spines. The PSD proteome comprises ~1000 proteins, including neurotransmitter receptors, scaffolding proteins and signalling enzymes. Many of these proteins have essential roles in synaptic function and plasticity. During brain development, changes are observed in synapse density and in the stability and shape of spines, reflecting the underlying molecular maturation of synapses. Synaptic protein composition changes in terms of protein abundance and the assembly of protein complexes, supercomplexes and the physical organization of the PSD. Here, we summarize the developmental alterations of postsynaptic protein composition during synapse maturation. We describe major PSD proteins involved in postsynaptic signalling that regulates synaptic plasticity and discuss the effect of altered expression of these proteins during development. We consider the abnormality of synaptic profiles and synaptic protein composition in the brain in neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorders. We also explain differences in synapse development between rodents and primates in terms of synaptic profiles and protein composition. Finally, we introduce recent findings related to synaptic diversity and nanoarchitecture and discuss their impact on future research. Synaptic protein composition can be considered a major determinant and marker of synapse maturation in normality and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Kaizuka
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Kobe University School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Toru Takumi
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Kobe University School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
- RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Kobe, Japan
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11
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Curtis MA, Saferin N, Nguyen JH, Imami AS, Ryan WG, Neifer KL, Miller GW, Burkett JP. Developmental pyrethroid exposure in mouse leads to disrupted brain metabolism in adulthood. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.10.13.562226. [PMID: 37961675 PMCID: PMC10634990 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.13.562226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Environmental and genetic risk factors, and their interactions, contribute significantly to the etiology of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). Recent epidemiology studies have implicated pyrethroid pesticides as an environmental risk factor for autism and developmental delay. Our previous research showed that low-dose developmental exposure to the pyrethroid pesticide deltamethrin in mice caused male-biased changes in the brain and in NDD-relevant behaviors in adulthood. Here, we used a metabolomics approach to determine the broadest possible set of metabolic changes in the adult male mouse brain caused by low-dose pyrethroid exposure during development. Using a litter-based design, we exposed mouse dams during pregnancy and lactation to deltamethrin (3 mg/kg or vehicle every 3 days) at a concentration well below the EPA-determined benchmark dose used for regulatory guidance. We raised male offspring to adulthood and collected whole brain samples for untargeted high-resolution metabolomics analysis. Developmentally exposed mice had disruptions in 116 metabolites which clustered into pathways for folate biosynthesis, retinol metabolism, and tryptophan metabolism. As a cross-validation, we integrated metabolomics and transcriptomics data from the same samples, which confirmed previous findings of altered dopamine signaling. These results suggest that pyrethroid exposure during development leads to disruptions in metabolism in the adult brain, which may inform both prevention and therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa A. Curtis
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH 43614
| | - Nilanjana Saferin
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH 43614
| | - Jennifer H. Nguyen
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH 43614
| | - Ali S. Imami
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH 43614
| | - William G. Ryan
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH 43614
| | - Kari L. Neifer
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH 43614
| | - Gary W. Miller
- Department of Environmental Health, Emory Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA 30322
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032 (current)
| | - James P. Burkett
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH 43614
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12
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Ferrer I. Historical review: The golden age of the Golgi method in human neuropathology. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2024; 83:375-395. [PMID: 38622902 DOI: 10.1093/jnen/nlae031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Golgi methods were used to study human neuropathology in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s of the last century. Although a relatively small number of laboratories applied these methods, their impact was crucial by increasing knowledge about: (1) the morphology, orientation, and localization of neurons in human cerebral and cerebellar malformations and ganglionic tumors, and (2) the presence of abnormal structures including large and thin spines (spine dysgenesis) in several disorders linked to mental retardation, focal enlargements of the axon hillock and dendrites (meganeurites) in neuronal storage diseases, growth cone-like appendages in Alzheimer disease, as well as abnormal structures in other dementias. Although there were initial concerns about their reliability, reduced dendritic branches and dendritic spines were identified as common alterations in mental retardation, dementia, and other pathological conditions. Similar observations in appropriate experimental models have supported many abnormalities that were first identified using Golgi methods in human material. Moreover, electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, fluorescent tracers, and combined methods have proven the accuracy of pioneering observations uniquely visualized as 3D images of fully stained individual neurons. Although Golgi methods had their golden age many years ago, these methods may still be useful complementary tools in human neuropathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isidro Ferrer
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Barcelona, Hospitalet de LLobregat, Spain
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13
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Bach SV, Bauman AJ, Hosein D, Tuscher JJ, Ianov L, Greathouse KM, Henderson BW, Herskowitz JH, Martinowich K, Day JJ. Distinct roles of Bdnf I and Bdnf IV transcript variant expression in hippocampal neurons. Hippocampus 2024; 34:218-229. [PMID: 38362938 PMCID: PMC11039386 DOI: 10.1002/hipo.23600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf) plays a critical role in brain development, dendritic growth, synaptic plasticity, as well as learning and memory. The rodent Bdnf gene contains nine 5' non-coding exons (I-IXa), which are spliced to a common 3' coding exon (IX). Transcription of individual Bdnf variants, which all encode the same BDNF protein, is initiated at unique promoters upstream of each non-coding exon, enabling precise spatiotemporal and activity-dependent regulation of Bdnf expression. Although prior evidence suggests that Bdnf transcripts containing exon I (Bdnf I) or exon IV (Bdnf IV) are uniquely regulated by neuronal activity, the functional significance of different Bdnf transcript variants remains unclear. To investigate functional roles of activity-dependent Bdnf I and IV transcripts, we used a CRISPR activation system in which catalytically dead Cas9 fused to a transcriptional activator (VPR) is targeted to individual Bdnf promoters with single guide RNAs, resulting in transcript-specific Bdnf upregulation. Bdnf I upregulation is associated with gene expression changes linked to dendritic growth, while Bdnf IV upregulation is associated with genes that regulate protein catabolism. Upregulation of Bdnf I, but not Bdnf IV, increased mushroom spine density, volume, length, and head diameter, and also produced more complex dendritic arbors in cultured rat hippocampal neurons. In contrast, upregulation of Bdnf IV, but not Bdnf I, in the rat hippocampus attenuated contextual fear expression. Our data suggest that while Bdnf I and IV are both activity-dependent, BDNF produced from these promoters may serve unique cellular, synaptic, and behavioral functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svitlana V. Bach
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
- The Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Allison J. Bauman
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Darya Hosein
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Jennifer J. Tuscher
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Lara Ianov
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
- Civitan International Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Kelsey M. Greathouse
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Benjamin W. Henderson
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Jeremy H. Herskowitz
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Keri Martinowich
- The Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Jeremy J. Day
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
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14
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Deng L, Jiang H, Lin J, Xu D, Qi A, Guo Q, Li PP, Wang X, Liu JS, Fu X, Li P. Clock knockout in inhibitory neurons reduces predisposition to epilepsy and influences anxiety-like behaviors in mice. Neurobiol Dis 2024; 193:106457. [PMID: 38423191 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2024.106457] [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: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy is a brain disorder affecting up to 1 in 26 individuals. Despite its clinical importance, the molecular mechanisms of epileptogenesis are still far from clarified. Our previous study showed that disruption of Clock in excitatory neurons alters cortical circuits and leads to generation of focal epilepsy. In this study, a GAD-Cre;Clockflox/flox mouse line with conditional Clock gene knockout in inhibitory neurons was established. We observed that seizure latency was prolonged, the severity and mortality of pilocarpine-induced seizure were significantly reduced, and memory was improved in GAD-Cre;Clockflox/flox mice. We hypothesize that mice with CLOCK knockout in inhibitory neurons have increased threshold for seizure, opposite from mice with CLOCK knockout in excitatory neurons. Further investigation showed Clock knockout in inhibitory neurons upregulated the basal protein level of ARC, a synaptic plasticity-associated immediate-early gene product, likely through the BDNF-ERK pathway. Altered basal levels of ARC may play an important role in epileptogenesis after Clock deletion in inhibitory neurons. Although sEPSCs and intrinsic properties of layer 5 pyramidal neurons in the somatosensory cortex exhibit no changes, the spine density increased in apical dendrite of pyramidal neurons in CLOCK knockout group. Our results suggest an underlying mechanism by which the circadian protein CLOCK in inhibitory neurons participates in neuronal activity and regulates the predisposition to epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Deng
- Department of Geriatrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Hong Jiang
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jingjing Lin
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Di Xu
- Department of Geriatrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Ailin Qi
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qing Guo
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ping-Ping Li
- Department of Neonatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Xinshi Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Shangcai Village, Ouhai District, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Judy S Liu
- Department of Neurology, Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI 02903, USA.
| | - Xiaoqin Fu
- Department of Neonatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang Province, China.
| | - Peijun Li
- Department of Geriatrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang Province, China; Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang, China; Institute of Brain Science and Brain-inspired Research, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, 250117, Jinan, Shandong, China.
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15
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Nguyen JH, Curtis MA, Imami AS, Ryan WG, Alganem K, Neifer KL, Saferin N, Nawor CN, Kistler BP, Miller GW, Shukla R, McCullumsmith RE, Burkett JP. Developmental pyrethroid exposure disrupts molecular pathways for MAP kinase and circadian rhythms in mouse brain. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.08.28.555113. [PMID: 37745438 PMCID: PMC10515776 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.28.555113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are a category of pervasive disorders of the developing nervous system with few or no recognized biomarkers. A significant portion of the risk for NDDs, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), is contributed by the environment, and exposure to pyrethroid pesticides during pregnancy has been identified as a potential risk factor for NDD in the unborn child. We recently showed that low-dose developmental exposure to the pyrethroid pesticide deltamethrin in mice causes male-biased changes to ADHD- and NDD-relevant behaviors as well as the striatal dopamine system. Here, we used an integrated multiomics approach to determine the broadest possible set of biological changes in the mouse brain caused by developmental pyrethroid exposure (DPE). Using a litter-based, split-sample design, we exposed mouse dams during pregnancy and lactation to deltamethrin (3 mg/kg or vehicle every 3 days) at a concentration well below the EPA-determined benchmark dose used for regulatory guidance. We raised male offspring to adulthood, euthanized them, and pulverized and divided whole brain samples for split-sample transcriptomics, kinomics and multiomics integration. Transcriptome analysis revealed alterations to multiple canonical clock genes, and kinome analysis revealed changes in the activity of multiple kinases involved in synaptic plasticity, including the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase ERK. Multiomics integration revealed a dysregulated protein-protein interaction network containing primary clusters for MAP kinase cascades, regulation of apoptosis, and synaptic function. These results demonstrate that DPE causes a multi-modal biophenotype in the brain relevant to ADHD and identifies new potential mechanisms of action. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Here, we provide the first evidence that low-dose developmental exposure to the pyrethroid pesticide, deltamethrin, results in molecular disruptions in the adult mouse brain in pathways regulating circadian rhythms and neuronal growth (MAP kinase). This same exposure causes a neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD) relevant behavioral changes in adult mice, making these findings relevant to the prevention of NDDs.
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16
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Tian Y, Yu F, Yun E, Lin JW, Man HY. mRNA nuclear retention reduces AMPAR expression and promotes autistic behavior in UBE3A-overexpressing mice. EMBO Rep 2024; 25:1282-1309. [PMID: 38316900 PMCID: PMC10933332 DOI: 10.1038/s44319-024-00073-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
UBE3A is a common genetic factor in ASD etiology, and transgenic mice overexpressing UBE3A exhibit typical autistic-like behaviors. Because AMPA receptors (AMPARs) mediate most of the excitatory synaptic transmission in the brain, and synaptic dysregulation is considered one of the primary cellular mechanisms in ASD pathology, we investigate here the involvement of AMPARs in UBE3A-dependent ASD. We show that expression of the AMPAR GluA1 subunit is decreased in UBE3A-overexpressing mice, and that AMPAR-mediated neuronal activity is reduced. GluA1 mRNA is trapped in the nucleus of UBE3A-overexpressing neurons, suppressing GluA1 protein synthesis. Also, SARNP, an mRNA nuclear export protein, is downregulated in UBE3A-overexpressing neurons, causing GluA1 mRNA nuclear retention. Restoring SARNP levels not only rescues GluA1 mRNA localization and protein expression, but also normalizes neuronal activity and autistic behaviors in mice overexpressing UBE3A. These findings indicate that SARNP plays a crucial role in the cellular and behavioral phenotypes of UBE3A-induced ASD by regulating nuclear mRNA trafficking and protein translation of a key AMPAR subunit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Tian
- Department of Biology, Boston University, 5 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Feiyuan Yu
- Department of Biology, Boston University, 5 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Eunice Yun
- Department of Biology, Boston University, 5 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Jen-Wei Lin
- Department of Biology, Boston University, 5 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Heng-Ye Man
- Department of Biology, Boston University, 5 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics, Boston University School of Medicine, 72 East Concord Street, Boston, MA, 02118, USA.
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Boston University, 610 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
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17
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Bai I, Keyser C, Zhang Z, Rosolia B, Hwang JY, Zukin RS, Yan J. Epigenetic regulation of autophagy in neuroinflammation and synaptic plasticity. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1322842. [PMID: 38455054 PMCID: PMC10918468 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1322842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Autophagy is a conserved cellular mechanism that enables the degradation and recycling of cellular organelles and proteins via the lysosomal pathway. In neurodevelopment and maintenance of neuronal homeostasis, autophagy is required to regulate presynaptic functions, synapse remodeling, and synaptic plasticity. Deficiency of autophagy has been shown to underlie the synaptic and behavioral deficits of many neurological diseases such as autism, psychiatric diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders. Recent evidence reveals that dysregulated autophagy plays an important role in the initiation and progression of neuroinflammation, a common pathological feature in many neurological disorders leading to defective synaptic morphology and plasticity. In this review, we will discuss the regulation of autophagy and its effects on synapses and neuroinflammation, with emphasis on how autophagy is regulated by epigenetic mechanisms under healthy and diseased conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaac Bai
- Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease, Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Cameron Keyser
- Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease, Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Ziyan Zhang
- Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease, Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Breandan Rosolia
- Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease, Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Jee-Yeon Hwang
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - R. Suzanne Zukin
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Jingqi Yan
- Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease, Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH, United States
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18
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Frederiksen SD, Wicki-Stordeur LE, Swayne LA. Overlap in synaptic neurological condition susceptibility pathways and the neural pannexin 1 interactome revealed by bioinformatics analyses. Channels (Austin) 2023; 17:2253102. [PMID: 37807670 PMCID: PMC10563626 DOI: 10.1080/19336950.2023.2253102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Many neurological conditions exhibit synaptic impairments, suggesting mechanistic convergence. Additionally, the pannexin 1 (PANX1) channel and signaling scaffold is linked to several of these neurological conditions and is an emerging regulator of synaptic development and plasticity; however, its synaptic pathogenic contributions are relatively unexplored. To this end, we explored connections between synaptic neurodevelopmental disorder and neurodegenerative disease susceptibility genes discovered by genome-wide association studies (GWASs), and the neural PANX1 interactome (483 proteins) identified from mouse Neuro2a (N2a) cells. To identify shared susceptibility genes, we compared synaptic suggestive GWAS candidate genes amongst autism spectrum disorders, schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease. To further probe PANX1 signaling pathways at the synapse, we used bioinformatics tools to identify PANX1 interactome signaling pathways and protein-protein interaction clusters. To shed light on synaptic disease mechanisms potentially linking PANX1 and these four neurological conditions, we performed additional cross-analyses between gene ontologies enriched for the PANX1 synaptic and disease-susceptibility gene sets. Finally, to explore the regional specificity of synaptic PANX1-neurological condition connections, we identified brain region-specific elevations of synaptic PANX1 interactome and GWAS candidate gene set transcripts. Our results confirm considerable overlap in risk genes for autism spectrum disorders and schizophrenia and identify potential commonalities in genetic susceptibility for neurodevelopmental disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. Our findings also pinpointed novel putative PANX1 links to synaptic disease-associated pathways, such as regulation of vesicular trafficking and proteostasis, warranting further validation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Leigh Anne Swayne
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
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19
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Lee JY, Jeong EA, Lee J, Shin HJ, Lee SJ, An HS, Kim KE, Kim WH, Bae YC, Kang H, Roh GS. TonEBP Haploinsufficiency Attenuates Microglial Activation and Memory Deficits in Middle-Aged and Amyloid β Oligomer-Treated Mice. Cells 2023; 12:2612. [PMID: 37998347 PMCID: PMC10670066 DOI: 10.3390/cells12222612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Age-related microglial activation is associated with cognitive impairment. Tonicity-responsive enhancer-binding protein (TonEBP) is a critical mediator of microglial activation in response to neuroinflammation. However, the precise role of TonEBP in the middle-aged brain is not yet known. We used TonEBP haploinsufficient mice to investigate the role of TonEBP in middle-aged or amyloid β oligomer (AβO)-injected brains and examined the effect of TonEBP knockdown on AβO-treated BV2 microglial cells. Consistent with an increase in microglial activation with aging, hippocampal TonEBP expression levels were increased in middle-aged (12-month-old) and old (24-month-old) mice compared with young (6-month-old) mice. Middle-aged TonEBP haploinsufficient mice showed reduced microglial activation and fewer memory deficits than wild-type mice. Electron microscopy revealed that synaptic pruning by microglial processes was reduced by TonEBP haploinsufficiency. TonEBP haploinsufficiency also reduced dendritic spine loss and improved memory deficits in AβO-treated mice. Furthermore, TonEBP knockdown attenuated migration and phagocytosis in AβO-treated BV2 cells. These findings suggest that TonEBP plays important roles in age-related microglial activation and memory deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jong Youl Lee
- Department of Anatomy and Convergence Medical Science, College of Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52727, Republic of Korea; (J.Y.L.); (E.A.J.); (J.L.); (H.J.S.); (S.J.L.); (H.S.A.); (K.E.K.)
- Division of Cardiovascular Disease Research, Department of Chronic Disease Convergence Research, Korea National Institute of Health, Cheongju 28159, Republic of Korea;
| | - Eun Ae Jeong
- Department of Anatomy and Convergence Medical Science, College of Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52727, Republic of Korea; (J.Y.L.); (E.A.J.); (J.L.); (H.J.S.); (S.J.L.); (H.S.A.); (K.E.K.)
| | - Jaewoong Lee
- Department of Anatomy and Convergence Medical Science, College of Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52727, Republic of Korea; (J.Y.L.); (E.A.J.); (J.L.); (H.J.S.); (S.J.L.); (H.S.A.); (K.E.K.)
| | - Hyun Joo Shin
- Department of Anatomy and Convergence Medical Science, College of Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52727, Republic of Korea; (J.Y.L.); (E.A.J.); (J.L.); (H.J.S.); (S.J.L.); (H.S.A.); (K.E.K.)
| | - So Jeong Lee
- Department of Anatomy and Convergence Medical Science, College of Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52727, Republic of Korea; (J.Y.L.); (E.A.J.); (J.L.); (H.J.S.); (S.J.L.); (H.S.A.); (K.E.K.)
| | - Hyeong Seok An
- Department of Anatomy and Convergence Medical Science, College of Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52727, Republic of Korea; (J.Y.L.); (E.A.J.); (J.L.); (H.J.S.); (S.J.L.); (H.S.A.); (K.E.K.)
| | - Kyung Eun Kim
- Department of Anatomy and Convergence Medical Science, College of Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52727, Republic of Korea; (J.Y.L.); (E.A.J.); (J.L.); (H.J.S.); (S.J.L.); (H.S.A.); (K.E.K.)
| | - Won-Ho Kim
- Division of Cardiovascular Disease Research, Department of Chronic Disease Convergence Research, Korea National Institute of Health, Cheongju 28159, Republic of Korea;
| | - Yong Chul Bae
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Dentistry, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41944, Republic of Korea;
| | - Heeyoung Kang
- Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52727, Republic of Korea;
| | - Gu Seob Roh
- Department of Anatomy and Convergence Medical Science, College of Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52727, Republic of Korea; (J.Y.L.); (E.A.J.); (J.L.); (H.J.S.); (S.J.L.); (H.S.A.); (K.E.K.)
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20
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Tat L, Cannizzaro N, Schaaf Z, Racherla S, Bottiglieri T, Green R, Zarbalis KS. Prenatal folic acid and vitamin B 12 imbalance alter neuronal morphology and synaptic density in the mouse neocortex. Commun Biol 2023; 6:1133. [PMID: 37938221 PMCID: PMC10632462 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05492-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous reports have provided evidence that insufficient or excessive maternal folic acid (FA) intake during pregnancy can alter neurodevelopment of the offspring by modulating prenatal neurogenesis. Furthermore, our earlier work in a mouse model confirmed long-term structural changes at the cellular level of either deficient or excessive FA supply by comparably reducing dendritic arborization of cortical projection neurons. Here, we report that excessive amounts of FA decrease arborization of deep layer projection neurons, but not upper layer neurons and that reduced complexity of deep layer neurons is not observed when folic acid is replaced by folinic acid, a stable reduced form of folate. In addition, deficiency of B12, a vitamin that critically regulates folate metabolism, causes even more marked decreases in neuronal arborization in both deep and upper layer neurons and particularly in combination with FA excess. Furthermore, both FA excess and B12 deficiency affect synaptic density and morphology. Our findings point to neurodevelopmental risks associated with insufficient amounts of prenatal B12, particularly in association with high levels of FA intake, suggesting that the neurodevelopmental program is sensitive to an imbalance in the status of these interacting micronutrients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lyvin Tat
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, 95817, USA
| | - Noemi Cannizzaro
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, 95817, USA
| | - Zachary Schaaf
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, 95817, USA
| | - Shailaja Racherla
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, 95817, USA
| | - Teodoro Bottiglieri
- Baylor Scott & White Research Institute, Center of Metabolomics, 3434 Live Oak, Dallas, TX, 75204, USA
| | - Ralph Green
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, 95817, USA.
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Northern California, 2425 Stockton Boulevard, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.
| | - Konstantinos S Zarbalis
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, 95817, USA.
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Northern California, 2425 Stockton Boulevard, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.
- MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, CA, 95817, USA.
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21
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Murphy KE, Duncan B, Sperringer JE, Zhang E, Haberman V, Wyatt EV, Maness P. Ankyrin B promotes developmental spine regulation in the mouse prefrontal cortex. Cereb Cortex 2023; 33:10634-10648. [PMID: 37642601 PMCID: PMC10560577 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhad311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Postnatal regulation of dendritic spine formation and refinement in cortical pyramidal neurons is critical for excitatory/inhibitory balance in neocortical networks. Recent studies have identified a selective spine pruning mechanism in the mouse prefrontal cortex mediated by class 3 Semaphorins and the L1 cell adhesion molecules, neuron-glia related cell adhesion molecule, Close Homolog of L1, and L1. L1 cell adhesion molecules bind Ankyrin B, an actin-spectrin adaptor encoded by Ankyrin2, a high-confidence gene for autism spectrum disorder. In a new inducible mouse model (Nex1Cre-ERT2: Ank2flox: RCE), Ankyrin2 deletion in early postnatal pyramidal neurons increased spine density on apical dendrites in prefrontal cortex layer 2/3 of homozygous and heterozygous Ankyrin2-deficient mice. In contrast, Ankyrin2 deletion in adulthood had no effect on spine density. Sema3F-induced spine pruning was impaired in cortical neuron cultures from Ankyrin B-null mice and was rescued by re-expression of the 220 kDa Ankyrin B isoform but not 440 kDa Ankyrin B. Ankyrin B bound to neuron-glia related CAM at a cytoplasmic domain motif (FIGQY1231), and mutation to FIGQH inhibited binding, impairing Sema3F-induced spine pruning in neuronal cultures. Identification of a novel function for Ankyrin B in dendritic spine regulation provides insight into cortical circuit development, as well as potential molecular deficiencies in autism spectrum disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey E Murphy
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina School of Medicine at Chapel Hill, Campus Box 7260, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, United States
| | - Bryce Duncan
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina School of Medicine at Chapel Hill, Campus Box 7260, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, United States
| | - Justin E Sperringer
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina School of Medicine at Chapel Hill, Campus Box 7260, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, United States
| | - Erin Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina School of Medicine at Chapel Hill, Campus Box 7260, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, United States
| | - Victoria Haberman
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina School of Medicine at Chapel Hill, Campus Box 7260, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, United States
| | - Elliott V Wyatt
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina School of Medicine at Chapel Hill, Campus Box 7260, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, United States
| | - Patricia Maness
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina School of Medicine at Chapel Hill, Campus Box 7260, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, United States
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Pascual-Alonso A, Xiol C, Smirnov D, Kopajtich R, Prokisch H, Armstrong J. Identification of molecular signatures and pathways involved in Rett syndrome using a multi-omics approach. Hum Genomics 2023; 17:85. [PMID: 37710353 PMCID: PMC10503149 DOI: 10.1186/s40246-023-00532-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder mainly caused by mutations in the methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 gene (MECP2). MeCP2 is a multi-functional protein involved in many cellular processes, but the mechanisms by which its dysfunction causes disease are not fully understood. The duplication of the MECP2 gene causes a distinct disorder called MECP2 duplication syndrome (MDS), highlighting the importance of tightly regulating its dosage for proper cellular function. Additionally, some patients with mutations in genes other than MECP2 exhibit phenotypic similarities with RTT, indicating that these genes may also play a role in similar cellular functions. The purpose of this study was to characterise the molecular alterations in patients with RTT in order to identify potential biomarkers or therapeutic targets for this disorder. METHODS We used a combination of transcriptomics (RNAseq) and proteomics (TMT mass spectrometry) to characterise the expression patterns in fibroblast cell lines from 22 patients with RTT and detected mutation in MECP2, 15 patients with MDS, 12 patients with RTT-like phenotypes and 13 healthy controls. Transcriptomics and proteomics data were used to identify differentially expressed genes at both RNA and protein levels, which were further inspected via enrichment and upstream regulator analyses and compared to find shared features in patients with RTT. RESULTS We identified molecular alterations in cellular functions and pathways that may contribute to the disease phenotype in patients with RTT, such as deregulated cytoskeletal components, vesicular transport elements, ribosomal subunits and mRNA processing machinery. We also compared RTT expression profiles with those of MDS seeking changes in opposite directions that could lead to the identification of MeCP2 direct targets. Some of the deregulated transcripts and proteins were consistently affected in patients with RTT-like phenotypes, revealing potentially relevant molecular processes in patients with overlapping traits and different genetic aetiology. CONCLUSIONS The integration of data in a multi-omics analysis has helped to interpret the molecular consequences of MECP2 dysfunction, contributing to the characterisation of the molecular landscape in patients with RTT. The comparison with MDS provides knowledge of MeCP2 direct targets, whilst the correlation with RTT-like phenotypes highlights processes potentially contributing to the pathomechanism leading these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ainhoa Pascual-Alonso
- Fundació Per La Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Clara Xiol
- Fundació Per La Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Dmitrii Smirnov
- Institute of Human Genetics, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Neurogenomics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
| | - Robert Kopajtich
- Institute of Human Genetics, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Neurogenomics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
| | - Holger Prokisch
- Institute of Human Genetics, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Neurogenomics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
| | - Judith Armstrong
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain.
- CIBER-ER (Biomedical Network Research Center for Rare Diseases), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain.
- Genomic Unit, Molecular and Genetic Medicine Section, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain.
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23
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Murphy KE, Duncan BW, Sperringer JE, Zhang EY, Haberman VA, Wyatt EV, Maness PF. Ankyrin B Promotes Developmental Spine Regulation in the Mouse Prefrontal Cortex. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.11.548527. [PMID: 37503187 PMCID: PMC10369899 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.11.548527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Postnatal regulation of dendritic spine formation and refinement in cortical pyramidal neurons is critical for excitatory/inhibitory balance in neocortical networks. Recent studies have identified a selective spine pruning mechanism in the mouse prefrontal cortex (PFC) mediated by class 3 Semaphorins and the L1-CAM cell adhesion molecules Neuron-glia related CAM (NrCAM), Close Homolog of L1 (CHL1), and L1. L1-CAMs bind Ankyrin B (AnkB), an actin-spectrin adaptor encoded by Ankyrin2 ( ANK2 ), a high confidence gene for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In a new inducible mouse model (Nex1Cre-ERT2: Ank2 flox : RCE), Ank2 deletion in early postnatal pyramidal neurons increased spine density on apical dendrites in PFC layer 2/3 of homozygous and heterozygous Ank2 -deficient mice. In contrast, Ank2 deletion in adulthood had no effect on spine density. Sema3F-induced spine pruning was impaired in cortical neuron cultures from AnkB-null mice and was rescued by re-expression of the 220 kDa AnkB isoform but not 440 kDa AnkB. AnkB bound to NrCAM at a cytoplasmic domain motif (FIGQY 1231 ), and mutation to FIGQH inhibited binding, impairing Sema3F-induced spine pruning in neuronal cultures. Identification of a novel function for AnkB in dendritic spine regulation provides insight into cortical circuit development, as well as potential molecular deficiencies in ASD.
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Bach SV, Bauman AJ, Hosein D, Tuscher JJ, Ianov L, Greathouse KM, Henderson BW, Herskowitz JH, Martinowich K, Day JJ. Distinct roles of Bdnf I and Bdnf IV transcript variant expression in hippocampal neurons. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.05.535694. [PMID: 37066216 PMCID: PMC10104043 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.05.535694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/27/2023]
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf) plays a critical role in brain development, dendritic growth, synaptic plasticity, as well as learning and memory. The rodent Bdnf gene contains nine 5' non-coding exons (I-IXa), which are spliced to a common 3' coding exon (IX). Transcription of individual Bdnf variants, which all encode the same BDNF protein, is initiated at unique promoters upstream of each non-coding exon, enabling precise spatiotemporal and activity-dependent regulation of Bdnf expression. Although prior evidence suggests that Bdnf transcripts containing exon I (Bdnf I) or exon IV (Bdnf IV) are uniquely regulated by neuronal activity, the functional significance of different Bdnf transcript variants remains unclear. To investigate functional roles of activity-dependent Bdnf I and IV transcripts, we used a CRISPR activation (CRISPRa) system in which catalytically-dead Cas9 (dCas9) fused to a transcriptional activator (VPR) is targeted to individual Bdnf promoters with single guide RNAs (sgRNAs), resulting in transcript-specific Bdnf upregulation. Bdnf I upregulation is associated with gene expression changes linked to dendritic growth, while Bdnf IV upregulation is associated with genes that regulate protein catabolism. Upregulation of Bdnf I, but not Bdnf IV, increased mushroom spine density, volume, length, and head diameter, and also produced more complex dendritic arbors in cultured rat hippocampal neurons. In contrast, upregulation of Bdnf IV, but not Bdnf I, in the rat hippocampus attenuated contextual fear expression. Our data suggest that while Bdnf I and IV are both activity-dependent, BDNF produced from these promoters may serve unique cellular, synaptic, and behavioral functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svitlana V. Bach
- The Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Allison J. Bauman
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Darya Hosein
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Jennifer J. Tuscher
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Lara Ianov
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
- Civitan International Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Kelsey M. Greathouse
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Benjamin W. Henderson
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Jeremy H. Herskowitz
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Keri Martinowich
- The Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Jeremy J. Day
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
- Civitan International Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
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25
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Murphy KE, Wade SD, Sperringer JE, Mohan V, Duncan BW, Zhang EY, Pak Y, Lutz D, Schachner M, Maness PF. The L1 cell adhesion molecule constrains dendritic spine density in pyramidal neurons of the mouse cerebral cortex. Front Neuroanat 2023; 17:1111525. [PMID: 37007644 PMCID: PMC10062527 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2023.1111525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
A novel function for the L1 cell adhesion molecule, which binds the actin adaptor protein Ankyrin was identified in constraining dendritic spine density on pyramidal neurons in the mouse neocortex. In an L1-null mouse mutant increased spine density was observed on apical but not basal dendrites of pyramidal neurons in diverse cortical areas (prefrontal cortex layer 2/3, motor cortex layer 5, visual cortex layer 4. The Ankyrin binding motif (FIGQY) in the L1 cytoplasmic domain was critical for spine regulation, as demonstrated by increased spine density and altered spine morphology in the prefrontal cortex of a mouse knock-in mutant (L1YH) harboring a tyrosine (Y) to histidine (H) mutation in the FIGQY motif, which disrupted L1-Ankyrin association. This mutation is a known variant in the human L1 syndrome of intellectual disability. L1 was localized by immunofluorescence staining to spine heads and dendrites of cortical pyramidal neurons. L1 coimmunoprecipitated with Ankyrin B (220 kDa isoform) from lysates of wild type but not L1YH forebrain. This study provides insight into the molecular mechanism of spine regulation and underscores the potential for this adhesion molecule to regulate cognitive and other L1-related functions that are abnormal in the L1 syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey E. Murphy
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina School of Medicine at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Carolina Institute of Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina School of Medicine at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Sarah D. Wade
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina School of Medicine at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Carolina Institute of Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina School of Medicine at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Justin E. Sperringer
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina School of Medicine at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Carolina Institute of Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina School of Medicine at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Vishwa Mohan
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina School of Medicine at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Carolina Institute of Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina School of Medicine at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Bryce W. Duncan
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina School of Medicine at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Carolina Institute of Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina School of Medicine at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Erin Y. Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina School of Medicine at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Carolina Institute of Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina School of Medicine at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Yubin Pak
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina School of Medicine at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Carolina Institute of Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina School of Medicine at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - David Lutz
- Division of Neuroanatomy and Molecular Brain Research, Ruhr University-Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Melitta Schachner
- Keck Center for Collaborative Neuroscience and Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscatawy, NJ, United States
| | - Patricia F. Maness
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina School of Medicine at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Carolina Institute of Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina School of Medicine at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- *Correspondence: Patricia F. Maness
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Arizono M, Idziak A, Quici F, Nägerl UV. Getting sharper: the brain under the spotlight of super-resolution microscopy. Trends Cell Biol 2023; 33:148-161. [PMID: 35906123 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2022.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 06/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Brain cells such as neurons and astrocytes exhibit an extremely elaborate morphology, and their functional specializations like synapses and glial processes often fall below the resolution limit of conventional light microscopy. This is a huge obstacle for neurobiologists because the nanoarchitecture critically shapes fundamental functions like synaptic transmission and Ca2+ signaling. Super-resolution microscopy can overcome this problem, offering the chance to visualize the structural and molecular organization of brain cells in a living and dynamic tissue context, unlike traditional methods like electron microscopy or atomic force microscopy. This review covers the basic principles of the main super-resolution microscopy techniques in use today and explains how their specific strengths can illuminate the nanoscale mechanisms that govern brain physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Misa Arizono
- Interdisciplinary Institute for Neuroscience, University of Bordeaux and CNRS, Bordeaux, France; Department of Pharmacology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Agata Idziak
- Interdisciplinary Institute for Neuroscience, University of Bordeaux and CNRS, Bordeaux, France
| | - Federica Quici
- Interdisciplinary Institute for Neuroscience, University of Bordeaux and CNRS, Bordeaux, France
| | - U Valentin Nägerl
- Interdisciplinary Institute for Neuroscience, University of Bordeaux and CNRS, Bordeaux, France.
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27
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KASAI H. Unraveling the mysteries of dendritic spine dynamics: Five key principles shaping memory and cognition. PROCEEDINGS OF THE JAPAN ACADEMY. SERIES B, PHYSICAL AND BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES 2023; 99:254-305. [PMID: 37821392 PMCID: PMC10749395 DOI: 10.2183/pjab.99.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Recent research extends our understanding of brain processes beyond just action potentials and chemical transmissions within neural circuits, emphasizing the mechanical forces generated by excitatory synapses on dendritic spines to modulate presynaptic function. From in vivo and in vitro studies, we outline five central principles of synaptic mechanics in brain function: P1: Stability - Underpinning the integral relationship between the structure and function of the spine synapses. P2: Extrinsic dynamics - Highlighting synapse-selective structural plasticity which plays a crucial role in Hebbian associative learning, distinct from pathway-selective long-term potentiation (LTP) and depression (LTD). P3: Neuromodulation - Analyzing the role of G-protein-coupled receptors, particularly dopamine receptors, in time-sensitive modulation of associative learning frameworks such as Pavlovian classical conditioning and Thorndike's reinforcement learning (RL). P4: Instability - Addressing the intrinsic dynamics crucial to memory management during continual learning, spotlighting their role in "spine dysgenesis" associated with mental disorders. P5: Mechanics - Exploring how synaptic mechanics influence both sides of synapses to establish structural traces of short- and long-term memory, thereby aiding the integration of mental functions. We also delve into the historical background and foresee impending challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haruo KASAI
- International Research Center for Neurointelligence (WPI-IRCN), UTIAS, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- Laboratory of Structural Physiology, Center for Disease Biology and Integrative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
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Haploinsufficiency of Shank3 increases the orientation selectivity of V1 neurons. Sci Rep 2022; 12:22230. [PMID: 36564435 PMCID: PMC9789112 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-26402-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder whose hallmarks are social deficits, language impairment, repetitive behaviors, and sensory alterations. It has been reported that patients with ASD show differential activity in cortical regions, for instance, increased neuronal activity in visual processing brain areas and atypical visual perception compared with healthy subjects. The causes of these alterations remain unclear, although many studies demonstrate that ASD has a strong genetic correlation. An example is Phelan-McDermid syndrome, caused by a deletion of the Shank3 gene in one allele of chromosome 22. However, the neuronal consequences relating to the haploinsufficiency of Shank3 in the brain remain unknown. Given that sensory abnormalities are often present along with the core symptoms of ASD, our goal was to study the tuning properties of the primary visual cortex to orientation and direction in awake, head-fixed Shank3+/- mice. We recorded neural activity in vivo in response to visual gratings in the primary visual cortex from a mouse model of ASD (Shank3+/- mice) using the genetically encoded calcium indicator GCaMP6f, imaged with a two-photon microscope through a cranial window. We found that Shank3+/- mice showed a higher proportion of neurons responsive to drifting gratings stimuli than wild-type mice. Shank3+/- mice also show increased responses to some specific stimuli. Furthermore, analyzing the distributions of neurons for the tuning width, we found that Shank3+/- mice have narrower tuning widths, which was corroborated by analyzing the orientation selectivity. Regarding this, Shank3+/- mice have a higher proportion of selective neurons, specifically neurons showing increased selectivity to orientation but not direction. Thus, the haploinsufficiency of Shank3 modified the neuronal response of the primary visual cortex.
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29
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Litwa K. Shared mechanisms of neural circuit disruption in tuberous sclerosis across lifespan: Bridging neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative pathology. Front Genet 2022; 13:997461. [PMID: 36506334 PMCID: PMC9732432 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.997461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Tuberous Sclerosis (TS) is a rare genetic disorder manifesting with multiple benign tumors impacting the function of vital organs. In TS patients, dominant negative mutations in TSC1 or TSC2 increase mTORC1 activity. Increased mTORC1 activity drives tumor formation, but also severely impacts central nervous system function, resulting in infantile seizures, intractable epilepsy, and TS-associated neuropsychiatric disorders, including autism, attention deficits, intellectual disability, and mood disorders. More recently, TS has also been linked with frontotemporal dementia. In addition to TS, accumulating evidence implicates increased mTORC1 activity in the pathology of other neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. Thus, TS provides a unique disease model to address whether developmental neural circuit abnormalities promote age-related neurodegeneration, while also providing insight into the therapeutic potential of mTORC1 inhibitors for both developing and degenerating neural circuits. In the following review, we explore the ability of both mouse and human brain organoid models to capture TS pathology, elucidate disease mechanisms, and shed light on how neurodevelopmental alterations may later contribute to age-related neurodegeneration.
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30
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Deficits in Cerebellum-Dependent Learning and Cerebellar Morphology in Male and Female BTBR Autism Model Mice. NEUROSCI 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/neurosci3040045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, there has been increased interest in the role of the cerebellum in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). To better understand the pathophysiological role of the cerebellum in ASD, it is necessary to have a variety of mouse models that have face validity for cerebellar disruption in humans. Here, we add to the literature on the cerebellum in mouse models of autism with the characterization of the cerebellum in the idiopathic BTBR T + Itpr3tf/J (BTBR) inbred mouse strain, which has behavioral phenotypes that are reminiscent of ASD in patients. When we examined both male and female BTBR mice in comparison to C57BL/6J (C57) controls, we noted that both sexes of BTBR mice showed motor coordination deficits characteristic of cerebellar dysfunction, but only the male mice showed differences in delay eyeblink conditioning, a cerebellum-dependent learning task that is known to be disrupted in ASD patients. Both male and female BTBR mice showed considerable expansion of, and abnormal foliation in, the cerebellum vermis—including a significant expansion of specific lobules in the anterior cerebellum. In addition, we found a slight but significant decrease in Purkinje cell density in both male and female BTBR mice, irrespective of the lobule. Finally, there was a marked reduction of Purkinje cell dendritic spine density in both male and female BTBR mice. These findings suggest that, for the most part, the BTBR mouse model phenocopies many of the characteristics of the subpopulation of ASD patients that have a hypertrophic cerebellum. We discuss the significance of strain differences in the cerebellum as well as the importance of this first effort to identify both similarities and differences between male and female BTBR mice with regard to the cerebellum.
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31
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De Gregorio R, Subah G, Chan JC, Speranza L, Zhang X, Ramakrishnan A, Shen L, Maze I, Stanton PK, Sze JY. Sex-biased effects on hippocampal circuit development by perinatal SERT expression in CA3 pyramidal neurons. Development 2022; 149:dev200549. [PMID: 36178075 PMCID: PMC10655925 DOI: 10.1242/dev.200549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders ranging from autism to intellectual disability display sex-biased prevalence and phenotypical presentations. Despite increasing knowledge about temporospatial cortical map development and genetic variants linked to neurodevelopmental disorders, when and how sex-biased neural circuit derailment may arise in diseased brain remain unknown. Here, we identify in mice that serotonin uptake transporter (SERT) in non-serotonergic neurons - hippocampal and prefrontal pyramidal neurons - confers sex-biased effects specifically during neural circuit development. A set of gradient-patterned CA3 pyramidal neurons transiently express SERT to clear extracellular serotonin, coinciding with hippocampal synaptic circuit establishment. Ablating pyramidal neuron SERT (SERTPyramidΔ) alters dendritic spine developmental trajectory in the hippocampus, and precipitates sex-biased impairments in long-term activity-dependent hippocampal synaptic plasticity and cognitive behaviors. Transcriptomic analyses identify sex-biased alterations in gene sets associated with autism, dendritic spine structure, synaptic function and male-specific enrichment of dysregulated genes in glial cells in early postnatal SERTPyramidΔ hippocampus. Our data suggest that SERT function in these pyramidal neurons underscores a temporal- and brain region-specific regulation of normal sex-dimorphic circuit development and a source for sex-biased vulnerability to cognitive and behavioral impairments. This article has an associated 'The people behind the papers' interview.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto De Gregorio
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Galadu Subah
- Department of Cell Biology & Anatomy, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
| | - Jennifer C. Chan
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NY 10029, USA
| | - Luisa Speranza
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Xiaolei Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology & Anatomy, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
| | - Aarthi Ramakrishnan
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NY 10029, USA
| | - Li Shen
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NY 10029, USA
| | - Ian Maze
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NY 10029, USA
| | - Patric K. Stanton
- Department of Cell Biology & Anatomy, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
| | - Ji Y. Sze
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
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Speranza L, Filiz KD, Goebel S, Perrone-Capano C, Pulcrano S, Volpicelli F, Francesconi A. Combined DiI and Antibody Labeling Reveals Complex Dysgenesis of Hippocampal Dendritic Spines in a Mouse Model of Fragile X Syndrome. Biomedicines 2022; 10:2692. [PMID: 36359212 PMCID: PMC9687937 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10112692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Structural, functional, and molecular alterations in excitatory spines are a common hallmark of many neurodevelopmental disorders including intellectual disability and autism. Here, we describe an optimized methodology, based on combined use of DiI and immunofluorescence, for rapid and sensitive characterization of the structure and composition of spines in native brain tissue. We successfully demonstrate the applicability of this approach by examining the properties of hippocampal spines in juvenile Fmr1 KO mice, a mouse model of Fragile X Syndrome. We find that mutant mice display pervasive dysgenesis of spines evidenced by an overabundance of both abnormally elongated thin spines and cup-shaped spines, in combination with reduced density of mushroom spines. We further find that mushroom spines expressing the actin-binding protein Synaptopodin-a marker for spine apparatus-are more prevalent in mutant mice. Previous work identified spines with Synaptopodin/spine apparatus as the locus of mGluR-LTD, which is abnormally elevated in Fmr1 KO mice. Altogether, our data suggest this enhancement may be linked to the preponderance of this subset of spines in the mutant. Overall, these findings demonstrate the sensitivity and versatility of the optimized methodology by uncovering a novel facet of spine dysgenesis in Fmr1 KO mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Speranza
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY 10461, USA
| | - Kardelen Dalım Filiz
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Sarah Goebel
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY 10461, USA
| | - Carla Perrone-Capano
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Salvatore Pulcrano
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics “A. Buzzati-Traverso”, C.N.R., 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Floriana Volpicelli
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Francesconi
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY 10461, USA
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Abu Bakar N, Wan Ibrahim WN, Che Abdullah CA, Ramlan NF, Shaari K, Shohaimi S, Mediani A, Nasruddin NS, Kim CH, Mohd Faudzi SM. Embryonic Arsenic Exposure Triggers Long-Term Behavioral Impairment with Metabolite Alterations in Zebrafish. TOXICS 2022; 10:493. [PMID: 36136458 PMCID: PMC9502072 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10090493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2022] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Arsenic trioxide (As2O3) is a ubiquitous heavy metal in the environment. Exposure to this toxin at low concentrations is unremarkable in developing organisms. Nevertheless, understanding the underlying mechanism of its long-term adverse effects remains a challenge. In this study, embryos were initially exposed to As2O3 from gastrulation to hatching under semi-static conditions. Results showed dose-dependent increased mortality, with exposure to 30-40 µM As2O3 significantly reducing tail-coiling and heart rate at early larval stages. Surviving larvae after 30 µM As2O3 exposure showed deficits in motor behavior without impairment of anxiety-like responses at 6 dpf and a slight impairment in color preference behavior at 11 dpf, which was later evident in adulthood. As2O3 also altered locomotor function, with a loss of directional and color preference in adult zebrafish, which correlated with changes in transcriptional regulation of adsl, shank3a, and tsc1b genes. During these processes, As2O3 mainly induced metabolic changes in lipids, particularly arachidonic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, prostaglandin, and sphinganine-1-phosphate in the post-hatching period of zebrafish. Overall, this study provides new insight into the potential mechanism of arsenic toxicity leading to long-term learning impairment in zebrafish and may benefit future risk assessments of other environmental toxins of concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noraini Abu Bakar
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia
| | - Wan Norhamidah Wan Ibrahim
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia
- Natural Medicines and Products Research Laboratory, Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia
| | - Che Azurahanim Che Abdullah
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia
- The Institute of Advanced Technology (ITMA), Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia
| | - Nurul Farhana Ramlan
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia
| | - Khozirah Shaari
- Natural Medicines and Products Research Laboratory, Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia
| | - Shamarina Shohaimi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia
| | - Ahmed Mediani
- Institute of Systems Biology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi 43600, Malaysia
| | - Nurrul Shaqinah Nasruddin
- Centre for Craniofacial Diagnostics, Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Kuala Lumpur 50300, Malaysia
| | - Cheol-Hee Kim
- Department of Biology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea
| | - Siti Munirah Mohd Faudzi
- Natural Medicines and Products Research Laboratory, Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia
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Sungur AÖ, Zeitouny C, Gabele L, Metz I, Wöhr M, Michaelsen-Preusse K, Rust MB. Transient reduction in dendritic spine density in brain-specific profilin1 mutant mice is associated with behavioral deficits. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:952782. [PMID: 35992199 PMCID: PMC9381693 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.952782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Actin filaments form the backbone of dendritic spines, the postsynaptic compartment of most excitatory synapses in the brain. Spine density changes affect brain function, and postsynaptic actin defects have been implicated in various neuropathies. It is mandatory to identify the actin regulators that control spine density. Based on previous studies, we hypothesized a role for the actin regulator profilin1 in spine formation. We report reduced hippocampal spine density in juvenile profilin1 mutant mice together with impairments in memory formation and reduced ultrasonic communication during active social behavior. Our results, therefore, underline a previously suggested function of profilin1 in controlling spine formation and behavior in juvenile mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Özge Sungur
- Molecular Neurobiology Group, Institute of Physiological Chemistry, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- Behavioral Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Caroline Zeitouny
- Department of Cellular Neurobiology, Technical University (TU) Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Lea Gabele
- Department of Cellular Neurobiology, Technical University (TU) Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Isabell Metz
- Molecular Neurobiology Group, Institute of Physiological Chemistry, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation) (DFG) Research Training Group, Membrane Plasticity in Tissue Development and Remodeling, Graduiertenkolleg (Gradeschool) (GRK) 2213, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Markus Wöhr
- Behavioral Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- Social and Affective Neuroscience Research Group, Laboratory of Biological Psychology, Research Unit Brain and Cognition, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Katholeike Universiteit (KU) Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Brain Institute, Katholeike Universiteit (KU) Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kristin Michaelsen-Preusse
- Department of Cellular Neurobiology, Technical University (TU) Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
- Kristin Michaelsen-Preusse,
| | - Marco B. Rust
- Molecular Neurobiology Group, Institute of Physiological Chemistry, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation) (DFG) Research Training Group, Membrane Plasticity in Tissue Development and Remodeling, Graduiertenkolleg (Gradeschool) (GRK) 2213, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (CMBB), University of Marburg and Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Marburg, Germany
- *Correspondence: Marco B. Rust,
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Chu MC, Wu HF, Lee CW, Chung YJ, Chi H, Chen PS, Lin HC. Generational synaptic functions of GABA A receptor β3 subunit deteriorations in an animal model of social deficit. J Biomed Sci 2022; 29:51. [PMID: 35821032 PMCID: PMC9277936 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-022-00835-w] [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: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Disruption of normal brain development is implicated in numerous psychiatric disorders with neurodevelopmental origins, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Widespread abnormalities in brain structure and functions caused by dysregulations of neurodevelopmental processes has been recently shown to exert adverse effects across generations. An imbalance between excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) transmission is the putative hypothesis of ASD pathogenesis, supporting by the specific implications of inhibitory γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic system in autistic individuals and animal models of ASD. However, the contribution of GABAergic system in the neuropathophysiology across generations of ASD is still unknown. Here, we uncover profound alterations in the expression and function of GABAA receptors (GABAARs) in the amygdala across generations of the VPA-induced animal model of ASD. METHODS The F2 generation was produced by mating an F1 VPA-induced male offspring with naïve females after a single injection of VPA on embryonic day (E12.5) in F0. Autism-like behaviors were assessed by animal behavior tests. Expression and functional properties of GABAARs and related proteins were examined by using western blotting and electrophysiological techniques. RESULTS Social deficit, repetitive behavior, and emotional comorbidities were demonstrated across two generations of the VPA-induced offspring. Decreased synaptic GABAAR and gephyrin levels, and inhibitory transmission were found in the amygdala from two generations of the VPA-induced offspring with greater reductions in the F2 generation. Weaker association of gephyrin with GABAAR was shown in the F2 generation than the F1 generation. Moreover, dysregulated NMDA-induced enhancements of gephyrin and GABAAR at the synapse in the VPA-induced offspring was worsened in the F2 generation than the F1 generation. Elevated glutamatergic modifications were additionally shown across generations of the VPA-induced offspring without generation difference. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, these findings revealed the E/I synaptic abnormalities in the amygdala from two generations of the VPA-induced offspring with GABAergic deteriorations in the F2 generation, suggesting a potential therapeutic role of the GABAergic system to generational pathophysiology of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Chia Chu
- grid.260539.b0000 0001 2059 7017Department and Institute of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Tainan, 112 Taiwan
| | - Han-Fang Wu
- grid.260539.b0000 0001 2059 7017Department and Institute of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Tainan, 112 Taiwan
| | - Chi-Wei Lee
- grid.260539.b0000 0001 2059 7017Department and Institute of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Tainan, 112 Taiwan
| | - Yueh-Jung Chung
- grid.260539.b0000 0001 2059 7017Department and Institute of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Tainan, 112 Taiwan
| | - Hsiang Chi
- grid.260539.b0000 0001 2059 7017Department and Institute of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Tainan, 112 Taiwan
| | - Po See Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 704, Taiwan. .,Institute of Behavioral Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 704, Taiwan.
| | - Hui-Ching Lin
- Department and Institute of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 112, Taiwan. .,Ph.D. Program for Neural Regenerative Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University and National Health Research Institutes, Taipei, 110, Taiwan. .,Brain Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 112, Taiwan.
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Tamouza R, Volt F, Richard JR, Wu CL, Bouassida J, Boukouaci W, Lansiaux P, Cappelli B, Scigliuolo GM, Rafii H, Kenzey C, Mezouad E, Naamoune S, Chami L, Lejuste F, Farge D, Gluckman E. Possible Effect of the use of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in the Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Review. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:809686. [PMID: 35865626 PMCID: PMC9294632 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.809686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) represents a set of heterogeneous neurodevelopmental conditions defined by impaired social interactions and repetitive behaviors. The number of reported cases has increased over the past decades, and ASD is now a major public health burden. So far, only treatments to alleviate symptoms are available, with still unmet need for an effective disease treatment to reduce ASD core symptoms. Genetic predisposition alone can only explain a small fraction of the ASD cases. It has been reported that environmental factors interacting with specific inter-individual genetic background may induce immune dysfunctions and contribute to the incidence of ASD. Such dysfunctions can be observed at the central level, with increased microglial cells and activation in ASD brains or in the peripheral blood, as reflected by high circulating levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, abnormal activation of T-cell subsets, presence of auto-antibodies and of dysregulated microbiota profiles. Altogether, the dysfunction of immune processes may result from immunogenetically-determined inefficient immune responses against a given challenge followed by chronic inflammation and autoimmunity. In this context, immunomodulatory therapies might offer a valid therapeutic option. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) immunoregulatory and immunosuppressive properties constitute a strong rationale for their use to improve ASD clinical symptoms. In vitro studies and pre-clinical models have shown that MSC can induce synapse formation and enhance synaptic function with consequent improvement of ASD-like symptoms in mice. In addition, two preliminary human trials based on the infusion of cord blood-derived MSC showed the safety and tolerability of the procedure in children with ASD and reported promising clinical improvement of core symptoms. We review herein the immune dysfunctions associated with ASD provided, the rationale for using MSC to treat patients with ASD and summarize the current available studies addressing this subject.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryad Tamouza
- Translational Neuropsychiatry, INSERM, IMRB, DMU, AP-HP, Univ Paris Est Créteil, Créteil, France
- *Correspondence: Ryad Tamouza,
| | - Fernanda Volt
- Institut de Recherche Saint Louis (IRSL), Eurocord, Hôpital Saint Louis, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Romain Richard
- Translational Neuropsychiatry, INSERM, IMRB, Univ Paris Est Créteil, Créteil, France
| | - Ching-Lien Wu
- Translational Neuropsychiatry, INSERM, IMRB, Univ Paris Est Créteil, Créteil, France
| | - Jihène Bouassida
- Translational Neuropsychiatry, INSERM, IMRB, Univ Paris Est Créteil, Créteil, France
| | - Wahid Boukouaci
- Translational Neuropsychiatry, INSERM, IMRB, Univ Paris Est Créteil, Créteil, France
| | - Pauline Lansiaux
- Unité de Médecine Interne (UF 04), CRMR MATHEC, Maladies Auto-immunes et Thérapie Cellulaire, Centre de Référence des Maladies Auto-immunes Systémiques Rares D’Ile-de-France MATHEC, AP-HP, Hôpital St-Louis, Paris, France
| | - Barbara Cappelli
- Institut de Recherche Saint Louis (IRSL), Eurocord, Hôpital Saint Louis, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
- Monacord, Centre Scientifique de Monaco, Monaco, Monaco
| | - Graziana Maria Scigliuolo
- Institut de Recherche Saint Louis (IRSL), Eurocord, Hôpital Saint Louis, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
- Monacord, Centre Scientifique de Monaco, Monaco, Monaco
| | - Hanadi Rafii
- Institut de Recherche Saint Louis (IRSL), Eurocord, Hôpital Saint Louis, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Chantal Kenzey
- Institut de Recherche Saint Louis (IRSL), Eurocord, Hôpital Saint Louis, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Esma Mezouad
- Translational Neuropsychiatry, INSERM, IMRB, DMU, AP-HP, Univ Paris Est Créteil, Créteil, France
| | - Soumia Naamoune
- Translational Neuropsychiatry, INSERM, IMRB, DMU, AP-HP, Univ Paris Est Créteil, Créteil, France
| | - Leila Chami
- Translational Neuropsychiatry, INSERM, IMRB, DMU, AP-HP, Univ Paris Est Créteil, Créteil, France
| | - Florian Lejuste
- Translational Neuropsychiatry, INSERM, IMRB, DMU, AP-HP, Univ Paris Est Créteil, Créteil, France
| | - Dominique Farge
- Unité de Médecine Interne (UF 04), CRMR MATHEC, Maladies Auto-immunes et Thérapie Cellulaire, Centre de Référence des Maladies Auto-immunes Systémiques Rares D’Ile-de-France MATHEC, AP-HP, Hôpital St-Louis, Paris, France
| | - Eliane Gluckman
- Institut de Recherche Saint Louis (IRSL), Eurocord, Hôpital Saint Louis, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
- Monacord, Centre Scientifique de Monaco, Monaco, Monaco
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Karmon G, Sragovich S, Hacohen-Kleiman G, Ben-Horin-Hazak I, Kasparek P, Schuster B, Sedlacek R, Pasmanik-Chor M, Theotokis P, Touloumi O, Zoidou S, Huang L, Wu PY, Shi R, Kapitansky O, Lobyntseva A, Giladi E, Shapira G, Shomron N, Bereswill S, Heimesaat MM, Grigoriadis N, McKinney RA, Rubinstein M, Gozes I. Novel ADNP Syndrome Mice Reveal Dramatic Sex-Specific Peripheral Gene Expression With Brain Synaptic and Tau Pathologies. Biol Psychiatry 2022; 92:81-95. [PMID: 34865853 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2021.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND ADNP is essential for embryonic development. As such, de novo ADNP mutations lead to an intractable autism/intellectual disability syndrome requiring investigation. METHODS Mimicking humans, CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats)-Cas9 editing produced mice carrying heterozygous Adnp p.Tyr718∗ (Tyr), a paralog of the most common ADNP syndrome mutation. Phenotypic rescue was validated by treatment with the microtubule/autophagy-protective ADNP fragment NAPVSIPQ (NAP). RESULTS RNA sequencing of spleens, representing a peripheral biomarker source, revealed Tyr-specific sex differences (e.g., cell cycle), accentuated in females (with significant effects on antigen processing and cellular senescence) and corrected by NAP. Differentially expressed, NAP-correctable transcripts, including the autophagy and microbiome resilience-linked FOXO3, were also deregulated in human patient-derived ADNP-mutated lymphoblastoid cells. There were also Tyr sex-specific microbiota signatures. Phenotypically, Tyr mice, similar to patients with ADNP syndrome, exhibited delayed development coupled with sex-dependent gait defects. Speech acquisition delays paralleled sex-specific mouse syntax abnormalities. Anatomically, dendritic spine densities/morphologies were decreased with NAP amelioration. These findings were replicated in the Adnp+/- mouse, including Foxo3 deregulation, required for dendritic spine formation. Grooming duration and nociception threshold (autistic traits) were significantly affected only in males. Early-onset tauopathy was accentuated in males (hippocampus and visual cortex), mimicking humans, and was paralleled by impaired visual evoked potentials and correction by acute NAP treatment. CONCLUSIONS Tyr mice model ADNP syndrome pathology. The newly discovered ADNP/NAP target FOXO3 controls the autophagy initiator LC3 (microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3), with known ADNP binding to LC3 augmented by NAP, protecting against tauopathy. NAP amelioration attests to specificity, with potential for drug development targeting accessible biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gidon Karmon
- Elton Laboratory for Molecular Neuroendocrinology, Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Sagol School of Neuroscience and Adams Super Center for Brain Studies, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Shlomo Sragovich
- Elton Laboratory for Molecular Neuroendocrinology, Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Sagol School of Neuroscience and Adams Super Center for Brain Studies, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Gal Hacohen-Kleiman
- Elton Laboratory for Molecular Neuroendocrinology, Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Sagol School of Neuroscience and Adams Super Center for Brain Studies, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Inbar Ben-Horin-Hazak
- Elton Laboratory for Molecular Neuroendocrinology, Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Sagol School of Neuroscience and Adams Super Center for Brain Studies, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Petr Kasparek
- Department of Transgenic Models of Diseases and Czech Centre for Phenogenomics, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Björn Schuster
- Department of Transgenic Models of Diseases and Czech Centre for Phenogenomics, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Radislav Sedlacek
- Department of Transgenic Models of Diseases and Czech Centre for Phenogenomics, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Metsada Pasmanik-Chor
- Bioinformatics Unit, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Paschalis Theotokis
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, AHEPA University Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Olga Touloumi
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, AHEPA University Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Sofia Zoidou
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, AHEPA University Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Linxuan Huang
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Pei You Wu
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Roy Shi
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Oxana Kapitansky
- Elton Laboratory for Molecular Neuroendocrinology, Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Sagol School of Neuroscience and Adams Super Center for Brain Studies, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Alexandra Lobyntseva
- Elton Laboratory for Molecular Neuroendocrinology, Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Sagol School of Neuroscience and Adams Super Center for Brain Studies, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Eliezer Giladi
- Elton Laboratory for Molecular Neuroendocrinology, Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Sagol School of Neuroscience and Adams Super Center for Brain Studies, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Guy Shapira
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology and Edmond J. Safra Center for Bioinformatics, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Noam Shomron
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology and Edmond J. Safra Center for Bioinformatics, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Stefan Bereswill
- Gastrointestinal Microbiology Research Group, Institute for Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Markus M Heimesaat
- Gastrointestinal Microbiology Research Group, Institute for Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nikolaos Grigoriadis
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, AHEPA University Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - R Anne McKinney
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Moran Rubinstein
- Elton Laboratory for Molecular Neuroendocrinology, Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Sagol School of Neuroscience and Adams Super Center for Brain Studies, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Goldschleger Eye Research Institute, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Illana Gozes
- Elton Laboratory for Molecular Neuroendocrinology, Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Sagol School of Neuroscience and Adams Super Center for Brain Studies, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
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Computational synthesis of cortical dendritic morphologies. Cell Rep 2022; 39:110586. [PMID: 35385736 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuronal morphologies provide the foundation for the electrical behavior of neurons, the connectomes they form, and the dynamical properties of the brain. Comprehensive neuron models are essential for defining cell types, discerning their functional roles, and investigating brain-disease-related dendritic alterations. However, a lack of understanding of the principles underlying neuron morphologies has hindered attempts to computationally synthesize morphologies for decades. We introduce a synthesis algorithm based on a topological descriptor of neurons, which enables the rapid digital reconstruction of entire brain regions from few reference cells. This topology-guided synthesis generates dendrites that are statistically similar to biological reconstructions in terms of morpho-electrical and connectivity properties and offers a significant opportunity to investigate the links between neuronal morphology and brain function across different spatiotemporal scales. Synthesized cortical networks based on structurally altered dendrites associated with diverse brain pathologies revealed principles linking branching properties to the structure of large-scale networks.
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Han YMY, Yau SY, Chan MMY, Wong CK, Chan AS. Altered Cytokine and BDNF Levels in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12040460. [PMID: 35447993 PMCID: PMC9026457 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12040460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that immunological factors are involved in the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). The present study examined whether immunological abnormalities are associated with cognitive and behavioral deficits in children with ASD and whether children with ASD show different immunological biomarkers and brain-derived neurotrophic factor BDNF levels than typically developing (TD) children. Sixteen children with TD and 18 children with ASD, aged 6–18 years, voluntarily participated in the study. Participants’ executive functions were measured using neuropsychological tests, and behavioral measures were measured using parent ratings. Immunological measures were assessed by measuring the participants’ blood serum levels of chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) and chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5). Children with ASD showed greater deficits in cognitive functions as well as altered levels of immunological measures when compared to TD children, and their cognitive functions and behavioral deficits were significantly associated with increased CCL5 levels and decreased BDNF levels. These results provide evidence to support the notion that altered immune functions and neurotrophin deficiency are involved in the pathogenesis of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvonne M. Y. Han
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China; (S.-Y.Y.); (M.M.Y.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +852-2766-7578
| | - Suk-Yu Yau
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China; (S.-Y.Y.); (M.M.Y.C.)
| | - Melody M. Y. Chan
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China; (S.-Y.Y.); (M.M.Y.C.)
| | - Chun-Kwok Wong
- Department of Chemical Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China;
| | - Agnes S. Chan
- Department of Psychology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China;
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Adeyelu T, Shrestha A, Adeniyi PA, Lee CC, Ogundele OM. CA1 Spike Timing is Impaired in the 129S Inbred Strain During Cognitive Tasks. Neuroscience 2022; 484:119-138. [PMID: 34800576 PMCID: PMC8844212 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2021.11.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
A spontaneous mutation of the disrupted in schizophrenia 1 (Disc1) gene is carried by the 129S inbred mouse strain. Truncated DISC1 protein in 129S mouse synapses impairs the scaffolding of excitatory postsynaptic receptors and leads to progressive spine dysgenesis. In contrast, C57BL/6 inbred mice carry the wild-type Disc1 gene and exhibit more typical cognitive performance in spatial exploration and executive behavioral tests. Because of the innate Disc1 mutation, adult 129S inbred mice exhibit the behavioral phenotypes of outbred B6 Disc1 knockdown (Disc1-/-) or Disc1-L-100P mutant strains. Recent studies in Disc1-/- and L-100P mice have shown that impaired excitation-driven interneuron activity and low hippocampal theta power underlie the behavioral phenotypes that resemble human depression and schizophrenia. The current study compared the firing rate and connectivity profile of putative neurons in the CA1 of freely behaving inbred 129S and B6 mice, which have mutant and wild-type Disc1 genes, respectively. In cognitive behavioral tests, 129S mice had lower exploration scores than B6 mice. Furthermore, the mean firing rate for 129S putative pyramidal (pyr) cells and interneurons (int) was significantly lower than that for B6 CA1 neurons sampled during similar tasks. Analysis of pyr/int connectivity revealed a significant delay in synaptic transmission for 129S putative pairs. Sampled 129S pyr/int pairs also had lower detectability index scores than B6 putative pairs. Therefore, the spontaneous Disc1 mutation in the 129S strain attenuates the firing of putative pyr CA1 neurons and impairs spike timing fidelity during cognitive tasks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tolulope Adeyelu
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine. Baton Rouge, LA70803, Louisiana
| | - Amita Shrestha
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine. Baton Rouge, LA70803, Louisiana
| | - Philip A. Adeniyi
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine. Baton Rouge, LA70803, Louisiana
| | - Charles C. Lee
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine. Baton Rouge, LA70803, Louisiana
| | - Olalekan M. Ogundele
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine. Baton Rouge, LA70803, Louisiana
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[Effects of ring finger and tryptophan-aspartic acid 2 on dendritic spines and synapse formation in cerebral cortex neurons of mice]. NAN FANG YI KE DA XUE XUE BAO = JOURNAL OF SOUTHERN MEDICAL UNIVERSITY 2022; 42:78-85. [PMID: 35249873 PMCID: PMC8901395 DOI: 10.12122/j.issn.1673-4254.2022.01.09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To clarify the functional effects of differential expression of ring finger and tryptophan-aspartic acid 2 (RFWD2) on dendritic development and formation of dendritic spines in cerebral cortex neurons of mice. METHODS Immunofluorescent staining was used to identify the location and global expression profile of RFWD2 in mouse brain and determine the co-localization of RFWD2 with the synaptic proteins in the cortical neurons. We also examined the effects of RFWD2 over-expression (RFWD2-Myc) and RFWD2 knockdown (RFWD2-shRNA) on dendritic development, dendritic spine formation and synaptic function in cultured cortical neurons. RESULTS RFWD2 is highly expressed in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of mice, and its expression level was positively correlated with the development of cerebral cortex neurons and dendrites. RFWD2 expression was detected on the presynaptic membrane and postsynaptic membrane of the neurons, and its expression levels were positively correlated with the length, number of branches and complexity of the dendrites. In cultured cortical neurons, RFWD2 overexpression significantly lowered the expressions of the synaptic proteins synaptophysin (P < 0.01) and postsynapic density protein 95 (P < 0.01), while RFWD2 knockdown significantly increased their expressions (both P < 0.05). Compared with the control and RFWD2-overexpressing cells, the neurons with RFWD2 knockdown showed significantly reduced number of dendritic spines (both P < 0.05). CONCLUSION RFWD2 can regulate the expression of the synaptic proteins, the development of the dendrites, the formation of the dendritic spines and synaptic function in mouse cerebral cortex neurons through ubiquitination of Pea3 family members and c-Jun, which may serve as potential treatment targets for neurological diseases.
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Zhang X, Huang J, Zheng G, Liang J, Hu B, Lou Z, Li A, Ding Y. Prenatal exposure to di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate causes autism-like behavior through inducing Nischarin expression in the mouse offspring. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2021; 585:29-35. [PMID: 34781058 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2021.11.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Epidemiologic evidence has suggested a relationship between di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) prenatal exposure and autism spectrum disorders (ASD), but the underlying mechanisms are still at large unknown. In this study, pregnant mice were intragastrically administered with DEHP once a day from GD 3 to GD 17 and the neurobehavioral changes of offspring were evaluated. In addition to the repetitive stereotyped behaviors, DEHP at the concentration of 50 mg/kg/day and above significantly impaired the sociability of the offspring (P < 0.05) and decreased the density of dendritic spines of pyramidal neurons in the prefrontal cortex (P < 0.05). At the same time, the expression of Nischarin protein in prefrontal lobe increased (P < 0.05). Similarly, after 12-h incubation of DEHP at the concentration of 100 nM, the total spine density, especially the mushroom and stubby spine populations, significantly decreased in the primary cultured prefrontal cortical neurons (P < 0.05). However, the inhibitory effect of DEHP were reversed by knockdown of Nischarin expression. Collectively, these results suggest that prenatal DEHP exposure induces Nischarin expression, causes dendritic spine loss, and finally leads to autism-like behavior in mouse offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiong Zhang
- Department of Basic Medical Science, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Jie Huang
- Department of Basic Medical Science, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Guofen Zheng
- Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou, 310015, China
| | - Jianghong Liang
- Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou, 310015, China
| | - Boyang Hu
- Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou, 310015, China
| | - Zhangqi Lou
- Department of Basic Medical Science, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Aiqing Li
- Gastroenterology Laboratory, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310000, China
| | - Yuemin Ding
- Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou, 310015, China.
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Liu X, Bennison SA, Robinson L, Toyo-oka K. Responsible Genes for Neuronal Migration in the Chromosome 17p13.3: Beyond Pafah1b1(Lis1), Crk and Ywhae(14-3-3ε). Brain Sci 2021; 12:brainsci12010056. [PMID: 35053800 PMCID: PMC8774252 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12010056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The 17p13.3 chromosome region is often deleted or duplicated in humans, resulting in severe neurodevelopmental disorders such as Miller–Dieker syndrome (MDS) and 17p13.3 duplication syndrome. Lissencephaly can also be caused by gene mutations or deletions of a small piece of the 17p13.3 region, including a single gene or a few genes. PAFAH1B1 gene, coding for LIS1 protein, is a responsible gene for lissencephaly and MDS and regulates neuronal migration by controlling microtubules (MTs) and cargo transport along MTs via dynein. CRK is a downstream regulator of the reelin signaling pathways and regulates neuronal migration. YWHAE, coding for 14-3-3ε, is also responsible for MDS and regulates neuronal migration by binding to LIS1-interacting protein, NDEL1. Although these three proteins are known to be responsible for neuronal migration defects in MDS, there are 23 other genes in the MDS critical region on chromosome 17p13.3, and little is known about their functions in neurodevelopment, especially in neuronal migration. This review will summarize the recent progress on the functions of LIS1, CRK, and 14-3-3ε and describe the recent findings of other molecules in the MDS critical regions in neuronal migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaonan Liu
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA;
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA; (S.A.B.); (L.R.)
| | - Sarah A. Bennison
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA; (S.A.B.); (L.R.)
| | - Lozen Robinson
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA; (S.A.B.); (L.R.)
| | - Kazuhito Toyo-oka
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA; (S.A.B.); (L.R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(215)-991-8288
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Napoli E, Panoutsopoulos AA, Kysar P, Satriya N, Sterling K, Shibata B, Imai D, Ruskin DN, Zarbalis KS, Giulivi C. Wdfy3 regulates glycophagy, mitophagy, and synaptic plasticity. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2021; 41:3213-3231. [PMID: 34187232 PMCID: PMC8669292 DOI: 10.1177/0271678x211027384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Autophagy is essential to cell function, as it enables the recycling of intracellular constituents during starvation and in addition functions as a quality control mechanism by eliminating spent organelles and proteins that could cause cellular damage if not properly removed. Recently, we reported on Wdfy3's role in mitophagy, a clinically relevant macroautophagic scaffold protein that is linked to intellectual disability, neurodevelopmental delay, and autism spectrum disorder. In this study, we confirm our previous report that Wdfy3 haploinsufficiency in mice results in decreased mitophagy with accumulation of mitochondria with altered morphology, but expanding on that observation, we also note decreased mitochondrial localization at synaptic terminals and decreased synaptic density, which may contribute to altered synaptic plasticity. These changes are accompanied by defective elimination of glycogen particles and a shift to increased glycogen synthesis over glycogenolysis and glycophagy. This imbalance leads to an age-dependent higher incidence of brain glycogen deposits with cerebellar hypoplasia. Our results support and further extend Wdfy3's role in modulating both brain bioenergetics and synaptic plasticity by including glycogen as a target of macroautophagic degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Napoli
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Alexios A Panoutsopoulos
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA.,Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Patricia Kysar
- Department of Cell Biology and Human Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Nathaniel Satriya
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Kira Sterling
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Bradley Shibata
- Department of Cell Biology and Human Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Denise Imai
- Anatomic Pathology Service, Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - David N Ruskin
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Trinity College, Hartford, CT, USA
| | - Konstantinos S Zarbalis
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA.,Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Sacramento, CA, USA.,Medical Investigations of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, University of California Davis, CA, USA
| | - Cecilia Giulivi
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.,Medical Investigations of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, University of California Davis, CA, USA
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45
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Vallés AS, Barrantes FJ. Dendritic spine membrane proteome and its alterations in autistic spectrum disorder. ADVANCES IN PROTEIN CHEMISTRY AND STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2021; 128:435-474. [PMID: 35034726 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apcsb.2021.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Dendritic spines are small protrusions stemming from the dendritic shaft that constitute the primary specialization for receiving and processing excitatory neurotransmission in brain synapses. The disruption of dendritic spine function in several neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases leads to severe information-processing deficits with impairments in neuronal connectivity and plasticity. Spine dysregulation is usually accompanied by morphological alterations to spine shape, size and/or number that may occur at early pathophysiological stages and not necessarily be reflected in clinical manifestations. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is one such group of diseases involving changes in neuronal connectivity and abnormal morphology of dendritic spines on postsynaptic neurons. These alterations at the subcellular level correlate with molecular changes in the spine proteome, with alterations in the copy number, topography, or in severe cases in the phenotype of the molecular components, predominantly of those proteins involved in spine recognition and adhesion, reflected in abnormally short lifetimes of the synapse and compensatory increases in synaptic connections. Since cholinergic neurotransmission participates in the regulation of cognitive function (attention, memory, learning processes, cognitive flexibility, social interactions) brain acetylcholine receptors are likely to play an important role in the dysfunctional synapses in ASD, either directly or indirectly via the modulatory functions exerted on other neurotransmitter receptor proteins and spine-resident proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Sofía Vallés
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca (UNS-CONICET), Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | - Francisco J Barrantes
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (BIOMED), UCA-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Pagani M, Barsotti N, Bertero A, Trakoshis S, Ulysse L, Locarno A, Miseviciute I, De Felice A, Canella C, Supekar K, Galbusera A, Menon V, Tonini R, Deco G, Lombardo MV, Pasqualetti M, Gozzi A. mTOR-related synaptic pathology causes autism spectrum disorder-associated functional hyperconnectivity. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6084. [PMID: 34667149 PMCID: PMC8526836 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26131-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Postmortem studies have revealed increased density of excitatory synapses in the brains of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with a putative link to aberrant mTOR-dependent synaptic pruning. ASD is also characterized by atypical macroscale functional connectivity as measured with resting-state fMRI (rsfMRI). These observations raise the question of whether excess of synapses causes aberrant functional connectivity in ASD. Using rsfMRI, electrophysiology and in silico modelling in Tsc2 haploinsufficient mice, we show that mTOR-dependent increased spine density is associated with ASD -like stereotypies and cortico-striatal hyperconnectivity. These deficits are completely rescued by pharmacological inhibition of mTOR. Notably, we further demonstrate that children with idiopathic ASD exhibit analogous cortical-striatal hyperconnectivity, and document that this connectivity fingerprint is enriched for ASD-dysregulated genes interacting with mTOR or Tsc2. Finally, we show that the identified transcriptomic signature is predominantly expressed in a subset of children with autism, thereby defining a segregable autism subtype. Our findings causally link mTOR-related synaptic pathology to large-scale network aberrations, revealing a unifying multi-scale framework that mechanistically reconciles developmental synaptopathy and functional hyperconnectivity in autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Pagani
- Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems @ University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy
- Autism Center, Child Mind Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Noemi Barsotti
- Department of Biology, Unit of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alice Bertero
- Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems @ University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy
- Department of Biology, Unit of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Stavros Trakoshis
- Department of Psychology, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
- Laboratory for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems @ University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy
| | - Laura Ulysse
- Center for Brain and Cognition, Computational Neuroscience Group, Department of Information and Communication Technologies, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Andrea Locarno
- Neuromodulation of Cortical and Subcortical Circuits Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy
| | - Ieva Miseviciute
- Neuromodulation of Cortical and Subcortical Circuits Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy
| | - Alessia De Felice
- Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems @ University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy
| | - Carola Canella
- Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems @ University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy
| | | | - Alberto Galbusera
- Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems @ University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy
| | | | - Raffaella Tonini
- Neuromodulation of Cortical and Subcortical Circuits Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy
| | - Gustavo Deco
- Center for Brain and Cognition, Computational Neuroscience Group, Department of Information and Communication Technologies, Barcelona, Spain
- Institució Catalana de la Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Michael V Lombardo
- Laboratory for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems @ University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy
- Autism Research Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Massimo Pasqualetti
- Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems @ University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy
- Department of Biology, Unit of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessandro Gozzi
- Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems @ University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy.
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Tate K, Kirk B, Tseng A, Ulffers A, Litwa K. Effects of the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Fluoxetine on Developing Neural Circuits in a Model of the Human Fetal Cortex. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:10457. [PMID: 34638815 PMCID: PMC8508811 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The developing prenatal brain is particularly susceptible to environmental disturbances. During prenatal brain development, synapses form between neurons, resulting in neural circuits that support complex cognitive functions. In utero exposure to environmental factors such as pharmaceuticals that alter the process of synapse formation increases the risk of neurodevelopmental abnormalities. However, there is a lack of research into how specific environmental factors directly impact the developing neural circuitry of the human brain. For example, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are commonly used throughout pregnancy to treat depression, yet their impact on the developing fetal brain remains unclear. Recently, human brain models have provided unprecedented access to the critical window of prenatal brain development. In the present study, we used human neurons and cortical spheroids to determine whether the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine alters neurite and synapse formation and the development of spontaneous activity within neural circuits. We demonstrate that cortical spheroids express serotonin transporter, thus recapitulating the early developmental expression of serotonin transporter associated with cortical pyramidal neurons. Cortical spheroids also appropriately express serotonin receptors, such as synaptic 5-HT2A and glial 5-HT5A. To determine whether fluoxetine can affect developing neural circuits independent of serotonergic innervation from the dorsal and medial raphe nuclei, we treated cortical neurons and spheroids with fluoxetine. Fluoxetine alters neurite formation in a dose-dependent fashion. Intriguingly, in cortical spheroids, neither acute nor chronic fluoxetine significantly altered excitatory synapse formation. However, only acute, but not chronic fluoxetine exposure altered inhibitory synaptogenesis. Finally, fluoxetine reversibly suppresses neuronal activity in a dose-dependent manner. These results demonstrate that fluoxetine can acutely alter synaptic function in developing neural circuits, but the effects were not long-lasting. This work provides a foundation for future studies to combine serotonergic innervation with cortical spheroids and assess the contributions of fluoxetine-induced alterations in serotonin levels to brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinsley Tate
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA; (K.T.); (B.K.); (A.T.); (A.U.)
- Graduate Program in Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering, College of Engineering and Technology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
| | - Brenna Kirk
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA; (K.T.); (B.K.); (A.T.); (A.U.)
| | - Alisia Tseng
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA; (K.T.); (B.K.); (A.T.); (A.U.)
| | - Abigail Ulffers
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA; (K.T.); (B.K.); (A.T.); (A.U.)
| | - Karen Litwa
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA; (K.T.); (B.K.); (A.T.); (A.U.)
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48
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Kissoondoyal A, Rai-Bhogal R, Crawford DA. Abnormal dendritic morphology in the cerebellum of cyclooxygenase-2 - knockin mice. Eur J Neurosci 2021; 54:6355-6373. [PMID: 34510613 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15454] [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: 06/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is a bioactive signalling molecule metabolized from the phospholipid membranes by the enzymatic activity of cycloxygenase-2 (COX-2). In the developing brain, COX-2 constitutively regulates the production of PGE2, which is important in neuronal development. However, abnormal COX-2/PGE2 signalling has been linked to neurodevelopmental disorders including autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). We have previously demonstrated that COX-2- -KI mice show autism-related behaviours including social deficits, repetitive behaviours and anxious behaviours. COX-2-deficient mice also have deficits in pathways involved in synaptic transmission and dendritic spine formation. In this study, we use a Golgi-COX staining method to examine sex-dependent differences in dendritic and dendritic spine morphology in neurons of COX-2- -KI mice cerebellum compared with wild-type (WT) matched controls at postnatal day 25 (P25). We show that COX-2- -KI mice have increased dendritic arborization closer to the cell soma and increased dendritic looping. We also observed a sex-dependent effect of the COX-2- -KI on dendritic thickness, dendritic spine density, dendritic spine morphology, and the expression of β-actin and the actin-binding protein spinophilin. Our findings show that changes in COX-2/PGE2 signalling lead to impaired morphology of dendrites and dendritic spines in a sex-dependant manner and may contribute the pathology of the cerebellum seen in individuals with ASD. This study provides further evidence that the COX-2- -KI mouse model can be used to study a subset of ASD pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashby Kissoondoyal
- School of Kinesiology and Health Science, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Neuroscience Graduate Diploma Program, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ravneet Rai-Bhogal
- Neuroscience Graduate Diploma Program, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Dorota A Crawford
- School of Kinesiology and Health Science, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Neuroscience Graduate Diploma Program, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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49
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Bicker F, Nardi L, Maier J, Vasic V, Schmeisser MJ. Criss-crossing autism spectrum disorder and adult neurogenesis. J Neurochem 2021; 159:452-478. [PMID: 34478569 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) comprises a group of multifactorial neurodevelopmental disorders primarily characterized by deficits in social interaction and repetitive behavior. Although the onset is typically in early childhood, ASD poses a lifelong challenge for both patients and caretakers. Adult neurogenesis (AN) is the process by which new functional neurons are created from neural stem cells existing in the post-natal brain. The entire event is based on a sequence of cellular processes, such as proliferation, specification of cell fate, maturation, and ultimately, synaptic integration into the existing neural circuits. Hence, AN is implicated in structural and functional brain plasticity throughout life. Accumulating evidence shows that impaired AN may underlie some of the abnormal behavioral phenotypes seen in ASD. In this review, we approach the interconnections between the molecular pathways related to AN and ASD. We also discuss existing therapeutic approaches targeting such pathways both in preclinical and clinical studies. A deeper understanding of how ASD and AN reciprocally affect one another could reveal important converging pathways leading to the emergence of psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Bicker
- Institute for Microscopic Anatomy and Neurobiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Leonardo Nardi
- Institute for Microscopic Anatomy and Neurobiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Jannik Maier
- Institute for Microscopic Anatomy and Neurobiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Verica Vasic
- Institute for Microscopic Anatomy and Neurobiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Michael J Schmeisser
- Institute for Microscopic Anatomy and Neurobiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany.,Focus Program Translational Neurosciences (FTN), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
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Bahry JA, Fedder-Semmes KN, Sceniak MP, Sabo SL. An Autism-Associated de novo Mutation in GluN2B Destabilizes Growing Dendrites by Promoting Retraction and Pruning. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:692232. [PMID: 34393725 PMCID: PMC8363002 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.692232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in GRIN2B, which encodes the GluN2B subunit of NMDA receptors, lead to autism spectrum disorders (ASD), but the pathophysiological mechanisms remain unclear. Recently, we showed that a GluN2B variant that is associated with severe ASD (GluN2B724t) impairs dendrite morphogenesis. To determine which aspects of dendrite growth are affected by GluN2B724t, we investigated the dynamics of dendrite growth and branching in rat neocortical neurons using time-lapse imaging. GluN2B724t expression shifted branch motility toward retraction and away from extension. GluN2B724t and wild-type neurons formed new branches at similar rates, but mutant neurons exhibited increased pruning of dendritic branches. The observed changes in dynamics resulted in nearly complete elimination of the net expansion of arbor size and complexity that is normally observed during this developmental period. These data demonstrate that ASD-associated mutant GluN2B interferes with dendrite morphogenesis by reducing rates of outgrowth while promoting retraction and subsequent pruning. Because mutant dendrites remain motile and capable of growth, it is possible that reducing pruning or promoting dendrite stabilization could overcome dendrite arbor defects associated with GRIN2B mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob A Bahry
- Department of Biology, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, United States.,Graduate Program in Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, United States
| | - Karlie N Fedder-Semmes
- Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Michael P Sceniak
- Department of Biology, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, United States
| | - Shasta L Sabo
- Department of Biology, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, United States.,Graduate Program in Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, United States.,Neuroscience Program, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, United States
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