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Dudas A, Nakahara TS, Pellissier LP, Chamero P. Parenting behaviors in mice: Olfactory mechanisms and features in models of autism spectrum disorders. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 161:105686. [PMID: 38657845 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105686] [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: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Rodents, along with numerous other mammals, heavily depend on olfactory cues to navigate their social interactions. Processing of olfactory sensory inputs is mediated by conserved brain circuits that ultimately trigger social behaviors, such as social interactions and parental care. Although innate, parenting is influenced by internal states, social experience, genetics, and the environment, and any significant disruption of these factors can impact the social circuits. Here, we review the molecular mechanisms and social circuits from the olfactory epithelium to central processing that initiate parental behaviors and their dysregulations that may contribute to the social impairments in mouse models of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). We discuss recent advances of the crucial role of olfaction in parental care, its consequences for social interactions, and the reciprocal influence on social interaction impairments in mouse models of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Dudas
- Team biology of GPCR Signaling systems (BIOS), CNRS, INRAE, University of Tours, PRC, Nouzilly F-37380, France
| | - Thiago S Nakahara
- Team Neuroendocrine Integration of Reproduction and Behavior (INERC), CNRS, INRAE, University of Tours, PRC, Nouzilly F-37380, France
| | - Lucie P Pellissier
- Team biology of GPCR Signaling systems (BIOS), CNRS, INRAE, University of Tours, PRC, Nouzilly F-37380, France.
| | - Pablo Chamero
- Team Neuroendocrine Integration of Reproduction and Behavior (INERC), CNRS, INRAE, University of Tours, PRC, Nouzilly F-37380, France.
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2
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Yadollahi-Farsani Y, Vanani VR, Lorigooini Z, Farahzad A, Amini-Khoei H. Anethole via increase in the gene expression of PI3K/AKT/mTOR mitigates the autistic-like behaviors induced by maternal separation stress in mice. IBRO Neurosci Rep 2024; 16:1-7. [PMID: 38145174 PMCID: PMC10733685 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibneur.2023.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodegenerative disease with increasing incidence in the world. The maternal separation (MS) stress at early life with its own neuroendocrine and neurostructural changes can provide the basis for development of ASD. Previously it has been reported neuroprotective characteristics for anethole. The PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway has pivotal role in the function of central nervous system (CNS). This study aimed to evaluate the possible effects of anethole on the autistic-like behaviors in the maternally separated (MS) mice focusing on the potential role of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Forty male Naval Medical Research Institute (NMRI) mice were assigned to five groups (n = 8) comprising a control group (treated with normal saline) and four groups subjected to MS and treated with normal saline and or anethole at doses of 31.25, 62.5 and 125 mg/kg, respectively. All gents were administrated via intraperitoneal (i.p.) route for 14 constant days. Behavioral tests were conducted, including the three-chamber test, shuttle box and resident-intruder test. The gene expression of the PI3K, AKT and mTOR assessed in the hippocampus by qRT-PCR. Findings indicated that MS is associated with autistic-like behaviors. Anethole increased the sociability and social preference indexes in the three-chamber test, increased duration of secondary latency in the shuttle box test and decreased aggressive behaviors in the resident-intruder test. Also, anethole increased the gene expression of PI3K, AKT and mTOR in the hippocampus of MS mice. We concluded that anethole through increase in the gene expression of PI3K/ AKT/mTOR mitigated autistic-like behaviors induced by MS in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasaman Yadollahi-Farsani
- Medical Plants Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Vahid Reisi Vanani
- Medical Plants Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Zahra Lorigooini
- Medical Plants Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Anahita Farahzad
- Medical Plants Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Hossein Amini-Khoei
- Medical Plants Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
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3
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Li K, Cao JF, Gong Y, Xiong L, Wu M, Qi Y, Ying X, Liu D, Ma X, Zhang X. Rapamycin improves the survival of epilepsy model cells by blocking phosphorylation of mTOR base on computer simulations and cellular experiments. Neurochem Int 2024; 176:105746. [PMID: 38641027 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2024.105746] [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: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Epilepsy is a chronic brain dysfunction characterized by recurrent epileptic seizures. Rapamycin is a naturally occurring macrolide from Streptomyces hygroscopicus, and rapamycin may provide a protective effect on the nervous system by affecting mTOR. Therefore, we investigated the pharmacologic mechanism of rapamycin treating epilepsy through bioinformatics analysis, cellular experiments and supercomputer simulation. METHODS Bioinformatics analysis was used to analyze targets of rapamycin treating epilepsy. We established epilepsy cell model by HT22 cells. RT-qPCR, WB and IF were used to verify the effects of rapamycin on mTOR at gene level and protein level. Computer simulations were used to model and evaluate the stability of rapamycin binding to mTOR protein. RESULTS Bioinformatics indicated mTOR played an essential role in signaling pathways of cell growth and cell metabolism. Cellular experiments showed that rapamycin could promote cell survival, and rapamycin did not have an effect on mRNA expression of mTOR. However, rapamycin was able to significantly inhibit the phosphorylation of mTOR at protein level. Computer simulations indicated that rapamycin was involved in the treatment of epilepsy through regulating phosphorylation of mTOR at protein level. CONCLUSION We found that rapamycin was capable of promoting the survival of epilepsy cells by inhibiting the phosphorylation of mTOR at protein level, and rapamycin did not have an effect on mRNA expression of mTOR. In addition to the traditional study that rapamycin affects mTORC1 complex by acting on FKBP12, this study found rapamycin could also directly block the phosphorylation of mTOR, therefore affecting the assembly of mTORC1 complex and mTOR signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kezhou Li
- College of Medicine, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China; Pancreatic Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jun-Feng Cao
- Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, China; College of Medicine, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China
| | | | - Li Xiong
- Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, China
| | - Mei Wu
- Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, China
| | - Yue Qi
- Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, China
| | | | | | - Xuntai Ma
- Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, China; The First Affiliated Hospital of Clinical Medical College of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, China.
| | - Xiao Zhang
- Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, China.
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Merabova N, Ugartemendia L, Edlow AG, Ibarra C, Darbinian N, Tatevosian G, Goetzl L. Maternal obesity: sex-specific in utero changes in fetal brain autophagy and mTOR. Obesity (Silver Spring) 2024; 32:1136-1143. [PMID: 38644654 DOI: 10.1002/oby.24017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Maternal obesity affects 39.7% of reproductive-age women in the United States. Emerging research has suggested that in utero exposure to maternal obesity is associated with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes, but knowledge of underlying mechanisms in human samples is lacking. METHODS A matched case-control study was performed in women with singleton fetuses who were undergoing elective pregnancy termination at gestational ages 15 to 21 weeks. Maternal adiponectin levels from plasma were measured using ELISA kits. RNA was extracted from fetal brain tissue using RNeasy Mini Kit (QIAGEN). mRNA expression from ADIPOR1, ADIPOR2, MTOR, ATG5, ATG7, BECN1, and MAP1LC3B was quantified through the ΔΔCt method and using GAPDH as a housekeeping gene. RESULTS We have identified transcription patterns associated with inhibition of autophagy in male fetal brain tissue exposed to maternal obesity (↑MTOR, ↓ATG5, ↓ATG7, and ↓MAP1LC3B), with female fetuses demonstrating either no change in transcription or nonsignificant changes associated with increased autophagy. There was significant downregulation of the autophagy-associated gene BECN1 in both male and female individuals who were exposed to obesity in utero. CONCLUSIONS We present novel evidence suggesting that in utero exposure to maternal obesity in humans may significantly affect neurodevelopment, especially in male fetuses, through alterations in normal autophagy molecular mechanisms and with adiponectin as a potential mediator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nana Merabova
- Department of Family Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin-Prevea, Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Lierni Ugartemendia
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, McGovern Medical School at University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Andrea G Edlow
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Claudia Ibarra
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, McGovern Medical School at University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Nune Darbinian
- Shriners Pediatric Research Center, Center for Neural Repair and Rehabilitation, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Gabriel Tatevosian
- Shriners Pediatric Research Center, Center for Neural Repair and Rehabilitation, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Laura Goetzl
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, McGovern Medical School at University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
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Dhaliwal NK, Weng OY, Dong X, Bhattacharya A, Ahmed M, Nishimura H, Choi WWY, Aggarwal A, Luikart BW, Shu Q, Li X, Wilson MD, Moffat J, Wang LY, Muffat J, Li Y. Synergistic hyperactivation of both mTORC1 and mTORC2 underlies the neural abnormalities of PTEN-deficient human neurons and cortical organoids. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114173. [PMID: 38700984 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114173] [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: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) gene are associated with severe neurodevelopmental disorders. Loss of PTEN leads to hyperactivation of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), which functions in two distinct protein complexes, mTORC1 and mTORC2. The downstream signaling mechanisms that contribute to PTEN mutant phenotypes are not well delineated. Here, we show that pluripotent stem cell-derived PTEN mutant human neurons, neural precursors, and cortical organoids recapitulate disease-relevant phenotypes, including hypertrophy, electrical hyperactivity, enhanced proliferation, and structural overgrowth. PTEN loss leads to simultaneous hyperactivation of mTORC1 and mTORC2. We dissect the contribution of mTORC1 and mTORC2 by generating double mutants of PTEN and RPTOR or RICTOR, respectively. Our results reveal that the synergistic hyperactivation of both mTORC1 and mTORC2 is essential for the PTEN mutant human neural phenotypes. Together, our findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms that underlie PTEN-related neural disorders and highlight novel therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Navroop K Dhaliwal
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Octavia Yifang Weng
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Xiaoxue Dong
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; The Children's Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310052, China; The Institute of Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, China
| | - Afrin Bhattacharya
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Mai Ahmed
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Haruka Nishimura
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Wendy W Y Choi
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada; Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Aditi Aggarwal
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Bryan W Luikart
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Qiang Shu
- The Children's Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310052, China
| | - Xuekun Li
- The Children's Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310052, China; The Institute of Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, China
| | - Michael D Wilson
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada; Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Jason Moffat
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada; Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Lu-Yang Wang
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Julien Muffat
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Yun Li
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada.
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Ding C, Zhou W, Shi Y, Shan S, Yuan Y, Zhang Y, Li F, Qiu Z. Srcap haploinsufficiency induced autistic-like behaviors in mice through disruption of Satb2 expression. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114231. [PMID: 38733588 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114231] [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: 02/03/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the SRCAP gene are among the genetic alterations identified in autism spectrum disorders (ASD). However, the pathogenic mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that Srcap+/- mice manifest deficits in social novelty response, as well as increased repetitive behaviors, anxiety, and impairments in learning and memory. Notably, a reduction in parvalbumin-positive neurons is observed in the retrosplenial cortex (RSC) and dentate gyrus (DG) of these mice. Through RNA sequencing, we identify dysregulation in 27 ASD-related genes in Srcap+/- mice. Specifically, we find that Srcap regulates expression of Satb2 via H2A.z in the promoter. Therapeutic intervention via retro-orbital injection of adeno-associated virus (AAV)-Satb2 in neonatal Srcap+/- mice leads to amelioration of the neurodevelopmental and ASD-like abnormalities. Furthermore, the expression of Satb2 only in the RSC of adolescent mice rectifies social novelty impairments. These results underscore the pivotal role of Srcap in neurodevelopment, by regulating Satb2, providing valuable insights for the pathophysiology of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaodong Ding
- Songjiang Research Institute, Songjiang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Institute of Neuroscience, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Zhou
- MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric & Child Primary Care, Brain and Behavioral Research Unit of Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuhan Shi
- Institute of Neuroscience, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Shifang Shan
- Institute of Neuroscience, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yiting Yuan
- Songjiang Research Institute, Songjiang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuefang Zhang
- Songjiang Research Institute, Songjiang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Fei Li
- MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric & Child Primary Care, Brain and Behavioral Research Unit of Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zilong Qiu
- Songjiang Research Institute, Songjiang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Institute of Neuroscience, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China; MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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7
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Xia QQ, Singh A, Wang J, Xuan ZX, Singer JD, Powell CM. Autism risk gene Cul3 alters neuronal morphology via caspase-3 activity in mouse hippocampal neurons. Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 18:1320784. [PMID: 38803442 PMCID: PMC11129687 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2024.1320784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) are neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) in which children display differences in social interaction/communication and repetitive stereotyped behaviors along with variable associated features. Cul3, a gene linked to ASD, encodes CUL3 (CULLIN-3), a protein that serves as a key component of a ubiquitin ligase complex with unclear function in neurons. Cul3 homozygous deletion in mice is embryonic lethal; thus, we examine the role of Cul3 deletion in early synapse development and neuronal morphology in hippocampal primary neuronal cultures. Homozygous deletion of Cul3 significantly decreased dendritic complexity and dendritic length, as well as axon formation. Synaptic spine density significantly increased, mainly in thin and stubby spines along with decreased average spine volume in Cul3 knockouts. Both heterozygous and homozygous knockout of Cul3 caused significant reductions in the density and colocalization of gephyrin/vGAT puncta, providing evidence of decreased inhibitory synapse number, while excitatory synaptic puncta vGulT1/PSD95 density remained unchanged. Based on previous studies implicating elevated caspase-3 after Cul3 deletion, we demonstrated increased caspase-3 in our neuronal cultures and decreased neuronal cell viability. We then examined the efficacy of the caspase-3 inhibitor Z-DEVD-FMK to rescue the decrease in neuronal cell viability, demonstrating reversal of the cell viability phenotype with caspase-3 inhibition. Studies have also implicated caspase-3 in neuronal morphological changes. We found that caspase-3 inhibition largely reversed the dendrite, axon, and spine morphological changes along with the inhibitory synaptic puncta changes. Overall, these data provide additional evidence that Cul3 regulates the formation or maintenance of cell morphology, GABAergic synaptic puncta, and neuronal viability in developing hippocampal neurons in culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang-qiang Xia
- Department of Neurobiology, Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine & Civitan International Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Anju Singh
- Department of Neurobiology, Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine & Civitan International Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Neurobiology, Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine & Civitan International Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Zhong Xin Xuan
- Department of Neurobiology, Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine & Civitan International Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Jeffrey D. Singer
- Department of Biology, Portland State University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Craig M. Powell
- Department of Neurobiology, Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine & Civitan International Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
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Molinaro G, Bowles JE, Croom K, Gonzalez D, Mirjafary S, Birnbaum SG, Razak KA, Gibson JR, Huber KM. Female-specific dysfunction of sensory neocortical circuits in a mouse model of autism mediated by mGluR5 and estrogen receptor α. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114056. [PMID: 38581678 PMCID: PMC11112681 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114056] [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: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Little is known of the brain mechanisms that mediate sex-specific autism symptoms. Here, we demonstrate that deletion of the autism spectrum disorder (ASD)-risk gene, Pten, in neocortical pyramidal neurons (NSEPten knockout [KO]) results in robust cortical circuit hyperexcitability selectively in female mice observed as prolonged spontaneous persistent activity states. Circuit hyperexcitability in females is mediated by metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) and estrogen receptor α (ERα) signaling to mitogen-activated protein kinases (Erk1/2) and de novo protein synthesis. Pten KO layer 5 neurons have a female-specific increase in mGluR5 and mGluR5-dependent protein synthesis. Furthermore, mGluR5-ERα complexes are generally elevated in female cortices, and genetic reduction of ERα rescues enhanced circuit excitability, protein synthesis, and neuron size selectively in NSEPten KO females. Female NSEPten KO mice display deficits in sensory processing and social behaviors as well as mGluR5-dependent seizures. These results reveal mechanisms by which sex and a high-confidence ASD-risk gene interact to affect brain function and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gemma Molinaro
- Department of Neuroscience, O'Donnell Brain Institute, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Jacob E Bowles
- Department of Neuroscience, O'Donnell Brain Institute, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Katilynne Croom
- Graduate Neuroscience Program, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Darya Gonzalez
- Department of Neuroscience, O'Donnell Brain Institute, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Saba Mirjafary
- Department of Neuroscience, O'Donnell Brain Institute, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Shari G Birnbaum
- Department of Psychiatry, O'Donnell Brain Institute, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Khaleel A Razak
- Graduate Neuroscience Program, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA; Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Jay R Gibson
- Department of Neuroscience, O'Donnell Brain Institute, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Kimberly M Huber
- Department of Neuroscience, O'Donnell Brain Institute, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
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9
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Li Y, Zhang S, Tang C, Yang B, Atrooz F, Ren Z, Mohan C, Salim S, Wu T. Autoimmune and neuropsychiatric phenotypes in a Mecp2 transgenic mouse model on C57BL/6 background. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1370254. [PMID: 38524134 PMCID: PMC10960363 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1370254] [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: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) impacts the central nervous system (CNS), leading to severe neurological and psychiatric manifestations known as neuropsychiatric lupus (NPSLE). The complexity and heterogeneity of clinical presentations of NPSLE impede direct investigation of disease etiology in patients. The limitations of existing mouse models developed for NPSLE obstruct a comprehensive understanding of this disease. Hence, the identification of a robust mouse model of NPSLE is desirable. Methods C57BL/6 mice transgenic for human MeCP2 (B6.Mecp2Tg1) were phenotyped, including autoantibody profiling through antigen array, analysis of cellularity and activation of splenic immune cells through flow cytometry, and measurement of proteinuria. Behavioral tests were conducted to explore their neuropsychiatric functions. Immunofluorescence analyses were used to reveal altered neurogenesis and brain inflammation. Various signaling molecules implicated in lupus pathogenesis were examined using western blotting. Results B6.Mecp2Tg1 exhibits elevated proteinuria and an overall increase in autoantibodies, particularly in female B6.Mecp2Tg1 mice. An increase in CD3+CD4+ T cells in the transgenic mice was observed, along with activated germinal center cells and activated CD11b+F4/80+ macrophages. Moreover, the transgenic mice displayed reduced locomotor activity, heightened anxiety and depression, and impaired short-term memory. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed IgG deposition and immune cell infiltration in the kidneys and brains of transgenic mice, as well as altered neurogenesis, activated microglia, and compromised blood-brain barrier (BBB). Additionally, protein levels of various key signaling molecules were found to be differentially modulated upon MeCP2 overexpression, including GFAP, BDNF, Albumin, NCoR1, mTOR, and NLRP3. Discussion Collectively, this work demonstrates that B6.Mecp2Tg1 mice exhibit lupus-like phenotypes as well as robust CNS dysfunctions, suggesting its utility as a new animal model for NPSLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaxi Li
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Shu Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Chenling Tang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Bowen Yang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Fatin Atrooz
- Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Zhifeng Ren
- Department of Physics, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Chandra Mohan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Samina Salim
- Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Tianfu Wu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
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10
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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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11
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Kumari R, Pascalau R, Wang H, Bajpayi S, Yurgel M, Quansah K, Hattar S, Tampakakis E, Kuruvilla R. Sympathetic NPY controls glucose homeostasis, cold tolerance, and cardiovascular functions in mice. Cell Rep 2024; 43:113674. [PMID: 38236776 PMCID: PMC10951981 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.113674] [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: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/01/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is best known for its effects in the brain as an orexigenic and anxiolytic agent and in reducing energy expenditure. NPY is also co-expressed with norepinephrine (NE) in sympathetic neurons. Although NPY is generally considered to modulate noradrenergic responses, its specific roles in autonomic physiology remain under-appreciated. Here, we show that sympathetic-derived NPY is essential for metabolic and cardiovascular regulation in mice. NPY and NE are co-expressed in 90% of prevertebral sympathetic neurons and only 43% of paravertebral neurons. NPY-expressing neurons primarily innervate blood vessels in peripheral organs. Sympathetic-specific NPY deletion elicits pronounced metabolic and cardiovascular defects in mice, including reductions in insulin secretion, glucose tolerance, cold tolerance, and pupil size and elevated heart rate, while notably, however, basal blood pressure was unchanged. These findings provide insight into target tissue-specific functions of NPY derived from sympathetic neurons and imply its potential involvement in metabolic and cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raniki Kumari
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Raluca Pascalau
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Hui Wang
- Section on Light and Circadian Rhythms, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Sheetal Bajpayi
- Division of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Maria Yurgel
- Section on Light and Circadian Rhythms, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Kwaku Quansah
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA; Division of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Samer Hattar
- Section on Light and Circadian Rhythms, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Emmanouil Tampakakis
- Division of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Rejji Kuruvilla
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA.
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12
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Molinaro G, Bowles JE, Croom K, Gonzalez D, Mirjafary S, Birnbaum S, Razak KA, Gibson JR, Huber KM. Female specific dysfunction of sensory neocortical circuits in a mouse model of autism mediated by mGluR5 and Estrogen Receptor α. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.08.10.552857. [PMID: 37609208 PMCID: PMC10441407 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.10.552857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Autism manifests differently in males and females and the brain mechanisms that mediate these sex-dependent differences are unknown. Here, we demonstrate that deletion of the ASD-risk gene, Pten, in neocortical pyramidal neurons (NSE Pten KO) results in robust hyperexcitability of local neocortical circuits in female, but not male, mice, observed as prolonged, spontaneous persistent activity states (UP states). Circuit hyperexcitability in NSE Pten KO mice is mediated by enhanced and/or altered signaling of metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) and estrogen receptor α (ERα) to ERK and protein synthesis selectively in Pten deleted female neurons. In support of this idea, Pten deleted Layer 5 cortical neurons have female-specific increases in mGluR5 and mGluR5-driven protein synthesis. In addition, mGluR5-ERα complexes are elevated in female cortex and genetic reduction of ERα in Pten KO cortical neurons rescues circuit excitability, protein synthesis and enlarged neurons selectively in females. Abnormal timing and hyperexcitability of neocortical circuits in female NSE Pten KO mice are associated with deficits in temporal processing of sensory stimuli and social behaviors as well as mGluR5-dependent seizures. Female-specific cortical hyperexcitability and mGluR5-dependent seizures are also observed in a human disease relevant mouse model, germline Pten +/- mice. Our results reveal molecular mechanisms by which sex and a high impact ASD-risk gene interact to affect brain function and behavior.
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13
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Rahman M, Nguyen TM, Lee GJ, Kim B, Park MK, Lee CH. Unraveling the Role of Ras Homolog Enriched in Brain (Rheb1 and Rheb2): Bridging Neuronal Dynamics and Cancer Pathogenesis through Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Signaling. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1489. [PMID: 38338768 PMCID: PMC10855792 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031489] [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: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Ras homolog enriched in brain (Rheb1 and Rheb2), small GTPases, play a crucial role in regulating neuronal activity and have gained attention for their implications in cancer development, particularly in breast cancer. This study delves into the intricate connection between the multifaceted functions of Rheb1 in neurons and cancer, with a specific focus on the mTOR pathway. It aims to elucidate Rheb1's involvement in pivotal cellular processes such as proliferation, apoptosis resistance, migration, invasion, metastasis, and inflammatory responses while acknowledging that Rheb2 has not been extensively studied. Despite the recognized associations, a comprehensive understanding of the intricate interplay between Rheb1 and Rheb2 and their roles in both nerve and cancer remains elusive. This review consolidates current knowledge regarding the impact of Rheb1 on cancer hallmarks and explores the potential of Rheb1 as a therapeutic target in cancer treatment. It emphasizes the necessity for a deeper comprehension of the molecular mechanisms underlying Rheb1-mediated oncogenic processes, underscoring the existing gaps in our understanding. Additionally, the review highlights the exploration of Rheb1 inhibitors as a promising avenue for cancer therapy. By shedding light on the complicated roles between Rheb1/Rheb2 and cancer, this study provides valuable insights to the scientific community. These insights are instrumental in guiding the identification of novel targets and advancing the development of effective therapeutic strategies for treating cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mostafizur Rahman
- College of Pharmacy, Dongguk University, Seoul 04620, Republic of Korea; (M.R.); (G.J.L.)
| | - Tuan Minh Nguyen
- College of Pharmacy, Dongguk University, Seoul 04620, Republic of Korea; (M.R.); (G.J.L.)
| | - Gi Jeong Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Dongguk University, Seoul 04620, Republic of Korea; (M.R.); (G.J.L.)
| | - Boram Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Dongguk University, Seoul 04620, Republic of Korea; (M.R.); (G.J.L.)
| | - Mi Kyung Park
- Department of BioHealthcare, Hwasung Medi-Science University, Hwaseong-si 18274, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang Hoon Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Dongguk University, Seoul 04620, Republic of Korea; (M.R.); (G.J.L.)
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14
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Tripathi MK, Ojha SK, Kartawy M, Khaliulin I, Hamoudi W, Amal H. Mutations associated with autism lead to similar synaptic and behavioral alterations in both sexes of male and female mouse brain. Sci Rep 2024; 14:10. [PMID: 38177238 PMCID: PMC10766975 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-50248-4] [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: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder based on synaptic abnormalities. The estimated prevalence rate of male individuals diagnosed with ASD prevails over females is in a proportion of 4:1. Consequently, males remain the main focus in ASD studies in clinical and experimental settings. Meanwhile, some studies point to an underestimation of this disorder in females. In this work, we studied the sex differences of the synaptic and behavioral phenotypes of ASD mouse models. Juvenile male and female Shank3Δ4-22 and Cntnap2-/- mutant mice and their WT littermates were used in the experiments. The animals were subjected to a Three-Chamber Sociability Test, then euthanized, and the whole cortex was used for the evaluation of the synaptic phenotype. Protein levels of glutamatergic (NR1) and GABAergic (GAD1 and VGAT) neuronal markers were measured. Protein level of synaptophysin (Syp) was also measured. Dendritic spine density in somatosensory neurons was analyzed by Golgi staining methods. Spine Density and GAD1, NR1, VGAT, and Syp levels were significantly reduced in Shank3Δ4-22 and Cntnap2-/- mice compared to the control group irrespective of sex, indicating impaired synaptic development in the mutant mice. These results were consistent with the lack of differences in the three-chamber sociability test between male and female mice. In conclusion, female ASD mice of both mutations undergo similar synaptic aberrations as their male counterparts and need to be studied along with the male animals. Finally, this work urges the psychiatry scientific community to use both sexes in their investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manish Kumar Tripathi
- Institute for Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Shashank Kumar Ojha
- Institute for Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Maryam Kartawy
- Institute for Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Igor Khaliulin
- Institute for Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Wajeha Hamoudi
- Institute for Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Haitham Amal
- Institute for Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.
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15
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Latchney SE, Ruiz Lopez BR, Womble PD, Blandin KJ, Lugo JN. Neuronal deletion of phosphatase and tensin homolog in mice results in spatial dysregulation of adult hippocampal neurogenesis. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1308066. [PMID: 38130682 PMCID: PMC10733516 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1308066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Adult neurogenesis is a persistent phenomenon in mammals that occurs in select brain structures in both healthy and diseased brains. The tumor suppressor gene, phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (Pten) has previously been found to restrict the proliferation of neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) in vivo. In this study, we aimed to provide a comprehensive picture of how conditional deletion of Pten may regulate the genesis of adult NSPCs in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus and the subventricular zone bordering the lateral ventricles. Using conventional markers and stereology, we quantified multiple stages of neurogenesis, including proliferating cells, immature neurons (neuroblasts), and apoptotic cells in several regions of the dentate gyrus, including the subgranular zone (SGZ), outer granule cell layer (oGCL), molecular layer, and hilus at 4 and 10 weeks of age. Our data demonstrate that conditional deletion of Pten in mice produces successive increases in dentate gyrus proliferating cells and immature neuroblasts, which confirms the known negative roles Pten has on cell proliferation and maturation. Specifically, we observe a significant increase in Ki67+ proliferating cells in the neurogenic SGZ at 4 weeks of age, but not 10 weeks of age. We also observe a delayed increase in neuroblasts at 10 weeks of age. However, our study expands on previous work by providing temporal, subregional, and neurogenesis-stage resolution. Specifically, we found that Pten deletion initially increases cell proliferation in the neurogenic SGZ, but this increase spreads to non-neurogenic dentate gyrus areas, including the hilus, oGCL, and molecular layer, as mice age. We also observed region-specific increases in apoptotic cells in the dentate gyrus hilar region that paralleled the regional increases in Ki67+ cells. Our work is accordant with the literature showing that Pten serves as a negative regulator of dentate gyrus neurogenesis but adds temporal and spatial components to the existing knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E. Latchney
- Department of Biology, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, St. Mary’s City, MD, United States
| | - Brayan R. Ruiz Lopez
- Department of Biology, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, St. Mary’s City, MD, United States
| | - Paige D. Womble
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, TX, United States
| | - Katherine J. Blandin
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, TX, United States
| | - Joaquin N. Lugo
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, TX, United States
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16
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El Hayek L, DeVries D, Gogate A, Aiken A, Kaur K, Chahrour MH. Disruption of the autism gene and chromatin regulator KDM5A alters hippocampal cell identity. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadi0074. [PMID: 37992166 PMCID: PMC10664992 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adi0074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Chromatin regulation plays a pivotal role in establishing and maintaining cellular identity and is one of the top pathways disrupted in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The hippocampus, composed of distinct cell types, is often affected in patients with ASD. However, the specific hippocampal cell types and their transcriptional programs that are dysregulated in ASD are unknown. Using single-nucleus RNA sequencing, we show that the ASD gene, lysine demethylase 5A (KDM5A), regulates the development of specific subtypes of excitatory and inhibitory neurons. We found that KDM5A is essential for establishing hippocampal cell identity by controlling a differentiation switch early in development. Our findings define a role for the chromatin regulator KDM5A in establishing hippocampal cell identity and contribute to the emerging convergent mechanisms across ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauretta El Hayek
- Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Darlene DeVries
- Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Ashlesha Gogate
- Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Ariel Aiken
- Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Kiran Kaur
- Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Maria H. Chahrour
- Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
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17
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Mosconi MW, Stevens CJ, Unruh KE, Shafer R, Elison JT. Endophenotype trait domains for advancing gene discovery in autism spectrum disorder. J Neurodev Disord 2023; 15:41. [PMID: 37993779 PMCID: PMC10664534 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-023-09511-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated with a diverse range of etiological processes, including both genetic and non-genetic causes. For a plurality of individuals with ASD, it is likely that the primary causes involve multiple common inherited variants that individually account for only small levels of variation in phenotypic outcomes. This genetic landscape creates a major challenge for detecting small but important pathogenic effects associated with ASD. To address similar challenges, separate fields of medicine have identified endophenotypes, or discrete, quantitative traits that reflect genetic likelihood for a particular clinical condition and leveraged the study of these traits to map polygenic mechanisms and advance more personalized therapeutic strategies for complex diseases. Endophenotypes represent a distinct class of biomarkers useful for understanding genetic contributions to psychiatric and developmental disorders because they are embedded within the causal chain between genotype and clinical phenotype, and they are more proximal to the action of the gene(s) than behavioral traits. Despite their demonstrated power for guiding new understanding of complex genetic structures of clinical conditions, few endophenotypes associated with ASD have been identified and integrated into family genetic studies. In this review, we argue that advancing knowledge of the complex pathogenic processes that contribute to ASD can be accelerated by refocusing attention toward identifying endophenotypic traits reflective of inherited mechanisms. This pivot requires renewed emphasis on study designs with measurement of familial co-variation including infant sibling studies, family trio and quad designs, and analysis of monozygotic and dizygotic twin concordance for select trait dimensions. We also emphasize that clarification of endophenotypic traits necessarily will involve integration of transdiagnostic approaches as candidate traits likely reflect liability for multiple clinical conditions and often are agnostic to diagnostic boundaries. Multiple candidate endophenotypes associated with ASD likelihood are described, and we propose a new focus on the analysis of "endophenotype trait domains" (ETDs), or traits measured across multiple levels (e.g., molecular, cellular, neural system, neuropsychological) along the causal pathway from genes to behavior. To inform our central argument for research efforts toward ETD discovery, we first provide a brief review of the concept of endophenotypes and their application to psychiatry. Next, we highlight key criteria for determining the value of candidate endophenotypes, including unique considerations for the study of ASD. Descriptions of different study designs for assessing endophenotypes in ASD research then are offered, including analysis of how select patterns of results may help prioritize candidate traits in future research. We also present multiple candidate ETDs that collectively cover a breadth of clinical phenomena associated with ASD, including social, language/communication, cognitive control, and sensorimotor processes. These ETDs are described because they represent promising targets for gene discovery related to clinical autistic traits, and they serve as models for analysis of separate candidate domains that may inform understanding of inherited etiological processes associated with ASD as well as overlapping neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew W Mosconi
- Schiefelbusch Institute for Life Span Studies and Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training (K-CART), University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA.
- Clinical Child Psychology Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA.
| | - Cassandra J Stevens
- Schiefelbusch Institute for Life Span Studies and Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training (K-CART), University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
- Clinical Child Psychology Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | - Kathryn E Unruh
- Schiefelbusch Institute for Life Span Studies and Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training (K-CART), University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | - Robin Shafer
- Schiefelbusch Institute for Life Span Studies and Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training (K-CART), University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | - Jed T Elison
- Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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18
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Cording KR, Bateup HS. Altered motor learning and coordination in mouse models of autism spectrum disorder. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1270489. [PMID: 38026686 PMCID: PMC10663323 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1270489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder with increasing prevalence. Over 1,000 risk genes have now been implicated in ASD, suggesting diverse etiology. However, the diagnostic criteria for the disorder still comprise two major behavioral domains - deficits in social communication and interaction, and the presence of restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior (RRBs). The RRBs associated with ASD include both stereotyped repetitive movements and other motor manifestations including changes in gait, balance, coordination, and motor skill learning. In recent years, the striatum, the primary input center of the basal ganglia, has been implicated in these ASD-associated motor behaviors, due to the striatum's role in action selection, motor learning, and habit formation. Numerous mouse models with mutations in ASD risk genes have been developed and shown to have alterations in ASD-relevant behaviors. One commonly used assay, the accelerating rotarod, allows for assessment of both basic motor coordination and motor skill learning. In this corticostriatal-dependent task, mice walk on a rotating rod that gradually increases in speed. In the extended version of this task, mice engage striatal-dependent learning mechanisms to optimize their motor routine and stay on the rod for longer periods. This review summarizes the findings of studies examining rotarod performance across a range of ASD mouse models, and the resulting implications for the involvement of striatal circuits in ASD-related motor behaviors. While performance in this task is not uniform across mouse models, there is a cohort of models that show increased rotarod performance. A growing number of studies suggest that this increased propensity to learn a fixed motor routine may reflect a common enhancement of corticostriatal drive across a subset of mice with mutations in ASD-risk genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine R. Cording
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Helen S. Bateup
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
- Molecular and Cell Biology Department, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, United States
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19
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Chen Y, Wu XL, Hu HB, Yang SN, Zhang ZY, Fu GL, Zhang CT, Li ZM, Wu F, Si KW, Ma YB, Ji SF, Zhou JS, Ren XY, Xiao XL, Liu JX. Neuronal MeCP2 in the dentate gyrus regulates mossy fiber sprouting of mice with temporal lobe epilepsy. Neurobiol Dis 2023; 188:106346. [PMID: 37931884 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Sprouting of mossy fibers, one of the most consistent findings in tissue from patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy, exhibits several uncommon axonal growth features and has been considered a paradigmatic example of circuit plasticity that occurs in the adult brain. Clarifying the mechanisms responsible may provide new insight into epileptogenesis as well as axon misguidance in the central nervous system. Methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2) binds to methylated genomic DNA to regulate a range of physiological functions implicated in neuronal development and adult synaptic plasticity. However, exploring the potential role of MeCP2 in the documented misguidance of axons in the dentate gyrus has not yet been attempted. In this study, a status epilepticus-induced decrease of neuronal MeCP2 was observed in the dentate gyrus (DG). An essential regulatory role of MeCP2 in the development of functional mossy fiber sprouting (MFS) was confirmed through stereotaxic injection of a recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) to up- or down-regulate MeCP2 in the dentate neurons. Chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) was performed to identify the binding profile of native MeCP2 using micro-dissected dentate tissues. In both dentate tissues and HT22 cell lines, we demonstrated that MeCP2 could act as a transcription repressor on miR-682 with the involvement of the DNA methylation mechanism. Further, we found that miR-682 could bind to mRNA of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) in a sequence specific manner, thus leading to the suppression of PTEN and excessive activation of mTOR. This study therefore presents a novel epigenetic mechanism by identifying MeCP2/miR-682/PTEN/mTOR as an essential signal pathway in regulating the formation of MFS in the temporal lobe epileptic (TLE) mice. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Understanding the mechanisms that regulate axon guidance is important for a better comprehension of neural disorders. Sprouting of mossy fibers, one of the most consistent findings in patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy, has been considered a paradigmatic example of circuit plasticity in the adult brain. Although abnormal regulation of DNA methylation has been observed in both experimental rodents and humans with epilepsy, the potential role of DNA methylation in this well-documented example of sprouting of dentate axon remains elusive. This study demonstrates an essential role of methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 in the formation of mossy fiber sprouting. The underlying signal pathway has been also identified. The data hence provide new insight into epileptogenesis as well as axon misguidance in the central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Chen
- Institute of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 West Yanta Road, Xi'an City, 710061, China; Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 West Yanta Road, Xi'an City, 710061, China; Institute of Neuroscience, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 West Yanta Road, Xi'an City 710061, China
| | - Xiao-Lin Wu
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 West Yanta Road, Xi'an City, 710061, China
| | - Hai-Bo Hu
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 West Yanta Road, Xi'an City, 710061, China
| | - Shu-Nan Yang
- Institute of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 West Yanta Road, Xi'an City, 710061, China; Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 West Yanta Road, Xi'an City, 710061, China; Institute of Neuroscience, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 West Yanta Road, Xi'an City 710061, China
| | - Zi-Yi Zhang
- Institute of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 West Yanta Road, Xi'an City, 710061, China; Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 West Yanta Road, Xi'an City, 710061, China; Institute of Neuroscience, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 West Yanta Road, Xi'an City 710061, China
| | - Guan-Ling Fu
- Institute of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 West Yanta Road, Xi'an City, 710061, China; Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 West Yanta Road, Xi'an City, 710061, China; Institute of Neuroscience, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 West Yanta Road, Xi'an City 710061, China
| | - Chu-Tong Zhang
- Qide College, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
| | - Zi-Meng Li
- Zonglian College, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
| | - Feng Wu
- Center of Teaching and Experiment for Medical Postgraduates, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 West Yanta Road, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Kai-Wei Si
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 West Yanta Road, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Yan-Bing Ma
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 West Yanta Road, Xi'an City, 710061, China
| | - Sheng-Feng Ji
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 West Yanta Road, Xi'an City, 710061, China
| | - Jin-Song Zhou
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 West Yanta Road, Xi'an City, 710061, China
| | - Xiao-Yong Ren
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710004, China
| | - Xin-Li Xiao
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 West Yanta Road, Xi'an City, 710061, China.
| | - Jian-Xin Liu
- Institute of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 West Yanta Road, Xi'an City, 710061, China; Institute of Neuroscience, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 West Yanta Road, Xi'an City 710061, China.
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20
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Sokolova K, Theesfeld CL, Wong AK, Zhang Z, Dolinski K, Troyanskaya OG. Atlas of primary cell-type-specific sequence models of gene expression and variant effects. CELL REPORTS METHODS 2023; 3:100580. [PMID: 37703883 PMCID: PMC10545936 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmeth.2023.100580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
Human biology is rooted in highly specialized cell types programmed by a common genome, 98% of which is outside of genes. Genetic variation in the enormous noncoding space is linked to the majority of disease risk. To address the problem of linking these variants to expression changes in primary human cells, we introduce ExPectoSC, an atlas of modular deep-learning-based models for predicting cell-type-specific gene expression directly from sequence. We provide models for 105 primary human cell types covering 7 organ systems, demonstrate their accuracy, and then apply them to prioritize relevant cell types for complex human diseases. The resulting atlas of sequence-based gene expression and variant effects is publicly available in a user-friendly interface and readily extensible to any primary cell types. We demonstrate the accuracy of our approach through systematic evaluations and apply the models to prioritize ClinVar clinical variants of uncertain significance, verifying our top predictions experimentally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ksenia Sokolova
- Department of Computer Science, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA; Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Chandra L Theesfeld
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA.
| | - Aaron K Wong
- Flatiron Institute, Simons Foundation, New York City, NY 10001, USA
| | - Zijun Zhang
- Flatiron Institute, Simons Foundation, New York City, NY 10001, USA; Division of Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 116 N. Robertson Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Kara Dolinski
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Olga G Troyanskaya
- Department of Computer Science, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA; Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA; Flatiron Institute, Simons Foundation, New York City, NY 10001, USA.
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21
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Gundersen BB, O'Brien WT, Schaffler MD, Schultz MN, Tsukahara T, Lorenzo SM, Nalesso V, Luo Clayton AH, Abel T, Crawley JN, Datta SR, Herault Y. Towards Preclinical Validation of Arbaclofen (R-baclofen) Treatment for 16p11.2 Deletion Syndrome. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.01.538987. [PMID: 37745360 PMCID: PMC10515778 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.01.538987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
A microdeletion on human chromosome 16p11.2 is one of the most common copy number variants associated with autism spectrum disorder and other neurodevelopmental disabilities. Arbaclofen, a GABA(B) receptor agonist, is a component of racemic baclofen, which is FDA-approved for treating spasticity, and has been shown to alleviate behavioral phenotypes, including recognition memory deficits, in animal models of 16p11.2 deletion. Given the lack of reproducibility sometimes observed in mouse behavioral studies, we brought together a consortium of four laboratories to study the effects of arbaclofen on behavior in three different mouse lines with deletions in the mouse region syntenic to human 16p11.2 to test the robustness of these findings. Arbaclofen rescued cognitive deficits seen in two 16p11.2 deletion mouse lines in traditional recognition memory paradigms. Using an unsupervised machine-learning approach to analyze behavior, one lab found that arbaclofen also rescued differences in exploratory behavior in the open field in 16p11.2 deletion mice. Arbaclofen was not sedating and had modest off-target behavioral effects at the doses tested. Our studies show that arbaclofen consistently rescues behavioral phenotypes in 16p11.2 deletion mice, providing support for clinical trials of arbaclofen in humans with this deletion.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Melanie D Schaffler
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA
| | - Maria N Schultz
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA
| | | | - Sandra Martin Lorenzo
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS UMR7104, INSERM U1258, Institut de Genetique et de Biologie Moleculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Illkirch cedex, France
| | - Valerie Nalesso
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS UMR7104, INSERM U1258, Institut de Genetique et de Biologie Moleculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Illkirch cedex, France
| | | | - Ted Abel
- University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
| | - Jacqueline N Crawley
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA
| | | | - Yann Herault
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS UMR7104, INSERM U1258, Institut de Genetique et de Biologie Moleculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Illkirch cedex, France
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22
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Fernandez A, Sarn N, Eng C, Wright KM. Intrinsic control of DRG sensory neuron diversification by Pten. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.04.552039. [PMID: 37781577 PMCID: PMC10541114 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.04.552039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) modulates intracellular survival and differentiation signaling pathways downstream of neurotrophin receptors in the developing peripheral nervous system (PNS). Although well-studied in the context of brain development, our understanding of the in vivo role of PTEN in the PNS is limited to models of neuropathic pain and nerve injury. Here, we assessed how alterations in PTEN signaling affects the development of peripheral somatosensory circuits. We found that sensory neurons within the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) in Pten heterozygous ( Pten Het ) mice exhibit defects in neuronal subtype diversification. Abnormal DRG differentiation in Pten Het mice arises early in development, with subsets of neurons expressing both progenitor and neuronal markers. DRGs in Pten Het mice show dysregulation of both mTOR and GSK-3β signaling pathways downstream of PTEN. Finally, we show that mice with an autism-associated mutation in Pten ( Pten Y68H/+ ) show abnormal DRG development. Thus, we have discovered a crucial role for PTEN signaling in the intrinsic diversification of primary sensory neuron populations in the DRG during development.
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23
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Narvaiz DA, Nolan SO, Smith GD, Holley AJ, Reynolds CD, Blandin KJ, Nguyen PH, Tran DLK, Lugo JN. Rapamycin improves social and stereotypic behavior abnormalities induced by pre-mitotic neuronal subset specific Pten deletion. GENES, BRAIN, AND BEHAVIOR 2023:e12854. [PMID: 37376966 PMCID: PMC10393422 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is a signaling system integral to neural growth and migration. In both patients and rodent models, mutations to the phosphatase and tensin homolog gene (PTEN) on chromosome 10 results in hyperactivation of the mTOR pathway, as well as seizures, intellectual disabilities and autistic behaviors. Rapamycin, an inhibitor of mTOR, can reverse the epileptic phenotype of neural subset specific Pten knockout (NS-Pten KO) mice, but its impact on behavior is not known. To determine the behavioral effects of rapamycin, male and female NS-Pten KO and wildtype (WT) mice were assigned as controls or administered 10 mg/kg of rapamycin for 2 weeks followed by behavioral testing. Rapamycin improved social behavior in both genotypes and stereotypic behaviors in NS-Pten KO mice. Rapamycin treatment resulted in a reduction of several measures of activity in the open field test in both genotypes. Rapamycin did not reverse the reduced anxiety behavior in KO mice. These data show the potential clinical use of mTOR inhibitors by showing its administration can reduce the production of autistic-like behaviors in NS-Pten KO mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Narvaiz
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, USA
| | - Suzanne O Nolan
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, USA
| | - Gregory D Smith
- Institute of Biomedical Studies, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, USA
| | - Andrew J Holley
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, USA
| | - Conner D Reynolds
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, USA
| | - Katherine J Blandin
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, USA
| | - Phuoc H Nguyen
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, USA
| | - Doan L K Tran
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, USA
| | - Joaquin N Lugo
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, USA
- Institute of Biomedical Studies, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, USA
- Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, USA
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24
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Yonan JM, Steward O. Vector-mediated PTEN deletion in the adult dentate gyrus initiates new growth of granule cell bodies and dendrites and expansion of mossy fiber terminal fields that continues for months. Neurobiol Dis 2023:106190. [PMID: 37290578 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Embryonic and early postnatal deletion of the gene phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) results in neuronal hypertrophy, formation of aberrant neural networks and spontaneous seizures. Our previous studies document that deletion of PTEN in mature neurons also causes growth of cortical neuron cell bodies and dendrites, but it is unknown how this growth alters connectivity in mature circuits. Here, we explore consequences of deleting PTEN in a focal area of the dentate gyrus in adult male and female mice. PTEN deletion was accomplished by injecting AAV-Cre unilaterally into the dentate gyrus of double transgenic mice with lox-P sites flanking exon 5 of the PTEN gene and stop/flox tdTomato in the Rosa locus (PTENf/f/RosatdTomato). Focal deletion led to progressive increases in the size of the dentate gyrus at the injection site, enlargement of granule cell bodies, and increases in dendritic length and caliber. Quantitative analysis of dendrites by Golgi staining revealed dramatic increases in spine numbers throughout the proximo-distal extent of the dendritic tree, suggesting that dendritic growth is sufficient to induce new synapse formation by input neurons with intact PTEN expression. Tract tracing of input pathways to the dentate gyrus from the ipsilateral entorhinal cortex and commissural/associational system revealed that laminar specificity of termination of inputs is maintained. Mossy fiber axons from PTEN-deleted granule cells expanded their terminal field in CA3 where PTEN expression was intact and supra-granular mossy fibers developed in some mice. These findings document that persistent activation of mTOR via PTEN deletion in fully mature neurons re-initiates a state of robust cell-intrinsic growth, upending connectional homeostasis in fully mature hippocampal circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer M Yonan
- Reeve-Irvine Research Center, Gillespie Neuroscience Research Facility, University of California at Irvine, 837 Health Sciences Rd., Irvine, CA 92697, United States of America; Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, Gillespie Neuroscience Research Facility, University of California at Irvine, 837 Health Sciences Rd., Irvine, CA 92697, United States of America; Gillespie Neuroscience Research Facility, University of California at Irvine, 837 Health Sciences Rd., Irvine, CA 92697, United States of America
| | - Oswald Steward
- Reeve-Irvine Research Center, Gillespie Neuroscience Research Facility, University of California at Irvine, 837 Health Sciences Rd., Irvine, CA 92697, United States of America; Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, Gillespie Neuroscience Research Facility, University of California at Irvine, 837 Health Sciences Rd., Irvine, CA 92697, United States of America; Department of Neurobiology & Behavior, Gillespie Neuroscience Research Facility, University of California at Irvine, 837 Health Sciences Rd., Irvine, CA 92697, United States of America; Department of Neurosurgery, Gillespie Neuroscience Research Facility, University of California at Irvine, 837 Health Sciences Rd., Irvine, CA 92697, United States of America; Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, Gillespie Neuroscience Research Facility, University of California at Irvine, 837 Health Sciences Rd., Irvine, CA 92697, United States of America; Gillespie Neuroscience Research Facility, University of California at Irvine, 837 Health Sciences Rd., Irvine, CA 92697, United States of America.
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25
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Mendez-Vazquez H, Roach RL, Nip K, Chanda S, Sathler MF, Garver T, Danzman RA, Moseley MC, Roberts JP, Koch ON, Steger AA, Lee R, Arikkath J, Kim S. The autism-associated loss of δ-catenin functions disrupts social behavior. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2300773120. [PMID: 37216537 PMCID: PMC10235948 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2300773120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
δ-catenin is expressed in excitatory synapses and functions as an anchor for the glutamatergic AMPA receptor (AMPAR) GluA2 subunit in the postsynaptic density. The glycine 34 to serine (G34S) mutation in the δ-catenin gene has been found in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) patients and results in loss of δ-catenin functions at excitatory synapses, which is presumed to underlie ASD pathogenesis in humans. However, how the G34S mutation causes loss of δ-catenin functions to induce ASD remains unclear. Here, using neuroblastoma cells, we identify that the G34S mutation increases glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β)-dependent δ-catenin degradation to reduce δ-catenin levels, which likely contributes to the loss of δ-catenin functions. Synaptic δ-catenin and GluA2 levels in the cortex are significantly decreased in mice harboring the δ-catenin G34S mutation. The G34S mutation increases glutamatergic activity in cortical excitatory neurons while it is decreased in inhibitory interneurons, indicating changes in cellular excitation and inhibition. δ-catenin G34S mutant mice also exhibit social dysfunction, a common feature of ASD. Most importantly, pharmacological inhibition of GSK3β activity reverses the G34S-induced loss of δ-catenin function effects in cells and mice. Finally, using δ-catenin knockout mice, we confirm that δ-catenin is required for GSK3β inhibition-induced restoration of normal social behavior in δ-catenin G34S mutant animals. Taken together, we reveal that the loss of δ-catenin functions arising from the ASD-associated G34S mutation induces social dysfunction via alterations in glutamatergic activity and that GSK3β inhibition can reverse δ-catenin G34S-induced synaptic and behavioral deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Regan L. Roach
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO80523
| | - Kaila Nip
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, Colorado State UniversityFort CollinsCO80523
| | - Soham Chanda
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, Colorado State UniversityFort CollinsCO80523
- Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Neurosciences Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO80523
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO80523
| | - Matheus F. Sathler
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO80523
| | - Tyler Garver
- Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Neurosciences Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO80523
| | - Rosaline A. Danzman
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO80523
| | - Madeleine C. Moseley
- Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Neurosciences Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO80523
| | - Jessica P. Roberts
- Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Neurosciences Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO80523
| | - Olivia N. Koch
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO80523
| | | | - Rahmi Lee
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO80523
| | - Jyothi Arikkath
- Developmental Neuroscience, Munore-Meyer Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE68198
| | - Seonil Kim
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO80523
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, Colorado State UniversityFort CollinsCO80523
- Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Neurosciences Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO80523
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26
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Cheung SKK, Kwok J, Or PMY, Wong CW, Feng B, Choy KW, Chang RCC, Burbach JPH, Cheng ASL, Chan AM. Neuropathological signatures revealed by transcriptomic and proteomic analysis in Pten-deficient mouse models. Sci Rep 2023; 13:6763. [PMID: 37185447 PMCID: PMC10130134 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-33869-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
PTEN hamartoma tumour syndrome is characterised by mutations in the human PTEN gene. We performed transcriptomic and proteomic analyses of neural tissues and primary cultures from heterozygous and homozygous Pten-knockout mice. The somatosensory cortex of heterozygous Pten-knockout mice was enriched in immune response and oligodendrocyte development Gene Ontology (GO) terms. Parallel proteomic analysis revealed differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) related to dendritic spine development, keratinisation and hamartoma signatures. However, primary astrocytes (ASTs) from heterozygous Pten-knockout mice were enriched in the extracellular matrix GO term, while primary cortical neurons (PCNs) were enriched in immediate-early genes. In ASTs from homozygous Pten-knockout mice, cilium-related activity was enriched, while PCNs exhibited downregulation of forebrain neuron generation and differentiation, implying an altered excitatory/inhibitory balance. By integrating DEPs with pre-filtered differentially expressed genes, we identified the enrichment of traits of intelligence, cognitive function and schizophrenia, while DEPs in ASTs were significantly associated with intelligence and depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stanley K K Cheung
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Jacinda Kwok
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Penelope M Y Or
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Chi Wai Wong
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
- Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology, Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Bo Feng
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Kwong Wai Choy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Raymond C C Chang
- Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - J Peter H Burbach
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Alfred S L Cheng
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Andrew M Chan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China.
- Brain and Mind Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 4/F, Hui Yeung Shing Building, Hong Kong, SAR, China.
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27
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Pearson A, Ortiz C, Eisenbaum M, Arrate C, Browning M, Mullan M, Bachmeier C, Crawford F, Ojo JO. Deletion of PTEN in microglia ameliorates chronic neuroinflammation following repetitive mTBI. Mol Cell Neurosci 2023; 125:103855. [PMID: 37084991 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2023.103855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in adults and children in developed nations. Following the primary injury, microglia, the resident innate immune cells of the CNS, initiate several inflammatory signaling cascades and pathophysiological responses that may persist chronically; chronic neuroinflammation following TBI has been closely linked to the development of neurodegeneration and neurological dysfunction. Phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3Ks) are a family of lipid kinases that have been shown to regulate several key mechanisms in the inflammatory response to TBI. Increasing evidence has shown that the modulation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway has the potential to influence the cellular response to inflammatory stimuli. However, directly targeting PI3K signaling poses several challenges due to its regulatory role in several cell survival pathways. We have previously identified that the phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN), the major negative regulator of PI3K/AKT signaling, is dysregulated following exposure to repetitive mild traumatic brain injury (r-mTBI). Moreover, this dysregulated PI3K/AKT signaling was correlated with chronic microglial-mediated neuroinflammation. Therefore, we interrogated microglial-specific PTEN as a therapeutic target in TBI by generating a microglial-specific, Tamoxifen inducible conditional PTEN knockout model using a CX3CR1 Cre recombinase mouse line PTENfl/fl/CX3CR1+/CreERT2 (mcg-PTENcKO), and exposed them to our 20-hit r-mTBI paradigm. Animals were treated with tamoxifen at 76 days post-last injury, and the effects of microglia PTEN deletion on immune-inflammatory responses were assessed at 90-days post last injury. We observed that the deletion of microglial PTEN ameliorated the proinflammatory response to repetitive brain trauma, not only reducing chronic microglial activation and proinflammatory cytokine production but also rescuing TBI-induced reactive astrogliosis, demonstrating that these effects extended beyond microglia alone. Additionally, we observed that the pharmacological inhibition of PTEN with BpV(HOpic) ameliorated the LPS-induced activation of microglial NFκB signaling in vitro. Together, these data provide support for the role of PTEN as a regulator of chronic neuroinflammation following repetitive mild TBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Pearson
- The Roskamp Institute, 2040 Whitfield Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34243, USA; The Open University, Walton Hall, Kents Hill, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, United Kingdom.
| | - Camila Ortiz
- The Roskamp Institute, 2040 Whitfield Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34243, USA; The Open University, Walton Hall, Kents Hill, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, United Kingdom
| | - Max Eisenbaum
- The Roskamp Institute, 2040 Whitfield Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34243, USA; The Open University, Walton Hall, Kents Hill, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, United Kingdom
| | - Clara Arrate
- The Roskamp Institute, 2040 Whitfield Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34243, USA
| | | | - Michael Mullan
- The Roskamp Institute, 2040 Whitfield Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34243, USA; The Open University, Walton Hall, Kents Hill, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, United Kingdom
| | - Corbin Bachmeier
- The Roskamp Institute, 2040 Whitfield Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34243, USA; The Open University, Walton Hall, Kents Hill, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, United Kingdom
| | - Fiona Crawford
- The Roskamp Institute, 2040 Whitfield Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34243, USA; The Open University, Walton Hall, Kents Hill, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, United Kingdom; James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, 13000 Bruce B Downs Blvd, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Joseph O Ojo
- The Roskamp Institute, 2040 Whitfield Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34243, USA; The Open University, Walton Hall, Kents Hill, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, United Kingdom
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28
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Frazier TW, Busch RM, Klaas P, Lachlan K, Jeste S, Kolevzon A, Loth E, Harris J, Speer L, Pepper T, Anthony K, Graglia JM, Delagrammatikas C, Bedrosian-Sermone S, Beekhuyzen J, Smith-Hicks C, Sahin M, Eng C, Hardan AY, Uljarević M. Development of informant-report neurobehavioral survey scales for PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome and related neurodevelopmental genetic syndromes. Am J Med Genet A 2023. [PMID: 37045800 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.63195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
There are few well-validated measures that are appropriate for assessing the full range of neurobehavioral presentations in PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome (PHTS) and other neurodevelopmental genetic syndromes (NDGS). As potential therapeutics are developed, having reliable, valid, free, and easily accessible measures to track a range of neurobehavioral domains will be crucial for future clinical trials. This study focused on the development and initial psychometric evaluation of a set of freely available informant-report survey scales for PHTS-the Neurobehavioral Evaluation Tool (NET). Concept elicitation, quantitative ratings, and cognitive interviewing processes were conducted with stakeholders and clinician-scientist experts, used to identify the most important neurobehavioral domains for this population, and to ensure items were appropriate for the full range of individuals with PHTS. Results of this process identified a PHTS neurobehavioral impact model with 11 domains. The final NET scales assessing these domains were administered to a sample of 384 participants (median completion time = 20.6 min), including 32 people with PHTS, 141 with other NDGS, 47 with idiopathic neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD), and 164 neurotypical controls. Initial psychometric results for the total scores of each scale indicated very good model (ω = 0.83-0.99) and internal consistency reliability (α = 0.82-0.98) as well as excellent test-retest reproducibility at 1-month follow-up (r = 0.78-0.98) and stability at 4-month follow-up (r = 0.76-0.96). Conditional reliability estimates indicated very strong measurement precision in key score ranges for assessing PHTS and other people with NDGS and/or idiopathic NDD. Comparisons across domains between PHTS and the other groups revealed specific patterns of symptoms and functioning, including lower levels of challenging behavior and more developed daily living and executive functioning skills relative to other NDGS. The NET appears to be a reliable and potentially useful tool for clinical characterization and monitoring of neurobehavioral symptoms in PHTS and may also have utility in the assessment of other NDGS and idiopathic NDD. Additional validation work, including convergent and discriminant validity analyses, are needed to replicate and extend these observations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas W Frazier
- Department of Psychology, John Carroll University, University Heights, Ohio, USA
- Departments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry,, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Robyn M Busch
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Clinic Cleveland, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Clinic Cleveland, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Patricia Klaas
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Clinic Cleveland, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Katherine Lachlan
- Human Genetics and Genomic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
| | - Shafali Jeste
- Division of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Alexander Kolevzon
- Departments of Psychiatry and Pediatrics, Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Eva Loth
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Science, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience Kings College London, London, UK
| | - Jacqueline Harris
- Krieger Institute and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Department of Neurology Kennedy, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Leslie Speer
- Department of Psychology, Frazier Behavioral Health, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Tom Pepper
- PTEN Research Foundation, Cheltenham, UK
| | - Kristin Anthony
- PTEN Hamartoma Tumor Syndrome Foundation, Huntsville, Alabama, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Constance Smith-Hicks
- Krieger Institute and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Department of Neurology Kennedy, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Mustafa Sahin
- Rosamund Stone Zander Translational Neuroscience Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Charis Eng
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Clinic Cleveland, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Antonia Y Hardan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Mirko Uljarević
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR Pathway in Cajal–Retzius Cells Leads to Their Survival and Increases Susceptibility to Kainate-Induced Seizures. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065376. [PMID: 36982451 PMCID: PMC10048971 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Cajal–Retzius cells (CRs) are a class of transient neurons in the mammalian cortex that play a critical role in cortical development. Neocortical CRs undergo almost complete elimination in the first two postnatal weeks in rodents and the persistence of CRs during postnatal life has been detected in pathological conditions related to epilepsy. However, it is unclear whether their persistence is a cause or consequence of these diseases. To decipher the molecular mechanisms involved in CR death, we investigated the contribution of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway as it plays a critical role in cell survival. We first showed that this pathway is less active in CRs after birth before massive cell death. We also explored the spatio-temporal activation of both AKT and mTOR pathways and reveal area-specific differences along both the rostro–caudal and medio–lateral axes. Next, using genetic approaches to maintain an active pathway in CRs, we found that the removal of either PTEN or TSC1, two negative regulators of the pathway, lead to differential CR survivals, with a stronger effect in the Pten model. Persistent cells in this latter mutant are still active. They express more Reelin and their persistence is associated with an increase in the duration of kainate-induced seizures in females. Altogether, we show that the decrease in PI3K/AKT/mTOR activity in CRs primes these cells to death by possibly repressing a survival pathway, with the mTORC1 branch contributing less to the phenotype.
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30
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The interaction between intestinal bacterial metabolites and phosphatase and tensin homolog in autism spectrum disorder. Mol Cell Neurosci 2023; 124:103805. [PMID: 36592799 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2022.103805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Intestinal bacteria-associated para-cresyl sulfate (pCS) and 4-ethylphenyl sulfate (4EPS) are elevated in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Both metabolites can induce ASD-like behaviors in mice, but the molecular mechanisms are not known. Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) is a susceptibility gene for ASD. The present study investigated the relation between pCS and 4EPS and PTEN in ASD in a valproic acid (VPA)-induced murine ASD model and an in vitro LPS-activated microglial model. The VPA-induced intestinal inflammation and compromised permeability in the distal ileum was not associated with changes of PTEN expression and phosphorylation. In contrast, VPA reduced PTEN expression in the hippocampus of mice. In vitro results show that pCS and 4EPS reduced PTEN expression and derailed innate immune response of BV2 microglial cells. The PTEN inhibitor VO-OHpic did not affect innate immune response of microglial cells. In conclusion, PTEN does not play a role in intestinal inflammation and compromised permeability in VPA-induced murine model for ASD. Although pCS and 4EPS reduced PTEN expression in microglial cells, PTEN is not involved in the pCS and 4EPS-induced derailed innate immune response of microglial cells. Further studies are needed to investigate the possible involvement of reduced PTEN expression in the ASD brain regarding synapse function and neuronal connectivity.
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31
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Pang S, Luo Z, Dong W, Gao S, Chen W, Liu N, Zhang X, Gao X, Li J, Gao K, Shi X, Guan F, Zhang L, Zhang L. Integrin β1/FAK/SRC signal pathway is involved in autism spectrum disorder in Tspan7 knockout rats. Life Sci Alliance 2023; 6:6/3/e202201616. [PMID: 36625203 PMCID: PMC9768919 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202201616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
TSPAN7 is related to various neurological disorders including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the underlying synaptic mechanism of TSPAN7 in ASD is still unclear. Here, we showed that Tspan7 knockout rats exhibited ASD-like and ID-like behavioral phenotypes, brain structure alterations including decreased hippocampal and cortical volume, and related pathological changes including reduced hippocampal neurons number, neuronal complexity, dendritic spines, and synapse-associated proteins. Then, we found that TSPAN7 deletion interrupted the integrin β1/FAK/SRC signal pathway that was followed by the down-regulation of PSD95, SYN, and GluR1/2, which are key synaptic integrity-related proteins. Furthermore, reactivation of SRC restored the expression of synaptic integrity-related proteins in primary neurons of TSPAN7 knockout brains. Taken together, our results suggested that TSPAN7 knockout caused ASD-like and ID-like behaviors in rats and impaired neuronal synapses possibly through the down-regulation of the integrin β1/FAK/SRC signal pathway, which might be a new mechanism on regulation of synaptic proteins expression and on ASD pathogenesis by mutated TSPAN7. These findings provide novel insights into the role of TSPAN7 in psychiatric diseases and highlight integrin β1/FAK/SRC as a potential target for ASD therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Pang
- Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, National Health Commission of China, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.,Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhuohui Luo
- Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, National Health Commission of China, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.,Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Dong
- Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, National Health Commission of China, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shan Gao
- Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, National Health Commission of China, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Beijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Diseases, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ning Liu
- Beijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Diseases, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xu Zhang
- Beijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Diseases, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiang Gao
- Beijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Diseases, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Li
- Beijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Diseases, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Kai Gao
- Beijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Diseases, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xudong Shi
- Beijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Diseases, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Feifei Guan
- Beijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Diseases, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Beijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Diseases, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lianfeng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, National Health Commission of China, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China .,Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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32
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Thomas SD, Jha NK, Ojha S, Sadek B. mTOR Signaling Disruption and Its Association with the Development of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28041889. [PMID: 36838876 PMCID: PMC9964164 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28041889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impairments in social interaction and communication along with repetitive stereotypic behaviors. Currently, there are no specific biomarkers for diagnostic screening or treatments available for autistic patients. Numerous genetic disorders are associated with high prevalence of ASD, including tuberous sclerosis complex, phosphatase and tensin homolog, and fragile X syndrome. Preclinical investigations in animal models of these diseases have revealed irregularities in the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway as well as ASD-related behavioral defects. Reversal of the downstream molecular irregularities, associated with mTOR hyperactivation, improved the behavioral deficits observed in the preclinical investigations. Plant bioactive molecules have shown beneficial pre-clinical evidence in ASD treatment by modulating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. In this review, we summarize the involvement of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway as well as the genetic alterations of the pathway components and its critical impact on the development of the autism spectrum disorder. Mutations in negative regulators of mTORC1, such as TSC1, TSC2, and PTEN, result in ASD-like phenotypes through the disruption of the mTORC1-mediated signaling. We further discuss the various naturally occurring phytoconstituents that have been identified to be bioactive and modulate the pathway to prevent its disruption and contribute to beneficial therapeutic effects in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilu Deepa Thomas
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
- Zayed Bin Sultan Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
| | - Niraj Kumar Jha
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Engineering and Technology (SET), Sharda University, Greater Noida 201310, India
- School of Bioengineering & Biosciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara 144411, India
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied & Life Sciences (SALS), Uttaranchal University, Dehradun 248007, India
| | - Shreesh Ojha
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
- Zayed Bin Sultan Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
| | - Bassem Sadek
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
- Zayed Bin Sultan Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
- Correspondence:
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Ritchie FD, Lizarraga SB. The role of histone methyltransferases in neurocognitive disorders associated with brain size abnormalities. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:989109. [PMID: 36845425 PMCID: PMC9950662 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.989109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain size is controlled by several factors during neuronal development, including neural progenitor proliferation, neuronal arborization, gliogenesis, cell death, and synaptogenesis. Multiple neurodevelopmental disorders have co-morbid brain size abnormalities, such as microcephaly and macrocephaly. Mutations in histone methyltransferases that modify histone H3 on Lysine 36 and Lysine 4 (H3K36 and H3K4) have been identified in neurodevelopmental disorders involving both microcephaly and macrocephaly. H3K36 and H3K4 methylation are both associated with transcriptional activation and are proposed to sterically hinder the repressive activity of the Polycomb Repressor Complex 2 (PRC2). During neuronal development, tri-methylation of H3K27 (H3K27me3) by PRC2 leads to genome wide transcriptional repression of genes that regulate cell fate transitions and neuronal arborization. Here we provide a review of neurodevelopmental processes and disorders associated with H3K36 and H3K4 histone methyltransferases, with emphasis on processes that contribute to brain size abnormalities. Additionally, we discuss how the counteracting activities of H3K36 and H3K4 modifying enzymes vs. PRC2 could contribute to brain size abnormalities which is an underexplored mechanism in relation to brain size control.
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34
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Kumar S, Mehan S, Narula AS. Therapeutic modulation of JAK-STAT, mTOR, and PPAR-γ signaling in neurological dysfunctions. J Mol Med (Berl) 2023; 101:9-49. [PMID: 36478124 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-022-02272-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The cytokine-activated Janus kinase (JAK)-signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) cascade is a pleiotropic pathway that involves receptor subunit multimerization. The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a ubiquitously expressed serine-threonine kinase that perceives and integrates a variety of intracellular and environmental stimuli to regulate essential activities such as cell development and metabolism. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARγ) is a prototypical metabolic nuclear receptor involved in neural differentiation and axon polarity. The JAK-STAT, mTOR, and PPARγ signaling pathways serve as a highly conserved signaling hub that coordinates neuronal activity and brain development. Additionally, overactivation of JAK/STAT, mTOR, and inhibition of PPARγ signaling have been linked to various neurocomplications, including neuroinflammation, apoptosis, and oxidative stress. Emerging research suggests that even minor disruptions in these cellular and molecular processes can have significant consequences manifested as neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases. Of interest, target modulators have been proven to alleviate neuronal complications associated with acute and chronic neurological deficits. This research-based review explores the therapeutic role of JAK-STAT, mTOR, and PPARγ signaling modulators in preventing neuronal dysfunctions in preclinical and clinical investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumit Kumar
- Division of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology, ISF College of Pharmacy, Punjab, Moga, India
| | - Sidharth Mehan
- Division of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology, ISF College of Pharmacy, Punjab, Moga, India.
| | - Acharan S Narula
- Narula Research, LLC, 107 Boulder Bluff, Chapel Hill, NC, 27516, USA
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mTORC2 Inhibition Improves Morphological Effects of PTEN Loss, But Does Not Correct Synaptic Dysfunction or Prevent Seizures. J Neurosci 2023; 43:827-845. [PMID: 36526374 PMCID: PMC9899090 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1354-22.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Hyperactivation of PI3K/PTEN-mTOR signaling during neural development is associated with focal cortical dysplasia (FCD), autism, and epilepsy. mTOR can signal through two major hubs, mTORC1 and mTORC2, both of which are hyperactive following PTEN loss of function (LOF). Here, we tested the hypothesis that genetic inactivation of the mTORC2 complex via deletion of Rictor is sufficient to rescue morphologic and electrophysiological abnormalities in the dentate gyrus caused by PTEN loss, as well as generalized seizures. An established, early postnatal mouse model of PTEN loss in male and female mice showed spontaneous seizures that were not prevented by mTORC2 inactivation. This lack of rescue occurred despite the normalization or amelioration of many morphologic and electrophysiological phenotypes. However, increased excitatory connectivity proximal to dentate gyrus granule neuron somas was not normalized by mTORC2 inactivation. Further studies demonstrated that, although mTORC2 inactivation largely rescued the dendritic arbor overgrowth caused by PTEN LOF, it increased synaptic strength and caused additional impairments of presynaptic function. These results suggest that a constrained increase in excitatory connectivity and co-occurring synaptic dysfunction is sufficient to generate seizures downstream of PTEN LOF, even in the absence of characteristic changes in morphologic properties.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Homozygous deletion of the Pten gene in neuronal subpopulations in the mouse serves as a valuable model of epilepsy caused by mTOR hyperactivation. To better understand the physiological mechanisms downstream of Pten loss that cause epilepsy, as well as the therapeutic potential of targeted gene therapies, we tested whether genetic inactivation of the mTORC2 complex could improve the cellular, synaptic, and in vivo effects of Pten loss in the dentate gyrus. We found that mTORC2 inhibition improved or rescued all morphologic effects of Pten loss in the dentate gyrus, but synaptic changes and seizures persisted. These data suggest that synaptic dysfunction can drive epilepsy caused by hyperactivation of PI3K/PTEN-mTOR, and that future therapies should focus on this mechanistic link.
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36
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Mendez-Vazquez H, Roach RL, Nip K, Sathler MF, Garver T, Danzman RA, Moseley MC, Roberts JP, Koch ON, Steger AA, Lee R, Arikkath J, Kim S. The autism-associated loss of δ-catenin functions disrupts social behaviors. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.12.523372. [PMID: 36711484 PMCID: PMC9882145 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.12.523372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
δ-catenin is expressed in excitatory synapses and functions as an anchor for the glutamatergic AMPA receptor (AMPAR) GluA2 subunit in the postsynaptic density. The glycine 34 to serine (G34S) mutation in the δ-catenin gene is found in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) patients and induces loss of δ-catenin functions at excitatory synapses, which is presumed to underlie ASD pathogenesis in humans. However, how the G34S mutation causes loss of δ-catenin functions to induce ASD remains unclear. Here, using neuroblastoma cells, we discover that the G34S mutation generates an additional phosphorylation site for glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β). This promotes δ-catenin degradation and causes the reduction of δ-catenin levels, which likely contributes to the loss of δ-catenin functions. Synaptic δ-catenin and GluA2 levels in the cortex are significantly decreased in mice harboring the δ-catenin G34S mutation. The G34S mutation increases glutamatergic activity in cortical excitatory neurons while it is decreased in inhibitory interneurons, indicating changes in cellular excitation and inhibition. δ-catenin G34S mutant mice also exhibit social dysfunction, a common feature of ASD. Most importantly, inhibition of GSK3β activity reverses the G34S-induced loss of δ-catenin function effects in cells and mice. Finally, using δ-catenin knockout mice, we confirm that δ-catenin is required for GSK3β inhibition-induced restoration of normal social behaviors in δ-catenin G34S mutant animals. Taken together, we reveal that the loss of δ-catenin functions arising from the ASD-associated G34S mutation induces social dysfunction via alterations in glutamatergic activity and that GSK3β inhibition can reverse δ-catenin G34S-induced synaptic and behavioral deficits. Significance Statement δ-catenin is important for the localization and function of glutamatergic AMPA receptors at synapses in many brain regions. The glycine 34 to serine (G34S) mutation in the δ-catenin gene is found in autism patients and results in the loss of δ-catenin functions. δ-catenin expression is also closely linked to other autism-risk genes involved in synaptic structure and function, further implying that it is important for the autism pathophysiology. Importantly, social dysfunction is a key characteristic of autism. Nonetheless, the links between δ-catenin functions and social behaviors are largely unknown. The significance of the current research is thus predicated on filling this gap by discovering the molecular, cellular, and synaptic underpinnings of the role of δ-catenin in social behaviors.
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Zhou X, Wei J, Li L, Shu Z, You L, Liu Y, Zhao R, Yao J, Wang J, Luo M, Shu Y, Yuan K, Qi H. Microglial Pten safeguards postnatal integrity of the cortex and sociability. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1059364. [PMID: 36591296 PMCID: PMC9795847 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1059364] [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: 10/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Microglial abnormalities may contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders. PTEN is implicated as a susceptibility gene for autism spectrum disorders and its germline ablation in mice causes behavioral abnormalities. Here we find postnatal PTEN deletion in microglia causes deficits in sociability and novel object recognition test. Mutant mice harbor markedly more activated microglia that manifest enhanced phagocytosis. Interestingly, two-week postponement of microglia PTEN ablation leads to no social interaction defects, even though mutant microglia remain abnormal in adult animals. Disturbed neurodevelopment caused by early PTEN deletion in microglia is characterized by insufficient VGLUT1 protein in synaptosomes, likely a consequence of enhanced removal by microglia. In correlation, in vitro acute slice recordings demonstrate weakened synaptic inputs to layer 5 pyramidal neurons in the developing cortex. Therefore, microglial PTEN safeguards integrity of neural substrates underlying sociability in a developmentally determined manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Zhou
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China,Laboratory of Dynamic Immunobiology, Institute for Immunology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China,Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Jiacheng Wei
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China,Laboratory of Dynamic Immunobiology, Institute for Immunology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China,Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Liang Li
- Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institute for Translational Brain Research, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenfeng Shu
- Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institute for Translational Brain Research, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ling You
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China,IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China,National Institute of Biological Science, Beijing, China
| | - Ruozhu Zhao
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China,Laboratory of Dynamic Immunobiology, Institute for Immunology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China,Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Jiacheng Yao
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China,School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Jianbin Wang
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China,School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Minmin Luo
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China,National Institute of Biological Science, Beijing, China
| | - Yousheng Shu
- Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institute for Translational Brain Research, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Kexin Yuan
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China,IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China,*Correspondence: Hai Qi, ; Kexin Yuan,
| | - Hai Qi
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China,Laboratory of Dynamic Immunobiology, Institute for Immunology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China,Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China,Beijing Key Laboratory for Immunological Research on Chronic Diseases, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China,Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China,*Correspondence: Hai Qi, ; Kexin Yuan,
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Aria F, Pandey K, Alberini CM. Excessive Protein Accumulation and Impaired Autophagy in the Hippocampus of Angelman Syndrome Modeled in Mice. Biol Psychiatry 2022:S0006-3223(22)01796-6. [PMID: 36764852 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2022.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Angelman syndrome (AS), a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by abnormalities of the 15q11.2-q13.1 chromosome region, is characterized by impairment of cognitive and motor functions, sleep problems, and seizures. How the genetic defects of AS produce these neurological symptoms is unclear. Mice modeling AS (AS mice) accumulate activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (ARC/ARG3.1), a neuronal immediate early gene (IEG) critical for synaptic plasticity. This accumulation suggests an altered protein metabolism. METHODS Focusing on the dorsal hippocampus (dHC), a brain region critical for memory formation and cognitive functions, we assessed levels and tissue distribution of IEGs, de novo protein synthesis, and markers of protein synthesis, endosomes, autophagy, and synaptic functions in AS mice at baseline and following learning. We also tested autophagic flux and memory retention following autophagy-promoting treatment. RESULTS AS dHC exhibited accumulation of IEGs ARC, FOS, and EGR1; autophagy proteins MLP3B, SQSTM1, and LAMP1; and reduction of the endosomal protein RAB5A. AS dHC also had increased levels of de novo protein synthesis, impaired autophagic flux with accumulation of autophagosome, and altered synaptic protein levels. Contextual fear conditioning significantly increased levels of IEGs and autophagy proteins, de novo protein synthesis, and autophagic flux in the dHC of normal mice, but not in AS mice. Enhancing autophagy in the dHC alleviated AS-related memory and autophagic flux impairments. CONCLUSIONS A major biological deficit of AS brain is a defective protein metabolism, particularly that dynamically regulated by learning, resulting in stalled autophagy and accumulation of neuronal proteins. Activating autophagy ameliorates AS cognitive impairments and dHC protein accumulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Aria
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, New York
| | - Kiran Pandey
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, New York
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Tariq K, Cullen E, Getz SA, Conching AK, Goyette AR, Prina ML, Wang W, Li M, Weston MC, Luikart BW. Disruption of mTORC1 rescues neuronal overgrowth and synapse function dysregulated by Pten loss. Cell Rep 2022; 41:111574. [PMID: 36323257 PMCID: PMC9743803 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) is a negative regulator of AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Mutations in PTEN are found in patients with autism, epilepsy, or macrocephaly. In mouse models, Pten loss results in neuronal hypertrophy, hyperexcitability, seizures, and ASD-like behaviors. The underlying molecular mechanisms of these phenotypes are not well delineated. We determined which of the Pten loss-driven aberrations in neuronal form and function are orchestrated by downstream mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1). Rapamycin-mediated inhibition of mTORC1 prevented increase in soma size, migration, spine density, and dendritic overgrowth in Pten knockout dentate gyrus granule neurons. Genetic knockout of Raptor to disrupt mTORC1 complex formation blocked Pten loss-mediated neuronal hypertrophy. Electrophysiological recordings revealed that genetic disruption of mTORC1 rescued Pten loss-mediated increase in excitatory synaptic transmission. We have identified an essential role for mTORC1 in orchestrating Pten loss-driven neuronal hypertrophy and synapse formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamran Tariq
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Erin Cullen
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Stephanie A. Getz
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Andie K.S. Conching
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Andrew R. Goyette
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Mackenzi L. Prina
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Meijie Li
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Matthew C. Weston
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA,These authors contributed equally,Correspondence: (M.C.W.), (B.W.L.)
| | - Bryan W. Luikart
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA,These authors contributed equally,Lead contact,Correspondence: (M.C.W.), (B.W.L.)
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Couto RR, Kubaski F, Siebert M, Félix TM, Brusius-Facchin AC, Leistner-Segal S. Increased Serum Levels of miR-125b and miR-132 in Fragile X Syndrome: A Preliminary Study. Neurol Genet 2022; 8:e200024. [PMID: 36313066 PMCID: PMC9608387 DOI: 10.1212/nxg.0000000000200024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Background and Objectives Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder, identified as the most common cause of hereditary intellectual disability and monogenic cause of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), caused by the loss of fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP). FMRP is an RNA-binding protein, a regulator of translation that plays an important role in neurodevelopment, and its loss causes cognitive and behavioral deficits. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small molecules that regulate gene expression in diverse biological processes. Previous studies found that the interaction of FMRP with miR-125b and miR-132 regulates the maturation and synaptic plasticity in animal models and miRNA dysregulation plays a role in the pathophysiology of FXS. The present study aimed to analyze the expression of miR-125b-5p and miR-132-3p in the serum of patients with FXS. Methods The expressions of circulating miRNAs were studied in the serum of 10 patients with FXS and 20 controls using the real-time quantitative retrotranscribed method analyzed by relative quantification. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) were generated to assess the diagnostic values of the miRNAs. Results We found that both miR-125b and miR-132 were increased in the serum of patients with FXS compared with controls and likely involved with FMRP loss. The AUC (95% confidence interval) of miR-125b and miR-132 was 0.94 (0.86–1.0) and 0.89 (0.77–1.0), respectively. Databases allowed for the identification of possible target genes for miR-125b and miR-132, whose products play an important role in the homeostasis of the nervous system. Discussion Our results indicate that serum miR-125b and miR-132 may serve as potential biomarkers for FXS. The increased expression of circulating miR-125b and miR-132 seems to be associated with the genotype of FXS. Predicted gene targets of the differentially regulated miRNAs are involved in cognitive performance and ASD phenotype. Classification of Evidence This study provides Class III evidence that miR-125b and miR-132 distinguish men with FXS from normal controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rowena Rubim Couto
- Medical Genetics Service (R.R.C., F.K., M.S., T.M.F., A.C.B.-F., S.L.-S.), Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre-HCPA; Postgraduate Program in Medicine: Child and Adolescent Health (R.R.C., T.M.F., S.L.-S.), UFRGS; and Postgraduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology (F.K.), PPGMB, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Francyne Kubaski
- Medical Genetics Service (R.R.C., F.K., M.S., T.M.F., A.C.B.-F., S.L.-S.), Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre-HCPA; Postgraduate Program in Medicine: Child and Adolescent Health (R.R.C., T.M.F., S.L.-S.), UFRGS; and Postgraduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology (F.K.), PPGMB, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Marina Siebert
- Medical Genetics Service (R.R.C., F.K., M.S., T.M.F., A.C.B.-F., S.L.-S.), Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre-HCPA; Postgraduate Program in Medicine: Child and Adolescent Health (R.R.C., T.M.F., S.L.-S.), UFRGS; and Postgraduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology (F.K.), PPGMB, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Têmis Maria Félix
- Medical Genetics Service (R.R.C., F.K., M.S., T.M.F., A.C.B.-F., S.L.-S.), Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre-HCPA; Postgraduate Program in Medicine: Child and Adolescent Health (R.R.C., T.M.F., S.L.-S.), UFRGS; and Postgraduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology (F.K.), PPGMB, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Ana Carolina Brusius-Facchin
- Medical Genetics Service (R.R.C., F.K., M.S., T.M.F., A.C.B.-F., S.L.-S.), Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre-HCPA; Postgraduate Program in Medicine: Child and Adolescent Health (R.R.C., T.M.F., S.L.-S.), UFRGS; and Postgraduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology (F.K.), PPGMB, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Sandra Leistner-Segal
- Medical Genetics Service (R.R.C., F.K., M.S., T.M.F., A.C.B.-F., S.L.-S.), Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre-HCPA; Postgraduate Program in Medicine: Child and Adolescent Health (R.R.C., T.M.F., S.L.-S.), UFRGS; and Postgraduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology (F.K.), PPGMB, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
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Ma J, Li K, Sun X, Liang JN, An XQ, Tian M, Li J, Yan F, Yin Y, Yang YA, Chen FY, Zhang LQ, He XX, He ZX, Guo WX, Zhu XJ, Yu HL. Dysregulation of AMPK-mTOR signaling leads to comorbid anxiety in Dip2a KO mice. Cereb Cortex 2022; 33:4977-4989. [PMID: 36227200 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhac393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism is often comorbid with other psychiatric disorders. We have previously shown that Dip2a knockout (KO) induces autism-like behaviors in mice. However, the role of Dip2a in other psychiatric disorders remains unclear. In this paper, we revealed that Dip2a KO mice had comorbid anxiety. Dip2a KO led to a reduction in the dendritic length of cortical and hippocampal excitatory neurons. Molecular mechanism studies suggested that AMPK was overactivated and suppressed the mTOR cascade, contributing to defects in dendritic morphology. Deletion of Dip2a in adult-born hippocampal neurons (Dip2a conditional knockout (cKO)) increased susceptibility to anxiety upon acute stress exposure. Application of (2R,6R)-hydroxynorketamine (HNK), an inhibitor of mTOR, rescued anxiety-like behaviors in Dip2a KO and Dip2a cKO mice. In addition, 6 weeks of high-fat diet intake alleviated AMPK-mTOR signaling and attenuated the severity of anxiety in both Dip2a KO mice and Dip2a cKO mice. Taken together, these results reveal an unrecognized function of DIP2A in anxiety pathophysiology via regulation of AMPK-mTOR signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Ma
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics, Ministry of Education and Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China.,Department of Oral Anatomy and Physiology, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Kai Li
- Department of Anesthesia, China-Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun 130033, China
| | - Xue Sun
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics, Ministry of Education and Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
| | - Jia-Nan Liang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics, Ministry of Education and Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
| | - Xian-Quan An
- Department of Anesthesiology, Second Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun 130041, China
| | - Meng Tian
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics, Ministry of Education and Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
| | - Jing Li
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics, Ministry of Education and Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
| | - Fang Yan
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics, Ministry of Education and Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
| | - Yue Yin
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics, Ministry of Education and Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
| | - Ying-Ao Yang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics, Ministry of Education and Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
| | - Fei-Yang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics, Ministry of Education and Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
| | - Lu-Qing Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics, Ministry of Education and Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
| | - Xiao-Xiao He
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics, Ministry of Education and Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
| | - Zi-Xuan He
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics, Ministry of Education and Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
| | - Wei-Xiang Guo
- State Key Laboratory for Molecular and Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Xiao-Juan Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics, Ministry of Education and Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
| | - Hua-Li Yu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics, Ministry of Education and Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
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Protective role of IGF-1 and GLP-1 signaling activation in neurological dysfunctions. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 142:104896. [PMID: 36191807 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), a pleiotropic polypeptide, plays an essential role in CNS development and maturation. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is an endogenous incretin hormone that regulates blood glucose levels and fatty acid oxidation in the brain. GLP-1 also exhibits similar functions and growth factor-like properties to IGF-1, which is likely how it exerts its neuroprotective effects. Recent preclinical and clinical evidence indicate that IGF-1 and GLP-1, apart from regulating growth and development, prevent neuronal death mediated by amyloidogenesis, cerebral glucose deprivation, neuroinflammation and apoptosis through modulation of PI3/Akt kinase, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK/ERK). IGF-1 resistance and GLP-1 deficiency impair protective cellular signaling mechanisms, contributing to the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. Over the past decades, IGF-1 and GLP-1 have emerged as an essential component of the neuronal system and as potential therapeutic targets for several neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric dysfunctions. There is substantial evidence that IGF-1 and GLP-1 analogues penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and exhibit neuroprotective functions, including synaptic formation, neuronal plasticity, protein synthesis, and autophagy. Conclusively, this review represents the therapeutic potential of IGF-1 and GLP-1 signaling target activators in ameliorating neurological disorders.
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Purushotham SS, Reddy NMN, D'Souza MN, Choudhury NR, Ganguly A, Gopalakrishna N, Muddashetty R, Clement JP. A perspective on molecular signalling dysfunction, its clinical relevance and therapeutics in autism spectrum disorder. Exp Brain Res 2022; 240:2525-2567. [PMID: 36063192 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-022-06448-x] [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: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Intellectual disability (ID) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are neurodevelopmental disorders that have become a primary clinical and social concern, with a prevalence of 2-3% in the population. Neuronal function and behaviour undergo significant malleability during the critical period of development that is found to be impaired in ID/ASD. Human genome sequencing studies have revealed many genetic variations associated with ASD/ID that are further verified by many approaches, including many mouse and other models. These models have facilitated the identification of fundamental mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of ASD/ID, and several studies have proposed converging molecular pathways in ASD/ID. However, linking the mechanisms of the pathogenic genes and their molecular characteristics that lead to ID/ASD has progressed slowly, hampering the development of potential therapeutic strategies. This review discusses the possibility of recognising the common molecular causes for most ASD/ID based on studies from the available models that may enable a better therapeutic strategy to treat ID/ASD. We also reviewed the potential biomarkers to detect ASD/ID at early stages that may aid in diagnosis and initiating medical treatment, the concerns with drug failure in clinical trials, and developing therapeutic strategies that can be applied beyond a particular mutation associated with ASD/ID.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sushmitha S Purushotham
- Neuroscience Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bengaluru, 560064, India
| | - Neeharika M N Reddy
- Neuroscience Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bengaluru, 560064, India
| | - Michelle Ninochka D'Souza
- Centre for Brain Research, Indian Institute of Science Campus, CV Raman Avenue, Bangalore, 560 012, India.,The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology (TDU), Bangalore, 560064, India
| | - Nilpawan Roy Choudhury
- Neuroscience Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bengaluru, 560064, India
| | - Anusa Ganguly
- Neuroscience Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bengaluru, 560064, India
| | - Niharika Gopalakrishna
- Neuroscience Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bengaluru, 560064, India
| | - Ravi Muddashetty
- Centre for Brain Research, Indian Institute of Science Campus, CV Raman Avenue, Bangalore, 560 012, India.,The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology (TDU), Bangalore, 560064, India
| | - James P Clement
- Neuroscience Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bengaluru, 560064, India.
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Mapps AA, Boehm E, Beier C, Keenan WT, Langel J, Liu M, Thomsen MB, Hattar S, Zhao H, Tampakakis E, Kuruvilla R. Satellite glia modulate sympathetic neuron survival, activity, and autonomic function. eLife 2022; 11:74295. [PMID: 35997251 PMCID: PMC9433091 DOI: 10.7554/elife.74295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Satellite glia are the major glial cells in sympathetic ganglia, enveloping neuronal cell bodies. Despite this intimate association, the extent to which sympathetic functions are influenced by satellite glia in vivo remains unclear. Here, we show that satellite glia are critical for metabolism, survival, and activity of sympathetic neurons and modulate autonomic behaviors in mice. Adult ablation of satellite glia results in impaired mTOR signaling, soma atrophy, reduced noradrenergic enzymes, and loss of sympathetic neurons. However, persisting neurons have elevated activity, and satellite glia-ablated mice show increased pupil dilation and heart rate, indicative of enhanced sympathetic tone. Satellite glia-specific deletion of Kir4.1, an inward-rectifying potassium channel, largely recapitulates the cellular defects observed in glia-ablated mice, suggesting that satellite glia act in part via K+-dependent mechanisms. These findings highlight neuron–satellite glia as functional units in regulating sympathetic output, with implications for disorders linked to sympathetic hyper-activity such as cardiovascular disease and hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurelia A Mapps
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, United States
| | - Erica Boehm
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, United States
| | - Corinne Beier
- Section on Light and Circadian Rhythms (SLCR), National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - William T Keenan
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, United States
| | - Jennifer Langel
- Section on Light and Circadian Rhythms (SLCR), National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - Michael Liu
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, United States
| | - Michael B Thomsen
- Section on Light and Circadian Rhythms (SLCR), National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - Samer Hattar
- Section on Light and Circadian Rhythms (SLCR), National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - Haiqing Zhao
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, United States
| | | | - Rejji Kuruvilla
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, United States
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Liu B, Jing Z, Zhang X, Chen Y, Mao S, Kaundal R, Zou Y, Wei G, Zang Y, Wang X, Lin W, Di M, Sun Y, Chen Q, Li Y, Xia J, Sun J, Lin CP, Huang X, Chi T. Large-scale multiplexed mosaic CRISPR perturbation in the whole organism. Cell 2022; 185:3008-3024.e16. [PMID: 35870449 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2022.06.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Here, we report inducible mosaic animal for perturbation (iMAP), a transgenic platform enabling in situ CRISPR targeting of at least 100 genes in parallel throughout the mouse body. iMAP combines Cre-loxP and CRISPR-Cas9 technologies and utilizes a germline-transmitted transgene carrying a large array of individually floxed, tandemly linked gRNA-coding units. Cre-mediated recombination triggers expression of all the gRNAs in the array but only one of them per cell, converting the mice to mosaic organisms suitable for phenotypic characterization and also for high-throughput derivation of conventional single-gene perturbation lines via breeding. Using gRNA representation as a readout, we mapped a miniature Perturb-Atlas cataloging the perturbations of 90 genes across 39 tissues, which yields rich insights into context-dependent gene functions and provides a glimpse of the potential of iMAP in genome decoding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Liu
- Gene Editing Center, School of Life Sciences and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Zhengyu Jing
- Gene Editing Center, School of Life Sciences and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Xiaoming Zhang
- Gene Editing Center, School of Life Sciences and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Yuxin Chen
- Gene Editing Center, School of Life Sciences and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Shaoshuai Mao
- Gene Editing Center, School of Life Sciences and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Ravinder Kaundal
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University Medical School, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Yan Zou
- Gene Editing Center, School of Life Sciences and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Ge Wei
- Gene Editing Center, School of Life Sciences and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Ying Zang
- Gene Editing Center, School of Life Sciences and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Xinxin Wang
- Gene Editing Center, School of Life Sciences and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Wenyang Lin
- Gene Editing Center, School of Life Sciences and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Minghui Di
- Gene Editing Center, School of Life Sciences and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Yiwen Sun
- Gene Editing Center, School of Life Sciences and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Qin Chen
- Gene Editing Center, School of Life Sciences and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Yongqin Li
- Gene Editing Center, School of Life Sciences and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Jing Xia
- Gene Editing Center, School of Life Sciences and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Jianlong Sun
- Gene Editing Center, School of Life Sciences and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Chao-Po Lin
- Gene Editing Center, School of Life Sciences and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Xingxu Huang
- Gene Editing Center, School of Life Sciences and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Tian Chi
- Gene Editing Center, School of Life Sciences and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China; Department of Immunobiology, Yale University Medical School, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
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Sharma A, Bhalla S, Mehan S. PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling inhibitor chrysophanol ameliorates neurobehavioural and neurochemical defects in propionic acid-induced experimental model of autism in adult rats. Metab Brain Dis 2022; 37:1909-1929. [PMID: 35687217 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-022-01026-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder marked by social and communication deficits as well as repetitive behaviour. Several studies have found that overactivation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling pathways during brain development plays a significant role in autism pathogenesis. Overexpression of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling pathway causes neurological disorders by increasing cell death, neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress. Chrysophanol, also known as chrysophanic acid, is a naturally occurring chemical obtained from the plant Rheum palmatum. This study aimed to examine the neuroprotective effect of CPH on neurobehavioral, molecular, neurochemical, and gross pathological alterations in ICV-PPA induced experimental model of autism in adult rats. The effects of ICV-PPA on PI3K/AKT/mTOR downregulation in the brain were studied in autism-like rats. Furthermore, we investigated how CPH affected myelin basic protein (MBP) levels in rat brain homogenate and apoptotic biomarkers such as caspase-3, Bax, and Bcl-2 levels in rat brain homogenate and blood plasma samples. Rats were tested for behavioural abnormalities such as neuromuscular dysfunction using an actophotometer, motor coordination using a beam crossing task (BCT), depressive behaviour using a forced swim test (FST), cognitive deficiency, and memory consolidation using a Morris water maze (MWM) task. In PPA-treated rats, prolonged oral CPH administration from day 12 to day 44 of the experimental schedule reduces autistic-like symptoms. Furthermore, in rat brain homogenates, blood plasma, and CSF samples, cellular, molecular, and cell death markers, neuroinflammatory cytokines, neurotransmitter levels, and oxidative stress indicators were investigated. The recent findings imply that CPH also restores abnormal neurochemical levels and may prevent autism-like gross pathological alterations, such as demyelination volume, in the rat brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aarti Sharma
- Neuropharmacology Division, Department of Pharmacology, ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga, Punjab, 142001, India
| | - Sonalika Bhalla
- Neuropharmacology Division, Department of Pharmacology, ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga, Punjab, 142001, India
| | - Sidharth Mehan
- Neuropharmacology Division, Department of Pharmacology, ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga, Punjab, 142001, India.
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Liu L, Dai L, Xu D, Wang Y, Bai L, Chen X, Li M, Yang S, Tang Y. Astrocyte secretes IL-6 to modulate PSD-95 palmitoylation in basolateral amygdala and depression-like behaviors induced by peripheral nerve injury. Brain Behav Immun 2022; 104:139-154. [PMID: 35636613 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2022.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Dysfunction of glutamatergic synaptic plasticity in basolateral amygdala (BLA) constitutes a critical pathogenic mechanism underlying the depression-like behaviors induced by chronic pain. Astrocytes serve as an important supporting cell modulating glutamatergic synaptic transmission. Here, we found that peripheral spared nerve injury (SNI) induced astrocyte activation to release IL-6 in BLA. Inhibition of astrocyte activity attenuated SNI-induced IL-6 overexpression and depression-like behaviors. Moreover, SNI enhanced the abundance of DHHC2 in synaptosome and DHHC3 in Golgi apparatus, promoted PSD-95 palmitoylation, and increased the recruitment of GluR1 and NR2B at synapses. Suppression of IL-6 or PSD-95 palmitoylation attenuated the synaptic accumulation of GluR1 and NR2B in BLA and improved depression-like behaviors induced by SNI. Furthermore, IL-6 downstream PI3K increased the expression of DHHC3 in Golgi apparatus and facilitated the interaction of palmitoylated PSD-95 with GluR1 and NR2B at synapses. These findings collectively suggested that SNI activated astrocyte to release IL-6 in BLA, which promoted PSD-95 palmitoylation and enhanced the synaptic trafficking of GluR1 and NR2B, and subsequently mediated the depression-like behaviors induced by nerve injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lian Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, and Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu 610041, China; Division of Pulmonary Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, and Department of Respiratory Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610093, China
| | - Luqi Dai
- Division of Pulmonary Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, and Department of Respiratory Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610093, China
| | - Dan Xu
- Division of Pulmonary Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, and Department of Respiratory Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610093, China
| | - Yinchan Wang
- Core Facility of West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610093, China
| | - Lin Bai
- Core Facility of West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610093, China
| | - Xiaoting Chen
- Animal Experimental Center of West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610093, China
| | - Mengzhou Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, and Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu 610041, China; West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Shuai Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, and Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu 610041, China; West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yuying Tang
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, and Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu 610041, China; Division of Pulmonary Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, and Department of Respiratory Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610093, China.
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48
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Fortier AV, Meisner OC, Nair AR, Chang SWC. Prefrontal Circuits guiding Social Preference: Implications in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 141:104803. [PMID: 35908593 PMCID: PMC10122914 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Although Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is increasing in diagnostic prevalence, treatment options are inadequate largely due to limited understanding of ASD's underlying neural mechanisms. Contributing to difficulties in treatment development is the vast heterogeneity of ASD, from physiological causes to clinical presentations. Recent studies suggest that distinct genetic and neurological alterations may converge onto similar underlying neural circuits. Therefore, an improved understanding of neural circuit-level dysfunction in ASD may be a more productive path to developing broader treatments that are effective across a greater spectrum of ASD. Given the social preference behavioral deficits commonly seen in ASD, dysfunction in circuits mediating social preference may contribute to the atypical development of social cognition. We discuss some of the animal models used to study ASD and examine the function and effects of dysregulation of the social preference circuits, notably the medial prefrontal cortex-amygdala and the medial prefrontal cortex-nucleus accumbens circuits, in these animal models. Using the common circuits underlying similar behavioral disruptions of social preference behaviors as an example, we highlight the importance of identifying disruption in convergent circuits to improve the translational success of animal model research for ASD treatment development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail V Fortier
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Department of Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Olivia C Meisner
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Amrita R Nair
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Steve W C Chang
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Kavli Institute for Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Wu Tsai Institute, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
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49
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Jiang CC, Lin LS, Long S, Ke XY, Fukunaga K, Lu YM, Han F. Signalling pathways in autism spectrum disorder: mechanisms and therapeutic implications. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:229. [PMID: 35817793 PMCID: PMC9273593 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-01081-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2022] [Revised: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a prevalent and complex neurodevelopmental disorder which has strong genetic basis. Despite the rapidly rising incidence of autism, little is known about its aetiology, risk factors, and disease progression. There are currently neither validated biomarkers for diagnostic screening nor specific medication for autism. Over the last two decades, there have been remarkable advances in genetics, with hundreds of genes identified and validated as being associated with a high risk for autism. The convergence of neuroscience methods is becoming more widely recognized for its significance in elucidating the pathological mechanisms of autism. Efforts have been devoted to exploring the behavioural functions, key pathological mechanisms and potential treatments of autism. Here, as we highlight in this review, emerging evidence shows that signal transduction molecular events are involved in pathological processes such as transcription, translation, synaptic transmission, epigenetics and immunoinflammatory responses. This involvement has important implications for the discovery of precise molecular targets for autism. Moreover, we review recent insights into the mechanisms and clinical implications of signal transduction in autism from molecular, cellular, neural circuit, and neurobehavioural aspects. Finally, the challenges and future perspectives are discussed with regard to novel strategies predicated on the biological features of autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen-Chen Jiang
- International Joint Laboratory for Drug Target of Critical Illnesses; Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular & Cerebrovascular Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Li-Shan Lin
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Sen Long
- Department of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Seventh People's Hospital, Mental Health Center Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310013, China
| | - Xiao-Yan Ke
- Child Mental Health Research Center, Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Kohji Fukunaga
- Department of CNS Drug Innovation, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, 980-8578, Japan
| | - Ying-Mei Lu
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
| | - Feng Han
- International Joint Laboratory for Drug Target of Critical Illnesses; Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular & Cerebrovascular Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China. .,Institute of Brain Science, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China. .,Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, 215002, China.
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50
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Ueda Y, Sugimoto N, Ozawa T. Increased spine PIP3 is sequestered from dendritic shafts. Mol Brain 2022; 15:59. [PMID: 35787719 PMCID: PMC9254409 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-022-00944-5] [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: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate (PIP3) is a lipid second messenger that is crucial for the synaptic plasticity underlying learning and memory in pyramidal neurons in the brain. Our previous study uncovered PIP3 enrichment in the dendritic spines of hippocampal pyramidal neurons in the static state using a fluorescence lifetime-based PIP3 probe. However, the extent to which PIP3 enrichment is preserved in different states has not been fully investigated. Here, we revealed that PIP3 accumulation in dendritic spines is strictly controlled even in an active state in which PIP3 is increased by glutamate stimulation and high potassium-induced membrane depolarization. Time-course PIP3 analysis clarified the gradual PIP3 accumulation in dendritic spines over days during neuronal development. Collectively, these results deepen our understanding of PIP3 dynamics in dendritic spines, and the dysregulation of the PIP3 gradient between dendritic spines and shafts could cause neuronal diseases and mental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshibumi Ueda
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Naotoshi Sugimoto
- Department of Physiology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Takeaki Ozawa
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
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