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Liu Z. Genetic causal relationship between placental weight and autism spectrum disorder: A two-sample Mendelian randomization study. J Psychosom Res 2024; 184:111857. [PMID: 38991361 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2024.111857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
OBJECT Previous research has suggested an association between placental tissue abnormalities and the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. This study aims to explore the causal relationship between placental weight and autism spectrum disorder. METHODS This study employed Mendelian randomization analysis to investigate the potential causal relationship between placental weight and autism spectrum disorder. The study design involved two sample populations, with data for the exposed population sourced from previous studies focusing on PW, and data for the outcome population obtained from the Integrative Psychiatric Research and the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium study. To ensure the robustness of the results, three sensitivity analyses were performed, including heterogeneity testing, pleiotropy testing, and a leave-one-out analysis. The inverse variance weighted method served as the gold standard for the Mendelian randomization analysis. RESULTS The results of the first analysis revealed a significant correlation between an increase in placental weight and an elevated risk of autism spectrum disorder (p = 0.02). Sensitivity analysis detected heterogeneity and outliers. After removing two outlier SNPs in the second round of analysis, the results still supported a genetic causal relationship between placental weight and autism spectrum disorder (p = 0.01). The second-round sensitivity analysis did not reveal any heterogeneity or outliers. CONCLUSION Our study provides compelling evidence supporting a causal relationship between elevated placental weight and increased risk of autism spectrum disorder. These findings underscore the significance of placental development in the etiology of autism spectrum disorder and propose a potential early predictive indicator for autism spectrum disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao Liu
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China.
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Wu YX, Li MJ, Liu Y, Guo M, Lan MN, Zheng HJ. ASPG and DAD1 are potential placental-derived biomarkers for ASD-like symptom severity levels in male/female offspring. Placenta 2024; 155:78-87. [PMID: 39154487 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2024.08.009] [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: 05/09/2024] [Revised: 07/28/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 08/20/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION An early evaluating system for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) severity is crucial. Questionnaire survey is challenging for accurately assessing the severity levels for ASD in children. METHODS Offspring with ASD-like phenotypes were induced by treating pregnant mice with Poly (I:C) at GD12.5 and the placentae corresponding to the offspring were obtained by caesarean. The autism severity composite score (ASCS) for offspring was calculated through behavioral tests. HE staining and immunohistochemistry were used to observe the morphology of placenta. Candidate biomarkers were identified by weighted protein co-expression network analysis (WPCNA) combined with machine learning and further validated by ELISA. Sperman's was used to analyze the correlation between biomarkers and metabolome. RESULTS The placental weight and mean vascular area of male offspring with ASD-like phenotypes were significantly decreased compared with typical mice. According to the WPCNA, four modules were identified and significantly correlated with ASCS of offspring. Two biomarkers (ASPG and DAD1) with high correlation with ASCS in offspring were identified. DISCUSSION VEGF pathway may contribute to sexual dimorphism in placental morphology within mice with ASD-like phenotypes in term. The placental ASPG and DAD1 levels could reflect ASD-like symptom severity levels in male/female mice offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Xiao Wu
- Shanghai-MOST Key Laboratory of Health and Disease Genomics, NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Ming-Jie Li
- Shanghai-MOST Key Laboratory of Health and Disease Genomics, NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; College of Food Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China
| | - Yue Liu
- Shanghai-MOST Key Laboratory of Health and Disease Genomics, NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Min Guo
- Shanghai-MOST Key Laboratory of Health and Disease Genomics, NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Meng-Ning Lan
- Shanghai-MOST Key Laboratory of Health and Disease Genomics, NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Hua-Jun Zheng
- Shanghai-MOST Key Laboratory of Health and Disease Genomics, NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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Hirai T, Umeda N, Harada T, Okumura A, Nakayasu C, Ohto-Nakanishi T, Tsuchiya KJ, Nishimura T, Matsuzaki H. Arachidonic acid-derived dihydroxy fatty acids in neonatal cord blood relate symptoms of autism spectrum disorders and social adaptive functioning: Hamamatsu Birth Cohort for Mothers and Children (HBC Study). Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2024. [PMID: 39041066 DOI: 10.1111/pcn.13710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024]
Abstract
AIM Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated with abnormal lipid metabolism, such as a high total ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). PUFAs are metabolized to epoxy fatty acids by cytochrome P450 (CYP); then, dihydroxy fatty acid is produced by soluble epoxide hydrolase. This study examined the association between PUFA metabolites in the cord blood and ASD symptoms and adaptive functioning in children. METHODS This prospective cohort study utilized cord blood to quantify PUFA metabolites of the CYP pathway. The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2) and Vineland Adaptive Behaviors Scales, Second Edition (VABS-II) were used to assess subsequent ASD symptoms and adaptive functioning in children at 6 years. The analysis included 200 children and their mothers. RESULTS Arachidonic acid-derived diols, 11,12-diHETrE was found to impact ASD symptom severity on the ADOS-2-calibrated severity scores and impairment in the socialization domain as assessed by the VABS-II (P = 0.0003; P = 0.004, respectively). High levels of 11,12-diHETrE impact social affect in ASD symptoms (P = 0.002), while low levels of 8,9-diHETrE impact repetitive/restrictive behavior (P = 0.003). Notably, there was specificity in the association between diHETrE and ASD symptoms, especially in girls. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that the dynamics of diHETrE during the fetal period is important in the developmental trajectory of children after birth. Given that the role of diol metabolites in neurodevelopment in vivo is completely uncharacterized, the results of this study provide important insight into the role of diHETrE and ASD pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takaharu Hirai
- Department of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, School of Nursing, University of Fukui, Eiheiji, Japan
- Life Science Innovation Center, University of Fukui, Eiheiji, Japan
| | - Naoko Umeda
- Life Science Innovation Center, University of Fukui, Eiheiji, Japan
- Department of Maternal and Child Health Nursing, School of Nursing, University of Fukui, Eiheiji, Japan
| | - Taeko Harada
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
- United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University and University of Fukui, Suita, Japan
| | - Akemi Okumura
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
- United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University and University of Fukui, Suita, Japan
| | - Chikako Nakayasu
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | | | - Kenji J Tsuchiya
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
- United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University and University of Fukui, Suita, Japan
| | - Tomoko Nishimura
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
- United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University and University of Fukui, Suita, Japan
| | - Hideo Matsuzaki
- United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University and University of Fukui, Suita, Japan
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, Eiheiji, Japan
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Breunig S, Lee YH, Karlson EW, Krishnan A, Lawrence JM, Schaffer LS, Grotzinger AD. Examining the Genetic Links between Clusters of Immune-mediated Diseases and Psychiatric Disorders. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.07.18.24310651. [PMID: 39072040 PMCID: PMC11275673 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.18.24310651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Importance Autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases have been linked to psychiatric disorders in the phenotypic and genetic literature. However, a comprehensive model that investigates the association between a broad range of psychiatric disorders and immune-mediated disease in a multivariate framework is lacking. Objective This study aims to establish a factor structure based on the genetic correlations of immune-mediated diseases and investigate their genetic relationships with clusters of psychiatric disorders. Design Setting and Participants We utilized Genomic Structural Equation Modeling (Genomic SEM) to establish a factor structure of 11 immune-mediated diseases. Genetic correlations between these immune factors were examined with five established factors across 13 psychiatric disorders representing compulsive, schizophrenia/bipolar, neurodevelopmental, internalizing, and substance use disorders. We included GWAS summary statistics of individuals of European ancestry with sample sizes from 1,223 cases for Addison's disease to 170,756 cases for major depressive disorder. Main Outcomes and Measures Genetic correlations between psychiatric and immune-mediated disease factors and traits to determine genetic overlap. We develop and validate a new heterogeneity metric, Q Factor , that quantifies the degree to which factor correlations are driven by more specific pairwise associations. We also estimate residual genetic correlations between pairs of psychiatric disorders and immune-mediated diseases. Results A four-factor model of immune-mediated diseases fit the data well and described a continuum from autoimmune to autoinflammatory diseases. The four factors reflected autoimmune, celiac, mixed pattern, and autoinflammatory diseases. Analyses revealed seven significant factor correlations between the immune and psychiatric factors, including autoimmune and mixed pattern diseases with the internalizing and substance use factors, and autoinflammatory diseases with the compulsive, schizophrenia/bipolar, and internalizing factors. Additionally, we find evidence of divergence in associations within factors as indicated by Q Factor . This is further supported by 14 significant residual genetic correlations between individual psychiatric disorders and immune-mediated diseases. Conclusion and Relevance Our results revealed genetic links between clusters of immune-mediated diseases and psychiatric disorders. Current analyses indicate that previously described relationships between specific psychiatric disorders and immune-mediated diseases often capture broader pathways of risk sharing indexed by our genomic factors, yet are more specific than a general association across all psychiatric disorders and immune-mediated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Breunig
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO USA
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO USA
| | - Younga Heather Lee
- Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit, Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA Massachusetts General Hospital Brigham, Boston, MA USA
| | - Elizabeth W. Karlson
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| | - Arjun Krishnan
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO USA
| | - Jeremy M. Lawrence
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO USA
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO USA
| | - Lukas S. Schaffer
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO USA
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO USA
| | - Andrew D. Grotzinger
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO USA
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO USA
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Guo BQ, Li HB, Zhai DS, Yang LQ. Prevalence of autism spectrum disorder diagnosis by birth weight, gestational age, and size for gestational age: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2024; 33:2035-2049. [PMID: 36066648 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-022-02078-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
We aimed to comprehensively pool the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis by birth weight, gestational age, and size for gestational age. PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Ovid PsycINFO, and Cochrane Library were searched up to December 22, 2021. We pooled data using the random-effects model and quantified heterogeneity using the I2 statistic. Of 66 643 records initially identified, 75 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence estimates of ASD diagnosis are as follows: very-low-birth weight, 3.1% (912 ASD/66,445 individuals); low-birth weight, 2.3% (5672 ASD/593,927 individuals); normal-birth weight, 0.5% (17,361 ASD/2,378,933 individuals); high-birth weight, 0.6% (4505 ASD/430,699 individuals); very preterm, 2.8% (2113 ASD/128,513 individuals); preterm, 2.1% (19 672 ASD/1 725 244 individuals); term, 0.6% (113,261 ASD/15,297,259 individuals); postterm, 0.6% (9419 ASD/1,138,215 individuals); small-for-gestational-age, 1.9% (6314 ASD/796,550 individuals); appropriate-for-gestational-age, 0.7% (21,026 ASD/5,936,704 individuals); and large-for-gestational-age, 0.6% (2607 ASD/635,666 individuals). Compared with the reference prevalence (those in normal-birth weight, term, and appropriate-for-gestational-age individuals), the prevalence estimates of ASD diagnosis in very-low-birth weight, low-birth weight, very preterm, preterm, and small-for-gestational-age individuals increased significantly, while those in high-birth weight, postterm, and large-for-gestational-age individuals did not change significantly. There were geographical differences in the prevalence estimates. This meta-analysis provided reliable estimates of the prevalence of ASD diagnosis by birth weight, gestational age, and size for gestational age, and suggested that low-birth weight (especially very-low-birth weight), preterm (especially very preterm), and small-for-gestational-age births, rather than high-birth weight, postterm, and large-for-gestational-age births, were associated with increased risk of ASD diagnosis. However, in view of marked between-study heterogeneity in most conditions, unknown effects of certain important confounders associated with ASD due to limited information in original articles, and included studies from a relatively small number of countries, the findings of this study should be interpreted with caution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bao-Qiang Guo
- School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, 601 Jinsui Road, Xinxiang, Henan, 453003, China.
| | - Hong-Bin Li
- School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, 601 Jinsui Road, Xinxiang, Henan, 453003, China
| | - De-Sheng Zhai
- School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, 601 Jinsui Road, Xinxiang, Henan, 453003, China
| | - Li-Qiang Yang
- School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, 601 Jinsui Road, Xinxiang, Henan, 453003, China
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Maitin-Shepard M, O'Tierney-Ginn P, Kraneveld AD, Lyall K, Fallin D, Arora M, Fasano A, Mueller NT, Wang X, Caulfield LE, Dickerson AS, Diaz Heijtz R, Tarui T, Blumberg JB, Holingue C, Schmidt RJ, Garssen J, Almendinger K, Lin PID, Mozaffarian D. Food, nutrition, and autism: from soil to fork. Am J Clin Nutr 2024; 120:240-256. [PMID: 38677518 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajcnut.2024.04.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Food and nutrition-related factors have the potential to impact development of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and quality of life for people with ASD, but gaps in evidence exist. On 10 November 2022, Tufts University's Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy and Food and Nutrition Innovation Institute hosted a 1-d meeting to explore the evidence and evidence gaps regarding the relationships of food and nutrition with ASD. This meeting report summarizes the presentations and deliberations from the meeting. Topics addressed included prenatal and child dietary intake, the microbiome, obesity, food-related environmental exposures, mechanisms and biological processes linking these factors and ASD, food-related social factors, and data sources for future research. Presentations highlighted evidence for protective associations with prenatal folic acid supplementation and ASD development, increases in risk of ASD with maternal gestational obesity, and the potential for exposure to environmental contaminants in foods and food packaging to influence ASD development. The importance of the maternal and child microbiome in ASD development or ASD-related behaviors in the child was reviewed, as was the role of discrimination in leading to disparities in environmental exposures and psychosocial factors that may influence ASD. The role of child diet and high prevalence of food selectivity in children with ASD and its association with adverse outcomes were also discussed. Priority evidence gaps identified by participants include further clarifying ASD development, including biomarkers and key mechanisms; interactions among psychosocial, social, and biological determinants; interventions addressing diet, supplementation, and the microbiome to prevent and improve quality of life for people with ASD; and mechanisms of action of diet-related factors associated with ASD. Participants developed research proposals to address the priority evidence gaps. The workshop findings serve as a foundation for future prioritization of scientific research to address evidence gaps related to food, nutrition, and ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Aletta D Kraneveld
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, VU University, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Kristen Lyall
- AJ Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Daniele Fallin
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Manish Arora
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Alessio Fasano
- Mucosal Immunology and Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Noel T Mueller
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Xiaobin Wang
- Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Laura E Caulfield
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Aisha S Dickerson
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | | | - Tomo Tarui
- Department of Pediatrics, Hasbro Children's Hospital, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Jeffrey B Blumberg
- Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Calliope Holingue
- Center for Autism Services, Science and Innovation, Kennedy Krieger Institute and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Rebecca J Schmidt
- Department of Public Health Sciences, the MIND Institute, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Johan Garssen
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Katherine Almendinger
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Pi-I Debby Lin
- Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Dariush Mozaffarian
- Food is Medicine Institute, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA, United States.
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Lebeña A, Faresjö Å, Jones MP, Bengtsson F, Faresjö T, Ludvigsson J. Early environmental predictors for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their co-occurrence: The prospective ABIS-Study. Sci Rep 2024; 14:14759. [PMID: 38926504 PMCID: PMC11208583 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-65067-4] [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: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
ADHD and ASD are highly heritable and show a high co-occurrence and persistence into adulthood. This study aimed to identify pre and perinatal risk factors, and early psychosocial exposures related to later diagnosis of ADHD, ASD, and their co-occurrence. 16,365 children born 1997-1999 and their families, involved in the prospective population-based ABIS study (All Babies in Southeast Sweden), were included in this sub-study. Pre and perinatal factors and early environmental psychosocial exposures were collected from parental-questionnaires at birth and 1-year follow-up. Diagnoses from birth up to 23 years of age were obtained from the Swedish National Diagnosis Register in 2020. The cumulative incidence of ADHD, ASD, and their co-occurrence in the ABIS-cohort Study were 4.6%, 1.7%, and 1.1%, respectively. Being male was associated with an increased risk for ADHD, ASD, and their co-occurrence (aOR 1.30, 1.56, and 1.91, respectively), while higher household income reduced it (aOR 0.82, 0.73, and 0.64). Serious life events during pregnancy (aOR 1.40) and maternal smoking (aOR 1.51) increased the risk of ADHD, while older maternal age (aOR 0.96), higher parental education (aOR 0.72 maternal and aOR 0.74 paternal) and longer exclusive breastfeeding (aOR 0.72) reduced it. Non-Swedish paternal nationality (aOR 0.40) and higher maternal education (aOR 0.74) were associated with a lower risk of ASD, while a family history of autoimmune diseases increased the risk of the co-occurrence of both disorders (aOR 1.62). Obtained results suggest that the etiology of ADHD, ASD, and their co-occurrence is independently associated with environmental psychosocial predictors. The co-occurrence seems to overlap the etiology of ADHD, in which psychosocial determinants have a larger role, however, it is also independently influenced by a family history of autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Lebeña
- Division of Pediatrics, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, US Campus, Building 511 (14, 09B), 581 83, Linköping, Sweden.
| | - Åshild Faresjö
- Department of Medicine and Health, Community Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Michael P Jones
- School of Psychological Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
| | - Felicia Bengtsson
- Department of Medicine and Health, Community Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Tomas Faresjö
- Department of Medicine and Health, Community Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Johnny Ludvigsson
- Division of Pediatrics, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, US Campus, Building 511 (14, 09B), 581 83, Linköping, Sweden
- Crown Princess Victoria Children's Hospital, Region Östergötland, Linköping, Sweden
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Hauw JJ, Hausser-Hauw C, Barthélémy C. Synapse and primary cilia dysfunctions in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Avenues to normalize these functions. Rev Neurol (Paris) 2024:S0035-3787(24)00555-1. [PMID: 38925998 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurol.2024.06.002] [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: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
AIM An update on the plasticity of the brain networks involved in autism (autism spectrum disorders [ASD]), and the increasing role of their synapses and primary non-motile cilia. METHODS Data from PubMed and Google on this subject, published until February 2024, were analyzed. RESULTS Structural and functional brain characteristics and genetic particularities involving synapses and cilia that modify neuronal circuits are observed in ASD, such as reduced pruning of dendrites, minicolumnar pathology, or persistence of connections usually doomed to disappear. Proteins involved in synapse functions (such as neuroligins and neurexins), in the postsynaptic architectural scaffolding (such as Shank proteins) or in cilia functions (such as IFT-independent kinesins) are often abnormal. There is an increase in glutaminergic transmission and a decrease in GABA inhibition. ASD may occur in genetic ciliopathies. The means of modulating these specificities, when deemed useful, are described. INTERPRETATION The wide range of clinical manifestations of ASD is strongly associated with abnormalities in the morphology, functions, and plasticity of brain networks, involving their synapses and non-motile cilia. Their modulation offers important research perspectives on treatments when needed, especially since brain plasticity persists much later than previously thought. Improved early detection of ASD and additional studies on synapses and primary cilia are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- J-J Hauw
- Académie nationale de médecine, 16, rue Bonaparte, 75272 Paris cedex 06, France; Laboratoire de neuropathologie Raymond-Escourolle, hôpital universitaire Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France.
| | | | - C Barthélémy
- Académie nationale de médecine, 16, rue Bonaparte, 75272 Paris cedex 06, France; Faculté de médecine, université de Tours, Tours, France; GIS Autisme et troubles du neurodéveloppement, Paris, France
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Kamimura I, Miyauchi E, Takeuchi T, Tsuchiya N, Tamura K, Uesugi A, Negishi H, Taida T, Kato T, Kawasumi M, Nagasawa M, Mogi K, Ohno H, Kikusui T. Modulation of gut microbiota composition due to early weaning stress induces depressive behavior during the juvenile period in mice. Anim Microbiome 2024; 6:33. [PMID: 38902845 PMCID: PMC11188262 DOI: 10.1186/s42523-024-00322-7] [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: 03/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The gut microbiota plays an important role in the development of behavior and immunity in infants and juveniles. Early weaning (EW), a form of social stress in mice, leads to increased anxiety and an enhanced stress response in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis during adulthood. Early life stress also modulates the immune system and increases vulnerability to infection. However, studies investigating the causal relationships among juvenile stress, microbiota changes, and immune and behavioral deficits are limited. Therefore, we hypothesized that EW alters gut microbiota composition and impairs the development of the nervous and immune systems. RESULTS EW mice moved longer distances in the marble-burying test and had longer immobility times in the tail suspension test than normal weaning (NW) mice. In parallel, the gut microbiome composition differed between NW and EW mice, and the abundance of Erysipelotrichacea in EW mice at 8 weeks of age was lower than that in NW mice. In an empirical study, germ-free mice colonized with the gut microbiota of EW mice (GF-EW mice) demonstrated higher depressive behavior than GF mice colonized with normal weaning microbiota (GF-NW mice). Immune cell profiles were also affected by the EW microbiota colonization; the number of CD4 + T cells in the spleen was reduced in GF-EW mice. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that EW-induced alterations in the gut microbiota cause depressive behaviors and modulate the immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Itsuka Kamimura
- Laboratory for Microbiome Sciences, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Eiji Miyauchi
- Laboratory for Intestinal Ecosystem, RIKEN Centre for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
- Institute for Molecular and Cellular Regulation, Gunma University, Maebashi, Japan
| | - Tadashi Takeuchi
- Laboratory for Intestinal Ecosystem, RIKEN Centre for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Noriaki Tsuchiya
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Azabu University, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Kanami Tamura
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Azabu University, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Ayumi Uesugi
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Azabu University, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Hiroki Negishi
- Laboratory for Intestinal Ecosystem, RIKEN Centre for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Takashi Taida
- Laboratory for Intestinal Ecosystem, RIKEN Centre for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Tamotsu Kato
- Laboratory for Intestinal Ecosystem, RIKEN Centre for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Masami Kawasumi
- Laboratory for Intestinal Ecosystem, RIKEN Centre for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Miho Nagasawa
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Azabu University, Sagamihara, Japan
- Center for Human and Animal Symbiosis Science, Azabu University, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Kazutaka Mogi
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Azabu University, Sagamihara, Japan
- Center for Human and Animal Symbiosis Science, Azabu University, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Ohno
- Laboratory for Microbiome Sciences, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
- Laboratory for Intestinal Ecosystem, RIKEN Centre for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Takefumi Kikusui
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Azabu University, Sagamihara, Japan.
- Center for Human and Animal Symbiosis Science, Azabu University, Sagamihara, Japan.
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10
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Wikarska A, Roszak K, Roszek K. Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Purinergic Signaling in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Bridging the Gap between Cell-Based Strategies and Neuro-Immune Modulation. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1310. [PMID: 38927517 PMCID: PMC11201695 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12061310] [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: 04/28/2024] [Revised: 05/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is still increasing, which means that this neurodevelopmental lifelong pathology requires special scientific attention and efforts focused on developing novel therapeutic approaches. It has become increasingly evident that neuroinflammation and dysregulation of neuro-immune cross-talk are specific hallmarks of ASD, offering the possibility to treat these disorders by factors modulating neuro-immunological interactions. Mesenchymal stem cell-based therapy has already been postulated as one of the therapeutic approaches for ASD; however, less is known about the molecular mechanisms of stem cell influence. One of the possibilities, although still underestimated, is the paracrine purinergic activity of MSCs, by which stem cells ameliorate inflammatory reactions. Modulation of adenosine signaling may help restore neurotransmitter balance, reduce neuroinflammation, and improve overall brain function in individuals with ASD. In our review article, we present a novel insight into purinergic signaling, including but not limited to the adenosinergic pathway and its role in neuroinflammation and neuro-immune cross-talk modulation. We anticipate that by achieving a greater understanding of the purinergic signaling contribution to ASD and related disorders, novel therapeutic strategies may be devised for patients with autism in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Katarzyna Roszek
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Lwowska 1, 87-100 Torun, Poland; (A.W.); (K.R.)
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11
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Curion F, Theis FJ. Machine learning integrative approaches to advance computational immunology. Genome Med 2024; 16:80. [PMID: 38862979 PMCID: PMC11165829 DOI: 10.1186/s13073-024-01350-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The study of immunology, traditionally reliant on proteomics to evaluate individual immune cells, has been revolutionized by single-cell RNA sequencing. Computational immunologists play a crucial role in analysing these datasets, moving beyond traditional protein marker identification to encompass a more detailed view of cellular phenotypes and their functional roles. Recent technological advancements allow the simultaneous measurements of multiple cellular components-transcriptome, proteome, chromatin, epigenetic modifications and metabolites-within single cells, including in spatial contexts within tissues. This has led to the generation of complex multiscale datasets that can include multimodal measurements from the same cells or a mix of paired and unpaired modalities. Modern machine learning (ML) techniques allow for the integration of multiple "omics" data without the need for extensive independent modelling of each modality. This review focuses on recent advancements in ML integrative approaches applied to immunological studies. We highlight the importance of these methods in creating a unified representation of multiscale data collections, particularly for single-cell and spatial profiling technologies. Finally, we discuss the challenges of these holistic approaches and how they will be instrumental in the development of a common coordinate framework for multiscale studies, thereby accelerating research and enabling discoveries in the computational immunology field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiola Curion
- Institute of Computational Biology, Helmholtz Center Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Mathematics, School of Computation, Information and Technology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Fabian J Theis
- Institute of Computational Biology, Helmholtz Center Munich, Munich, Germany.
- Department of Mathematics, School of Computation, Information and Technology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
- School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
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12
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Noguchi J, Watanabe S, Oga T, Isoda R, Nakagaki K, Sakai K, Sumida K, Hoshino K, Saito K, Miyawaki I, Sugano E, Tomita H, Mizukami H, Watakabe A, Yamamori T, Ichinohe N. Altered projection-specific synaptic remodeling and its modification by oxytocin in an idiopathic autism marmoset model. Commun Biol 2024; 7:642. [PMID: 38802535 PMCID: PMC11130163 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06345-9] [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: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Alterations in the experience-dependent and autonomous elaboration of neural circuits are assumed to underlie autism spectrum disorder (ASD), though it is unclear what synaptic traits are responsible. Here, utilizing a valproic acid-induced ASD marmoset model, which shares common molecular features with idiopathic ASD, we investigate changes in the structural dynamics of tuft dendrites of upper-layer pyramidal neurons and adjacent axons in the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex through two-photon microscopy. In model marmosets, dendritic spine turnover is upregulated, and spines are generated in clusters and survived more often than in control marmosets. Presynaptic boutons in local axons, but not in commissural long-range axons, demonstrate hyperdynamic turnover in model marmosets, suggesting alterations in projection-specific plasticity. Intriguingly, nasal oxytocin administration attenuates clustered spine emergence in model marmosets. Enhanced clustered spine generation, possibly unique to certain presynaptic partners, may be associated with ASD and be a potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Noguchi
- Department of Ultrastructural Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan.
| | - Satoshi Watanabe
- Department of Ultrastructural Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan
| | - Tomofumi Oga
- Department of Ultrastructural Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan
| | - Risa Isoda
- Department of Ultrastructural Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan
| | - Keiko Nakagaki
- Department of Ultrastructural Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan
| | - Kazuhisa Sakai
- Department of Ultrastructural Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan
| | - Kayo Sumida
- Environmental Health Science Laboratory, Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd., Osaka, Japan
| | - Kohei Hoshino
- Preclinical Research Laboratories, Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd., Osaka, Japan
| | - Koichi Saito
- Environmental Health Science Laboratory, Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd., Osaka, Japan
| | - Izuru Miyawaki
- Preclinical Research Laboratories, Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd., Osaka, Japan
| | - Eriko Sugano
- Laboratory of Visual Neuroscience, Graduate Course in Biological Sciences, Iwate University, Morioka, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Tomita
- Laboratory of Visual Neuroscience, Graduate Course in Biological Sciences, Iwate University, Morioka, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Mizukami
- Division of Genetic Therapeutics, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Japan
| | - Akiya Watakabe
- Laboratory for Molecular Analysis of Higher Brain Function, Center for Brain Science, RIKEN, Wako, Japan
| | - Tetsuo Yamamori
- Laboratory for Molecular Analysis of Higher Brain Function, Center for Brain Science, RIKEN, Wako, Japan
- Laboratory for Haptic Perception and Cognitive Physiology, Center for Brain Science, RIKEN, Wako, Japan
- Department of Marmoset Biology and Medicine, CIEM, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Noritaka Ichinohe
- Department of Ultrastructural Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan.
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13
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Kaya F, Alsafdi T, Al-Suleh M. A Rare Post-Infectious Autoimmune Manifestation of COVID-19. Eur J Case Rep Intern Med 2024; 11:004542. [PMID: 38846672 PMCID: PMC11152236 DOI: 10.12890/2024_004542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
The incidence of post-infectious autoimmune diseases has been on the rise following the COVID-19 pandemic. Recently, an autistic patient was admitted to the hospital presenting with a mild upper respiratory system COVID-19 infection. Months after recovery and polymerase chain reaction negativity, the patient developed HEp-2 cell positivity and presented with relapsing polychondritis (RP), a rare autoimmune disease. The mechanism of this autoimmune invasion is ultimately caused by activating a myriad of immune reactions. Lymphocytopenia almost always accompanies various clinical forms of COVID-19; however, it may drive the lymphocytopenia-induced proliferation of autoreactive T cells via the activation of interleukin-6 (IL-6). Moreover, high levels of neutrophils during infection promote autoimmune disease by releasing cytokine and chemokine cascades that accompany inflammation, and neutrophil extracellular traps regulating immune responses through cell-cell interactions. Furthermore, autism spectrum disorder patients display an altered immune system that includes an augmented inflammatory cytokine milieu leading to an increased pro-inflammatory Th1/Th2 ratio. In addition, the pathophysiology of RP is majorly associated with a cell-mediated immune reaction; thus, the predisposing exaggerated immune system of such patients must also be considered as a predisposing factor to the development of post-infectious autoimmune diseases. LEARNING POINTS COVID-19 infection is a potential trigger for relapsing polychondritis, an autoimmune disease affecting cartilage, and must be considered as a rare post-COVID complication.The hyperactive immune system in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is an important predisposing factor to the induction of more autoimmune diseases after the occurrence of post-infectious dysregulation.Lymphocytopenia-induced proliferation possibly initiates the post-infection immune dysregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatih Kaya
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Maltepe University Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Tarek Alsafdi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Maltepe University Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Manar Al-Suleh
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Maltepe University Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
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14
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González-Madrid E, Rangel-Ramírez MA, Opazo MC, Méndez L, Bohmwald K, Bueno SM, González PA, Kalergis AM, Riedel CA. Gestational hypothyroxinemia induces ASD-like phenotypes in behavior, proinflammatory markers, and glutamatergic protein expression in mouse offspring of both sexes. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1381180. [PMID: 38752179 PMCID: PMC11094302 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1381180] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has significantly risen in the past three decades, prompting researchers to explore the potential contributions of environmental factors during pregnancy to ASD development. One such factor of interest is gestational hypothyroxinemia (HTX), a frequent condition in pregnancy associated with cognitive impairments in the offspring. While retrospective human studies have linked gestational HTX to autistic traits, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the development of ASD-like phenotypes remain poorly understood. This study used a mouse model of gestational HTX to evaluate ASD-like phenotypes in the offspring. Methods To induce gestational HTX, pregnant mice were treated with 2-mercapto-1-methylimidazole (MMI), a thyroid hormones synthesis inhibitor, in the tap-drinking water from embryonic days (E) 10 to E14. A separate group received MMI along with a daily subcutaneous injection of T4, while the control group received regular tap water during the entire pregnancy. Female and male offspring underwent assessments for repetitive, anxious, and social behaviors from postnatal day (P) 55 to P64. On P65, mice were euthanized for the evaluation of ASD-related inflammatory markers in blood, spleen, and specific brain regions. Additionally, the expression of glutamatergic proteins (NLGN3 and HOMER1) was analyzed in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Results The HTX-offspring exhibited anxious-like behavior, a subordinate state, and impaired social interactions. Subsequently, both female and male HTX-offspring displayed elevated proinflammatory cytokines in blood, including IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17A, and TNF-α, while only males showed reduced levels of IL-10. The spleen of HTX-offspring of both sexes showed increased Th17/Treg ratio and M1-like macrophages. In the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of male HTX-offspring, elevated levels of IL-17A and reduced IL-10 were observed, accompanied by increased expression of hippocampal NLGN3 and HOMER1. All these observations were compared to those observed in the Control-offspring. Notably, the supplementation with T4 during the MMI treatment prevents the development of the observed phenotypes. Correlation analysis revealed an association between maternal T4 levels and specific ASD-like outcomes. Discussion This study validates human observations, demonstrating for the first time that gestational HTX induces ASD-like phenotypes in the offspring, highlighting the need of monitoring thyroid function during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrique González-Madrid
- Laboratorio de Endocrino-inmunología, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ma. Andreina Rangel-Ramírez
- Laboratorio de Endocrino-inmunología, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - María C. Opazo
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Agronomía, Instituto de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad de las Américas, Santiago, Chile
| | - Luis Méndez
- Laboratorio de Endocrino-inmunología, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Karen Bohmwald
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Susan M. Bueno
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Pablo A. González
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Alexis M. Kalergis
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Departamento de Endocrinología, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Claudia A. Riedel
- Laboratorio de Endocrino-inmunología, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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15
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Ahrens AP, Hyötyläinen T, Petrone JR, Igelström K, George CD, Garrett TJ, Orešič M, Triplett EW, Ludvigsson J. Infant microbes and metabolites point to childhood neurodevelopmental disorders. Cell 2024; 187:1853-1873.e15. [PMID: 38574728 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.02.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
This study has followed a birth cohort for over 20 years to find factors associated with neurodevelopmental disorder (ND) diagnosis. Detailed, early-life longitudinal questionnaires captured infection and antibiotic events, stress, prenatal factors, family history, and more. Biomarkers including cord serum metabolome and lipidome, human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genotype, infant microbiota, and stool metabolome were assessed. Among the 16,440 Swedish children followed across time, 1,197 developed an ND. Significant associations emerged for future ND diagnosis in general and for specific ND subtypes, spanning intellectual disability, speech disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and autism. This investigation revealed microbiome connections to future diagnosis as well as early emerging mood and gastrointestinal problems. The findings suggest links to immunodysregulation and metabolism, compounded by stress, early-life infection, and antibiotics. The convergence of infant biomarkers and risk factors in this prospective, longitudinal study on a large-scale population establishes a foundation for early-life prediction and intervention in neurodevelopment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelica P Ahrens
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32603, USA
| | - Tuulia Hyötyläinen
- School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, Örebro 702 81, Sweden
| | - Joseph R Petrone
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32603, USA
| | - Kajsa Igelström
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Division of Neurobiology, Linköping University, Linköping 58185, Sweden
| | - Christian D George
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32603, USA
| | - Timothy J Garrett
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Matej Orešič
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro 702 81, Sweden; Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku 20520, Finland; Department of Life Technologies, University of Turku, Turku 20014, Finland
| | - Eric W Triplett
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32603, USA.
| | - Johnny Ludvigsson
- Crown Princess Victoria Children's Hospital and Division of Pediatrics, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping 58185, Sweden
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16
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Ibrahim W, An J, Yang Y, Cosgrove KP, Matuskey D. Does seasonal variation affect the neuroimmune system? A retrospective [ 11C]PBR28 PET study in healthy individuals. Neurosci Lett 2024; 828:137766. [PMID: 38583505 PMCID: PMC11073647 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2024.137766] [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: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The neuroimmune system performs a wide range of functions in the brain and the central nervous system. The microglial translocator protein (TSPO) has an established role as a cell marker in identification of the neuroimmune system. Previously, human studies have shown TSPO differences in neuropsychiatric disorders. Seasonal variability has also been demonstrated in multiple systems of healthy individuals. Therefore, in this study, we attempt to understand whether seasonal changes affect brain TSPO levels using [11C]PBR28 positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. METHODS 46 healthy subjects (mean age ± SD = 32.5 ± 10); sex (M/F) = 32/14)) underwent PET imaging with [11C]PBR28 in a retrospectively conducted analysis. All PET scans were performed on the HRRT scanner. Volume of distribution (VT) values were generated for cortical and subcortical regions and the cerebellum. Spring/summer months were defined as March to August while fall/winter months were defined as September to February and were compared through 2-tailed t-tests (SciPy library v.1.10.1 and Pinguoin library on Python v.3.8.8). Average daylight hours and temperature in New Haven, CT were obtained online (www.wunderground.com) and compared to VT with Spearman's correlations. RESULTS There were no significant differences observed between the TSPO levels of spring/summer and fall/winter months in the brain (t = 0.52, p = 0.61). Additional analysis on all individual brain regions also indicated non-significance. Likewise, no significant correlations were found between TSPO levels in the whole brain and brain regions against daylight hours (ρ= 0.05, p = 0.74), temperature (ρ = 0.04, p = 0.81), or month (ρ = 0.08, p = 0.60). Controlling TSPO gene polymorphisms and other variables had no significant effect on the outcome. CONCLUSION To the best of our knowledge, this is the first human study to investigate seasonal changes in TSPO expression. Our results can be interpreted as the lack of seasonal variability in the neuroimmune system, but important limitations include high interindividual variability, test-retest variability, specificity of the tracer, and a limited sample size. Limitations notwithstanding, our results conclude that TSPO levels in the brain are not impacted by light and temperature changes in different seasons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waleed Ibrahim
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Jeonghyun An
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Yanghong Yang
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Kelly P. Cosgrove
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - David Matuskey
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
- Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
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17
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AL-Hasnawi SMJ, Noori MA, AL-Haidari AF, Hussain MJ. Increased Serum Terminal Complements Complex Levels in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Children. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCES 2024; 49:229-236. [PMID: 38680220 PMCID: PMC11053251 DOI: 10.30476/ijms.2023.97556.2934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Background Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a widespread neuropsychiatric disorder in both children and adolescents, which is associated with social isolation and poor academic performance. Complement proteins are regarded as a major player in inflammation and disease development for several neuropsychiatric diseases such as schizophrenia and bipolar diseases. As clarified by previous data, increased levels of complement molecules and other immunological markers as cytokines were demonstrated in these disorders. Limited studies have investigated complement proteins particularly terminal complement complex or membrane attack complex (C5b-9) among ADHD patients. The present research aims to elucidate the association between C5b-9 complex protein and ADHD. Methods This is a cross-sectional study. Sera were collected from Al-Hussain Teaching Medical City in Holy Karbala, Iraq, during 2019-2020. Sera were tested for C5-b9 using commercial kits by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results In 90 participants included in the study, a significant increment in C5b-9 levels among ADHD patients (P=0.019) was observed. Patients with positive C5b-9 levels had a 2.76 times higher risk of developing ADHD than control subjects. The diagnostic utility for C5b-9 was statistically significant with 71.11% sensitivity, 55.6% specificity, and a high negative predictive value (97.3%). Conclusion The study concluded elevation of the C5b-9 terminal complements complex levels in ADHD patients, which could point to the association of complement proteins as inflammatory markers with the ADHD disease process.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Munther J. Hussain
- Institute of Liver Studies, King’s College London, School of Medicine, King’s College Hospital, London, SE5 9RS, UK
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18
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Oulas A, Savva K, Karathanasis N, Spyrou GM. Ranking of cell clusters in a single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis framework using prior knowledge. PLoS Comput Biol 2024; 20:e1011550. [PMID: 38635836 PMCID: PMC11060557 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1011550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Prioritization or ranking of different cell types in a single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) framework can be performed in a variety of ways, some of these include: i) obtaining an indication of the proportion of cell types between the different conditions under study, ii) counting the number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between cell types and conditions in the experiment or, iii) prioritizing cell types based on prior knowledge about the conditions under study (i.e., a specific disease). These methods have drawbacks and limitations thus novel methods for improving cell ranking are required. Here we present a novel methodology that exploits prior knowledge in combination with expert-user information to accentuate cell types from a scRNA-seq analysis that yield the most biologically meaningful results with respect to a disease under study. Our methodology allows for ranking and prioritization of cell types based on how well their expression profiles relate to the molecular mechanisms and drugs associated with a disease. Molecular mechanisms, as well as drugs, are incorporated as prior knowledge in a standardized, structured manner. Cell types are then ranked/prioritized based on how well results from data-driven analysis of scRNA-seq data match the predefined prior knowledge. In additional cell-cell communication perturbations between disease and control networks are used to further prioritize/rank cell types. Our methodology has substantial advantages to more traditional cell ranking techniques and provides an informative complementary methodology that utilizes prior knowledge in a rapid and automated manner, that has previously not been attempted by other studies. The current methodology is also implemented as an R package entitled Single Cell Ranking Analysis Toolkit (scRANK) and is available for download and installation via GitHub (https://github.com/aoulas/scRANK).
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasis Oulas
- The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics, Bioinformatics Department, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Kyriaki Savva
- The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics, Bioinformatics Department, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Nestoras Karathanasis
- The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics, Bioinformatics Department, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - George M. Spyrou
- The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics, Bioinformatics Department, Nicosia, Cyprus
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19
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Wu J, Zhang J, Chen X, Wettschurack K, Que Z, Deming BA, Olivero-Acosta MI, Cui N, Eaton M, Zhao Y, Li SM, Suzuki M, Chen I, Xiao T, Halurkar MS, Mandal P, Yuan C, Xu R, Koss WA, Du D, Chen F, Wu LJ, Yang Y. Microglial over-pruning of synapses during development in autism-associated SCN2A-deficient mice and human cerebral organoids. Mol Psychiatry 2024:10.1038/s41380-024-02518-4. [PMID: 38499656 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02518-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a major neurodevelopmental disorder affecting 1 in 36 children in the United States. While neurons have been the focus of understanding ASD, an altered neuro-immune response in the brain may be closely associated with ASD, and a neuro-immune interaction could play a role in the disease progression. As the resident immune cells of the brain, microglia regulate brain development and homeostasis via core functions including phagocytosis of synapses. While ASD has been traditionally considered a polygenic disorder, recent large-scale human genetic studies have identified SCN2A deficiency as a leading monogenic cause of ASD and intellectual disability. We generated a Scn2a-deficient mouse model, which displays major behavioral and neuronal phenotypes. However, the role of microglia in this disease model is unknown. Here, we reported that Scn2a-deficient mice have impaired learning and memory, accompanied by reduced synaptic transmission and lower spine density in neurons of the hippocampus. Microglia in Scn2a-deficient mice are partially activated, exerting excessive phagocytic pruning of post-synapses related to the complement C3 cascades during selective developmental stages. The ablation of microglia using PLX3397 partially restores synaptic transmission and spine density. To extend our findings from rodents to human cells, we established a microglia-incorporated human cerebral organoid model carrying an SCN2A protein-truncating mutation identified in children with ASD. We found that human microglia display increased elimination of post-synapse in cerebral organoids carrying the SCN2A mutation. Our study establishes a key role of microglia in multi-species autism-associated models of SCN2A deficiency from mouse to human cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxiang Wu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
- Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Jingliang Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
- Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Xiaoling Chen
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
- Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Kyle Wettschurack
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
- Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Zhefu Que
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
- Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Brody A Deming
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
- Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Maria I Olivero-Acosta
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
- Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Ningren Cui
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
- Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Muriel Eaton
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
- Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Yuanrui Zhao
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
- Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Sophia M Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
- Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Matthew Suzuki
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
- Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Ian Chen
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
- Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Tiange Xiao
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
- Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Manasi S Halurkar
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
- Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Purba Mandal
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
- Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Chongli Yuan
- Davidson School of Chemical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Ranjie Xu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Wendy A Koss
- Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Dongshu Du
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Fuxue Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Long-Jun Wu
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA.
- Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA.
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20
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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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21
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Zafarullah M, Angkustsiri K, Quach A, Yeo S, Durbin-Johnson BP, Bowling H, Tassone F. Untargeted metabolomic, and proteomic analysis identifies metabolic biomarkers and pathway alterations in individuals with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. Metabolomics 2024; 20:31. [PMID: 38418685 PMCID: PMC10901937 DOI: 10.1007/s11306-024-02088-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The chromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) is characterized by a well-defined microdeletion and is associated with a wide range of brain-related phenotypes including schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SCZ), autism spectrum disorders (ASD), anxiety disorders and attention deficit disorders (ADHD). The typically deleted region in 22q11.2DS contains multiple genes which haploinsufficiency has the potential of altering the protein and the metabolic profiles. OBJECTIVES Alteration in metabolic processes and downstream protein pathways during the early brain development may help to explain the increased prevalence of the observed neurodevelopmental phenotypes in 22q11.2DS. However, relatively little is known about the correlation of dysregulated protein/metabolite expression and neurobehavioral impairments in individuals who developed them over time. METHODS In this study, we performed untargeted metabolic and proteomic analysis in plasma samples derived from 30 subjects including 16 participants with 22q11.2DS and 14 healthy controls (TD) enrolled in a longitudinal study, aiming to identify a metabolic and protein signature informing about the underlying mechanisms involved in disease development and progression. The metabolic and proteomic profiles were also compared between the participants with 22q11.2DS with and without various comorbidities, such as medical involvement, psychiatric conditions, and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to detect potential changes among multiple specimens, collected overtime, with the aim to understand the basic underlying mechanisms involved in disease development and progression. RESULTS We observed a large number of statistically significant differences in metabolites between the two groups. Among them, the levels of taurine and arachidonic acid were significantly lower in 22q11.2DS compared to the TD group. In addition, we identified 16 proteins that showed significant changes in expression levels (adjusted P < 0.05) in 22q11.2DS as compared to TD, including those involved in 70 pathways such as gene expression, the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and the complement system. Within participants with 22q11.2DS, no significant changes in those with and without medical or psychiatric conditions were observed. CONCLUSION To our knowledge, this is the first report on plasma metabolic and proteomic profiling and on the identification of unique biomarkers in 22q11.2DS. These findings may suggest the potential role of the identified metabolites and proteins as biomarkers for the onset of comorbid conditions in 22q11.2DS. Ultimately, the altered protein pathways in 22q11.2DS may provide insights of the biological mechanisms underlying the neurodevelopmental phenotype and may provide missing molecular outcome measures in future clinical trials to assess early-diagnosis treatment and the efficacy of response to targeted treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marwa Zafarullah
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
| | - Kathleen Angkustsiri
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Flora Tassone
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.
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22
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Takada R, Toritsuka M, Yamauchi T, Ishida R, Kayashima Y, Nishi Y, Ishikawa M, Yamamuro K, Ikehara M, Komori T, Noriyama Y, Kamikawa K, Saito Y, Okano H, Makinodan M. Granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor-induced macrophages of individuals with autism spectrum disorder adversely affect neuronal dendrites through the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Mol Autism 2024; 15:10. [PMID: 38383466 PMCID: PMC10882766 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-024-00589-2] [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: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A growing body of evidence suggests that immune dysfunction and inflammation in the peripheral tissues as well as the central nervous system are associated with the neurodevelopmental deficits observed in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Elevated expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the plasma, serum, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells of ASD has been reported. These cytokine expression levels are associated with the severity of behavioral impairments and symptoms in ASD. In a prior study, our group reported that tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) expression in granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor-induced macrophages (GM-CSF MΦ) and the TNF-α expression ratio in GM-CSF MΦ/M-CSF MΦ (macrophage colony-stimulating factor-induced macrophages) was markedly higher in individuals with ASD than in typically developed (TD) individuals. However, the mechanisms of how the macrophages and the highly expressed cytokines affect neurons remain to be addressed. METHODS To elucidate the effect of macrophages on human neurons, we used a co-culture system of control human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons and differentiated macrophages obtained from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of five TD individuals and five individuals with ASD. All participants were male and ethnically Japanese. RESULTS Our results of co-culture experiments showed that GM-CSF MΦ affect the dendritic outgrowth of neurons through the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-1α and TNF-α. Macrophages derived from individuals with ASD exerted more severe effects than those derived from TD individuals. LIMITATIONS The main limitations of our study were the small sample size with a gender bias toward males, the use of artificially polarized macrophages, and the inability to directly observe the interaction between neurons and macrophages from the same individuals. CONCLUSIONS Our co-culture system revealed the non-cell autonomous adverse effects of GM-CSF MΦ in individuals with ASD on neurons, mediated by interleukin-1α and TNF-α. These results may support the immune dysfunction hypothesis of ASD, providing new insights into its pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryohei Takada
- Department of Psychiatry, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, 840 Shijo-Cho, Kashihara City, Nara, 634-8522, Japan
| | - Michihiro Toritsuka
- Department of Psychiatry, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, 840 Shijo-Cho, Kashihara City, Nara, 634-8522, Japan.
| | - Takahira Yamauchi
- Department of Psychiatry, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, 840 Shijo-Cho, Kashihara City, Nara, 634-8522, Japan
| | - Rio Ishida
- Department of Psychiatry, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, 840 Shijo-Cho, Kashihara City, Nara, 634-8522, Japan
| | - Yoshinori Kayashima
- Department of Psychiatry, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, 840 Shijo-Cho, Kashihara City, Nara, 634-8522, Japan
| | - Yuki Nishi
- Department of Psychiatry, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, 840 Shijo-Cho, Kashihara City, Nara, 634-8522, Japan
| | - Mitsuru Ishikawa
- Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-Ku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Yamamuro
- Department of Psychiatry, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, 840 Shijo-Cho, Kashihara City, Nara, 634-8522, Japan
| | - Minobu Ikehara
- Department of Psychiatry, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, 840 Shijo-Cho, Kashihara City, Nara, 634-8522, Japan
| | - Takashi Komori
- Department of Psychiatry, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, 840 Shijo-Cho, Kashihara City, Nara, 634-8522, Japan
| | - Yuki Noriyama
- Department of Psychiatry, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, 840 Shijo-Cho, Kashihara City, Nara, 634-8522, Japan
| | - Kohei Kamikawa
- Department of Psychiatry, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, 840 Shijo-Cho, Kashihara City, Nara, 634-8522, Japan
| | - Yasuhiko Saito
- Department of Neurophysiology, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, 840 Shijo-Cho, Kashihara City, Nara, 634-8522, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Okano
- Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-Ku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan
| | - Manabu Makinodan
- Department of Psychiatry, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, 840 Shijo-Cho, Kashihara City, Nara, 634-8522, Japan
- Osaka Psychiatric Research Center, 3-16-21 Miyanosaka, Hirakata City, Osaka, 573-0022, Japan
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23
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Xu X, Han Y, Zhang B, Ren Q, Ma J, Liu S. Understanding immune microenvironment alterations in the brain to improve the diagnosis and treatment of diverse brain diseases. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:132. [PMID: 38368403 PMCID: PMC10874090 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-024-01509-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Abnormal inflammatory states in the brain are associated with a variety of brain diseases. The dynamic changes in the number and function of immune cells in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are advantageous for the early prediction and diagnosis of immune diseases affecting the brain. The aggregated factors and cells in inflamed CSF may represent candidate targets for therapy. The physiological barriers in the brain, such as the blood‒brain barrier (BBB), establish a stable environment for the distribution of resident immune cells. However, the underlying mechanism by which peripheral immune cells migrate into the brain and their role in maintaining immune homeostasis in CSF are still unclear. To advance our understanding of the causal link between brain diseases and immune cell status, we investigated the characteristics of immune cell changes in CSF and the molecular mechanisms involved in common brain diseases. Furthermore, we summarized the diagnostic and treatment methods for brain diseases in which immune cells and related cytokines in CSF are used as targets. Further investigations of the new immune cell subtypes and their contributions to the development of brain diseases are needed to improve diagnostic specificity and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotong Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, People's Republic of China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi Han
- Guang'an Men Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100053, People's Republic of China.
| | - Binlong Zhang
- Guang'an Men Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100053, People's Republic of China
| | - Quanzhong Ren
- JST Sarcopenia Research Centre, National Center for Orthopaedics, Beijing Research Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100035, People's Republic of China
| | - Juan Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, People's Republic of China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, People's Republic of China.
| | - Sijin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, People's Republic of China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, People's Republic of China
- Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, 250117, People's Republic of China
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24
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Walker CK, Govindaswami B. Editorial: SARS-CoV-2: implications for maternal-fetal-infant and perinatal mortality, morbidity, pregnancy outcomes and well-being. Front Pediatr 2024; 12:1375501. [PMID: 38390282 PMCID: PMC10882071 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2024.1375501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Cheryl K Walker
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, United States
- The UC Davis MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
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25
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Gao Y, Cai L, Wu Y, Jiang M, Zhang Y, Ren W, Song Y, Li L, Lei Z, Wu Y, Zhu L, Li J, Li D, Li G, Luo C, Tao L. Emerging functions and therapeutic targets of IL-38 in central nervous system diseases. CNS Neurosci Ther 2024; 30:e14550. [PMID: 38334236 PMCID: PMC10853902 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14550] [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: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Interleukin (IL)-38 is a newly discovered cytokine of the IL-1 family, which binds various receptors (i.e., IL-36R, IL-1 receptor accessory protein-like 1, and IL-1R1) in the central nervous system (CNS). The hallmark physiological function of IL-38 is competitive binding to IL-36R, as does the IL-36R antagonist. Emerging research has shown that IL-38 is abnormally expressed in the serum and brain tissue of patients with ischemic stroke (IS) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), suggesting that IL-38 may play an important role in neurological diseases. Important advances include that IL-38 alleviates neuromyelitis optica disorder (NMOD) by inhibiting Th17 expression, improves IS by protecting against atherosclerosis via regulating immune cells and inflammation, and reduces IL-1β and CXCL8 release through inhibiting human microglial activity post-ASD. In contrast, IL-38 mRNA is markedly increased and is mainly expressed in phagocytes in spinal cord injury (SCI). IL-38 ablation attenuated SCI by reducing immune cell infiltration. However, the effect and underlying mechanism of IL-38 in CNS diseases remain inadequately characterized. In this review, we summarize the biological characteristics, pathophysiological role, and potential mechanisms of IL-38 in CNS diseases (e.g., NMOD, Alzheimer's disease, ASD, IS, TBI, and SCI), aiming to explore the therapeutic potential of IL-38 in the prevention and treatment of CNS diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Gao
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medicine and Biological SciencesSoochow UniversitySuzhouChina
- Department of NeurosurgeryPennsylvania State University College of MedicineState CollegePennsylvaniaUSA
- Department of Forensic ScienceWenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Luwei Cai
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medicine and Biological SciencesSoochow UniversitySuzhouChina
| | - Yulu Wu
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medicine and Biological SciencesSoochow UniversitySuzhouChina
| | - Min Jiang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Tongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Yidan Zhang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medicine and Biological SciencesSoochow UniversitySuzhouChina
| | - Wenjing Ren
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medicine and Biological SciencesSoochow UniversitySuzhouChina
| | - Yirui Song
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medicine and Biological SciencesSoochow UniversitySuzhouChina
| | - Lili Li
- Department of Child and Adolescent HealthcareChildren's Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhouChina
| | - Ziguang Lei
- Department of Forensic ScienceWenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Youzhuang Wu
- Department of Forensic ScienceWenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Luwen Zhu
- Department of Forensic ScienceWenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medicine and Biological SciencesSoochow UniversitySuzhouChina
| | - Dongya Li
- Department of OrthopedicsThe Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical UniversityXuzhouChina
| | - Guohong Li
- Department of NeurosurgeryPennsylvania State University College of MedicineState CollegePennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Chengliang Luo
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medicine and Biological SciencesSoochow UniversitySuzhouChina
| | - Luyang Tao
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medicine and Biological SciencesSoochow UniversitySuzhouChina
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26
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Iakunchykova O, Leonardsen EH, Wang Y. Genetic evidence for causal effects of immune dysfunction in psychiatric disorders: where are we? Transl Psychiatry 2024; 14:63. [PMID: 38272880 PMCID: PMC10810856 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-024-02778-2] [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: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The question of whether immune dysfunction contributes to risk of psychiatric disorders has long been a subject of interest. To assert this hypothesis a plethora of correlative evidence has been accumulated from the past decades; however, a variety of technical and practical obstacles impeded on a cause-effect interpretation of these data. With the advent of large-scale omics technology and advanced statistical models, particularly Mendelian randomization, new studies testing this old hypothesis are accruing. Here we synthesize these new findings from genomics and genetic causal inference studies on the role of immune dysfunction in major psychiatric disorders and reconcile these new data with pre-omics findings. By reconciling these evidences, we aim to identify key gaps and propose directions for future studies in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olena Iakunchykova
- Lifespan Changes in Brain and Cognition (LCBC), Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, 0317, Oslo, Norway
| | - Esten H Leonardsen
- Lifespan Changes in Brain and Cognition (LCBC), Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, 0317, Oslo, Norway
| | - Yunpeng Wang
- Lifespan Changes in Brain and Cognition (LCBC), Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, 0317, Oslo, Norway.
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27
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Huang W, Liu Z, Li Z, Meng S, Huang Y, Gao M, Zhong N, Zeng S, Wang L, Zhao W. Identification of Immune Infiltration and Iron Metabolism-Related Subgroups in Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Mol Neurosci 2024; 74:12. [PMID: 38236354 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-023-02179-y] [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: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder with a broad spectrum of symptoms and prognoses. Effective therapy requires understanding this variability. ASD children's cognitive and immunological development may depend on iron homoeostasis. This study employs a machine learning model that focuses on iron metabolism hub genes to identify ASD subgroups and describe immune infiltration patterns. A total of 97 control and 148 ASD samples were obtained from the GEO database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and an iron metabolism gene collection achieved the intersection of 25 genes. Unsupervised cluster analysis determined molecular subgroups in individuals with ASD based on 25 genes related to iron metabolism. We assessed gene ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment, gene set variation analysis (GSVA), and immune infiltration analysis to compare iron metabolism subtype effects. We employed machine learning to identify subtype-predicting hub genes and utilized both training and validation sets to assess gene subtype prediction accuracy. ASD can be classified into two iron-metabolizing molecular clusters. Metabolic enrichment pathways differed between clusters. Immune infiltration showed that clusters differed immunologically. Cluster 2 had better immunological scores and more immune cells, indicating a stronger immune response. Machine learning screening identified SELENBP1 and CAND1 as important genes in ASD's iron metabolism signaling pathway. These genes express in the brain and have AUC values over 0.8, implying significant predictive power. The present study introduces iron metabolism signaling pathway indicators to predict ASD subtypes. ASD is linked to immune cell infiltration and iron metabolism disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenyan Huang
- Department of Stomatology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
- Department of Pedodontics, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Oral Restoration and Reconstruction, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research of Oral Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou, 510182, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhenni Liu
- Department of Pedodontics, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Oral Restoration and Reconstruction, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research of Oral Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou, 510182, Guangdong, China
| | - Ziling Li
- Department of Pedodontics, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Oral Restoration and Reconstruction, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research of Oral Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou, 510182, Guangdong, China
| | - Si Meng
- Department of Pedodontics, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Oral Restoration and Reconstruction, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research of Oral Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou, 510182, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuhang Huang
- Department of Pedodontics, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Oral Restoration and Reconstruction, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research of Oral Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou, 510182, Guangdong, China
| | - Min Gao
- Department of Pedodontics, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Oral Restoration and Reconstruction, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research of Oral Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou, 510182, Guangdong, China
| | - Ning Zhong
- Department of Pedodontics, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Oral Restoration and Reconstruction, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research of Oral Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou, 510182, Guangdong, China
| | - Sujuan Zeng
- Department of Pedodontics, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Oral Restoration and Reconstruction, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research of Oral Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou, 510182, Guangdong, China
| | - Lijing Wang
- Department of Pedodontics, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Oral Restoration and Reconstruction, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research of Oral Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou, 510182, Guangdong, China
| | - Wanghong Zhao
- Department of Stomatology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China.
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Gonçalves CL, Doifode T, Rezende VL, Costa MA, Rhoads JM, Soutullo CA. The many faces of microbiota-gut-brain axis in autism spectrum disorder. Life Sci 2024; 337:122357. [PMID: 38123016 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.122357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
The gut-brain axis is gaining more attention in neurodevelopmental disorders, especially autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Many factors can influence microbiota in early life, including host genetics and perinatal events (infections, mode of birth/delivery, medications, nutritional supply, and environmental stressors). The gut microbiome can influence blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability, drug bioavailability, and social behaviors. Developing microbiota-based interventions such as probiotics, gastrointestinal (GI) microbiota transplantation, or metabolite supplementation may offer an exciting approach to treating ASD. This review highlights that RNA sequencing, metabolomics, and transcriptomics data are needed to understand how microbial modulators can influence ASD pathophysiology. Due to the substantial clinical heterogeneity of ASD, medical caretakers may be unlikely to develop a broad and effective general gut microbiota modulator. However, dietary modulation followed by administration of microbiota modulators is a promising option for treating ASD-related behavioral and gastrointestinal symptoms. Future work should focus on the accuracy of biomarker tests and developing specific psychobiotic agents tailored towards the gut microbiota seen in ASD patients, which may include developing individualized treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cinara L Gonçalves
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, Brazil.
| | - Tejaswini Doifode
- Louis A. Faillace, MD, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health (UTHealth), Houston, TX, USA
| | - Victoria L Rezende
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | - Maiara A Costa
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | - J Marc Rhoads
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health (UTHealth), Houston, TX, USA
| | - Cesar A Soutullo
- Louis A. Faillace, MD, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health (UTHealth), Houston, TX, USA
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Kim Y, Jang Y, Lee S, Chu K. Autism-Like Presentation of Possible Autoimmune Encephalitis With Complete Recovery After Immunotherapy. J Clin Neurol 2024; 20:97-99. [PMID: 38179638 PMCID: PMC10782083 DOI: 10.3988/jcn.2023.0245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Yongmoo Kim
- Department of Neurology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yoonhyuk Jang
- Department of Neurology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seolah Lee
- Department of Neurology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kon Chu
- Department of Neurology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
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Bransfield RC, Mao C, Greenberg R. Microbes and Mental Illness: Past, Present, and Future. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 12:83. [PMID: 38200989 PMCID: PMC10779437 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12010083] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
A review of the association between microbes and mental illness is performed, including the history, relevant definitions, infectious agents associated with mental illnesses, complex interactive infections, total load theory, pathophysiology, psychoimmunology, psychoneuroimmunology, clinical presentations, early-life infections, clinical assessment, and treatment. Perspectives on the etiology of mental illness have evolved from demonic possession toward multisystem biologically based models that include gene expression, environmental triggers, immune mediators, and infectious diseases. Microbes are associated with a number of mental disorders, including autism, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depressive disorders, and anxiety disorders, as well as suicidality and aggressive or violent behaviors. Specific microbes that have been associated or potentially associated with at least one of these conditions include Aspergillus, Babesia, Bartonella, Borna disease virus, Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease), Candida, Chlamydia, coronaviruses (e.g., SARS-CoV-2), Cryptococcus neoformans, cytomegalovirus, enteroviruses, Epstein-Barr virus, hepatitis C, herpes simplex virus, human endogenous retroviruses, human immunodeficiency virus, human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6), human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1, influenza viruses, measles virus, Mycoplasma, Plasmodium, rubella virus, Group A Streptococcus (PANDAS), Taenia solium, Toxoplasma gondii, Treponema pallidum (syphilis), Trypanosoma, and West Nile virus. Recognition of the microbe and mental illness association with the development of greater interdisciplinary research, education, and treatment options may prevent and reduce mental illness morbidity, disability, and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert C. Bransfield
- Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
- Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, Nutey, NJ 07110, USA
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31
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Willinger Y, Friedland Cohen DR, Turgeman G. Exogenous IL-17A Alleviates Social Behavior Deficits and Increases Neurogenesis in a Murine Model of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:432. [PMID: 38203599 PMCID: PMC10779042 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Among the proposed mechanisms for autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is immune dysregulation. The proinflammatory cytokine Interleukine-17A (IL-17A) was shown to play a key role in mediating immune-related neurodevelopmental impairment of social behavior. Nevertheless, post-developmental administration of IL-17A was found to increase social behavior. In the present study, we explored the effect of post-developmental administration of IL-17A on ASD-like behaviors induced by developmental exposure to valproic acid (VPA) at postnatal day 4. At the age of seven weeks, VPA-exposed mice were intravenously injected twice with recombinant murine IL-17A (8 μg), and a week later, they were assessed for ASD-like behavior. IL-17A administration increased social behavior and alleviated the ASD-like phenotype. Behavioral changes were associated with increased serum levels of IL-17 and Th17-related cytokines. Exogenous IL-17A also increased neuritogenesis in the dendritic tree of doublecortin-expressing newly formed neurons in the dentate gyrus. Interestingly, the effect of IL-17A on neuritogenesis was more noticeable in females than in males, suggesting a sex-dependent effect of IL-17A. In conclusion, our study suggests a complex role for IL-17A in ASD. While contributing to its pathology at the developmental stage, IL-17 may also promote the alleviation of behavioral deficits post-developmentally by promoting neuritogenesis and synaptogenesis in the dentate gyrus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yehoshua Willinger
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel; (Y.W.); (D.R.F.C.)
| | - Daniella R. Friedland Cohen
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel; (Y.W.); (D.R.F.C.)
| | - Gadi Turgeman
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel; (Y.W.); (D.R.F.C.)
- The Adelson School of Medicine, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel
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Jiang M, Wang Z, Lu T, Li X, Yang K, Zhao L, Zhang D, Li J, Wang L. Integrative analysis of long noncoding RNAs dysregulation and synapse-associated ceRNA regulatory axes in autism. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:375. [PMID: 38057311 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02662-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex disorder of neurodevelopment, the function of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) in ASD remains essentially unknown. In the present study, gene networks were used to explore the ASD disease mechanisms integrating multiple data types (for example, RNA expression, whole-exome sequencing signals, weighted gene co-expression network analysis, and protein-protein interaction) and datasets (five human postmortem datasets). A total of 388 lncRNAs and five co-expression modules were found to be altered in ASD. The downregulated co-expression M4 module was significantly correlated with ASD, enriched with autism susceptibility genes and synaptic signaling. Integrating lncRNAs from the M4 module and microRNA (miRNA) dysregulation data from the literature identified competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network. We identified the downregulated mRNAs that interact with miRNAs by the miRTarBase, miRDB, and TargetScan databases. Our analysis reveals that MIR600HG was downregulated in multiple brain tissue datasets and was closely associated with 9 autism-susceptible miRNAs in the ceRNA network. MIR600HG and target mRNAs (EPHA4, MOAP1, MAP3K9, STXBP1, PRKCE, and SCAMP5) were downregulated in the peripheral blood by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis (false discovery rate <0.05). Subsequently, we assessed the role of lncRNA dysregulation in altered mRNA levels. Experimental verification showed that some synapse-associated mRNAs were downregulated after the MIR600HG knockdown. BrainSpan project showed that the expression patterns of MIR600HG (primate-specific lncRNA) and synapse-associated mRNA were similar in different human brain regions and at different stages of development. A combination of support vector machine and random forest machine learning algorithms retrieved the marker gene for ASD in the ceRNA network, and the area under the curve of the diagnostic nomogram was 0.851. In conclusion, dysregulation of MIR600HG, a novel specific lncRNA associated with ASD, is responsible for the ASD-associated miRNA-mRNA axes, thereby potentially regulating synaptogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miaomiao Jiang
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, Beijing, China
| | - Ziqi Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & National Center for Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Tianlan Lu
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, Beijing, China
| | - Xianjing Li
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, Beijing, China
| | - Kang Yang
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, Beijing, China
| | - Liyang Zhao
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, Beijing, China
| | - Dai Zhang
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, Beijing, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, Institute for Brain Research and Rehabilitation (IBRR), South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jun Li
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, Beijing, China.
| | - Lifang Wang
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, Beijing, China.
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Lin HH, Jung CR, Lin CY, Chang YC, Hsieh CY, Hsu PC, Chuang BR, Hwang BF. Prenatal and postnatal exposure to heavy metals in PM 2.5 and autism spectrum disorder. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 237:116874. [PMID: 37595830 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of neurodevelopmental disorders, and its incidence is increasing over time. Although several environmental factors have been suspected to be risk factors for ASD, studies on the effects of airborne heavy metals on newly developed ASD are still limited. We conducted a large birth cohort study of 168,062 live term births in Taichung during 2004-2011 to assess the association of heavy metals in particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 μm (PM2.5) with ASD, and identify sensitive time windows during prenatal and postnatal periods. Heavy metals, including arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb) in PM2.5, were estimated using the Weather Research and Forecasting/Chem (WRF/Chem), inserted from the top 75 emission sources for the module. The association between childhood ASD and 4 metals were analyzed from pregnancy to 9 months after birth. The Cox proportional hazard model with a distributed lag nonlinear model (DLNM) was used to estimate the association between heavy metals in PM2.5 and ASD. We identified 666 incident ASD cases in 168,062 participants. A positive association between Hg and ASD was found at 9 months after birth (Hazard Ratio: 1.63; 95% CI: 1.13-2.36). According to the DLNM, there was an increased risk of exposure to Hg during 10-25 weeks after birth, and decreased risk of exposure to Hg during gestational weeks 4-6. Exposure to As and Hg on the risk of ASD were significantly stronger in low birth weight infants (<2500 g) than in those of birth weight ≥2500 g during postnatal period. Postnatal exposure to Hg in PM2.5 may associate with increased ASD incidence. Infants with low birth weight and exposure to As and Hg in PM2.5 are more likely to develop ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao-Hsuan Lin
- Department of Public Health, College of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Public Health, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chau-Ren Jung
- Department of Public Health, College of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Japan Environment and Children's Study Programme Office, Health and Environmental Risk Division, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Chuan-Yao Lin
- Research Center for Environmental Changes, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Ya-Chu Chang
- Department of Occupational Safety and Health, College of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Yun Hsieh
- Department of Occupational Safety and Health, College of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Chuan Hsu
- Department of Occupational Safety and Health, College of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Bao-Ru Chuang
- Department of Occupational Safety and Health, College of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Bing-Fang Hwang
- Department of Occupational Safety and Health, College of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Medical and Health Science, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan.
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Cording KR, Bateup HS. Altered motor learning and coordination in mouse models of autism spectrum disorder. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1270489. [PMID: 38026686 PMCID: PMC10663323 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1270489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder with increasing prevalence. Over 1,000 risk genes have now been implicated in ASD, suggesting diverse etiology. However, the diagnostic criteria for the disorder still comprise two major behavioral domains - deficits in social communication and interaction, and the presence of restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior (RRBs). The RRBs associated with ASD include both stereotyped repetitive movements and other motor manifestations including changes in gait, balance, coordination, and motor skill learning. In recent years, the striatum, the primary input center of the basal ganglia, has been implicated in these ASD-associated motor behaviors, due to the striatum's role in action selection, motor learning, and habit formation. Numerous mouse models with mutations in ASD risk genes have been developed and shown to have alterations in ASD-relevant behaviors. One commonly used assay, the accelerating rotarod, allows for assessment of both basic motor coordination and motor skill learning. In this corticostriatal-dependent task, mice walk on a rotating rod that gradually increases in speed. In the extended version of this task, mice engage striatal-dependent learning mechanisms to optimize their motor routine and stay on the rod for longer periods. This review summarizes the findings of studies examining rotarod performance across a range of ASD mouse models, and the resulting implications for the involvement of striatal circuits in ASD-related motor behaviors. While performance in this task is not uniform across mouse models, there is a cohort of models that show increased rotarod performance. A growing number of studies suggest that this increased propensity to learn a fixed motor routine may reflect a common enhancement of corticostriatal drive across a subset of mice with mutations in ASD-risk genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine R. Cording
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Helen S. Bateup
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
- Molecular and Cell Biology Department, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, United States
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Matuleviciute R, Akinluyi ET, Muntslag TAO, Dewing JM, Long KR, Vernon AC, Tremblay ME, Menassa DA. Microglial contribution to the pathology of neurodevelopmental disorders in humans. Acta Neuropathol 2023; 146:663-683. [PMID: 37656188 PMCID: PMC10564830 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-023-02629-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Microglia are the brain's resident macrophages, which guide various developmental processes crucial for brain maturation, activity, and plasticity. Microglial progenitors enter the telencephalic wall by the 4th postconceptional week and colonise the fetal brain in a manner that spatiotemporally tracks key neurodevelopmental processes in humans. However, much of what we know about how microglia shape neurodevelopment comes from rodent studies. Multiple differences exist between human and rodent microglia warranting further focus on the human condition, particularly as microglia are emerging as critically involved in the pathological signature of various cognitive and neurodevelopmental disorders. In this article, we review the evidence supporting microglial involvement in basic neurodevelopmental processes by focusing on the human species. We next concur on the neuropathological evidence demonstrating whether and how microglia contribute to the aetiology of two neurodevelopmental disorders: autism spectrum conditions and schizophrenia. Next, we highlight how recent technologies have revolutionised our understanding of microglial biology with a focus on how these tools can help us elucidate at unprecedented resolution the links between microglia and neurodevelopmental disorders. We conclude by reviewing which current treatment approaches have shown most promise towards targeting microglia in neurodevelopmental disorders and suggest novel avenues for future consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rugile Matuleviciute
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London, UK
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Elizabeth T Akinluyi
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria
| | - Tim A O Muntslag
- Princess Maxima Centre for Paediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Katherine R Long
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London, UK
- Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Anthony C Vernon
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London, UK
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | | | - David A Menassa
- Department of Neuropathology & The Queen's College, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden.
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Yin W, Norrbäck M, Levine SZ, Rivera N, Buxbaum JD, Zhu H, Yip B, Reichenberg A, Askling J, Sandin S. Maternal rheumatoid arthritis and risk of autism in the offspring. Psychol Med 2023; 53:7300-7308. [PMID: 37092864 PMCID: PMC10593909 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291723000855] [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: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Maternal Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is suggested to increase the risk of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the offspring, mainly through inflammation/autoimmunity, but the association is unclear. A prospective population-based cohort study was implemented to examine the association between maternal RA and offspring ASD. METHODS We included all children born alive in Sweden from 1995 to 2015, followed up through 2017. Diagnoses of ASD and RA were clinically ascertained from National Patient Register. We quantified the association by hazard ratios (HR) and two-sided 95% confidence intervals (CI), from Cox regression after detailed adjustment for potential confounders. We examined RA serostatus, etiological subgroups and the timing of exposure. To closer examine the underlying mechanism for the association, we included a negative control group for RA, arthralgia, with similar symptomology as RA but free from inflammation/autoimmunity. RESULTS Of 3629 children born to mothers with RA, 70 (1.94%) were diagnosed with ASD, compared to 28 892 (1.92%) of 1 503 908 children born to mothers without RA. Maternal RA before delivery was associated with an increased risk of offspring ASD (HR = 1.43, 95% CI 1.11-1.84), especially for seronegative RA (HR = 1.61, 95% CI 1.12-2.30). No similar association was observed for paternal RA, maternal sisters with RA, or RA diagnosed after delivery. Maternal arthralgia displayed as high risks for offspring ASD as did maternal RA (HR = 1.41, 95% CI 1.24-1.60). CONCLUSIONS In Sweden, maternal RA before delivery was associated with an increased risk of offspring ASD. The comparable association between maternal arthralgia and ASD risk suggests other pathways of risk than autoimmunity/inflammation, acting jointly or independently of RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiyao Yin
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Mattias Norrbäck
- Clinical Epidemiology Division, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Natalia Rivera
- Department of Medicine Solna, Respiratory Medicine Division, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Rheumatology Division, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Joseph D. Buxbaum
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment at Mount Sinai, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | - Hailin Zhu
- Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Benjamin Yip
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Abraham Reichenberg
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | - Johan Askling
- Clinical Epidemiology Division, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Rheumatology, Theme Inflammation and Ageing, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sven Sandin
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment at Mount Sinai, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
- Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
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37
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de Lange S, Muller D, Dafkin C. The relationship between balance and urinary cortisol and neopterin in autistic children. COMPREHENSIVE PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY 2023; 16:100216. [PMID: 38023738 PMCID: PMC10651439 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpnec.2023.100216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by stereotyped behavior, restricted interests and social/communicative deficits. The physiological etiology of ASD is not currently understood, however recent research has implicated dysregulation of the immune system as a central feature. The interplay between the stress systems, the immune system and the brain has been well-documented and implicated in other psychiatric and neurological disorders. This interplay suggests a role for the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in the etiology of ASD. We assessed levels of urinary cortisol and neopterin as markers of immune function and HPA activation in a cohort of 50 children from the central Johannesburg region. Additionally, we used the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist to assess autistic symptomatology and the Bruininks-Oseretsky Motor Proficiency Test (Second Edition) (BOT-2) to assess motor skills. No relationships were found between cortisol and autistic symptomatology. No relationships were found between neopterin and any of the other measures. However, a relationship was observed between urinary cortisol and performance on balance-related tasks from the BOT-2 (P < 0.05). Our findings support a theory of neurological interconnectedness between postural modulation and activation of the stress system, which has not previously been documented in children with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siobhan de Lange
- Movement Physiology Research Laboratory, School of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Dee Muller
- Stress Laboratory, School of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Chloe Dafkin
- Movement Physiology Research Laboratory, School of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Ziliotto M, Kulmann-Leal B, Kaminski VDL, Nunes GT, Riesgo RDS, Roman T, Schuch JB, Chies JAB. HLA-G*14 bp indel variant in autism spectrum disorder in a population from southern Brazil. J Neuroimmunol 2023; 383:578194. [PMID: 37683302 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2023.578194] [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: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
Altered immune response during pregnancy has been associated with ASD susceptibility. HLA-G is expressed by the trophoblast at the maternal/fetal interface and induces allogenic tolerance toward the fetus. A 14-bp insertion in the HLA-G 3'UTR (rs371194629) was associated with reduced levels of HLA-G. We aimed to assess the influence of the HLA-G*14 bp indel variant in ASD susceptibility and symptomatology in a Brazilian admixed sample. The insertion genotype (14 bp+/14 bp+) was firstly associated with hetero aggression, but statistical significance was lost after correction (p = 0.035, pcorrected = 0.35). No association between the HLA-G variant and susceptibility to ASD or differential clinical manifestations were observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Ziliotto
- Laboratory of Immunobiology and Immunogenetics, Department of Genetics, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Post Graduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Bruna Kulmann-Leal
- Laboratory of Immunobiology and Immunogenetics, Department of Genetics, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Post Graduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Valéria de Lima Kaminski
- Post Graduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Universidade Anhembi Morumbi, São José dos Campos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Tyska Nunes
- Laboratory of Immunobiology and Immunogenetics, Department of Genetics, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Rudimar Dos Santos Riesgo
- Child Neurology Unit, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Tatiana Roman
- Laboratory of Psychiatric Genetics, Department of Genetics, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Jaqueline Bohrer Schuch
- Laboratory of Psychiatric Genetics, Department of Genetics, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Graduate Program in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - José Artur Bogo Chies
- Laboratory of Immunobiology and Immunogenetics, Department of Genetics, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
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39
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Belica I, Janšáková K, Celušáková H, Kopčíková M, Polónyiová K, Rašková B, Vidošovičová M, Ostatníková D, Babinská K. Plasma cytokine concentrations of children with autism spectrum disorder and neurotypical siblings. Cytokine 2023; 170:156333. [PMID: 37598479 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2023.156333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
Several studies of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have shown cytokine dysregulation in children with ASD, leading to a consideration of the immune theory of the ASD etiopathogenesis and a debate about cytokines as potential biomarkers of ASD. However, the results of these studies are still inconsistent. Overall, studies comparing the cytokine levels of children with ASD and neurotypical siblings achieved relatively different results than studies with control groups of non-siblings. The studies suggest that the immune profile of siblings of individuals with ASD serving as control is more similar to children with ASD than the profile of non-siblings. However, there are still only a few studies with control groups including neurotypical siblings of children with ASD. The aim of our study was to determine whether the concentration of plasma cytokine levels may differentiate children with ASD from their neurotypical siblings. The sample consisted of 40 children with ASD (mean age 7.11 years, SD 2.9) and 21 neurotypical siblings (mean age 7.38, SD 3.3). Levels of 20 cytokines were included into the statistical analysis. A multiple logistic regression model using multiple corrections showed that an increase in log-transformed plasma G-CSF (granulocyte colony stimulating factor) concentration is associated with an increased risk of the child being diagnosed as an ASD case (OR = 4.35, 95% CI 1.77, 10.73). Although the significantly increased concentration of G-CSF suggests a slightly different activity of the immune system of children with ASD, the overall cytokine profile of their siblings appeared to be very similar.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Belica
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia; Research Institute for Child Psychology and Pathopsychology, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Katarína Janšáková
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Hana Celušáková
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Mária Kopčíková
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Katarína Polónyiová
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Barbara Rašková
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Mária Vidošovičová
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Daniela Ostatníková
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Katarína Babinská
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia.
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40
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Yang Y, Wu J, Zhang J, Chen X, Que Z, Wettschurack K, Deming B, Acosta M, Cui N, Eaton M, Zhao Y, Halurkar M, Purba M, Chen I, Xiao T, Suzuki M, Yuan C, Xu R, Koss W, Du D, Chen F, Wu LJ, Clinic M. Microglial over-pruning of synapses during development in autism-associated SCN2A-deficient mice and human cerebral organoids. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3270664. [PMID: 37841865 PMCID: PMC10571631 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3270664/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a major neurodevelopmental disorder affecting 1 in 36 children in the United States. While neurons have been the focus to understand ASD, an altered neuro-immune response in the brain may be closely associated with ASD, and a neuro-immune interaction could play a role in the disease progression. As the resident immune cells of the brain, microglia regulate brain development and homeostasis via core functions including phagocytosis of synapses. While ASD has been traditionally considered a polygenic disorder, recent large-scale human genetic studies have identified SCN2A deficiency as a leading monogenic cause of ASD and intellectual disability. We generated a Scn2a-deficient mouse model, which displays major behavioral and neuronal phenotypes. However, the role of microglia in this disease model is unknown. Here, we reported that Scn2a-deficient mice have impaired learning and memory, accompanied by reduced synaptic transmission and lower spine density in neurons of the hippocampus. Microglia in Scn2a-deficient mice are partially activated, exerting excessive phagocytic pruning of post-synapses related to the complement C3 cascades during selective developmental stages. The ablation of microglia using PLX3397 partially restores synaptic transmission and spine density. To extend our findings from rodents to human cells, we established a microglial-incorporated human cerebral organoid model carrying an SCN2A protein-truncating mutation identified in children with ASD. We found that human microglia display increased elimination of post-synapse in cerebral organoids carrying the SCN2A mutation. Our study establishes a key role of microglia in multi-species autism-associated models of SCN2A deficiency from mouse to human cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Yang
- Purdue University College of Pharmacy & Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience (PIIN)
| | - Jiaxiang Wu
- Purdue University College of Pharmacy & Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience (PIIN)
| | - Jingliang Zhang
- Purdue University College of Pharmacy & Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience (PIIN)
| | - Xiaoling Chen
- Purdue University College of Pharmacy & Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience (PIIN)
| | - Zhefu Que
- Purdue University College of Pharmacy & Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience (PIIN)
| | - Kyle Wettschurack
- Purdue University College of Pharmacy & Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience (PIIN)
| | - Brody Deming
- Purdue University College of Pharmacy & Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience (PIIN)
| | - Maria Acosta
- Purdue University College of Pharmacy & Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience (PIIN)
| | - Ningren Cui
- Purdue University College of Pharmacy & Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience (PIIN)
| | - Muriel Eaton
- Purdue University College of Pharmacy & Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience (PIIN)
| | - Yuanrui Zhao
- Purdue University College of Pharmacy & Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience (PIIN)
| | - Manasi Halurkar
- Purdue University College of Pharmacy & Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience (PIIN)
| | - Mandal Purba
- Purdue University College of Pharmacy & Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience (PIIN)
| | - Ian Chen
- Purdue University College of Pharmacy & Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience (PIIN)
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Briguglio S, Cambria C, Albizzati E, Marcello E, Provenzano G, Frasca A, Antonucci F. New Views of the DNA Repair Protein Ataxia-Telangiectasia Mutated in Central Neurons: Contribution in Synaptic Dysfunctions of Neurodevelopmental and Neurodegenerative Diseases. Cells 2023; 12:2181. [PMID: 37681912 PMCID: PMC10486624 DOI: 10.3390/cells12172181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Ataxia-Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM) is a serine/threonine protein kinase principally known to orchestrate DNA repair processes upon DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). Mutations in the Atm gene lead to Ataxia-Telangiectasia (AT), a recessive disorder characterized by ataxic movements consequent to cerebellar atrophy or dysfunction, along with immune alterations, genomic instability, and predisposition to cancer. AT patients show variable phenotypes ranging from neurologic abnormalities and cognitive impairments to more recently described neuropsychiatric features pointing to symptoms hardly ascribable to the canonical functions of ATM in DNA damage response (DDR). Indeed, evidence suggests that cognitive abilities rely on the proper functioning of DSB machinery and specific synaptic changes in central neurons of ATM-deficient mice unveiled unexpected roles of ATM at the synapse. Thus, in the present review, upon a brief recall of DNA damage responses, we focus our attention on the role of ATM in neuronal physiology and pathology and we discuss recent findings showing structural and functional changes in hippocampal and cortical synapses of AT mouse models. Collectively, a deeper knowledge of ATM-dependent mechanisms in neurons is necessary not only for a better comprehension of AT neurological phenotypes, but also for a higher understanding of the pathological mechanisms in neurodevelopmental and degenerative disorders involving ATM dysfunctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Briguglio
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine (BIOMETRA), University of Milan, Via F.lli Cervi 93, 20129 Segrate (MI) and via Vanvitelli 32, 20129 Milan, MI, Italy; (S.B.); (C.C.); (A.F.)
| | - Clara Cambria
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine (BIOMETRA), University of Milan, Via F.lli Cervi 93, 20129 Segrate (MI) and via Vanvitelli 32, 20129 Milan, MI, Italy; (S.B.); (C.C.); (A.F.)
| | - Elena Albizzati
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA;
| | - Elena Marcello
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Via Giuseppe Balzaretti 9, 20133 Milan, MI, Italy;
| | - Giovanni Provenzano
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology—CIBIO, University of Trento, Via Sommarive 9, 38068 Trento, TN, Italy;
| | - Angelisa Frasca
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine (BIOMETRA), University of Milan, Via F.lli Cervi 93, 20129 Segrate (MI) and via Vanvitelli 32, 20129 Milan, MI, Italy; (S.B.); (C.C.); (A.F.)
| | - Flavia Antonucci
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine (BIOMETRA), University of Milan, Via F.lli Cervi 93, 20129 Segrate (MI) and via Vanvitelli 32, 20129 Milan, MI, Italy; (S.B.); (C.C.); (A.F.)
- Institute of Neuroscience, IN-CNR, Via Raoul Follereau 3, 20854 Vedano al Lambro, MB, Italy
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42
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Deng S, Feng X, Yang M, Yu W, Wu Z, Zhu X, Song Z, Cheng S. LAMP1 as a novel molecular biomarker to predict the prognosis of the children with autism spectrum disorder using bioinformatics approaches. Sci Rep 2023; 13:14040. [PMID: 37640746 PMCID: PMC10462740 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-40617-4] [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: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that usually manifests in childhood and is thought to be caused by a complex interaction of genetic, environmental, and immune factors. The majority of current ASD diagnostic methods rely on subjective behavioral observation and scale assessment, making early detection difficult. In this study, we confirmed that lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1 (LAMP1), a functional marker of immune cell activation and cytotoxic degranulation, was upregulated in ASD blood, brain cortex, and various genetic animal models or cells using bioinformatics approaches. The prognostic value of LAMP1 was investigated by correlating its expression with clinical ASD rating scales, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis in ASD also revealed that it has a favorable diagnostic ability in distinguishing ASD from control cohort. According to gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) results, LAMP1 correlated with genes that were enriched in natural kill and T cell immune function. Taking all of the evidence into account, we discovered that abnormal elevations of LAMP1 mRNA and protein in the blood of ASD children, may influence the development of ASD through its involvement in immune cell activity regulation. This report highlights a novel marker for ASD early detection as well as potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sisi Deng
- College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on Prevention and Treatment of Cardio-Cerebral Diseases, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, 410128, China
| | - Xiang Feng
- College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on Prevention and Treatment of Cardio-Cerebral Diseases, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, 410128, China
| | - Miao Yang
- College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on Prevention and Treatment of Cardio-Cerebral Diseases, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, 410128, China
| | - Wenjing Yu
- College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on Prevention and Treatment of Cardio-Cerebral Diseases, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, 410128, China
| | - Zixuan Wu
- College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on Prevention and Treatment of Cardio-Cerebral Diseases, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, 410128, China
| | - Xu Zhu
- College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on Prevention and Treatment of Cardio-Cerebral Diseases, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, 410128, China
| | - Zhenyan Song
- College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on Prevention and Treatment of Cardio-Cerebral Diseases, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, 410128, China
| | - Shaowu Cheng
- College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on Prevention and Treatment of Cardio-Cerebral Diseases, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, 410128, China.
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43
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Guerrin CGJ, de Vries EFJ, Prasad K, Vazquez-Matias DA, Manusiwa LE, Barazzuol L, Doorduin J. Maternal infection during pregnancy aggravates the behavioral response to an immune challenge during adolescence in female rats. Behav Brain Res 2023; 452:114566. [PMID: 37419332 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
Prenatal and early postnatal infection have been associated with changes in microglial activity and the development of psychiatric disorders. Here, we investigated the effect of prenatal immune activation and postnatal immune challenge, alone and combined, on behavior and microglial cell density in female Wistar rats. Pregnant rats were injected with poly I:C to induce a maternal immune activation (MIA). Their female offspring were subsequently exposed to a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) immune challenge during adolescence. Anhedonia, social behavior, anxiety, locomotion, and working memory were measured with the sucrose preference, social interaction, open field, elevated-plus maze, and Y-maze test, respectively. Microglia cell density was quantified by counting the number of Iba-1 positive cells in the brain cortex. Female MIA offspring were more susceptible to the LPS immune challenge during adolescence than control offspring as demonstrated by a more pronounced reduction in sucrose preference and body weight on the days following the LPS immune challenge. Furthermore, only the rats exposed to both MIA and LPS showed long-lasting changes in social behavior and locomotion. Conversely, the combination MIA and LPS prevented the anxiety induced by MIA alone during adulthood. MIA, LPS, or their combination did not change microglial cell density in the parietal and frontal cortex of adult rats. The results of our study suggest that the maternal immune activation during pregnancy aggravates the response to an immune challenge during adolescence in female rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cyprien G J Guerrin
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, Groningen 9713 GZ, the Netherlands
| | - Erik F J de Vries
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, Groningen 9713 GZ, the Netherlands
| | - Kavya Prasad
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, Groningen 9713 GZ, the Netherlands
| | - Daniel A Vazquez-Matias
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, Groningen 9713 GZ, the Netherlands
| | - Lesley E Manusiwa
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, Groningen 9713 GZ, the Netherlands
| | - Lara Barazzuol
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, Groningen 9713 GZ, the Netherlands; Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells and Systems, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, Groningen 9713 GZ, the Netherlands
| | - Janine Doorduin
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, Groningen 9713 GZ, the Netherlands.
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Kaminski VDL, Kulmann-Leal B, Tyska-Nunes GL, Beltrame BP, Riesgo RDS, Schüler-Faccini L, Roman T, Schuch JB, Chies JAB. Association between NKG2/KLR gene variants and epilepsy in Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Neuroimmunol 2023; 381:578132. [PMID: 37352688 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2023.578132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a set of neurodevelopmental disorders mainly characterized by repetitive, restrictive and stereotypical behaviors, and impaired communication skills. Several lines of evidence indicate that alterations of the immune system account for ASD development, including the presence of brain-reactive antibodies, abnormal T cell activation, altered cytokine levels in brain, cerebrospinal fluid and peripheral blood circulation, increased levels of circulating monocytes, and dysregulation in Natural Killer (NK) cells activity. Regarding NK cells, a lower cytotoxic activity, a higher level of activation and an increased number of these cells in individuals with ASD have been described. In 2019, a study showed that NK cells derived from patients with ASD show a characteristic pattern of NKG2C overexpression, highlighting the importance of the NK cell pathway in ASD. In fact, the study of genes related to NK cell activity has proven to be an excellent research target, both in terms of susceptibility as well as a marker for the different clinical manifestations observed in ASD individuals. Here, we evaluated the influence of KLRC2 gene deletion as well as KLRK1 rs1049174 and rs2255336 variants in a cohort of 185 children diagnosed with ASD and their respective biological parents in southern Brazil. Of note, this is the first study concerning genetic variants of the KLRC2 and KLRK1 genes in an ASD sample. The KLRC2 gene deletion (p = 0.001; pc = 0.009), KLRK1 rs1049174 (p = 0.005; pc = 0.045) and KLRK1 rs2255336 (p = 0.001; pc = 0.009) were associated with epilepsy in ASD patients. The results indicate that KLRC2 deletion, KLRK1 rs2255336, and KLRK1 rs1049174 could be involved in epilepsy manifestation in ASD patients, possibly impacting the NK dysregulation already described in ASD and epileptic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valéria de Lima Kaminski
- Laboratory of Immunobiology and Immunogenetics, Graduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology - PPGBM, Department of Genetics, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Applied Immunology Laboratory, Graduate Program in Biotechnology, Institute of Science and Technology - ICT, Universidade Federal de São Paulo - UNIFESP, São José dos Campos - São Paulo, Brazil; Universidade Anhembi Morumbi, São José dos Campos - São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Bruna Kulmann-Leal
- Laboratory of Immunobiology and Immunogenetics, Graduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology - PPGBM, Department of Genetics, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Luís Tyska-Nunes
- Laboratory of Immunobiology and Immunogenetics, Graduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology - PPGBM, Department of Genetics, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Brenda Pedron Beltrame
- Laboratory of Immunobiology and Immunogenetics, Graduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology - PPGBM, Department of Genetics, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Rudimar Dos Santos Riesgo
- Child Neurology Unit, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2350, Porto Alegre 90035-903, Brazil
| | - Lavinia Schüler-Faccini
- Laboratory of Immunobiology and Immunogenetics, Graduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology - PPGBM, Department of Genetics, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Department of Genetics, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil; National Institute of Population Medical Genetics (INAGEMP), Porto Alegre, Brazil; Brazilian Teratogen Information Service (SIAT), Medical Genetics Service, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Tatiana Roman
- Department of Genetics, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Jaqueline Bohrer Schuch
- Graduate Program in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - José Artur Bogo Chies
- Laboratory of Immunobiology and Immunogenetics, Graduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology - PPGBM, Department of Genetics, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
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Al-Ayadhi L, Abualnaja A, AlZarroug A, Alharbi T, Alhowikan AM, Halepoto DM, Al-Mazidi S. A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase Protein 8 (ADAM 8) in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Links to Neuroinflammation. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2023; 19:1771-1780. [PMID: 37601825 PMCID: PMC10438429 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s408554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Converging lines of evidence confirmed neuroinflammation's role in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) etiological pathway. A disintegrin and metalloproteinase 8 (ADAM8) play major roles in inflammatory and allergic processes in various diseases. Aim This study aimed to investigate ADAM8 plasma levels in autistic children compared to healthy controls. Also, to discover the association between ADAM8, disease severity, and neuroinflammation in ASD. Methodology This case-control study included children with ASD (n=40) and aged-matched healthy controls (n=40). The plasma levels of the ADAM 8 were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The assessment of ASD severity and social and sensory behaviors were categorized as mild, moderate and severe. Correlations among ADAM8 plasma levels and ASD severity scores [Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) and Short Sensory Profile (SSP)] were obtained by Spearman correlation coefficient (r). Results ASD children (n=40), including severe autism (n=21) and mild-to-moderate autism (n=19), showed significantly (p ≤ 0.05) lower plasma levels of ADAM8 [4683 (2885-5229); 4663 (4060-5000); 4632 (2885-5229)], respectively, than those of healthy controls [5000 (4047-5000)] [median (IQR) pg/mL]. However, there was no significant difference between the ADAM8 levels of children with severe and mild-to-moderate autism (p = 0.71). Moreover, ADAM8 plasma levels were not significantly correlated with the severity of ASD measured by behavioral scales [CARS (r= -0.11, p=0.55), SRS (r=0.11, p= 0.95), SSP (r=-0.23, p=0.23)]. Conclusion The low ADAM8 plasma levels in children with ASD possibly indicated that ADAM8 might be implicated in the pathogenesis of ASD but not in the severity of the disease. These results should be interpreted with caution until additional studies are carried out with larger populations to decide whether the reduction in plasma ADAM8 levels is a mere consequence of ASD or if it plays a pathogenic role in the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laila Al-Ayadhi
- Autism Research and Treatment Centre, Faculty of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11461, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11461, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amani Abualnaja
- College of Medicine, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh, 11432, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah AlZarroug
- College of Medicine, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh, 11432, Saudi Arabia
| | - Turki Alharbi
- College of Medicine, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh, 11432, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulrahman M Alhowikan
- Autism Research and Treatment Centre, Faculty of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11461, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11461, Saudi Arabia
| | - Dost M Halepoto
- Autism Research and Treatment Centre, Faculty of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11461, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sarah Al-Mazidi
- College of Medicine, Department of Physiology, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh, 11432, Saudi Arabia
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de la Rubia Ortí JE, Moneti C, Serrano-Ballesteros P, Castellano G, Bayona-Babiloni R, Carriquí-Suárez AB, Motos-Muñoz M, Proaño B, Benlloch M. Liposomal Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate for the Treatment of Intestinal Dysbiosis in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Comprehensive Review. Nutrients 2023; 15:3265. [PMID: 37513683 PMCID: PMC10383799 DOI: 10.3390/nu15143265] [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: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by varying degrees of difficulty in social interaction and communication. These deficits are often associated with gastrointestinal symptoms, indicating alterations in both intestinal microbiota composition and metabolic activities. The intestinal microbiota influences the function and development of the nervous system. In individuals with ASD, there is an increase in bacterial genera such as Clostridium, as well as species involved in the synthesis of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) like Prevotella copri. Conversely, decreased amounts of Akkermansia muciniphila and Bifidobacterium spp. are observed. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is one of the polyphenols with the greatest beneficial activity on microbial growth, and its consumption is associated with reduced psychological distress. Therefore, the objective of this review is to analyze how EGCG and its metabolites can improve the microbial dysbiosis present in ASD and its impact on the pathology. The analysis reveals that EGCG inhibits the growth of pathogenic bacteria like Clostridium perfringens and Clostridium difficile. Moreover, it increases the abundance of Bifidobacterium spp. and Akkermansia spp. As a result, EGCG demonstrates efficacy in increasing the production of metabolites involved in maintaining epithelial integrity and improving brain function. This identifies EGCG as highly promising for complementary treatment in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Costanza Moneti
- Doctoral School, Catholic University of Valencia San Vicente Mártir, 46001 Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Gloria Castellano
- Centro de Investigación Traslacional San Alberto Magno (CITSAM), Catholic University of Valencia San Vicente Mártir, 46001 Valencia, Spain
| | - Raquel Bayona-Babiloni
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Catholic University of Valencia San Vicente Mártir, 46001 Valencia, Spain
| | - Ana Belén Carriquí-Suárez
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Catholic University of Valencia San Vicente Mártir, 46001 Valencia, Spain
| | - María Motos-Muñoz
- Department of Personality Psychology, Treatment and Methodology, Catholic University of Valencia San Vicente Mártir, 46100 Valencia, Spain
- Child Neurorehabilitation Unit, Manises Hospital, 46940 Valencia, Spain
| | - Belén Proaño
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Catholic University of Valencia San Vicente Mártir, 46001 Valencia, Spain
| | - María Benlloch
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Catholic University of Valencia San Vicente Mártir, 46001 Valencia, Spain
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Zhu J, Meng H, Li Y. Identification of target hub genes and construction of a novel miRNA regulatory network in autism spectrum disorder by integrated analysis. Medicine (Baltimore) 2023; 102:e34420. [PMID: 37478258 PMCID: PMC10662836 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000034420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The incidence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is increasing year by year in children. The aim of the study was to find possible biomarkers for ASD diagnosis as well as examine MicroRNA (miRNA) signatures and crucial pathways. We conducted a two-stage study to explore potential target genes and functional miRNAs. Peripheral blood samples of children with ASD were enrolled and performed RNA sequencing analysis. The overlapped candidate genes were further screened in combination with differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of GSE77103 datasets. STRING established a protein-protein interaction network comprising DEGs. The hub genes were filtered out using the CytoHubba. Then, we set up a miRNA-mRNA regulatory network. Correlational analyses between hub genes and immune cells associated with ASD were carried out using the CIBERSORT software to assess the diversity of immune cell types in ASD. RNA-sequencing analysis was used to confirm the differential expression of 3 hub genes. Briefly, after blood samples were sequenced interrogating 867 differential genes in our internal screening dataset. After screening GEO databases, 551 DEGs obtained from GSE77103. Fourteen common genes were overlapped through DEGs of GEO datasets and internal screening dataset. Among protein-protein interaction network, 10 hub genes with high degree algorithm were screened out and 3 hub genes of them - ADIPOR1, LGALS3, and GZMB - that were thought to be most associated with the emergence of ASD. Then, we developed a network of miRNA-mRNA regulatory interactions by screening miRNAs (such as hsa-miR-20b-5p, hsa-miR-17-5p, and hsa-miR-216b-5p) that were closely associated to 3 hub genes. Additionally, we discovered 18 different immune cell types associated with ASD using the CIBERSORT algorithm, and we discovered that mononuclear macrophages differed considerably between the 2 groups. Overall, 3 hub genes (ADIPOR1, LGALS3, and GZMB) and 15 candidates miRNAs-target 3 genes regulatory pathways representing potentially novel biomarkers of ASD diseases were revealed. These findings could enhance our knowledge of ASD and offer possible therapeutic targets of ASD patients in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinyi Zhu
- Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Haoran Meng
- Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Yan Li
- Key Laboratory of Birth Regulation and Control Technology of National Health Commission of China, Shandong Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital affiliated to Qingdao University, Jinan, China
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Lombardi L, Le Clerc S, Wu CL, Bouassida J, Boukouaci W, Sugusabesan S, Richard JR, Lajnef M, Tison M, Le Corvoisier P, Barau C, Banaschewski T, Holt R, Durston S, Persico AM, Oakley B, Loth E, Buitelaar J, Murphy D, Leboyer M, Zagury JF, Tamouza R. A human leukocyte antigen imputation study uncovers possible genetic interplay between gut inflammatory processes and autism spectrum disorders. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:244. [PMID: 37407551 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02550-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are neurodevelopmental conditions that are for subsets of individuals, underpinned by dysregulated immune processes, including inflammation, autoimmunity, and dysbiosis. Consequently, the major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-hosted human leukocyte antigen (HLA) has been implicated in ASD risk, although seldom investigated. By utilizing a GWAS performed by the EU-AIMS consortium (LEAP cohort), we compared HLA and MHC genetic variants, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP), and haplotypes in ASD individuals, versus typically developing controls. We uncovered six SNPs, namely rs9268528, rs9268542, rs9268556, rs14004, rs9268557, and rs8084 that crossed the Bonferroni threshold, which form the underpinnings of 3 independent genetic pathways/blocks that differentially associate with ASD. Block 1 (rs9268528-G, rs9268542-G, rs9268556-C, and rs14004-A) afforded protection against ASD development, whilst the two remaining blocks, namely rs9268557-T, and rs8084-A, associated with heightened risk. rs8084 and rs14004 mapped to the HLA-DRA gene, whilst the four other SNPs located in the BTNL2 locus. Different combinations amongst BTNL2 SNPs and HLA amino acid variants or classical alleles were found either to afford protection from or contribute to ASD risk, indicating a genetic interplay between BTNL2 and HLA. Interestingly, the detected variants had transcriptional and/or quantitative traits loci implications. As BTNL2 modulates gastrointestinal homeostasis and the identified HLA alleles regulate the gastrointestinal tract in celiac disease, it is proposed that the data on ASD risk may be linked to genetically regulated gut inflammatory processes. These findings might have implications for the prevention and treatment of ASD, via the targeting of gut-related processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Lombardi
- Université Paris Est Créteil, INSERM U955, IMRB, Laboratoire Neuro-Psychiatrie translationnelle, F-94010, Créteil, France
- Laboratoire Génomique, Bio-informatique et Chimie Moléculaire (EA7528), Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers, 292, rue Saint Martin, 75003, Paris, France
- HESAM Université, Paris, France
| | - Sigrid Le Clerc
- Laboratoire Génomique, Bio-informatique et Chimie Moléculaire (EA7528), Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers, 292, rue Saint Martin, 75003, Paris, France
- HESAM Université, Paris, France
| | - Ching-Lien Wu
- Université Paris Est Créteil, INSERM U955, IMRB, Laboratoire Neuro-Psychiatrie translationnelle, F-94010, Créteil, France
| | - Jihène Bouassida
- Université Paris Est Créteil, INSERM U955, IMRB, Laboratoire Neuro-Psychiatrie translationnelle, F-94010, Créteil, France
| | - Wahid Boukouaci
- Université Paris Est Créteil, INSERM U955, IMRB, Laboratoire Neuro-Psychiatrie translationnelle, F-94010, Créteil, France
| | - Sobika Sugusabesan
- Université Paris Est Créteil, INSERM U955, IMRB, Laboratoire Neuro-Psychiatrie translationnelle, F-94010, Créteil, France
| | - Jean-Romain Richard
- Université Paris Est Créteil, INSERM U955, IMRB, Laboratoire Neuro-Psychiatrie translationnelle, F-94010, Créteil, France
| | - Mohamed Lajnef
- Université Paris Est Créteil, INSERM U955, IMRB, Laboratoire Neuro-Psychiatrie translationnelle, F-94010, Créteil, France
| | - Maxime Tison
- Université Paris Est Créteil, INSERM U955, IMRB, Laboratoire Neuro-Psychiatrie translationnelle, F-94010, Créteil, France
- Laboratoire Génomique, Bio-informatique et Chimie Moléculaire (EA7528), Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers, 292, rue Saint Martin, 75003, Paris, France
- HESAM Université, Paris, France
| | - Philippe Le Corvoisier
- Université Paris Est Créteil, Inserm, Centre Investigation Clinique, CIC 1430, Henri Mondor, Créteil, F94010, France
| | - Caroline Barau
- Plateforme de Ressources Biologiques, HU Henri Mondor, Créteil, F94010, France
| | - Tobias Banaschewski
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Rosemary Holt
- Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Sarah Durston
- Education Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Antonio M Persico
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Program at Modena University Hospital, & Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Bethany Oakley
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopemental Science, Institute of Psychatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Eva Loth
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopemental Science, Institute of Psychatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jan Buitelaar
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Declan Murphy
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopemental Science, Institute of Psychatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Marion Leboyer
- Université Paris Est Créteil, INSERM U955, IMRB, Laboratoire Neuro-Psychiatrie translationnelle, F-94010, Créteil, France
- Université Paris Est Créteil, INSERM U955, IMRB, Laboratoire Neuro-Psychiatrie translationnelle, AP-HP, Hôpital Henri Mondor, Département Médico-Universitaire de Psychiatrie et d'Addictologie (DMU IMPACT), Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire de Médecine de Précision (FHU ADAPT) and Fondation FondaMental, Créteil, F-94010, France
| | - Jean-François Zagury
- Laboratoire Génomique, Bio-informatique et Chimie Moléculaire (EA7528), Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers, 292, rue Saint Martin, 75003, Paris, France
- HESAM Université, Paris, France
| | - Ryad Tamouza
- Université Paris Est Créteil, INSERM U955, IMRB, Laboratoire Neuro-Psychiatrie translationnelle, F-94010, Créteil, France.
- Université Paris Est Créteil, INSERM U955, IMRB, Laboratoire Neuro-Psychiatrie translationnelle, AP-HP, Hôpital Henri Mondor, Département Médico-Universitaire de Psychiatrie et d'Addictologie (DMU IMPACT), Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire de Médecine de Précision (FHU ADAPT) and Fondation FondaMental, Créteil, F-94010, France.
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Zhang L, Xu Y, Sun S, Liang C, Li W, Li H, Zhang X, Pang D, Li M, Li H, Lang Y, Liu J, Jiang S, Shi X, Li B, Yang Y, Wang Y, Li Z, Song C, Duan G, Leavenworth JW, Wang X, Zhu C. Integrative analysis of γδT cells and dietary factors reveals predictive values for autism spectrum disorder in children. Brain Behav Immun 2023; 111:76-89. [PMID: 37011865 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2023.03.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) includes a range of multifactorial neurodevelopmental disabilities characterized by a variable set of neuropsychiatric symptoms. Immunological abnormalities have been considered to play important roles in the pathogenesis of ASD, but it is still unknown which abnormalities are more prominent. METHODS A total of 105 children with ASD and 105 age and gender-matched typically developing (TD) children were recruited. An eating and mealtime behavior questionnaire, dietary habits, and the Bristol Stool Scale were investigated. The immune cell profiles in peripheral blood were analyzed by flow cytometry, and cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17A, and TNF-α) in plasma were examined by Luminex assay. The obtained results were further validated using an external validation cohort including 82 children with ASD and 51 TD children. RESULTS Compared to TD children, children with ASD had significant eating and mealtime behavioral changes and gastrointestinal symptoms characterized by increased food fussiness and emotional eating, decreased fruit and vegetable consumption, and increased stool astriction. The proportion of γδT cells was significantly higher in children with ASD than TD children (β: 0.156; 95% CI: 0.888 ∼ 2.135, p < 0.001) even after adjusting for gender, eating and mealtime behaviors, and dietary habits. In addition, the increased γδT cells were evident in all age groups (age < 48 months: β: 0.288; 95% CI: 0.420 ∼ 4.899, p = 0.020; age ≥ 48 months: β: 0.458; 95% CI: 0.694 ∼ 9.352, p = 0.024), as well as in boys (β: 0.174; 95% CI: 0.834 ∼ 2.625, p < 0.001) but not in girls. These findings were also confirmed by an external validation cohort. Furthermore, IL-17, but not IFN-γ, secretion by the circulating γδT cells was increased in ASD children. Machine learning revealed that the area under the curve in nomogram plots for increased γδT cells combined with eating behavior/dietary factors was 0.905, which held true in both boys and girls and in all the age groups of ASD children. The decision curves showed that children can receive significantly higher diagnostic benefit within the threshold probability range from 0 to 1.0 in the nomogram model. CONCLUSIONS Children with ASD present with divergent eating and mealtime behaviors and dietary habits as well as gastrointestinal symptoms. In peripheral blood, γδT cells but not αβT cells are associated with ASD. The increased γδT cells combined with eating and mealtime behavior/dietary factors have a high value for assisting in the diagnosis of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingling Zhang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Child Brain Injury and Henan Clinical Research Center for Child Neurological Disorders, Institute of Neuroscience and The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Yiran Xu
- Henan Key Laboratory of Child Brain Injury and Henan Clinical Research Center for Child Neurological Disorders, Institute of Neuroscience and The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Shuang Sun
- Center for Child Behavioral Development, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Cailing Liang
- Center for Child Behavioral Development, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Wenhua Li
- Henan Key Laboratory of Child Brain Injury and Henan Clinical Research Center for Child Neurological Disorders, Institute of Neuroscience and The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Hongwei Li
- Henan Key Laboratory of Child Brain Injury and Henan Clinical Research Center for Child Neurological Disorders, Institute of Neuroscience and The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Xiaoli Zhang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Child Brain Injury and Henan Clinical Research Center for Child Neurological Disorders, Institute of Neuroscience and The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Dizhou Pang
- Center for Child Behavioral Development, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Mengyue Li
- Center for Child Behavioral Development, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Huihui Li
- Center for Child Behavioral Development, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Yongbin Lang
- Center for Child Behavioral Development, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Jiatian Liu
- Center for Child Behavioral Development, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Shuqin Jiang
- Center for Child Behavioral Development, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Xiaoyi Shi
- Center for Child Behavioral Development, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Bingbing Li
- Center for Child Behavioral Development, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Yanyan Yang
- Center for Child Behavioral Development, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Yazhe Wang
- Center for Child Behavioral Development, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Zhenghua Li
- Center for Child Behavioral Development, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Chunlan Song
- Center for Child Behavioral Development, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Guiqin Duan
- Center for Child Behavioral Development, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Jianmei W Leavenworth
- Department of Neurosurgery and Department of Microbiology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Xiaoyang Wang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Child Brain Injury and Henan Clinical Research Center for Child Neurological Disorders, Institute of Neuroscience and The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China; Centre of Perinatal Medicine and Health, Institute of Clinical Science, University of Gothenburg, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Changlian Zhu
- Henan Key Laboratory of Child Brain Injury and Henan Clinical Research Center for Child Neurological Disorders, Institute of Neuroscience and The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China; Center for Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg 40530, Sweden.
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50
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Gevezova M, Sbirkov Y, Sarafian V, Plaimas K, Suratanee A, Maes M. Autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) - Gene, molecular and pathway signatures linking systemic inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, transsynaptic signalling, and neurodevelopment. Brain Behav Immun Health 2023; 30:100646. [PMID: 37334258 PMCID: PMC10275703 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2023.100646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Despite advances in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) research and the vast genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic data available, there are still controversies regarding the pathways and molecular signatures underlying the neurodevelopmental disorders leading to ASD. Purpose To delineate these underpinning signatures, we examined the two largest gene expression meta-analysis datasets obtained from the brain and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 1355 ASD patients and 1110 controls. Methods We performed network, enrichment, and annotation analyses using the differentially expressed genes, transcripts, and proteins identified in ASD patients. Results Transcription factor network analyses in up- and down-regulated genes in brain tissue and PBMCs in ASD showed eight main transcription factors, namely: BCL3, CEBPB, IRF1, IRF8, KAT2A, NELFE, RELA, and TRIM28. The upregulated gene networks in PBMCs of ASD patients are strongly associated with activated immune-inflammatory pathways, including interferon-α signaling, and cellular responses to DNA repair. Enrichment analyses of the upregulated CNS gene networks indicate involvement of immune-inflammatory pathways, cytokine production, Toll-Like Receptor signalling, with a major involvement of the PI3K-Akt pathway. Analyses of the downregulated CNS genes suggest electron transport chain dysfunctions at multiple levels. Network topological analyses revealed that the consequent aberrations in axonogenesis, neurogenesis, synaptic transmission, and regulation of transsynaptic signalling affect neurodevelopment with subsequent impairments in social behaviours and neurocognition. The results suggest a defense response against viral infection. Conclusions Peripheral activation of immune-inflammatory pathways, most likely induced by viral infections, may result in CNS neuroinflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction, leading to abnormalities in transsynaptic transmission, and brain neurodevelopment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Gevezova
- Department of Medical Biology, Medical University of Plovdiv, Bulgaria
- Research Institute at MU-Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Yordan Sbirkov
- Department of Medical Biology, Medical University of Plovdiv, Bulgaria
- Research Institute at MU-Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Victoria Sarafian
- Department of Medical Biology, Medical University of Plovdiv, Bulgaria
- Research Institute at MU-Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Kitiporn Plaimas
- Advanced Virtual and Intelligent Computing (AVIC) Center, Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Apichat Suratanee
- Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Applied Science, King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok, Bangkok, 10800, Thailand
| | - Michael Maes
- Research Institute at MU-Plovdiv, Bulgaria
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, The Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand
- Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 02447, South Korea
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
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