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Li X, Yennawar M, Wiest A, O'Brien WT, Babrowicz B, White RS, Talos DM, Jensen FE. Cannabidiol attenuates seizure susceptibility and behavioural deficits in adult CDKL5 R59X knock-in mice. Eur J Neurosci 2024; 59:3337-3352. [PMID: 38654472 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16350] [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: 09/09/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) deficiency disorder (CDD) is caused by a loss-of-function mutation in CDKL5 gene, encoding a serine-threonine kinase highly expressed in the brain. CDD manifests with early-onset epilepsy, autism, motor impairment and severe intellectual disability. While there are no known treatments for CDD, the use of cannabidiol has recently been introduced into clinical practice for neurodevelopmental disorders. Given the increased clinical utilization of cannabidiol, we examined its efficacy in the CDKL5R59X knock-in (R59X) mice, a CDD model based on a human mutation that exhibits both lifelong seizure susceptibility and behavioural deficits. We found that cannabidiol pre-treatment rescued the increased seizure susceptibility in response to the chemoconvulsant pentylenetetrazol (PTZ), attenuated working memory and long-term memory impairments, and rescued social deficits in adult R59X mice. To elucidate a potential mechanism, we compared the developmental hippocampal and cortical expression of common endocannabinoid (eCB) targets in R59X mice and their wild-type littermates, including cannabinoid type 1 receptor (CB1R), transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) and 2 (TRPV2), G-coupled protein receptor 55 (GPR55) and adenosine receptor 1 (A1R). Many of these eCB targets were developmentally regulated in both R59X and wild-type mice. In addition, adult R59X mice demonstrated significantly decreased expression of CB1R and TRPV1 in the hippocampus, and TRPV2 in the cortex, while TRPV1 was increased in the cortex. These findings support the potential for dysregulation of eCB signalling as a plausible mechanism and therapeutic target in CDD, given the efficacy of cannabidiol to attenuate hyperexcitability and behavioural deficits in this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofan Li
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Madhumita Yennawar
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Alyssa Wiest
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - William T O'Brien
- Neurobehavior Testing Core, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Bergan Babrowicz
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Rachel S White
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Delia M Talos
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Frances E Jensen
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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2
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Deehan MA, Kothuis JM, Sapp E, Chase K, Ke Y, Seeley C, Iuliano M, Kim E, Kennington L, Miller R, Boudi A, Shing K, Li X, Pfister E, Anaclet C, Brodsky M, Kegel-Gleason K, Aronin N, DiFiglia M. Nacc1 Mutation in Mice Models Rare Neurodevelopmental Disorder with Underlying Synaptic Dysfunction. J Neurosci 2024; 44:e1610232024. [PMID: 38388424 PMCID: PMC10993038 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1610-23.2024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
A missense mutation in the transcription repressor Nucleus accumbens-associated 1 (NACC1) gene at c.892C>T (p.Arg298Trp) on chromosome 19 causes severe neurodevelopmental delay ( Schoch et al., 2017). To model this disorder, we engineered the first mouse model with the homologous mutation (Nacc1+/R284W ) and examined mice from E17.5 to 8 months. Both genders had delayed weight gain, epileptiform discharges and altered power spectral distribution in cortical electroencephalogram, behavioral seizures, and marked hindlimb clasping; females displayed thigmotaxis in an open field. In the cortex, NACC1 long isoform, which harbors the mutation, increased from 3 to 6 months, whereas the short isoform, which is not present in humans and lacks aaR284 in mice, rose steadily from postnatal day (P) 7. Nuclear NACC1 immunoreactivity increased in cortical pyramidal neurons and parvalbumin containing interneurons but not in nuclei of astrocytes or oligodendroglia. Glial fibrillary acidic protein staining in astrocytic processes was diminished. RNA-seq of P14 mutant mice cortex revealed over 1,000 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Glial transcripts were downregulated and synaptic genes upregulated. Top gene ontology terms from upregulated DEGs relate to postsynapse and ion channel function, while downregulated DEGs enriched for terms relating to metabolic function, mitochondria, and ribosomes. Levels of synaptic proteins were changed, but number and length of synaptic contacts were unaltered at 3 months. Homozygosity worsened some phenotypes including postnatal survival, weight gain delay, and increase in nuclear NACC1. This mouse model simulates a rare form of autism and will be indispensable for assessing pathophysiology and targets for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A Deehan
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129
| | - Josine M Kothuis
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129
| | - Ellen Sapp
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129
| | - Kathryn Chase
- Department of Medicine, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01655
| | - Yuting Ke
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
| | - Connor Seeley
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129
| | - Maria Iuliano
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129
| | - Emily Kim
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129
| | - Lori Kennington
- Department of Medicine, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01655
| | - Rachael Miller
- Department of Medicine, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01655
| | - Adel Boudi
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129
| | - Kai Shing
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129
| | - Xueyi Li
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129
| | - Edith Pfister
- Department of Medicine, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01655
- Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01655
| | - Christelle Anaclet
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Davis, California 95817
| | - Michael Brodsky
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01655
| | - Kimberly Kegel-Gleason
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129
| | - Neil Aronin
- Department of Medicine, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01655
| | - Marian DiFiglia
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129
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3
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Brown CO, Uy JA, Murtaza N, Rosa E, Alfonso A, Dave BM, Kilpatrick S, Cheng AA, White SH, Scherer SW, Singh KK. Disruption of the autism-associated gene SCN2A alters synaptic development and neuronal signaling in patient iPSC-glutamatergic neurons. Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 17:1239069. [PMID: 38293651 PMCID: PMC10824931 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1239069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
SCN2A is an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) risk gene and encodes a voltage-gated sodium channel. However, the impact of ASD-associated SCN2A de novo variants on human neuron development is unknown. We studied SCN2A using isogenic SCN2A-/- induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and patient-derived iPSCs harboring a de novo R607* truncating variant. We used Neurogenin2 to generate excitatory (glutamatergic) neurons and found that SCN2A+/R607* and SCN2A-/- neurons displayed a reduction in synapse formation and excitatory synaptic activity. We found differential impact on actional potential dynamics and neuronal excitability that reveals a loss-of-function effect of the R607* variant. Our study reveals that a de novo truncating SCN2A variant impairs the development of human neuronal function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chad O. Brown
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jarryll A. Uy
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Nadeem Murtaza
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Elyse Rosa
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Alexandria Alfonso
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Biren M. Dave
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- SickKids Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Savannah Kilpatrick
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Annie A. Cheng
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sean H. White
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Stephen W. Scherer
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- SickKids Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Karun K. Singh
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Li M, Eltabbal M, Tran HD, Kuhn B. Scn2a insufficiency alters spontaneous neuronal Ca 2+ activity in somatosensory cortex during wakefulness. iScience 2023; 26:108138. [PMID: 37876801 PMCID: PMC10590963 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
SCN2A protein-truncating variants (PTV) can result in neurological disorders such as autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability, but they are less likely to cause epilepsy in comparison to missense variants. While in vitro studies showed PTV reduce action potential firing, consequences at in vivo network level remain elusive. Here, we generated a mouse model of Scn2a insufficiency using antisense oligonucleotides (Scn2a ASO mice), which recapitulated key clinical feature of SCN2A PTV disorders. Simultaneous two-photon Ca2+ imaging and electrocorticography (ECoG) in awake mice showed that spontaneous Ca2+ transients in somatosensory cortical neurons, as well as their pairwise co-activities were generally decreased in Scn2a ASO mice during spontaneous awake state and induced seizure state. The reduction of neuronal activities and paired co-activity are mechanisms associated with motor, social and cognitive deficits observed in our mouse model of severe Scn2a insufficiency, indicating these are likely mechanisms driving SCN2A PTV pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melody Li
- Optical Neuroimaging Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST), 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
| | - Mohamed Eltabbal
- Optical Neuroimaging Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST), 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
| | - Hoang-Dai Tran
- Optical Neuroimaging Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST), 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
| | - Bernd Kuhn
- Optical Neuroimaging Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST), 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
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5
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Zoungrana LI, Krause-Hauch M, Wang H, Fatmi MK, Li Z, Slotabec L, James AS, Didik S, Li J. Activated protein C signaling mediates neuroinflammation in seizure induced by pilocarpine. Biochem Biophys Rep 2023; 35:101550. [PMID: 37823005 PMCID: PMC10562752 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2023.101550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy is one of the most common and oldest neurological disorders, characterized by periodic seizures that affect millions globally. Despite its long history, its pathophysiology is not fully understood. Additionally, the current treatment methods have their limitations. Finding a new alternative is necessary. Activated Protein C (APC) has been proven to have neurological protection in other neurological disorders; however, there is no study that focuses on the role of APC in seizures. We propose that APC's protective effect could be associated with seizures through inflammation and apoptosis regulation. The results demonstrated that APC's pathway proteins are involved in neuroprotection mechanisms in seizure-induced models by acting on certain inflammatory factors, such as NF-κB and apoptosis proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Ines Zoungrana
- Department of Surgery, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Meredith Krause-Hauch
- Department of Surgery, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Hao Wang
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, 39216, USA
| | - Mohammad Kasim Fatmi
- Department of Surgery, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Zehui Li
- Department of Surgery, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Lily Slotabec
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, 39216, USA
| | - Adewale Segun James
- Department of Surgery, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Steven Didik
- Department of Surgery, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Ji Li
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, 39216, USA
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6
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Rahaie Z, Rabiee HR, Alinejad-Rokny H. DeepGenePrior: A deep learning model for prioritizing genes affected by copy number variants. PLoS Comput Biol 2023; 19:e1011249. [PMID: 37486921 PMCID: PMC10399873 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1011249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The genetic etiology of brain disorders is highly heterogeneous, characterized by abnormalities in the development of the central nervous system that lead to diminished physical or intellectual capabilities. The process of determining which gene drives disease, known as "gene prioritization," is not entirely understood. Genome-wide searches for gene-disease associations are still underdeveloped due to reliance on previous discoveries and evidence sources with false positive or negative relations. This paper introduces DeepGenePrior, a model based on deep neural networks that prioritizes candidate genes in genetic diseases. Using the well-studied Variational AutoEncoder (VAE), we developed a score to measure the impact of genes on target diseases. Unlike other methods that use prior data to select candidate genes, based on the "guilt by association" principle and auxiliary data sources like protein networks, our study exclusively employs copy number variants (CNVs) for gene prioritization. By analyzing CNVs from 74,811 individuals with autism, schizophrenia, and developmental delay, we identified genes that best distinguish cases from controls. Our findings indicate a 12% increase in fold enrichment in brain-expressed genes compared to previous studies and a 15% increase in genes associated with mouse nervous system phenotypes. Furthermore, we identified common deletions in ZDHHC8, DGCR5, and CATG00000022283 among the top genes related to all three disorders, suggesting a common etiology among these clinically distinct conditions. DeepGenePrior is publicly available online at http://git.dml.ir/z_rahaie/DGP to address obstacles in existing gene prioritization studies identifying candidate genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Rahaie
- BCB Group, DML, Department of Computer Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamid R. Rabiee
- BCB Group, DML, Department of Computer Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamid Alinejad-Rokny
- UNSW Biomedical Machine Learning Lab (BML), the Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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7
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Brun L, Borloz E, Felix MS, Louis Durand J, Villard L. Ultrasound-induced seizures in a mouse model of KCNQ2-NEO-DEE. Epilepsy Res 2023; 193:107160. [PMID: 37187037 DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2023.107160] [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: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE KCNQ2 neonatal developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (NEO-DEE) is characterized by intractable seizures accompanied by an abnormal neurodevelopment. In a mouse model of NEO-DEE carrying the p.(Thr274Met) variant of Kcnq2, spontaneous generalized seizures occur unexpectedly preventing controlled studies and highlighting the necessity for a customized setup to trigger seizures on demand. We aimed to obtain a stable and objective read-out to control the efficacy of new antiepileptic drugs or to test seizure susceptibility. We developed a protocol to trigger ultrasound-induced seizures (UIS) on demand in this model. METHODS We tested the ability of our protocol to induce seizures at four developmental stages in the Kcnq2p.(Thr274Met/+) mouse model. We mapped the activated brain regions using c-fos protein labeling 2 h after seizure induction. RESULTS We show that the UIS have the same phenotypic expression and the same severity as spontaneous generalized seizures (SGS) in the Kcnq2-NEO-DEE mouse model. The developmental period during which mice exhibit SGS corresponds to the period during which Kcnq2p.(Thr274Met/+) mice are the most susceptible to US. C-fos labeling reveals a subset of 6 brain regions activated 2 h after the induction of the seizure. The same regions were identified in the context of seizure induction in other rodent models. CONCLUSION This study provides a non-invasive and easy to use method to induce seizures in a Kcnq2-NEO-DEE mouse model and documents early neuronal activation in specific brain regions. This method can be used to test the efficacy of new antiepileptic approaches for this intractable form of genetic epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucile Brun
- Aix Marseille Univ, Inserm, MMG, Marseille, France
| | | | | | | | - Laurent Villard
- Aix Marseille Univ, Inserm, MMG, Marseille, France; Service de Génétique Médicale, AP-HM, Hôpital de La Timone, Marseille, France.
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8
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Prasad T, Iyer S, Chatterjee S, Kumar M. In vivo models to study neurogenesis and associated neurodevelopmental disorders-Microcephaly and autism spectrum disorder. WIREs Mech Dis 2023:e1603. [PMID: 36754084 DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.1603] [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: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
The genesis and functioning of the central nervous system are one of the most intricate and intriguing aspects of embryogenesis. The big lacuna in the field of human CNS development is the lack of accessibility of the human brain for direct observation during embryonic and fetal development. Thus, it is imperative to establish alternative animal models to gain deep mechanistic insights into neurodevelopment, establishment of neural circuitry, and its function. Neurodevelopmental events such as neural specification, differentiation, and generation of neuronal and non-neuronal cell types have been comprehensively studied using a variety of animal models and in vitro model systems derived from human cells. The experimentations on animal models have revealed novel, mechanistic insights into neurogenesis, formation of neural networks, and function. The models, thus serve as indispensable tools to understand the molecular basis of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) arising from aberrations during embryonic development. Here, we review the spectrum of in vivo models such as fruitfly, zebrafish, frog, mice, and nonhuman primates to study neurogenesis and NDDs like microcephaly and Autism Spectrum Disorder. We also discuss nonconventional models such as ascidians and the recent technological advances in the field to study neurogenesis, disease mechanisms, and pathophysiology of human NDDs. This article is categorized under: Cancer > Stem Cells and Development Congenital Diseases > Stem Cells and Development Neurological Diseases > Stem Cells and Development Congenital Diseases > Genetics/Genomics/Epigenetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuhina Prasad
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB), Hyderabad, India.,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
| | - Sharada Iyer
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB), Hyderabad, India.,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
| | - Sayoni Chatterjee
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB), Hyderabad, India
| | - Megha Kumar
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB), Hyderabad, India.,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
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Dobrigna M, Poëa-Guyon S, Rousseau V, Vincent A, Toutain A, Barnier JV. The molecular basis of p21-activated kinase-associated neurodevelopmental disorders: From genotype to phenotype. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1123784. [PMID: 36937657 PMCID: PMC10017488 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1123784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the identification of numerous genes involved in neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) has reshaped our understanding of their etiology, there are still major obstacles in the way of developing therapeutic solutions for intellectual disability (ID) and other NDDs. These include extensive clinical and genetic heterogeneity, rarity of recurrent pathogenic variants, and comorbidity with other psychiatric traits. Moreover, a large intragenic mutational landscape is at play in some NDDs, leading to a broad range of clinical symptoms. Such diversity of symptoms is due to the different effects DNA variations have on protein functions and their impacts on downstream biological processes. The type of functional alterations, such as loss or gain of function, and interference with signaling pathways, has yet to be correlated with clinical symptoms for most genes. This review aims at discussing our current understanding of how the molecular changes of group I p21-activated kinases (PAK1, 2 and 3), which are essential actors of brain development and function; contribute to a broad clinical spectrum of NDDs. Identifying differences in PAK structure, regulation and spatio-temporal expression may help understanding the specific functions of each group I PAK. Deciphering how each variation type affects these parameters will help uncover the mechanisms underlying mutation pathogenicity. This is a prerequisite for the development of personalized therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manon Dobrigna
- Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, UMR 9197, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Saclay, France
| | - Sandrine Poëa-Guyon
- Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, UMR 9197, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Saclay, France
| | - Véronique Rousseau
- Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, UMR 9197, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Saclay, France
| | - Aline Vincent
- Department of Genetics, EA7450 BioTARGen, University Hospital of Caen, Caen, France
| | - Annick Toutain
- Department of Genetics, University Hospital of Tours, UMR 1253, iBrain, Université de Tours, INSERM, Tours, France
| | - Jean-Vianney Barnier
- Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, UMR 9197, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Saclay, France
- *Correspondence: Jean-Vianney Barnier,
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10
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Bertocchi I, Cambiaghi M, Hasan MT. Advances toward precision therapeutics for developmental and epileptic encephalopathies. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1140679. [PMID: 37090807 PMCID: PMC10115946 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1140679] [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: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Developmental and epileptic encephalopathies are childhood syndromes of severe epilepsy associated with cognitive and behavioral disorders. Of note, epileptic seizures represent only a part, although substantial, of the clinical spectrum. Whether the epileptiform activity per se accounts for developmental and intellectual disabilities is still unclear. In a few cases, seizures can be alleviated by antiseizure medication (ASM). However, the major comorbid features associated remain unsolved, including psychiatric disorders such as autism-like and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder-like behavior. Not surprisingly, the number of genes known to be involved is continuously growing, and genetically engineered rodent models are valuable tools for investigating the impact of gene mutations on local and distributed brain circuits. Despite the inconsistencies and problems arising in the generation and validation of the different preclinical models, those are unique and precious tools to identify new molecular targets, and essential to provide prospects for effective therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Bertocchi
- Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, Department of Neuroscience Rita Levi Montalcini, Institute of Neuroscience Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO), University of Turin, Torino, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience Rita Levi Montalcini, Neuroscience Institute of Turin (NIT), Torino, Italy
- *Correspondence: Ilaria Bertocchi,
| | - Marco Cambiaghi
- Department Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Mazahir T. Hasan
- Laboratory of Brain Circuits Therapeutics, Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Leioa, Spain
- Ikerbasque – Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain
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11
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Leonard H, Downs J, Benke TA, Swanson L, Olson H, Demarest S. CDKL5 deficiency disorder: clinical features, diagnosis, and management. Lancet Neurol 2022; 21:563-576. [PMID: 35483386 PMCID: PMC9788833 DOI: 10.1016/s1474-4422(22)00035-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 12/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD) was first identified as a cause of human disease in 2004. Although initially considered a variant of Rett syndrome, CDD is now recognised as an independent disorder and classified as a developmental epileptic encephalopathy. It is characterised by early-onset (generally within the first 2 months of life) seizures that are usually refractory to polypharmacy. Development is severely impaired in patients with CDD, with only a quarter of girls and a smaller proportion of boys achieving independent walking; however, there is clinical variability, which is probably genetically determined. Gastrointestinal, sleep, and musculoskeletal problems are common in CDD, as in other developmental epileptic encephalopathies, but the prevalence of cerebral visual impairment appears higher in CDD. Clinicians diagnosing infants with CDD need to be familiar with the complexities of this disorder to provide appropriate counselling to the patients' families. Despite some benefit from ketogenic diets and vagal nerve stimulation, there has been little evidence that conventional antiseizure medications or their combinations are helpful in CDD, but further treatment trials are finally underway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Leonard
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.
| | - Jenny Downs
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia; Curtin School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Tim A Benke
- Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado at Denver, Aurora, CO, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado at Denver, Aurora, CO, USA; Department of Neurology, University of Colorado at Denver, Aurora, CO, USA; Department of Otolaryngology, University of Colorado at Denver, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Lindsay Swanson
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Heather Olson
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Scott Demarest
- Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado at Denver, Aurora, CO, USA; Department of Neurology, University of Colorado at Denver, Aurora, CO, USA
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Armstrong JL, Saraf TS, Bhatavdekar O, Canal CE. Spontaneous seizures in adult Fmr1 knockout mice: FVB.129P2-Pde6b+ Tyr Fmr1/J. Epilepsy Res 2022; 182:106891. [PMID: 35290907 PMCID: PMC9050957 DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2022.106891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The prevalence of seizures in individuals with fragile X syndrome (FXS) is ~25%; however, there are no reports of spontaneous seizures in the Fmr1 knockout mouse model of FXS. Herein, we report that 48% of adult (median age P96), Fmr1 knockout mice from our colony were found expired in their home cages. We observed and recorded adult Fmr1 knockout mice having spontaneous convulsions in their home cages. In addition, we captured by electroencephalography an adult Fmr1 knockout mouse having a spontaneous seizure-during preictal, ictal, and postictal phases-which confirmed the presence of a generalized seizure. We did not observe this phenotype in control conspecifics or in juvenile (age <P35) Fmr1 knockout mice. We hypothesized that chronic, random, noise perturbations during development caused the phenotype. We recorded decibels (dB) in our vivarium. The average was 61 dB, but operating the automatic door to the vivarium caused spikes to 95 dB. We modified the door to eliminate noise spikes, which reduced unexpected deaths to 33% in Fmr1 knockout mice raised from birth in this environment (P = 0.07). As the modifications did not eliminate unexpected deaths, we further hypothesized that building vibrations may also be a contributing factor. After installing anti-vibration pads underneath housing carts, unexpected deaths of Fmr1 knockout mice born and raised in this environment decreased to 29% (P < 0.01 compared to the original environment). We also observed significant sex effects, for example, after interventions to reduce sound and vibration, significantly fewer male, but not female, Fmr1 knockout mice died unexpectedly (P < 0.001). The spontaneous seizure phenotype in our Fmr1 knockout mice could serve as a model of seizures observed in individuals with FXS, potentially offering a new translationally-valid phenotype for FXS research. Finally, these observations, although anomalous, serve as a reminder to consider gene-environment interactions when interpreting data derived from Fmr1 knockout mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L Armstrong
- Mercer University, College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 3001 Mercer University Drive, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
| | - Tanishka S Saraf
- Mercer University, College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 3001 Mercer University Drive, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
| | - Omkar Bhatavdekar
- Johns Hopkins University, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, 3400 North Charles Street, Croft Hall B27, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Clinton E Canal
- Mercer University, College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 3001 Mercer University Drive, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA.
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13
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Knight EMP, Amin S, Bahi-Buisson N, Benke TA, Cross JH, Demarest ST, Olson HE, Specchio N, Fleming TR, Aimetti AA, Gasior M, Devinsky O, Belyaev O, Ben-Zeev B, Brunklaus A, Ciliberto MA, Darra F, Davis R, De Giorgis V, Doronina O, Fahey M, Guerrini R, Heydemann P, Khaletskaya O, Lisewski P, Marsh ED, Moosa AN, Perry S, Philip S, Rajaraman RR, Renfroe B, Saneto RP, Scheffer IE, Sogawa Y, Suter B, Sweney MT, Tarquinio D, Veggiotti P, Wallace G, Weisenberg J, Wilfong A, Wirrell EC, Zafar M, Zolnowska M. Safety and efficacy of ganaxolone in patients with CDKL5 deficiency disorder: results from the double-blind phase of a randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial. Lancet Neurol 2022; 21:417-427. [PMID: 35429480 DOI: 10.1016/s1474-4422(22)00077-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD) is a rare, X-linked, developmental and epileptic encephalopathy characterised by severe global developmental impairment and seizures that can begin in the first few months after birth and are often treatment refractory. Ganaxolone, an investigational neuroactive steroid, reduced seizure frequency in an open-label, phase 2 trial that included patients with CDD. We aimed to further assess the efficacy and safety of ganaxolone in patients with CDD-associated refractory epilepsy. METHODS In the double-blind phase of this randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial, done at 39 outpatient clinics in eight countries (Australia, France, Israel, Italy, Poland, Russia, the UK, and the USA), patients were eligible if they were aged 2-21 years with a pathogenic or probably pathogenic CDKL5 variant and at least 16 major motor seizures (defined as bilateral tonic, generalised tonic-clonic, bilateral clonic, atonic, or focal to bilateral tonic-clonic) per 28 days in each 4-week period of an 8-week historical period. After a 6-week prospective baseline period, patients were randomly assigned (1:1) via an interactive web response system to receive either enteral adjunctive ganaxolone or matching enteral adjunctive placebo (maximum dose 63 mg/kg per day for patients weighing ≤28 kg or 1800 mg/day for patients weighing >28 kg) for 17 weeks. Patients, caregivers, investigators (including those analysing data), trial staff, and the sponsor (other than the investigational product manager) were masked to treatment allocation. The primary efficacy endpoint was percentage change in median 28-day major motor seizure frequency from the baseline period to the 17-week double-blind phase and was analysed (using a Wilcoxon-rank sum test) in all patients who received at least one dose of trial treatment and for whom baseline data were available. Safety (compared descriptively across groups) was analysed in all patients who received at least one dose of trial treatment. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03572933, and the open-label extension phase is ongoing. FINDINGS Between June 25, 2018, and July 2, 2020, 114 patients were screened for eligibility, of whom 101 (median age 6 years [IQR 3 to 10]) were randomly assigned to receive either ganaxolone (n=50) or placebo (n=51). All patients received at least one dose of a study drug, but seizure frequency for one patient in the ganaxolone group was not recorded at baseline and so the primary endpoint was analysed in a population of 100 patients. There was a median percentage change in 28-day major motor seizure frequency of -30·7% (IQR -49·5 to -1·9) in the ganaxolone group and of -6·9% (-24·1 to 39·7) in the placebo group (p=0·0036). The Hodges-Lehmann estimate of median difference in responses to ganaxolone versus placebo was -27·1% (95% CI -47·9 to - 9·6). Treatment-emergent adverse events occurred in 43 (86%) of 50 patients in the ganaxolone group and in 45 (88%) of 51 patients in the placebo group. Somnolence, pyrexia, and upper respiratory tract infections occurred in at least 10% of patients in the ganaxolone group and more frequently than in the placebo group. Serious adverse events occurred in six (12%) patients in the ganaxolone group and in five (10%) patients in the placebo group. Two (4%) patients in the ganaxolone group and four (8%) patients in the placebo group discontinued the trial. There were no deaths in the double-blind phase. INTERPRETATION Ganaxolone significantly reduced the frequency of CDD-associated seizures compared with placebo and was generally well tolerated. Results from what is, to our knowledge, the first controlled trial in CDD suggest a potential treatment benefit for ganaxolone. Long-term treatment is being assessed in the ongoing open-label extension phase of this trial. FUNDING Marinus Pharmaceuticals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elia M Pestana Knight
- Epilepsy Center, Cleveland Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.
| | - Sam Amin
- Pediatric Neurology, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston, Bristol, UK
| | - Nadia Bahi-Buisson
- Pediatric Neurology, Necker Enfants Malades University Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Tim A Benke
- Department of Pediatrics and Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - J Helen Cross
- UCL NIHR BRC Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Scott T Demarest
- Department of Pediatrics and Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Heather E Olson
- Division of Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology and Epilepsy Genetics Program, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nicola Specchio
- Rare and Complex Epilepsy Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Thomas R Fleming
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | | | - Orrin Devinsky
- New York University Langone Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, New York, NY, USA
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14
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In Vivo Sex-Dependent Effects of Perinatal Pb2+ Exposure on Pilocarpine-Induced Seizure Susceptibility and Taurine Neuropharmacology. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1370:481-496. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-93337-1_44] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
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Benke TA, Park K, Krey I, Camp CR, Song R, Ramsey AJ, Yuan H, Traynelis SF, Lemke J. Clinical and therapeutic significance of genetic variation in the GRIN gene family encoding NMDARs. Neuropharmacology 2021; 199:108805. [PMID: 34560056 PMCID: PMC8525401 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Considerable genetic variation of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) has recently become apparent, with many hundreds of de novo variants identified through widely available clinical genetic testing. Individuals with GRIN variants present with neurological conditions such as epilepsy, autism, intellectual disability (ID), movement disorders, schizophrenia and behavioral disorders. Determination of the functional consequence of genetic variation for NMDARs should lead to precision therapeutics. Furthermore, genetic animal models harboring human variants have the potential to reveal mechanisms that are shared among different neurological conditions, providing strategies that may allow treatment of individuals who are refractory to therapy. Preclinical studies in animal models and small open label trials in humans support this idea. However, additional functional data for variants and animal models corresponding to multiple individuals with the same genotype are needed to validate this approach and to lead to thoughtfully designed, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials, which could provide data in order to determine safety and efficacy of potential precision therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim A Benke
- Departments of Pediatrics, Pharmacology, Neurology, and Otolaryngology, University of Colorado, School of Medicine and Children's Hospital Colorado, United States.
| | - Kristen Park
- Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine and Children's Hospital Colorado, United States
| | - Ilona Krey
- Institute of Human Genetics, Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Chad R Camp
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology and the Center for Functional Evaluation of Rare Variants, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Rui Song
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology and the Center for Functional Evaluation of Rare Variants, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Amy J Ramsey
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Hongjie Yuan
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology and the Center for Functional Evaluation of Rare Variants, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Stephen F Traynelis
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology and the Center for Functional Evaluation of Rare Variants, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Johannes Lemke
- Institute of Human Genetics, Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
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16
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Zhang J, Chen X, Eaton M, Wu J, Ma Z, Lai S, Park A, Ahmad TS, Que Z, Lee JH, Xiao T, Li Y, Wang Y, Olivero-Acosta MI, Schaber JA, Jayant K, Yuan C, Huang Z, Lanman NA, Skarnes WC, Yang Y. Severe deficiency of the voltage-gated sodium channel Na V1.2 elevates neuronal excitability in adult mice. Cell Rep 2021; 36:109495. [PMID: 34348148 PMCID: PMC8382316 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Scn2a encodes the voltage-gated sodium channel NaV1.2, a main mediator of neuronal action potential firing. The current paradigm suggests that NaV1.2 gain-of-function variants enhance neuronal excitability, resulting in epilepsy, whereas NaV1.2 deficiency impairs neuronal excitability, contributing to autism. However, this paradigm does not explain why ∼20%-30% of individuals with NaV1.2 deficiency still develop seizures. Here, we report the counterintuitive finding that severe NaV1.2 deficiency results in increased neuronal excitability. Using a NaV1.2-deficient mouse model, we show enhanced intrinsic excitability of principal neurons in the prefrontal cortex and striatum, brain regions known to be involved in Scn2a-related seizures. This increased excitability is autonomous and reversible by genetic restoration of Scn2a expression in adult mice. RNA sequencing reveals downregulation of multiple potassium channels, including KV1.1. Correspondingly, KV channel openers alleviate the hyperexcitability of NaV1.2-deficient neurons. This unexpected neuronal hyperexcitability may serve as a cellular basis underlying NaV1.2 deficiency-related seizures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingliang Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Xiaoling Chen
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Muriel Eaton
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Jiaxiang Wu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Zhixiong Ma
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Shirong Lai
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Anthony Park
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Talha S Ahmad
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Zhefu Que
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Ji Hea Lee
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Tiange Xiao
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Yuansong Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Yujia Wang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Maria I Olivero-Acosta
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - James A Schaber
- Bioscience Imaging Facility, Bindley Bioscience Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Krishna Jayant
- Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Chongli Yuan
- Davidson School of Chemical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Zhuo Huang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Nadia A Lanman
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - William C Skarnes
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT 06032, USA
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.
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17
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Ghirardini E, Calugi F, Sagona G, Di Vetta F, Palma M, Battini R, Cioni G, Pizzorusso T, Baroncelli L. The Role of Preclinical Models in Creatine Transporter Deficiency: Neurobiological Mechanisms, Biomarkers and Therapeutic Development. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12081123. [PMID: 34440297 PMCID: PMC8392480 DOI: 10.3390/genes12081123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Creatine (Cr) Transporter Deficiency (CTD) is an X-linked metabolic disorder, mostly caused by missense mutations in the SLC6A8 gene and presenting with intellectual disability, autistic behavior, and epilepsy. There is no effective treatment for CTD and patients need lifelong assistance. Thus, the research of novel intervention strategies is a major scientific challenge. Animal models are an excellent tool to dissect the disease pathogenetic mechanisms and drive the preclinical development of therapeutics. This review illustrates the current knowledge about Cr metabolism and CTD clinical aspects, with a focus on mainstay diagnostic and therapeutic options. Then, we discuss the rodent models of CTD characterized in the last decade, comparing the phenotypes expressed within clinically relevant domains and the timeline of symptom development. This analysis highlights that animals with the ubiquitous deletion/mutation of SLC6A8 genes well recapitulate the early onset and the complex pathological phenotype of the human condition. Thus, they should represent the preferred model for preclinical efficacy studies. On the other hand, brain- and cell-specific conditional mutants are ideal for understanding the basis of CTD at a cellular and molecular level. Finally, we explain how CTD models might provide novel insight about the pathogenesis of other disorders, including cancer.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Biomarkers/metabolism
- Brain Diseases, Metabolic, Inborn/metabolism
- Brain Diseases, Metabolic, Inborn/pathology
- Brain Diseases, Metabolic, Inborn/therapy
- Central Nervous System/pathology
- Creatine/deficiency
- Creatine/metabolism
- Disease Models, Animal
- Humans
- Mental Retardation, X-Linked/metabolism
- Mental Retardation, X-Linked/pathology
- Mental Retardation, X-Linked/therapy
- Mice
- Plasma Membrane Neurotransmitter Transport Proteins/deficiency
- Plasma Membrane Neurotransmitter Transport Proteins/metabolism
- Rats
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Affiliation(s)
- Elsa Ghirardini
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, I-56128 Pisa, Italy; (E.G.); (G.S.); (R.B.); (G.C.)
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council (CNR), I-56124 Pisa, Italy; (F.C.); (F.D.V.); (M.P.); (T.P.)
| | - Francesco Calugi
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council (CNR), I-56124 Pisa, Italy; (F.C.); (F.D.V.); (M.P.); (T.P.)
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health NEUROFARBA, University of Florence, I-50135 Florence, Italy
| | - Giulia Sagona
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, I-56128 Pisa, Italy; (E.G.); (G.S.); (R.B.); (G.C.)
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health NEUROFARBA, University of Florence, I-50135 Florence, Italy
| | - Federica Di Vetta
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council (CNR), I-56124 Pisa, Italy; (F.C.); (F.D.V.); (M.P.); (T.P.)
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, I-56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Martina Palma
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council (CNR), I-56124 Pisa, Italy; (F.C.); (F.D.V.); (M.P.); (T.P.)
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health NEUROFARBA, University of Florence, I-50135 Florence, Italy
| | - Roberta Battini
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, I-56128 Pisa, Italy; (E.G.); (G.S.); (R.B.); (G.C.)
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, I-56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Giovanni Cioni
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, I-56128 Pisa, Italy; (E.G.); (G.S.); (R.B.); (G.C.)
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, I-56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Tommaso Pizzorusso
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council (CNR), I-56124 Pisa, Italy; (F.C.); (F.D.V.); (M.P.); (T.P.)
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health NEUROFARBA, University of Florence, I-50135 Florence, Italy
| | - Laura Baroncelli
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, I-56128 Pisa, Italy; (E.G.); (G.S.); (R.B.); (G.C.)
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council (CNR), I-56124 Pisa, Italy; (F.C.); (F.D.V.); (M.P.); (T.P.)
- Correspondence:
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Reviewing Evidence for the Relationship of EEG Abnormalities and RTT Phenotype Paralleled by Insights from Animal Studies. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22105308. [PMID: 34069993 PMCID: PMC8157853 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22105308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 05/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder that is usually caused by mutations of the MECP2 gene. Patients with RTT suffer from severe deficits in motor, perceptual and cognitive domains. Electroencephalogram (EEG) has provided useful information to clinicians and scientists, from the very first descriptions of RTT, and yet no reliable neurophysiological biomarkers related to the pathophysiology of the disorder or symptom severity have been identified to date. To identify consistently observed and potentially informative EEG characteristics of RTT pathophysiology, and ascertain areas most worthy of further systematic investigation, here we review the literature for EEG abnormalities reported in patients with RTT and in its disease models. While pointing to some promising potential EEG biomarkers of RTT, our review identify areas of need to realize the potential of EEG including (1) quantitative investigation of promising clinical-EEG observations in RTT, e.g., shift of mu rhythm frequency and EEG during sleep; (2) closer alignment of approaches between patients with RTT and its animal models to strengthen the translational significance of the work (e.g., EEG measurements and behavioral states); (3) establishment of large-scale consortium research, to provide adequate Ns to investigate age and genotype effects.
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19
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Haigh JL, Adhikari A, Copping NA, Stradleigh T, Wade AA, Catta-Preta R, Su-Feher L, Zdilar I, Morse S, Fenton TA, Nguyen A, Quintero D, Agezew S, Sramek M, Kreun EJ, Carter J, Gompers A, Lambert JT, Canales CP, Pennacchio LA, Visel A, Dickel DE, Silverman JL, Nord AS. Deletion of a non-canonical regulatory sequence causes loss of Scn1a expression and epileptic phenotypes in mice. Genome Med 2021; 13:69. [PMID: 33910599 PMCID: PMC8080386 DOI: 10.1186/s13073-021-00884-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genes with multiple co-active promoters appear common in brain, yet little is known about functional requirements for these potentially redundant genomic regulatory elements. SCN1A, which encodes the NaV1.1 sodium channel alpha subunit, is one such gene with two co-active promoters. Mutations in SCN1A are associated with epilepsy, including Dravet syndrome (DS). The majority of DS patients harbor coding mutations causing SCN1A haploinsufficiency; however, putative causal non-coding promoter mutations have been identified. METHODS To determine the functional role of one of these potentially redundant Scn1a promoters, we focused on the non-coding Scn1a 1b regulatory region, previously described as a non-canonical alternative transcriptional start site. We generated a transgenic mouse line with deletion of the extended evolutionarily conserved 1b non-coding interval and characterized changes in gene and protein expression, and assessed seizure activity and alterations in behavior. RESULTS Mice harboring a deletion of the 1b non-coding interval exhibited surprisingly severe reductions of Scn1a and NaV1.1 expression throughout the brain. This was accompanied by electroencephalographic and thermal-evoked seizures, and behavioral deficits. CONCLUSIONS This work contributes to functional dissection of the regulatory wiring of a major epilepsy risk gene, SCN1A. We identified the 1b region as a critical disease-relevant regulatory element and provide evidence that non-canonical and seemingly redundant promoters can have essential function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L Haigh
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Anna Adhikari
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- MIND Institute and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Nycole A Copping
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- MIND Institute and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Tyler Stradleigh
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - A Ayanna Wade
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Rinaldo Catta-Preta
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Linda Su-Feher
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Iva Zdilar
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Sarah Morse
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Timothy A Fenton
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- MIND Institute and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Anh Nguyen
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Diana Quintero
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Samrawit Agezew
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Michael Sramek
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Ellie J Kreun
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Jasmine Carter
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Andrea Gompers
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Jason T Lambert
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Cesar P Canales
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Len A Pennacchio
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
- U.S. Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Walnut Creek, CA, USA
- Comparative Biochemistry Program, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Axel Visel
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
- U.S. Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Walnut Creek, CA, USA
- Comparative Biochemistry Program, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
- School of Natural Sciences, University of California, Merced, CA, USA
| | - Diane E Dickel
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
- U.S. Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Walnut Creek, CA, USA
- Comparative Biochemistry Program, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Jill L Silverman
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA.
- MIND Institute and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA.
| | - Alex S Nord
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA.
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA.
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20
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Marshall GF, Gonzalez-Sulser A, Abbott CM. Modelling epilepsy in the mouse: challenges and solutions. Dis Model Mech 2021; 14:dmm.047449. [PMID: 33619078 PMCID: PMC7938804 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.047449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In most mouse models of disease, the outward manifestation of a disorder can be measured easily, can be assessed with a trivial test such as hind limb clasping, or can even be observed simply by comparing the gross morphological characteristics of mutant and wild-type littermates. But what if we are trying to model a disorder with a phenotype that appears only sporadically and briefly, like epileptic seizures? The purpose of this Review is to highlight the challenges of modelling epilepsy, in which the most obvious manifestation of the disorder, seizures, occurs only intermittently, possibly very rarely and often at times when the mice are not under direct observation. Over time, researchers have developed a number of ways in which to overcome these challenges, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. In this Review, we describe the genetics of epilepsy and the ways in which genetically altered mouse models have been used. We also discuss the use of induced models in which seizures are brought about by artificial stimulation to the brain of wild-type animals, and conclude with the ways these different approaches could be used to develop a wider range of anti-seizure medications that could benefit larger patient populations. Summary: This Review discusses the challenges of modelling epilepsy in mice, a condition in which the outward manifestation of the disorder appears only sporadically, and reviews possible solutions encompassing both genetic and induced models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grant F Marshall
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK.,Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK
| | - Alfredo Gonzalez-Sulser
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK.,Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, 1 George Square, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK
| | - Catherine M Abbott
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK .,Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK
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21
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Role of DNA Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein MeCP2 in Rett Syndrome Pathobiology and Mechanism of Disease. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11010075. [PMID: 33429932 PMCID: PMC7827577 DOI: 10.3390/biom11010075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2020] [Revised: 01/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Rett Syndrome (RTT) is a severe, rare, and progressive developmental disorder with patients displaying neurological regression and autism spectrum features. The affected individuals are primarily young females, and more than 95% of patients carry de novo mutation(s) in the Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2 (MECP2) gene. While the majority of RTT patients have MECP2 mutations (classical RTT), a small fraction of the patients (atypical RTT) may carry genetic mutations in other genes such as the cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) and FOXG1. Due to the neurological basis of RTT symptoms, MeCP2 function was originally studied in nerve cells (neurons). However, later research highlighted its importance in other cell types of the brain including glia. In this regard, scientists benefitted from modeling the disease using many different cellular systems and transgenic mice with loss- or gain-of-function mutations. Additionally, limited research in human postmortem brain tissues provided invaluable findings in RTT pathobiology and disease mechanism. MeCP2 expression in the brain is tightly regulated, and its altered expression leads to abnormal brain function, implicating MeCP2 in some cases of autism spectrum disorders. In certain disease conditions, MeCP2 homeostasis control is impaired, the regulation of which in rodents involves a regulatory microRNA (miR132) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Here, we will provide an overview of recent advances in understanding the underlying mechanism of disease in RTT and the associated genetic mutations in the MECP2 gene along with the pathobiology of the disease, the role of the two most studied protein variants (MeCP2E1 and MeCP2E2 isoforms), and the regulatory mechanisms that control MeCP2 homeostasis network in the brain, including BDNF and miR132.
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22
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Ramirez JM, Karlen-Amarante M, Wang JDJ, Bush NE, Carroll MS, Weese-Mayer DE, Huff A. The Pathophysiology of Rett Syndrome With a Focus on Breathing Dysfunctions. Physiology (Bethesda) 2020; 35:375-390. [PMID: 33052774 PMCID: PMC7864239 DOI: 10.1152/physiol.00008.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Revised: 06/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT), an X-chromosome-linked neurological disorder, is characterized by serious pathophysiology, including breathing and feeding dysfunctions, and alteration of cardiorespiratory coupling, a consequence of multiple interrelated disturbances in the genetic and homeostatic regulation of central and peripheral neuronal networks, redox state, and control of inflammation. Characteristic breath-holds, obstructive sleep apnea, and aerophagia result in intermittent hypoxia, which, combined with mitochondrial dysfunction, causes oxidative stress-an important driver of the clinical presentation of RTT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan-Marino Ramirez
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
- Departments of Neurological Surgery and Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | - Marlusa Karlen-Amarante
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
- Department of Physiology and Pathology, School of Dentistry of Araraquara, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, Brazil
| | - Jia-Der Ju Wang
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | - Nicholas E Bush
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | - Michael S Carroll
- Data Analytics and Reporting, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
- Division of Autonomic Medicine, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Debra E Weese-Mayer
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
- Division of Autonomic Medicine, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Alyssa Huff
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
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23
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuri Bozzi
- Center for Mind/Brain Sciences (CIMeC), University of Trento, Italy; CNR Neuroscience Institute, Pisa, Italy
| | - Michela Fagiolini
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
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24
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Mulcahey PJ, Tang S, Takano H, White A, Davila Portillo DR, Kane OM, Marsh ED, Zhou Z, Coulter DA. Aged heterozygous Cdkl5 mutant mice exhibit spontaneous epileptic spasms. Exp Neurol 2020; 332:113388. [PMID: 32585155 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2020.113388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD) is a devastating neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by early-onset epilepsy, severe intellectual disability, cortical visual impairment and motor disabilities. Epilepsy is a central feature of CDD, with most patients having intractable seizures, but seizure frequency and severity can vary. Clinical reports demonstrate a diversity in seizure semiology and electrographic features, with no pattern diagnostic of CDD. Although animal models of CDD have shown evidence of hyperexcitability, spontaneous seizures have not been previously reported. Here, we present the first systematic study of spontaneous seizures in mouse models of CDD. Epileptic spasms, the most frequent and persistent seizure type in CDD patients, were recapitulated in two mouse models of CDD carrying heterozygous mutations, Cdkl5R59X and Cdkl5KO. Spasm-like events were present in a significant proportion of aged heterozygous female mice carrying either of the two Cdkl5 mutations with significant variability in seizure burden. Electrographically, spasms were most frequently associated with generalized slow-wave activity and tended to occur in clusters during sleep. CDD mice also showed interictal and background abnormalities, characterized by high-amplitude spiking and altered power in multiple frequency bands. These data demonstrate that aged female heterozygous Cdkl5 mice recapitulate multiple features of epilepsy in CDD and can serve to complement existing models of epileptic spasms in future mechanistic and translational studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick J Mulcahey
- Division of Child Neurology and CHOP Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, United States of America
| | - Sheng Tang
- Division of Child Neurology and CHOP Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, United States of America; Department of Neuroscience and Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, United States of America
| | - Hajime Takano
- Division of Child Neurology and CHOP Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, United States of America
| | - Alicia White
- Division of Child Neurology and CHOP Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, United States of America
| | - Dayana R Davila Portillo
- Division of Child Neurology and CHOP Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, United States of America
| | - Owen M Kane
- Division of Child Neurology and CHOP Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, United States of America
| | - Eric D Marsh
- Division of Child Neurology and CHOP Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, United States of America; Departments of Neurology, and Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, United States of America
| | - Zhaolan Zhou
- Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, United States of America
| | - Douglas A Coulter
- Division of Child Neurology and CHOP Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, United States of America; Department of Neuroscience and Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, United States of America.
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