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Maroon M, Haddad F, Doornaert E, Allman B, Schmid S. Investigating gene-environment interaction on attention in a double-hit model for Autism Spectrum Disorder. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0299380. [PMID: 38748694 PMCID: PMC11095761 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0299380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental behavioral disorder characterized by social, communicative, and motor deficits. There is no single etiological cause for ASD, rather, there are various genetic and environmental factors that increase the risk for ASD. It is thought that some of these factors influence the same underlying neural mechanisms, and that an interplay of both genetic and environmental factors would better explain the pathogenesis of ASD. To better appreciate the influence of genetic-environment interaction on ASD-related behaviours, rats lacking a functional copy of the ASD-linked gene Cntnap2 were exposed to maternal immune activation (MIA) during pregnancy and assessed in adolescence and adulthood. We hypothesized that Cntnap2 deficiency interacts with poly I:C MIA to aggravate ASD-like symptoms in the offspring. In this double-hit model, we assessed attention, a core deficit in ASD due to prefrontal cortical dysfunction. We employed a well-established attentional paradigm known as the 5-choice serial reaction time task (5CSRTT). Cntnap2-/- rats exhibited greater perseverative responses which is indicative of repetitive behaviors. Additionally, rats exposed to poly I:C MIA exhibited premature responses, a marker of impulsivity. The rats exposed to both the genetic and environmental challenge displayed an increase in impulsive activity; however, this response was only elicited in the presence of an auditory distractor. This implies that exacerbated symptomatology in the double-hit model may situation-dependent and not generally expressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melvin Maroon
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Faraj Haddad
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Ella Doornaert
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Brian Allman
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
- Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Susanne Schmid
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
- Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
- Psychology, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
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2
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Chen Z, Wang X, Zhang S, Han F. Neuroplasticity of children in autism spectrum disorder. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1362288. [PMID: 38726381 PMCID: PMC11079289 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1362288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that encompasses a range of symptoms including difficulties in verbal communication, social interaction, limited interests, and repetitive behaviors. Neuroplasticity refers to the structural and functional changes that occur in the nervous system to adapt and respond to changes in the external environment. In simpler terms, it is the brain's ability to learn and adapt to new environments. However, individuals with ASD exhibit abnormal neuroplasticity, which impacts information processing, sensory processing, and social cognition, leading to the manifestation of corresponding symptoms. This paper aims to review the current research progress on ASD neuroplasticity, focusing on genetics, environment, neural pathways, neuroinflammation, and immunity. The findings will provide a theoretical foundation and insights for intervention and treatment in pediatric fields related to ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zilin Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, Guang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xu Wang
- Experiment Center of Medical Innovation, The First Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Si Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, Guang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Fei Han
- Department of Pediatrics, Guang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
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3
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Du J, Nakachi Y, Murata Y, Kiyota E, Kato T, Bundo M, Iwamoto K. Exploration of cell type-specific somatic mutations in schizophrenia and the impact of maternal immune activation on the somatic mutation profile in the brain. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2024; 78:237-247. [PMID: 38334156 DOI: 10.1111/pcn.13640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
AIM Schizophrenia (SZ) is a severe psychiatric disorder caused by the interaction of genetic and environmental factors. Although somatic mutations that occur in the brain after fertilization may play an important role in the cause of SZ, their frequencies and patterns in the brains of patients and related animal models have not been well studied. This study aimed to find somatic mutations related to the pathophysiology of SZ. METHODS We performed whole-exome sequencing (WES) of neuronal and nonneuronal nuclei isolated from the postmortem prefrontal cortex of patients with SZ (n = 10) and controls (n = 10). After detecting somatic mutations, we explored the similarities and differences in shared common mutations between two cell types and cell type-specific mutations. We also performed WES of prefrontal cortex samples from an animal model of SZ based on maternal immune activation (MIA) and explored the possible impact of MIA on the patterns of somatic mutations. RESULTS We did not find quantitative differences in somatic mutations but found higher variant allele fractions of neuron-specific mutations in patients with SZ. In the mouse model, we found a larger variation in the number of somatic mutations in the offspring of MIA mice, with the occurrence of somatic mutations in neurodevelopment-related genes. CONCLUSION Somatic mutations occurring at an earlier stage of brain cell differentiation toward neurons may be important for the cause of SZ. MIA may affect somatic mutation profiles in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianbin Du
- Department of Molecular Brain Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Yutaka Nakachi
- Department of Molecular Brain Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Yui Murata
- Department of Molecular Brain Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
- Laboratory for Molecular Dynamics of Mental Disorders, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Japan
| | - Emi Kiyota
- Department of Molecular Brain Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Tadafumi Kato
- Laboratory for Molecular Dynamics of Mental Disorders, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Japan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Miki Bundo
- Department of Molecular Brain Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
- Laboratory for Molecular Dynamics of Mental Disorders, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Japan
| | - Kazuya Iwamoto
- Department of Molecular Brain Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
- Laboratory for Molecular Dynamics of Mental Disorders, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Japan
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Li H, Wang X, Hu C, Cui J, Li H, Luo X, Hao Y. IL-6 Enhances the Activation of PI3K-AKT/mTOR-GSK-3β by Upregulating GRPR in Hippocampal Neurons of Autistic Mice. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 2024; 19:12. [PMID: 38536552 PMCID: PMC10972920 DOI: 10.1007/s11481-024-10111-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological disorder associated with brain inflammation. The underlying mechanisms could be attributed to the activation of PI3K signaling in the inflamed brain of ASD. Multiple studies highlight the role of GRPR in regulating ASD like abnormal behavior and enhancing the PI3K signaling. However, the molecular mechanism by which GRPR regulates PI3K signaling in neurons of individuals with ASD is still unclear. In this study, we utilized a maternal immune activation model to investigate the effects of GRPR on PI3K signaling in the inflamed brain of ASD mice. We used HT22 cells with and without GRPR to examine the impact of GRP-GRPR on the PI3K-AKT pathway with IL-6 treatment. We analyzed a dataset of hippocampus samples from ASD mice to identify hub genes. Our results demonstrated increased expression of IL-6, GRPR, and PI3K-AKT signaling in the hippocampus of ASD mice. Additionally, we observed increased GRPR expression and PI3K-AKT/mTOR activation in HT22 cells after IL-6 treatment, but decreased expression in HT22 cells with GRPR knockdown. NetworkAnalyst identified GSK-3β as the most crucial gene in the PI3K-AKT/mTOR pathway in the hippocampus of ASD. Furthermore, we found that IL-6 upregulated the expression of GSK-3β in HT22 cells by upregulating GRP-GRPR. Our findings suggest that IL-6 can enhance the activation of PI3K-AKT/mTOR-GSK-3β in hippocampal neurons of ASD mice by upregulating GRPR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heli Li
- Division of Child Healthcare, Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Xinyuan Wang
- Division of Child Healthcare, Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Cong Hu
- Division of Child Healthcare, Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Jinru Cui
- Division of Child Healthcare, Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Hao Li
- Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Xiaoping Luo
- Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Yan Hao
- Division of Child Healthcare, Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
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5
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Zhuang H, Liang Z, Ma G, Qureshi A, Ran X, Feng C, Liu X, Yan X, Shen L. Autism spectrum disorder: pathogenesis, biomarker, and intervention therapy. MedComm (Beijing) 2024; 5:e497. [PMID: 38434761 PMCID: PMC10908366 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has become a common neurodevelopmental disorder. The heterogeneity of ASD poses great challenges for its research and clinical translation. On the basis of reviewing the heterogeneity of ASD, this review systematically summarized the current status and progress of pathogenesis, diagnostic markers, and interventions for ASD. We provided an overview of the ASD molecular mechanisms identified by multi-omics studies and convergent mechanism in different genetic backgrounds. The comorbidities, mechanisms associated with important physiological and metabolic abnormalities (i.e., inflammation, immunity, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction), and gut microbial disorder in ASD were reviewed. The non-targeted omics and targeting studies of diagnostic markers for ASD were also reviewed. Moreover, we summarized the progress and methods of behavioral and educational interventions, intervention methods related to technological devices, and research on medical interventions and potential drug targets. This review highlighted the application of high-throughput omics methods in ASD research and emphasized the importance of seeking homogeneity from heterogeneity and exploring the convergence of disease mechanisms, biomarkers, and intervention approaches, and proposes that taking into account individuality and commonality may be the key to achieve accurate diagnosis and treatment of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongbin Zhuang
- College of Life Science and OceanographyShenzhen UniversityShenzhenP. R. China
| | - Zhiyuan Liang
- College of Life Science and OceanographyShenzhen UniversityShenzhenP. R. China
| | - Guanwei Ma
- College of Life Science and OceanographyShenzhen UniversityShenzhenP. R. China
| | - Ayesha Qureshi
- College of Life Science and OceanographyShenzhen UniversityShenzhenP. R. China
| | - Xiaoqian Ran
- College of Life Science and OceanographyShenzhen UniversityShenzhenP. R. China
| | - Chengyun Feng
- Maternal and Child Health Hospital of BaoanShenzhenP. R. China
| | - Xukun Liu
- College of Life Science and OceanographyShenzhen UniversityShenzhenP. R. China
| | - Xi Yan
- College of Life Science and OceanographyShenzhen UniversityShenzhenP. R. China
| | - Liming Shen
- College of Life Science and OceanographyShenzhen UniversityShenzhenP. R. China
- Shenzhen‐Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science‐Shenzhen Fundamental Research InstitutionsShenzhenP. R. China
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6
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Vacharasin JM, Ward JA, McCord MM, Cox K, Imitola J, Lizarraga SB. Neuroimmune mechanisms in autism etiology - untangling a complex problem using human cellular models. OXFORD OPEN NEUROSCIENCE 2024; 3:kvae003. [PMID: 38665176 PMCID: PMC11044813 DOI: 10.1093/oons/kvae003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects 1 in 36 people and is more often diagnosed in males than in females. Core features of ASD are impaired social interactions, repetitive behaviors and deficits in verbal communication. ASD is a highly heterogeneous and heritable disorder, yet its underlying genetic causes account only for up to 80% of the cases. Hence, a subset of ASD cases could be influenced by environmental risk factors. Maternal immune activation (MIA) is a response to inflammation during pregnancy, which can lead to increased inflammatory signals to the fetus. Inflammatory signals can cross the placenta and blood brain barriers affecting fetal brain development. Epidemiological and animal studies suggest that MIA could contribute to ASD etiology. However, human mechanistic studies have been hindered by a lack of experimental systems that could replicate the impact of MIA during fetal development. Therefore, mechanisms altered by inflammation during human pre-natal brain development, and that could underlie ASD pathogenesis have been largely understudied. The advent of human cellular models with induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) and organoid technology is closing this gap in knowledge by providing both access to molecular manipulations and culturing capability of tissue that would be otherwise inaccessible. We present an overview of multiple levels of evidence from clinical, epidemiological, and cellular studies that provide a potential link between higher ASD risk and inflammation. More importantly, we discuss how stem cell-derived models may constitute an ideal experimental system to mechanistically interrogate the effect of inflammation during the early stages of brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janay M Vacharasin
- Department of Biological Sciences, and Center for Childhood Neurotherapeutics, Univ. of South Carolina, 715 Sumter Street, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Francis Marion University, 4822 East Palmetto Street, Florence, S.C. 29506, USA
| | - Joseph A Ward
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, & Biochemistry, Brown University, 185 Meeting Street, Providence, RI 02912, USA
- Center for Translational Neuroscience, Carney Institute of Brain Science, Brown University, 70 Ship Street, Providence, RI 02903, USA
| | - Mikayla M McCord
- Department of Biological Sciences, and Center for Childhood Neurotherapeutics, Univ. of South Carolina, 715 Sumter Street, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Kaitlin Cox
- Department of Biological Sciences, and Center for Childhood Neurotherapeutics, Univ. of South Carolina, 715 Sumter Street, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Jaime Imitola
- Laboratory of Neural Stem Cells and Functional Neurogenetics, UConn Health, Departments of Neuroscience, Neurology, Genetics and Genome Sciences, UConn Health, 263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT 06030-5357, USA
| | - Sofia B Lizarraga
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, & Biochemistry, Brown University, 185 Meeting Street, Providence, RI 02912, USA
- Center for Translational Neuroscience, Carney Institute of Brain Science, Brown University, 70 Ship Street, Providence, RI 02903, USA
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7
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Dutta DJ, Sasaki J, Bansal A, Sugai K, Yamashita S, Li G, Lazarski C, Wang L, Sasaki T, Yamashita C, Carryl H, Suzuki R, Odawara M, Imamura Kawasawa Y, Rakic P, Torii M, Hashimoto-Torii K. Alternative splicing events as peripheral biomarkers for motor learning deficit caused by adverse prenatal environments. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2304074120. [PMID: 38051767 PMCID: PMC10723155 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2304074120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Severity of neurobehavioral deficits in children born from adverse pregnancies, such as maternal alcohol consumption and diabetes, does not always correlate with the adversity's duration and intensity. Therefore, biological signatures for accurate prediction of the severity of neurobehavioral deficits, and robust tools for reliable identification of such biomarkers, have an urgent clinical need. Here, we demonstrate that significant changes in the alternative splicing (AS) pattern of offspring lymphocyte RNA can function as accurate peripheral biomarkers for motor learning deficits in mouse models of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) and offspring of mother with diabetes (OMD). An aptly trained deep-learning model identified 29 AS events common to PAE and OMD as superior predictors of motor learning deficits than AS events specific to PAE or OMD. Shapley-value analysis, a game-theory algorithm, deciphered the trained deep-learning model's learnt associations between its input, AS events, and output, motor learning performance. Shapley values of the deep-learning model's input identified the relative contribution of the 29 common AS events to the motor learning deficit. Gene ontology and predictive structure-function analyses, using Alphafold2 algorithm, supported existing evidence on the critical roles of these molecules in early brain development and function. The direction of most AS events was opposite in PAE and OMD, potentially from differential expression of RNA binding proteins in PAE and OMD. Altogether, this study posits that AS of lymphocyte RNA is a rich resource, and deep-learning is an effective tool, for discovery of peripheral biomarkers of neurobehavioral deficits in children of diverse adverse pregnancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dipankar J. Dutta
- Center for Neuroscience Research, Children’s National Hospital,Washington, DC20010
| | - Junko Sasaki
- Center for Neuroscience Research, Children’s National Hospital,Washington, DC20010
- Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo160-8402, Japan
| | - Ankush Bansal
- Center for Neuroscience Research, Children’s National Hospital,Washington, DC20010
| | - Keiji Sugai
- Center for Neuroscience Research, Children’s National Hospital,Washington, DC20010
- Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo160-8402, Japan
| | - Satoshi Yamashita
- Center for Neuroscience Research, Children’s National Hospital,Washington, DC20010
| | - Guojiao Li
- Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo160-8402, Japan
| | - Christopher Lazarski
- Center for Cancer and Immunology Research, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC20010
| | - Li Wang
- Center for Neuroscience Research, Children’s National Hospital,Washington, DC20010
| | - Toru Sasaki
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo160-8402, Japan
| | - Chiho Yamashita
- Center for Neuroscience Research, Children’s National Hospital,Washington, DC20010
| | - Heather Carryl
- Center for Neuroscience Research, Children’s National Hospital,Washington, DC20010
| | - Ryo Suzuki
- Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo160-8402, Japan
| | - Masato Odawara
- Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo160-8402, Japan
| | - Yuka Imamura Kawasawa
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA17033
| | - Pasko Rakic
- Kavli Institute for Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT06520
| | - Masaaki Torii
- Center for Neuroscience Research, Children’s National Hospital,Washington, DC20010
- Department of Pediatrics, Pharmacology and Physiology, George Washington University, Washington, DC20010
| | - Kazue Hashimoto-Torii
- Center for Neuroscience Research, Children’s National Hospital,Washington, DC20010
- Department of Pediatrics, Pharmacology and Physiology, George Washington University, Washington, DC20010
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8
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Al-Beltagi M. Pre-autism: What a paediatrician should know about early diagnosis of autism. World J Clin Pediatr 2023; 12:273-294. [PMID: 38178935 PMCID: PMC10762597 DOI: 10.5409/wjcp.v12.i5.273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism, also known as an autism spectrum disorder, is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder usually diagnosed in the first three years of a child's life. A range of symptoms characterizes it and can be diagnosed at any age, including adolescence and adulthood. However, early diagnosis is crucial for effective management, prognosis, and care. Unfortunately, there are no established fetal, prenatal, or newborn screening programs for autism, making early detection difficult. This review aims to shed light on the early detection of autism prenatally, natally, and early in life, during a stage we call as "pre-autism" when typical symptoms are not yet apparent. Some fetal, neonatal, and infant biomarkers may predict an increased risk of autism in the coming baby. By developing a biomarker array, we can create an objective diagnostic tool to diagnose and rank the severity of autism for each patient. These biomarkers could be genetic, immunological, hormonal, metabolic, amino acids, acute phase reactants, neonatal brainstem function biophysical activity, behavioral profile, body measurements, or radiological markers. However, every biomarker has its accuracy and limitations. Several factors can make early detection of autism a real challenge. To improve early detection, we need to overcome various challenges, such as raising community awareness of early signs of autism, improving access to diagnostic tools, reducing the stigma attached to the diagnosis of autism, and addressing various culturally sensitive concepts related to the disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Al-Beltagi
- Department of Pediatric, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta 31511, Algahrbia, Egypt
- Department of Pediatric, University Medical Center, King Abdulla Medical City, Arabian Gulf University, Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Group, Manama 26671, Manama, Bahrain
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9
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Sarieva K, Kagermeier T, Khakipoor S, Atay E, Yentür Z, Becker K, Mayer S. Human brain organoid model of maternal immune activation identifies radial glia cells as selectively vulnerable. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:5077-5089. [PMID: 36878967 PMCID: PMC9986664 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-01997-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
Maternal immune activation (MIA) during critical windows of gestation is correlated with long-term neurodevelopmental deficits in the offspring, including increased risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in humans. Interleukin 6 (IL-6) derived from the gestational parent is one of the major molecular mediators by which MIA alters the developing brain. In this study, we establish a human three-dimensional (3D) in vitro model of MIA by treating induced pluripotent stem cell-derived dorsal forebrain organoids with a constitutively active form of IL-6, Hyper-IL-6. We validate our model by showing that dorsal forebrain organoids express the molecular machinery necessary for responding to Hyper-IL-6 and activate STAT signaling upon Hyper-IL-6 treatment. RNA sequencing analysis reveals the upregulation of major histocompatibility complex class I (MHCI) genes in response to Hyper-IL-6 exposure, which have been implicated with ASD. We find a small increase in the proportion of radial glia cells after Hyper-IL-6 treatment through immunohistochemistry and single-cell RNA-sequencing. We further show that radial glia cells are the cell type with the highest number of differentially expressed genes, and Hyper-IL-6 treatment leads to the downregulation of genes related to protein translation in line with a mouse model of MIA. Additionally, we identify differentially expressed genes not found in mouse models of MIA, which might drive species-specific responses to MIA. Finally, we show abnormal cortical layering as a long-term consequence of Hyper-IL-6 treatment. In summary, we establish a human 3D model of MIA, which can be used to study the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the increased risk for developing disorders such as ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kseniia Sarieva
- Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- International Max Planck Research School, Graduate Training Centre of Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Theresa Kagermeier
- Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- International Max Planck Research School, Graduate Training Centre of Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Shokoufeh Khakipoor
- Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ezgi Atay
- Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Zeynep Yentür
- Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- International Max Planck Research School, Graduate Training Centre of Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Heidelberger Akademie der Wissenschaften, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Katharina Becker
- Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Simone Mayer
- Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
- International Max Planck Research School, Graduate Training Centre of Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
- Heidelberger Akademie der Wissenschaften, Heidelberg, Germany.
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10
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Arenella M, Fanelli G, Kiemeney LA, McAlonan G, Murphy DG, Bralten J. Genetic relationship between the immune system and autism. Brain Behav Immun Health 2023; 34:100698. [PMID: 38020478 PMCID: PMC10663755 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2023.100698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a common and complex neurodevelopmental condition. The pathophysiology of ASD is poorly defined; however, it includes a strong genetic component and there is increasing evidence to support a role of immune dysregulation. Nonetheless, it is unclear which immune phenotypes link to ASD through genetics. Hence, we investigated the genetic correlation between ASD and diverse classes of immune conditions and markers; and if these immune-related genetic factors link to specific autistic-like traits in the population. We estimated global and local genetic correlations between ASD (n = 55,420) and 11 immune phenotypes (n = 14,256-755,406) using genome-wide association study summary statistics. Subsequently, polygenic scores (PGS) for these immune phenotypes were calculated in a population-based sample (n = 2487) and associated to five autistic-like traits (i.e., attention to detail, childhood behaviour, imagination, rigidity, social skills), and a total autistic-like traits score. Sex-stratified PGS analyses were also performed. At the genome-wide level, ASD was positively correlated with allergic diseases (ALG), and negatively correlated with lymphocyte count, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (FDR-p = 0.01-0.02). At the local genetic level, ASD was correlated with RA, C-reactive protein, and granulocytes and lymphocyte counts (p = 5.8 × 10-6-0.002). In the general population sample, increased genetic liability for SLE, RA, ALG, and lymphocyte levels, captured by PGS, was associated with the total autistic score and with rigidity and childhood behaviour (FDR-p = 0.03). In conclusion, we demonstrated a genetic relationship between ASD and immunity that depends on the type of immune phenotype considered; some increase likelihood whereas others may potentially help build resilience. Also, this relationship may be restricted to specific genetic loci and link to specific autistic dimensions (e.g., rigidity).
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Arenella
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Science, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Giuseppe Fanelli
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Lambertus A. Kiemeney
- Department for Health Evidence, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Grainne McAlonan
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Science, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- Maudsley and South London NHS Foundation, London, United Kingdom
| | - Declan G. Murphy
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Science, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- Maudsley and South London NHS Foundation, London, United Kingdom
| | - Janita Bralten
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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11
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Sharova V, Ignatiuk V, Izvolskaia M, Zakharova L. Disruption of Intranasal GnRH Neuronal Migration Route into the Brain Induced by Proinflammatory Cytokine IL-6: Ex Vivo and In Vivo Rodent Models. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15983. [PMID: 37958965 PMCID: PMC10648422 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal immune activation results in altered levels of cytokines in the maternal-fetal system, which has a negative impact on fetal development, including the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) system, which is crucial for the reproduction. Suppression of GnRH-neuron migration may be associated with cytokine imbalances, and primarily with proinflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-6. This study aimed to determine the effects of IL-6 and monoclonal antibody to IL-6 or IL-6R or polyclonal IgG on the formation of migration route of GnRH-neurons in ex vivo and in vivo rodent models on day 11.5 of embryonic development. The increased level of IL-6 in mouse nasal explants suppressed peripherin-positive fiber outgrowth, while this led to an increase in the number of GnRH-neurons in the nose and olfactory bulbs and a decrease in their number in the fetal brain. This effect is likely to be realized via IL-6 receptors along the olfactory nerves. The suppressive effect of IL-6 was diminished by monoclonal antibodies to IL-6 or its receptors and by IgG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktoria Sharova
- Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vavilov Street, 26, 119334 Moscow, Russia
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12
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Sarieva K, Hildebrand F, Kagermeier T, Yentür Z, Becker K, Mayer S. Pluripotent stem cell-derived neural progenitor cells can be used to model effects of IL-6 on human neurodevelopment. Dis Model Mech 2023; 16:dmm050306. [PMID: 37921007 PMCID: PMC10629675 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.050306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal immune activation (MIA) increases the risks for neurodevelopmental disorders in offspring through inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-6 (IL-6). We therefore aimed to establish a human two-dimensional (2D) in vitro neural model to investigate the effects of IL-6 exposure on neurodevelopment. IL-6 signal transduction requires two receptors: interleukin-6 signal transducer (IL6ST) and interleukin-6 receptor (IL6R). Prenatally, neural cells lack IL6R, and hence cannot elicit cis IL-6 signaling, but IL6R can be provided by microglia in trans. We demonstrate here that an immortalized human neural progenitor cell (NPC) line, ReNCell CX, expresses IL6ST and elicits both cis and trans IL-6 signaling, limiting its use as a model of MIA. In contrast, induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived NPCs only activate the IL-6 cascade in trans. Activation of the trans IL-6 cascade did not result in increased proliferation of iPSC-derived NPCs or ReNCell CX, as has been demonstrated in animal models. iPSC-derived NPCs upregulated NR2F1 expression in response to IL-6 signaling in line with analogous experiments in organoids. Thus, iPSC-derived NPCs can be used to model gene expression changes in response to MIA in 2D cultures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kseniia Sarieva
- Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- International Max Planck Research School, Graduate Training Centre of Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Felix Hildebrand
- Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Theresa Kagermeier
- Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Zeynep Yentür
- Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- International Max Planck Research School, Graduate Training Centre of Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Katharina Becker
- Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Simone Mayer
- Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
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13
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Arenella M, Matuleviciute R, Tamouza R, Leboyer M, McAlonan G, Bralten J, Murphy D. Immunogenetics of autism spectrum disorder: A systematic literature review. Brain Behav Immun 2023; 114:488-499. [PMID: 37717669 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2023.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The aetiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is complex and, partly, accounted by genetic factors. Nonetheless, the genetic underpinnings of ASD are poorly defined. The presence of immune dysregulations in autistic individuals, and their families, supports a role of the immune system and its genetic regulators. Albeit immune responses belong either to the innate or adaptive arms, the overall immune system genetics is broad, and encompasses a multitude of functionally heterogenous pathways which may have different influences on ASD. Hence, to gain insights on the immunogenetic underpinnings of ASD, we conducted a systematic literature review of previous immune genetic and transcription studies in ASD. We defined a list of immune genes relevant to ASD and explored their neuro-immune function. Our review confirms the presence of immunogenetic variability in ASD, accounted by inherited variations of innate and adaptive immune system genes and genetic expression changes in the blood and post-mortem brain of autistic individuals. Besides their immune function, the identified genes control neurodevelopment processes (neuronal and synaptic plasticity) and are highly expressed in pre/peri-natal periods. Hence, our synthesis bolsters the hypothesis that perturbation in immune genes may contribute to ASD by derailing the typical trajectory of neurodevelopment. Our review also helped identifying some of the limitations of prior immunogenetic research in ASD. Thus, alongside clarifying the neurodevelopment role of immune genes, we outline key considerations for future work into the aetiology of ASD and possible novel intervention targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Arenella
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Science, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom; Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Donders Institute of Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Rugile Matuleviciute
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom; MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ryad Tamouza
- University Paris Est Créteil (UPEC), INSERM, IMRB, Translational Neuropsychiatry Lab, AP-HP, Department of Addiction and Psychiatry (DMU IMPACT, FHU ADAPT), France; Fondation FondaMental, F-94010 Créteil, France
| | - Marion Leboyer
- University Paris Est Créteil (UPEC), INSERM, IMRB, Translational Neuropsychiatry Lab, AP-HP, Department of Addiction and Psychiatry (DMU IMPACT, FHU ADAPT), France; Fondation FondaMental, F-94010 Créteil, France
| | - Grainne McAlonan
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Science, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom; South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Janita Bralten
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Donders Institute of Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Declan Murphy
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Science, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom; South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
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14
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Anshu K, Nair AK, Srinath S, Laxmi TR. Altered Developmental Trajectory in Male and Female Rats in a Prenatal Valproic Acid Exposure Model of Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 2023; 53:4390-4411. [PMID: 35976506 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-022-05684-y] [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] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
Early motor and sensory developmental delays precede Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis and may serve as early indicators of ASD. The literature on sensorimotor development in animal models is sparse, male centered, and has mixed findings. We characterized early development in a prenatal valproic acid (VPA) model of ASD and found sex-specific developmental delays in VPA rats. We created a developmental composite score combining 15 test readouts, yielding a reliable gestalt measure spanning physical, sensory, and motor development, that effectively discriminated between VPA and control groups. Considering the heterogeneity in ASD phenotype, the developmental composite offers a robust metric that can enable comparison across different animal models of ASD and can serve as an outcome measure for early intervention studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kumari Anshu
- Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Hosur Main Road, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560029, India
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, 53705, WI, USA
| | - Ajay Kumar Nair
- Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Hosur Main Road, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560029, India
- Center for Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, 53703, WI, USA
| | - Shoba Srinath
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Hosur Main Road, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560029, India
| | - T Rao Laxmi
- Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Hosur Main Road, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560029, India.
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15
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Astorkia M, Liu Y, Pedrosa EM, Lachman HM, Zheng D. Molecular and network disruptions in neurodevelopment uncovered by single cell transcriptomics analysis of CHD8 heterozygous cerebral organoids. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.27.559752. [PMID: 37808768 PMCID: PMC10557718 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.27.559752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
About 100 genes have been associated with significantly increased risks of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) with an estimate of ~1000 genes that may be involved. The new challenge now is to investigate the molecular and cellular functions of these genes during neural and brain development, and then even more challenging, to link the altered molecular and cellular phenotypes to the ASD clinical manifestations. In this study, we use single cell RNA-seq analysis to study one of the top risk gene, CHD8, in cerebral organoids, which models early neural development. We identify 21 cell clusters in the organoid samples, representing non-neuronal cells, neural progenitors, and early differentiating neurons at the start of neural cell fate commitment. Comparisons of the cells with one copy of the CHD8 knockout and their isogenic controls uncover thousands of differentially expressed genes, which are enriched with function related to neural and brain development, with genes and pathways previously implicated in ASD, but surprisingly not for Schizophrenia and intellectual disability risk genes. The comparisons also find cell composition changes, indicating potential altered neural differential trajectories upon CHD8 reduction. Moreover, we find that cell-cell communications are affected in the CHD8 knockout organoids, including the interactions between neural and glial cells. Taken together, our results provide new data for understanding CHD8 functions in the early stages of neural lineage development and interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maider Astorkia
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Erika M. Pedrosa
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Herbert M. Lachman
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Deyou Zheng
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
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16
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Seker A, Qirko-Gurakuqi A, Tabaku M, Javate KRP, Rathwell I. Maternal atopic conditions and autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2023:10.1007/s00787-023-02285-7. [PMID: 37661216 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-023-02285-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a disabling neurodevelopmental condition with complex etiology. Emerging evidence has pointed to maternal atopy as a possible risk factor. It is hypothesized that maternal atopic disease during pregnancy can lead to increased levels of inflammatory cytokines in fetal circulation via placental transfer or increased production. These cytokines can then pass through the immature blood-brain barrier, causing aberrant neurodevelopment via mechanisms including premature microglial activation. The objective of this study is to systematically review observational studies that investigate whether a maternal history of atopic disease (asthma, allergy, or eczema/atopic dermatitis) is associated with a diagnosis of ASD in offspring. A search was conducted in Ovid MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Embase databases for relevant articles up to November 2021; this was later updated in January 2022. Observational studies published in peer-reviewed journals were included. Data were synthesized and qualitatively analyzed according to the specific atopic condition. Quality assessment was done using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Nine articles were identified, with all including asthma as an exposure, alongside four each for allergy and eczema. Findings were inconsistent regarding the association between a maternal diagnosis of either asthma, allergy, or eczema, and ASD in offspring, with variations in methodology contributing to the inconclusiveness. More consistent associations were demonstrated regarding maternal asthma that was treated or diagnosed during pregnancy. Evidence suggests that symptomatic maternal asthma during pregnancy could be associated with ASD in offspring, underscoring the importance of effective management of atopic conditions during pregnancy. Further research is needed, particularly longitudinal studies that use gold-standard assessment tools and correlate clinical outcomes with laboratory and treatment data.PROSPERO Registration Number and Date: CRD42018116656, 26.11.2018.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asilay Seker
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
| | - Anxhela Qirko-Gurakuqi
- Department of Biomedical and Experimental Subjects, University of Medicine, Tirana, Albania
| | - Mirela Tabaku
- Paediatric Department, University of Medicine, Tirana, Albania
| | - Kenneth Ross P Javate
- Department of Psychiatry, The Medical City Hospital, Manila, Philippines
- School of Medicine and Public Health, Ateneo de Manila University, Manila, Philippines
| | - Iris Rathwell
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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17
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Gundacker A, Cuenca Rico L, Stoehrmann P, Tillmann KE, Weber-Stadlbauer U, Pollak DD. Interaction of the pre- and postnatal environment in the maternal immune activation model. DISCOVER MENTAL HEALTH 2023; 3:15. [PMID: 37622027 PMCID: PMC10444676 DOI: 10.1007/s44192-023-00042-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Adverse influences during pregnancy are associated with a range of unfavorable outcomes for the developing offspring. Maternal psychosocial stress, exposure to infections and nutritional imbalances are known risk factors for neurodevelopmental derangements and according psychiatric and neurological manifestations later in offspring life. In this context, the maternal immune activation (MIA) model has been extensively used in preclinical research to study how stimulation of the maternal immune system during gestation derails the tightly coordinated sequence of fetal neurodevelopment. The ensuing consequence of MIA for offspring brain structure and function are majorly manifested in behavioral and cognitive abnormalities, phenotypically presenting during the periods of adolescence and adulthood. These observations have been interpreted within the framework of the "double-hit-hypothesis" suggesting that an elevated risk for neurodevelopmental disorders results from an individual being subjected to two adverse environmental influences at distinct periods of life, jointly leading to the emergence of pathology. The early postnatal period, during which the caregiving parent is the major determinant of the newborn´s environment, constitutes a window of vulnerability to external stimuli. Considering that MIA not only affects the developing fetus, but also impinges on the mother´s brain, which is in a state of heightened malleability during pregnancy, the impact of MIA on maternal brain function and behavior postpartum may importantly contribute to the detrimental consequences for her progeny. Here we review current information on the interaction between the prenatal and postnatal maternal environments in the modulation of offspring development and their relevance for the pathophysiology of the MIA model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Gundacker
- Department of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Schwarzspanierstrasse, 17, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Laura Cuenca Rico
- Department of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Schwarzspanierstrasse, 17, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Stoehrmann
- Department of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Schwarzspanierstrasse, 17, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Katharina E. Tillmann
- Department of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Schwarzspanierstrasse, 17, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Ulrike Weber-Stadlbauer
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich-Vetsuisse, Zurich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and ETH, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Daniela D. Pollak
- Department of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Schwarzspanierstrasse, 17, 1090 Vienna, Austria
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18
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Teng P, Li Y, Ku L, Wang F, Goldsmith DR, Wen Z, Yao B, Feng Y. The human lncRNA GOMAFU suppresses neuronal interferon response pathways affected in neuropsychiatric diseases. Brain Behav Immun 2023; 112:175-187. [PMID: 37301236 PMCID: PMC10527610 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2023.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play multifaceted roles in regulating brain gene networks. LncRNA abnormalities are thought to underlie the complex etiology of numerous neuropsychiatric disorders. One example is the human lncRNA gene GOMAFU, which is found dysregulated in schizophrenia (SCZ) postmortem brains and harbors genetic variants that contribute to the risk of SCZ. However, transcriptome-wide biological pathways regulated by GOMAFU have not been determined. How GOMAFU dysregulation contributes to SCZ pathogenesis remains elusive. Here we report that GOMAFU is a novel suppressor of human neuronal interferon (IFN) response pathways that are hyperactive in the postmortem SCZ brains. We analyzed recently released transcriptomic profiling datasets in clinically relevant brain areas derived from multiple SCZ cohorts and found brain region-specific dysregulation of GOMAFU. Using CRISPR-Cas9 to delete the GOMAFU promoter in a human neural progenitor cell model, we identified transcriptomic alterations caused by GOMAFU deficiency in pathways commonly affected in postmortem brains of SCZ and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with the most striking effects on upregulation of numerous genes underlying IFN signaling. In addition, expression levels of GOMAFU target genes in the IFN pathway are differentially affected in SCZ brain regions and negatively associated with GOMAFU alterations. Furthermore, acute exposure to IFN-γ causes a rapid decline of GOMAFU and activation of a subclass of GOMAFU targets in stress and immune response pathways that are affected in SCZ brains, which form a highly interactive molecular network. Together, our studies unveiled the first evidence of lncRNA-governed neuronal response pathways to IFN challenge and suggest that GOMAFU dysregulation may mediate environmental risks and contribute to etiological neuroinflammatory responses by brain neurons of neuropsychiatric diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Teng
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, 1510 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - Yangping Li
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, 615 Michael Street, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - Li Ku
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, 1510 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - Feng Wang
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, 615 Michael Street, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - David R Goldsmith
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Zhexing Wen
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States; Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States; Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Bing Yao
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, 615 Michael Street, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States.
| | - Yue Feng
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, 1510 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States.
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19
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Yotova AY, Li LL, O’Leary A, Tegeder I, Reif A, Courtney MJ, Slattery DA, Freudenberg F. Embryonic and adult synaptic proteome perturbations after maternal immune activation: Identification of persistent changes relevant for early intervention. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3100753. [PMID: 37461513 PMCID: PMC10350178 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3100753/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
Maternal infections during pregnancy pose an increased risk for neurodevelopmental psychiatric disorders (NPDs) in the offspring. Here, we examined age- and sex-dependent dynamic changes of the hippocampal synaptic proteome after maternal immune activation (MIA) in embryonic and adult mice. Adult male and female MIA offspring exhibited social deficits and sex-specific depression-like behaviours, among others, validating the model. Furthermore, we observed dose-, age-, and sex-dependent synaptic proteome differences. Analysis of the embryonic synaptic proteome implicates sphingolipid and ketoacid metabolism pathway disruptions during neurodevelopment for NPD-pertinent sequelae. In the embryonic hippocampus, prenatal immune activation also led to changes in neuronal guidance, glycosphingolipid metabolism important for signalling and myelination, and post-translational modification of proteins that regulate intercellular interaction and developmental timing. In adulthood, the observed changes in synaptoneurosomes revealed a dynamic shift toward transmembrane trafficking, intracellular signalling cascades, and hormone-mediated metabolism. Importantly, 68 of the proteins with differential abundance in the embryonic brains of MIA offspring were also altered in adulthood, 75% of which retained their directionality. These proteins are involved in synaptic organisation, neurotransmitter receptor regulation, and the vesicle cycle. A cluster of persistently upregulated proteins, including AKT3, PAK1/3, PPP3CA, formed a functional network enriched in the embryonic brain that is involved in cellular responses to environmental stimuli. To infer a link between the overlapping protein alterations and cognitive and psychiatric traits, we probed human phenome-wise association study data for cognitive and psychiatric phenotypes and all, but PORCN were significantly associated with the investigated domains. Our data provide insights into the dynamic effects of an early prenatal immune activation on developing and mature hippocampi and highlights targets for early intervention in individuals exposed to such immune challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Y. Yotova
- Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Frankfurt, Germany
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Institute of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Li-Li Li
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, 20520 Turku, Finland; Turku Brain and Mind Center, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, 20014, Turku, Finland
| | - Aet O’Leary
- Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Frankfurt, Germany
- Department of Neuropsychopharmacology, Institute of Chemistry, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Irmgard Tegeder
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Andreas Reif
- Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Michael J Courtney
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, 20520 Turku, Finland; Turku Brain and Mind Center, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, 20014, Turku, Finland
| | - David A. Slattery
- Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Florian Freudenberg
- Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Frankfurt, Germany
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Institute of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Frankfurt, Germany
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20
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Alvizi L, Nani D, Brito LA, Kobayashi GS, Passos-Bueno MR, Mayor R. Neural crest E-cadherin loss drives cleft lip/palate by epigenetic modulation via pro-inflammatory gene-environment interaction. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2868. [PMID: 37225711 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38526-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene-environment interactions are believed to play a role in multifactorial phenotypes, although poorly described mechanistically. Cleft lip/palate (CLP), the most common craniofacial malformation, has been associated with both genetic and environmental factors, with little gene-environment interaction experimentally demonstrated. Here, we study CLP families harbouring CDH1/E-Cadherin variants with incomplete penetrance and we explore the association of pro-inflammatory conditions to CLP. By studying neural crest (NC) from mouse, Xenopus and humans, we show that CLP can be explained by a 2-hit model, where NC migration is impaired by a combination of genetic (CDH1 loss-of-function) and environmental (pro-inflammatory activation) factors, leading to CLP. Finally, using in vivo targeted methylation assays, we demonstrate that CDH1 hypermethylation is the major target of the pro-inflammatory response, and a direct regulator of E-cadherin levels and NC migration. These results unveil a gene-environment interaction during craniofacial development and provide a 2-hit mechanism to explain cleft lip/palate aetiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Alvizi
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK.
| | - Diogo Nani
- Centro de Estudos do Genoma Humano e Celulas-Tronco, Departamento de Genetica e Biologia Evolutiva, Instituto de Biociencias, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luciano Abreu Brito
- Centro de Estudos do Genoma Humano e Celulas-Tronco, Departamento de Genetica e Biologia Evolutiva, Instituto de Biociencias, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gerson Shigeru Kobayashi
- Centro de Estudos do Genoma Humano e Celulas-Tronco, Departamento de Genetica e Biologia Evolutiva, Instituto de Biociencias, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria Rita Passos-Bueno
- Centro de Estudos do Genoma Humano e Celulas-Tronco, Departamento de Genetica e Biologia Evolutiva, Instituto de Biociencias, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Roberto Mayor
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK.
- Center for Integrative Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad Mayor, Santiago, Chile.
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21
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Gagliano A, Carta A, Tanca MG, Sotgiu S. Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome: Current Perspectives. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2023; 19:1221-1250. [PMID: 37251418 PMCID: PMC10225150 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s362202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) features a heterogeneous constellation of acute obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), eating restriction, cognitive, behavioral and/or affective symptoms, often followed by a chronic course with cognitive deterioration. An immune-mediated etiology is advocated in which the CNS is hit by different pathogen-driven (auto)immune responses. This narrative review focused on recent clinical (ie, diagnostic criteria, pre-existing neurodevelopmental disorders, neuroimaging) and pathophysiological (ie, CSF, serum, genetic and autoimmune findings) aspects of PANS. We also summarized recent points to facilitate practitioners with the disease management. Relevant literature was obtained from PubMed database which included only English-written, full-text clinical studies, case reports, and reviews. Among a total of 1005 articles, 205 were pertinent to study inclusion. Expert opinions are converging on PANS as the effect of post-infectious events or stressors leading to "brain inflammation", as it is well-established for anti-neuronal psychosis. Interestingly, differentiating PANS from either autoimmune encephalitides and Sydenham's chorea or from alleged "pure" psychiatric disorders (OCD, tics, Tourette's syndrome), reveals several overlaps and more analogies than differences. Our review highlights the need for a comprehensive algorithm to help both patients during their acute distressing phase and physicians during their treatment decision. A full agreement on the hierarchy of each therapeutical intervention is missing owing to the limited number of randomized controlled trials. The current approach to PANS treatment emphasizes immunomodulation/anti-inflammatory treatments in association with both psychotropic and cognitive-behavioral therapies, while antibiotics are suggested when an active bacterial infection is established. A dimensional view, taking into account the multifactorial origin of psychiatric disorders, should suggest neuro-inflammation as a possible shared substrate of different psychiatric phenotypes. Hence, PANS and PANS-related disorders should be considered as a conceptual framework describing the etiological and phenotypical complexity of many psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Gagliano
- Department of Health Science, "Magna Graecia" University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari & "A. Cao" Paediatric Hospital, Child & Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Alessandra Carta
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Unit of Child Neuropsychiatry, Sassari, Italy
| | - Marcello G Tanca
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari & "A. Cao" Paediatric Hospital, Child & Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Stefano Sotgiu
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Unit of Child Neuropsychiatry, Sassari, Italy
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22
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Gong T, Lundholm C, Lundström S, Kuja-Halkola R, Taylor MJ, Almqvist C. Understanding the relationship between asthma and autism spectrum disorder: a population-based family and twin study. Psychol Med 2023; 53:3096-3104. [PMID: 35388771 PMCID: PMC10235668 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291721005158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is some evidence that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) frequently co-occurs with immune-mediated conditions including asthma. We aimed to explore the familial co-aggregation of ASD and asthma using different genetically informed designs. METHODS We first examined familial co-aggregation of asthma and ASD in individuals born in Sweden from 1992 to 2007 (n = 1 569 944), including their full- and half-siblings (n = 1 704 388 and 356 544 pairs) and full cousins (n = 3 921 890 pairs), identified using Swedish register data. We then applied quantitative genetic modeling to siblings (n = 620 994 pairs) and twins who participated in the Child and Adolescent Twin Study in Sweden (n = 15 963 pairs) to estimate the contribution of genetic and environmental factors to the co-aggregation. Finally, we estimated genetic correlations between traits using linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSC). RESULTS We observed a within-individual association [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.33, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.28-1.37] and familial co-aggregation between asthma and ASD, and the magnitude of the associations decreased as the degree of relatedness decreased (full-siblings: OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.38-1.50, maternal half-siblings: OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.18-1.39, paternal half-siblings: OR 1.05, 95% CI 0.96-1.15, full cousins: OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.03-1.09), suggesting shared familial liability. Quantitative genetic models estimated statistically significant genetic correlations between ASD traits and asthma. Using the LDSC approach, we did not find statistically significant genetic correlations between asthma and ASD (coefficients between -0.09 and 0.12). CONCLUSIONS Using different genetically informed designs, we found some evidence of familial co-aggregation between asthma and ASD, suggesting the weak association between these disorders was influenced by shared genetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Gong
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Cecilia Lundholm
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sebastian Lundström
- Centre for Ethics, Lawand Mental Health (CELAM), University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ralf Kuja-Halkola
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mark J. Taylor
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Catarina Almqvist
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Pediatric Allergy and Pulmonology Unit at Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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23
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Yin H, Wang Z, Liu J, Li Y, Liu L, Huang P, Wang W, Shan Z, Sun R, Shen J, Duan L. Dysregulation of immune and metabolism pathways in maternal immune activation induces an increased risk of autism spectrum disorders. Life Sci 2023; 324:121734. [PMID: 37105442 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.121734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Maternal immune activation (MIA) via infection during pregnancy is known to be an environmental risk factor for neurodevelopmental disorders and the development of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in the offspring, but it still remains elusive that the molecular relevance between infection-induced abnormal neurodevelopmental events and an increased risk for ASD development. MAIN METHODS Fully considering the extremely high genetic heterogeneity of ASD and the universality of risk-gene with minimal effect-sizes, the gene and pathway-based association analysis was performed with the transcriptomic and DNA methylation landscapes of temporal human embryonic brain development and ASD, and the time-course transcriptional profiling of MIA. We conducted the transcriptional profiling of mouse abnormal neurodevelopment two days following induced MIA via LPS injection at E10.5. KEY FINDINGS A novel evidence was proved that illustrated altering four immune and metabolism-related risk pathways, including starch and sucrose metabolism, ribosome, protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum, and retrograde endocannabinoid signaling pathway, which were prominent involvement in the process of MIA regulating abnormal fetal brain development to induce an increased risk of ASD. Here, we have observed that almost all key genes within these risk pathways are significantly differentially expressed at embryonic days (E) 10.5-12.5, which is considered to be the optimal coincidence window of mouse embryonic brain development to study the intimate association between MIA and ASD using mouse animal models. SIGNIFICANCE There search establishes that MIA causes dysregulation of immune and metabolic pathways, which leads to abnormal embryonic neurodevelopment, thus promoting development of ASD symptoms in offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huamin Yin
- Central Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China; Institute of Life Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Zhendong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Interventional Pulmonology of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China
| | - Jiaxin Liu
- Institute of Life Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Ying Li
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
| | - Li Liu
- Institute of Life Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Peijun Huang
- Institute of Life Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325015, China
| | - Wenhang Wang
- Institute of Life Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Zhiyan Shan
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
| | - Ruizhen Sun
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
| | - Jingling Shen
- Institute of Life Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China.
| | - Lian Duan
- Central Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China; Institute of Life Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China.
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24
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Cieślik M, Zawadzka A, Czapski GA, Wilkaniec A, Adamczyk A. Developmental Stage-Dependent Changes in Mitochondrial Function in the Brain of Offspring Following Prenatal Maternal Immune Activation. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087243. [PMID: 37108406 PMCID: PMC10138707 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal immune activation (MIA) is an important risk factor for neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism. The aim of the current study was to investigate the development-dependent changes in the mitochondrial function of MIA-exposed offspring, which may contribute to autism-like deficits. MIA was evoked by the single intraperitoneal administration of lipopolysaccharide to pregnant rats at gestation day 9.5, and several aspects of mitochondrial function in fetuses and in the brains of seven-day-old pups and adolescent offspring were analyzed along with oxidative stress parameters measurement. It was found that MIA significantly increased the activity of NADPH oxidase (NOX), an enzyme generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the fetuses and in the brain of seven-day-old pups, but not in the adolescent offspring. Although a lower mitochondrial membrane potential accompanied by a decreased ATP level was already observed in the fetuses and in the brain of seven-day-old pups, persistent alterations of ROS, mitochondrial membrane depolarization, and lower ATP generation with concomitant electron transport chain complexes downregulation were observed only in the adolescent offspring. We suggest that ROS observed in infancy are most likely of a NOX activity origin, whereas in adolescence, ROS are produced by damaged mitochondria. The accumulation of dysfunctional mitochondria leads to the intense release of free radicals that trigger oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, resulting in an interlinked vicious cascade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Cieślik
- Department of Cellular Signalling, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Zawadzka
- Department of Cellular Signalling, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Grzegorz A Czapski
- Department of Cellular Signalling, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Wilkaniec
- Department of Cellular Signalling, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Agata Adamczyk
- Department of Cellular Signalling, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
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25
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Isung J, Isomura K, Williams K, Zhang T, Lichtenstein P, Fernández de la Cruz L, Sidorchuk A, Mataix-Cols D. Association of Primary Immunodeficiencies in Parents With Psychiatric Disorders and Suicidal Behavior in Their Offspring. JAMA Psychiatry 2023; 80:323-330. [PMID: 36723922 PMCID: PMC10077106 DOI: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2022.4786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Importance Maternal immune activation (MIA) leading to altered neurodevelopment in utero is a hypothesized risk factor for psychiatric outcomes in offspring. Primary antibody immunodeficiencies (PIDs) constitute a unique natural experiment to test the MIA hypothesis of mental disorders. Objective To assess the association of maternal and paternal PIDs with psychiatric disorders and suicidal behavior in offspring. Design, Setting, and Participants Cohort study of 4 294 169 offspring of parents with and without PIDs living in Sweden at any time between 1973 and 2013. Data were extracted from Swedish nationwide health and administrative registers and were analyzed from May 5 to September 30, 2022. All individuals with diagnoses of PIDs identified between 1973 and 2013 from the National Patient Register were included. Offspring were included if born before 2003. Parent-offspring pairs in which both parents had a history of PIDs were excluded. Exposures Lifetime records of parental PIDs according to the International Classification of Diseases, Eighth Revision (ICD-8); International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9); and International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) diagnostic codes. Main Outcomes and Measures Lifetime records of 10 psychiatric disorders and suicidal behavior identified using ICD-8, ICD-9, and ICD-10 diagnostic codes, including suicide attempts and death by suicide, among offspring. Covariates included sex, birth year, parental psychopathology, suicide attempts, and autoimmune diseases. Additional analyses excluded offspring with their own PIDs and autoimmune diseases. Poisson regression models were fitted separately for mothers and fathers to estimate incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and 95% CIs for the risk of psychiatric and suicidal behavior outcomes in the offspring of PID-exposed vs PID-unexposed mothers or fathers. Results The cohort included 4 294 169 offspring (2 207 651 males [51.4%]) and 3 954 937 parents (1 987 972 females [50.3%]). A total of 7270 offspring (0.17%) had parents with PIDs, and 4 286 899 offspring had parents without PIDs. In fully adjusted models, offspring of mothers with PIDs had an increased risk of any psychiatric disorder, while no such risks were observed in offspring of fathers with PIDs (IRR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.10-1.25 vs IRR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.94-1.14; P < .001). Likewise, an increased risk of suicidal behavior was observed among offspring of mothers with PIDs but not offspring of fathers with PIDs (IRR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.06-1.36 vs IRR, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.91-1.34; P = .01). For the offspring of mothers with PIDs, the risk of developing any psychiatric disorder was significantly higher for those with mothers with 6 of 10 individual disorders, with IRRs ranging from 1.15 (95% CI, 1.04-1.26) for anxiety and stress-related disorders and 1.15 (95% CI, 1.03-1.30) for substance use disorders to 1.71 (95% CI, 1.37-2.14) for bipolar disorders. Offspring of mothers with both PIDs and autoimmune diseases had the highest risk for any psychiatric disorder (IRR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.11-1.38) and suicidal behavior (IRR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.17-1.78). Conclusions and Relevance Findings of this cohort study suggest that maternal, but not paternal, PIDs were associated with a statistically significant increased risk of psychiatric disorders and suicidal behavior in the offspring, particularly when PIDs co-occur with autoimmune diseases. These findings align with the MIA hypothesis of mental disorders, but the precise mechanisms remain to be elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josef Isung
- Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kayoko Isomura
- Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kyle Williams
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Tianyang Zhang
- Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Paul Lichtenstein
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lorena Fernández de la Cruz
- Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna Sidorchuk
- Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - David Mataix-Cols
- Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
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26
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Usui N, Kobayashi H, Shimada S. Neuroinflammation and Oxidative Stress in the Pathogenesis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065487. [PMID: 36982559 PMCID: PMC10049423 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD) characterized by impairments in social communication, repetitive behaviors, restricted interests, and hyperesthesia/hypesthesia caused by genetic and/or environmental factors. In recent years, inflammation and oxidative stress have been implicated in the pathogenesis of ASD. In this review, we discuss the inflammation and oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of ASD, particularly focusing on maternal immune activation (MIA). MIA is a one of the common environmental risk factors for the onset of ASD during pregnancy. It induces an immune reaction in the pregnant mother’s body, resulting in further inflammation and oxidative stress in the placenta and fetal brain. These negative factors cause neurodevelopmental impairments in the developing fetal brain and subsequently cause behavioral symptoms in the offspring. In addition, we also discuss the effects of anti-inflammatory drugs and antioxidants in basic studies on animals and clinical studies of ASD. Our review provides the latest findings and new insights into the involvements of inflammation and oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noriyoshi Usui
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita 565-0871, Japan
- United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Suita 565-0871, Japan
- Global Center for Medical Engineering and Informatics, Osaka University, Suita 565-0871, Japan
- Addiction Research Unit, Osaka Psychiatric Research Center, Osaka Psychiatric Medical Center, Osaka 541-8567, Japan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-668-79-3124
| | - Hikaru Kobayashi
- SANKEN (Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research), Osaka University, Suita 567-0047, Japan
| | - Shoichi Shimada
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita 565-0871, Japan
- United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Suita 565-0871, Japan
- Global Center for Medical Engineering and Informatics, Osaka University, Suita 565-0871, Japan
- Addiction Research Unit, Osaka Psychiatric Research Center, Osaka Psychiatric Medical Center, Osaka 541-8567, Japan
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27
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Arteaga-Henríquez G, Gisbert L, Ramos-Quiroga JA. Immunoregulatory and/or Anti-inflammatory Agents for the Management of Core and Associated Symptoms in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Narrative Review of Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trials. CNS Drugs 2023; 37:215-229. [PMID: 36913130 PMCID: PMC10024667 DOI: 10.1007/s40263-023-00993-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental condition with a so far poorly understood underlying pathogenesis, and few effective therapies for core symptoms. Accumulating evidence supports an association between ASD and immune/inflammatory processes, arising as a possible pathway for new drug intervention. However, current literature on the efficacy of immunoregulatory/anti-inflammatory interventions on ASD symptoms is still limited. The aim of this narrative review was to summarize and discuss the latest evidence on the use of immunoregulatory and/or anti-inflammatory agents for the management of this condition. During the last 10 years, several randomized, placebo-controlled trials on the effectiveness of (add-on) treatment with prednisolone, pregnenolone, celecoxib, minocycline, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), sulforaphane (SFN), and/or omega-3 fatty acids have been performed. Overall, a beneficial effect of prednisolone, pregnenolone, celecoxib, and/or omega-3 fatty acids on several core symptoms, such as stereotyped behavior, was found. (Add-on) treatment with prednisolone, pregnenolone, celecoxib, minocycline, NAC, SFN, and/or omega-3 fatty acids was also associated with a significantly higher improvement in other symptoms, such as irritability, hyperactivity, and/or lethargy when compared with placebo. The mechanisms by which these agents exert their action and improve symptoms of ASD are not fully understood. Interestingly, studies have suggested that all these agents may suppress microglial/monocyte proinflammatory activation and also restore several immune cell imbalances (e.g., T regulatory/T helper-17 cell imbalances), decreasing the levels of proinflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-6 and/or IL-17A, both in the blood and in the brain of individuals with ASD. Although encouraging, the performance of larger randomized placebo-controlled trials, including more homogeneous populations, dosages, and longer periods of follow-up, are urgently needed in order to confirm the findings and to provide stronger evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gara Arteaga-Henríquez
- Department of Mental Health, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Passeig de la Vall d'Hebron, 119-129, 08035, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Group of Psychiatry, Mental Health and Addictions, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Biomedical Network Research Centre on Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- NCRR-The National Center for Register-Based Research, Aahrus University, Aahrus, Denmark
| | - Laura Gisbert
- Department of Mental Health, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Passeig de la Vall d'Hebron, 119-129, 08035, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Group of Psychiatry, Mental Health and Addictions, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Biomedical Network Research Centre on Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Josep Antoni Ramos-Quiroga
- Department of Mental Health, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Passeig de la Vall d'Hebron, 119-129, 08035, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
- Group of Psychiatry, Mental Health and Addictions, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
- Biomedical Network Research Centre on Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
- Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
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28
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Rieger NS, Ng AJ, Lee S, Brady BH, Christianson JP. Maternal immune activation alters social affective behavior and sensitivity to corticotropin releasing factor in male but not female rats. Horm Behav 2023; 149:105313. [PMID: 36706685 PMCID: PMC9974777 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2023.105313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Prenatal infection increases risk for neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism in offspring. In rodents, prenatal administration of the viral mimic Polyinosinic: polycytidylic acid (Poly I: C) allows for investigation of developmental consequences of gestational sickness on offspring social behavior and neural circuit function. Because maternal immune activation (MIA) disrupts cortical development and sociability, we examined approach and avoidance in a rat social affective preference (SAP) task. Following maternal Poly I:C (0.5 mg/kg) injection on gestational day 12.5, male adult offspring (PN 60-64) exhibited atypical social interactions with stressed conspecifics whereas female SAP behavior was unaffected by maternal Poly I:C. Social responses to stressed conspecifics depend upon the insular cortex where corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) modulates synaptic transmission and SAP behavior. We characterized insular field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSP) in adult offspring of Poly I:C or control treated dams. Male MIA offspring showed decreased sensitivity to CRF (300 nM) while female MIA offspring showed greater sensitivity to CRF compared to sham offspring. These sex specific effects appear to be behaviorally relevant as CRF injected into the insula of male and female rats prior to social exploration testing had no effect in MIA male offspring but increased social interaction in female MIA offspring. We examined the cellular distribution of CRF receptor mRNA but found no effect of maternal Poly I:C in the insula. Together, these experiments reveal sex specific effects of prenatal infection on offspring responses to social affective stimuli and identify insular CRF signaling as a novel neurobiological substrate for autism risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathaniel S Rieger
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Avenue, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA
| | - Alexandra J Ng
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Avenue, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA
| | - Shanon Lee
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Avenue, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA
| | - Bridget H Brady
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Avenue, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA
| | - John P Christianson
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Avenue, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA.
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29
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Maternal Immune Activation Induced by Prenatal Lipopolysaccharide Exposure Leads to Long-Lasting Autistic-like Social, Cognitive and Immune Alterations in Male Wistar Rats. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043920. [PMID: 36835329 PMCID: PMC9968168 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Several studies have supported the association between maternal immune activation (MIA) caused by exposure to pathogens or inflammation during critical periods of gestation and an increased susceptibility to the development of various psychiatric and neurological disorders, including autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), in the offspring. In the present work, we aimed to provide extensive characterization of the short- and long-term consequences of MIA in the offspring, both at the behavioral and immunological level. To this end, we exposed Wistar rat dams to Lipopolysaccharide and tested the infant, adolescent and adult offspring across several behavioral domains relevant to human psychopathological traits. Furthermore, we also measured plasmatic inflammatory markers both at adolescence and adulthood. Our results support the hypothesis of a deleterious impact of MIA on the neurobehavioral development of the offspring: we found deficits in the communicative, social and cognitive domains, together with stereotypic-like behaviors and an altered inflammatory profile at the systemic level. Although the precise mechanisms underlying the role of neuroinflammatory states in neurodevelopment need to be clarified, this study contributes to a better understanding of the impact of MIA on the risk of developing behavioral deficits and psychiatric illness in the offspring.
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Linke AC, Chen B, Olson L, Ibarra C, Fong C, Reynolds S, Apostol M, Kinnear M, Müller RA, Fishman I. Sleep Problems in Preschoolers With Autism Spectrum Disorder Are Associated With Sensory Sensitivities and Thalamocortical Overconnectivity. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY. COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2023; 8:21-31. [PMID: 34343726 PMCID: PMC9826645 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2021.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Projections between the thalamus and sensory cortices are established early in development and play an important role in regulating sleep as well as in relaying sensory information to the cortex. Atypical thalamocortical functional connectivity frequently observed in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) might therefore be linked to sensory and sleep problems common in ASD. METHODS Here, we investigated the relationship between auditory-thalamic functional connectivity measured during natural sleep functional magnetic resonance imaging, sleep problems, and sound sensitivities in 70 toddlers and preschoolers (1.5-5 years old) with ASD compared with a matched group of 46 typically developing children. RESULTS In children with ASD, sleep problems and sensory sensitivities were positively correlated, and increased sleep latency was associated with overconnectivity between the thalamus and auditory cortex in a subsample with high-quality magnetic resonance imaging data (n = 29). In addition, auditory cortex blood oxygen level-dependent signal amplitude was elevated in children with ASD, potentially reflecting reduced sensory gating or a lack of auditory habituation during natural sleep. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate that atypical thalamocortical functional connectivity can be detected early in development and may play a crucial role in sleep problems and sensory sensitivities in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annika Carola Linke
- Brain Development Imaging Laboratories, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California.
| | - Bosi Chen
- Brain Development Imaging Laboratories, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California; San Diego State University/University of California San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego, California
| | - Lindsay Olson
- Brain Development Imaging Laboratories, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California; San Diego State University/University of California San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego, California
| | - Cynthia Ibarra
- Brain Development Imaging Laboratories, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California
| | - Chris Fong
- Brain Development Imaging Laboratories, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California; San Diego State University/University of California San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego, California
| | - Sarah Reynolds
- Brain Development Imaging Laboratories, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California
| | - Michael Apostol
- Brain Development Imaging Laboratories, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California
| | - Mikaela Kinnear
- Brain Development Imaging Laboratories, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California
| | - Ralph-Axel Müller
- Brain Development Imaging Laboratories, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California; San Diego State University/University of California San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego, California; SDSU Center for Autism and Developmental Disorders, San Diego, California
| | - Inna Fishman
- Brain Development Imaging Laboratories, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California; San Diego State University/University of California San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego, California; SDSU Center for Autism and Developmental Disorders, San Diego, California
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McEwan F, Glazier JD, Hager R. The impact of maternal immune activation on embryonic brain development. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1146710. [PMID: 36950133 PMCID: PMC10025352 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1146710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The adult brain is a complex structure with distinct functional sub-regions, which are generated from an initial pool of neural epithelial cells within the embryo. This transition requires a number of highly coordinated processes, including neurogenesis, i.e., the generation of neurons, and neuronal migration. These take place during a critical period of development, during which the brain is particularly susceptible to environmental insults. Neurogenesis defects have been associated with the pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), such as autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia. However, these disorders have highly complex multifactorial etiologies, and hence the underlying mechanisms leading to aberrant neurogenesis continue to be the focus of a significant research effort and have yet to be established. Evidence from epidemiological studies suggests that exposure to maternal infection in utero is a critical risk factor for NDDs. To establish the biological mechanisms linking maternal immune activation (MIA) and altered neurodevelopment, animal models have been developed that allow experimental manipulation and investigation of different developmental stages of brain development following exposure to MIA. Here, we review the changes to embryonic brain development focusing on neurogenesis, neuronal migration and cortical lamination, following MIA. Across published studies, we found evidence for an acute proliferation defect in the embryonic MIA brain, which, in most cases, is linked to an acceleration in neurogenesis, demonstrated by an increased proportion of neurogenic to proliferative divisions. This is accompanied by disrupted cortical lamination, particularly in the density of deep layer neurons, which may be a consequence of the premature neurogenic shift. Although many aspects of the underlying pathways remain unclear, an altered epigenome and mitochondrial dysfunction are likely mechanisms underpinning disrupted neurogenesis in the MIA model. Further research is necessary to delineate the causative pathways responsible for the variation in neurogenesis phenotype following MIA, which are likely due to differences in timing of MIA induction as well as sex-dependent variation. This will help to better understand the underlying pathogenesis of NDDs, and establish therapeutic targets.
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Bucknor MC, Gururajan A, Dale RC, Hofer MJ. A comprehensive approach to modeling maternal immune activation in rodents. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:1071976. [PMID: 36590294 PMCID: PMC9800799 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.1071976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Prenatal brain development is a highly orchestrated process, making it a very vulnerable window to perturbations. Maternal stress and subsequent inflammation during pregnancy leads to a state referred to as, maternal immune activation (MIA). If persistent, MIA can pose as a significant risk factor for the manifestation of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) such as autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia. To further elucidate this association between MIA and NDD risk, rodent models have been used extensively across laboratories for many years. However, there are few uniform approaches for rodent MIA models which make not only comparisons between studies difficult, but some established approaches come with limitations that can affect experimental outcomes. Here, we provide researchers with a comprehensive review of common experimental variables and potential limitations that should be considered when designing an MIA study based in a rodent model. Experimental variables discussed include: innate immune stimulation using poly I:C and LPS, environmental gestational stress paradigms, rodent diet composition and sterilization, rodent strain, neonatal handling, and the inclusion of sex-specific MIA offspring analyses. We discuss how some aspects of these variables have potential to make a profound impact on MIA data interpretation and reproducibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan C. Bucknor
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Anand Gururajan
- The Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Russell C. Dale
- The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Kids Neuroscience Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia,The Children’s Hospital at Westmead Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Markus J. Hofer
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia,*Correspondence: Markus J. Hofer,
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Boktor JC, Adame MD, Rose DR, Schumann CM, Murray KD, Bauman MD, Careaga M, Mazmanian SK, Ashwood P, Needham BD. Global metabolic profiles in a non-human primate model of maternal immune activation: implications for neurodevelopmental disorders. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:4959-4973. [PMID: 36028571 PMCID: PMC9772216 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01752-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Epidemiological evidence implicates severe maternal infections as risk factors for neurodevelopmental disorders, such as ASD and schizophrenia. Accordingly, animal models mimicking infection during pregnancy, including the maternal immune activation (MIA) model, result in offspring with neurobiological, behavioral, and metabolic phenotypes relevant to human neurodevelopmental disorders. Most of these studies have been performed in rodents. We sought to better understand the molecular signatures characterizing the MIA model in an organism more closely related to humans, rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta), by evaluating changes in global metabolic profiles in MIA-exposed offspring. Herein, we present the global metabolome in six peripheral tissues (plasma, cerebrospinal fluid, three regions of intestinal mucosa scrapings, and feces) from 13 MIA and 10 control offspring that were confirmed to display atypical neurodevelopment, elevated immune profiles, and neuropathology. Differences in lipid, amino acid, and nucleotide metabolism discriminated these MIA and control samples, with correlations of specific metabolites to behavior scores as well as to cytokine levels in plasma, intestinal, and brain tissues. We also observed modest changes in fecal and intestinal microbial profiles, and identify differential metabolomic profiles within males and females. These findings support a connection between maternal immune activation and the metabolism, microbiota, and behavioral traits of offspring, and may further the translational applications of the MIA model and the advancement of biomarkers for neurodevelopmental disorders such as ASD or schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph C Boktor
- Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Mark D Adame
- Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Destanie R Rose
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
- The M.I.N.D. Institute, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
| | - Cynthia M Schumann
- The M.I.N.D. Institute, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
| | - Karl D Murray
- The M.I.N.D. Institute, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
| | - Melissa D Bauman
- The M.I.N.D. Institute, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
| | - Milo Careaga
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
- The M.I.N.D. Institute, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
| | - Sarkis K Mazmanian
- Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Paul Ashwood
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
- The M.I.N.D. Institute, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.
| | - Brittany D Needham
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology & Physiology, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
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Duan L, Liu J, Yin H, Wang W, Liu L, Shen J, Wang Z. Dynamic changes in spatiotemporal transcriptome reveal maternal immune dysregulation of autism spectrum disorder. Comput Biol Med 2022; 151:106334. [PMID: 36442276 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2022.106334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Maternal immune activation (MIA) during pregnancy is known to be an environmental risk factor for neurodevelopment and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, it is unclear at which fetal brain developmental windows and regions MIA induces ASD-related neurodevelopmental transcriptional abnormalities. The non-chasm differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in MIA inducing ASD during fetal brain developmental windows were identified by performing the differential expression analysis and comparing the common DEGs among MIA at four different gestational development windows, ASD with multiple brain regions from human patients and mouse models, and human and mouse embryonic brain developmental trajectory. The gene set and functional enrichment analyses were performing to identify MIA dysregulated ASD-related the fetal neurodevelopmental windows and brain regions and function annotations. Additionally, the networks were constructed using Cytoscape for visualization. MIA at E12.5 and E14.5 increased the risk of distinct brain regions for ASD. MIA-driven transcriptional alterations of non-chasm DEGs, during the coincidence brain developmental windows between human and mice, involving ASD-relevant synaptic components, as well as immune- and metabolism-related functions and pathways. Furthermore, a great number of non-chasm brain development-, immune-, and metabolism-related DEGs were overlapped in at least two existing ASD-associated databases, suggesting that the others could be considered as the candidate targets to construct the model mice for explaining the pathological changes of ASD when environmental factors (MIA) and gene mutation effects co-occur. Overall, our search supported that transcriptome-based MIA dysregulated the brain development-, immune-, and metabolism-related non-chasm DEGs at specific embryonic brain developmental window and region, leading to abnormal embryonic neurodevelopment, to induce the increasing risk of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lian Duan
- Central Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China; Institute of Life Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Chashan University Town, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Jiaxin Liu
- Institute of Life Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Chashan University Town, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Huamin Yin
- Institute of Life Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Chashan University Town, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Wenhang Wang
- Institute of Life Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Chashan University Town, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Li Liu
- Institute of Life Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Chashan University Town, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Jingling Shen
- Institute of Life Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Chashan University Town, Wenzhou, 325035, China.
| | - Zhendong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Interventional Pulmonology of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China.
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Activation of the Monocyte/Macrophage System and Abnormal Blood Levels of Lymphocyte Subpopulations in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232214329. [PMID: 36430805 PMCID: PMC9699353 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232214329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition with a so far unknown etiology. Increasing evidence suggests that a state of systemic low-grade inflammation may be involved in the pathophysiology of this condition. However, studies investigating peripheral blood levels of immune cells, and/or of immune cell activation markers such as neopterin are lacking and have provided mixed findings. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies comparing total and differential white blood cell (WBC) counts, blood levels of lymphocyte subpopulations and of neopterin between individuals with ASD and typically developing (TD) controls (PROSPERO registration number: CRD CRD42019146472). Online searches covered publications from 1 January 1994 until 1 March 2022. Out of 1170 publication records identified, 25 studies were finally included. Random-effects meta-analyses were carried out, and sensitivity analyses were performed to control for potential moderators. Results: Individuals with ASD showed a significantly higher WBC count (k = 10, g = 0.29, p = 0.001, I2 = 34%), significantly higher levels of neutrophils (k = 6, g = 0.29, p = 0.005, I2 = 31%), monocytes (k = 11, g = 0.35, p < 0.001, I2 = 54%), NK cells (k = 7, g = 0.36, p = 0.037, I2 = 67%), Tc cells (k = 4, g = 0.73, p = 0.021, I2 = 82%), and a significantly lower Th/Tc cells ratio (k = 3, g = −0.42, p = 0.008, I2 = 0%), compared to TD controls. Subjects with ASD were also characterized by a significantly higher neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (k = 4, g = 0.69, p = 0.040, I2 = 90%), and significantly higher neopterin levels (k = 3, g = 1.16, p = 0.001, I2 = 97%) compared to TD controls. No significant differences were found with respect to the levels of lymphocytes, B cells, Th cells, Treg cells, and Th17 cells. Sensitivity analysis suggested that the findings for monocyte and neutrophil levels were robust, and independent of other factors, such as medication status, diagnostic criteria applied, and/or the difference in age or sex between subjects with ASD and TD controls. Taken together, our findings suggest the existence of a chronically (and systemically) activated inflammatory response system in, at least, a subgroup of individuals with ASD. This might have not only diagnostic, but also, therapeutic implications. However, larger longitudinal studies including more homogeneous samples and laboratory assessment methods and recording potential confounding factors such as body mass index, or the presence of comorbid psychiatric and/or medical conditions are urgently needed to confirm the findings.
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Kwok J, Hall HA, Murray AL, Lombardo MV, Auyeung B. Maternal infections during pregnancy and child cognitive outcomes. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2022; 22:848. [PMCID: PMC9670450 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-022-05188-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Maternal prenatal infections have been linked to children’s neurodevelopment and cognitive outcomes. It remains unclear, however, whether infections occurring during specific vulnerable gestational periods can affect children’s cognitive outcomes. The study aimed to examine maternal infections in each trimester of pregnancy and associations with children’s developmental and intelligence quotients. The ALSPAC birth cohort was used to investigate associations between maternal infections in pregnancy and child cognitive outcomes.
Methods
Infection data from mothers and cognition data from children were included with the final study sample size comprising 7,410 mother-child participants. Regression analysis was used to examine links between maternal infections occurring at each trimester of pregnancy and children’s cognition at 18 months, 4 years, and 8 years.
Results
Infections in the third trimester were significantly associated with decreased verbal IQ at age 4 (p < .05, adjusted R2 = 0.004); decreased verbal IQ (p < .01, adjusted R2 = 0.001), performance IQ (p < .01, adjusted R2 = 0.0008), and total IQ at age 8 (p < .01, adjusted R2 = 0.001).
Conclusion
Results suggest that maternal infections in the third trimester could have a latent effect on cognitive development, only emerging when cognitive load increases over time, though magnitude of effect appears to be small. Performance IQ may be more vulnerable to trimester-specific exposure to maternal infection as compared to verbal IQ. Future research could include examining potential mediating mechanisms on childhood cognition, such as possible moderating effects of early childhood environmental factors, and if effects persist in future cognitive outcomes.
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Recent Developments in Autism Genetic Research: A Scientometric Review from 2018 to 2022. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13091646. [PMID: 36140813 PMCID: PMC9498399 DOI: 10.3390/genes13091646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic research in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has progressed tremendously in recent decades. Dozens of genetic loci and hundreds of alterations in the genetic sequence, expression, epigenetic transformation, and interactions with other physiological and environmental systems have been found to increase the likelihood of developing ASD. There is therefore a need to represent this wide-ranging yet voluminous body of literature in a systematic manner so that this information can be synthesised and understood at a macro level. Therefore, this study made use of scientometric methods, particularly document co-citation analysis (DCA), to systematically review literature on ASD genetic research from 2018 to 2022. A total of 14,818 articles were extracted from Scopus and analyzed with CiteSpace. An optimized DCA analysis revealed that recent literature on ASD genetic research can be broadly organised into 12 major clusters representing various sub-topics. These clusters are briefly described in the manuscript and potential applications of this study are discussed.
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Pavlinek A, Matuleviciute R, Sichlinger L, Dutan Polit L, Armeniakos N, Vernon AC, Srivastava DP. Interferon-γ exposure of human iPSC-derived neurons alters major histocompatibility complex I and synapsin protein expression. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:836217. [PMID: 36186864 PMCID: PMC9515429 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.836217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Human epidemiological data links maternal immune activation (MIA) during gestation with increased risk for psychiatric disorders with a putative neurodevelopmental origin, including schizophrenia and autism. Animal models of MIA provide evidence for this association and suggest that inflammatory cytokines represent one critical link between maternal infection and any potential impact on offspring brain and behavior development. However, to what extent specific cytokines are necessary and sufficient for these effects remains unclear. It is also unclear how specific cytokines may impact the development of specific cell types. Using a human cellular model, we recently demonstrated that acute exposure to interferon-γ (IFNγ) recapitulates molecular and cellular phenotypes associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. Here, we extend this work to test whether IFNγ can impact the development of immature glutamatergic neurons using an induced neuronal cellular system. We find that acute exposure to IFNγ activates a signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1)-pathway in immature neurons, and results in significantly increased major histocompatibility complex I (MHCI) expression at the mRNA and protein level. Furthermore, acute IFNγ exposure decreased synapsin I/II protein in neurons but did not affect the expression of synaptic genes. Interestingly, complement component 4A (C4A) gene expression was significantly increased following acute IFNγ exposure. This study builds on our previous work by showing that IFNγ-mediated disruption of relevant synaptic proteins can occur at early stages of neuronal development, potentially contributing to neurodevelopmental disorder phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Pavlinek
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rugile Matuleviciute
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Sichlinger
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lucia Dutan Polit
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nikolaos Armeniakos
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anthony Christopher Vernon
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Deepak Prakash Srivastava
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
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Fan X, Xie F, Zhang L, Tong C, Zhang Z. Identification of immune-related ferroptosis prognostic marker and in-depth bioinformatics exploration of multi-omics mechanisms in thyroid cancer. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:961450. [PMID: 36060256 PMCID: PMC9428456 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.961450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Factors such as variations in thyroid carcinoma (THCA) gene characteristics could influence the clinical outcome. Ferroptosis and immunity have been verified to play an essential role in various cancers, and could affect the cancer patients’ prognosis. However, their relationship to the progression and prognosis of many types of THCA remains unclear. Methods: First, we extracted prognosis-related immune-related genes and ferroptosis-related genes from 2 databases for co-expression analysis to obtain prognosis-related differentially expressed immune-related ferroptosis genes (PR-DE-IRFeGs), and screened BID and CDKN2A for building a prognostic model. Subsequently, multiple validation methods were used to test the model’s performance and compare its performance with other 4 external models. Then, we explored the mechanism of immunity and ferroptosis in the occurrence, development and prognosis of THCA from the perspectives of anti-tumor immunity, CDKN2A-related competitive endogenous RNA regulatory, copy number variations and high frequency gene mutation. Finally, we evaluated this model’s clinical practice value. Results: BID and CDKN2A were identified as prognostic risk and protective factors, respectively. External data and qRT-PCR experiment also validated their differential expression. The model’s excellent performance has been repeatedly verified and outperformed other models. Risk scores were significantly associated with most immune cells/functions. Risk score/2 PR-DE-IRFeGs expression was strongly associated with BRAF/NRAS/HRAS mutation. Single copy number deletion of CDKN2A is associated with upregulation of CDKN2A expression and worse prognosis. The predicted regulatory network consisting of CYTOR, hsa-miRNA-873-5p and CDKN2A was shown to significantly affect prognosis. The model and corresponding nomogram have been shown to have excellent clinical practice value. Conclusion: The model can effectively predict the THCA patients’ prognosis and guide clinical treatment. Ferroptosis and immunity may be involved in the THCA’s progression through antitumor immunity and BRAF/NRAS/HRAS mutation. CYTOR-hsa-miRNA-873-5p-CDKN2A regulatory networks and single copy number deletion of CDKN2A may also affect THCA′ progression and prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Fan
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Fei Xie
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Lingling Zhang
- School of Stomatology, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Chang Tong
- Pediatric Medical School, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Zhiyuan Zhang
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- *Correspondence: Zhiyuan Zhang,
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40
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Fonager SV, Winther G, Wittenborn TR, Jensen L, Fahlquist-Hagert C, Hansen LA, Füchtbauer EM, Romero-Ramos M, Degn SE. Increased maternofoetal transfer of antibodies in a murine model of systemic lupus erythematosus, but no immune activation and neuroimmune sequelae in offspring. J Neuroimmunol 2022; 370:577927. [PMID: 35858501 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2022.577927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Maternally transferred autoantibodies can negatively impact the development and health of offspring, increasing the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders. We used embryo transfers to examine maternofoetal immune imprinting in the autoimmune BXSB/MpJ mouse model. Anti-double-stranded DNA antibodies and total immunoglobulins were measured, using allotypes of the IgG subclass to distinguish maternally transferred antibodies from those produced endogenously. Frequencies of germinal center and plasma cells were analysed by flow cytometry. Microglial morphology in offspring CNS was assessed using immunohistochemistry. In contrast to prior findings, our results indicate that BXSB/MpJ mothers display a mild autoimmune phenotype, which does not significantly impact the offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofie Vestergaard Fonager
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Denmark; Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Marina Romero-Ramos
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Denmark; DANDRITE, Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience, Aarhus University, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
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41
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Yu T, Chang KC, Kuo PL. Paternal and maternal psychiatric disorders associated with offspring autism spectrum disorders: A case-control study. J Psychiatr Res 2022; 151:469-475. [PMID: 35609363 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
A family history of psychiatric diseases was suggested as one risk factor for autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Our aim was to assess the association of paternal and maternal diagnosis of psychiatric disorders with the risk of ASD in offspring in Taiwan. We conducted a population-based case-control study. Using several linked national databases, we obtained 1,000,939 singleton birth records born between 2004 and 2008. We followed these children up to 2015 for cases of ASD, using diagnostic codes in the National Health Insurance databases. There were 8,933 ASD cases and each case was matched to ten controls by sex and year of birth. We extracted their parental diagnosis of psychiatric disorders and performed conditional logistic regression models to assess the association of interest. Our sample included 8,933 cases and 89,330 controls. Eighty-six percent of the sample were boys. After adjustment for parental age, family income, and urbanization, we found that parental psychiatric diseases were significantly associated with ASD, including schizophrenic and psychotic disorders, mood, anxiety and personality disorders, with adjusted odds ratios ranging from 1.32 to 2.39. Notably, the effect estimates were all larger for maternal diagnosis than paternal diagnosis when stratified by mothers or fathers. Cases of ASD are more likely to be born to parents with psychiatric disorders than their counterparts. Maternal psychiatric diagnosis seems to have a larger influence than paternal diagnosis. Both genetics and maternal environmental factors may contribute to the association observed between parental psychiatric diseases and child ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsung Yu
- Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, 1 University Rd., East Dist, Tainan, 701401, Taiwan
| | - Kun-Chia Chang
- Jianan Psychiatric Center, Ministry of Health and Welfare, 539 Yuzhong Rd, Rende Dist., Tainan, 717204, Taiwan; Department of Natural Biotechnology, Nan Hua University, 55, Sec. 1, Nanhua Rd, Dalin Township, Chiayi, 622301, Taiwan.
| | - Pao-Lin Kuo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, 1 University Rd., East Dist, Tainan, 701401, Taiwan
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Trifiletti R, Lachman HM, Manusama O, Zheng D, Spalice A, Chiurazzi P, Schornagel A, Serban AM, van Wijck R, Cunningham JL, Swagemakers S, van der Spek PJ. Identification of ultra-rare genetic variants in pediatric acute onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) by exome and whole genome sequencing. Sci Rep 2022; 12:11106. [PMID: 35773312 PMCID: PMC9246359 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-15279-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abrupt onset of severe neuropsychiatric symptoms including obsessive-compulsive disorder, tics, anxiety, mood swings, irritability, and restricted eating is described in children with Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS). Symptom onset is often temporally associated with infections, suggesting an underlying autoimmune/autoinflammatory etiology, although direct evidence is often lacking. The pathological mechanisms are likely heterogeneous, but we hypothesize convergence on one or more biological pathways. Consequently, we conducted whole exome sequencing (WES) on a U.S. cohort of 386 cases, and whole genome sequencing (WGS) on ten cases from the European Union who were selected because of severe PANS. We focused on identifying potentially deleterious genetic variants that were de novo or ultra-rare (MAF) < 0.001. Candidate mutations were found in 11 genes (PPM1D, SGCE, PLCG2, NLRC4, CACNA1B, SHANK3, CHK2, GRIN2A, RAG1, GABRG2, and SYNGAP1) in 21 cases, which included two or more unrelated subjects with ultra-rare variants in four genes. These genes converge into two broad functional categories. One regulates peripheral immune responses and microglia (PPM1D, CHK2, NLRC4, RAG1, PLCG2). The other is expressed primarily at neuronal synapses (SHANK3, SYNGAP1, GRIN2A, GABRG2, CACNA1B, SGCE). Mutations in these neuronal genes are also described in autism spectrum disorder and myoclonus-dystonia. In fact, 12/21 cases developed PANS superimposed on a preexisting neurodevelopmental disorder. Genes in both categories are also highly expressed in the enteric nervous system and the choroid plexus. Thus, genetic variation in PANS candidate genes may function by disrupting peripheral and central immune functions, neurotransmission, and/or the blood-CSF/brain barriers following stressors such as infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Herbert M Lachman
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
| | - Olivia Manusama
- Department of Immunology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Deyou Zheng
- Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Alberto Spalice
- Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Neurology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Pietro Chiurazzi
- Sezione di Medicina Genomica, Dipartimento Scienze della Vita e Sanità Pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
- Dipartimento Scienze di Laboratorio e Infettivologiche, UOC Genetica Medica, Rome, Italy
| | - Allan Schornagel
- GGZ-Delfland, Kinderpraktijk Zoetermeer, Zoetermeer, The Netherlands
| | - Andreea M Serban
- Department of Pathology and Clinical Bioinformatics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rogier van Wijck
- Department of Pathology and Clinical Bioinformatics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Janet L Cunningham
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychiatry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sigrid Swagemakers
- Department of Pathology and Clinical Bioinformatics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Peter J van der Spek
- Department of Pathology and Clinical Bioinformatics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Arpi MNT, Simpson TI. SFARI genes and where to find them; modelling Autism Spectrum Disorder specific gene expression dysregulation with RNA-seq data. Sci Rep 2022; 12:10158. [PMID: 35710789 PMCID: PMC9203566 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-14077-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) have a strong, yet heterogeneous, genetic component. Among the various methods that are being developed to help reveal the underlying molecular aetiology of the disease one approach that is gaining popularity is the combination of gene expression and clinical genetic data, often using the SFARI-gene database, which comprises lists of curated genes considered to have causative roles in ASD when mutated in patients. We build a gene co-expression network to study the relationship between ASD-specific transcriptomic data and SFARI genes and then analyse it at different levels of granularity. No significant evidence is found of association between SFARI genes and differential gene expression patterns when comparing ASD samples to a control group, nor statistical enrichment of SFARI genes in gene co-expression network modules that have a strong correlation with ASD diagnosis. However, classification models that incorporate topological information from the whole ASD-specific gene co-expression network can predict novel SFARI candidate genes that share features of existing SFARI genes and have support for roles in ASD in the literature. A statistically significant association is also found between the absolute level of gene expression and SFARI's genes and Scores, which can confound the analysis if uncorrected. We propose a novel approach to correct for this that is general enough to be applied to other problems affected by continuous sources of bias. It was found that only co-expression network analyses that integrate information from the whole network are able to reveal signatures linked to ASD diagnosis and novel candidate genes for the study of ASD, which individual gene or module analyses fail to do. It was also found that the influence of SFARI genes permeates not only other ASD scoring systems, but also lists of genes believed to be involved in other neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - T Ian Simpson
- School of Informatics, University of Edinburgh, 10 Crichton Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9AB, UK. .,Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain (SIDB), Centre for Brain Discovery Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
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Drongitis D, Caterino M, Verrillo L, Santonicola P, Costanzo M, Poeta L, Attianese B, Barra A, Terrone G, Lioi MB, Paladino S, Di Schiavi E, Costa V, Ruoppolo M, Miano MG. Deregulation of microtubule organization and RNA metabolism in Arx models for lissencephaly and developmental epileptic encephalopathy. Hum Mol Genet 2022; 31:1884-1908. [PMID: 35094084 PMCID: PMC9169459 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddac028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
X-linked lissencephaly with abnormal genitalia (XLAG) and developmental epileptic encephalopathy-1 (DEE1) are caused by mutations in the Aristaless-related homeobox (ARX) gene, which encodes a transcription factor responsible for brain development. It has been unknown whether the phenotypically diverse XLAG and DEE1 phenotypes may converge on shared pathways. To address this question, a label-free quantitative proteomic approach was applied to the neonatal brain of Arx knockout (ArxKO/Y) and knock-in polyalanine (Arx(GCG)7/Y) mice that are respectively models for XLAG and DEE1. Gene ontology and protein-protein interaction analysis revealed that cytoskeleton, protein synthesis and splicing control are deregulated in an allelic-dependent manner. Decreased α-tubulin content was observed both in Arx mice and Arx/alr-1(KO) Caenorhabditis elegans ,and a disorganized neurite network in murine primary neurons was consistent with an allelic-dependent secondary tubulinopathy. As distinct features of Arx(GCG)7/Y mice, we detected eIF4A2 overexpression and translational suppression in cortex and primary neurons. Allelic-dependent differences were also established in alternative splicing (AS) regulated by PUF60 and SAM68. Abnormal AS repertoires in Neurexin-1, a gene encoding multiple pre-synaptic organizers implicated in synaptic remodelling, were detected in Arx/alr-1(KO) animals and in Arx(GCG)7/Y epileptogenic brain areas and depolarized cortical neurons. Consistent with a conserved role of ARX in modulating AS, we propose that the allelic-dependent secondary synaptopathy results from an aberrant Neurexin-1 repertoire. Overall, our data reveal alterations mirroring the overlapping and variant effects caused by null and polyalanine expanded mutations in ARX. The identification of these effects can aid in the design of pathway-guided therapy for ARX endophenotypes and NDDs with overlapping comorbidities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise Drongitis
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics ``Adriano Buzzati-Traverso'', National Research Council of Italy, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Marianna Caterino
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy
- CEINGE - Biotecnologie Avanzate s.c.a.r.l., 80145 Naples, Italy
| | - Lucia Verrillo
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics ``Adriano Buzzati-Traverso'', National Research Council of Italy, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Pamela Santonicola
- Institute of Biosciences and BioResources, National Research Council of Italy, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Michele Costanzo
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy
- CEINGE - Biotecnologie Avanzate s.c.a.r.l., 80145 Naples, Italy
| | - Loredana Poeta
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics ``Adriano Buzzati-Traverso'', National Research Council of Italy, 80131, Naples, Italy
- Department of Science, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Benedetta Attianese
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics ``Adriano Buzzati-Traverso'', National Research Council of Italy, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Adriano Barra
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics ``Adriano Buzzati-Traverso'', National Research Council of Italy, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Gaetano Terrone
- Department of Translational Medicine, Child Neurology Unit, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | | | - Simona Paladino
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Elia Di Schiavi
- Institute of Biosciences and BioResources, National Research Council of Italy, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Valerio Costa
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics ``Adriano Buzzati-Traverso'', National Research Council of Italy, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Margherita Ruoppolo
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy
- CEINGE - Biotecnologie Avanzate s.c.a.r.l., 80145 Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Giuseppina Miano
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics ``Adriano Buzzati-Traverso'', National Research Council of Italy, 80131, Naples, Italy
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Napolitano A, Schiavi S, La Rosa P, Rossi-Espagnet MC, Petrillo S, Bottino F, Tagliente E, Longo D, Lupi E, Casula L, Valeri G, Piemonte F, Trezza V, Vicari S. Sex Differences in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Diagnostic, Neurobiological, and Behavioral Features. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:889636. [PMID: 35633791 PMCID: PMC9136002 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.889636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder with a worldwide prevalence of about 1%, characterized by impairments in social interaction, communication, repetitive patterns of behaviors, and can be associated with hyper- or hypo-reactivity of sensory stimulation and cognitive disability. ASD comorbid features include internalizing and externalizing symptoms such as anxiety, depression, hyperactivity, and attention problems. The precise etiology of ASD is still unknown and it is undoubted that the disorder is linked to some extent to both genetic and environmental factors. It is also well-documented and known that one of the most striking and consistent finding in ASD is the higher prevalence in males compared to females, with around 70% of ASD cases described being males. The present review looked into the most significant studies that attempted to investigate differences in ASD males and females thus trying to shade some light on the peculiar characteristics of this prevalence in terms of diagnosis, imaging, major autistic-like behavior and sex-dependent uniqueness. The study also discussed sex differences found in animal models of ASD, to provide a possible explanation of the neurological mechanisms underpinning the different presentation of autistic symptoms in males and females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Napolitano
- Medical Physics Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Schiavi
- Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, Science Department, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy
| | - Piergiorgio La Rosa
- Division of Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Camilla Rossi-Espagnet
- Neuroradiology Unit, Imaging Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- NESMOS, Neuroradiology Department, S. Andrea Hospital Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Petrillo
- Head Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Unit, Neuroscience Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Bottino
- Medical Physics Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Emanuela Tagliente
- Medical Physics Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Longo
- Neuroradiology Unit, Imaging Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Lupi
- Head Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Unit, Neuroscience Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Casula
- Head Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Unit, Neuroscience Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Valeri
- Head Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Unit, Neuroscience Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Fiorella Piemonte
- Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Viviana Trezza
- Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, Science Department, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Vicari
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Neuroscience Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Life Sciences and Public Health Department, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
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Pretzsch CM, Schäfer T, Lombardo MV, Warrier V, Mann C, Bletsch A, Chatham CH, Floris DL, Tillmann J, Yousaf A, Jones E, Charman T, Ambrosino S, Bourgeron T, Dumas G, Loth E, Oakley B, Buitelaar JK, Cliquet F, Leblond CS, Baron-Cohen S, Beckmann CF, Banaschewski T, Durston S, Freitag CM, Murphy DGM, Ecker C. Neurobiological Correlates of Change in Adaptive Behavior in Autism. Am J Psychiatry 2022; 179:336-349. [PMID: 35331004 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.21070711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition that is associated with significant difficulties in adaptive behavior and variation in clinical outcomes across the life span. Some individuals with ASD improve, whereas others may not change significantly, or regress. Hence, the development of "personalized medicine" approaches is essential. However, this requires an understanding of the biological processes underpinning differences in clinical outcome, at both the individual and subgroup levels, across the lifespan. METHODS The authors conducted a longitudinal follow-up study of 483 individuals (204 with ASD and 279 neurotypical individuals, ages 6-30 years), with assessment time points separated by ∼12-24 months. Data collected included behavioral data (Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale-II), neuroanatomical data (structural MRI), and genetic data (DNA). Individuals with ASD were grouped into clinically meaningful "increasers," "no-changers," and "decreasers" in adaptive behavior. First, the authors compared neuroanatomy between outcome groups. Next, they examined whether deviations from the neurotypical neuroanatomical profile were associated with outcome at the individual level. Finally, they explored the observed neuroanatomical differences' potential genetic underpinnings. RESULTS Outcome groups differed in neuroanatomical features (cortical volume and thickness, surface area), including in "social brain" regions previously implicated in ASD. Also, deviations of neuroanatomical features from the neurotypical profile predicted outcome at the individual level. Moreover, neuroanatomical differences were associated with genetic processes relevant to neuroanatomical phenotypes (e.g., synaptic development). CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates, for the first time, that variation in clinical (adaptive) outcome is associated with both group- and individual-level variation in anatomy of brain regions enriched for genes relevant to ASD. This may facilitate the move toward better targeted/precision medicine approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte M Pretzsch
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London (Pretzsch, Loth, Oakley, Murphy, Ecker); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany (Schäfer, Mann, Bletsch, Yousaf, Freitag, Ecker); Laboratory for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems, University of Trento, and Italian Institute of Technology, Rovereto, Italy (Lombardo, Warrier); Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, U.K. (Lombardo, Baron-Cohen); F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland (Chatham); Methods of Plasticity Research, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich (Floris); Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands (Buitelaar, Beckmann); Clinical Child Psychology, Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London (Tillmann, Charman); Department of Applied Psychology: Health, Development, Enhancement, and Intervention, University of Vienna, Vienna (Tillmann); Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, University of London (Jones); Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands (Ambrosino, Durston); Institut Pasteur, Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions Unit, Paris (Bourgeron, Dumas, Cliquet, Leblond); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany (Banaschewski)
| | - Tim Schäfer
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London (Pretzsch, Loth, Oakley, Murphy, Ecker); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany (Schäfer, Mann, Bletsch, Yousaf, Freitag, Ecker); Laboratory for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems, University of Trento, and Italian Institute of Technology, Rovereto, Italy (Lombardo, Warrier); Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, U.K. (Lombardo, Baron-Cohen); F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland (Chatham); Methods of Plasticity Research, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich (Floris); Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands (Buitelaar, Beckmann); Clinical Child Psychology, Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London (Tillmann, Charman); Department of Applied Psychology: Health, Development, Enhancement, and Intervention, University of Vienna, Vienna (Tillmann); Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, University of London (Jones); Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands (Ambrosino, Durston); Institut Pasteur, Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions Unit, Paris (Bourgeron, Dumas, Cliquet, Leblond); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany (Banaschewski)
| | - Michael V Lombardo
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London (Pretzsch, Loth, Oakley, Murphy, Ecker); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany (Schäfer, Mann, Bletsch, Yousaf, Freitag, Ecker); Laboratory for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems, University of Trento, and Italian Institute of Technology, Rovereto, Italy (Lombardo, Warrier); Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, U.K. (Lombardo, Baron-Cohen); F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland (Chatham); Methods of Plasticity Research, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich (Floris); Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands (Buitelaar, Beckmann); Clinical Child Psychology, Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London (Tillmann, Charman); Department of Applied Psychology: Health, Development, Enhancement, and Intervention, University of Vienna, Vienna (Tillmann); Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, University of London (Jones); Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands (Ambrosino, Durston); Institut Pasteur, Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions Unit, Paris (Bourgeron, Dumas, Cliquet, Leblond); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany (Banaschewski)
| | - Varun Warrier
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London (Pretzsch, Loth, Oakley, Murphy, Ecker); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany (Schäfer, Mann, Bletsch, Yousaf, Freitag, Ecker); Laboratory for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems, University of Trento, and Italian Institute of Technology, Rovereto, Italy (Lombardo, Warrier); Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, U.K. (Lombardo, Baron-Cohen); F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland (Chatham); Methods of Plasticity Research, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich (Floris); Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands (Buitelaar, Beckmann); Clinical Child Psychology, Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London (Tillmann, Charman); Department of Applied Psychology: Health, Development, Enhancement, and Intervention, University of Vienna, Vienna (Tillmann); Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, University of London (Jones); Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands (Ambrosino, Durston); Institut Pasteur, Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions Unit, Paris (Bourgeron, Dumas, Cliquet, Leblond); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany (Banaschewski)
| | - Caroline Mann
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London (Pretzsch, Loth, Oakley, Murphy, Ecker); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany (Schäfer, Mann, Bletsch, Yousaf, Freitag, Ecker); Laboratory for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems, University of Trento, and Italian Institute of Technology, Rovereto, Italy (Lombardo, Warrier); Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, U.K. (Lombardo, Baron-Cohen); F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland (Chatham); Methods of Plasticity Research, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich (Floris); Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands (Buitelaar, Beckmann); Clinical Child Psychology, Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London (Tillmann, Charman); Department of Applied Psychology: Health, Development, Enhancement, and Intervention, University of Vienna, Vienna (Tillmann); Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, University of London (Jones); Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands (Ambrosino, Durston); Institut Pasteur, Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions Unit, Paris (Bourgeron, Dumas, Cliquet, Leblond); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany (Banaschewski)
| | - Anke Bletsch
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London (Pretzsch, Loth, Oakley, Murphy, Ecker); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany (Schäfer, Mann, Bletsch, Yousaf, Freitag, Ecker); Laboratory for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems, University of Trento, and Italian Institute of Technology, Rovereto, Italy (Lombardo, Warrier); Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, U.K. (Lombardo, Baron-Cohen); F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland (Chatham); Methods of Plasticity Research, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich (Floris); Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands (Buitelaar, Beckmann); Clinical Child Psychology, Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London (Tillmann, Charman); Department of Applied Psychology: Health, Development, Enhancement, and Intervention, University of Vienna, Vienna (Tillmann); Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, University of London (Jones); Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands (Ambrosino, Durston); Institut Pasteur, Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions Unit, Paris (Bourgeron, Dumas, Cliquet, Leblond); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany (Banaschewski)
| | - Chris H Chatham
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London (Pretzsch, Loth, Oakley, Murphy, Ecker); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany (Schäfer, Mann, Bletsch, Yousaf, Freitag, Ecker); Laboratory for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems, University of Trento, and Italian Institute of Technology, Rovereto, Italy (Lombardo, Warrier); Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, U.K. (Lombardo, Baron-Cohen); F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland (Chatham); Methods of Plasticity Research, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich (Floris); Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands (Buitelaar, Beckmann); Clinical Child Psychology, Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London (Tillmann, Charman); Department of Applied Psychology: Health, Development, Enhancement, and Intervention, University of Vienna, Vienna (Tillmann); Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, University of London (Jones); Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands (Ambrosino, Durston); Institut Pasteur, Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions Unit, Paris (Bourgeron, Dumas, Cliquet, Leblond); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany (Banaschewski)
| | - Dorothea L Floris
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London (Pretzsch, Loth, Oakley, Murphy, Ecker); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany (Schäfer, Mann, Bletsch, Yousaf, Freitag, Ecker); Laboratory for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems, University of Trento, and Italian Institute of Technology, Rovereto, Italy (Lombardo, Warrier); Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, U.K. (Lombardo, Baron-Cohen); F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland (Chatham); Methods of Plasticity Research, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich (Floris); Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands (Buitelaar, Beckmann); Clinical Child Psychology, Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London (Tillmann, Charman); Department of Applied Psychology: Health, Development, Enhancement, and Intervention, University of Vienna, Vienna (Tillmann); Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, University of London (Jones); Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands (Ambrosino, Durston); Institut Pasteur, Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions Unit, Paris (Bourgeron, Dumas, Cliquet, Leblond); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany (Banaschewski)
| | - Julian Tillmann
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London (Pretzsch, Loth, Oakley, Murphy, Ecker); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany (Schäfer, Mann, Bletsch, Yousaf, Freitag, Ecker); Laboratory for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems, University of Trento, and Italian Institute of Technology, Rovereto, Italy (Lombardo, Warrier); Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, U.K. (Lombardo, Baron-Cohen); F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland (Chatham); Methods of Plasticity Research, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich (Floris); Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands (Buitelaar, Beckmann); Clinical Child Psychology, Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London (Tillmann, Charman); Department of Applied Psychology: Health, Development, Enhancement, and Intervention, University of Vienna, Vienna (Tillmann); Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, University of London (Jones); Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands (Ambrosino, Durston); Institut Pasteur, Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions Unit, Paris (Bourgeron, Dumas, Cliquet, Leblond); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany (Banaschewski)
| | - Afsheen Yousaf
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London (Pretzsch, Loth, Oakley, Murphy, Ecker); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany (Schäfer, Mann, Bletsch, Yousaf, Freitag, Ecker); Laboratory for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems, University of Trento, and Italian Institute of Technology, Rovereto, Italy (Lombardo, Warrier); Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, U.K. (Lombardo, Baron-Cohen); F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland (Chatham); Methods of Plasticity Research, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich (Floris); Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands (Buitelaar, Beckmann); Clinical Child Psychology, Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London (Tillmann, Charman); Department of Applied Psychology: Health, Development, Enhancement, and Intervention, University of Vienna, Vienna (Tillmann); Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, University of London (Jones); Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands (Ambrosino, Durston); Institut Pasteur, Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions Unit, Paris (Bourgeron, Dumas, Cliquet, Leblond); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany (Banaschewski)
| | - Emily Jones
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London (Pretzsch, Loth, Oakley, Murphy, Ecker); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany (Schäfer, Mann, Bletsch, Yousaf, Freitag, Ecker); Laboratory for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems, University of Trento, and Italian Institute of Technology, Rovereto, Italy (Lombardo, Warrier); Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, U.K. (Lombardo, Baron-Cohen); F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland (Chatham); Methods of Plasticity Research, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich (Floris); Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands (Buitelaar, Beckmann); Clinical Child Psychology, Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London (Tillmann, Charman); Department of Applied Psychology: Health, Development, Enhancement, and Intervention, University of Vienna, Vienna (Tillmann); Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, University of London (Jones); Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands (Ambrosino, Durston); Institut Pasteur, Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions Unit, Paris (Bourgeron, Dumas, Cliquet, Leblond); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany (Banaschewski)
| | - Tony Charman
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London (Pretzsch, Loth, Oakley, Murphy, Ecker); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany (Schäfer, Mann, Bletsch, Yousaf, Freitag, Ecker); Laboratory for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems, University of Trento, and Italian Institute of Technology, Rovereto, Italy (Lombardo, Warrier); Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, U.K. (Lombardo, Baron-Cohen); F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland (Chatham); Methods of Plasticity Research, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich (Floris); Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands (Buitelaar, Beckmann); Clinical Child Psychology, Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London (Tillmann, Charman); Department of Applied Psychology: Health, Development, Enhancement, and Intervention, University of Vienna, Vienna (Tillmann); Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, University of London (Jones); Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands (Ambrosino, Durston); Institut Pasteur, Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions Unit, Paris (Bourgeron, Dumas, Cliquet, Leblond); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany (Banaschewski)
| | - Sara Ambrosino
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London (Pretzsch, Loth, Oakley, Murphy, Ecker); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany (Schäfer, Mann, Bletsch, Yousaf, Freitag, Ecker); Laboratory for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems, University of Trento, and Italian Institute of Technology, Rovereto, Italy (Lombardo, Warrier); Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, U.K. (Lombardo, Baron-Cohen); F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland (Chatham); Methods of Plasticity Research, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich (Floris); Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands (Buitelaar, Beckmann); Clinical Child Psychology, Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London (Tillmann, Charman); Department of Applied Psychology: Health, Development, Enhancement, and Intervention, University of Vienna, Vienna (Tillmann); Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, University of London (Jones); Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands (Ambrosino, Durston); Institut Pasteur, Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions Unit, Paris (Bourgeron, Dumas, Cliquet, Leblond); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany (Banaschewski)
| | - Thomas Bourgeron
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London (Pretzsch, Loth, Oakley, Murphy, Ecker); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany (Schäfer, Mann, Bletsch, Yousaf, Freitag, Ecker); Laboratory for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems, University of Trento, and Italian Institute of Technology, Rovereto, Italy (Lombardo, Warrier); Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, U.K. (Lombardo, Baron-Cohen); F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland (Chatham); Methods of Plasticity Research, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich (Floris); Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands (Buitelaar, Beckmann); Clinical Child Psychology, Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London (Tillmann, Charman); Department of Applied Psychology: Health, Development, Enhancement, and Intervention, University of Vienna, Vienna (Tillmann); Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, University of London (Jones); Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands (Ambrosino, Durston); Institut Pasteur, Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions Unit, Paris (Bourgeron, Dumas, Cliquet, Leblond); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany (Banaschewski)
| | - Guillaume Dumas
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London (Pretzsch, Loth, Oakley, Murphy, Ecker); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany (Schäfer, Mann, Bletsch, Yousaf, Freitag, Ecker); Laboratory for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems, University of Trento, and Italian Institute of Technology, Rovereto, Italy (Lombardo, Warrier); Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, U.K. (Lombardo, Baron-Cohen); F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland (Chatham); Methods of Plasticity Research, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich (Floris); Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands (Buitelaar, Beckmann); Clinical Child Psychology, Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London (Tillmann, Charman); Department of Applied Psychology: Health, Development, Enhancement, and Intervention, University of Vienna, Vienna (Tillmann); Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, University of London (Jones); Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands (Ambrosino, Durston); Institut Pasteur, Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions Unit, Paris (Bourgeron, Dumas, Cliquet, Leblond); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany (Banaschewski)
| | - Eva Loth
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London (Pretzsch, Loth, Oakley, Murphy, Ecker); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany (Schäfer, Mann, Bletsch, Yousaf, Freitag, Ecker); Laboratory for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems, University of Trento, and Italian Institute of Technology, Rovereto, Italy (Lombardo, Warrier); Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, U.K. (Lombardo, Baron-Cohen); F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland (Chatham); Methods of Plasticity Research, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich (Floris); Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands (Buitelaar, Beckmann); Clinical Child Psychology, Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London (Tillmann, Charman); Department of Applied Psychology: Health, Development, Enhancement, and Intervention, University of Vienna, Vienna (Tillmann); Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, University of London (Jones); Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands (Ambrosino, Durston); Institut Pasteur, Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions Unit, Paris (Bourgeron, Dumas, Cliquet, Leblond); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany (Banaschewski)
| | - Bethany Oakley
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London (Pretzsch, Loth, Oakley, Murphy, Ecker); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany (Schäfer, Mann, Bletsch, Yousaf, Freitag, Ecker); Laboratory for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems, University of Trento, and Italian Institute of Technology, Rovereto, Italy (Lombardo, Warrier); Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, U.K. (Lombardo, Baron-Cohen); F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland (Chatham); Methods of Plasticity Research, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich (Floris); Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands (Buitelaar, Beckmann); Clinical Child Psychology, Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London (Tillmann, Charman); Department of Applied Psychology: Health, Development, Enhancement, and Intervention, University of Vienna, Vienna (Tillmann); Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, University of London (Jones); Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands (Ambrosino, Durston); Institut Pasteur, Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions Unit, Paris (Bourgeron, Dumas, Cliquet, Leblond); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany (Banaschewski)
| | - Jan K Buitelaar
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London (Pretzsch, Loth, Oakley, Murphy, Ecker); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany (Schäfer, Mann, Bletsch, Yousaf, Freitag, Ecker); Laboratory for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems, University of Trento, and Italian Institute of Technology, Rovereto, Italy (Lombardo, Warrier); Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, U.K. (Lombardo, Baron-Cohen); F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland (Chatham); Methods of Plasticity Research, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich (Floris); Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands (Buitelaar, Beckmann); Clinical Child Psychology, Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London (Tillmann, Charman); Department of Applied Psychology: Health, Development, Enhancement, and Intervention, University of Vienna, Vienna (Tillmann); Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, University of London (Jones); Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands (Ambrosino, Durston); Institut Pasteur, Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions Unit, Paris (Bourgeron, Dumas, Cliquet, Leblond); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany (Banaschewski)
| | - Freddy Cliquet
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London (Pretzsch, Loth, Oakley, Murphy, Ecker); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany (Schäfer, Mann, Bletsch, Yousaf, Freitag, Ecker); Laboratory for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems, University of Trento, and Italian Institute of Technology, Rovereto, Italy (Lombardo, Warrier); Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, U.K. (Lombardo, Baron-Cohen); F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland (Chatham); Methods of Plasticity Research, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich (Floris); Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands (Buitelaar, Beckmann); Clinical Child Psychology, Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London (Tillmann, Charman); Department of Applied Psychology: Health, Development, Enhancement, and Intervention, University of Vienna, Vienna (Tillmann); Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, University of London (Jones); Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands (Ambrosino, Durston); Institut Pasteur, Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions Unit, Paris (Bourgeron, Dumas, Cliquet, Leblond); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany (Banaschewski)
| | - Claire S Leblond
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London (Pretzsch, Loth, Oakley, Murphy, Ecker); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany (Schäfer, Mann, Bletsch, Yousaf, Freitag, Ecker); Laboratory for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems, University of Trento, and Italian Institute of Technology, Rovereto, Italy (Lombardo, Warrier); Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, U.K. (Lombardo, Baron-Cohen); F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland (Chatham); Methods of Plasticity Research, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich (Floris); Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands (Buitelaar, Beckmann); Clinical Child Psychology, Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London (Tillmann, Charman); Department of Applied Psychology: Health, Development, Enhancement, and Intervention, University of Vienna, Vienna (Tillmann); Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, University of London (Jones); Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands (Ambrosino, Durston); Institut Pasteur, Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions Unit, Paris (Bourgeron, Dumas, Cliquet, Leblond); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany (Banaschewski)
| | - Simon Baron-Cohen
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London (Pretzsch, Loth, Oakley, Murphy, Ecker); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany (Schäfer, Mann, Bletsch, Yousaf, Freitag, Ecker); Laboratory for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems, University of Trento, and Italian Institute of Technology, Rovereto, Italy (Lombardo, Warrier); Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, U.K. (Lombardo, Baron-Cohen); F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland (Chatham); Methods of Plasticity Research, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich (Floris); Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands (Buitelaar, Beckmann); Clinical Child Psychology, Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London (Tillmann, Charman); Department of Applied Psychology: Health, Development, Enhancement, and Intervention, University of Vienna, Vienna (Tillmann); Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, University of London (Jones); Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands (Ambrosino, Durston); Institut Pasteur, Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions Unit, Paris (Bourgeron, Dumas, Cliquet, Leblond); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany (Banaschewski)
| | - Christian F Beckmann
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London (Pretzsch, Loth, Oakley, Murphy, Ecker); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany (Schäfer, Mann, Bletsch, Yousaf, Freitag, Ecker); Laboratory for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems, University of Trento, and Italian Institute of Technology, Rovereto, Italy (Lombardo, Warrier); Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, U.K. (Lombardo, Baron-Cohen); F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland (Chatham); Methods of Plasticity Research, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich (Floris); Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands (Buitelaar, Beckmann); Clinical Child Psychology, Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London (Tillmann, Charman); Department of Applied Psychology: Health, Development, Enhancement, and Intervention, University of Vienna, Vienna (Tillmann); Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, University of London (Jones); Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands (Ambrosino, Durston); Institut Pasteur, Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions Unit, Paris (Bourgeron, Dumas, Cliquet, Leblond); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany (Banaschewski)
| | - Tobias Banaschewski
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London (Pretzsch, Loth, Oakley, Murphy, Ecker); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany (Schäfer, Mann, Bletsch, Yousaf, Freitag, Ecker); Laboratory for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems, University of Trento, and Italian Institute of Technology, Rovereto, Italy (Lombardo, Warrier); Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, U.K. (Lombardo, Baron-Cohen); F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland (Chatham); Methods of Plasticity Research, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich (Floris); Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands (Buitelaar, Beckmann); Clinical Child Psychology, Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London (Tillmann, Charman); Department of Applied Psychology: Health, Development, Enhancement, and Intervention, University of Vienna, Vienna (Tillmann); Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, University of London (Jones); Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands (Ambrosino, Durston); Institut Pasteur, Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions Unit, Paris (Bourgeron, Dumas, Cliquet, Leblond); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany (Banaschewski)
| | - Sarah Durston
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London (Pretzsch, Loth, Oakley, Murphy, Ecker); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany (Schäfer, Mann, Bletsch, Yousaf, Freitag, Ecker); Laboratory for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems, University of Trento, and Italian Institute of Technology, Rovereto, Italy (Lombardo, Warrier); Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, U.K. (Lombardo, Baron-Cohen); F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland (Chatham); Methods of Plasticity Research, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich (Floris); Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands (Buitelaar, Beckmann); Clinical Child Psychology, Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London (Tillmann, Charman); Department of Applied Psychology: Health, Development, Enhancement, and Intervention, University of Vienna, Vienna (Tillmann); Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, University of London (Jones); Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands (Ambrosino, Durston); Institut Pasteur, Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions Unit, Paris (Bourgeron, Dumas, Cliquet, Leblond); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany (Banaschewski)
| | - Christine M Freitag
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London (Pretzsch, Loth, Oakley, Murphy, Ecker); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany (Schäfer, Mann, Bletsch, Yousaf, Freitag, Ecker); Laboratory for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems, University of Trento, and Italian Institute of Technology, Rovereto, Italy (Lombardo, Warrier); Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, U.K. (Lombardo, Baron-Cohen); F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland (Chatham); Methods of Plasticity Research, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich (Floris); Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands (Buitelaar, Beckmann); Clinical Child Psychology, Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London (Tillmann, Charman); Department of Applied Psychology: Health, Development, Enhancement, and Intervention, University of Vienna, Vienna (Tillmann); Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, University of London (Jones); Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands (Ambrosino, Durston); Institut Pasteur, Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions Unit, Paris (Bourgeron, Dumas, Cliquet, Leblond); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany (Banaschewski)
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- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London (Pretzsch, Loth, Oakley, Murphy, Ecker); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany (Schäfer, Mann, Bletsch, Yousaf, Freitag, Ecker); Laboratory for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems, University of Trento, and Italian Institute of Technology, Rovereto, Italy (Lombardo, Warrier); Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, U.K. (Lombardo, Baron-Cohen); F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland (Chatham); Methods of Plasticity Research, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich (Floris); Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands (Buitelaar, Beckmann); Clinical Child Psychology, Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London (Tillmann, Charman); Department of Applied Psychology: Health, Development, Enhancement, and Intervention, University of Vienna, Vienna (Tillmann); Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, University of London (Jones); Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands (Ambrosino, Durston); Institut Pasteur, Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions Unit, Paris (Bourgeron, Dumas, Cliquet, Leblond); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany (Banaschewski)
| | - Declan G M Murphy
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London (Pretzsch, Loth, Oakley, Murphy, Ecker); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany (Schäfer, Mann, Bletsch, Yousaf, Freitag, Ecker); Laboratory for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems, University of Trento, and Italian Institute of Technology, Rovereto, Italy (Lombardo, Warrier); Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, U.K. (Lombardo, Baron-Cohen); F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland (Chatham); Methods of Plasticity Research, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich (Floris); Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands (Buitelaar, Beckmann); Clinical Child Psychology, Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London (Tillmann, Charman); Department of Applied Psychology: Health, Development, Enhancement, and Intervention, University of Vienna, Vienna (Tillmann); Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, University of London (Jones); Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands (Ambrosino, Durston); Institut Pasteur, Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions Unit, Paris (Bourgeron, Dumas, Cliquet, Leblond); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany (Banaschewski)
| | - Christine Ecker
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London (Pretzsch, Loth, Oakley, Murphy, Ecker); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany (Schäfer, Mann, Bletsch, Yousaf, Freitag, Ecker); Laboratory for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems, University of Trento, and Italian Institute of Technology, Rovereto, Italy (Lombardo, Warrier); Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, U.K. (Lombardo, Baron-Cohen); F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland (Chatham); Methods of Plasticity Research, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich (Floris); Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands (Buitelaar, Beckmann); Clinical Child Psychology, Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London (Tillmann, Charman); Department of Applied Psychology: Health, Development, Enhancement, and Intervention, University of Vienna, Vienna (Tillmann); Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, University of London (Jones); Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands (Ambrosino, Durston); Institut Pasteur, Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions Unit, Paris (Bourgeron, Dumas, Cliquet, Leblond); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany (Banaschewski)
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Shan J, Hashimoto K. Soluble Epoxide Hydrolase as a Therapeutic Target for Neuropsychiatric Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23094951. [PMID: 35563342 PMCID: PMC9099663 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23094951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
It has been found that soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH; encoded by the EPHX2 gene) in the metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) plays a key role in inflammation, which, in turn, plays a part in the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric disorders. Meanwhile, epoxy fatty acids such as epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs), epoxyeicosatetraenoic acids (EEQs), and epoxyeicosapentaenoic acids (EDPs) have been found to exert neuroprotective effects in animal models of neuropsychiatric disorders through potent anti-inflammatory actions. Soluble expoxide hydrolase, an enzyme present in all living organisms, metabolizes epoxy fatty acids into the corresponding dihydroxy fatty acids, which are less active than the precursors. In this regard, preclinical findings using sEH inhibitors or Ephx2 knock-out (KO) mice have indicated that the inhibition or deficiency of sEH can have beneficial effects in several models of neuropsychiatric disorders. Thus, this review discusses the current findings of the role of sEH in neuropsychiatric disorders, including depression, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), schizophrenia, Parkinson’s disease (PD), and stroke, as well as the potential mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of sEH inhibitors.
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Differential effects of early or late exposure to prenatal maternal immune activation on mouse embryonic neurodevelopment. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2114545119. [PMID: 35286203 PMCID: PMC8944668 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2114545119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Prenatal exposure to maternal infection increases the risk of developing mental health disorders, such as schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder. Exposure to maternal immune activation has been associated with a number of neuroanatomical deficits in adolescent and adult offspring, with differing effects based on the gestational timing of infection. However, little is known about how the embryo brain is affected. We show, using whole-brain MRI, that maternal immune activation significantly affects brain anatomy. When the exposure occurs early in pregnancy, volume reductions are mainly observed, while the opposite is true for exposure later in pregnancy. Furthermore, we identify alterations to the density of certain classes of neurons and glia, which have been associated with stress and inflammation in the brain. Exposure to maternal immune activation (MIA) in utero is a risk factor for neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders. MIA-induced deficits in adolescent and adult offspring have been well characterized; however, less is known about the effects of MIA exposure on embryo development. To address this gap, we performed high-resolution ex vivo MRI to investigate the effects of early (gestational day [GD]9) and late (GD17) MIA exposure on embryo (GD18) brain structure. We identify striking neuroanatomical changes in the embryo brain, particularly in the late-exposed offspring. We further examined the putative neuroanatomical underpinnings of MIA timing in the hippocampus using electron microscopy and identified differential effects due to MIA timing. An increase in apoptotic cell density was observed in the GD9-exposed offspring, while an increase in the density of neurons and glia with ultrastructural features reflective of increased neuroinflammation and oxidative stress was observed in GD17-exposed offspring, particularly in females. Overall, our findings integrate imaging techniques across different scales to identify differential impact of MIA timing on the earliest stages of neurodevelopment.
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Gomes AKS, Dantas RM, Yokota BY, Silva ALTE, Griesi-Oliveira K, Passos-Bueno MR, Sertié AL. Interleukin-17a Induces Neuronal Differentiation of Induced-Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Neural Progenitors From Autistic and Control Subjects. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:828646. [PMID: 35360153 PMCID: PMC8964130 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.828646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Prenatal exposure to maternal immune activation (MIA) has been suggested to increase the probability of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Recent evidence from animal studies indicates a key role for interleukin-17a (IL-17a) in promoting MIA-induced behavioral and brain abnormalities reminiscent of ASD. However, it is still unclear how IL-17a acts on the human developing brain and the cell types directly affected by IL-17a signaling. In this study, we used iPSC-derived neural progenitor cells (NPCs) from individuals with ASD of known and unknown genetic cause as well as from neurotypical controls to examine the effects of exogenous IL-17a on NPC proliferation, migration and neuronal differentiation, and whether IL-17a and genetic risk factors for ASD interact exacerbating alterations in NPC function. We observed that ASD and control NPCs endogenously express IL-17a receptor (IL17RA), and that IL-17a/IL17RA activation modulates downstream ERK1/2 and mTORC1 signaling pathways. Exogenous IL-17a did not induce abnormal proliferation and migration of ASD and control NPCs but, on the other hand, it significantly increased the expression of synaptic (Synaptophysin-1, Synapsin-1) and neuronal polarity (MAP2) proteins in these cells. Also, as we observed that ASD and control NPCs exhibited similar responses to exogenous IL-17a, it is possible that a more inflammatory environment containing other immune molecules besides IL-17a may be needed to trigger gene-environment interactions during neurodevelopment. In conclusion, our results suggest that exogenous IL-17a positively regulates the neuronal differentiation of human NPCs, which may disturb normal neuronal and synaptic development and contribute to MIA-related changes in brain function and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Bruno Yukio Yokota
- Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, Centro de Pesquisa Experimental, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Maria Rita Passos-Bueno
- Centro de Estudos do Genoma Humano e Células Tronco, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Andréa Laurato Sertié
- Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, Centro de Pesquisa Experimental, São Paulo, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Andréa Laurato Sertié,
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Pavinato L, Villamor-Payà M, Sanchiz-Calvo M, Andreoli C, Gay M, Vilaseca M, Arauz-Garofalo G, Ciolfi A, Bruselles A, Pippucci T, Prota V, Carli D, Giorgio E, Radio FC, Antona V, Giuffrè M, Ranguin K, Colson C, De Rubeis S, Dimartino P, Buxbaum JD, Ferrero GB, Tartaglia M, Martinelli S, Stracker TH, Brusco A. Functional analysis of TLK2 variants and their proximal interactomes implicates impaired kinase activity and chromatin maintenance defects in their pathogenesis. J Med Genet 2022; 59:170-179. [PMID: 33323470 PMCID: PMC10631451 DOI: 10.1136/jmedgenet-2020-107281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The Tousled-like kinases 1 and 2 (TLK1 and TLK2) are involved in many fundamental processes, including DNA replication, cell cycle checkpoint recovery and chromatin remodelling. Mutations in TLK2 were recently associated with 'Mental Retardation Autosomal Dominant 57' (MRD57, MIM# 618050), a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by a highly variable phenotype, including mild-to-moderate intellectual disability, behavioural abnormalities, facial dysmorphisms, microcephaly, epilepsy and skeletal anomalies. METHODS We re-evaluate whole exome sequencing and array-CGH data from a large cohort of patients affected by neurodevelopmental disorders. Using spatial proteomics (BioID) and single-cell gel electrophoresis, we investigated the proximity interaction landscape of TLK2 and analysed the effects of p.(Asp551Gly) and a previously reported missense variant (c.1850C>T; p.(Ser617Leu)) on TLK2 interactions, localisation and activity. RESULTS We identified three new unrelated MRD57 families. Two were sporadic and caused by a missense change (c.1652A>G; p.(Asp551Gly)) or a 39 kb deletion encompassing TLK2, and one was familial with three affected siblings who inherited a nonsense change from an affected mother (c.1423G>T; p.(Glu475Ter)). The clinical phenotypes were consistent with those of previously reported cases. The tested mutations strongly impaired TLK2 kinase activity. Proximal interactions between TLK2 and other factors implicated in neurological disorders, including CHD7, CHD8, BRD4 and NACC1, were identified. Finally, we demonstrated a more relaxed chromatin state in lymphoblastoid cells harbouring the p.(Asp551Gly) variant compared with control cells, conferring susceptibility to DNA damage. CONCLUSION Our study identified novel TLK2 pathogenic variants, confirming and further expanding the MRD57-related phenotype. The molecular characterisation of missense variants increases our knowledge about TLK2 function and provides new insights into its role in neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Pavinato
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
- Institute of Human Genetics and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Marina Villamor-Payà
- The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Sanchiz-Calvo
- The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristina Andreoli
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Roma, Italy
| | - Marina Gay
- The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Vilaseca
- The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gianluca Arauz-Garofalo
- The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Andrea Ciolfi
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Alessandro Bruselles
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Tommaso Pippucci
- Medical Genetics Unity, Sant'Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Valentina Prota
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Roma, Italy
| | - Diana Carli
- Department of Pediatrics and Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Elisa Giorgio
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Vincenzo Antona
- Department of Sciences for Health Promotion and Mother and Child Care "G. D'Alessandro", University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Mario Giuffrè
- Department of Sciences for Health Promotion and Mother and Child Care "G. D'Alessandro", University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Kara Ranguin
- Department of Genetics, Reference center for Rare Diseases and Developmental Anomalies, Caen, France
| | - Cindy Colson
- Department of Genetics, Reference center for Rare Diseases and Developmental Anomalies, Caen, France
| | - Silvia De Rubeis
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, New York, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, New York, USA
- The Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, New York, USA
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Paola Dimartino
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Joseph D Buxbaum
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, New York, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, New York, USA
- The Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, New York, USA
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, New York, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, New York, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Giovanni Battista Ferrero
- Department of Pediatrics and Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Marco Tartaglia
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Simone Martinelli
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Roma, Italy
| | - Travis H Stracker
- The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Barcelona, Spain
- Radiation Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Alfredo Brusco
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
- Unit of Medical Genetics, "Città della Salute e della Scienza" University Hospital, Torino, Italy
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