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Ballester Roig MN, Leduc T, Dufort-Gervais J, Maghmoul Y, Tastet O, Mongrain V. Probing pathways by which rhynchophylline modifies sleep using spatial transcriptomics. Biol Direct 2023; 18:21. [PMID: 37143153 PMCID: PMC10161643 DOI: 10.1186/s13062-023-00377-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rhynchophylline (RHY) is an alkaloid component of Uncaria, which are plants extensively used in traditional Asian medicines. Uncaria treatments increase sleep time and quality in humans, and RHY induces sleep in rats. However, like many traditional natural treatments, the mechanisms of action of RHY and Uncaria remain evasive. Moreover, it is unknown whether RHY modifies key brain oscillations during sleep. We thus aimed at defining the effects of RHY on sleep architecture and oscillations throughout a 24-h cycle, as well as identifying the underlying molecular mechanisms. Mice received systemic RHY injections at two times of the day (beginning and end of the light period), and vigilance states were studied by electrocorticographic recordings. RESULTS RHY enhanced slow wave sleep (SWS) after both injections, suppressed paradoxical sleep (PS) in the light but enhanced PS in the dark period. Furthermore, RHY modified brain oscillations during both wakefulness and SWS (including delta activity dynamics) in a time-dependent manner. Interestingly, most effects were larger in females. A brain spatial transcriptomic analysis showed that RHY modifies the expression of genes linked to cell movement, apoptosis/necrosis, and transcription/translation in a brain region-independent manner, and changes those linked to sleep regulation (e.g., Hcrt, Pmch) in a brain region-specific manner (e.g., in the hypothalamus). CONCLUSIONS The findings provide support to the sleep-inducing effect of RHY, expose the relevance to shape wake/sleep oscillations, and highlight its effects on the transcriptome with a high spatial resolution. The exposed molecular mechanisms underlying the effect of a natural compound should benefit sleep- and brain-related medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Neus Ballester Roig
- Department of Neuroscience, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada
- Center for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine, Recherche CIUSSS-NIM, Montréal, QC, H4J 1C5, Canada
| | - Tanya Leduc
- Department of Neuroscience, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada
- Center for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine, Recherche CIUSSS-NIM, Montréal, QC, H4J 1C5, Canada
| | - Julien Dufort-Gervais
- Center for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine, Recherche CIUSSS-NIM, Montréal, QC, H4J 1C5, Canada
| | - Yousra Maghmoul
- Center for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine, Recherche CIUSSS-NIM, Montréal, QC, H4J 1C5, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Olivier Tastet
- Centre de Recherche, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, 900 rue St-Denis, Tour Viger, Montréal, QC, H2X 0A9, Canada
| | - Valérie Mongrain
- Department of Neuroscience, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada.
- Center for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine, Recherche CIUSSS-NIM, Montréal, QC, H4J 1C5, Canada.
- Centre de Recherche, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, 900 rue St-Denis, Tour Viger, Montréal, QC, H2X 0A9, Canada.
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2
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Martins HC, Gilardi C, Sungur AÖ, Winterer J, Pelzl MA, Bicker S, Gross F, Kisko TM, Malikowska‐Racia N, Braun MD, Brosch K, Nenadic I, Stein F, Meinert S, Schwarting RKW, Dannlowski U, Kircher T, Wöhr M, Schratt G. Bipolar‐associated
miR
‐499‐5p controls neuroplasticity by downregulating the Cav1.2 subunit
CACNB2. EMBO Rep 2022; 23:e54420. [PMID: 35969184 PMCID: PMC9535808 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202154420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Bipolar disorder (BD) is a chronic mood disorder characterized by manic and depressive episodes. Dysregulation of neuroplasticity and calcium homeostasis are frequently observed in BD patients, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are largely unknown. Here, we show that miR‐499‐5p regulates dendritogenesis and cognitive function by downregulating the BD risk gene CACNB2. miR‐499‐5p expression is increased in peripheral blood of BD patients, as well as in the hippocampus of rats which underwent juvenile social isolation. In rat hippocampal neurons, miR‐499‐5p impairs dendritogenesis and reduces surface expression and activity of the L‐type calcium channel Cav1.2. We further identified CACNB2, which encodes a regulatory β‐subunit of Cav1.2, as a direct functional target of miR‐499‐5p in neurons. miR‐499‐5p overexpression in the hippocampus in vivo induces short‐term memory impairments selectively in rats haploinsufficient for the Cav1.2 pore forming subunit Cacna1c. In humans, miR‐499‐5p expression is negatively associated with gray matter volumes of the left superior temporal gyrus, a region implicated in auditory and emotional processing. We propose that stress‐induced miR‐499‐5p overexpression contributes to dendritic impairments, deregulated calcium homeostasis, and neurocognitive dysfunction in BD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena C Martins
- Lab of Systems Neuroscience, Department of Health Science and Technology, Institute for Neuroscience Swiss Federal Institute of Technology ETH Zurich Switzerland
| | - Carlotta Gilardi
- Lab of Systems Neuroscience, Department of Health Science and Technology, Institute for Neuroscience Swiss Federal Institute of Technology ETH Zurich Switzerland
| | - A Özge Sungur
- Behavioural Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology Faculty of Psychology, Philipps‐University of Marburg Marburg Germany
- Center for Mind, Brain, and Behavior Philipps‐University of Marburg Marburg Germany
| | - Jochen Winterer
- Lab of Systems Neuroscience, Department of Health Science and Technology, Institute for Neuroscience Swiss Federal Institute of Technology ETH Zurich Switzerland
| | - Michael A Pelzl
- Institute for Physiological Chemistry, Biochemical‐Pharmacological Center Marburg Philipps‐University of Marburg Marburg Germany
- Psychiatry and Psychotherapy University of Tübingen Tübingen Germany
| | - Silvia Bicker
- Lab of Systems Neuroscience, Department of Health Science and Technology, Institute for Neuroscience Swiss Federal Institute of Technology ETH Zurich Switzerland
| | - Fridolin Gross
- Lab of Systems Neuroscience, Department of Health Science and Technology, Institute for Neuroscience Swiss Federal Institute of Technology ETH Zurich Switzerland
| | - Theresa M Kisko
- Behavioural Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology Faculty of Psychology, Philipps‐University of Marburg Marburg Germany
| | - Natalia Malikowska‐Racia
- Behavioural Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology Faculty of Psychology, Philipps‐University of Marburg Marburg Germany
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience and Drug Development, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences Krakow Poland
| | - Moria D Braun
- Behavioural Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology Faculty of Psychology, Philipps‐University of Marburg Marburg Germany
| | - Katharina Brosch
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy University of Marburg Marburg Germany
| | - Igor Nenadic
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy University of Marburg Marburg Germany
| | - Frederike Stein
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy University of Marburg Marburg Germany
| | - Susanne Meinert
- Institute for Translational Psychiatry University of Münster Münster Germany
| | - Rainer K W Schwarting
- Behavioural Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology Faculty of Psychology, Philipps‐University of Marburg Marburg Germany
- Center for Mind, Brain, and Behavior Philipps‐University of Marburg Marburg Germany
| | - Udo Dannlowski
- Institute for Translational Psychiatry University of Münster Münster Germany
| | - Tilo Kircher
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy University of Marburg Marburg Germany
| | - Markus Wöhr
- Behavioural Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology Faculty of Psychology, Philipps‐University of Marburg Marburg Germany
- Center for Mind, Brain, and Behavior Philipps‐University of Marburg Marburg Germany
- Social and Affective Neuroscience Research Group, Laboratory of Biological Psychology, Research Unit Brain and Cognition, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences KU Leuven Leuven Belgium
- Leuven Brain Institute KU Leuven Leuven Belgium
| | - Gerhard Schratt
- Lab of Systems Neuroscience, Department of Health Science and Technology, Institute for Neuroscience Swiss Federal Institute of Technology ETH Zurich Switzerland
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Becegato M, Silva RH. Object recognition tasks in rats: Does sex matter? Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:970452. [PMID: 36035023 PMCID: PMC9412164 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.970452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Novelty recognition tasks based on object exploration are frequently used for the evaluation of cognitive abilities and investigation of neurobiological and molecular aspects of memory in rodents. This is an interesting approach because variations of the object recognition tasks focus on different aspects of the memory events such as novelty, location, context, and combinations of these elements. Nevertheless, as in most animal neuroscience research, female subjects are underrepresented in object recognition studies. When studies include females, the particularities of this sex are not always considered. For example, appropriate controls for manipulations conducted exclusively in females (such as estrous cycle verification) are not included. In addition, interpretation of data is often based on standardizations conducted with male subjects. Despite that, females are frequently reported as deficient and unable to adequately perform some memory tests. Thus, our study aims to review studies that describe similarities and differences between male and female performances in the different variations of object recognition tasks. In summary, although females are commonly described with deficits and the articles emphasize sex differences, most published data reveal similar performances when sexes are compared.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcela Becegato
- Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Regina H. Silva
- Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- MaternaCiência, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Regina H. Silva,
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Appetitive 50 kHz calls in a pavlovian conditioned approach task in Cacna1c haploinsufficient rats. Physiol Behav 2022; 250:113795. [PMID: 35351494 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2022.113795] [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: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
We have previously shown that rats emit high-frequency 50 kHz ultrasonic vocalizations (USV) during sign- and goal-tracking in a common Pavlovian conditioned approach task. Such 50 kHz calls are probably related to positive affect and are associated with meso-limbic dopamine function. In humans, the CACNA1C gene, encoding for the α1C subunit of the L-type voltage-gated calcium channel CaV1.2, is implicated in several mental disorders, including mood disorders associated with altered dopamine signaling. In the present study, we investigated sign- and goal-tracking behavior and the emission of 50 kHz USV in Cacna1c haploinsufficent rats in a task where food pellet delivery is signaled by an appearance of an otherwise inoperable lever. Over the course of this Pavlovian training, these rats not only increased their approach to the reward site, but also their rates of pressing the inoperable lever. During subsequent extinction tests, where reward delivery was omitted, extinction patterns differed between reward site (i.e. magazine entries) and lever, since magazine entries quickly declined whereas behavior towards the lever transiently increased. Based on established criteria to define sign- or goal-tracking individuals, no CACNA1C rat met a sign-tracking criterion, since around 42% of rats tested where goal-trackers and the other 58% fell into an intermediate range. Regarding USV, we found that the CACNA1C rats emitted 50 kHz calls with a clear subject-dependent pattern; also, most of them were of a flat subtype and occurred mainly during initial habituation phases without cues or rewards. Compared, to previously published wildtype controls, Cacna1c haploinsufficent rats displayed reduced numbers of appetitive 50 kHz calls. Moreover, similar to wildtype littermate controls, 50 kHz call emission in Cacna1c haploinsufficent rats was intra-individually stable over training days and was negatively associated with goal-tracking. Together, these findings provide evidence in support of 50 kHz calls as trait marker. The finding that Cacna1c haploinsufficent rats show reductions of 50 kHz calls accompanied with more goal-tracking, is consistent with the assumption of altered dopamine signaling in these rats, a finding which supports their applicability in models of mental disorders.
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Excessive Laughter-like Vocalizations, Microcephaly, and Translational Outcomes in the Ube3a Deletion Rat Model of Angelman Syndrome. J Neurosci 2021; 41:8801-8814. [PMID: 34475199 PMCID: PMC8528495 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0925-21.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Angelman syndrome (AS) is a rare genetic neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by intellectual disabilities, motor and balance deficits, impaired communication, and a happy, excitable demeanor with frequent laughter. We sought to elucidate a preclinical outcome measure in male and female rats that addressed communication abnormalities of AS and other neurodevelopmental disorders in which communication is atypical and/or lack of speech is a core feature. We discovered, and herein report for the first time, excessive laughter-like 50 kHz ultrasonic emissions in the Ube3a mat-/pat+ rat model of AS, which suggests an excitable, playful demeanor and elevated positive affect, similar to the demeanor of individuals with AS. Also in line with the AS phenotype, Ube3a mat-/pat+ rats demonstrated aberrant social interactions with a novel partner, distinctive gait abnormalities, impaired cognition, an underlying LTP deficit, and profound reductions in brain volume. These unique, robust phenotypes provide advantages compared with currently available mouse models and will be highly valuable as outcome measures in the evaluation of therapies for AS.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Angelman syndrome (AS) is a severe neurogenetic disorder for which there is no cure, despite decades of research using mouse models. This study used a recently developed rat model of AS to delineate disease-relevant outcome measures to facilitate therapeutic development. We found the rat to be a strong model of AS, offering several advantages over mouse models by exhibiting numerous AS-relevant phenotypes, including overabundant laughter-like vocalizations, reduced hippocampal LTP, and volumetric anomalies across the brain. These findings are unconfounded by detrimental motor abilities and background strain, issues plaguing mouse models. This rat model represents an important advancement in the field of AS, and the outcome metrics reported herein will be central to the therapeutic pipeline.
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Willadsen M, Uengoer M, Sługocka A, Schwarting RK, Homberg JR, Wöhr M. Fear Extinction and Predictive Trait-Like Inter-Individual Differences in Rats Lacking the Serotonin Transporter. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22137088. [PMID: 34209318 PMCID: PMC8268876 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22137088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Anxiety disorders are associated with a failure to sufficiently extinguish fear memories. The serotonergic system (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) with the 5-HT transporter (5-HTT, SERT) is strongly implicated in the regulation of anxiety and fear. In the present study, we examined the effects of SERT deficiency on fear extinction in a differential fear conditioning paradigm in male and female rats. Fear-related behavior displayed during acquisition, extinction, and recovery, was measured through quantification of immobility and alarm 22-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations (USV). Trait-like inter-individual differences in novelty-seeking, anxiety-related behavior, habituation learning, cognitive performance, and pain sensitivity were examined for their predictive value in forecasting fear extinction. Our results show that SERT deficiency strongly affected the emission of 22-kHz USV during differential fear conditioning. During acquisition, extinction, and recovery, SERT deficiency consistently led to a reduction in 22-kHz USV emission. While SERT deficiency did not affect immobility during acquisition, genotype differences started to emerge during extinction, and during recovery rats lacking SERT showed higher levels of immobility than wildtype littermate controls. Recovery was reflected in increased levels of immobility but not 22-kHz USV emission. Prominent sex differences were evident. Among several measures for trait-like inter-individual differences, anxiety-related behavior had the best predictive quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Willadsen
- Behavioral Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Philipps-University of Marburg, Gutenberg-Str. 18, D-35032 Marburg, Germany; (M.W.); (R.K.W.S.)
| | - Metin Uengoer
- Associative Learning, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Philipps-University of Marburg, Gutenberg-Str. 18, D-35032 Marburg, Germany;
| | - Anna Sługocka
- Department for Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Medyków 4, 40-752 Katowice, Poland;
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Medyków 18, 40-752 Katowice, Poland
| | - Rainer K.W. Schwarting
- Behavioral Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Philipps-University of Marburg, Gutenberg-Str. 18, D-35032 Marburg, Germany; (M.W.); (R.K.W.S.)
- Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior, Philipps-University of Marburg, Hans-Meerwein-Str. 6, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Judith R. Homberg
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Kapittelweg 29, 6525 EN Nijmegen, The Netherlands;
| | - Markus Wöhr
- Behavioral Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Philipps-University of Marburg, Gutenberg-Str. 18, D-35032 Marburg, Germany; (M.W.); (R.K.W.S.)
- Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior, Philipps-University of Marburg, Hans-Meerwein-Str. 6, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
- KU Leuven, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Research Unit Brain and Cognition, Laboratory of Biological Psychology, Social and Affective Neuroscience Research Group, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
- KU Leuven, Leuven Brain Institute, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +32–16–19–45–57
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7
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Wöhr M, Kisko TM, Schwarting RK. Social Behavior and Ultrasonic Vocalizations in a Genetic Rat Model Haploinsufficient for the Cross-Disorder Risk Gene Cacna1c. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11060724. [PMID: 34072335 PMCID: PMC8229447 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11060724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The top-ranked cross-disorder risk gene CACNA1C is strongly associated with multiple neuropsychiatric dysfunctions. In a recent series of studies, we applied a genomically informed approach and contributed extensively to the behavioral characterization of a genetic rat model haploinsufficient for the cross-disorder risk gene Cacna1c. Because deficits in processing social signals are associated with reduced social functioning as commonly seen in neuropsychiatric disorders, we focused on socio-affective communication through 22-kHz and 50-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations (USV). Specifically, we applied a reciprocal approach for studying socio-affective communication in sender and receiver by including rough-and-tumble play and playback of 22-kHz and 50-kHz USV. Here, we review the findings obtained in this recent series of studies and link them to the key features of 50-kHz USV emission during rough-and-tumble play and social approach behavior evoked by playback of 22-kHz and 50-kHz USV. We conclude that Cacna1c haploinsufficiency in rats leads to robust deficits in socio-affective communication through 22-kHz and 50-kHz USV and associated alterations in social behavior, such as rough-and-tumble play behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Wöhr
- Social and Affective Neuroscience Research Group, Laboratory of Biological Psychology, Research Unit Brain and Cognition, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Faculty of Psychology, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience, Philipps-University of Marburg, D-35032 Marburg, Germany; (T.M.K.); (R.K.W.S.)
- Center for Mind, Brain, and Behavior, Philipps-University of Marburg, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +32-16-19-45-57
| | - Theresa M. Kisko
- Faculty of Psychology, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience, Philipps-University of Marburg, D-35032 Marburg, Germany; (T.M.K.); (R.K.W.S.)
- Center for Mind, Brain, and Behavior, Philipps-University of Marburg, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Rainer K.W. Schwarting
- Faculty of Psychology, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience, Philipps-University of Marburg, D-35032 Marburg, Germany; (T.M.K.); (R.K.W.S.)
- Center for Mind, Brain, and Behavior, Philipps-University of Marburg, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
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Kessi M, Chen B, Peng J, Yan F, Yang L, Yin F. Calcium channelopathies and intellectual disability: a systematic review. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2021; 16:219. [PMID: 33985586 PMCID: PMC8120735 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-021-01850-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Calcium ions are involved in several human cellular processes including corticogenesis, transcription, and synaptogenesis. Nevertheless, the relationship between calcium channelopathies (CCs) and intellectual disability (ID)/global developmental delay (GDD) has been poorly investigated. We hypothesised that CCs play a major role in the development of ID/GDD and that both gain- and loss-of-function variants of calcium channel genes can induce ID/GDD. As a result, we performed a systematic review to investigate the contribution of CCs, potential mechanisms underlying their involvement in ID/GDD, advancements in cell and animal models, treatments, brain anomalies in patients with CCs, and the existing gaps in the knowledge. We performed a systematic search in PubMed, Embase, ClinVar, OMIM, ClinGen, Gene Reviews, DECIPHER and LOVD databases to search for articles/records published before March 2021. The following search strategies were employed: ID and calcium channel, mental retardation and calcium channel, GDD and calcium channel, developmental delay and calcium channel. MAIN BODY A total of 59 reports describing 159 cases were found in PubMed, Embase, ClinVar, and LOVD databases. Variations in ten calcium channel genes including CACNA1A, CACNA1C, CACNA1I, CACNA1H, CACNA1D, CACNA2D1, CACNA2D2, CACNA1E, CACNA1F, and CACNA1G were found to be associated with ID/GDD. Most variants exhibited gain-of-function effect. Severe to profound ID/GDD was observed more for the cases with gain-of-function variants as compared to those with loss-of-function. CACNA1E, CACNA1G, CACNA1F, CACNA2D2 and CACNA1A associated with more severe phenotype. Furthermore, 157 copy number variations (CNVs) spanning calcium genes were identified in DECIPHER database. The leading genes included CACNA1C, CACNA1A, and CACNA1E. Overall, the underlying mechanisms included gain- and/ or loss-of-function, alteration in kinetics (activation, inactivation) and dominant-negative effects of truncated forms of alpha1 subunits. Forty of the identified cases featured cerebellar atrophy. We identified only a few cell and animal studies that focused on the mechanisms of ID/GDD in relation to CCs. There is a scarcity of studies on treatment options for ID/GDD both in vivo and in vitro. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that CCs play a major role in ID/GDD. While both gain- and loss-of-function variants are associated with ID/GDD, the mechanisms underlying their involvement need further scrutiny.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Kessi
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- Hunan Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania
- Mawenzi Regional Referral Hospital, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Baiyu Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- Hunan Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jing Peng
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- Hunan Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Fangling Yan
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- Hunan Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Lifen Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- Hunan Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Fei Yin
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China.
- Hunan Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Changsha, Hunan, China.
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Szpirer C. Rat models of human diseases and related phenotypes: a systematic inventory of the causative genes. J Biomed Sci 2020; 27:84. [PMID: 32741357 PMCID: PMC7395987 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-020-00673-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The laboratory rat has been used for a long time as the model of choice in several biomedical disciplines. Numerous inbred strains have been isolated, displaying a wide range of phenotypes and providing many models of human traits and diseases. Rat genome mapping and genomics was considerably developed in the last decades. The availability of these resources has stimulated numerous studies aimed at discovering causal disease genes by positional identification. Numerous rat genes have now been identified that underlie monogenic or complex diseases and remarkably, these results have been translated to the human in a significant proportion of cases, leading to the identification of novel human disease susceptibility genes, helping in studying the mechanisms underlying the pathological abnormalities and also suggesting new therapeutic approaches. In addition, reverse genetic tools have been developed. Several genome-editing methods were introduced to generate targeted mutations in genes the function of which could be clarified in this manner [generally these are knockout mutations]. Furthermore, even when the human gene causing a disease had been identified without resorting to a rat model, mutated rat strains (in particular KO strains) were created to analyze the gene function and the disease pathogenesis. Today, over 350 rat genes have been identified as underlying diseases or playing a key role in critical biological processes that are altered in diseases, thereby providing a rich resource of disease models. This article is an update of the progress made in this research and provides the reader with an inventory of these disease genes, a significant number of which have similar effects in rat and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claude Szpirer
- Université Libre de Bruxelles, B-6041, Gosselies, Belgium.
- , Waterloo, Belgium.
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Redecker TM, Kisko TM, Wöhr M, Schwarting RKW. Cacna1c haploinsufficiency lacks effects on adult hippocampal neurogenesis and volumetric properties of prefrontal cortex and hippocampus in female rats. Physiol Behav 2020; 223:112974. [PMID: 32473156 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2020.112974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The cross-disorder risk gene CACNA1C is strongly involved in the etiology of all major neuropsychiatric disorders, with women often being more affected by CACNA1C mutations than men. Human neuroimaging studies provided evidence that CACNA1C variants are associated with anatomical and functional brain alterations, such as decreased prefrontal volumes, microstructural changes in the hippocampus, and reduced hippocampal activity during memory tasks. In mouse models, Cacna1c alterations were repeatedly linked to disorder-like behavioral phenotypes and reduced adult hippocampal neurogenesis, which has been implicated in the pathology of neuropsychiatric disorders. Here, we applied a recently developed rat model and conducted two studies to investigate the effects of partial Cacna1c depletion on adult hippocampal neurogenesis and volumetric properties of the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex in adult female constitutive heterozygous (Cacna1c+/-) rats and wildtype (Cacna1c+/+) littermate controls. In study 1, we analyzed proliferation versus survival of adult-born hippocampal cells based on a 5-bromodeoxyuridine assay ensuring neuronal cell-type specificity through applying an immunofluorescent multiple staining approach. In study 2, we performed a detailed volumetric analysis with high structural resolution of the dorsal hippocampus and the medial prefrontal cortex, including their major substructures. Our results indicate comparable levels of cell proliferation and neuronal survival in Cacna1c+/- rats and Cacna1c+/+ controls. Additionally, we found similar volumes of the dorsal hippocampus and the medial prefrontal cortex across major substructures irrespective of genotype, indicating that Cacna1c haploinsufficiency has no prominent effects on these brain features in female rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias M Redecker
- Behavioral Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Department of Psychology, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Gutenbergstr. 18, D-35037 Marburg, Germany
| | - Theresa M Kisko
- Behavioral Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Department of Psychology, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Gutenbergstr. 18, D-35037 Marburg, Germany
| | - Markus Wöhr
- Behavioral Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Department of Psychology, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Gutenbergstr. 18, D-35037 Marburg, Germany; Center for Mind, Brain, and Behavior (CMBB), Hans-Meerwein-Str. 6, D-35032 Marburg, Germany; Laboratory for Behavioral Neuroscience, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, DK-5230 Odense M, Denmark
| | - Rainer K W Schwarting
- Behavioral Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Department of Psychology, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Gutenbergstr. 18, D-35037 Marburg, Germany; Center for Mind, Brain, and Behavior (CMBB), Hans-Meerwein-Str. 6, D-35032 Marburg, Germany.
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Hopp SC. Targeting microglia L-type voltage-dependent calcium channels for the treatment of central nervous system disorders. J Neurosci Res 2020; 99:141-162. [PMID: 31997405 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Revised: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Calcium (Ca2+ ) is a ubiquitous mediator of a multitude of cellular functions in the central nervous system (CNS). Intracellular Ca2+ is tightly regulated by cells, including entry via plasma membrane Ca2+ permeable channels. Of specific interest for this review are L-type voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels (L-VDCCs), due to their pleiotropic role in several CNS disorders. Currently, there are numerous approved drugs that target L-VDCCs, including dihydropyridines. These drugs are safe and effective for the treatment of humans with cardiovascular disease and may also confer neuroprotection. Here, we review the potential of L-VDCCs as a target for the treatment of CNS disorders with a focus on microglia L-VDCCs. Microglia, the resident immune cells of the brain, have attracted recent attention for their emerging inflammatory role in several CNS diseases. Intracellular Ca2+ regulates microglia transition from a resting quiescent state to an "activated" immune-effector state and is thus a valuable target for manipulation of microglia phenotype. We will review the literature on L-VDCC expression and function in the CNS and on microglia in vitro and in vivo and explore the therapeutic landscape of L-VDCC-targeting agents at present and future challenges in the context of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, neuropsychiatric diseases, and other CNS disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah C Hopp
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
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12
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Redecker TM, Kisko TM, Schwarting RK, Wöhr M. Effects of Cacna1c haploinsufficiency on social interaction behavior and 50-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations in adult female rats. Behav Brain Res 2019; 367:35-52. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.03.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Revised: 03/03/2019] [Accepted: 03/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
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13
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Kisko TM, Braun MD, Michels S, Witt SH, Rietschel M, Culmsee C, Schwarting RKW, Wöhr M. Sex‐dependent effects of
Cacna1c
haploinsufficiency on juvenile social play behavior and pro‐social 50‐kHz ultrasonic communication in rats. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2019; 19:e12552. [DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Revised: 12/22/2018] [Accepted: 12/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Theresa M. Kisko
- Behavioral Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Department of PsychologyPhilipps‐Universität Marburg Marburg Germany
| | - Moria D. Braun
- Behavioral Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Department of PsychologyPhilipps‐Universität Marburg Marburg Germany
| | - Susanne Michels
- Institute of Pharmacology and Clinical PharmacyPhilipps‐Universität Marburg Marburg Germany
| | - Stephanie H. Witt
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine MannheimRuprecht‐Karls‐Universität Heidelberg Mannheim Germany
| | - Marcella Rietschel
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine MannheimRuprecht‐Karls‐Universität Heidelberg Mannheim Germany
| | - Carsten Culmsee
- Institute of Pharmacology and Clinical PharmacyPhilipps‐Universität Marburg Marburg Germany
- Center for Mind, Brain, and Behavior (CMBB)Philipps‐Universität Marburg Marburg Germany
| | - Rainer K. W. Schwarting
- Behavioral Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Department of PsychologyPhilipps‐Universität Marburg Marburg Germany
- Center for Mind, Brain, and Behavior (CMBB)Philipps‐Universität Marburg Marburg Germany
| | - Markus Wöhr
- Behavioral Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Department of PsychologyPhilipps‐Universität Marburg Marburg Germany
- Center for Mind, Brain, and Behavior (CMBB)Philipps‐Universität Marburg Marburg Germany
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