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Danieli PP, Hoang N, Selvanayagam T, Yang A, Breetvelt E, Tabbers M, Cohen C, Aelvoet AS, Trost B, Ward T, Semotiuk K, Durno C, Aronson M, Cohen Z, Dekker E, Vorstman J. Autistic traits in youth with familial adenomatous polyposis: A Dutch-Canadian case-control study. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2024:e32999. [PMID: 38967411 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 05/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
This study investigated the neurodevelopmental impact of pathogenic adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene variants in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), a cancer predisposition syndrome. We hypothesized that certain pathogenic APC variants result in behavioral-cognitive challenges. We compared 66 FAP patients (cases) and 34 unaffected siblings (controls) to explore associations between APC variants and behavioral and cognitive challenges. Our findings indicate that FAP patients exhibited higher Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) scores, suggesting a greater prevalence of autistic traits when compared to unaffected siblings (mean 53.8 vs. 47.4, Wilcoxon p = 0.018). The distribution of SRS scores in cases suggested a bimodal pattern, potentially linked to the location of the APC variant, with scores increasing from the 5' to 3' end of the gene (Pearson's r = 0.33, p = 0.022). While we observed a trend toward lower educational attainment in cases, this difference was not statistically significant. This study is the first to explore the connection between APC variant location and neurodevelopmental traits in FAP, expanding our understanding of the genotype-phenotype correlation. Our results emphasize the importance of clinical assessment for autistic traits in FAP patients, shedding light on the potential role of APC gene variants in these behavioral and cognitive challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Polina Perlman Danieli
- Department of Psychiatry, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ny Hoang
- Department of Genetic Counselling, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Thanuja Selvanayagam
- Department of Genetic Counselling, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alvin Yang
- Department of Psychiatry, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- The Familial Gastrointestinal Cancer Registry at the Zane Cohen Centre for Digestive Diseases, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Elemi Breetvelt
- Department of Psychiatry, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Merit Tabbers
- Department of Pediatrics, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development and Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism Research Institutes, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Christine Cohen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Arthur S Aelvoet
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Brett Trost
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Thomas Ward
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- The Familial Gastrointestinal Cancer Registry at the Zane Cohen Centre for Digestive Diseases, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kara Semotiuk
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- The Familial Gastrointestinal Cancer Registry at the Zane Cohen Centre for Digestive Diseases, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Carol Durno
- The Familial Gastrointestinal Cancer Registry at the Zane Cohen Centre for Digestive Diseases, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Gastroenterology/Hepatology & Nutrition, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Melyssa Aronson
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- The Familial Gastrointestinal Cancer Registry at the Zane Cohen Centre for Digestive Diseases, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Zane Cohen
- The Familial Gastrointestinal Cancer Registry at the Zane Cohen Centre for Digestive Diseases, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Evelien Dekker
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jacob Vorstman
- Department of Psychiatry, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Developmental Psychopathology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Mehra S, Ahsan AU, Sharma M, Budhwar M, Chopra M. Gestational Fisetin Exerts Neuroprotection by Regulating Mitochondria-Directed Canonical Wnt Signaling, BBB Integrity, and Apoptosis in Prenatal VPA-Induced Rodent Model of Autism. Mol Neurobiol 2024; 61:4001-4020. [PMID: 38048031 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03826-6] [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: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Embryonic valproic acid (VPA) has been considered a potential risk factor for autism. Majority of studies indicated that targeting autism-associated alterations in VPA-induced autistic model could be promising in defining and designing therapeutics for autism. Numerous investigations in this field investigated the role of canonical Wnt signaling cascade in regulating the pathophysiology of autism. The impaired blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability and mitochondrial dysfunction are some key implied features of the autistic brain. So, the current study was conducted to target canonical Wnt signaling pathway with a natural polyphenolic modulator cum antioxidant namely fisetin. A single dose of intraperitoneal VPA sodium salt (400 mg/kg) at gestational day 12.5 induced developmental delays, social behaviour impairments (tube dominance test), and anxiety-like behaviour (sucrose preference test) similar to autism. VPA induced mitochondrial damage and over-activated the canonical Wnt signaling which further increased the blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption, apoptosis, and neuronal damage. Our findings revealed that oral administration of 10 mg/kg gestational fisetin (GD 13-till parturition) improved social and anxiety-like behaviour by modulating the ROS-regulated mitochondrial-canonical Wnt signaling. Moreover, fisetin controls BBB permeability, apoptosis, and neuronal damage in autism model proving its neuroprotective efficacy. Collectively, our findings revealed that fisetin-evoked modulation of the Wnt signaling cascade successfully relieved the associated symptoms of autism along with developmental delays in the model and indicates its potential as a bioceutical against autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sweety Mehra
- Cell and Molecular Biology Lab, Department of Zoology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160014, India
| | - Aitizaz Ul Ahsan
- Cell and Molecular Biology Lab, Department of Zoology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160014, India
| | - Madhu Sharma
- Cell and Molecular Biology Lab, Department of Zoology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160014, India
| | - Muskan Budhwar
- Cell and Molecular Biology Lab, Department of Zoology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160014, India
| | - Mani Chopra
- Cell and Molecular Biology Lab, Department of Zoology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160014, India.
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Karstensen JG, Wullum L, Andersen KK, Beck SH, Bülow S, Højen H, Jelsig AM, Jespersen N, Wewer MD, Pommergaard HC, Burisch J. Psychiatric and Educational Aspects of Familial Adenomatous Polyposis: A Nationwide Danish Cohort Study With Matched Nonexposed Individuals. Am J Gastroenterol 2024; 119:957-964. [PMID: 38032076 DOI: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000002612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is an autosomal, dominantly inherited disorder that predisposes to colorectal cancer. An increased risk of cancer may affect mental health, but the magnitude of this effect remains unknown. We assessed the psychosocial functioning, including the educational level attained and risk of psychiatric comorbidity, of patients with FAP by comparing them with matched nonexposed individuals. METHODS All Danish patients with FAP diagnosed before April 2021 were identified in the Danish Polyposis Register and paired with 4 matched nonexposed individuals. Educational history, psychiatric contacts or diagnoses ( International Classification of Disease, 10th Revision ), and treatment with antidepressants, anxiolytics, or antipsychotics were compared between patients with FAP and nonexposed individuals. RESULTS The analysis included 445 patients with FAP and 1,538 nonexposed individuals. The highest educational level reached was significantly lower for patients with FAP ( P < 0.001). When comparing patients with FAP and nonexposed and adjusting for a cancer diagnosis, an increased risk was observed for a psychiatric contact (1.69, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.25-2.29, P < 0.001), any psychiatric prescription (1.39, 95% CI 1.17-1.66, P < 0.001), a psychiatric diagnosis (1.64, 95% CI 1.19-2.26, P = 0.002), and experiencing any psychiatric event (hazard ratio 1.42, 95% CI 1.20-1.68, P < 0.001). An increased risk was specifically seen for mood (affective) disorders (1.76, 95% CI 1.09-2.83, P = 0.02) and behavioral and emotional disorders (2.01, 95% CI 1.10-3.69, P = 0.02) and the need for antidepressants (1.59, 95% CI 1.24-2.03, P < 0.001) and antipsychotics (1.85, 95% CI 1.26-2.70, P = 0.002). DISCUSSION Compared with nonexposed individuals, patients with had significantly less education and an increased risk of developing mood and behavioral disorders, with an increased likelihood of needing antidepressants and antipsychotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Gásdal Karstensen
- Danish Polyposis Register, Gastro Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital - Amager and Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | | | - Søren Hammershøj Beck
- Danish Polyposis Register, Gastro Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital - Amager and Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Steffen Bülow
- Danish Polyposis Register, Gastro Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital - Amager and Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Helle Højen
- Danish Polyposis Register, Gastro Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital - Amager and Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Anne Marie Jelsig
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Niels Jespersen
- Danish Polyposis Register, Gastro Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital - Amager and Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Mads Damsgaard Wewer
- Danish Polyposis Register, Gastro Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital - Amager and Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark
- Gastrounit, Medical Division, Copenhagen University Hospital - Amager and Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Hans Christian Pommergaard
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Surgery and Transplantation, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Johan Burisch
- Danish Polyposis Register, Gastro Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital - Amager and Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark
- Gastrounit, Medical Division, Copenhagen University Hospital - Amager and Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark
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Ryner RF, Derera ID, Armbruster M, Kansara A, Sommer ME, Pirone A, Noubary F, Jacob M, Dulla CG. Cortical Parvalbumin-Positive Interneuron Development and Function Are Altered in the APC Conditional Knockout Mouse Model of Infantile and Epileptic Spasms Syndrome. J Neurosci 2023; 43:1422-1440. [PMID: 36717229 PMCID: PMC9987578 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0572-22.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Infantile and epileptic spasms syndrome (IESS) is a childhood epilepsy syndrome characterized by infantile or late-onset spasms, abnormal neonatal EEG, and epilepsy. Few treatments exist for IESS, clinical outcomes are poor, and the molecular and circuit-level etiologies of IESS are not well understood. Multiple human IESS risk genes are linked to Wnt/β-catenin signaling, a pathway that controls developmental transcriptional programs and promotes glutamatergic excitation via β-catenin's role as a synaptic scaffold. We previously showed that deleting adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), a component of the β-catenin destruction complex, in excitatory neurons (APC cKO mice, APCfl/fl x CaMKIIαCre) increased β-catenin levels in developing glutamatergic neurons and led to infantile behavioral spasms, abnormal neonatal EEG, and adult epilepsy. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the development of GABAergic interneurons (INs) is disrupted in APC cKO male and female mice. IN dysfunction is implicated in human IESS, is a feature of other rodent models of IESS, and may contribute to the manifestation of spasms and seizures. We found that parvalbumin-positive INs (PV+ INs), an important source of cortical inhibition, were decreased in number, underwent disproportionate developmental apoptosis, and had altered dendrite morphology at P9, the peak of behavioral spasms. PV+ INs received excessive excitatory input, and their intrinsic ability to fire action potentials was reduced at all time points examined (P9, P14, P60). Subsequently, GABAergic transmission onto pyramidal neurons was uniquely altered in the somatosensory cortex of APC cKO mice at all ages, with both decreased IPSC input at P14 and enhanced IPSC input at P9 and P60. These results indicate that inhibitory circuit dysfunction occurs in APC cKOs and, along with known changes in excitation, may contribute to IESS-related phenotypes.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Infantile and epileptic spasms syndrome (IESS) is a devastating epilepsy with limited treatment options and poor clinical outcomes. The molecular, cellular, and circuit disruptions that cause infantile spasms and seizures are largely unknown, but inhibitory GABAergic interneuron dysfunction has been implicated in rodent models of IESS and may contribute to human IESS. Here, we use a rodent model of IESS, the APC cKO mouse, in which β-catenin signaling is increased in excitatory neurons. This results in altered parvalbumin-positive GABAergic interneuron development and GABAergic synaptic dysfunction throughout life, showing that pathology arising in excitatory neurons can initiate long-term interneuron dysfunction. Our findings further implicate GABAergic dysfunction in IESS, even when pathology is initiated in other neuronal types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachael F Ryner
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02111
- Cell, Molecular, and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, Tufts Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Boston, Massachusetts 02111
| | - Isabel D Derera
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02111
| | - Moritz Armbruster
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02111
| | - Anar Kansara
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02111
| | - Mary E Sommer
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02111
| | - Antonella Pirone
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02111
| | - Farzad Noubary
- Department of Health Sciences, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
| | - Michele Jacob
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02111
| | - Chris G Dulla
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02111
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Barrett KT, Choudhary A, Charkhand B, Scantlebury MH. Animal Models in Epileptic Spasms and the Development of Novel Treatment Options. J Clin Neurophysiol 2022; 39:529-537. [PMID: 35323127 DOI: 10.1097/wnp.0000000000000496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
SUMMARY The infantile spasms (IS) syndrome is a catastrophic developmental epileptic encephalopathy syndrome characterized by an age-specific expression of epileptic spasms that are associated with extremely abnormal, oftentimes described as chaotic, interictal EEG pattern known as hypsarrhythmia. Patients with IS generally have poor neurodevelopmental outcomes, in large part because of the frequent epileptic spasms and interictal EEG abnormalities. Current first-line treatments such as adrenocorticotropic hormone or vigabatrin are often ineffective and are associated with major toxic side effects. There is therefore a need for better and safer treatments for patients with IS, especially for the intractable population. Hope is on the horizon as, over the past 10 years, there has been robust progress in the development of etiology-specific animal models of IS. These models have been used to identify potential new treatments for IS and are beginning to provide some important insights into the pathophysiological substrates for this disease. In this review, we will highlight strengths and weaknesses of the currently available animal models of IS in addition to new insights into the pathophysiology and treatment options derived from these models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karlene T Barrett
- Department of Pediatrics, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; and
| | - Anamika Choudhary
- Department of Pediatrics, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; and
| | - Behshad Charkhand
- Department of Pediatrics, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; and
| | - Morris H Scantlebury
- Department of Pediatrics, Clinical Neurosciences, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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Differential Methylation Profile in Fragile X Syndrome-Prone Offspring Mice after in Utero Exposure to Lactobacillus Reuteri. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13081300. [PMID: 35893036 PMCID: PMC9331364 DOI: 10.3390/genes13081300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Environmental factors such as diet, gut microbiota, and infections have proven to have a significant role in epigenetic modifications. It is known that epigenetic modifications may cause behavioral and neuronal changes observed in neurodevelopmental disabilities, including fragile X syndrome (FXS) and autism (ASD). Probiotics are live microorganisms that provide health benefits when consumed, and in some cases are shown to decrease the chance of developing neurological disorders. Here, we examined the epigenetic outcomes in offspring mice after feeding of a probiotic organism, Lactobacillus reuteri (L. reuteri), to pregnant mother animals. In this study, we tested a cohort of Western diet-fed descendant mice exhibiting a high frequency of behavioral features and lower FMRP protein expression similar to what is observed in FXS in humans (described in a companion manuscript in this same GENES special topic issue). By investigating 17,735 CpG sites spanning the whole mouse genome, we characterized the epigenetic profile in two cohorts of mice descended from mothers treated and non-treated with L. reuteri to determine the effect of prenatal probiotic exposure on the prevention of FXS-like symptoms. We found several genes involved in different neurological pathways being differentially methylated (p ≤ 0.05) between the cohorts. Among the key functions, synaptogenesis, neurogenesis, synaptic modulation, synaptic transmission, reelin signaling pathway, promotion of specification and maturation of neurons, and long-term potentiation were observed. The results of this study are relevant as they could lead to a better understanding of the pathways involved in these disorders, to novel therapeutics approaches, and to the identification of potential biomarkers for early detection of these conditions.
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Fang X, Svitkina TM. Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) in cell migration. Eur J Cell Biol 2022; 101:151228. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2022.151228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
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Nonmalignant Features Associated with Inherited Colorectal Cancer Syndromes-Clues for Diagnosis. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14030628. [PMID: 35158896 PMCID: PMC8833640 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14030628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 01/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Familiarity with nonmalignant features and comorbidities of cancer predisposition syndromes may raise awareness and assist clinicians in the diagnosis and interpretation of molecular test results. Genetic predisposition to colorectal cancer (CRC) should be suspected mainly in young patients, in patients with significant family histories, multiple polyps, mismatch repair-deficient tumors, and in association with malignant or nonmalignant comorbidities. The aim of this review is to describe the main nonmalignant comorbidities associated with selected CRC predisposition syndromes that may serve as valuable diagnostic clues for clinicians and genetic professionals. Abstract Genetic diagnosis of affected individuals and predictive testing of their at-risk relatives, combined with intensive cancer surveillance, has an enormous cancer-preventive potential in these families. A lack of awareness may be part of the reason why the underlying germline cause remains unexplained in a large proportion of patients with CRC. Various extracolonic features, mainly dermatologic, ophthalmic, dental, endocrine, vascular, and reproductive manifestations occur in many of the cancer predisposition syndromes associated with CRC and polyposis. Some are mediated via the WNT, TGF-β, or mTOR pathways. However the pathogenesis of most features is still obscure. Here we review the extracolonic features of the main syndromes, the existing information regarding their prevalence, and the pathways involved in their pathogenesis. This knowledge could be useful for care managers from different professional disciplines, and used to raise awareness, enable diagnosis, and assist in the process of genetic testing and interpretation.
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Caracci MO, Avila ME, Espinoza-Cavieres FA, López HR, Ugarte GD, De Ferrari GV. Wnt/β-Catenin-Dependent Transcription in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:764756. [PMID: 34858139 PMCID: PMC8632544 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.764756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is a heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by synaptic dysfunction and defects in dendritic spine morphology. In the past decade, an extensive list of genes associated with ASD has been identified by genome-wide sequencing initiatives. Several of these genes functionally converge in the regulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, a conserved cascade essential for stem cell pluripotency and cell fate decisions during development. Here, we review current information regarding the transcriptional program of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in ASD. First, we discuss that Wnt/β-catenin gain and loss of function studies recapitulate brain developmental abnormalities associated with ASD. Second, transcriptomic approaches using patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) cells, featuring mutations in high confidence ASD genes, reveal a significant dysregulation in the expression of Wnt signaling components. Finally, we focus on the activity of chromatin-remodeling proteins and transcription factors considered high confidence ASD genes, including CHD8, ARID1B, ADNP, and TBR1, that regulate Wnt/β-catenin-dependent transcriptional activity in multiple cell types, including pyramidal neurons, interneurons and oligodendrocytes, cells which are becoming increasingly relevant in the study of ASD. We conclude that the level of Wnt/β-catenin signaling activation could explain the high phenotypical heterogeneity of ASD and be instrumental in the development of new diagnostics tools and therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario O. Caracci
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Miguel E. Avila
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Agronomy, Nucleus of Applied Research in Veterinary and Agronomic Sciences (NIAVA), Institute of Natural Sciences, Universidad de Las Américas, Santiago, Chile
| | - Francisca A. Espinoza-Cavieres
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Héctor R. López
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Giorgia D. Ugarte
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Giancarlo V. De Ferrari
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
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Karunakaran KB, Amemori S, Balakrishnan N, Ganapathiraju MK, Amemori KI. Generalized and social anxiety disorder interactomes show distinctive overlaps with striosome and matrix interactomes. Sci Rep 2021; 11:18392. [PMID: 34526518 PMCID: PMC8443595 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-97418-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Mechanisms underlying anxiety disorders remain elusive despite the discovery of several associated genes. We constructed the protein-protein interaction networks (interactomes) of six anxiety disorders and noted enrichment for striatal expression among common genes in the interactomes. Five of these interactomes shared distinctive overlaps with the interactomes of genes that were differentially expressed in two striatal compartments (striosomes and matrix). Generalized anxiety disorder and social anxiety disorder interactomes showed exclusive and statistically significant overlaps with the striosome and matrix interactomes, respectively. Systematic gene expression analysis with the anxiety disorder interactomes constrained to contain only those genes that were shared with striatal compartment interactomes revealed a bifurcation among the disorders, which was influenced by the anterior cingulate cortex, nucleus accumbens, amygdala and hippocampus, and the dopaminergic signaling pathway. Our results indicate that the functionally distinct striatal pathways constituted by the striosome and the matrix may influence the etiological differentiation of various anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalyani B Karunakaran
- Supercomputer Education and Research Centre, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Satoko Amemori
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - N Balakrishnan
- Supercomputer Education and Research Centre, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Madhavi K Ganapathiraju
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA.
- Intelligent Systems Program, School of Computing and Information, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA.
| | - Ken-Ichi Amemori
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
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Telias M, Ben-Yosef D. Pharmacological Manipulation of Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway in Human Neural Precursor Cells Alters Their Differentiation Potential and Neuronal Yield. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:680018. [PMID: 34421534 PMCID: PMC8371257 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.680018] [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: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway is a master-regulator of cell fate during embryonic and adult neurogenesis and is therefore a major pharmacological target in basic and clinical research. Chemical manipulation of Wnt signaling during in vitro neuronal differentiation of stem cells can alter both the quantity and the quality of the derived neurons. Accordingly, the use of Wnt activators and blockers has become an integral part of differentiation protocols applied to stem cells in recent years. Here, we investigated the effects of the glycogen synthase kinase-3β inhibitor CHIR99021, which upregulates β-catenin agonizing Wnt; and the tankyrase-1/2 inhibitor XAV939, which downregulates β-catenin antagonizing Wnt. Both drugs and their potential neurogenic and anti-neurogenic effects were studied using stable lines human neural precursor cells (hNPCs), derived from embryonic stem cells, which can be induced to generate mature neurons by chemically-defined conditions. We found that Wnt-agonism by CHIR99021 promotes induction of neural differentiation, while also reducing cell proliferation and survival. This effect was not synergistic with those of pro-neural growth factors during long-term neuronal differentiation. Conversely, antagonism of Wnt by XAV939 consistently prevented neuronal progression of hNPCs. We show here how these two drugs can be used to manipulate cell fate and how self-renewing hNPCs can be used as reliable human in vitro drug-screening platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Telias
- Wolfe PGD-SC Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Medical School, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Dalit Ben-Yosef
- Wolfe PGD-SC Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Medical School, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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12
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Agrawal M, Welshhans K. Local Translation Across Neural Development: A Focus on Radial Glial Cells, Axons, and Synaptogenesis. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:717170. [PMID: 34434089 PMCID: PMC8380849 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.717170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In the past two decades, significant progress has been made in our understanding of mRNA localization and translation at distal sites in axons and dendrites. The existing literature shows that local translation is regulated in a temporally and spatially restricted manner and is critical throughout embryonic and post-embryonic life. Here, recent key findings about mRNA localization and local translation across the various stages of neural development, including neurogenesis, axon development, and synaptogenesis, are reviewed. In the early stages of development, mRNAs are localized and locally translated in the endfeet of radial glial cells, but much is still unexplored about their functional significance. Recent in vitro and in vivo studies have provided new information about the specific mechanisms regulating local translation during axon development, including growth cone guidance and axon branching. Later in development, localization and translation of mRNAs help mediate the major structural and functional changes that occur in the axon during synaptogenesis. Clinically, changes in local translation across all stages of neural development have important implications for understanding the etiology of several neurological disorders. Herein, local translation and mechanisms regulating this process across developmental stages are compared and discussed in the context of function and dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manasi Agrawal
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH, United States
| | - Kristy Welshhans
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
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13
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Yoon J, Mao Y. Dissecting Molecular Genetic Mechanisms of 1q21.1 CNV in Neuropsychiatric Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:5811. [PMID: 34071723 PMCID: PMC8197994 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic copy number variations (CNVs) contribute to the etiology of neurodevelopmental/neuropsychiatric disorders (NDs). Increased CNV burden has been found to be critically involved in NDs compared with controls in clinical studies. The 1q21.1 CNVs, rare and large chromosomal microduplications and microdeletions, are detected in many patients with NDs. Phenotypes of duplication and deletion appear at the two ends of the spectrum. Microdeletions are predominant in individuals with schizophrenia (SCZ) and microcephaly, whereas microduplications are predominant in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and macrocephaly. However, its complexity hinders the discovery of molecular pathways and phenotypic networks. In this review, we summarize the recent genome-wide association studies (GWASs) that have identified candidate genes positively correlated with 1q21.1 CNVs, which are likely to contribute to abnormal phenotypes in carriers. We discuss the clinical data implicated in the 1q21.1 genetic structure that is strongly associated with neurodevelopmental dysfunctions like cognitive impairment and reduced synaptic plasticity. We further present variations reported in the phenotypic severity, genomic penetrance and inheritance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yingwei Mao
- Department of Biology, Eberly College of Science, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA;
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14
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The role of GABAergic signalling in neurodevelopmental disorders. Nat Rev Neurosci 2021; 22:290-307. [PMID: 33772226 PMCID: PMC9001156 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-021-00443-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
GABAergic inhibition shapes the connectivity, activity and plasticity of the brain. A series of exciting new discoveries provides compelling evidence that disruptions in a number of key facets of GABAergic inhibition have critical roles in the aetiology of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). These facets include the generation, migration and survival of GABAergic neurons, the formation of GABAergic synapses and circuit connectivity, and the dynamic regulation of the efficacy of GABAergic signalling through neuronal chloride transporters. In this Review, we discuss recent work that elucidates the functions and dysfunctions of GABAergic signalling in health and disease, that uncovers the contribution of GABAergic neural circuit dysfunction to NDD aetiology and that leverages such mechanistic insights to advance precision medicine for the treatment of NDDs.
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15
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Eckert P, Marchetta P, Manthey MK, Walter MH, Jovanovic S, Savitska D, Singer W, Jacob MH, Rüttiger L, Schimmang T, Milenkovic I, Pilz PKD, Knipper M. Deletion of BDNF in Pax2 Lineage-Derived Interneuron Precursors in the Hindbrain Hampers the Proportion of Excitation/Inhibition, Learning, and Behavior. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:642679. [PMID: 33841098 PMCID: PMC8033028 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.642679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous studies indicate that deficits in the proper integration or migration of specific GABAergic precursor cells from the subpallium to the cortex can lead to severe cognitive dysfunctions and neurodevelopmental pathogenesis linked to intellectual disabilities. A different set of GABAergic precursors cells that express Pax2 migrate to hindbrain regions, targeting, for example auditory or somatosensory brainstem regions. We demonstrate that the absence of BDNF in Pax2-lineage descendants of BdnfPax2KOs causes severe cognitive disabilities. In BdnfPax2KOs, a normal number of parvalbumin-positive interneurons (PV-INs) was found in the auditory cortex (AC) and hippocampal regions, which went hand in hand with reduced PV-labeling in neuropil domains and elevated activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (Arc/Arg3.1; here: Arc) levels in pyramidal neurons in these same regions. This immaturity in the inhibitory/excitatory balance of the AC and hippocampus was accompanied by elevated LTP, reduced (sound-induced) LTP/LTD adjustment, impaired learning, elevated anxiety, and deficits in social behavior, overall representing an autistic-like phenotype. Reduced tonic inhibitory strength and elevated spontaneous firing rates in dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN) brainstem neurons in otherwise nearly normal hearing BdnfPax2KOs suggests that diminished fine-grained auditory-specific brainstem activity has hampered activity-driven integration of inhibitory networks of the AC in functional (hippocampal) circuits. This leads to an inability to scale hippocampal post-synapses during LTP/LTD plasticity. BDNF in Pax2-lineage descendants in lower brain regions should thus be considered as a novel candidate for contributing to the development of brain disorders, including autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Eckert
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Tübingen Hearing Research Centre, Molecular Physiology of Hearing, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Philine Marchetta
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Tübingen Hearing Research Centre, Molecular Physiology of Hearing, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Marie K Manthey
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Tübingen Hearing Research Centre, Molecular Physiology of Hearing, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Department of Neuroscience, Sackler School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Michael H Walter
- Department for Animal Physiology, Institute of Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Sasa Jovanovic
- School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Daria Savitska
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Tübingen Hearing Research Centre, Molecular Physiology of Hearing, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Wibke Singer
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Tübingen Hearing Research Centre, Molecular Physiology of Hearing, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Michele H Jacob
- Department of Neuroscience, Sackler School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Lukas Rüttiger
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Tübingen Hearing Research Centre, Molecular Physiology of Hearing, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Thomas Schimmang
- Instituto de Biología y Genética Molecular, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Ivan Milenkovic
- School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Peter K D Pilz
- Department for Animal Physiology, Institute of Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Marlies Knipper
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Tübingen Hearing Research Centre, Molecular Physiology of Hearing, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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16
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Efimova N, Yang C, Chia JX, Li N, Lengner CJ, Neufeld KL, Svitkina TM. Branched actin networks are assembled on microtubules by adenomatous polyposis coli for targeted membrane protrusion. J Cell Biol 2021; 219:151902. [PMID: 32597939 PMCID: PMC7480092 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202003091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Revised: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell migration is driven by pushing and pulling activities of the actin cytoskeleton, but migration directionality is largely controlled by microtubules. This function of microtubules is especially critical for neuron navigation. However, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Here we show that branched actin filament networks, the main pushing machinery in cells, grow directly from microtubule tips toward the leading edge in growth cones of hippocampal neurons. Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), a protein with both tumor suppressor and cytoskeletal functions, concentrates at the microtubule-branched network interface, whereas APC knockdown nearly eliminates branched actin in growth cones and prevents growth cone recovery after repellent-induced collapse. Conversely, encounters of dynamic APC-positive microtubule tips with the cell edge induce local actin-rich protrusions. Together, we reveal a novel mechanism of cell navigation involving APC-dependent assembly of branched actin networks on microtubule tips.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Efimova
- Department of Biology, School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Changsong Yang
- Department of Biology, School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Jonathan X Chia
- Department of Biology, School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Ning Li
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Christopher J Lengner
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.,Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine and Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Kristi L Neufeld
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS
| | - Tatyana M Svitkina
- Department of Biology, School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
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17
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The influence of circadian rhythms and aerobic glycolysis in autism spectrum disorder. Transl Psychiatry 2020; 10:400. [PMID: 33199680 PMCID: PMC7669888 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-020-01086-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2020] [Revised: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Intellectual abilities and their clinical presentations are extremely heterogeneous in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The main causes of ASD remain unclear. ASD is frequently associated with sleep disorders. Biologic rhythms are complex systems interacting with the environment and controlling several physiological pathways, including brain development and behavioral processes. Recent findings have shown that the deregulation of the core clock neurodevelopmental signaling is correlated with ASD clinical presentation. One of the main pathways involved in developmental cognitive disorders is the canonical WNT/β-catenin pathway. Circadian clocks have a main role in some tissues by driving circadian expression of genes involved in physiologic and metabolic functions. In ASD, the increase of the canonical WNT/β-catenin pathway is enhancing by the dysregulation of circadian rhythms. ASD progression is associated with a major metabolic reprogramming, initiated by aberrant WNT/β-catenin pathway, the aerobic glycolysis. This review focuses on the interest of circadian rhythms dysregulation in metabolic reprogramming in ASD through the aberrant upregulation of the canonical WNT/β-catenin pathway.
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18
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Velíšek L, Velíšková J. Modeling epileptic spasms during infancy: Are we heading for the treatment yet? Pharmacol Ther 2020; 212:107578. [PMID: 32417271 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Infantile spasms (IS or epileptic spasms during infancy) were first described by Dr. William James West (aka West syndrome) in his own son in 1841. While rare by definition (occurring in 1 per 3200-3400 live births), IS represent a major social and treatment burden. The etiology of IS varies - there are many (>200) different known pathologies resulting in IS and still in about one third of cases there is no obvious reason. With the advancement of genetic analysis, role of certain genes (such as ARX or CDKL5 and others) in IS appears to be important. Current treatment strategies with incomplete efficacy and serious potential adverse effects include adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), corticosteroids (prednisone, prednisolone) and vigabatrin, more recently also a combination of hormones and vigabatrin. Second line treatments include pyridoxine (vitamin B6) and ketogenic diet. Additional treatment approaches use rapamycin, cannabidiol, valproic acid and other anti-seizure medications. Efficacy of these second line medications is variable but usually inferior to hormonal treatments and vigabatrin. Thus, new and effective models of this devastating condition are required for the search of additional treatment options as well as for better understanding the mechanisms of IS. Currently, eight models of IS are reviewed along with the ideas and mechanisms behind these models, drugs tested using the models and their efficacy and usefulness. Etiological variety of IS is somewhat reflected in the variety of the models. However, it seems that for finding precise personalized approaches, this variety is necessary as there is no "one-size-fits-all" approach possible for both IS in particular and epilepsy in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Libor Velíšek
- Departments of Cell Biology & Anatomy, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA; Departments of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA; Departments of Neurology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA.
| | - Jana Velíšková
- Departments of Cell Biology & Anatomy, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA; Departments of Neurology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA; Departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA
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19
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Alexander JM, Pirone A, Jacob MH. Excessive β-Catenin in Excitatory Neurons Results in Reduced Social and Increased Repetitive Behaviors and Altered Expression of Multiple Genes Linked to Human Autism. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2020; 12:14. [PMID: 32296324 PMCID: PMC7136516 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2020.00014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple human autism risk genes are predicted to converge on the β-catenin (β-cat)/Wnt pathway. However, direct tests to link β-cat up- or down-regulation with autism are largely lacking, and the associated pathophysiological changes are poorly defined. Here we identify excessive β-cat as a risk factor that causes expression changes in several genes relevant to human autism. Our studies utilize mouse lines with β-cat dysregulation in forebrain excitatory neurons, identified as cell types with a convergent expression of autism-linked genes in both human and mouse brains. We show that mice expressing excessive β-cat display behavioral and molecular changes, including decreased social interest, increased repetitive behaviors, reduced parvalbumin and altered expression levels of additional genes identified as potential risk factors for human autism. These behavioral and molecular phenotypes are averted by reducing β-cat in neurons predisposed by gene mutations to express elevated β-cat. Using next-generation sequencing of the prefrontal cortex (PFC), we identify 87 dysregulated genes that are shared between mouse lines with excessive β-cat and autism-like behaviors, but not mouse lines with reduced β-cat and normal social behavior. Our findings provide critical new insights into β-cat, Wnt pathway dysregulation in the brain causing behavioral phenotypes relevant to the disease and the molecular etiology which includes several human autism risk genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Michael Alexander
- Department of Neuroscience, Sackler School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Antonella Pirone
- Department of Neuroscience, Sackler School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Michele H Jacob
- Department of Neuroscience, Sackler School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
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20
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Cruz-Correa MR, Sala AC, Cintrón B, Hernández J, Olivera M, Cora A, Moore CM, Luciano CA, Soto-Salgado M, Giardiello FM, Hooper SR. Ubiquitous neurocognitive dysfunction in familial adenomatous polyposis: proof-of-concept of the role of APC protein in neurocognitive function. Hered Cancer Clin Pract 2020; 18:4. [PMID: 32123549 PMCID: PMC7041079 DOI: 10.1186/s13053-020-0135-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 01/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by germline mutations in the APC gene. Patients with FAP have multiple extraintestinal manifestations that follow a genotype-phenotype pattern; however, few data exist characterizing their cognitive abilities. Given the role of the APC protein in development of the central nervous system, we hypothesized that patients with FAP would show differences in cognitive functioning compared to controls. METHODS Matched case-control study designed to evaluate cognitive function using the Test of Nonverbal Intelligence-4, the Bateria III Woodcock-Munoz, and the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functions-Adult. Twenty-six individuals with FAP (mean age = 34.2 ± 15.0 years) and 25 age-gender and educational level matched controls (mean age = 32.7 ± 13.8 years) were evaluated. RESULTS FAP-cases had significantly lower IQ (p = 0.005). Across all tasks of the Batería III Woodcock-Muñoz, FAP-cases performed significantly lower than controls, with all of the summary scores falling in the bottom quartile compared to controls (p < 0.0001). Patients with FAP scored within the deficient range for Long-Term Retrieval and Cognitive Fluency. CONCLUSION APC protein has an important role in neurocognitive function. The pervasive nature of the observed cognitive dysfunction suggests that loss or dysfunction of the APC protein impacts processes in cortical and subcortical brain regions. Additional studies examining larger ethnically diverse cohorts with FAP are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcia Roxana Cruz-Correa
- Department of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, UPR Medical Sciences Campus, PO BOX 365067, San Juan, 00936 Puerto Rico
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Division of Cancer Biology, University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Division of Gastroenterology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Ana Cecilia Sala
- Department of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, UPR Medical Sciences Campus, PO BOX 365067, San Juan, 00936 Puerto Rico
| | - Beatriz Cintrón
- Department of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, UPR Medical Sciences Campus, PO BOX 365067, San Juan, 00936 Puerto Rico
| | - Jessica Hernández
- Department of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, UPR Medical Sciences Campus, PO BOX 365067, San Juan, 00936 Puerto Rico
| | - Myrta Olivera
- Department of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, UPR Medical Sciences Campus, PO BOX 365067, San Juan, 00936 Puerto Rico
| | - Adrian Cora
- Department of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, UPR Medical Sciences Campus, PO BOX 365067, San Juan, 00936 Puerto Rico
| | | | - Carlos A. Luciano
- Department of Medicine, Neurology Section, University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Marievelisse Soto-Salgado
- Department of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, UPR Medical Sciences Campus, PO BOX 365067, San Juan, 00936 Puerto Rico
| | - Francis M. Giardiello
- Division of Gastroenterology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Stephen R. Hooper
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC USA
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21
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Alsabban AH, Morikawa M, Tanaka Y, Takei Y, Hirokawa N. Kinesin Kif3b mutation reduces NMDAR subunit NR2A trafficking and causes schizophrenia-like phenotypes in mice. EMBO J 2020; 39:e101090. [PMID: 31746486 PMCID: PMC6939202 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2018101090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2018] [Revised: 10/19/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The transport of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) is crucial for neuronal plasticity and synapse formation. Here, we show that KIF3B, a member of the kinesin superfamily proteins (KIFs), supports the transport of vesicles simultaneously containing NMDAR subunit 2A (NR2A) and the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) complex. Kif3b+/- neurons exhibited a reduction in dendritic levels of both NR2A and NR2B due to the impaired transport of NR2A and increased degradation of NR2B. In Kif3b+/- hippocampal slices, electrophysiological NMDAR response was found decreased and synaptic plasticity was disrupted, which corresponded to a common feature of schizophrenia (SCZ). The histological features of Kif3b+/- mouse brain also mimicked SCZ features, and Kif3b+/- mice exhibited behavioral defects in prepulse inhibition (PPI), social interest, and cognitive flexibility. Indeed, a mutation of KIF3B was specifically identified in human SCZ patients, which was revealed to be functionally defective in a rescue experiment. Therefore, we propose that KIF3B transports NR2A/APC complex and that its dysfunction is responsible for SCZ pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashwaq Hassan Alsabban
- Department of Cell Biology and AnatomyGraduate School of MedicineThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
- Department of Biological ScienceFaculty of SciencesKing Abdulaziz UniversityJeddahSaudi Arabia
- Unit of Neurological DisordersDepartment of Genetic MedicineFaculty of MedicinePrincess Al‐Jawhara Center of Excellence in Research of Hereditary Disorders (PACER.HD)King Abdulaziz UniversityJeddahSaudi Arabia
| | - Momo Morikawa
- Department of Cell Biology and AnatomyGraduate School of MedicineThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
| | - Yosuke Tanaka
- Department of Cell Biology and AnatomyGraduate School of MedicineThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
| | - Yosuke Takei
- Department of Cell Biology and AnatomyGraduate School of MedicineThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
- Department of Anatomy and NeuroscienceFaculty of MedicineUniversity of TsukubaTsukubaIbarakiJapan
| | - Nobutaka Hirokawa
- Department of Cell Biology and AnatomyGraduate School of MedicineThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
- Center of Excellence in Genome Medicine ResearchKing Abdulaziz UniversityJeddahSaudi Arabia
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22
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Trifonova EA, Klimenko AI, Mustafin ZS, Lashin SA, Kochetov AV. The mTOR Signaling Pathway Activity and Vitamin D Availability Control the Expression of Most Autism Predisposition Genes. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20246332. [PMID: 31847491 PMCID: PMC6940974 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20246332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Revised: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has a strong and complex genetic component with an estimate of more than 1000 genes implicated cataloged in SFARI (Simon′s Foundation Autism Research Initiative) gene database. A significant part of both syndromic and idiopathic autism cases can be attributed to disorders caused by the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR)-dependent translation deregulation. We conducted gene-set analyses and revealed that 606 out of 1053 genes (58%) included in the SFARI Gene database and 179 out of 281 genes (64%) included in the first three categories of the database (“high confidence”, “strong candidate”, and “suggestive evidence”) could be attributed to one of the four groups: 1. FMRP (fragile X mental retardation protein) target genes, 2. mTOR signaling network genes, 3. mTOR-modulated genes, 4. vitamin D3 sensitive genes. The additional gene network analysis revealed 43 new genes and 127 new interactions, so in the whole 222 out of 281 (79%) high scored genes from SFARI Gene database were connected with mTOR signaling activity and/or dependent on vitamin D3 availability directly or indirectly. We hypothesized that genetic and/or environment mTOR hyperactivation, including provocation by vitamin D deficiency, might be a common mechanism controlling the expressivity of most autism predisposition genes and even core symptoms of autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterina A. Trifonova
- Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia; (A.I.K.); (Z.S.M.); (S.A.L.); (A.V.K.)
- Department of Natural Sciences, Novosibirsk National Research State University, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
- Correspondence:
| | - Alexandra I. Klimenko
- Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia; (A.I.K.); (Z.S.M.); (S.A.L.); (A.V.K.)
| | - Zakhar S. Mustafin
- Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia; (A.I.K.); (Z.S.M.); (S.A.L.); (A.V.K.)
| | - Sergey A. Lashin
- Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia; (A.I.K.); (Z.S.M.); (S.A.L.); (A.V.K.)
- Department of Natural Sciences, Novosibirsk National Research State University, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Alex V. Kochetov
- Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia; (A.I.K.); (Z.S.M.); (S.A.L.); (A.V.K.)
- Department of Natural Sciences, Novosibirsk National Research State University, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
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Association of genes with phenotype in autism spectrum disorder. Aging (Albany NY) 2019; 11:10742-10770. [PMID: 31744938 PMCID: PMC6914398 DOI: 10.18632/aging.102473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a genetic heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder that is characterized by impairments in social interaction and speech development and is accompanied by stereotypical behaviors such as body rocking, hand flapping, spinning objects, sniffing and restricted behaviors. The considerable significance of the genetics associated with autism has led to the identification of many risk genes for ASD used for the probing of ASD specificity and shared cognitive features over the past few decades. Identification of ASD risk genes helps to unravel various genetic variants and signaling pathways which are involved in ASD. This review highlights the role of ASD risk genes in gene transcription and translation regulation processes, as well as neuronal activity modulation, synaptic plasticity, disrupted key biological signaling pathways, and the novel candidate genes that play a significant role in the pathophysiology of ASD. The current emphasis on autism spectrum disorders has generated new opportunities in the field of neuroscience, and further advancements in the identification of different biomarkers, risk genes, and genetic pathways can help in the early diagnosis and development of new clinical and pharmacological treatments for ASD.
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Wickham RJ, Alexander JM, Eden LW, Valencia-Yang M, Llamas J, Aubrey JR, Jacob MH. Learning impairments and molecular changes in the brain caused by β-catenin loss. Hum Mol Genet 2019; 28:2965-2975. [PMID: 31131404 PMCID: PMC6736100 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddz115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Revised: 05/20/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Intellectual disability (ID), defined as IQ<70, occurs in 2.5% of individuals. Elucidating the underlying molecular mechanisms is essential for developing therapeutic strategies. Several of the identified genes that link to ID in humans are predicted to cause malfunction of β-catenin pathways, including mutations in CTNNB1 (β-catenin) itself. To identify pathological changes caused by β-catenin loss in the brain, we have generated a new β-catenin conditional knockout mouse (β-cat cKO) with targeted depletion of β-catenin in forebrain neurons during the period of major synaptogenesis, a critical window for brain development and function. Compared with control littermates, β-cat cKO mice display severe cognitive impairments. We tested for changes in two β-catenin pathways essential for normal brain function, cadherin-based synaptic adhesion complexes and canonical Wnt (Wingless-related integration site) signal transduction. Relative to control littermates, β-cat cKOs exhibit reduced levels of key synaptic adhesion and scaffold binding partners of β-catenin, including N-cadherin, α-N-catenin, p120ctn and S-SCAM/Magi2. Unexpectedly, the expression levels of several canonical Wnt target genes were not altered in β-cat cKOs. This lack of change led us to find that β-catenin loss leads to upregulation of γ-catenin (plakoglobin), a partial functional homolog, whose neural-specific role is poorly defined. We show that γ-catenin interacts with several β-catenin binding partners in neurons but is not able to fully substitute for β-catenin loss, likely due to differences in the N-and C-termini between the catenins. Our findings identify severe learning impairments, upregulation of γ-catenin and reductions in synaptic adhesion and scaffold proteins as major consequences of β-catenin loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Wickham
- Department of Neuroscience, Sackler Biomedical Graduate School, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Jonathan M Alexander
- Department of Neuroscience, Sackler Biomedical Graduate School, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Lillian W Eden
- Department of Neuroscience, Sackler Biomedical Graduate School, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Mabel Valencia-Yang
- Department of Neuroscience, Sackler Biomedical Graduate School, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Josué Llamas
- Department of Neuroscience, Sackler Biomedical Graduate School, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - John R Aubrey
- Department of Neuroscience, Sackler Biomedical Graduate School, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Michele H Jacob
- Department of Neuroscience, Sackler Biomedical Graduate School, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA
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Kumar S, Reynolds K, Ji Y, Gu R, Rai S, Zhou CJ. Impaired neurodevelopmental pathways in autism spectrum disorder: a review of signaling mechanisms and crosstalk. J Neurodev Disord 2019; 11:10. [PMID: 31202261 PMCID: PMC6571119 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-019-9268-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The development of an autistic brain is a highly complex process as evident from the involvement of various genetic and non-genetic factors in the etiology of the autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Despite being a multifactorial neurodevelopmental disorder, autistic patients display a few key characteristics, such as the impaired social interactions and elevated repetitive behaviors, suggesting the perturbation of specific neuronal circuits resulted from abnormal signaling pathways during brain development in ASD. A comprehensive review for autistic signaling mechanisms and interactions may provide a better understanding of ASD etiology and treatment. Main body Recent studies on genetic models and ASD patients with several different mutated genes revealed the dysregulation of several key signaling pathways, such as WNT, BMP, SHH, and retinoic acid (RA) signaling. Although no direct evidence of dysfunctional FGF or TGF-β signaling in ASD has been reported so far, a few examples of indirect evidence can be found. This review article summarizes how various genetic and non-genetic factors which have been reported contributing to ASD interact with WNT, BMP/TGF-β, SHH, FGF, and RA signaling pathways. The autism-associated gene ubiquitin-protein ligase E3A (UBE3A) has been reported to influence WNT, BMP, and RA signaling pathways, suggesting crosstalk between various signaling pathways during autistic brain development. Finally, the article comments on what further studies could be performed to gain deeper insights into the understanding of perturbed signaling pathways in the etiology of ASD. Conclusion The understanding of mechanisms behind various signaling pathways in the etiology of ASD may help to facilitate the identification of potential therapeutic targets and design of new treatment methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santosh Kumar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children, University of California at Davis School of Medicine, 2425 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.
| | - Kurt Reynolds
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children, University of California at Davis School of Medicine, 2425 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
| | - Yu Ji
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children, University of California at Davis School of Medicine, 2425 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
| | - Ran Gu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children, University of California at Davis School of Medicine, 2425 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
| | - Sunil Rai
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children, University of California at Davis School of Medicine, 2425 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
| | - Chengji J Zhou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children, University of California at Davis School of Medicine, 2425 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.
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26
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Vallée A, Vallée JN, Lecarpentier Y. PPARγ agonists: potential treatment for autism spectrum disorder by inhibiting the canonical WNT/β-catenin pathway. Mol Psychiatry 2019; 24:643-652. [PMID: 30104725 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-018-0131-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2018] [Revised: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 06/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is characterized by a deficit in social interactions and communication with repetitive and restrictive behavior. No curative treatments are available for ASD. Pharmacological treatments do not address the core ASD behaviors, but target comorbid symptoms. Dysregulation of the core neurodevelopmental pathways is associated with the clinical presentation of ASD, and the canonical WNT/β-catenin pathway is one of the major pathways involved. The canonical WNT/β-catenin pathway participates in the development of the central nervous system, and its dysregulation involves developmental cognitive disorders. In numerous tissues, the canonical WNT/β-catenin pathway and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) act in an opposed manner. In ASD, the canonical WNT/β-catenin pathway is increased while PPARγ seems to be decreased. PPARγ agonists present a beneficial effect in treatment for ASD children through their anti-inflammatory role. Moreover, they induce the inhibition of the canonical WNT/β-catenin pathway in several pathophysiological states. We focus this review on the hypothesis of an opposed interplay between PPARγ and the canonical WNT/β-catenin pathway in ASD and the potential role of PPARγ agonists as treatment for ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Vallée
- Paris-Descartes University; Diagnosis and Therapeutic Center, Hôtel-Dieu Hospital; AP-HP, Paris, France. .,Laboratoire de Mathématiques et Applications (LMA), UMR CNRS 7348, Université de Poitiers, Poitiers, France.
| | - Jean-Noël Vallée
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Amiens Picardie, Université Picardie Jules Verne (UPJV), 80054, Amiens, France.,Laboratoire de Mathématiques et Applications (LMA), UMR CNRS 7348, Université de Poitiers, Poitiers, France
| | - Yves Lecarpentier
- Centre de Recherche Clinique, Grand Hôpital de l'Est Francilien (GHEF), 6-8 rue Saint-fiacre, 77100, Meaux, France
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27
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Pirone A, Alexander JM, Koenig JB, Cook-Snyder DR, Palnati M, Wickham RJ, Eden L, Shrestha N, Reijmers L, Biederer T, Miczek KA, Dulla CG, Jacob MH. Social Stimulus Causes Aberrant Activation of the Medial Prefrontal Cortex in a Mouse Model With Autism-Like Behaviors. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2018; 10:35. [PMID: 30369876 PMCID: PMC6194190 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2018.00035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2018] [Accepted: 09/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a highly prevalent and genetically heterogeneous brain disorder. Developing effective therapeutic interventions requires knowledge of the brain regions that malfunction and how they malfunction during ASD-relevant behaviors. Our study provides insights into brain regions activated by a novel social stimulus and how the activation pattern differs between mice that display autism-like disabilities and control littermates. Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) conditional knockout (cKO) mice display reduced social interest, increased repetitive behaviors and dysfunction of the β-catenin pathway, a convergent target of numerous ASD-linked human genes. Here, we exposed the mice to a novel social vs. non-social stimulus and measured neuronal activation by immunostaining for the protein c-Fos. We analyzed three brain regions known to play a role in social behavior. Compared with control littermates, APC cKOs display excessive activation, as evidenced by an increased number of excitatory pyramidal neurons stained for c-Fos in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), selectively in the infralimbic sub-region. In contrast, two other social brain regions, the medial amygdala and piriform cortex show normal levels of neuron activation. Additionally, APC cKOs exhibit increased frequency of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) in layer 5 pyramidal neurons of the infralimbic sub-region. Further, immunostaining is reduced for the inhibitory interneuron markers parvalbumin (PV) and somatostatin (SST) in the APC cKO mPFC. Our findings suggest aberrant excitatory-inhibitory balance and activation patterns. As β-catenin is a core pathway in ASD, we identify the infralimbic sub-region of the mPFC as a critical brain region for autism-relevant social behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Pirone
- Department of Neuroscience, Sackler School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Jonathan M Alexander
- Department of Neuroscience, Sackler School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Jenny B Koenig
- Department of Neuroscience, Sackler School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Denise R Cook-Snyder
- Department of Neuroscience, Sackler School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Medha Palnati
- Department of Neuroscience, Sackler School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Robert J Wickham
- Department of Neuroscience, Sackler School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Lillian Eden
- Department of Neuroscience, Sackler School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Neha Shrestha
- Department of Neuroscience, Sackler School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Leon Reijmers
- Department of Neuroscience, Sackler School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Thomas Biederer
- Department of Neuroscience, Sackler School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Klaus A Miczek
- Department of Neuroscience, Sackler School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Chris G Dulla
- Department of Neuroscience, Sackler School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Michele H Jacob
- Department of Neuroscience, Sackler School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
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28
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Merkurjev D, Hong WT, Iida K, Oomoto I, Goldie BJ, Yamaguti H, Ohara T, Kawaguchi SY, Hirano T, Martin KC, Pellegrini M, Wang DO. Synaptic N6-methyladenosine (m6A) epitranscriptome reveals functional partitioning of localized transcripts. Nat Neurosci 2018; 21:1004-1014. [DOI: 10.1038/s41593-018-0173-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2017] [Accepted: 05/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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29
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Bae SM, Hong JY. The Wnt Signaling Pathway and Related Therapeutic Drugs in Autism Spectrum Disorder. CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE 2018; 16:129-135. [PMID: 29739125 PMCID: PMC5953011 DOI: 10.9758/cpn.2018.16.2.129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2017] [Revised: 09/27/2017] [Accepted: 09/28/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a series of neurodevelopmental disorder with a large genetic component. However, the pathogenic genes and molecular mechanisms of ASD have not been clearly defined. Recent technological advancements, such as next-generation sequencing, have led to the identification of certain loci that is responsible for the pathophysiology of ASD. Three functional pathways, such as chromatin remodeling, Wnt signaling and mitochondrial dysfunction are potentially involved in ASD. In this review, we will focus on recent studies of the involvement of Wnt signaling pathway components in ASD pathophysiology and related drugs used in ASD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung Min Bae
- Department of Psychiatry, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea
| | - Ji Yeon Hong
- Department of Medicine, Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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30
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Cell-Type-Specific Shank2 Deletion in Mice Leads to Differential Synaptic and Behavioral Phenotypes. J Neurosci 2018; 38:4076-4092. [PMID: 29572432 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2684-17.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2017] [Revised: 02/27/2018] [Accepted: 03/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Shank2 is an excitatory postsynaptic scaffolding protein implicated in synaptic regulation and psychiatric disorders including autism spectrum disorders. Conventional Shank2-mutant (Shank2-/-) mice display several autistic-like behaviors, including social deficits, repetitive behaviors, hyperactivity, and anxiety-like behaviors. However, cell-type-specific contributions to these behaviors have remained largely unclear. Here, we deleted Shank2 in specific cell types and found that male mice lacking Shank2 in excitatory neurons (CaMKII-Cre;Shank2fl/fl) show social interaction deficits and mild social communication deficits, hyperactivity, and anxiety-like behaviors. In particular, male mice lacking Shank2 in GABAergic inhibitory neurons (Viaat-Cre;Shank2fl/fl) display social communication deficits, repetitive self-grooming, and mild hyperactivity. These behavioral changes were associated with distinct changes in hippocampal and striatal synaptic transmission in the two mouse lines. These results indicate that cell-type-specific deletions of Shank2 in mice lead to differential synaptic and behavioral abnormalities.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Shank2 is an abundant excitatory postsynaptic scaffolding protein implicated in the regulation of excitatory synapses and diverse psychiatric disorders including autism spectrum disorders. Previous studies have reported in vivo functions of Shank2 mainly using global Shank2-null mice, but it remains largely unclear how individual cell types contribute to Shank2-dependent regulation of neuronal synapses and behaviors. Here, we have characterized conditional Shank2-mutant mice carrying the Shank2 deletion in excitatory and inhibitory neurons. These mouse lines display distinct alterations of synaptic transmission in the hippocampus and striatum that are associated with differential behavioral abnormalities in social, repetitive, locomotor, and anxiety-like domains.
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31
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De Sanctis C, Bellenchi GC, Viggiano D. A meta-analytic approach to genes that are associated with impaired and elevated spatial memory performance. Psychiatry Res 2018; 261:508-516. [PMID: 29395873 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2018.01.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2017] [Revised: 01/15/2018] [Accepted: 01/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Spatial memory deficits are a common hallmark of psychiatric conditions, possibly due to a genetic predisposition. Thus, unravelling the relationship between genes and memory might suggest novel therapeutic targets and pathogenetic pathways. Genetic deletions are known to lead to memory deficits (post-deletion "forgetfulness" genes, PDF), or, in few instances to improve spatial memory (post-deletion "hypermnesic" genes, PDH). To assess this topic, we performed a meta-analytic approach on memory behavior in knock-out mice. We screened 300 studies from PubMed and retrieved 87 genes tested for possible effects on spatial memory. This database was crossed with the Allen Brain Atlas (brain distribution) and the Enrichr (gene function) databases. The results show that PDF genes have higher expression level in several ventral brain structures, particularly the encephalic trunk and in the hypothalamus. Moreover, part of these genes are implicated in synaptic functions. Conversely, the PDH genes are associated to G-protein coupled receptors downstream signalling. Some candidate drugs were also found to interfere with some of the PDH genes, further suggesting that this approach might help in identifying drugs to improve memory performance in psychiatric conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia De Sanctis
- IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, IS 86077, Italy; Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, Via De Sanctis, Campobasso 86100, Italy
| | | | - Davide Viggiano
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, Via De Sanctis, Campobasso 86100, Italy.
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Abstract
Infantile spasms are a devastating epileptic encephalopathy characterized by early life spasms and later seizures. Clinical outcomes of infantile spasms are poor and therapeutic options are limited with significant adverse effects. Therefore, new strategies to treat infantile spasms are of the utmost importance. Animals models of infantile spasms are a critical component of developing new therapies. Here, we review current chronic animal models of infantile spasms and consider future advances that may help improve patient care, as well as our scientific understanding of this debilitating disease.
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Vallée A, Vallée JN. Warburg effect hypothesis in autism Spectrum disorders. Mol Brain 2018; 11:1. [PMID: 29301575 PMCID: PMC5753567 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-017-0343-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2017] [Accepted: 12/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disease which is characterized by a deficit in social interactions and communication with repetitive and restrictive behavior. In altered cells, metabolic enzymes are modified by the dysregulation of the canonical WNT/β-catenin pathway. In ASD, the canonical WNT/β-catenin pathway is upregulated. We focus this review on the hypothesis of Warburg effect stimulated by the overexpression of the canonical WNT/β-catenin pathway in ASD. Upregulation of WNT/β-catenin pathway induces aerobic glycolysis, named Warburg effect, through activation of glucose transporter (Glut), pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1(PDK1), monocarboxylate lactate transporter 1 (MCT-1), lactate dehydrogenase kinase-A (LDH-A) and inactivation of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDH). The aerobic glycolysis consists to a supply of a large part of glucose into lactate regardless of oxygen. Aerobic glycolysis is less efficient in terms of ATP production than oxidative phosphorylation because of the shunt of the TCA cycle. Dysregulation of energetic metabolism might promote cell deregulation and progression of ASD. Warburg effect regulation could be an attractive target for developing therapeutic interventions in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Vallée
- Laboratoire de Mathématiques et Applications (LMA), UMR CNRS 7348, CHU Poitiers, University of Poitiers, Poitiers, France
- Laboratoire de Mathématiques et Applications (LMA), UMR CNRS 7348, University of Poitiers, 11 Boulevard Marie et Pierre Curie, Poitiers, France
| | - Jean-Noël Vallée
- Laboratoire de Mathématiques et Applications (LMA), UMR CNRS 7348, University of Poitiers, 11 Boulevard Marie et Pierre Curie, Poitiers, France
- CHU Amiens Picardie, Université Picardie Jules Verne (UPJV), Amiens, France
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34
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Oliva CA, Montecinos-Oliva C, Inestrosa NC. Wnt Signaling in the Central Nervous System: New Insights in Health and Disease. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2018; 153:81-130. [PMID: 29389523 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2017.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Since its discovery, Wnt signaling has been shown to be one of the most crucial morphogens in development and during the maturation of central nervous system. Its action is relevant during the establishment and maintenance of synaptic structure and neuronal function. In this chapter, we will discuss the most recent evidence on these aspects, and we will explore the evidence that involves Wnt signaling on other less known functions, such as in adult neurogenesis, in the generation of oscillatory neural rhythms, and in adult behavior. The dysfunction of Wnt signaling at different levels will be also discussed, in particular in those aspects that have been found to be linked with several neurodegenerative diseases and neurological disorders. Finally, we will address the possibility of Wnt signaling manipulation to treat those pathophysiological aspects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina A Oliva
- Center for Aging and Regeneration (CARE-UC), Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Carla Montecinos-Oliva
- Center for Aging and Regeneration (CARE-UC), Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, Santiago, Chile; Interdisciplinary Institute for Neuroscience (IINS), University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Nibaldo C Inestrosa
- Center for Aging and Regeneration (CARE-UC), Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, Santiago, Chile; Center for Healthy Brain Ageing, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Center of Excellence in Biomedicine of Magallanes (CEBIMA), University of Magallanes, Punta Arenas, Chile.
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35
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Frye RE, Nankova B, Bhattacharyya S, Rose S, Bennuri SC, MacFabe DF. Modulation of Immunological Pathways in Autistic and Neurotypical Lymphoblastoid Cell Lines by the Enteric Microbiome Metabolite Propionic Acid. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1670. [PMID: 29312285 PMCID: PMC5744079 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2017] [Accepted: 11/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Propionic acid (PPA) is a ubiquitous short-chain fatty acid which is a fermentation product of the enteric microbiome and present or added to many foods. While PPA has beneficial effects, it is also associated with human disorders, including autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). We previously demonstrated that PPA modulates mitochondrial dysfunction differentially in subsets of lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) derived from patients with ASD. Specifically, PPA significantly increases mitochondrial function in LCLs that have mitochondrial dysfunction at baseline [individuals with autistic disorder with atypical mitochondrial function (AD-A) LCLs] as compared to ASD LCLs with normal mitochondrial function [individuals with autistic disorder with normal mitochondrial function (AD-N) LCLs] and control (CNT) LCLs. PPA at 1 mM was found to have a minimal effect on expression of immune genes in CNT and AD-N LCLs. However, as hypothesized, Panther analysis demonstrated that 1 mM PPA exposure at 24 or 48 h resulted in significant activation of the immune system genes in AD-A LCLs. When the effect of PPA on ASD LCLs were compared to the CNT LCLs, both ASD groups demonstrated immune pathway activation, although the AD-A LCLs demonstrate a wider activation of immune genes. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis identified several immune-related pathways as key Canonical Pathways that were differentially regulated, specifically human leukocyte antigen expression and immunoglobulin production genes were upregulated. These data demonstrate that the enteric microbiome metabolite PPA can evoke atypical immune activation in LCLs with an underlying abnormal metabolic state. As PPA, as well as enteric bacteria which produce PPA, have been implicated in a wide variety of diseases which have components of immune dysfunction, including ASD, diabetes, obesity, and inflammatory diseases, insight into this metabolic modulator may have wide applications for both health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard E Frye
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States.,Autism Research Program, Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, United States
| | | | - Sudeepa Bhattacharyya
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States.,Autism Research Program, Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, United States
| | - Shannon Rose
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States.,Autism Research Program, Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, United States
| | - Sirish C Bennuri
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States.,Autism Research Program, Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, United States
| | - Derrick F MacFabe
- Kilee Patchell-Evans Autism Research Group, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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Nakagawa N, Li J, Yabuno-Nakagawa K, Eom TY, Cowles M, Mapp T, Taylor R, Anton ES. APC sets the Wnt tone necessary for cerebral cortical progenitor development. Genes Dev 2017; 31:1679-1692. [PMID: 28916710 PMCID: PMC5647938 DOI: 10.1101/gad.302679.117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2017] [Accepted: 08/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Nakagawa et al. show that the maintenance of appropriate β-catenin-mediated Wnt tone is necessary for the orderly differentiation of cortical progenitors and the resultant formation of the cerebral cortex. Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) regulates the activity of β-catenin, an integral component of Wnt signaling. However, the selective role of the APC–β-catenin pathway in cerebral cortical development is unknown. Here we genetically dissected the relative contributions of APC-regulated β-catenin signaling in cortical progenitor development, a necessary early step in cerebral cortical formation. Radial progenitor-specific inactivation of the APC–β-catenin pathway indicates that the maintenance of appropriate β-catenin-mediated Wnt tone is necessary for the orderly differentiation of cortical progenitors and the resultant formation of the cerebral cortex. APC deletion deregulates β-catenin, leads to high Wnt tone, and disrupts Notch1 signaling and primary cilium maintenance necessary for radial progenitor functions. β-Catenin deregulation directly disrupts cilium maintenance and signaling via Tulp3, essential for intraflagellar transport of ciliary signaling receptors. Surprisingly, deletion of β-catenin or inhibition of β-catenin activity in APC-null progenitors rescues the APC-null phenotype. These results reveal that APC-regulated β-catenin activity in cortical progenitors sets the appropriate Wnt tone necessary for normal cerebral cortical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoki Nakagawa
- University of North Carolina Neuroscience Center, Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Jingjun Li
- University of North Carolina Neuroscience Center, Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Keiko Yabuno-Nakagawa
- University of North Carolina Neuroscience Center, Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Tae-Yeon Eom
- University of North Carolina Neuroscience Center, Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Martis Cowles
- University of North Carolina Neuroscience Center, Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Tavien Mapp
- University of North Carolina Neuroscience Center, Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Robin Taylor
- University of North Carolina Neuroscience Center, Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - E S Anton
- University of North Carolina Neuroscience Center, Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
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Katsarou A, Moshé SL, Galanopoulou AS. INTERNEURONOPATHIES AND THEIR ROLE IN EARLY LIFE EPILEPSIES AND NEURODEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS. Epilepsia Open 2017; 2:284-306. [PMID: 29062978 PMCID: PMC5650248 DOI: 10.1002/epi4.12062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
GABAergic interneurons control the neural circuitry and network activity in the brain. The advances in genetics have identified genes that control the development, maturation and integration of GABAergic interneurons and implicated them in the pathogenesis of epileptic encephalopathies or neurodevelopmental disorders. For example, mutations of the Aristaless-Related homeobox X-linked gene (ARX) may result in defective GABAergic interneuronal migration in infants with epileptic encephalopathies like West syndrome (WS), Ohtahara syndrome or X-linked lissencephaly with abnormal genitalia (XLAG). The concept of "interneuronopathy", i.e. impaired development, migration or function of interneurons, has emerged as a possible etiopathogenic mechanism for epileptic encephalopathies. Treatments that enhance GABA levels, may help seizure control but do not necessarily show disease modifying effect. On the other hand, interneuronopathies can be seen in other conditions in which epilepsy may not be the primary manifestation, such as autism. In this review, we plan to outline briefly the current state of knowledge on the origin, development, and migration and integration of GABAergic interneurons, present neurodevelopmental conditions, with or without epilepsy, that have been associated with interneuronopathies and discuss the evidence linking certain types of interneuronal dysfunction with epilepsy and/or cognitive or behavioral deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna‐Maria Katsarou
- Laboratory of Developmental EpilepsySaul R. Korey Department of NeurologyAlbert Einstein College of MedicineBronxNew YorkU.S.A.
| | - Solomon L. Moshé
- Laboratory of Developmental EpilepsySaul R. Korey Department of NeurologyAlbert Einstein College of MedicineBronxNew YorkU.S.A.
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of NeuroscienceMontefiore/Einstein Epilepsy CenterAlbert Einstein College of MedicineBronxNew YorkU.S.A.
- Department of PediatricsAlbert Einstein College of MedicineBronxNew YorkU.S.A.
| | - Aristea S. Galanopoulou
- Laboratory of Developmental EpilepsySaul R. Korey Department of NeurologyAlbert Einstein College of MedicineBronxNew YorkU.S.A.
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of NeuroscienceMontefiore/Einstein Epilepsy CenterAlbert Einstein College of MedicineBronxNew YorkU.S.A.
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38
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Shetty GA, Hattiangady B, Upadhya D, Bates A, Attaluri S, Shuai B, Kodali M, Shetty AK. Chronic Oxidative Stress, Mitochondrial Dysfunction, Nrf2 Activation and Inflammation in the Hippocampus Accompany Heightened Systemic Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in an Animal Model of Gulf War Illness. Front Mol Neurosci 2017; 10:182. [PMID: 28659758 PMCID: PMC5469946 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2017.00182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2017] [Accepted: 05/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Memory and mood dysfunction are the key symptoms of Gulf war illness (GWI), a lingering multi-symptom ailment afflicting >200,000 veterans who served in the Persian Gulf War-1. Research probing the source of the disease has demonstrated that concomitant exposures to anti-nerve gas agent pyridostigmine bromide (PB), pesticides, and war-related stress are among the chief causes of GWI. Indeed, exposures to GWI-related chemicals (GWIR-Cs) and mild stress in animal models cause memory and mood impairments alongside reduced neurogenesis and chronic low-level inflammation in the hippocampus. In the current study, we examined whether exposure to GWIR-Cs and stress causes chronic changes in the expression of genes related to increased oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and inflammation in the hippocampus. We also investigated whether GWI is linked with chronically increased activation of Nrf2 (a master regulator of antioxidant response) in the hippocampus, and inflammation and enhanced oxidative stress at the systemic level. Adult male rats were exposed daily to low-doses of PB and pesticides (DEET and permethrin), in combination with 5 min of restraint stress for 4 weeks. Analysis of the hippocampus performed 6 months after the exposure revealed increased expression of many genes related to oxidative stress response and/or antioxidant activity (Hmox1, Sepp1, and Srxn1), reactive oxygen species metabolism (Fmo2, Sod2, and Ucp2) and oxygen transport (Ift172 and Slc38a1). Furthermore, multiple genes relevant to mitochondrial respiration (Atp6a1, Cox6a1, Cox7a2L, Ndufs7, Ndufv1, Lhpp, Slc25a10, and Ucp1) and neuroinflammation (Nfkb1, Bcl6, Csf2, IL6, Mapk1, Mapk3, Ngf, N-pac, and Prkaca) were up-regulated, alongside 73–88% reduction in the expression of anti-inflammatory genes IL4 and IL10, and nuclear translocation and increased expression of Nrf2 protein. These hippocampal changes were associated with elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines (Tnfa, IL1b, IL1a, Tgfb, and Fgf2) and lipid peroxidation byproduct malondialdehyde in the serum, suggesting the presence of an incessant systemic inflammation and elevated oxidative stress. These results imply that chronic oxidative stress, inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction in the hippocampus, and heightened systemic inflammation and oxidative stress likely underlie the persistent memory and mood dysfunction observed in GWI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geetha A Shetty
- Research Service, Olin E. Teague Veterans' Medical Center, Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, TempleTX, United States.,Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, Temple and College StationTX, United States.,Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, College StationTX, United States
| | - Bharathi Hattiangady
- Research Service, Olin E. Teague Veterans' Medical Center, Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, TempleTX, United States.,Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, Temple and College StationTX, United States.,Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, College StationTX, United States
| | - Dinesh Upadhya
- Research Service, Olin E. Teague Veterans' Medical Center, Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, TempleTX, United States.,Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, Temple and College StationTX, United States.,Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, College StationTX, United States
| | - Adrian Bates
- Research Service, Olin E. Teague Veterans' Medical Center, Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, TempleTX, United States.,Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, Temple and College StationTX, United States.,Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, College StationTX, United States
| | - Sahithi Attaluri
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, Temple and College StationTX, United States.,Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, College StationTX, United States
| | - Bing Shuai
- Research Service, Olin E. Teague Veterans' Medical Center, Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, TempleTX, United States.,Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, Temple and College StationTX, United States.,Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, College StationTX, United States
| | - Maheedhar Kodali
- Research Service, Olin E. Teague Veterans' Medical Center, Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, TempleTX, United States.,Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, Temple and College StationTX, United States.,Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, College StationTX, United States
| | - Ashok K Shetty
- Research Service, Olin E. Teague Veterans' Medical Center, Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, TempleTX, United States.,Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, Temple and College StationTX, United States.,Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, College StationTX, United States
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39
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Velíšek L. Knockin' Out the Spasms. Epilepsy Curr 2017; 17:177-179. [PMID: 28684956 PMCID: PMC5486431 DOI: 10.5698/1535-7511.17.3.177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
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40
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Mulligan KA, Cheyette BNR. Neurodevelopmental Perspectives on Wnt Signaling in Psychiatry. MOLECULAR NEUROPSYCHIATRY 2017; 2:219-246. [PMID: 28277568 DOI: 10.1159/000453266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Mounting evidence indicates that Wnt signaling is relevant to pathophysiology of diverse mental illnesses including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and autism spectrum disorder. In the 35 years since Wnt ligands were first described, animal studies have richly explored how downstream Wnt signaling pathways affect an array of neurodevelopmental processes and how their disruption can lead to both neurological and behavioral phenotypes. Recently, human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) models have begun to contribute to this literature while pushing it in increasingly translational directions. Simultaneously, large-scale human genomic studies are providing evidence that sequence variation in Wnt signal pathway genes contributes to pathogenesis in several psychiatric disorders. This article reviews neurodevelopmental and postneurodevelopmental functions of Wnt signaling, highlighting mechanisms, whereby its disruption might contribute to psychiatric illness, and then reviews the most reliable recent genetic evidence supporting that mutations in Wnt pathway genes contribute to psychiatric illness. We are proponents of the notion that studies in animal and hiPSC models informed by the human genetic data combined with the deep knowledge base and tool kits generated over the last several decades of basic neurodevelopmental research will yield near-term tangible advances in neuropsychiatry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly A Mulligan
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Benjamin N R Cheyette
- Department of Psychiatry, Kavli Institute for Fundamental Neuroscience, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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41
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Pirone A, Alexander J, Lau LA, Hampton D, Zayachkivsky A, Yee A, Yee A, Jacob MH, Dulla CG. APC conditional knock-out mouse is a model of infantile spasms with elevated neuronal β-catenin levels, neonatal spasms, and chronic seizures. Neurobiol Dis 2016; 98:149-157. [PMID: 27852007 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2016.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2016] [Revised: 10/24/2016] [Accepted: 11/11/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Infantile spasms (IS) are a catastrophic childhood epilepsy syndrome characterized by flexion-extension spasms during infancy that progress to chronic seizures and cognitive deficits in later life. The molecular causes of IS are poorly defined. Genetic screens of individuals with IS have identified multiple risk genes, several of which are predicted to alter β-catenin pathways. However, evidence linking malfunction of β-catenin pathways and IS is lacking. Here, we show that conditional deletion in mice of the adenomatous polyposis coli gene (APC cKO), the major negative regulator of β-catenin, leads to excessive β-catenin levels and multiple salient features of human IS. Compared with wild-type littermates, neonatal APC cKO mice exhibit flexion-extension motor spasms and abnormal high-amplitude electroencephalographic discharges. Additionally, the frequency of excitatory postsynaptic currents is increased in layer V pyramidal cells, the major output neurons of the cerebral cortex. At adult ages, APC cKOs display spontaneous electroclinical seizures. These data provide the first evidence that malfunctions of APC/β-catenin pathways cause pathophysiological changes consistent with IS. Our findings demonstrate that the APC cKO is a new genetic model of IS, provide novel insights into molecular and functional alterations that can lead to IS, and suggest novel targets for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Pirone
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, United States
| | - Jonathan Alexander
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, United States; Neuroscience Program, Tufts Sackler School of Biomedical Sciences, Boston, MA 02111, United States
| | - Lauren A Lau
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, United States; Neuroscience Program, Tufts Sackler School of Biomedical Sciences, Boston, MA 02111, United States
| | - David Hampton
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, United States
| | - Andrew Zayachkivsky
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, United States
| | - Amy Yee
- Department of Developmental, Molecular, and Chemical Biology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, United States
| | - Audrey Yee
- VA Eastern Colorado Health System, Golden, CO 80401, United States
| | - Michele H Jacob
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, United States.
| | - Chris G Dulla
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, United States.
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42
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Kwan V, Meka D, White S, Hung C, Holzapfel N, Walker S, Murtaza N, Unda B, Schwanke B, Yuen R, Habing K, Milsom C, Hope K, Truant R, Scherer S, Calderon de Anda F, Singh K. DIXDC1 Phosphorylation and Control of Dendritic Morphology Are Impaired by Rare Genetic Variants. Cell Rep 2016; 17:1892-1904. [DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2016.10.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2016] [Revised: 09/02/2016] [Accepted: 10/14/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
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43
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Differences in neuropsychological and behavioral parameters and brain structure in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis: a sibling-paired study. Hered Cancer Clin Pract 2016; 14:20. [PMID: 27777639 PMCID: PMC5057475 DOI: 10.1186/s13053-016-0060-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2016] [Accepted: 10/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is an autosomal dominant hereditary colon cancer syndrome caused by mutations in adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) with both colonic and extra-colonic manifestations. Case reports have noted an association with FAP and intellectual disability and animal studies have shown that APC is implicated in neural development and function, but no studies have investigated neuropsychological, behavioral, or structural brain characteristics of patients with FAP. Methods We undertook a pilot, sibling-pair study comparing three patients with FAP to their sex-matched siblings without FAP. Each sibling pair underwent neuropsychological testing by a blinded examiner, high resolution brain MRI scans, and the mother of each pair rated her children’s adaptive life skills and behavioral and emotional characteristics. Given the small number of study participants in this pilot study, quantitative comparisons of results were made by subtracting the score of the non-FAP sibling from the FAP patient on the various neuropsychological tests and parent rating questionnaires to calculate a difference, which was then divided by the standard deviation for each individual test to determine the difference, corrected for the standard deviation. Diffusion numbers in multiple regions of the brain as assessed by MRI were calculated for each study participant. Results We found similarity between siblings in all three pairs on a wide range of neuropsychological measures (general intelligence, executive function, and basic academic skills) as tested by the psychologist as well as in descriptions of adaptive life skills as rated by mothers. However, mothers’ ratings of behavioral and emotional characteristics of two of the three pairs showed differences between the siblings, specifically that the patients with FAP were found to have more behavioral and emotional problems compared to their siblings. No differences in brain structure were identified by MRI. Conclusion We report the first study exploring neuropsychological, behavioral, emotional, and structural brain characteristics of patients with FAP and found subjective differences as assessed by maternal perception in behavioral and emotional characteristics in patients with FAP compared to their siblings. Larger studies are needed to elucidate the relationship, if any, between FAP and brain function.
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44
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Tumour Suppressor Adenomatous Polyposis Coli (APC) localisation is regulated by both Kinesin-1 and Kinesin-2. Sci Rep 2016; 6:27456. [PMID: 27272132 PMCID: PMC4895226 DOI: 10.1038/srep27456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2015] [Accepted: 05/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Microtubules and their associated proteins (MAPs) underpin the polarity of specialised cells. Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) is one such MAP with a multifunctional agenda that requires precise intracellular localisations. Although APC has been found to associate with kinesin-2 subfamily members, the exact mechanism for the peripheral localization of APC remains unclear. Here we show that the heavy chain of kinesin-1 directly interacts with the APC C-terminus, contributing to the peripheral localisation of APC in fibroblasts. In rat hippocampal neurons the kinesin-1 binding domain of APC is required for its axon tip enrichment. Moreover, we demonstrate that APC requires interactions with both kinesin-2 and kinesin-1 for this localisation. Underlining the importance of the kinesin-1 association, neurons expressing APC lacking kinesin-1-binding domain have shorter axons. The identification of this novel kinesin-1-APC interaction highlights the complexity and significance of APC localisation in neurons.
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45
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Abstract
Wnt signaling has emerged in recent years as a major player in both nervous system development and adult synaptic plasticity. Of particular relevance to researchers studying learning and memory, Wnt signaling is critical for normal functioning of the hippocampus, a brain region that is essential for many types of memory formation and whose dysfunction is implicated in numerous neurodegenerative and psychiatric conditions. Impaired hippocampal Wnt signaling is implicated in several of these conditions, however, little is known about how Wnt signaling mediates hippocampal memory formation. This review will provide a general overview of Wnt signaling and discuss evidence demonstrating a key role for Wnt signaling in hippocampal memory formation in both normal and disease states. The regulation of Wnt signaling by ovarian sex steroid hormones will also be highlighted, given that the neuroprotection afforded by Wnt-hormone interactions may have significant implications for cognitive function in aging, neurodegenerative disease, and ischemic injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley M Fortress
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Karyn M Frick
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, WI, USA
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46
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van de Willige D, Hoogenraad CC, Akhmanova A. Microtubule plus-end tracking proteins in neuronal development. Cell Mol Life Sci 2016; 73:2053-77. [PMID: 26969328 PMCID: PMC4834103 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-016-2168-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2015] [Revised: 02/04/2016] [Accepted: 02/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Regulation of the microtubule cytoskeleton is of pivotal importance for neuronal development and function. One such regulatory mechanism centers on microtubule plus-end tracking proteins (+TIPs): structurally and functionally diverse regulatory factors, which can form complex macromolecular assemblies at the growing microtubule plus-ends. +TIPs modulate important properties of microtubules including their dynamics and their ability to control cell polarity, membrane transport and signaling. Several neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases are associated with mutations in +TIPs or with misregulation of these proteins. In this review, we focus on the role and regulation of +TIPs in neuronal development and associated disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dieudonnée van de Willige
- Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Casper C Hoogenraad
- Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Anna Akhmanova
- Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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47
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Dong F, Jiang J, McSweeney C, Zou D, Liu L, Mao Y. Deletion of CTNNB1 in inhibitory circuitry contributes to autism-associated behavioral defects. Hum Mol Genet 2016; 25:2738-2751. [PMID: 27131348 PMCID: PMC5181638 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddw131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2016] [Revised: 03/22/2016] [Accepted: 04/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in β-catenin (CTNNB1) have been implicated in cancer and mental disorders. Recently, loss-of-function mutations of CTNNB1 were linked to intellectual disability (ID), and rare mutations were identified in patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). As a key regulator of the canonical Wnt pathway, CTNNB1 plays an essential role in neurodevelopment. However, the function of CTNNB1 in specific neuronal subtypes is unclear. To understand how CTNNB1 deficiency contributes to ASD, we generated CTNNB1 conditional knockout (cKO) mice in parvalbumin interneurons. The cKO mice had increased anxiety, but had no overall change in motor function. Interestingly, CTNNB1 cKO in PV-interneurons significantly impaired object recognition and social interactions and elevated repetitive behaviors, which mimic the core symptoms of patients with ASD. Surprisingly, deleting CTNNB1 in parvalbumin-interneurons enhanced spatial memory. To determine the effect of CTNNB1 KO in overall neuronal activity, we found that c-Fos was significantly reduced in the cortex, but not in the dentate gyrus and the amygdala. Our findings revealed a cell type-specific role of CTNNB1 gene in regulation of cognitive and autistic-like behaviors. Thus, this study has important implications for development of therapies for ASDs carrying the CTNNB1 mutation or other ASDs that are associated with mutations in the Wnt pathway. In addition, our study contributes to a broader understanding of the regulation of the inhibitory circuitry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengping Dong
- Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Joanna Jiang
- Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Colleen McSweeney
- Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Donghua Zou
- Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.,Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Province, 530021, China
| | - Long Liu
- Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.,Department of Chemistry and Biology, College of Science, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, Hunan Province 410073, China
| | - Yingwei Mao
- Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
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48
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Ergaz Z, Weinstein-Fudim L, Ornoy A. Genetic and non-genetic animal models for autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Reprod Toxicol 2016; 64:116-40. [PMID: 27142188 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2016.04.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2016] [Revised: 04/18/2016] [Accepted: 04/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated, in addition to complex genetic factors, with a variety of prenatal, perinatal and postnatal etiologies. We discuss the known animal models, mostly in mice and rats, of ASD that helps us to understand the etiology, pathogenesis and treatment of human ASD. We describe only models where behavioral testing has shown autistic like behaviors. Some genetic models mimic known human syndromes like fragile X where ASD is part of the clinical picture, and others are without defined human syndromes. Among the environmentally induced ASD models in rodents, the most common model is the one induced by valproic acid (VPA) either prenatally or early postnatally. VPA induces autism-like behaviors following single exposure during different phases of brain development, implying that the mechanism of action is via a general biological mechanism like epigenetic changes. Maternal infection and inflammation are also associated with ASD in man and animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zivanit Ergaz
- Laboratory of Teratology, Department of Medical Neurobiology Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School and Hadassah Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Liza Weinstein-Fudim
- Laboratory of Teratology, Department of Medical Neurobiology Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School and Hadassah Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Asher Ornoy
- Laboratory of Teratology, Department of Medical Neurobiology Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School and Hadassah Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel.
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49
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Modeling Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome with induced pluripotent stem cells reveals a causal role for Wnt/β-catenin defects in neuronal cholesterol synthesis phenotypes. Nat Med 2016; 22:388-96. [PMID: 26998835 PMCID: PMC4823163 DOI: 10.1038/nm.4067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2014] [Accepted: 02/16/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome (SLOS) is a malformation disorder caused by mutations in DHCR7, impairing the reduction of 7-dehydrocholesterol to cholesterol. SLOS results in cognitive impairment, behavioral abnormalities, and nervous system defects, though neither cellular targets nor affected signaling pathways are defined. Whether 7-dehydrocholesterol accumulation or cholesterol loss is primarily responsible for disease pathogenesis is also unclear. Using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from SLOS subjects, we identified cellular defects leading to precocious neuronal specification within SLOS derived neural progenitors. We also demonstrated that 7-dehydrocholesterol accumulation, not cholesterol deficiency, is critical for SLOS-associated defects. We further identified downregulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling as a key initiator of aberrant SLOS iPSCs differentiation through the direct inhibitory effects of 7-dehydrocholesterol on the formation of an active Wnt receptor complex. Activation of canonical Wnt signaling prevented the neural phenotypes observed in SLOS iPSCs, suggesting that Wnt signaling may be a promising therapeutic target for SLOS.
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Darbro BW, Singh R, Zimmerman MB, Mahajan VB, Bassuk AG. Autism Linked to Increased Oncogene Mutations but Decreased Cancer Rate. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0149041. [PMID: 26934580 PMCID: PMC4774916 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0149041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2015] [Accepted: 01/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is one phenotypic aspect of many monogenic, hereditary cancer syndromes. Pleiotropic effects of cancer genes on the autism phenotype could lead to repurposing of oncology medications to treat this increasingly prevalent neurodevelopmental condition for which there is currently no treatment. To explore this hypothesis we sought to discover whether autistic patients more often have rare coding, single-nucleotide variants within tumor suppressor and oncogenes and whether autistic patients are more often diagnosed with neoplasms. Exome-sequencing data from the ARRA Autism Sequencing Collaboration was compared to that of a control cohort from the Exome Variant Server database revealing that rare, coding variants within oncogenes were enriched for in the ARRA ASD cohort (p<1.0 x 10(-8)). In contrast, variants were not significantly enriched in tumor suppressor genes. Phenotypically, children and adults with ASD exhibited a protective effect against cancer, with a frequency of 1.3% vs. 3.9% (p<0.001), but the protective effect decreased with age. The odds ratio of neoplasm for those with ASD relative to controls was 0.06 (95% CI: 0.02, 0.19; p<0.0001) in the 0 to 14 age group; 0.35 (95% CI: 0.14, 0.87; p = 0.024) in the 15 to 29 age group; 0.41 (95% CI: 0.15, 1.17; p = 0.095) in the 30 to 54 age group; and 0.49 (95% CI: 0.14, 1.74; p = 0.267) in those 55 and older. Both males and females demonstrated the protective effect. These findings suggest that defects in cellular proliferation, and potentially senescence, might influence both autism and neoplasm, and already approved drugs targeting oncogenic pathways might also have therapeutic value for treating autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin W. Darbro
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Medical Genetics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
- Interdisciplinary Program in Genetics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
- Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
- The Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
- * E-mail: (BD); (AB)
| | - Rohini Singh
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Medical Genetics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/BMT, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - M. Bridget Zimmerman
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Vinit B. Mahajan
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
- Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Alexander G. Bassuk
- Interdisciplinary Program in Genetics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
- Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
- University of Iowa eHealth and eNovation Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
- * E-mail: (BD); (AB)
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