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Schwabenland M, Mossad O, Sievert A, Peres AG, Ringel E, Baasch S, Kolter J, Cascone G, Dokalis N, Vlachos A, Ruzsics Z, Henneke P, Prinz M, Blank T. Neonatal immune challenge poses a sex-specific risk for epigenetic microglial reprogramming and behavioral impairment. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2721. [PMID: 37169749 PMCID: PMC10175500 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38373-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
While the precise processes underlying a sex bias in the development of central nervous system (CNS) disorders are unknown, there is growing evidence that an early life immune activation can contribute to the disease pathogenesis. When we mimicked an early systemic viral infection or applied murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) systemically in neonatal female and male mice, only male adolescent mice presented behavioral deficits, including reduced social behavior and cognition. This was paralleled by an increased amount of infiltrating T cells in the brain parenchyma, enhanced interferon-γ (IFNγ) signaling, and epigenetic reprogramming of microglial cells. These microglial cells showed increased phagocytic activity, which resulted in abnormal loss of excitatory synapses within the hippocampal brain region. None of these alterations were seen in female adolescent mice. Our findings underscore the early postnatal period's susceptibility to cause sex-dependent long-term CNS deficiencies following infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marius Schwabenland
- Institute of Neuropathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Omar Mossad
- Institute of Neuropathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Annika Sievert
- Institute of Neuropathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Adam G Peres
- Institute of Neuropathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Elena Ringel
- Institute of Neuropathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Baasch
- Institute for Immunodeficiency, Center for Chronic Immunodeficiency (CCI), Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Julia Kolter
- Institute for Immunodeficiency, Center for Chronic Immunodeficiency (CCI), Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Giulia Cascone
- Institute of Neuropathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Nikolaos Dokalis
- Institute of Neuropathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Vlachos
- Department of Neuroanatomy, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Center for Basics in Neuromodulation (NeuroModulBasics), Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Zsolt Ruzsics
- Institute for Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Philipp Henneke
- Institute for Immunodeficiency, Center for Chronic Immunodeficiency (CCI), Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Center for Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- CIBSS Centre for Integrative Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Marco Prinz
- Institute of Neuropathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Center for Basics in Neuromodulation (NeuroModulBasics), Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS-Centre for Integrative Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Blank
- Institute of Neuropathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
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Khantakova JN, Bondar NP, Antontseva EV, Reshetnikov VV. Once induced, it lasts for a long time: the structural and molecular signatures associated with depressive-like behavior after neonatal immune activation. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:1066794. [PMID: 36619667 PMCID: PMC9812963 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.1066794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Adverse factors such as stress or inflammation in the neonatal period can affect the development of certain brain structures and have negative delayed effects throughout the lifespan of an individual, by reducing cognitive abilities and increasing the risk of psychopathologies. One possible reason for these delayed effects is the neuroinflammation caused by neonatal immune activation (NIA). Neuroinflammation can lead to disturbances of neurotransmission and to reprogramming of astroglial and microglial brain cells; when combined, the two problems can cause changes in the cytoarchitecture of individual regions of the brain. In addition, neuroinflammation may affect the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and processes of oxidative stress, thereby resulting in higher stress reactivity. In our review, we tried to answer the questions of whether depressive-like behavior develops after NIA in rodents and what the molecular mechanisms associated with these disorders are. Most studies indicate that NIA does not induce depressive-like behavior in a steady state. Nonetheless, adult males (but not females or adolescents of both sexes) with experience of NIA exhibit marked depressive-like behavior when exposed to aversive conditions. Analyses of molecular changes have shown that NIA leads to an increase in the amount of activated microglia and astroglia in the frontal cortex and hippocampus, an increase in oxidative-stress parameters, a change in stress reactivity of the HPA axis, and an imbalance of cytokines in various regions of the brain, but not in blood plasma, thus confirming the local nature of the inflammation. Therefore, NIA causes depressive-like behavior in adult males under aversive testing conditions, which are accompanied by local inflammation and have sex- and age-specific effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia N. Khantakova
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences (SB RAS), Novosibirsk, Russia,Federal Government-Funded Scientific Institution Research Institute of Fundamental and Clinical Immunology (RIFCI), Novosibirsk, Russia,*Correspondence: Julia N. Khantakova
| | - Natalia P. Bondar
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences (SB RAS), Novosibirsk, Russia,Department of Natural Sciences, Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Elena V. Antontseva
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences (SB RAS), Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Vasiliy V. Reshetnikov
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences (SB RAS), Novosibirsk, Russia,Department of Biotechnology, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi, Russia
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Della Vecchia A, Marazziti D. Back to the Future: The Role of Infections in Psychopathology. Focus on OCD. CLINICAL NEUROPSYCHIATRY 2022; 19:248-263. [PMID: 36101642 PMCID: PMC9442856 DOI: 10.36131/cnfioritieditore20220407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Recently, there has been a resurgence of interest in the relationship between infections and psychopathology, given the increasing data on the neurotropism and neurological/psychiatric morbidity of the SARS-COV2 virus, responsible for the current worldwide pandemic. Although the majority of observations were those obtained in mood and schizophrenic disorders, a few data are also available on the presence of bacterial or viral infections in patients suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Therefore, given the limited information, the present paper aimed at reviewing the most updated evidence of infections in neuropsychiatric disorders and their possible mechanisms of actions, with a narrow focus on microbes in OCD. METHOD This paper is a narrative review. The databases of PubMed, Scopus, Embase, PsycINFO and Google Scholar were accessed to research and collect English language papers published between 1 January 1980 and 31 December 2021. The data on PANDAS/PANS and those observed during severe brain infections were excluded. RESULTS Several pathogens have been associated with an increased risk to develop a broad spectrum of neuropsychiatric conditions, such as schizophrenia, mood disorders, autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, anorexia nervosa, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Some evidence supported a possible role of infections also in the pathophysiology of OCD. Infections from Herpes simplex virus 1, Borna disease virus, Group A-Beta Hemolytic Streptococcus, Borrelia spp., and Toxoplasma gondii were actually found in patients with OCD. Although different mechanisms have been hypothesized, all would converge to trigger functional/structural alterations of specific circuits or immune processes, with cascade dysfunctions of several other systems. CONCLUSIONS Based on the current evidence, a possible contribution of different types of microbes has been proposed for different neuropsychiatric disorders including OCD. However, the currently available literature is meager and heterogeneous in terms of sample characteristics and methods used. Therefore, further studies are needed to better understand the impact of infectious agents in neuropsychiatric disorders. Our opinion is that deeper insights in this field might contribute to a better definition of biological underpinnings of specific clinical pictures, as well as to promote psychiatric precision medicine, with treatments based on altered pathological pathways of single patients. This might be particularly relevant in OCD, a disorder with a high proportion of patients who are resistant or do not respond to conventional therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Della Vecchia
- Section of Psychiatry, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, and
| | - Donatella Marazziti
- Section of Psychiatry, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, and, Saint Camillus International University of Health and Medical Sciences – UniCamillus, Rome, Italy
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Oh H, Schiffman J, Marsh J, Zhou S, Koyanagi A, DeVylder J. COVID-19 Infection and Psychotic Experiences: Findings From the Healthy Minds Study 2020. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY GLOBAL OPEN SCIENCE 2021; 1:310-316. [PMID: 34877564 PMCID: PMC8639180 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsgos.2021.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Clinical reports from across the world have documented psychosis in the context of COVID-19 infection; however, there has yet to be a large-scale epidemiological study to confirm this association. Methods We analyzed data from the Healthy Minds Study (N = 15,935; conducted between September and December 2020), which was administered online to students attending one of 28 colleges in the United States. Using multivariable logistic regression, we examined the associations between COVID-19 infection/severity and psychotic experiences over the past 12 months, adjusting for age, gender, race/ethnicity, and international student status as well as anxiety and depression. Results More than one fifth of the analytic sample reported COVID-19 infection, and about one in six students with COVID-19 infection reported psychotic experiences over the past 12 months. In weighted multivariable logistic regression models, COVID-19 infection was associated with significantly greater odds of having psychotic experiences (adjusted odds ratio 1.36, 95% CI 1.19–1.48). Compared with being asymptomatic, having moderate (adjusted odds ratio 1.85, 95% CI 1.03–3.31) or severe (adjusted odds ratio 1.76, 95% CI 1.11–2.77) symptoms was associated with significantly greater odds of having psychotic experiences. These associations became statistically nonsignificant when adjusting for depression and anxiety. Hospitalization was not significantly associated with psychotic experiences among students with COVID-19 infection. Conclusions Psychotic experiences are associated with COVID-19 infections, though much of the association is attenuated when accounting for anxiety and depression. Findings based on this sample of college students should be replicated outside of the college context to determine whether psychosis is a neuropsychiatric symptom during and after COVID-19 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans Oh
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | | | | | - Sasha Zhou
- Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Ai Koyanagi
- Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Deu/CIBERSAM/ICREA, Barcelona, Spain
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Shoham N, Hayes JF, Cooper C, Theodorsson M, Lewis G. Association Between Childhood Visual Acuity and Late Adolescent Psychotic Experiences: A Prospective Birth Cohort Study. Schizophr Bull 2021; 48:325-334. [PMID: 34624117 PMCID: PMC8886579 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbab121] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
A cross-sectional association between visual impairment and psychosis exists, but longitudinal evidence from children and young people is limited. We investigated whether childhood visual acuity was associated with subsequent psychotic experiences. Our sample was 6686 individuals from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). We investigated whether our primary exposures, best corrected visual acuity at ages 7 and 11, were associated with psychotic experiences at ages 17 and 24. We also tested whether the following exposures at ages 7 and 11 were associated with subsequent psychotic experiences: requiring glasses, presence of any visual impairment, and between-eye visual acuity difference; and at age 7: strabismus, measures of binocular vision, history of eye patch, near vision impairment, and abnormal saccadic or pursuit eye movements. Analyses used multilevel models before and after adjusting for confounders. Odds of psychotic experiences increased with each 0.1-point deterioration in visual acuity score at age 11 (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.23; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06-1.42), and at age 7 (AOR 1.18; 95% CI 1.00-1.40). Wearing glasses and visual impairment at age 11 were associated with psychotic experiences (AOR 1.63; 95% CI 1.21-2.19; AOR 1.64; 95% CI 1.23-2.19, respectively). There was no evidence of an association with other visual exposures. Visual acuity impairment in childhood is associated with psychotic experiences in late adolescence. Future research should aim to elucidate the nature of this association.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Shoham
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK,Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust, St Pancras Hospital, London, UK,To whom correspondence should be addressed; Division of Psychiatry, University College London, 6th Floor Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London W1C 7NF, UK; e-mail:
| | - Joseph F Hayes
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK,Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust, St Pancras Hospital, London, UK
| | - Claudia Cooper
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK,Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust, St Pancras Hospital, London, UK
| | | | - Gemma Lewis
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
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Chaplin AB, Smith N, Jones PB, Khandaker GM. Direction of association between Cardiovascular risk and depressive symptoms during the first 18 years of life: A prospective birth cohort study. J Affect Disord 2021; 292:508-516. [PMID: 34146903 PMCID: PMC8324768 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.05.094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and depression are bidirectionally associated in adults. However, the direction of association between CVD risk and depressive symptoms in young people and potential mechanisms are poorly understood. METHODS Using longitudinal birth cohort data, we created a CVD risk score age at 15 using age, ethnicity, physical activity, maternal social status, maternal smoking, own smoking, BMI, systolic blood pressure, LDL, HDL and triglycerides. We used regression analysis to test: (1) association between CVD risk score at age 15 and depressive symptoms at ages 12 and 18; (2) association of IL-6 and CRP at age 9 with depressive symptoms at age 12 and CVD risk score at age 15; and (3) mediating effects of CVD risk score on associations of IL-6/CRP at age 9 with depressive symptoms at age 18. RESULTS The risk set comprised 5007 participants. CVD risk score in mid-adolescence was associated with depressive symptoms in early-adulthood (adjusted beta=0.06; standard error (SE)=0.02; p<0.001). Depressive symptoms in childhood were not associated with CVD risk score in mid-adolescence (adjusted beta=0.03; SE=0.02; p=0.11). Childhood inflammatory markers were associated with CVD risk score in mid-adolescence. Adolescent CVD risk score mediated the associations between childhood inflammatory markers and depressive symptoms in early-adulthood. LIMITATIONS The cohort primarily comprises White individuals, limiting generalisability. Sample attrition required imputation for missing data. CONCLUSIONS Association between CVD risk and depression in childhood/adolescence is unidirectional, with higher CVD risk increasing the risk of depressive symptoms. Childhood inflammation may increase risk of depression by influencing adolescent CVD risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna B Chaplin
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
| | - Nick Smith
- James Paget University Hospital, Norfolk, United Kingdom
| | - Peter B Jones
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom; Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Golam M Khandaker
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom; Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, United Kingdom; MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom; Centre for Academic Mental Health, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom; Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, Bristol, United Kingdom
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