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Hong Y, Hu J, Zhang S, Liu J, Yan F, Yang H, Hu H. Integrative analysis identifies region- and sex-specific gene networks and Mef2c as a mediator of anxiety-like behavior. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114455. [PMID: 38990717 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114455] [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: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The molecular mechanisms underlying multi-brain region origins and sexual dimorphism of anxiety remain unclear. Here, we leverage large-scale transcriptomics from seven brain regions in mouse models of anxiety and extensive experiments to dissect brain-region- and sex-specific gene networks. We identify 4,840 genes with sex-specific expression alterations across seven brain regions, organized into ten network modules with sex-biased expression patterns. Modular analysis prioritizes 86 sex-specific mediators of anxiety susceptibility, including myocyte-specific enhancer factor 2c (Mef2c) in the CA3 region of male mice. Mef2c expression is decreased in the pyramidal neurons (PyNs) of susceptible male mice. Up-regulating Mef2c in CA3 PyNs significantly alleviates anxiety-like behavior, whereas down-regulating Mef2c induces anxiety-like behavior in male mice. The anxiolytic effect of Mef2c up-regulation is associated with enhanced neuronal excitability and synaptic transmission. In summary, this study uncovers brain-region- and sex-specific networks and identifies Mef2c in CA3 PyNs as a critical mediator of anxiety in male mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yizhou Hong
- Research Center of Biostatistics and Computational Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China; State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiameng Hu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Chongqing Innovation Institute of China Pharmaceutical University, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shiya Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China; College of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiaxin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China; College of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Fangrong Yan
- Research Center of Biostatistics and Computational Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hua Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Haiyang Hu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Chongqing Innovation Institute of China Pharmaceutical University, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China; Central Laboratory, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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2
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Serafini RA, Farzinpour Z, Patel V, Kelley AM, Estill M, Pryce KD, Sakloth F, Teague CD, Torres-Berrio A, Nestler EJ, Shen L, Akbarian S, Karkhanis AN, Blitzer RD, Zachariou V. Nucleus accumbens myocyte enhancer factor 2C mediates the maintenance of peripheral nerve injury-induced physiological and behavioral maladaptations. Pain 2024:00006396-990000000-00648. [PMID: 38985454 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Preclinical and clinical work has demonstrated altered plasticity and activity in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) under chronic pain states, highlighting critical therapeutic avenues for the management of chronic pain conditions. In this study, we demonstrate that myocyte enhancer factor 2C (MEF2C), a master regulator of neuronal activity and plasticity, is repressed in NAc neurons after prolonged spared nerve injury (SNI). Viral-mediated overexpression of Mef2c in NAc neurons partially ameliorated sensory hypersensitivity and emotional behaviors in mice with SNI, while also altering transcriptional pathways associated with synaptic signaling. Mef2c overexpression also reversed SNI-induced potentiation of phasic dopamine release and neuronal hyperexcitability in the NAc. Transcriptional changes induced by Mef2c overexpression were different than those observed after desipramine treatment, suggesting a mechanism of action different from antidepressants. Overall, we show that interventions in MEF2C-regulated mechanisms in the NAc are sufficient to disrupt the maintenance of chronic pain states, providing potential new treatment avenues for neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Randal A Serafini
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United states
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, & Biophysics, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine at Boston University, Boston, MA, United states
| | - Zahra Farzinpour
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, & Biophysics, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine at Boston University, Boston, MA, United states
| | - Vishwendra Patel
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United states
| | - Abigail M Kelley
- Department of Psychology, Binghamton University-SUNY, Binghamton, NY, United states
| | - Molly Estill
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United states
| | - Kerri D Pryce
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United states
| | - Farhana Sakloth
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United states
| | - Collin D Teague
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United states
| | - Angelica Torres-Berrio
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United states
| | - Eric J Nestler
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United states
| | - Li Shen
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United states
| | - Schahram Akbarian
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United states
| | - Anushree N Karkhanis
- Department of Psychology, Binghamton University-SUNY, Binghamton, NY, United states
| | - Robert D Blitzer
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United states
| | - Venetia Zachariou
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United states
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, & Biophysics, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine at Boston University, Boston, MA, United states
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3
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Ward C, Nasrallah K, Tran D, Sabri E, Vazquez A, Sjulson L, Castillo PE, Batista-Brito R. Developmental Disruption of Mef2c in Medial Ganglionic Eminence-Derived Cortical Inhibitory Interneurons Impairs Cellular and Circuit Function. Biol Psychiatry 2024:S0006-3223(24)01360-X. [PMID: 38848814 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2024.05.021] [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: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND MEF2C is strongly linked to various neurodevelopmental disorders including autism, intellectual disability, schizophrenia, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Mice that constitutively lack 1 copy of Mef2c or selectively lack both copies of Mef2c in cortical excitatory neurons display a variety of behavioral phenotypes associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. The MEF2C protein is a transcription factor necessary for cellular development and synaptic modulation of excitatory neurons. MEF2C is also expressed in a subset of cortical GABAergic (gamma-aminobutyric acidergic) inhibitory neurons, but its function in those cell types remains largely unknown. METHODS Using conditional deletions of the Mef2c gene in mice, we investigated the role of MEF2C in parvalbumin-expressing interneurons (PV-INs), the largest subpopulation of cortical GABAergic cells, at 2 developmental time points. We performed slice electrophysiology, in vivo recordings, and behavior assays to test how embryonic and late postnatal loss of MEF2C from GABAergic INs impacts their survival and maturation and alters brain function and behavior. RESULTS Loss of MEF2C from PV-INs during embryonic, but not late postnatal, development resulted in reduced PV-IN number and failure of PV-INs to molecularly and synaptically mature. In association with these deficits, early loss of MEF2C in GABAergic INs led to abnormal cortical network activity, hyperactive and stereotypic behavior, and impaired cognitive and social behavior. CONCLUSIONS MEF2C expression is critical for the development of cortical GABAergic INs, particularly PV-INs. Embryonic loss of function of MEF2C mediates dysfunction of GABAergic INs, leading to altered in vivo patterns of cortical activity and behavioral phenotypes associated with neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Ward
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Kaoutsar Nasrallah
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York; Department of Biological Sciences, Fordham University, Bronx, New York
| | - Duy Tran
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Ehsan Sabri
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Arenski Vazquez
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Lucas Sjulson
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Pablo E Castillo
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Renata Batista-Brito
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York; Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York.
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4
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Ding C, Zhou W, Shi Y, Shan S, Yuan Y, Zhang Y, Li F, Qiu Z. Srcap haploinsufficiency induced autistic-like behaviors in mice through disruption of Satb2 expression. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114231. [PMID: 38733588 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114231] [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: 02/03/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the SRCAP gene are among the genetic alterations identified in autism spectrum disorders (ASD). However, the pathogenic mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that Srcap+/- mice manifest deficits in social novelty response, as well as increased repetitive behaviors, anxiety, and impairments in learning and memory. Notably, a reduction in parvalbumin-positive neurons is observed in the retrosplenial cortex (RSC) and dentate gyrus (DG) of these mice. Through RNA sequencing, we identify dysregulation in 27 ASD-related genes in Srcap+/- mice. Specifically, we find that Srcap regulates expression of Satb2 via H2A.z in the promoter. Therapeutic intervention via retro-orbital injection of adeno-associated virus (AAV)-Satb2 in neonatal Srcap+/- mice leads to amelioration of the neurodevelopmental and ASD-like abnormalities. Furthermore, the expression of Satb2 only in the RSC of adolescent mice rectifies social novelty impairments. These results underscore the pivotal role of Srcap in neurodevelopment, by regulating Satb2, providing valuable insights for the pathophysiology of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaodong Ding
- Songjiang Research Institute, Songjiang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Institute of Neuroscience, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Zhou
- MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric & Child Primary Care, Brain and Behavioral Research Unit of Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuhan Shi
- Institute of Neuroscience, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Shifang Shan
- Institute of Neuroscience, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yiting Yuan
- Songjiang Research Institute, Songjiang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuefang Zhang
- Songjiang Research Institute, Songjiang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Fei Li
- MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric & Child Primary Care, Brain and Behavioral Research Unit of Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zilong Qiu
- Songjiang Research Institute, Songjiang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Institute of Neuroscience, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China; MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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5
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Ward C, Nasrallah K, Tran D, Sabri E, Vazquez A, Sjulson L, Castillo PE, Batista-Brito R. Developmental disruption of Mef2c in Medial Ganglionic Eminence-derived cortical inhibitory interneurons impairs cellular and circuit function. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.01.592084. [PMID: 38746148 PMCID: PMC11092645 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.01.592084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
MEF2C is strongly linked to various neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) including autism, intellectual disability, schizophrenia, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity. Mice constitutively lacking one copy of Mef2c , or selectively lacking both copies of Mef2c in cortical excitatory neurons, display a variety of behavioral phenotypes associated with NDDs. The MEF2C protein is a transcription factor necessary for cellular development and synaptic modulation of excitatory neurons. MEF2C is also expressed in a subset of cortical GABAergic inhibitory neurons, but its function in those cell types remains largely unknown. Using conditional deletions of the Mef2c gene in mice, we investigated the role of MEF2C in Parvalbumin-expressing Interneurons (PV-INs), the largest subpopulation of cortical GABAergic cells, at two developmental timepoints. We performed slice electrophysiology, in vivo recordings, and behavior assays to test how embryonic and late postnatal loss of MEF2C from GABAergic interneurons impacts their survival and maturation, and alters brain function and behavior. We found that loss of MEF2C from PV-INs during embryonic, but not late postnatal, development resulted in reduced PV-IN number and failure of PV-INs to molecularly and synaptically mature. In association with these deficits, early loss of MEF2C in GABAergic interneurons lead to abnormal cortical network activity, hyperactive and stereotypic behavior, and impaired cognitive and social behavior. Our findings indicate that MEF2C expression is critical for the development of cortical GABAergic interneurons, particularly PV-INs. Embryonic loss of function of MEF2C mediates dysfunction of GABAergic interneurons, leading to altered in vivo patterns of cortical activity and behavioral phenotypes associated with neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Zhao Y, Li B, Cao H, Wang F, Mu M, Jin H, Liu J, Fan Z, Tao X. Maternal nicotine exposure promotes hippocampal CeRNA-mediated excitotoxicity and social barriers in adolescent offspring mice. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 273:116079. [PMID: 38377778 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
Nicotine, an addictive component of cigarettes, causes cognitive defects, particularly when exposure occurs early in life. However, the exact mechanism through which nicotine causes toxicity and alters synaptic plasticity is still not fully understood. The aim of the current study is to examine how non-coding developmental regulatory RNA impacts the hippocampus of mice offspring whose mothers were exposed to nicotine. Female C57BL/6J mice were given nicotine water from one week before pregnancy until end of lactation. Hippocampal tissue from offspring at 20 days post-birth was used for LncRNA and mRNA microarray analysis. Differential expression of LncRNAs and mRNAs associated with neuronal development were screened and validated, and the CeRNA pathway mediating neuronal synaptic plasticity GM13530/miR-7119-3p/mef2c was predicted using LncBase Predicted v.2. Using protein immunoblotting, Golgi staining and behavioral tests, our findings revealed that nicotine exposure in offspring mice increased hippocampal NMDAR receptor, activated receptor-dependent calcium channels, enhanced the formation of NMDAR/nNOS/PSD95 ternary complexes, increased NO synthesis, mediated p38 activation, induced neuronal excitability toxicity. Furthermore, an epigenetic CeRNA regulatory mechanism was identified, which suppresses Mef2c-mediated synaptic plasticity and leads to modifications in the learning and social behavior of the offspring during adolescence. This study uncovers the way in which maternal nicotine exposure results in neurotoxicity in offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yehong Zhao
- Joint Research Center for Occupational Medicine and Health of IHM, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan 232000, China; Key Laboratory of Industrial Dust Control and Occupational Health of the Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Science and Technology, China; Key Laboratory of Industrial Dust Deep Reduction and Occupational Health and Safety of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui University of Science and Technology, China; Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory of Occupational Health and Safety, Anhui University of Science and Technology, China; School of Medicine, Department of Medical Frontier Experimental Center, Anhui University of Science and Technology, China
| | - Bing Li
- Joint Research Center for Occupational Medicine and Health of IHM, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan 232000, China; Key Laboratory of Industrial Dust Control and Occupational Health of the Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Science and Technology, China; Key Laboratory of Industrial Dust Deep Reduction and Occupational Health and Safety of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui University of Science and Technology, China; Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory of Occupational Health and Safety, Anhui University of Science and Technology, China; School of Medicine, Department of Medical Frontier Experimental Center, Anhui University of Science and Technology, China
| | - Hangbing Cao
- Joint Research Center for Occupational Medicine and Health of IHM, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan 232000, China; Key Laboratory of Industrial Dust Control and Occupational Health of the Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Science and Technology, China; Key Laboratory of Industrial Dust Deep Reduction and Occupational Health and Safety of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui University of Science and Technology, China; Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory of Occupational Health and Safety, Anhui University of Science and Technology, China; School of Medicine, Department of Medical Frontier Experimental Center, Anhui University of Science and Technology, China
| | - Fei Wang
- Joint Research Center for Occupational Medicine and Health of IHM, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan 232000, China; Key Laboratory of Industrial Dust Control and Occupational Health of the Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Science and Technology, China; Key Laboratory of Industrial Dust Deep Reduction and Occupational Health and Safety of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui University of Science and Technology, China; Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory of Occupational Health and Safety, Anhui University of Science and Technology, China; School of Medicine, Department of Medical Frontier Experimental Center, Anhui University of Science and Technology, China
| | - Min Mu
- Joint Research Center for Occupational Medicine and Health of IHM, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan 232000, China; Key Laboratory of Industrial Dust Control and Occupational Health of the Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Science and Technology, China; Key Laboratory of Industrial Dust Deep Reduction and Occupational Health and Safety of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui University of Science and Technology, China; Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory of Occupational Health and Safety, Anhui University of Science and Technology, China; School of Medicine, Department of Medical Frontier Experimental Center, Anhui University of Science and Technology, China
| | - Haibo Jin
- Joint Research Center for Occupational Medicine and Health of IHM, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan 232000, China; Key Laboratory of Industrial Dust Control and Occupational Health of the Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Science and Technology, China; Key Laboratory of Industrial Dust Deep Reduction and Occupational Health and Safety of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui University of Science and Technology, China; Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory of Occupational Health and Safety, Anhui University of Science and Technology, China; School of Medicine, Department of Medical Frontier Experimental Center, Anhui University of Science and Technology, China
| | - Jing Liu
- The First Hospital of Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China
| | - Zhenzhen Fan
- Joint Research Center for Occupational Medicine and Health of IHM, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan 232000, China; Key Laboratory of Industrial Dust Control and Occupational Health of the Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Science and Technology, China; Key Laboratory of Industrial Dust Deep Reduction and Occupational Health and Safety of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui University of Science and Technology, China; Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory of Occupational Health and Safety, Anhui University of Science and Technology, China; School of Medicine, Department of Medical Frontier Experimental Center, Anhui University of Science and Technology, China
| | - Xinrong Tao
- Joint Research Center for Occupational Medicine and Health of IHM, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan 232000, China; Key Laboratory of Industrial Dust Control and Occupational Health of the Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Science and Technology, China; Key Laboratory of Industrial Dust Deep Reduction and Occupational Health and Safety of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui University of Science and Technology, China; Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory of Occupational Health and Safety, Anhui University of Science and Technology, China; School of Medicine, Department of Medical Frontier Experimental Center, Anhui University of Science and Technology, China.
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7
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Wang X, Tang X, Zhu P, Hua D, Xie Z, Guo M, Que M, Yan J, Li X, Xia Q, Luo X, Bi J, Zhao Y, Zhou Z, Li S, Luo A. CircAKT3 alleviates postoperative cognitive dysfunction by stabilizing the feedback cycle of miR-106a-5p/HDAC4/MEF2C axis in hippocampi of aged mice. Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:138. [PMID: 38478029 PMCID: PMC10937803 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-024-05156-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have garnered significant attention in the field of neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's diseases due to their covalently closed loop structure. However, the involvement of circRNAs in postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is still largely unexplored. To identify the genes differentially expressed between non-POCD (NPOCD) and POCD mice, we conducted the whole transcriptome sequencing initially in this study. According to the expression profiles, we observed that circAKT3 was associated with hippocampal neuronal apoptosis in POCD mice. Moreover, we found that circAKT3 overexpression reduced apoptosis of hippocampal neurons and alleviated POCD. Subsequently, through bioinformatics analysis, our data showed that circAKT3 overexpression in vitro and in vivo elevated the abundance of miR-106a-5p significantly, resulting in a decrease of HDAC4 protein and an increase of MEF2C protein. Additionally, this effect of circAKT3 was blocked by miR-106a-5p inhibitor. Interestingly, MEF2C could activate the transcription of miR-106a-5p promoter and form a positive feedback loop. Therefore, our findings revealed more potential modulation ways between circRNA-miRNA and miRNA-mRNA, providing different directions and targets for preclinical studies of POCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Hubei Key Laboratory of Geriatric Anesthesia and Perioperative Brain Health, and Wuhan Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Anesthesia, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Xiaole Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Department of Anesthesiology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, Guangdong, China
| | - Pengfei Zhu
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Hubei Key Laboratory of Geriatric Anesthesia and Perioperative Brain Health, and Wuhan Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Anesthesia, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Dongyu Hua
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Hubei Key Laboratory of Geriatric Anesthesia and Perioperative Brain Health, and Wuhan Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Anesthesia, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Zheng Xie
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Hubei Key Laboratory of Geriatric Anesthesia and Perioperative Brain Health, and Wuhan Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Anesthesia, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Mingke Guo
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Hubei Key Laboratory of Geriatric Anesthesia and Perioperative Brain Health, and Wuhan Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Anesthesia, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Mengxin Que
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Hubei Key Laboratory of Geriatric Anesthesia and Perioperative Brain Health, and Wuhan Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Anesthesia, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Jing Yan
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Hubei Key Laboratory of Geriatric Anesthesia and Perioperative Brain Health, and Wuhan Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Anesthesia, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Xing Li
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Hubei Key Laboratory of Geriatric Anesthesia and Perioperative Brain Health, and Wuhan Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Anesthesia, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Qian Xia
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Hubei Key Laboratory of Geriatric Anesthesia and Perioperative Brain Health, and Wuhan Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Anesthesia, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Luo
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Jiangjiang Bi
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Hubei Key Laboratory of Geriatric Anesthesia and Perioperative Brain Health, and Wuhan Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Anesthesia, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Yilin Zhao
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Hubei Key Laboratory of Geriatric Anesthesia and Perioperative Brain Health, and Wuhan Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Anesthesia, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Zhiqiang Zhou
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Hubei Key Laboratory of Geriatric Anesthesia and Perioperative Brain Health, and Wuhan Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Anesthesia, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Shiyong Li
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Hubei Key Laboratory of Geriatric Anesthesia and Perioperative Brain Health, and Wuhan Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Anesthesia, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.
| | - Ailin Luo
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Hubei Key Laboratory of Geriatric Anesthesia and Perioperative Brain Health, and Wuhan Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Anesthesia, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.
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8
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Cho JY, Rumschlag JA, Tsvetkov E, Proper DS, Lang H, Berto S, Assali A, Cowan CW. MEF2C Hypofunction in GABAergic Cells Alters Sociability and Prefrontal Cortex Inhibitory Synaptic Transmission in a Sex-Dependent Manner. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY GLOBAL OPEN SCIENCE 2024; 4:100289. [PMID: 38390348 PMCID: PMC10881314 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsgos.2024.100289] [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: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Heterozygous mutations or deletions of MEF2C cause a neurodevelopmental disorder termed MEF2C haploinsufficiency syndrome (MCHS), characterized by autism spectrum disorder and neurological symptoms. In mice, global Mef2c heterozygosity has produced multiple MCHS-like phenotypes. MEF2C is highly expressed in multiple cell types of the developing brain, including GABAergic (gamma-aminobutyric acidergic) inhibitory neurons, but the influence of MEF2C hypofunction in GABAergic neurons on MCHS-like phenotypes remains unclear. Methods We employed GABAergic cell type-specific manipulations to study mouse Mef2c heterozygosity in a battery of MCHS-like behaviors. We also performed electroencephalography, single-cell transcriptomics, and patch-clamp electrophysiology and optogenetics to assess the impact of Mef2c haploinsufficiency on gene expression and prefrontal cortex microcircuits. Results Mef2c heterozygosity in developing GABAergic cells produced female-specific deficits in social preference and altered approach-avoidance behavior. In female, but not male, mice, we observed that Mef2c heterozygosity in developing GABAergic cells produced 1) differentially expressed genes in multiple cell types, including parvalbumin-expressing GABAergic neurons, 2) baseline and social-related frontocortical network activity alterations, and 3) reductions in parvalbumin cell intrinsic excitability and inhibitory synaptic transmission onto deep-layer pyramidal neurons. Conclusions MEF2C hypofunction in female, but not male, developing GABAergic cells is important for typical sociability and approach-avoidance behaviors and normal parvalbumin inhibitory neuron function in the prefrontal cortex of mice. While there is no apparent sex bias in autism spectrum disorder symptoms of MCHS, our findings suggest that GABAergic cell-specific dysfunction in females with MCHS may contribute disproportionately to sociability symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Y. Cho
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Jeffrey A. Rumschlag
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Evgeny Tsvetkov
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Divya S. Proper
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Hainan Lang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Stefano Berto
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Ahlem Assali
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Christopher W. Cowan
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
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9
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Basu S, Ro EJ, Liu Z, Kim H, Bennett A, Kang S, Suh H. The Mef2c Gene Dose-Dependently Controls Hippocampal Neurogenesis and the Expression of Autism-Like Behaviors. J Neurosci 2024; 44:e1058232023. [PMID: 38123360 PMCID: PMC10860657 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1058-23.2023] [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: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the activity-dependent transcription factor MEF2C have been associated with several neuropsychiatric disorders. Among these, autism spectrum disorder (ASD)-related behavioral deficits are manifested. Multiple animal models that harbor mutations in Mef2c have provided compelling evidence that Mef2c is indeed an ASD gene. However, studies in mice with germline or global brain knock-out of Mef2c are limited in their ability to identify the precise neural substrates and cell types that are required for the expression of Mef2c-mediated ASD behaviors. Given the role of hippocampal neurogenesis in cognitive and social behaviors, in this study we aimed to investigate the role of Mef2c in the structure and function of newly generated dentate granule cells (DGCs) in the postnatal hippocampus and to determine whether disrupted Mef2c function is responsible for manifesting ASD behaviors. Overexpression of Mef2c (Mef2cOE ) arrested the transition of neurogenesis at progenitor stages, as indicated by sustained expression of Sox2+ in Mef2cOE DGCs. Conditional knock-out of Mef2c (Mef2ccko ) allowed neuronal commitment of Mef2ccko cells; however, Mef2ccko impaired not only dendritic arborization and spine formation but also synaptic transmission onto Mef2ccko DGCs. Moreover, the abnormal structure and function of Mef2ccko DGCs led to deficits in social interaction and social novelty recognition, which are key characteristics of ASD behaviors. Thus, our study revealed a dose-dependent requirement of Mef2c in the control of distinct steps of neurogenesis, as well as a critical cell-autonomous function of Mef2c in newborn DGCs in the expression of proper social behavior in both sexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sreetama Basu
- Department of Neurosciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland 44109, Ohio
| | - Eun Jeoung Ro
- Department of Neurosciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland 44109, Ohio
| | - Zhi Liu
- Department of Neurosciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland 44109, Ohio
| | - Hyunjung Kim
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta 30912, Georgia
| | - Aubrey Bennett
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta 30912, Georgia
| | - Seungwoo Kang
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta 30912, Georgia
| | - Hoonkyo Suh
- Department of Neurosciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland 44109, Ohio
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10
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Shi Y, Yan J, Xu X, Qiu Z. Gating of Social Behavior by Inhibitory Inputs from Hippocampal CA1 to Retrosplenial Agranular Cortex. Neurosci Bull 2024:10.1007/s12264-023-01172-0. [PMID: 38281278 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-023-01172-0] [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: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
The retrosplenial cortex has been implicated in processing sensory information and spatial learning, with abnormal neural activity reported in association with psychedelics and in mouse and non-human primate models of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). The direct role of the retrosplenial cortex in regulating social behaviors remains unclear. In this work, we reveal that neural activity in the retrosplenial agranular cortex (RSA), a subregion of the retrosplenial cortex, is initially activated, then quickly suppressed upon social contact. This up-down phase of RSA neurons is crucial for normal social behaviors. Parvalbumin-positive GABAergic neurons in the hippocampal CA1 region were found to send inhibitory projections to the RSA. Blocking these CA1-RSA inhibitory inputs significantly impaired social behavior. Notably, enhancing the CA1-RSA inhibitory input rescued the social behavior defects in an ASD mouse model. This work suggests a neural mechanism for the salience processing of social behavior and identifies a potential target for ASD intervention using neural modulation approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhan Shi
- Songjiang Research Institute, Songjiang Hospital & MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory for Children's Environmental Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 201699, China
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Jingjing Yan
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Xiaohong Xu
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Zilong Qiu
- Songjiang Research Institute, Songjiang Hospital & MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory for Children's Environmental Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 201699, China.
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.
- MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory for Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China.
- Clinical Neuroscience Center, Department of Neurology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.
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11
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Li WK, Zhang SQ, Peng WL, Shi YH, Yuan B, Yuan YT, Xue ZY, Wang JC, Han WJ, Chen ZF, Shan SF, Xue BQ, Chen JL, Zhang C, Zhu SJ, Tai YL, Cheng TL, Qiu ZL. Whole-brain in vivo base editing reverses behavioral changes in Mef2c-mutant mice. Nat Neurosci 2024; 27:116-128. [PMID: 38012399 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-023-01499-x] [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: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Whole-brain genome editing to correct single-base mutations and reduce or reverse behavioral changes in animal models of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has not yet been achieved. We developed an apolipoprotein B messenger RNA-editing enzyme, catalytic polypeptide-embedded cytosine base editor (AeCBE) system for converting C·G to T·A base pairs. We demonstrate its effectiveness by targeting AeCBE to an ASD-associated mutation of the MEF2C gene (c.104T>C, p.L35P) in vivo in mice. We first constructed Mef2cL35P heterozygous mice. Male heterozygous mice exhibited hyperactivity, repetitive behavior and social abnormalities. We then programmed AeCBE to edit the mutated C·G base pairs of Mef2c in the mouse brain through the intravenous injection of blood-brain barrier-crossing adeno-associated virus. This treatment successfully restored Mef2c protein levels in several brain regions and reversed the behavioral abnormalities in Mef2c-mutant mice. Our work presents an in vivo base-editing paradigm that could potentially correct single-base genetic mutations in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Ke Li
- Songjiang Research Institute, Songjiang Hospital & MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory for Children's Environmental Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Pediatrics, National Children's Medical Center, Children's Hospital, Institute for Translational Brain Research, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shu-Qian Zhang
- Institute of Pediatrics, National Children's Medical Center, Children's Hospital, Institute for Translational Brain Research, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Pediatrics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Wan-Ling Peng
- Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu-Han Shi
- Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Bo Yuan
- Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi-Ting Yuan
- Songjiang Research Institute, Songjiang Hospital & MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory for Children's Environmental Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhen-Yu Xue
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jin-Cheng Wang
- Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen-Jian Han
- Songjiang Research Institute, Songjiang Hospital & MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory for Children's Environmental Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhi-Fang Chen
- Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Shi-Fang Shan
- Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Bi-Qing Xue
- Institutes of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Ministry of Education Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jin-Long Chen
- Institute of Pediatrics, National Children's Medical Center, Children's Hospital, Institute for Translational Brain Research, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Cheng Zhang
- Institute of Pediatrics, National Children's Medical Center, Children's Hospital, Institute for Translational Brain Research, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shu-Jia Zhu
- Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi-Lin Tai
- Institutes of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Ministry of Education Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tian-Lin Cheng
- Institute of Pediatrics, National Children's Medical Center, Children's Hospital, Institute for Translational Brain Research, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Zi-Long Qiu
- Songjiang Research Institute, Songjiang Hospital & MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory for Children's Environmental Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
- Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
- Clinical Neuroscience Center, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Aging and Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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12
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Tse WS, Pochwat B, Szewczyk B, Misztak P, Bobula B, Tokarski K, Worch R, Czarnota-Bojarska M, Lipton SA, Zaręba-Kozioł M, Bijata M, Wlodarczyk J. Restorative effect of NitroSynapsin on synaptic plasticity in an animal model of depression. Neuropharmacology 2023; 241:109729. [PMID: 37797736 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109729] [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: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
In the search for new options for the pharmacological treatment of major depressive disorder, compounds with a rapid onset of action and high efficacy but lacking a psychotomimetic effect are of particular interest. In the present study, we evaluated the antidepressant potential of NitroSynapsin (NS) at behavioural, structural, and functional levels. NS is a memantine derivative and a dual allosteric N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDAR) antagonist using targeted delivery by the aminoadamantane of a warhead nitro group to inhibitory redox sites on the NMDAR. In a chronic restraint stress (CRS) mouse model of depression, five doses of NS administered on three consecutive days evoked antidepressant-like activity in the chronically stressed male C57BL/6J mice, reversing CRS-induced behavioural disturbances in sucrose preference and tail suspension tests. CRS-induced changes in morphology and density of dendritic spines in cerebrocortical neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) were also reversed by NS. Moreover, CRS-induced reduction in long-term potentiation (LTP) in the mPFC was found to be prevented by NS based on the electrophysiological recordings. Our study showed that NS restores structural and functional synaptic plasticity and reduces depressive behaviour to the level found in naïve animals. These results preliminarily revealed an antidepressant-like potency of NS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wing Sze Tse
- Laboratory of Cell Biophysics, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pasteur Str. 3, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Bartłomiej Pochwat
- Laboratory of Cell Biophysics, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pasteur Str. 3, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland; Department of Neurobiology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12, 31-343 Krakow, Poland
| | - Bernadeta Szewczyk
- Department of Neurobiology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12, 31-343 Krakow, Poland
| | - Paulina Misztak
- Department of Neurobiology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12, 31-343 Krakow, Poland; Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20-900, Monza, Italy
| | - Bartosz Bobula
- Department of Physiology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12, 31-343 Krakow, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Tokarski
- Department of Physiology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12, 31-343 Krakow, Poland
| | - Remigiusz Worch
- Laboratory of Cell Biophysics, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pasteur Str. 3, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marta Czarnota-Bojarska
- Laboratory of Cell Biophysics, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pasteur Str. 3, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Stuart A Lipton
- Neurodegeneration New Medicines Center and Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, United States; Department of Neurosciences, University of California, School of Medicine, La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92093, United States
| | - Monika Zaręba-Kozioł
- Laboratory of Cell Biophysics, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pasteur Str. 3, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Monika Bijata
- Laboratory of Cell Biophysics, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pasteur Str. 3, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Jakub Wlodarczyk
- Laboratory of Cell Biophysics, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pasteur Str. 3, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland.
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13
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Zhou LT, Liu D, Kang HC, Lu L, Huang HZ, Ai WQ, Zhou Y, Deng MF, Li H, Liu ZQ, Zhang WF, Hu YZ, Han ZT, Zhang HH, Jia JJ, Sarkar AK, Sharaydeh S, Wang J, Man HY, Schilling M, Bertram L, Lu Y, Guo Z, Zhu LQ. Tau pathology epigenetically remodels the neuron-glial cross-talk in Alzheimer's disease. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eabq7105. [PMID: 37083538 PMCID: PMC10121173 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abq7105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The neuron-glia cross-talk is critical to brain homeostasis and is particularly affected by neurodegenerative diseases. How neurons manipulate the neuron-astrocyte interaction under pathological conditions, such as hyperphosphorylated tau, a pathological hallmark in Alzheimer's disease (AD), remains elusive. In this study, we identified excessively elevated neuronal expression of adenosine receptor 1 (Adora1 or A1R) in 3×Tg mice, MAPT P301L (rTg4510) mice, patients with AD, and patient-derived neurons. The up-regulation of A1R was found to be tau pathology dependent and posttranscriptionally regulated by Mef2c via miR-133a-3p. Rebuilding the miR-133a-3p/A1R signal effectively rescued synaptic and memory impairments in AD mice. Furthermore, neuronal A1R promoted the release of lipocalin 2 (Lcn2) and resulted in astrocyte activation. Last, silencing neuronal Lcn2 in AD mice ameliorated astrocyte activation and restored synaptic plasticity and learning/memory. Our findings reveal that the tau pathology remodels neuron-glial cross-talk and promotes neurodegenerative progression. Approaches targeting A1R and modulating this signaling pathway might be a potential therapeutic strategy for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan-Ting Zhou
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
- School of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, Hubei 441053, China
| | - Dan Liu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Hui-Cong Kang
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital Affiliated to Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Lu Lu
- Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine (CuSTOM), Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - He-Zhou Huang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Wen-Qing Ai
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Yang Zhou
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Man-Fei Deng
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Hao Li
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Zhi-Qiang Liu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Wei-Feng Zhang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Ya-Zhuo Hu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Aging and Geriatrics, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disease, Institute of Geriatrics, Chinese PLA General Hospital and Chinese PLA Medical Academy, Beijing, China
| | - Zhi-Tao Han
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Aging and Geriatrics, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disease, Institute of Geriatrics, Chinese PLA General Hospital and Chinese PLA Medical Academy, Beijing, China
| | - Hong-Hong Zhang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Aging and Geriatrics, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disease, Institute of Geriatrics, Chinese PLA General Hospital and Chinese PLA Medical Academy, Beijing, China
| | - Jian-Jun Jia
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Aging and Geriatrics, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disease, Institute of Geriatrics, Chinese PLA General Hospital and Chinese PLA Medical Academy, Beijing, China
| | - Avijite Kumer Sarkar
- Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine (CuSTOM), Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Saldin Sharaydeh
- Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine (CuSTOM), Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Jie Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Heng-Ye Man
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Marcel Schilling
- Lübeck Interdisciplinary Platform for Genome Analytics (LIGA), University of Lübeck, Lübeck 23562, Germany
| | - Lars Bertram
- Lübeck Interdisciplinary Platform for Genome Analytics (LIGA), University of Lübeck, Lübeck 23562, Germany
| | - Youming Lu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Ziyuan Guo
- Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine (CuSTOM), Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Ling-Qiang Zhu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
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14
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Oh CK, Nakamura T, Beutler N, Zhang X, Piña-Crespo J, Talantova M, Ghatak S, Trudler D, Carnevale LN, McKercher SR, Bakowski MA, Diedrich JK, Roberts AJ, Woods AK, Chi V, Gupta AK, Rosenfeld MA, Kearns FL, Casalino L, Shaabani N, Liu H, Wilson IA, Amaro RE, Burton DR, Yates JR, Becker C, Rogers TF, Chatterjee AK, Lipton SA. Targeted protein S-nitrosylation of ACE2 inhibits SARS-CoV-2 infection. Nat Chem Biol 2023; 19:275-283. [PMID: 36175661 PMCID: PMC10127945 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-022-01149-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Prevention of infection and propagation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a high priority in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Here we describe S-nitrosylation of multiple proteins involved in SARS-CoV-2 infection, including angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), the receptor for viral entry. This reaction prevents binding of ACE2 to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, thereby inhibiting viral entry, infectivity and cytotoxicity. Aminoadamantane compounds also inhibit coronavirus ion channels formed by envelope (E) protein. Accordingly, we developed dual-mechanism aminoadamantane nitrate compounds that inhibit viral entry and, thus, the spread of infection by S-nitrosylating ACE2 via targeted delivery of the drug after E protein channel blockade. These non-toxic compounds are active in vitro and in vivo in the Syrian hamster COVID-19 model and, thus, provide a novel avenue to pursue therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang-Ki Oh
- Departments of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration New Medicines Center, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Tomohiro Nakamura
- Departments of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration New Medicines Center, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Nathan Beutler
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Xu Zhang
- Departments of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration New Medicines Center, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Juan Piña-Crespo
- Departments of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration New Medicines Center, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Maria Talantova
- Departments of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration New Medicines Center, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Swagata Ghatak
- Departments of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration New Medicines Center, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Dorit Trudler
- Departments of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration New Medicines Center, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Lauren N Carnevale
- Departments of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration New Medicines Center, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Scott R McKercher
- Departments of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration New Medicines Center, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Malina A Bakowski
- Calibr, a division of the Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jolene K Diedrich
- Departments of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration New Medicines Center, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Amanda J Roberts
- Animal Models Core, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ashley K Woods
- Calibr, a division of the Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Victor Chi
- Calibr, a division of the Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Anil K Gupta
- Calibr, a division of the Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Mia A Rosenfeld
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Fiona L Kearns
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Lorenzo Casalino
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Namir Shaabani
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Hejun Liu
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ian A Wilson
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Rommie E Amaro
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Dennis R Burton
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - John R Yates
- Departments of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration New Medicines Center, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | | | - Thomas F Rogers
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | | | - Stuart A Lipton
- Departments of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration New Medicines Center, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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15
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The Role of MEF2 Transcription Factor Family in Neuronal Survival and Degeneration. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043120. [PMID: 36834528 PMCID: PMC9963821 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The family of myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2) transcription factors comprises four highly conserved members that play an important role in the nervous system. They appear in precisely defined time frames in the developing brain to turn on and turn off genes affecting growth, pruning and survival of neurons. MEF2s are known to dictate neuronal development, synaptic plasticity and restrict the number of synapses in the hippocampus, thus affecting learning and memory formation. In primary neurons, negative regulation of MEF2 activity by external stimuli or stress conditions is known to induce apoptosis, albeit the pro or antiapoptotic action of MEF2 depends on the neuronal maturation stage. By contrast, enhancement of MEF2 transcriptional activity protects neurons from apoptotic death both in vitro and in preclinical models of neurodegenerative diseases. A growing body of evidence places this transcription factor in the center of many neuropathologies associated with age-dependent neuronal dysfunctions or gradual but irreversible neuron loss. In this work, we discuss how the altered function of MEF2s during development and in adulthood affecting neuronal survival may be linked to neuropsychiatric disorders.
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16
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Ghatak S, Nakamura T, Lipton SA. Aberrant protein S-nitrosylation contributes to hyperexcitability-induced synaptic damage in Alzheimer's disease: Mechanistic insights and potential therapies. Front Neural Circuits 2023; 17:1099467. [PMID: 36817649 PMCID: PMC9932935 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2023.1099467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is arguably the most common cause of dementia in the elderly and is marked by progressive synaptic degeneration, which in turn leads to cognitive decline. Studies in patients and in various AD models have shown that one of the early signatures of AD is neuronal hyperactivity. This excessive electrical activity contributes to dysregulated neural network function and synaptic damage. Mechanistically, evidence suggests that hyperexcitability accelerates production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) that contribute to neural network impairment and synapse loss. This review focuses on the pathways and molecular changes that cause hyperexcitability and how RNS-dependent posttranslational modifications, represented predominantly by protein S-nitrosylation, mediate, at least in part, the deleterious effects of hyperexcitability on single neurons and the neural network, resulting in synaptic loss in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swagata Ghatak
- School of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhubaneswar, India
| | - Tomohiro Nakamura
- Neurodegeneration New Medicines Center and Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States,*Correspondence: Tomohiro Nakamura,
| | - Stuart A. Lipton
- Neurodegeneration New Medicines Center and Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States,Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States,Stuart A. Lipton,
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17
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Zhang X, Ma Y, Zhou F, Zhang M, Zhao D, Wang X, Yang T, Ma J. Identification of miRNA-mRNA regulatory network associated with the glutamatergic system in post-traumatic epilepsy rats. Front Neurol 2022; 13:1102672. [PMID: 36619916 PMCID: PMC9822725 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.1102672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Glutamate is one of the most important excitatory neurotransmitters in the mammalian brain and is involved in a variety of neurological disorders. Increasing evidence also shows that microRNA (miRNA) and mRNA pairs are engaged in a variety of pathophysiological processes. However, the miRNA and mRNA pairs that affect the glutamatergic system in post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE) remain unknown. Methods PTE rats were induced by injecting 0.1 mol/L, 1 μL/min FeCl2 solution. Behavioral scores and EEG monitoring were used to evaluate whether PTE was successfully induced. RNA-seq was used to obtain mRNA and miRNA expression profiles. Bioinformatics analysis was performed to screen differentially expressed mRNAs and miRNAs associated with the glutamatergic system and then predict miRNA-mRNA interaction pairs. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR was used to further validate the expression of the differential miRNAs and mRNAs. The microRNA-mRNA was subject to the Pearson correlation analysis. Results Eight of the 91 differentially expressed mRNAs were associated with the glutamatergic system, of which six were upregulated and two were downregulated. Forty miRNAs were significantly differentially expressed, with 14 upregulated and 26 downregulated genes. The predicted miRNA-mRNA interaction network shows that five of the eight differentially expressed mRNAs associated with the glutamatergic system were targeted by multiple miRNAs, including Slc17a6, Mef2c, Fyn, Slc25a22, and Shank2, while the remaining three mRNAs were not targeted by any miRNAs. Of the 40 differentially expressed miRNAs, seven miRNAs were found to have multiple target mRNAs associated with the glutamatergic system. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR validation and Pearson correlation analysis were performed on these seven targeted miRNAs-Slc17a6, Mef2c, Fyn, Slc25a22, and Shank2-and six additional miRNAs selected from the literature. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR showed that the expression levels of the mRNAs and miRNAs agreed with the predictions in the study. Among them, the miR-98-5p-Slc17a6, miR-335-5p-Slc17a6, miR-30e-5p-Slc17a6, miR-1224-Slc25a22, and miR-211-5p-Slc25a22 pairs were verified to have negative correlations. Conclusions Our results indicate that miRNA-mRNA interaction pairs associated with the glutamatergic system are involved in the development of PTE and have potential as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for PTE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyuan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Evidence Science, Institute of Evidence Law and Forensic Science, China University of Political Science and Law, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China,Collaborative Innovation Center of Judicial Civilization, Beijing, China
| | - Yixun Ma
- College of Biological Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China,Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China
| | - Fengjuan Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Evidence Science, Institute of Evidence Law and Forensic Science, China University of Political Science and Law, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China,Collaborative Innovation Center of Judicial Civilization, Beijing, China
| | - Mengzhou Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Evidence Science, Institute of Evidence Law and Forensic Science, China University of Political Science and Law, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China,Collaborative Innovation Center of Judicial Civilization, Beijing, China
| | - Dong Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Evidence Science, Institute of Evidence Law and Forensic Science, China University of Political Science and Law, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China,Collaborative Innovation Center of Judicial Civilization, Beijing, China
| | - Xu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Evidence Science, Institute of Evidence Law and Forensic Science, China University of Political Science and Law, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China,Collaborative Innovation Center of Judicial Civilization, Beijing, China
| | - Tiantong Yang
- Key Laboratory of Evidence Science, Institute of Evidence Law and Forensic Science, China University of Political Science and Law, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China,Collaborative Innovation Center of Judicial Civilization, Beijing, China,Tiantong Yang ✉
| | - Jun Ma
- Key Laboratory of Evidence Science, Institute of Evidence Law and Forensic Science, China University of Political Science and Law, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China,Department of Radiology, Chui Yang Liu Hospital Affiliated to Tsinghua University, Beijing, China,*Correspondence: Jun Ma ✉
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18
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McChesney N, Barth JL, Rumschlag JA, Tan J, Harrington AJ, Noble KV, McClaskey CM, Elvis P, Vaena SG, Romeo MJ, Harris KC, Cowan CW, Lang H. Peripheral Auditory Nerve Impairment in a Mouse Model of Syndromic Autism. J Neurosci 2022; 42:8002-8018. [PMID: 36180228 PMCID: PMC9617620 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0253-22.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysfunction of the peripheral auditory nerve (AN) contributes to dynamic changes throughout the central auditory system, resulting in abnormal auditory processing, including hypersensitivity. Altered sound sensitivity is frequently observed in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), suggesting that AN deficits and changes in auditory information processing may contribute to ASD-associated symptoms, including social communication deficits and hyperacusis. The MEF2C transcription factor is associated with risk for several neurodevelopmental disorders, and mutations or deletions of MEF2C produce a haploinsufficiency syndrome characterized by ASD, language, and cognitive deficits. A mouse model of this syndromic ASD (Mef2c-Het) recapitulates many of the MEF2C haploinsufficiency syndrome-linked behaviors, including communication deficits. We show here that Mef2c-Het mice of both sexes exhibit functional impairment of the peripheral AN and a modest reduction in hearing sensitivity. We find that MEF2C is expressed during development in multiple AN and cochlear cell types; and in Mef2c-Het mice, we observe multiple cellular and molecular alterations associated with the AN, including abnormal myelination, neuronal degeneration, neuronal mitochondria dysfunction, and increased macrophage activation and cochlear inflammation. These results reveal the importance of MEF2C function in inner ear development and function and the engagement of immune cells and other non-neuronal cells, which suggests that microglia/macrophages and other non-neuronal cells might contribute, directly or indirectly, to AN dysfunction and ASD-related phenotypes. Finally, our study establishes a comprehensive approach for characterizing AN function at the physiological, cellular, and molecular levels in mice, which can be applied to animal models with a wide range of human auditory processing impairments.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT This is the first report of peripheral auditory nerve (AN) impairment in a mouse model of human MEF2C haploinsufficiency syndrome that has well-characterized ASD-related behaviors, including communication deficits, hyperactivity, repetitive behavior, and social deficits. We identify multiple underlying cellular, subcellular, and molecular abnormalities that may contribute to peripheral AN impairment. Our findings also highlight the important roles of immune cells (e.g., cochlear macrophages) and other non-neuronal elements (e.g., glial cells and cells in the stria vascularis) in auditory impairment in ASD. The methodological significance of the study is the establishment of a comprehensive approach for evaluating peripheral AN function and impact of peripheral AN deficits with minimal hearing loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan McChesney
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425
| | - Jeremy L Barth
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425
| | - Jeffrey A Rumschlag
- Department of Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425
| | - Junying Tan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425
| | - Adam J Harrington
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425
| | - Kenyaria V Noble
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425
| | - Carolyn M McClaskey
- Department of Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425
| | - Phillip Elvis
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425
| | - Silvia G Vaena
- Hollings Cancer Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425
| | - Martin J Romeo
- Hollings Cancer Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425
| | - Kelly C Harris
- Department of Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425
| | - Christopher W Cowan
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425
| | - Hainan Lang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425
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19
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Lipton SA. Towards development of disease-modifying therapy for Alzheimer's disease using redox chemical biology pathways. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2022; 66:102267. [PMID: 35870288 PMCID: PMC9509422 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2022.102267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Redox modifications are described that can be harnessed for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). The approach has shown potential therapeutic efficacy in AD in both transgenic mouse and hiPSC cerebral organoids models. In this review, two such redox targets are highlighted. First, protein S-nitrosylation of the NMDA-type of glutamate receptor is described as a potential therapeutic target. Second, an S-alkylation reaction of critical, redox-active cysteine thiol(s) on the protein KEAP1 to activate the anti-oxidant/anti-inflammatory transcription factor NRF2 is proposed. In both approaches, we utilize compounds described as pathologically activated therapeutics (or "PAT" drugs), which can only be activated by the disease process that they then combat. Thus, PAT drugs remain relatively innocuous and therefore clinically-tolerated in normal tissue in the absence of disease, thereby avoiding severe side effects both systemically and in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stuart A Lipton
- Neurodegeneration New Medicines Center and Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA; Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA; Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA.
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20
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Early Signs of Molecular Defects in iPSC-Derived Neural Stems Cells from Patients with Familial Parkinson’s Disease. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12070876. [PMID: 35883433 PMCID: PMC9313424 DOI: 10.3390/biom12070876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, classically associated with extensive loss of dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta. The hallmark of the disease is the accumulation of pathogenic conformations of the presynaptic protein, α-synuclein (αSyn), and the formation of intraneuronal protein aggregate inclusions. Neurodegeneration of dopamine neurons leads to a prominent dopaminergic deficiency in the basal ganglia, responsible for motor disturbances. However, it is now recognized that the disease involves more widespread neuronal dysfunction, leading to early and late non-motor symptoms. The development of in vitro systems based on the differentiation of human-induced pluripotent stem cells provides us the unique opportunity to monitor alterations at the cellular and molecular level throughout the differentiation procedure and identify perturbations that occur early, even at the neuronal precursor stage. Here we aim to identify whether p.A53T-αSyn induced disturbances at the molecular level are already present in neural precursors. Towards this, we present data from transcriptomics analysis of control and p.A53T-αSyn NPCs showing altered expression in transcripts involved in axon guidance, adhesion, synaptogenesis, ion transport, and metabolism. The comparative analysis with the transcriptomics profile of p.A53T-αSyn neurons shows both distinct and overlapping pathways leading to neurodegeneration while meta-analysis with transcriptomics data from both neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders reveals that p.A53T-pathology has a significant overlap with the latter category. This is the first study showing that molecular dysregulation initiates early at the p.A53T-αSyn NPC level, suggesting that synucleinopathies may have a neurodevelopmental component.
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21
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Oh CK, Nakamura T, Beutler N, Zhang X, Piña-Crespo J, Talantova M, Ghatak S, Trudler D, Carnevale LN, McKercher SR, Bakowski MA, Diedrich JK, Roberts AJ, Woods AK, Chi V, Gupta AK, Rosenfeld MA, Kearns FL, Casalino L, Shaabani N, Liu H, Wilson IA, Amaro RE, Burton DR, Yates JR, Becker C, Rogers TF, Chatterjee AK, Lipton SA. Targeted protein S-nitrosylation of ACE2 as potential treatment to prevent spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2022:2022.04.05.487060. [PMID: 35411336 PMCID: PMC8996617 DOI: 10.1101/2022.04.05.487060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Prevention of infection and propagation of SARS-CoV-2 is of high priority in the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, we describe S-nitrosylation of multiple proteins involved in SARS-CoV-2 infection, including angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), the receptor for viral entry. This reaction prevents binding of ACE2 to the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein, thereby inhibiting viral entry, infectivity, and cytotoxicity. Aminoadamantane compounds also inhibit coronavirus ion channels formed by envelope (E) protein. Accordingly, we developed dual-mechanism aminoadamantane nitrate compounds that inhibit viral entry and thus spread of infection by S-nitrosylating ACE2 via targeted delivery of the drug after E-protein channel blockade. These non-toxic compounds are active in vitro and in vivo in the Syrian hamster COVID-19 model, and thus provide a novel avenue for therapy.
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22
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Fu X, Yao T, Chen X, Li H, Wu J. MEF2C gene variations are associated with ADHD in the Chinese Han population: a case-control study. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2022; 129:431-439. [PMID: 35357565 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-022-02490-9] [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: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Myocyte enhancer factor 2C (MEF2C) is associated with hyperactivity and might be a novel risk gene for susceptibility to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Therefore, this study aimed to explore the association between MEF2C genetic variants and ADHD in the Chinese Han population. A total of 215 patients with ADHD and 233 controls were recruited for this study. The Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham version IV questionnaire was used to evaluate the clinical features of ADHD. In silico analysis was used to annotate the biological functions of the promising single nucleotide polymorphisms. Our findings indicated that MEF2C rs587490 was significantly associated with ADHD in the multiplicative model (OR = 0.640, p = 0.002). Participants with the rs587490 TT allele exhibited less hyperactivity/impulsivity than those with the rs587490 CC allele. Furthermore, the expression quantitative trait loci analysis suggested that rs587490 could regulate the gene expression of MEF2C in the hippocampus, putamen, thalamus, and frontal white matter. Our study concluded that the MEF2C rs587490 T allele is significantly associated with a reduced risk of ADHD in the Chinese Han population, which provides new insight into the genetic etiology of ADHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xihang Fu
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Environmental Protection, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13, Hangkong Road, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Ting Yao
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Environmental Protection, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13, Hangkong Road, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinzhen Chen
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Environmental Protection, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13, Hangkong Road, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Huiru Li
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Environmental Protection, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13, Hangkong Road, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Wu
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Environmental Protection, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13, Hangkong Road, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, People's Republic of China.
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23
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Caporale N, Leemans M, Birgersson L, Germain PL, Cheroni C, Borbély G, Engdahl E, Lindh C, Bressan RB, Cavallo F, Chorev NE, D'Agostino GA, Pollard SM, Rigoli MT, Tenderini E, Tobon AL, Trattaro S, Troglio F, Zanella M, Bergman Å, Damdimopoulou P, Jönsson M, Kiess W, Kitraki E, Kiviranta H, Nånberg E, Öberg M, Rantakokko P, Rudén C, Söder O, Bornehag CG, Demeneix B, Fini JB, Gennings C, Rüegg J, Sturve J, Testa G. From cohorts to molecules: Adverse impacts of endocrine disrupting mixtures. Science 2022; 375:eabe8244. [PMID: 35175820 DOI: 10.1126/science.abe8244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 56.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Convergent evidence associates exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) with major human diseases, even at regulation-compliant concentrations. This might be because humans are exposed to EDC mixtures, whereas chemical regulation is based on a risk assessment of individual compounds. Here, we developed a mixture-centered risk assessment strategy that integrates epidemiological and experimental evidence. We identified that exposure to an EDC mixture in early pregnancy is associated with language delay in offspring. At human-relevant concentrations, this mixture disrupted hormone-regulated and disease-relevant regulatory networks in human brain organoids and in the model organisms Xenopus leavis and Danio rerio, as well as behavioral responses. Reinterrogating epidemiological data, we found that up to 54% of the children had prenatal exposures above experimentally derived levels of concern, reaching, for the upper decile compared with the lowest decile of exposure, a 3.3 times higher risk of language delay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolò Caporale
- High Definition Disease Modelling Lab, Stem Cell and Organoid Epigenetics, IEO, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, 20141 Milan, Italy.,Department of Oncology and Hemato-oncology, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy.,Human Technopole, V.le Rita Levi-Montalcini, 1, 20157 Milan, Italy
| | - Michelle Leemans
- UMR 7221, Phyma, CNRS-Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Sorbonne Université, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Lina Birgersson
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, 41463 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Pierre-Luc Germain
- High Definition Disease Modelling Lab, Stem Cell and Organoid Epigenetics, IEO, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, 20141 Milan, Italy
| | - Cristina Cheroni
- High Definition Disease Modelling Lab, Stem Cell and Organoid Epigenetics, IEO, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, 20141 Milan, Italy.,Department of Oncology and Hemato-oncology, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy.,Human Technopole, V.le Rita Levi-Montalcini, 1, 20157 Milan, Italy
| | - Gábor Borbély
- Swedish Toxicology Sciences Research Center (SWETOX), Södertälje, Sweden
| | - Elin Engdahl
- Swedish Toxicology Sciences Research Center (SWETOX), Södertälje, Sweden.,Department of Organismal Biology, Environmental Toxicology, Uppsala University, SE-752 36 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Christian Lindh
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, SE-221 85 Lund, Sweden
| | - Raul Bardini Bressan
- Medical Research Council Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Edinburgh Cancer Research UK Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Francesca Cavallo
- High Definition Disease Modelling Lab, Stem Cell and Organoid Epigenetics, IEO, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, 20141 Milan, Italy
| | - Nadav Even Chorev
- High Definition Disease Modelling Lab, Stem Cell and Organoid Epigenetics, IEO, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, 20141 Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Alessandro D'Agostino
- High Definition Disease Modelling Lab, Stem Cell and Organoid Epigenetics, IEO, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, 20141 Milan, Italy
| | - Steven M Pollard
- Medical Research Council Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Edinburgh Cancer Research UK Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Marco Tullio Rigoli
- High Definition Disease Modelling Lab, Stem Cell and Organoid Epigenetics, IEO, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, 20141 Milan, Italy.,Department of Oncology and Hemato-oncology, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Erika Tenderini
- High Definition Disease Modelling Lab, Stem Cell and Organoid Epigenetics, IEO, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, 20141 Milan, Italy
| | - Alejandro Lopez Tobon
- High Definition Disease Modelling Lab, Stem Cell and Organoid Epigenetics, IEO, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, 20141 Milan, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Trattaro
- High Definition Disease Modelling Lab, Stem Cell and Organoid Epigenetics, IEO, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, 20141 Milan, Italy.,Department of Oncology and Hemato-oncology, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Flavia Troglio
- High Definition Disease Modelling Lab, Stem Cell and Organoid Epigenetics, IEO, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, 20141 Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Zanella
- High Definition Disease Modelling Lab, Stem Cell and Organoid Epigenetics, IEO, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, 20141 Milan, Italy
| | - Åke Bergman
- Swedish Toxicology Sciences Research Center (SWETOX), Södertälje, Sweden.,Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden.,School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, SE-70182 Örebro, Sweden
| | - Pauliina Damdimopoulou
- Swedish Toxicology Sciences Research Center (SWETOX), Södertälje, Sweden.,Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, 141 86 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maria Jönsson
- Department of Organismal Biology, Environmental Toxicology, Uppsala University, SE-752 36 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Wieland Kiess
- Hospital for Children and Adolescents, Department of Women and Child Health, University Hospital, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Efthymia Kitraki
- Lab of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 152 72 Athens, Greece
| | - Hannu Kiviranta
- Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Kuopio 70210, Finland
| | - Eewa Nånberg
- School of Health Sciences, Örebro University, SE-70182 Örebro, Sweden
| | - Mattias Öberg
- Swedish Toxicology Sciences Research Center (SWETOX), Södertälje, Sweden.,Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, SE-17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Panu Rantakokko
- Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Kuopio 70210, Finland
| | - Christina Rudén
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Olle Söder
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Pediatric Endocrinology Division, Karolinska Institutet and University Hospital, SE-17176 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Carl-Gustaf Bornehag
- Faculty of Health, Science and Technology, Department of Health Sciences, Karlstad University, SE- 651 88 Karlstad, Sweden.,Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Barbara Demeneix
- UMR 7221, Phyma, CNRS-Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Sorbonne Université, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Jean-Baptiste Fini
- UMR 7221, Phyma, CNRS-Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Sorbonne Université, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Chris Gennings
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Joëlle Rüegg
- Swedish Toxicology Sciences Research Center (SWETOX), Södertälje, Sweden.,Department of Organismal Biology, Environmental Toxicology, Uppsala University, SE-752 36 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Joachim Sturve
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, 41463 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Giuseppe Testa
- High Definition Disease Modelling Lab, Stem Cell and Organoid Epigenetics, IEO, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, 20141 Milan, Italy.,Department of Oncology and Hemato-oncology, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy.,Human Technopole, V.le Rita Levi-Montalcini, 1, 20157 Milan, Italy
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24
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Zhang Z, Zhao Y. Progress on the roles of MEF2C in neuropsychiatric diseases. Mol Brain 2022; 15:8. [PMID: 34991657 PMCID: PMC8740500 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-021-00892-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Myocyte Enhancer Factor 2 C (MEF2C), one of the transcription factors of the MADS-BOX family, is involved in embryonic brain development, neuronal formation and differentiation, as well as in the growth and pruning of axons and dendrites. MEF2C is also involved in the development of various neuropsychiatric disorders, such as autism spectrum disorders (ASD), epilepsy, schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Here, we review the relationship between MEF2C and neuropsychiatric disorders, and provide further insights into the mechanism of these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhikun Zhang
- National Center for International Research of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China.,Department of Mental Health, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530007, Guangxi, China
| | - Yongxiang Zhao
- National Center for International Research of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China.
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25
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Structure-function relationships of the disease-linked A218T oxytocin receptor variant. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:907-917. [PMID: 34980886 PMCID: PMC9054668 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01241-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Various single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene have been associated with behavioral traits, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other diseases. The non-synonymous SNP rs4686302 results in the OXTR variant A218T and has been linked to core characteristics of ASD, trait empathy and preterm birth. However, the molecular and intracellular mechanisms underlying those associations are still elusive. Here, we uncovered the molecular and intracellular consequences of this mutation that may affect the psychological or behavioral outcome of oxytocin (OXT)-treatment regimens in clinical studies, and provide a mechanistic explanation for an altered receptor function. We created two monoclonal HEK293 cell lines, stably expressing either the wild-type or A218T OXTR. We detected an increased OXTR protein stability, accompanied by a shift in Ca2+ dynamics and reduced MAPK pathway activation in the A218T cells. Combined whole-genome and RNA sequencing analyses in OXT-treated cells revealed 7823 differentially regulated genes in A218T compared to wild-type cells, including 429 genes being associated with ASD. Furthermore, computational modeling provided a molecular basis for the observed change in OXTR stability suggesting that the OXTR mutation affects downstream events by altering receptor activation and signaling, in agreement with our in vitro results. In summary, our study provides the cellular mechanism that links the OXTR rs4686302 SNP with genetic dysregulations associated with aspects of ASD.
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26
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Pascolini G, Passarelli C, Lipari M, Chandramouli B, Chillemi G, Di Giosaffatte N, Novelli A, Grammatico P. Duane retraction syndrome characterized by inner ear agenesis and neurodevelopmental phenotype in an Italian family with a variant in MAFB. Clin Genet 2021; 101:377-378. [PMID: 34964110 DOI: 10.1111/cge.14101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Pascolini
- Medical Genetics, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, San Camillo-Forlanini Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Passarelli
- Translational Cytogenomics Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Martina Lipari
- Medical Genetics, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, San Camillo-Forlanini Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Niccolo' Di Giosaffatte
- Medical Genetics, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, San Camillo-Forlanini Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Novelli
- Translational Cytogenomics Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Grammatico
- Medical Genetics, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, San Camillo-Forlanini Hospital, Rome, Italy
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27
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Ren J, Zhang S, Wang X, Deng Y, Zhao Y, Xiao Y, Liu J, Chu L, Qi X. MEF2C ameliorates learning, memory, and molecular pathological changes in Alzheimer’s disease in vivo and in vitro. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2021; 54:77-90. [PMID: 35130621 PMCID: PMC9909301 DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2021012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Myocyte enhancer factor 2C (MEF2C) is highly expressed in the nervous system, and regulates neuro-development, synaptic plasticity, and inflammation. However, its mechanism in Alzheimer's disease (AD) is underestimated. In this study, the role and mechanism of MEF2C were investigated in the brain tissue specimens from patients with AD, APPswe/PSEN1dE9 double transgenic (APP/PS1_DT) mice, and SH-SY5Y cells treated with β-amyloid peptide (Aβ). The results indicated that the expression of MEF2C is significantly reduced, and the expression of MEF2C/Aβ in different parts of brain is negatively correlated in patients with AD. Knockdown of MEF2C promotes cell apoptosis and the level of β-amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE) but reduces BACE2 expression. In addition, knockdown of enhances the generation and aggregation of Aβ in the cortex of APP/PS1_DT mice, reduces the expression of synaptic proteins, exacerbates the ability of learning and memory of APP/PS1_DT mice, damages the structure of mitochondria, increases the oxidative stress (OS) level, and inhibits the expression levels of members of the Nrf2-ARE signal pathway. In summary, inhibition of MEF2C exacerbates the toxic effect of Aβ and , damages synaptic plasticity, reduces the ability of learning and memory of APP/PS1 mice, and increases the level of OS via the Nrf2-ARE signal pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiamou Ren
- Key Laboratory of Endemic and Ethnic DiseasesMinistry of Education & Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology of Guizhou ProvinceGuizhou Medical UniversityGuiyang550004China,Department of Laboratory Medicinethe 4th People′s Hospital of GuiyangGuiyang550004China
| | - Shuli Zhang
- Chinese People′s Liberation ArmySecret Service Center Sanatorium of XiamenXiamen361000China
| | - Xiaoling Wang
- Key Laboratory of Endemic and Ethnic DiseasesMinistry of Education & Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology of Guizhou ProvinceGuizhou Medical UniversityGuiyang550004China
| | - Yuxin Deng
- Key Laboratory of Endemic and Ethnic DiseasesMinistry of Education & Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology of Guizhou ProvinceGuizhou Medical UniversityGuiyang550004China
| | - Yi Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Endemic and Ethnic DiseasesMinistry of Education & Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology of Guizhou ProvinceGuizhou Medical UniversityGuiyang550004China
| | - Yan Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Endemic and Ethnic DiseasesMinistry of Education & Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology of Guizhou ProvinceGuizhou Medical UniversityGuiyang550004China
| | - Jian Liu
- Department of NeurosurgeryAffiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical UniversityGuiyang550004China
| | - Liangzhao Chu
- Department of NeurosurgeryAffiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical UniversityGuiyang550004China,Correspondence address. Tel: +86-851-86752814; E-mail: (X.Q.) / E-mail: (L.C.)@qq.com
| | - Xiaolan Qi
- Key Laboratory of Endemic and Ethnic DiseasesMinistry of Education & Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology of Guizhou ProvinceGuizhou Medical UniversityGuiyang550004China,Translational Medicine Research CenterGuizhou Medical UniversityGuiyang550004China,Correspondence address. Tel: +86-851-86752814; E-mail: (X.Q.) / E-mail: (L.C.)@qq.com
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28
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Mills MC, Tropf FC, Brazel DM, van Zuydam N, Vaez A, Pers TH, Snieder H, Perry JRB, Ong KK, den Hoed M, Barban N, Day FR. Identification of 371 genetic variants for age at first sex and birth linked to externalising behaviour. Nat Hum Behav 2021; 5:1717-1730. [PMID: 34211149 PMCID: PMC7612120 DOI: 10.1038/s41562-021-01135-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Age at first sexual intercourse and age at first birth have implications for health and evolutionary fitness. In this genome-wide association study (age at first sexual intercourse, N = 387,338; age at first birth, N = 542,901), we identify 371 single-nucleotide polymorphisms, 11 sex-specific, with a 5-6% polygenic score prediction. Heritability of age at first birth shifted from 9% [CI = 4-14%] for women born in 1940 to 22% [CI = 19-25%] for those born in 1965. Signals are driven by the genetics of reproductive biology and externalising behaviour, with key genes related to follicle stimulating hormone (FSHB), implantation (ESR1), infertility and spermatid differentiation. Our findings suggest that polycystic ovarian syndrome may lead to later age at first birth, linking with infertility. Late age at first birth is associated with parental longevity and reduced incidence of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Higher childhood socioeconomic circumstances and those in the highest polygenic score decile (90%+) experience markedly later reproductive onset. Results are relevant for improving teenage and late-life health, understanding longevity and guiding experimentation into mechanisms of infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melinda C Mills
- Leverhulme Centre for Demographic Science, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
- Nuffield College, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
| | - Felix C Tropf
- Leverhulme Centre for Demographic Science, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Nuffield College, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- École Nationale de la Statistique et de L'administration Économique (ENSAE), Paris, France
- Center for Research in Economics and Statistics (CREST), Paris, France
| | - David M Brazel
- Leverhulme Centre for Demographic Science, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Nuffield College, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Natalie van Zuydam
- The Beijer Laboratory and Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University and SciLifeLab, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ahmad Vaez
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
- Department of Bioinformatics, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Tune H Pers
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Epidemiology Research, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Harold Snieder
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - John R B Perry
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Ken K Ong
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Marcel den Hoed
- The Beijer Laboratory and Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University and SciLifeLab, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Nicola Barban
- Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Felix R Day
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
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29
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Morisada N, Ishida Y, Tokumoto S, Maruyama A, Iijima K. Severe neurodevelopmental disorder caused by an MEF2C nonsense mutation. Pediatr Int 2021; 63:1536-1538. [PMID: 34449120 DOI: 10.1111/ped.14647] [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: 08/16/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Naoya Morisada
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Hyogo Prefectural Kobe Children's Hospital, Kobe, Japan.,Department of Pediatrics, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Yusuke Ishida
- Department of General Pediatrics, Hyogo Prefectural Kobe Children's Hospital, Kobe, Japan.,Department of Neurology, Hyogo Prefectural Kobe Children's Hospital, Kobe, Japan
| | - Shoichi Tokumoto
- Department of Pediatrics, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Azusa Maruyama
- Department of Neurology, Hyogo Prefectural Kobe Children's Hospital, Kobe, Japan
| | - Kazumoto Iijima
- Department of Pediatrics, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
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30
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Barker SJ, Raju RM, Milman NEP, Wang J, Davila-Velderrain J, Gunter-Rahman F, Parro CC, Bozzelli PL, Abdurrob F, Abdelaal K, Bennett DA, Kellis M, Tsai LH. MEF2 is a key regulator of cognitive potential and confers resilience to neurodegeneration. Sci Transl Med 2021; 13:eabd7695. [PMID: 34731014 PMCID: PMC9258338 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abd7695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
[Figure: see text].
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Affiliation(s)
- Scarlett J Barker
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.,Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Ravikiran M Raju
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.,Division of Newborn Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Noah E P Milman
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Jun Wang
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Jose Davila-Velderrain
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Fatima Gunter-Rahman
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Cameron C Parro
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - P Lorenzo Bozzelli
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Fatema Abdurrob
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Karim Abdelaal
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - David A Bennett
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Manolis Kellis
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Li-Huei Tsai
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.,Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
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31
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Ghatak S, Dolatabadi N, Gao R, Wu Y, Scott H, Trudler D, Sultan A, Ambasudhan R, Nakamura T, Masliah E, Talantova M, Voytek B, Lipton SA. NitroSynapsin ameliorates hypersynchronous neural network activity in Alzheimer hiPSC models. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:5751-5765. [PMID: 32467645 PMCID: PMC7704704 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-020-0776-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Revised: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Beginning at early stages, human Alzheimer's disease (AD) brains manifest hyperexcitability, contributing to subsequent extensive synapse loss, which has been linked to cognitive dysfunction. No current therapy for AD is disease-modifying. Part of the problem with AD drug discovery is that transgenic mouse models have been poor predictors of potential human treatment. While it is undoubtedly important to test drugs in these animal models, additional evidence for drug efficacy in a human context might improve our chances of success. Accordingly, in order to test drugs in a human context, we have developed a platform of physiological assays using patch-clamp electrophysiology, calcium imaging, and multielectrode array (MEA) experiments on human (h)iPSC-derived 2D cortical neuronal cultures and 3D cerebral organoids. We compare hiPSCs bearing familial AD mutations vs. their wild-type (WT) isogenic controls in order to characterize the aberrant electrical activity in such a human context. Here, we show that these AD neuronal cultures and organoids manifest increased spontaneous action potentials, slow oscillatory events (~1 Hz), and hypersynchronous network activity. Importantly, the dual-allosteric NMDAR antagonist NitroSynapsin, but not the FDA-approved drug memantine, abrogated this hyperactivity. We propose a novel model of synaptic plasticity in which aberrant neural networks are rebalanced by NitroSynapsin. We propose that hiPSC models may be useful for screening drugs to treat hyperexcitability and related synaptic damage in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swagata Ghatak
- Neuroscience Translational Center and Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA.,Neurodegenerative Disease Center, Scintillon Institute, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
| | - Nima Dolatabadi
- Neuroscience Translational Center and Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA.,Neurodegenerative Disease Center, Scintillon Institute, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
| | - Richard Gao
- Cognitive Science, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Yin Wu
- Neuroscience Translational Center and Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Henry Scott
- Neuroscience Translational Center and Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Dorit Trudler
- Neuroscience Translational Center and Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA.,Neurodegenerative Disease Center, Scintillon Institute, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
| | - Abdullah Sultan
- Neurodegenerative Disease Center, Scintillon Institute, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
| | - Rajesh Ambasudhan
- Neuroscience Translational Center and Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA.,Neurodegenerative Disease Center, Scintillon Institute, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
| | - Tomohiro Nakamura
- Neuroscience Translational Center and Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Eliezer Masliah
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.,Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.,National Institute on Aging, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Maria Talantova
- Neuroscience Translational Center and Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA.,Neurodegenerative Disease Center, Scintillon Institute, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
| | - Bradley Voytek
- Cognitive Science, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.,Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.,Kavli Institute of Brain and Mind and Halicioglu Data Science Institute, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Stuart A Lipton
- Neuroscience Translational Center and Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA. .,Neurodegenerative Disease Center, Scintillon Institute, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA. .,Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
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32
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Liu X, Sun X, Sun C, Zou M, Chen Y, Huang J, Wu L, Chen WX. Prevalence of epilepsy in autism spectrum disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2021; 26:33-50. [PMID: 34510916 DOI: 10.1177/13623613211045029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
LAY ABSTRACT Autistic individuals experience higher co-occurring medical conditions than the general population, and yet the estimates of autistic individuals with epilepsy are not updated. Co-occurrence of epilepsy in autistic individuals often aggravated cognitive impairment and increased the risk of poor long-term prognosis. Thus, an updated systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to study the relevant articles published from inception to 2020, evaluate the prevalence of epilepsy in autistic individuals, and further explore the putative factors influencing the prevalence. A total of 66 studies from 53 articles were included in this study. The results showed that epilepsy is more common in autistic individuals than in the general population. The prevalence of epilepsy in autistic individuals in the clinical sample-based studies was higher than that in the population-based based cross-sectional or cohort studies. The prevalence of epilepsy in autistic adults was higher than that in autistic children. A significantly increased prevalence of epilepsy was detected in the autistic adolescent group (11-17 years old), and a higher trend of prevalence of epilepsy was observed in the autistic pre-school group (⩽ 6 -years-old) than that of the autistic school-aged group (7-10 years-old). The prevalence of epilepsy increased with age, female rate, and low intellectual function rate of autistic individuals. However, the human development index of countries was negatively associated with the pooled prevalence, which could be attributed to the different levels of awareness, diagnostic technologies, and autism-service support worldwide. About 1/10 autistic individuals also had epilepsy, which was common in the clinical setting, adolescents, adults, females, or patients with intellectual disability and less common in the country with high human development index. Thus, these findings provided critical and innovative views on the prevalence of epilepsy in autistic individuals and contributed to the targeted clinical management and preventive measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xian Liu
- Guangzhou Medical University, China.,Harbin Medical University, China
| | - Xin Sun
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
| | | | | | | | | | - Lijie Wu
- Harbin Medical University, China
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33
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Wu L, Zhou X, Cao Y, MAK SH, Zha L, Li N, Su Z, Han Y, Wang Y, Man Hoi MP, Sun Y, Zhang G, Zhang Z, Yang X. Therapeutic efficacy of novel memantine nitrate MN-08 in animal models of Alzheimer's disease. Aging Cell 2021; 20:e13371. [PMID: 33955647 PMCID: PMC8208785 DOI: 10.1111/acel.13371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a leading cause of dementia in elderly individuals and therapeutic options for AD are very limited. Over‐activation of N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) receptors, amyloid β (Aβ) aggregation, a decrease in cerebral blood flow (CBF), and downstream pathological events play important roles in the disease progression of AD. In the present study, MN‐08, a novel memantine nitrate, was found to inhibit Aβ accumulation, prevent neuronal and dendritic spine loss, and consequently attenuate cognitive deficits in 2‐month‐old APP/PS1 transgenic mice (for a 6‐month preventative course) and in the 8‐month‐old triple‐transgenic (3×Tg‐AD) mice (for a 4‐month therapeutic course). In vitro, MN‐08 could bind to and antagonize NMDA receptors, inhibit the calcium influx, and reverse the dysregulations of ERK and PI3K/Akt/GSK3β pathway, subsequently preventing glutamate‐induced neuronal loss. In addition, MN‐08 had favorable pharmacokinetics, blood‐brain barrier penetration, and safety profiles in rats and beagle dogs. These findings suggest that the novel memantine nitrate MN‐08 may be a useful therapeutic agent for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liangmiao Wu
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Center The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University and Institute of New Drug Research International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education Jinan University College of Pharmacy Guangzhou China
| | - Xinhua Zhou
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Center The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University and Institute of New Drug Research International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education Jinan University College of Pharmacy Guangzhou China
| | - Yiwan Cao
- Institute of New Drug Research International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education Jinan University College of Pharmacy Guangzhou China
| | - Shing Hung MAK
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology Institute of Modern Chinese Medicine The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Hong Kong China
| | - Ling Zha
- Institute of New Drug Research International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education Jinan University College of Pharmacy Guangzhou China
| | - Ning Li
- Institute of New Drug Research International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education Jinan University College of Pharmacy Guangzhou China
| | - Zhiyang Su
- Institute of New Drug Research International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education Jinan University College of Pharmacy Guangzhou China
| | - Yifan Han
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology Institute of Modern Chinese Medicine The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Hong Kong China
| | - Yuqiang Wang
- Institute of New Drug Research International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education Jinan University College of Pharmacy Guangzhou China
| | - Maggie Pui Man Hoi
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences University of Macau Macau China
| | - Yewei Sun
- Institute of New Drug Research International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education Jinan University College of Pharmacy Guangzhou China
| | - Gaoxiao Zhang
- Institute of New Drug Research International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education Jinan University College of Pharmacy Guangzhou China
| | - Zaijun Zhang
- Institute of New Drug Research International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education Jinan University College of Pharmacy Guangzhou China
| | - Xifei Yang
- Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Shenzhen Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention Shenzhen China
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Zhang F, Rao S, Cao H, Zhang X, Wang Q, Xu Y, Sun J, Wang C, Chen J, Xu X, Zhang N, Tian L, Yuan J, Wang G, Cai L, Xu M, Baranova A. Genetic evidence suggests posttraumatic stress disorder as a subtype of major depressive disorder. J Clin Invest 2021; 132:145942. [PMID: 33905376 PMCID: PMC8803333 DOI: 10.1172/jci145942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Major depressive disorder (MDD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are highly comorbid and exhibit strong correlations with one another. We aimed to investigate mechanisms of underlying relationships between PTSD and three kinds of depressive phenotypes, namely, MDD, depressed affect (DAF), and depression (DEP, including both MDD and the broad definition of depression). METHODS Genetic correlations between PTSD and the depressive phenotypes were tested using linkage disequilibrium score regression. Polygenic overlap analysis was used to estimate shared and trait-specific causal variants across a pair of traits. Causal relationships between PTSD and the depressive phenotypes were investigated using Mendelian randomization. Shared genomic loci between PTSD and MDD were identified using cross-trait meta-analysis. RESULTS Genetic correlations of PTSD with the depressive phenotypes were in the range of 0.71~0.80. The estimated numbers of causal variants were 14,565, 12,965, 10,565, and 4,986 for MDD, DEP, DAF, and PTSD, respectively. In each case, causal variants contributing to PTSD were completely or largely covered by causal variants defining each of the depressive phenotypes. Mendelian randomization analysis indicates that the genetically determined depressive phenotypes confer a causal effect on PTSD (b = 0.21~0.31). Notably, genetically determined PTSD confers a causal effect on DEP (b = 0.14) and DAF (b = 0.15), but not MDD. Cross-trait meta-analysis of MDD and PTSD identifies 47 genomic loci, including 29 loci shared between PTSD and MDD. CONCLUSION Evidence from shared genetics suggests that PTSD is a subtype of MDD. This study provides support to the efforts in reducing diagnostic heterogeneity in psychiatric nosology. FUNDING The National Key Research and Development Program of China (2018YFC1314300) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81471364 and 81971255).
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuquan Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shuquan Rao
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Hongbao Cao
- School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Fairfax, United States of America
| | - Xiangrong Zhang
- Department of Geriatric Psychiatry, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qiang Wang
- Mental Health Center and Psychiatric Laboratory, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yong Xu
- Department of Psychiatry, First Hospital/First Clinical Medical College of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Jing Sun
- Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chun Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiu Chen
- Institute of Neuropsychiatry, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xijia Xu
- Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ning Zhang
- Institute of Neuropsychiatry, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lin Tian
- Wuxi Mental Health Center of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, China
| | - Jianmin Yuan
- Wuxi Mental Health Center of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, China
| | - Guoqiang Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, Wuxi Mental Health Center of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, China
| | - Lei Cai
- Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disor, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mingqing Xu
- Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disor, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ancha Baranova
- School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Fairfax, United States of America
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Chaudhary R, Agarwal V, Kaushik AS, Rehman M. Involvement of myocyte enhancer factor 2c in the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder. Heliyon 2021; 7:e06854. [PMID: 33981903 PMCID: PMC8082549 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e06854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2), a family of transcription factor of MADS (minichromosome maintenance 1, agamous, deficiens and serum response factor)-box family needed in the growth and differentiation of a variety of human cells, such as neural, immune, endothelial, and muscles. As per existing literature, MEF2 transcription factors have also been associated with synaptic plasticity, the developmental mechanisms governing memory and learning, and several neurologic conditions, like autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Recent genomic findings have ascertained a link between MEF2 defects, particularly in the MEF2C isoform and the ASD. In this review, we summarized a concise overview of the general regulation, structure and functional roles of the MEF2C transcription factor. We further outlined the potential role of MEF2C as a risk factor for various neurodevelopmental disorders, such as ASD, MEF2C Haploinsufficiency Syndrome and Fragile X syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rishabh Chaudhary
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, India
| | - Vipul Agarwal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, India
| | - Arjun Singh Kaushik
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, India
| | - Mujeeba Rehman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, India
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Luo F, Wu L, Xie G, Gao F, Zhang Z, Chen G, Liu Z, Zha L, Zhang G, Sun Y, Zhang Z, Wang Y. Dual-Functional MN-08 Attenuated Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Through Vasodilation and Inhibition of Pulmonary Arterial Remodeling. Hypertension 2021; 77:1787-1798. [PMID: 33775126 DOI: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.120.15994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
[Figure: see text].
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangcheng Luo
- From the Department of Neurology and Stroke Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University and Institute of New Drug Research, International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education, Jinan University College of Pharmacy, China (F.L., L.W.)
| | - Liangmiao Wu
- From the Department of Neurology and Stroke Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University and Institute of New Drug Research, International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education, Jinan University College of Pharmacy, China (F.L., L.W.)
| | - Guoqing Xie
- Institute of New Drug Research, International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education, Jinan University College of Pharmacy, China (G.X., F.G., Zhixiang Zhang, G.C., L.Z., G.Z., Y.S., Zaijun Zhang, Y.W.)
| | - FangFang Gao
- Institute of New Drug Research, International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education, Jinan University College of Pharmacy, China (G.X., F.G., Zhixiang Zhang, G.C., L.Z., G.Z., Y.S., Zaijun Zhang, Y.W.)
| | - Zhixiang Zhang
- Institute of New Drug Research, International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education, Jinan University College of Pharmacy, China (G.X., F.G., Zhixiang Zhang, G.C., L.Z., G.Z., Y.S., Zaijun Zhang, Y.W.)
| | - Guangying Chen
- Institute of New Drug Research, International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education, Jinan University College of Pharmacy, China (G.X., F.G., Zhixiang Zhang, G.C., L.Z., G.Z., Y.S., Zaijun Zhang, Y.W.)
| | - Zheng Liu
- School of Stomatology and Medicine, Foshan University, P. R. China (Z.L.)
| | - Ling Zha
- Institute of New Drug Research, International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education, Jinan University College of Pharmacy, China (G.X., F.G., Zhixiang Zhang, G.C., L.Z., G.Z., Y.S., Zaijun Zhang, Y.W.)
| | - Gaoxiao Zhang
- Institute of New Drug Research, International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education, Jinan University College of Pharmacy, China (G.X., F.G., Zhixiang Zhang, G.C., L.Z., G.Z., Y.S., Zaijun Zhang, Y.W.)
| | - Yewei Sun
- Institute of New Drug Research, International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education, Jinan University College of Pharmacy, China (G.X., F.G., Zhixiang Zhang, G.C., L.Z., G.Z., Y.S., Zaijun Zhang, Y.W.)
| | - Zaijun Zhang
- Institute of New Drug Research, International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education, Jinan University College of Pharmacy, China (G.X., F.G., Zhixiang Zhang, G.C., L.Z., G.Z., Y.S., Zaijun Zhang, Y.W.)
| | - Yuqiang Wang
- Institute of New Drug Research, International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education, Jinan University College of Pharmacy, China (G.X., F.G., Zhixiang Zhang, G.C., L.Z., G.Z., Y.S., Zaijun Zhang, Y.W.)
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DNA methylome signatures of prenatal exposure to synthetic glucocorticoids in hippocampus and peripheral whole blood of female guinea pigs in early life. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:63. [PMID: 33462183 PMCID: PMC7813870 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-020-01186-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Synthetic glucocorticoids (sGC) are administered to women at risk of preterm delivery, approximately 10% of all pregnancies. In animal models, offspring exposed to elevated glucocorticoids, either by administration of sGC or endogenous glucocorticoids as a result of maternal stress, show increased risk of developing behavioral, endocrine, and metabolic dysregulation. DNA methylation may play a critical role in long-lasting programming of gene regulation underlying these phenotypes. However, peripheral tissues such as blood are often the only accessible source of DNA for epigenetic analyses in humans. Here, we examined the hypothesis that prenatal sGC administration alters DNA methylation signatures in guinea pig offspring hippocampus and whole blood. We compared these signatures across the two tissue types to assess epigenetic biomarkers of common molecular pathways affected by sGC exposure. Guinea pigs were treated with sGC or saline in late gestation. Genome-wide modifications of DNA methylation were analyzed at single nucleotide resolution using reduced representation bisulfite sequencing in juvenile female offspring. Results indicate that there are tissue-specific as well as common methylation signatures of prenatal sGC exposure. Over 90% of the common methylation signatures associated with sGC exposure showed the same directionality of change in methylation. Among differentially methylated genes, 134 were modified in both hippocampus and blood, of which 61 showed methylation changes at identical CpG sites. Gene pathway analyses indicated that prenatal sGC exposure alters the methylation status of gene clusters involved in brain development. These data indicate concordance across tissues of epigenetic programming in response to alterations in glucocorticoid signaling.
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Rabiee B, Anwar KN, Shen X, Putra I, Liu M, Jung R, Afsharkhamseh N, Rosenblatt MI, Fishman GA, Liu X, Ghassemi M, Djalilian AR. Gene dosage manipulation alleviates manifestations of hereditary PAX6 haploinsufficiency in mice. Sci Transl Med 2020; 12:eaaz4894. [PMID: 33298563 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aaz4894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Revised: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
In autosomal dominant conditions with haploinsufficiency, a single functional allele cannot maintain sufficient dosage for normal function. We hypothesized that pharmacologic induction of the wild-type allele could lead to gene dosage compensation and mitigation of the disease manifestations. The paired box 6 (PAX6) gene is crucial in tissue development and maintenance particularly in eye, brain, and pancreas. Aniridia is a panocular condition with impaired eye development and limited vision due to PAX6 haploinsufficiency. To test our hypothesis, we performed a chemical screen and found mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitors to induce PAX6 expression in normal and mutant corneal cells. Treatment of newborn Pax6-deficient mice (Pax6Sey-Neu/+ ) with topical or systemic MEK inhibitor PD0325901 led to increased corneal PAX6 expression, improved corneal morphology, reduced corneal opacity, and enhanced ocular function. These results suggest that induction of the wild-type allele by drug repurposing is a potential therapeutic strategy for haploinsufficiencies, which is not limited to specific mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Behnam Rabiee
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Khandaker N Anwar
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Xiang Shen
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Ilham Putra
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Mingna Liu
- Departments of Biology and Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
| | - Rebecca Jung
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Neda Afsharkhamseh
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Mark I Rosenblatt
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Gerald A Fishman
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Pangere Center for Inherited Retinal Diseases, The Chicago Lighthouse, Chicago, IL 60608, USA
| | - Xiaorong Liu
- Departments of Biology and Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
| | - Mahmood Ghassemi
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Ali R Djalilian
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
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Bai M, Ye D, Guo X, Xi J, Liu N, Wu Y, Jia W, Wang G, Chen W, Li G, Jiapaer Z, Kang J. Critical regulation of a NDIME/MEF2C axis in embryonic stem cell neural differentiation and autism. EMBO Rep 2020; 21:e50283. [PMID: 33016573 PMCID: PMC7645248 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202050283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2020] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
A microdeletion within human chromosome 5q14.3 has been associated with the occurrence of neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism and intellectual disability, and MEF2C haploinsufficiency was identified as main cause. Here, we report that a brain-enriched long non-coding RNA, NDIME, is located near the MEF2C locus and is required for normal neural differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). NDIME interacts with EZH2, the major component of polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), and blocks EZH2-mediated trimethylation of histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27me3) at the Mef2c promoter, promoting MEF2C transcription. Moreover, the expression levels of both NDIME and MEF2C were strongly downregulated in the hippocampus of a mouse model of autism, and the adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated expression of NDIME in the hippocampus of these mice significantly increased MEF2C expression and ameliorated autism-like behaviors. The results of this study reveal an epigenetic mechanism by which NDIME regulates MEF2C transcription and neural differentiation and suggest potential effects and therapeutic approaches of the NDIME/MEF2C axis in autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingliang Bai
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant HospitalShanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease ResearchCollaborative Innovation Center for Brain ScienceSchool of Life Sciences and TechnologyTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Dan Ye
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant HospitalShanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease ResearchCollaborative Innovation Center for Brain ScienceSchool of Life Sciences and TechnologyTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Xudong Guo
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant HospitalShanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease ResearchCollaborative Innovation Center for Brain ScienceSchool of Life Sciences and TechnologyTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
- Institute for Advanced StudyTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Jiajie Xi
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant HospitalShanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease ResearchCollaborative Innovation Center for Brain ScienceSchool of Life Sciences and TechnologyTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Nana Liu
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant HospitalShanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease ResearchCollaborative Innovation Center for Brain ScienceSchool of Life Sciences and TechnologyTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Yukang Wu
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant HospitalShanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease ResearchCollaborative Innovation Center for Brain ScienceSchool of Life Sciences and TechnologyTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Wenwen Jia
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant HospitalShanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease ResearchCollaborative Innovation Center for Brain ScienceSchool of Life Sciences and TechnologyTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
- Institute of Regenerative MedicineShanghai East HospitalTongji University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Guiying Wang
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant HospitalShanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease ResearchCollaborative Innovation Center for Brain ScienceSchool of Life Sciences and TechnologyTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Wen Chen
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant HospitalShanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease ResearchCollaborative Innovation Center for Brain ScienceSchool of Life Sciences and TechnologyTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Guoping Li
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant HospitalShanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease ResearchCollaborative Innovation Center for Brain ScienceSchool of Life Sciences and TechnologyTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Zeyidan Jiapaer
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant HospitalShanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease ResearchCollaborative Innovation Center for Brain ScienceSchool of Life Sciences and TechnologyTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Biology Resources and Genetic EngineeringCollege of Life Science and TechnologyXinjiang UniversityUrumqiChina
| | - Jiuhong Kang
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant HospitalShanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease ResearchCollaborative Innovation Center for Brain ScienceSchool of Life Sciences and TechnologyTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
- Tsingtao Advanced Research InstituteTongji UniversityQingdaoChina
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Jadhav VS, Lin PBC, Pennington T, Di Prisco GV, Jannu AJ, Xu G, Moutinho M, Zhang J, Atwood BK, Puntambekar SS, Bissel SJ, Oblak AL, Landreth GE, Lamb BT. Trem2 Y38C mutation and loss of Trem2 impairs neuronal synapses in adult mice. Mol Neurodegener 2020; 15:62. [PMID: 33115519 PMCID: PMC7594478 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-020-00409-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) is expressed in the brain exclusively on microglia and genetic variants are linked to neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD), frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and Nasu Hakola Disease (NHD). The Trem2 variant R47H, confers substantially elevated risk of developing late onset Alzheimer's disease, while NHD-linked Trem2 variants like Y38C, are associated with development of early onset dementia with white matter pathology. However, it is not known how these Trem2 species, predisposes individuals to presenile dementia. METHODS To investigate if Trem2 Y38C or loss of Trem2 alters neuronal function we generated a novel mouse model to introduce the NHD Trem2 Y38C variant in murine Trem2 using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. Trem2Y38C/Y38C and Trem2-/- mice were assessed for Trem2 expression, differentially expressed genes, synaptic protein levels and synaptic plasticity using biochemical, electrophysiological and transcriptomic approaches. RESULTS While mice harboring the Trem2 Y38C exhibited normal expression levels of TREM2, the pathological outcomes phenocopied Trem2-/- mice at 6 months. Transcriptomic analysis revealed altered expression of neuronal and oligodendrocytes/myelin genes. We observed regional decreases in synaptic protein levels, with the most affected synapses in the hippocampus. These alterations were associated with reduced synaptic plasticity. CONCLUSION Our findings provide in vivo evidence that Trem2 Y38C disrupts normal TREM2 functions. Trem2Y38C/Y38C and Trem2-/- mice demonstrated altered gene expression, changes in microglia morphology, loss of synaptic proteins and reduced hippocampal synaptic plasticity at 6 months in absence of any pathological triggers like amyloid. This suggests TREM2 impacts neuronal functions providing molecular insights on the predisposition of individuals with TREM2 variants resulting in presenile dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vaishnavi S Jadhav
- Paul and Carole Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University, School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Peter B C Lin
- Paul and Carole Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University, School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Taylor Pennington
- Paul and Carole Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University, School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University, School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Gonzalo Viana Di Prisco
- Paul and Carole Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University, School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University, School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Asha Jacob Jannu
- Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 462020, USA
| | - Guixiang Xu
- Paul and Carole Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University, School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University, School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Miguel Moutinho
- Paul and Carole Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University, School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Indiana University, School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University, School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Brady K Atwood
- Paul and Carole Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University, School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University, School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Shweta S Puntambekar
- Paul and Carole Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University, School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University, School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Stephanie J Bissel
- Paul and Carole Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University, School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University, School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Adrian L Oblak
- Paul and Carole Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University, School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Department of Radiology & Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Gary E Landreth
- Paul and Carole Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University, School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Indiana University, School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Bruce T Lamb
- Paul and Carole Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University, School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University, School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
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Nuclear receptor corepressors in intellectual disability and autism. Mol Psychiatry 2020; 25:2220-2236. [PMID: 32034290 PMCID: PMC7842082 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-020-0667-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Revised: 12/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by neurocognitive dysfunctions, such as impaired social interaction and language learning. Gene-environment interactions have a pivotal role in ASD pathogenesis. Nuclear receptor corepressors (NCORs) are transcription co-regulators physically associated with histone deacetylases (HDACs) and many known players in ASD etiology such as transducin β-like 1 X-linked receptor 1 and methyl-CpG binding protein 2. The epigenome-modifying NCOR complex is sensitive to many ASD risk factors, including HDAC inhibitor valproic acid and a variety of endocrine factors, xenobiotic chemicals, or metabolites that can directly bind to multiple nuclear receptors. Here, we review recent studies of NCORs in neurocognition using animal models and human genetics approaches. We discuss functional interplays between NCORs and other known players in ASD etiology. It is conceivable that the NCOR complex may bridge the in utero environmental risk factors of ASD with epigenetic remodeling and can serve as a converging point for many gene-environment interactions in the pathogenesis of ASD and intellectual disability.
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Ghatak S, Talantova M, McKercher SR, Lipton SA. Novel Therapeutic Approach for Excitatory/Inhibitory Imbalance in Neurodevelopmental and Neurodegenerative Diseases. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 2020; 61:701-721. [PMID: 32997602 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-032320-015420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) balance, defined as the balance between excitation and inhibition of synaptic activity in a neuronal network, accounts in part for the normal functioning of the brain, controlling, for example, normal spike rate. In many pathological conditions, this fine balance is perturbed, leading to excessive or diminished excitation relative to inhibition, termed E/I imbalance, reflected in network dysfunction. E/I imbalance has emerged as a contributor to neurological disorders that occur particularly at the extremes of life, including autism spectrum disorder and Alzheimer's disease, pointing to the vulnerability of neuronal networks at these critical life stages. Hence, it is important to develop approaches to rebalance neural networks. In this review, we describe emerging therapies that can normalize the E/I ratio or the underlying abnormality that contributes to the imbalance in electrical activity, thus improving neurological function in these maladies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swagata Ghatak
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience Translational Center, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, USA;
| | - Maria Talantova
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience Translational Center, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, USA;
| | - Scott R McKercher
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience Translational Center, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, USA;
| | - Stuart A Lipton
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience Translational Center, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, USA; .,Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
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Cosgrove D, Whitton L, Fahey L, Ó Broin P, Donohoe G, Morris DW. Genes influenced by MEF2C contribute to neurodevelopmental disease via gene expression changes that affect multiple types of cortical excitatory neurons. Hum Mol Genet 2020; 30:961-970. [PMID: 32975584 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddaa213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Myocyte enhancer factor 2 C (MEF2C) is an important transcription factor during neurodevelopment. Mutation or deletion of MEF2C causes intellectual disability (ID), and common variants within MEF2C are associated with cognitive function and schizophrenia risk. We investigated if genes influenced by MEF2C during neurodevelopment are enriched for genes associated with neurodevelopmental phenotypes and if this can be leveraged to identify biological mechanisms and individual brain cell types affected. We used a set of 1055 genes that were differentially expressed in the adult mouse brain following early embryonic deletion of Mef2c in excitatory cortical neurons. Using genome-wide association studies data, we found these differentially expressed genes (DEGs) to be enriched for genes associated with schizophrenia, intelligence and educational attainment but not autism spectrum disorder (ASD). For this gene set, genes that overlap with target genes of the Fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) are a major driver of these enrichments. Using trios data, we found these DEGs to be enriched for genes containing de novo mutations reported in ASD and ID, but not schizophrenia. Using single-cell RNA sequencing data, we identified that a number of different excitatory glutamatergic neurons in the cortex were enriched for these DEGs including deep layer pyramidal cells and cells in the retrosplenial cortex, entorhinal cortex and subiculum, and these cell types are also enriched for FMRP target genes. The involvement of MEF2C and FMRP in synapse elimination suggests that disruption of this process in these cell types during neurodevelopment contributes to cognitive function and risk of neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donna Cosgrove
- Cognitive Genetics and Cognitive Therapy Group, Centre for Neuroimaging, Cognition and Genomics, School of Psychology and Discipline of Biochemistry, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway H91CF50, Ireland
| | - Laura Whitton
- Cognitive Genetics and Cognitive Therapy Group, Centre for Neuroimaging, Cognition and Genomics, School of Psychology and Discipline of Biochemistry, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway H91CF50, Ireland
| | - Laura Fahey
- Cognitive Genetics and Cognitive Therapy Group, Centre for Neuroimaging, Cognition and Genomics, School of Psychology and Discipline of Biochemistry, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway H91CF50, Ireland.,School of Mathematics, Statistics and Applied Mathematics, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway H91CF50, Ireland
| | - Pilib Ó Broin
- School of Mathematics, Statistics and Applied Mathematics, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway H91CF50, Ireland
| | - Gary Donohoe
- Cognitive Genetics and Cognitive Therapy Group, Centre for Neuroimaging, Cognition and Genomics, School of Psychology and Discipline of Biochemistry, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway H91CF50, Ireland
| | - Derek W Morris
- Cognitive Genetics and Cognitive Therapy Group, Centre for Neuroimaging, Cognition and Genomics, School of Psychology and Discipline of Biochemistry, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway H91CF50, Ireland
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Agam G, Taylor Z, Vainer E, Golan HM. The influence of choline treatment on behavioral and neurochemical autistic-like phenotype in Mthfr-deficient mice. Transl Psychiatry 2020; 10:316. [PMID: 32948746 PMCID: PMC7501861 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-020-01002-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Imbalanced one carbon metabolism and aberrant autophagy is robustly reported in patients with autism. Polymorphism in the gene methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (Mthfr), encoding for a key enzyme in this pathway is associated with an increased risk for autistic-spectrum-disorders (ASDs). Autistic-like core and associated behaviors have been described, with contribution of both maternal and offspring Mthfr+/- genotype to the different domains of behavior. Preconception and prenatal supplementation with methyl donor rich diet to human subjects and mice reduced the risk for developing autism and autistic-like behavior, respectively. Here we tested the potential of choline supplementation to Mthfr-deficient mice at young-adulthood to reduce behavioral and neurochemical changes reminiscent of autism characteristics. We show that offspring of Mthfr+/- mothers, whether wildtype or heterozygote, exhibit autistic-like behavior, altered brain p62 protein levels and LC3-II/LC3-I levels ratio, both, autophagy markers. Choline supplementation to adult offspring of Mthfr+/- mothers for 14 days counteracted characteristics related to repetitive behavior and anxiety both in males and in females and improved social behavior solely in male mice. Choline treatment also normalized deviant cortical levels of the autophagy markers measured in male mice. The results demonstrate that choline supplementation even at adulthood, not tested previously, to offspring of Mthfr-deficient mothers, attenuates the autistic-like phenotype. If this proof of concept is replicated it might promote translation of these results to treatment recommendation for children with ASDs bearing similar genetic/metabolic make-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Galila Agam
- grid.7489.20000 0004 1937 0511Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology and Psychiatry Research Unit, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and Mental Health Center, Beer-Sheva, Israel ,grid.7489.20000 0004 1937 0511Zlotowski Center for Neurosciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Zoe Taylor
- grid.7489.20000 0004 1937 0511Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Ella Vainer
- grid.7489.20000 0004 1937 0511Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology and Psychiatry Research Unit, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and Mental Health Center, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Hava M. Golan
- grid.7489.20000 0004 1937 0511Zlotowski Center for Neurosciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel ,grid.7489.20000 0004 1937 0511Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
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45
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Harrington AJ, Bridges CM, Berto S, Blankenship K, Cho JY, Assali A, Siemsen BM, Moore HW, Tsvetkov E, Thielking A, Konopka G, Everman DB, Scofield MD, Skinner SA, Cowan CW. MEF2C Hypofunction in Neuronal and Neuroimmune Populations Produces MEF2C Haploinsufficiency Syndrome-like Behaviors in Mice. Biol Psychiatry 2020; 88:488-499. [PMID: 32418612 PMCID: PMC7483399 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2020.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Revised: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Microdeletions of the MEF2C gene are linked to a syndromic form of autism termed MEF2C haploinsufficiency syndrome (MCHS). MEF2C hypofunction in neurons is presumed to underlie most of the symptoms of MCHS. However, it is unclear in which cell populations MEF2C functions to regulate neurotypical development. METHODS Multiple biochemical, molecular, electrophysiological, behavioral, and transgenic mouse approaches were used to characterize MCHS-relevant synaptic, behavioral, and gene expression changes in mouse models of MCHS. RESULTS We showed that MCHS-associated missense mutations cluster in the conserved DNA binding domain and disrupt MEF2C DNA binding. DNA binding-deficient global Mef2c heterozygous mice (Mef2c-Het) displayed numerous MCHS-related behaviors, including autism-related behaviors, changes in cortical gene expression, and deficits in cortical excitatory synaptic transmission. We detected hundreds of dysregulated genes in Mef2c-Het cortex, including significant enrichments of autism risk and excitatory neuron genes. In addition, we observed an enrichment of upregulated microglial genes, but this was not due to neuroinflammation in the Mef2c-Het cortex. Importantly, conditional Mef2c heterozygosity in forebrain excitatory neurons reproduced a subset of the Mef2c-Het phenotypes, while conditional Mef2c heterozygosity in microglia reproduced social deficits and repetitive behavior. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, our findings show that mutations found in individuals with MCHS disrupt the DNA-binding function of MEF2C, and DNA binding-deficient Mef2c global heterozygous mice display numerous MCHS-related phenotypes, including excitatory neuron and microglia gene expression changes. Our findings suggest that MEF2C regulates typical brain development and function through multiple cell types, including excitatory neuronal and neuroimmune populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam J. Harrington
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Catherine M. Bridges
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC;,Medical Scientist Training Program, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Stefano Berto
- Department of Neuroscience, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
| | - Kayla Blankenship
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Jennifer Y. Cho
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC;,Medical Scientist Training Program, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Ahlem Assali
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Benjamin M. Siemsen
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC;,Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | | | - Evgeny Tsvetkov
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Acadia Thielking
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Genevieve Konopka
- Department of Neuroscience, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
| | | | - Michael D. Scofield
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC;,Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | | | - Christopher W. Cowan
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC;,Correspondence:
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Finelli MJ. Redox Post-translational Modifications of Protein Thiols in Brain Aging and Neurodegenerative Conditions-Focus on S-Nitrosation. Front Aging Neurosci 2020; 12:254. [PMID: 33088270 PMCID: PMC7497228 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2020.00254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species (RONS) are by-products of aerobic metabolism. RONS trigger a signaling cascade that can be transduced through oxidation-reduction (redox)-based post-translational modifications (redox PTMs) of protein thiols. This redox signaling is essential for normal cellular physiology and coordinately regulates the function of redox-sensitive proteins. It plays a particularly important role in the brain, which is a major producer of RONS. Aberrant redox PTMs of protein thiols can impair protein function and are associated with several diseases. This mini review article aims to evaluate the role of redox PTMs of protein thiols, in particular S-nitrosation, in brain aging, and in neurodegenerative diseases. It also discusses the potential of using redox-based therapeutic approaches for neurodegenerative conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattéa J Finelli
- School of Medicine, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
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47
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Moyses-Oliveira M, Yadav R, Erdin S, Talkowski ME. New gene discoveries highlight functional convergence in autism and related neurodevelopmental disorders. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2020; 65:195-206. [PMID: 32846283 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2020.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Over the last two years, remarkable gene discovery efforts have implicated disruption of pathways involving gene regulatory functions and neuronal processes in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and more broadly defined neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). Functional studies in the developing brain and across cell types demonstrate that the spatiotemporal expression patterns of many of these genes coalesce on subnetworks with distinct developmental trajectories. Here, we review the convergent biological processes derived from gene discovery and functional genomics in ASD and NDD from 2018-2020. We further probe the mechanistic insights that suggest these frequently perturbed pathways are interconnected and, ultimately, converge on specific functional deficits in human neurodevelopment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Moyses-Oliveira
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston MA, United States; Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, United States; Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge MA, United States; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Rachita Yadav
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston MA, United States; Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, United States; Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge MA, United States; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Serkan Erdin
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston MA, United States; Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge MA, United States; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Michael E Talkowski
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston MA, United States; Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, United States; Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge MA, United States; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, United States.
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48
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MEF2C and HDAC5 regulate Egr1 and Arc genes to increase dendritic spine density and complexity in early enriched environment. Neuronal Signal 2020; 4:NS20190147. [PMID: 32714604 PMCID: PMC7378308 DOI: 10.1042/ns20190147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
We investigated the effects of environmental enrichment during critical period of early postnatal life and how it interplays with the epigenome to affect experience-dependent visual cortical plasticity. Mice raised in an EE from birth to during CP have increased spine density and dendritic complexity in the visual cortex. EE upregulates synaptic plasticity genes, Arc and Egr1, and a transcription factor MEF2C. We also observed an increase in MEF2C binding to the promoters of Arc and Egr1. In addition, pups raised in EE show a reduction in HDAC5 and its binding to promoters of Mef2c, Arc and Egr1 genes. With an overexpression of Mef2c, neurite outgrowth increased in complexity. Our results suggest a possible underlying molecular mechanism of EE, acting through MEF2C and HDAC5, which drive Arc and Egr1. This could lead to the observed increased dendritic spine density and complexity induced by early EE.
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49
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Pai ELL, Chen J, Fazel Darbandi S, Cho FS, Chen J, Lindtner S, Chu JS, Paz JT, Vogt D, Paredes MF, Rubenstein JLR. Maf and Mafb control mouse pallial interneuron fate and maturation through neuropsychiatric disease gene regulation. eLife 2020; 9:e54903. [PMID: 32452758 PMCID: PMC7282818 DOI: 10.7554/elife.54903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Maf (c-Maf) and Mafb transcription factors (TFs) have compensatory roles in repressing somatostatin (SST+) interneuron (IN) production in medial ganglionic eminence (MGE) secondary progenitors in mice. Maf and Mafb conditional deletion (cDKO) decreases the survival of MGE-derived cortical interneurons (CINs) and changes their physiological properties. Herein, we show that (1) Mef2c and Snap25 are positively regulated by Maf and Mafb to drive IN morphological maturation; (2) Maf and Mafb promote Mef2c expression which specifies parvalbumin (PV+) INs; (3) Elmo1, Igfbp4 and Mef2c are candidate markers of immature PV+ hippocampal INs (HIN). Furthermore, Maf/Mafb neonatal cDKOs have decreased CINs and increased HINs, that express Pnoc, an HIN specific marker. Our findings not only elucidate key gene targets of Maf and Mafb that control IN development, but also identify for the first time TFs that differentially regulate CIN vs. HIN production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Ling-Lin Pai
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
| | - Jin Chen
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
| | - Siavash Fazel Darbandi
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
| | - Frances S Cho
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
- Department of Neurology, University of California San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, Gladstone InstitutesSan FranciscoUnited States
| | - Jiapei Chen
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, Gladstone InstitutesSan FranciscoUnited States
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
| | - Susan Lindtner
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
| | - Julia S Chu
- Department of Neurology, University of California San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
| | - Jeanne T Paz
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
- Department of Neurology, University of California San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, Gladstone InstitutesSan FranciscoUnited States
- The Kavli Institute for Fundamental Neuroscience, University of California San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
| | - Daniel Vogt
- Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, Michigan State UniversityGrand RapidsUnited States
| | - Mercedes F Paredes
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
- Department of Neurology, University of California San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
- The Kavli Institute for Fundamental Neuroscience, University of California San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
| | - John LR Rubenstein
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
- The Kavli Institute for Fundamental Neuroscience, University of California San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
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50
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Jurek B, Meyer M. Anxiolytic and Anxiogenic? How the Transcription Factor MEF2 Might Explain the Manifold Behavioral Effects of Oxytocin. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:186. [PMID: 32322239 PMCID: PMC7156634 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.00186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The neuromodulator oxytocin, since its first synthesis by du Vigneaud in 1953, has mainly been associated with beneficial physiological effects, as well as positive social and emotional behaviors. This overall positive picture of oxytocin as the "love-, cuddle-, or bonding-hormone" has repeatedly been challenged since then. Oxytocin-induced effects that would be perceived as negative by the individual, such as increased anxiety or potentiation of stress-induced ACTH release, as well as the regulation of negative approach-related emotions, such as envy and schadenfreude (gloating) have been described. The general consent is that oxytocin, instead of acting unidirectional, induces changes in the salience network to shift the emphasis of emotional contexts, and therefore can, e.g., produce both anxiolytic as well as anxiogenic behavioral outcomes. However, the underlying mechanisms leading to alterations in the salience network are still unclear. With the aim to understand the manifold effects of oxytocin on a cellular/molecular level, a set of oxytocin receptor-coupled signaling cascades and downstream effectors regulating transcription and translation has been identified. Those oxytocin-driven effectors, such as MEF2 and CREB, are known modulators of the neuronal and glial cytoarchitecture. We hypothesize that, by determining cellular morphology and connectivity, MEF2 is one of the key factors that might contribute to the diverse behavioral effects of oxytocin.
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