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Nautiyal H, Jaiswar A, Jha PK, Dwivedi S. Exploring key genes and pathways associated with sex differences in autism spectrum disorder: integrated bioinformatic analysis. Mamm Genome 2024; 35:280-295. [PMID: 38594551 DOI: 10.1007/s00335-024-10036-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogenous neurodevelopmental disorder marked by functional abnormalities in brain that causes social and linguistic difficulties. The incidence of ASD is more prevalent in males compared to females, but the underlying mechanism, as well as molecular indications for identifying sex-specific differences in ASD symptoms remain unknown. Thus, impacting the development of personalized strategy towards pharmacotherapy of ASD. The current study employs an integrated bioinformatic approach to investigate the genes and pathways uniquely associated with sex specific differences in autistic individuals. Based on microarray dataset (GSE6575) extracted from the gene expression omnibus, the dysregulated genes between the autistic and the neurotypical individuals for both sexes were identified. Gene set enrichment analysis was performed to ascertain biological activities linked to the dysregulated genes. Protein-protein interaction network analysis was carried out to identify hub genes. The identified hub genes were examined to determine their functions and involvement in the associated pathways using Enrichr. Additionally, hub genes were validated from autism-associated databases and the potential small molecules targeting the hub genes were identified. The present study utilized whole blood transcriptomic gene expression analysis data and identified 2211 and 958 differentially expressed unique genes in males and females respectively. The functional enrichment analysis revealed that male hub genes were functionally associated with RNA polymerase II mediated transcriptional regulation whereas female hub genes were involved in intracellular signal transduction and cell migration. The top male hub genes exhibited functional enrichment in tyrosine kinase signalling pathway. The pathway enrichment analysis of male hub genes indicates the enrichment of papillomavirus infection. Female hub genes were enriched in androgen receptor signalling pathway and functionally enriched in focal adhesion specific excision repair. Identified drug like candidates targeting these genes may serve as a potential sex specific therapeutics. Wortmannin for males, 5-Fluorouracil for females had the highest scores. Targeted and sex-specific pharmacotherapies may be created for the management of ASD. The current investigation identifies sex-specific molecular signatures derived from whole blood which may serve as a potential peripheral sex-specific biomarkers for ASD. The study also uncovers the possible pharmacological interventions against the selected genes/pathway, providing support in development of therapeutic strategies to mitigate ASD. However, experimental proofs on biological systems are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Himani Nautiyal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Health Sciences and Technology, UPES, Dehradun, 248001, India
| | - Akanksha Jaiswar
- Laboratory of Human Disease Multiomics, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Prabhash Kumar Jha
- Center for Excellence in Vascular Biology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shubham Dwivedi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Health Sciences and Technology, UPES, Dehradun, 248001, India.
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Li H, Wang X, Hu C, Cui J, Li H, Luo X, Hao Y. IL-6 Enhances the Activation of PI3K-AKT/mTOR-GSK-3β by Upregulating GRPR in Hippocampal Neurons of Autistic Mice. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 2024; 19:12. [PMID: 38536552 PMCID: PMC10972920 DOI: 10.1007/s11481-024-10111-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological disorder associated with brain inflammation. The underlying mechanisms could be attributed to the activation of PI3K signaling in the inflamed brain of ASD. Multiple studies highlight the role of GRPR in regulating ASD like abnormal behavior and enhancing the PI3K signaling. However, the molecular mechanism by which GRPR regulates PI3K signaling in neurons of individuals with ASD is still unclear. In this study, we utilized a maternal immune activation model to investigate the effects of GRPR on PI3K signaling in the inflamed brain of ASD mice. We used HT22 cells with and without GRPR to examine the impact of GRP-GRPR on the PI3K-AKT pathway with IL-6 treatment. We analyzed a dataset of hippocampus samples from ASD mice to identify hub genes. Our results demonstrated increased expression of IL-6, GRPR, and PI3K-AKT signaling in the hippocampus of ASD mice. Additionally, we observed increased GRPR expression and PI3K-AKT/mTOR activation in HT22 cells after IL-6 treatment, but decreased expression in HT22 cells with GRPR knockdown. NetworkAnalyst identified GSK-3β as the most crucial gene in the PI3K-AKT/mTOR pathway in the hippocampus of ASD. Furthermore, we found that IL-6 upregulated the expression of GSK-3β in HT22 cells by upregulating GRP-GRPR. Our findings suggest that IL-6 can enhance the activation of PI3K-AKT/mTOR-GSK-3β in hippocampal neurons of ASD mice by upregulating GRPR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heli Li
- Division of Child Healthcare, Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Xinyuan Wang
- Division of Child Healthcare, Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Cong Hu
- Division of Child Healthcare, Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Jinru Cui
- Division of Child Healthcare, Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Hao Li
- Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Xiaoping Luo
- Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Yan Hao
- Division of Child Healthcare, Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
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Tripathi A, Bartosh A, Whitehead C, Pillai A. Activation of cell-free mtDNA-TLR9 signaling mediates chronic stress-induced social behavior deficits. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:3806-3815. [PMID: 37528226 PMCID: PMC10730412 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02189-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
Inflammation and social behavior deficits are associated with a number of neuropsychiatric disorders. Chronic stress, a major risk factor for depression and other mental health conditions is known to increase inflammatory responses and social behavior impairments. Disturbances in mitochondria function have been found in chronic stress conditions, however the mechanisms that link mitochondrial dysfunction to stress-induced social behavior deficits are not well understood. In this study, we found that chronic restraint stress (RS) induces significant increases in serum cell-free mitochondrial DNA (cf-mtDNA) levels in mice, and systemic Deoxyribonuclease I (DNase I) treatment attenuated RS-induced social behavioral deficits. Our findings revealed potential roles of mitophagy and Mitochondrial antiviral-signaling protein (MAVS) in mediating chronic stress-induced changes in cf-mtDNA levels and social behavior. Furthermore, we showed that inhibition of Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) attenuates mtDNA-induced social behavior deficits. Together, these findings show that cf-mtDNA-TLR9 signaling is critical in mediating stress-induced social behavior deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashutosh Tripathi
- Pathophysiology of Neuropsychiatric Disorders Program, Faillace Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), Houston, TX, USA
| | - Alona Bartosh
- Pathophysiology of Neuropsychiatric Disorders Program, Faillace Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), Houston, TX, USA
| | - Carl Whitehead
- Pathophysiology of Neuropsychiatric Disorders Program, Faillace Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), Houston, TX, USA
| | - Anilkumar Pillai
- Pathophysiology of Neuropsychiatric Disorders Program, Faillace Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), Houston, TX, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry and Health Behavior, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA.
- Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, GA, USA.
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Binder MS, Bordey A. The Novel Somatosensory Nose-Poke Adapted Paradigm (SNAP) Is an Effective Tool to Assess Differences in Tactile Sensory Preferences in Autistic-Like Mice. eNeuro 2023; 10:ENEURO.0478-22.2023. [PMID: 37596047 PMCID: PMC10470849 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0478-22.2023] [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: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the most prevalent deficits in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are sensitivities to sensory stimuli. Despite the prevalence of sensory deficits in autism, there are few paradigms capable of easily assessing sensory behaviors in ASD-like mouse models. We addressed this need by creating the Somatosensory Nose-poke Adapted Paradigm (SNAP), which consists of an elevated platform with 6 holes in the center, half of which are lined with sandpaper and half are smooth, requiring mice to use their whiskers to sense the texture. The SNAP paradigm assesses tactile sensory preferences as well as stereotypy, anxiety, and locomotion. We used two wild-type (neurotypical) mouse strains, C57BL/6J (C57) inbred and CD-1 outbred mice, and two ASD mouse models, BTBR (a model of idiopathic ASD) and Cntnap2 -/- mice (a model of syndromic ASD). We found that both ASD models produced more nose pokes into the rough condition than the smooth condition, suggesting an increased preference for complex tactile stimulation when compared with the neurotypical groups, wherein no differences were observed. Furthermore, we found increased stereotypy and time spent in the center, suggestive of decreased anxiety, only for BTBR mice compared with the other mouse strains. Overall, SNAP is an easy to implement task to assess the degree of preference for complex tactile stimulation in ASD mouse models that can be further modified to exclude possible confounding effects of novelty or anxiety on the sensory preferences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew S Binder
- Departments of Neurosurgery and Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Wu Tsai Institute, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520-8082
| | - Angelique Bordey
- Departments of Neurosurgery and Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Wu Tsai Institute, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520-8082
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Voss AJ, Lanjewar SN, Sampson MM, King A, Hill EJ, Sing A, Sojka C, Bhatia TN, Spangle JM, Sloan SA. Identification of ligand-receptor pairs that drive human astrocyte development. Nat Neurosci 2023; 26:1339-1351. [PMID: 37460808 PMCID: PMC11046429 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-023-01375-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Extrinsic signaling between diverse cell types is crucial for nervous system development. Ligand binding is a key driver of developmental processes. Nevertheless, it remains a significant challenge to disentangle which and how extrinsic signals act cooperatively to affect changes in recipient cells. In the developing human brain, cortical progenitors transition from neurogenesis to gliogenesis in a stereotyped sequence that is in part influenced by extrinsic ligands. Here we used published transcriptomic data to identify and functionally test five ligand-receptor pairs that synergistically drive human astrogenesis. We validate the synergistic contributions of TGFβ2, NLGN1, TSLP, DKK1 and BMP4 ligands on astrocyte development in both hCOs and primary fetal tissue. We confirm that the cooperative capabilities of these five ligands are greater than their individual capacities. Additionally, we discovered that their combinatorial effects converge in part on the mTORC1 signaling pathway, resulting in transcriptomic and morphological features of astrocyte development. Our data-driven framework can leverage single-cell and bulk genomic data to generate and test functional hypotheses surrounding cell-cell communication regulating neurodevelopmental processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna J Voss
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Samantha N Lanjewar
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Maureen M Sampson
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Alexia King
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Emily J Hill
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Anson Sing
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Caitlin Sojka
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Tarun N Bhatia
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jennifer M Spangle
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Steven A Sloan
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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Gevezova M, Sbirkov Y, Sarafian V, Plaimas K, Suratanee A, Maes M. Autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) - Gene, molecular and pathway signatures linking systemic inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, transsynaptic signalling, and neurodevelopment. Brain Behav Immun Health 2023; 30:100646. [PMID: 37334258 PMCID: PMC10275703 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2023.100646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Despite advances in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) research and the vast genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic data available, there are still controversies regarding the pathways and molecular signatures underlying the neurodevelopmental disorders leading to ASD. Purpose To delineate these underpinning signatures, we examined the two largest gene expression meta-analysis datasets obtained from the brain and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 1355 ASD patients and 1110 controls. Methods We performed network, enrichment, and annotation analyses using the differentially expressed genes, transcripts, and proteins identified in ASD patients. Results Transcription factor network analyses in up- and down-regulated genes in brain tissue and PBMCs in ASD showed eight main transcription factors, namely: BCL3, CEBPB, IRF1, IRF8, KAT2A, NELFE, RELA, and TRIM28. The upregulated gene networks in PBMCs of ASD patients are strongly associated with activated immune-inflammatory pathways, including interferon-α signaling, and cellular responses to DNA repair. Enrichment analyses of the upregulated CNS gene networks indicate involvement of immune-inflammatory pathways, cytokine production, Toll-Like Receptor signalling, with a major involvement of the PI3K-Akt pathway. Analyses of the downregulated CNS genes suggest electron transport chain dysfunctions at multiple levels. Network topological analyses revealed that the consequent aberrations in axonogenesis, neurogenesis, synaptic transmission, and regulation of transsynaptic signalling affect neurodevelopment with subsequent impairments in social behaviours and neurocognition. The results suggest a defense response against viral infection. Conclusions Peripheral activation of immune-inflammatory pathways, most likely induced by viral infections, may result in CNS neuroinflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction, leading to abnormalities in transsynaptic transmission, and brain neurodevelopment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Gevezova
- Department of Medical Biology, Medical University of Plovdiv, Bulgaria
- Research Institute at MU-Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Yordan Sbirkov
- Department of Medical Biology, Medical University of Plovdiv, Bulgaria
- Research Institute at MU-Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Victoria Sarafian
- Department of Medical Biology, Medical University of Plovdiv, Bulgaria
- Research Institute at MU-Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Kitiporn Plaimas
- Advanced Virtual and Intelligent Computing (AVIC) Center, Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Apichat Suratanee
- Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Applied Science, King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok, Bangkok, 10800, Thailand
| | - Michael Maes
- Research Institute at MU-Plovdiv, Bulgaria
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, The Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand
- Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 02447, South Korea
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
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7
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Narvaiz DA, Nolan SO, Smith GD, Holley AJ, Reynolds CD, Blandin KJ, Nguyen PH, Tran DLK, Lugo JN. Rapamycin improves social and stereotypic behavior abnormalities induced by pre-mitotic neuronal subset specific Pten deletion. GENES, BRAIN, AND BEHAVIOR 2023:e12854. [PMID: 37376966 PMCID: PMC10393422 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is a signaling system integral to neural growth and migration. In both patients and rodent models, mutations to the phosphatase and tensin homolog gene (PTEN) on chromosome 10 results in hyperactivation of the mTOR pathway, as well as seizures, intellectual disabilities and autistic behaviors. Rapamycin, an inhibitor of mTOR, can reverse the epileptic phenotype of neural subset specific Pten knockout (NS-Pten KO) mice, but its impact on behavior is not known. To determine the behavioral effects of rapamycin, male and female NS-Pten KO and wildtype (WT) mice were assigned as controls or administered 10 mg/kg of rapamycin for 2 weeks followed by behavioral testing. Rapamycin improved social behavior in both genotypes and stereotypic behaviors in NS-Pten KO mice. Rapamycin treatment resulted in a reduction of several measures of activity in the open field test in both genotypes. Rapamycin did not reverse the reduced anxiety behavior in KO mice. These data show the potential clinical use of mTOR inhibitors by showing its administration can reduce the production of autistic-like behaviors in NS-Pten KO mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Narvaiz
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, USA
| | - Suzanne O Nolan
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, USA
| | - Gregory D Smith
- Institute of Biomedical Studies, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, USA
| | - Andrew J Holley
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, USA
| | - Conner D Reynolds
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, USA
| | - Katherine J Blandin
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, USA
| | - Phuoc H Nguyen
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, USA
| | - Doan L K Tran
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, USA
| | - Joaquin N Lugo
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, USA
- Institute of Biomedical Studies, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, USA
- Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, USA
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Zhang J, Cai F, Lu R, Xing X, Xu L, Wu K, Gong Z, Zhang Q, Zhang Y, Xing M, Song W, Li JD. CNTNAP2 intracellular domain (CICD) generated by γ-secretase cleavage improves autism-related behaviors. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:219. [PMID: 37271769 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01431-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
As the most prevalent neurodevelopmental disorders in children, autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are characterized by deficits in language development, social interaction, and repetitive behaviors or inflexible interests. Contactin associated protein like 2 (CNTNAP2), encoding a single transmembrane protein (CNTNAP2) with 1331 amino acid residues, is a widely validated ASD-susceptible gene. Cntnap2-deficient mice also show core autism-relevant behaviors, including the social deficits and repetitive behavior. However, the cellular mechanisms underlying dysfunction CNTNAP2 and ASD remain elusive. In this study, we found a motif within the transmembrane domain of CNTNAP2 was highly homologous to the γ-secretase cleavage site of amyloid-β precursor protein (APP), suggesting that CNTNAP2 may undergo proteolytic cleavage. Further biochemical analysis indicated that CNTNAP2 is cleaved by γ-secretase to produce the CNTNAP2 intracellular domain (CICD). Virally delivery of CICD to the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in Cntnap2-deficient (Cntnap2-/-) mice normalized the deficit in the ASD-related behaviors, including social deficit and repetitive behaviors. Furthermore, CICD promoted the nuclear translocation of calcium/calmodulin-dependent serine protein kinase (CASK) to regulate the transcription of genes, such as Prader Willi syndrome gene Necdin. Whereas Necdin deficiency led to reduced social interaction in mice, virally expression of Necdin in the mPFC normalized the deficit in social preference of Cntnap2-/- mice. Our results thus reveal a critical function of CICD and highlight a role of the CNTNAP2-CASK-Necdin signaling pathway in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhang
- Furong Laboratory, Center for Medical Genetics, Hunan Key Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Hunan International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Animal Models for Human Diseases, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China
| | - Fang Cai
- Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health), Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000, China
- Townsend Family Laboratories, Department of Psychiatry, The University of British Columbia, 2255 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Renbin Lu
- Furong Laboratory, Center for Medical Genetics, Hunan Key Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Hunan International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Animal Models for Human Diseases, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China
| | - Xiaoliang Xing
- Furong Laboratory, Center for Medical Genetics, Hunan Key Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Hunan International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Animal Models for Human Diseases, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China
| | - Lu Xu
- Institute of Aging, Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, School of Mental Health and Kangning Hospital, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China
| | - Kunyang Wu
- Furong Laboratory, Center for Medical Genetics, Hunan Key Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Hunan International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Animal Models for Human Diseases, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China
| | - Zishan Gong
- Furong Laboratory, Center for Medical Genetics, Hunan Key Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Hunan International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Animal Models for Human Diseases, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China
| | - Qing Zhang
- Townsend Family Laboratories, Department of Psychiatry, The University of British Columbia, 2255 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Yun Zhang
- Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, The National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disease, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100053, China
| | - Mengen Xing
- Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health), Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000, China
- Institute of Aging, Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, School of Mental Health and Kangning Hospital, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China
| | - Weihong Song
- Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health), Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000, China.
- Townsend Family Laboratories, Department of Psychiatry, The University of British Columbia, 2255 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada.
- Institute of Aging, Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, School of Mental Health and Kangning Hospital, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China.
| | - Jia-Da Li
- Furong Laboratory, Center for Medical Genetics, Hunan Key Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Hunan International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Animal Models for Human Diseases, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China.
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Bilal W, Khawar MB, Afzal A, Naseer A, Hamid SE, Shahzaman S, Qamar F. Recent advances to Neuroprotection: repurposing drugs against neuroinflammatory disorders. Mol Biol Rep 2023:10.1007/s11033-023-08490-6. [PMID: 37231215 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-08490-6] [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: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Cell death is a natural mechanism for biological clearance for the maintenance of homeostasis in a dynamic microenvironment of the central nervous system. Stress and various factors can lead to imbalance between cellular genesis and cell death leading to dysfunctionality and a number of neuropathological disorders. Drug repurposing can help bypass development time and cost. A complete understanding of drug actions and neuroinflammatory pathways can lead to effective control of neurodegenerative disorders. This review covers recent advances in various neuroinflammatory pathways understanding, biomarkers, and drug repurposing for neuroprotection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wishah Bilal
- Institute of Zoology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Babar Khawar
- Applied Molecular Biology and Biomedicine Lab, Department of Zoology, University of Narowal, Narowal, Pakistan.
| | - Ali Afzal
- Molecular Medicine and Cancer Therapeutics Lab, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Sciences & Technology, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Arshia Naseer
- Institute of Zoology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Syeda Eisha Hamid
- Molecular Medicine and Cancer Therapeutics Lab, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Sciences & Technology, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Sara Shahzaman
- Molecular Medicine and Cancer Therapeutics Lab, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Sciences & Technology, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
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Matthiesen M, Khlaifia A, Steininger CFD, Dadabhoy M, Mumtaz U, Arruda-Carvalho M. Maturation of nucleus accumbens synaptic transmission signals a critical period for the rescue of social deficits in a mouse model of autism spectrum disorder. Mol Brain 2023; 16:46. [PMID: 37226266 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-023-01028-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Social behavior emerges early in development, a time marked by the onset of neurodevelopmental disorders featuring social deficits, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Although social deficits are at the core of the clinical diagnosis of ASD, very little is known about their neural correlates at the time of clinical onset. The nucleus accumbens (NAc), a brain region extensively implicated in social behavior, undergoes synaptic, cellular and molecular alterations in early life, and is particularly affected in ASD mouse models. To explore a link between the maturation of the NAc and neurodevelopmental deficits in social behavior, we compared spontaneous synaptic transmission in NAc shell medium spiny neurons (MSNs) between the highly social C57BL/6J and the idiopathic ASD mouse model BTBR T+Itpr3tf/J at postnatal day (P) 4, P6, P8, P12, P15, P21 and P30. BTBR NAc MSNs display increased spontaneous excitatory transmission during the first postnatal week, and increased inhibition across the first, second and fourth postnatal weeks, suggesting accelerated maturation of excitatory and inhibitory synaptic inputs compared to C57BL/6J mice. BTBR mice also show increased optically evoked medial prefrontal cortex-NAc paired pulse ratios at P15 and P30. These early changes in synaptic transmission are consistent with a potential critical period, which could maximize the efficacy of rescue interventions. To test this, we treated BTBR mice in either early life (P4-P8) or adulthood (P60-P64) with the mTORC1 antagonist rapamycin, a well-established intervention for ASD-like behavior. Rapamycin treatment rescued social interaction deficits in BTBR mice when injected in infancy, but did not affect social interaction in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melina Matthiesen
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON, M1C1A4, Canada
| | - Abdessattar Khlaifia
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON, M1C1A4, Canada
| | | | - Maryam Dadabhoy
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON, M1C1A4, Canada
| | - Unza Mumtaz
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON, M1C1A4, Canada
| | - Maithe Arruda-Carvalho
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON, M1C1A4, Canada.
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S3G5, Canada.
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11
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Peng Q, Liu Y, Yu L, Shen Y, Li F, Feng S, Chen F. Deletion of Arrb2 Down-regulates Autophagy in the Mouse Hippocampus via Akt-mTOR Pathway Activation. Neuroscience 2023; 519:120-130. [PMID: 36796753 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2023.01.024] [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: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
The cytoplasmic multifunctional adaptor protein β-arrestin 2 (Arrb2) is involved in the occurrence of various nervous system diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Previous laboratory studies have shown that the expression and function of the Arrb2 gene was increased in valproic acid-induced autistic mice models. However, few reports have examined the possible role of Arrb2 in the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder. Therefore, Arrb2-deficient (Arrb2-/-) mice were further studied to uncover the physiological function of Arrb2 in the nervous system. In this study, we found that Arrb2-/- mice had normal behavioral characteristics compared with wild-type mice. The autophagy marker protein LC3B was decreased in the hippocampus of Arrb2-/- mice compared to wild-type mice. Western blot analysis revealed that deletion of Arrb2 caused hyperactivation of Akt-mTOR signaling in the hippocampus. In addition, abnormal mitochondrial dysfunction was observed in Arrb2-/- hippocampal neurons, which was characterized by a reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential and adenosine triphosphate production and an increase in reactive oxygen species levels. Therefore, this study elucidates the interaction between Arrb2 and the Akt-mTOR signaling pathway and provides insights into the role of Arrb2 in hippocampal neuron autophagy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingyu Peng
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, PR China
| | - Yamei Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, PR China
| | - Lele Yu
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, PR China
| | - Yizhe Shen
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, PR China
| | - Feng Li
- Department of Laboratory Animal Science, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai 201508, PR China
| | - Shini Feng
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, PR China.
| | - Fuxue Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, PR China.
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12
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FDA-Approved Kinase Inhibitors in Preclinical and Clinical Trials for Neurological Disorders. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15121546. [PMID: 36558997 PMCID: PMC9784968 DOI: 10.3390/ph15121546] [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: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancers and neurological disorders are two major types of diseases. We previously developed a new concept termed "Aberrant Cell Cycle Diseases" (ACCD), revealing that these two diseases share a common mechanism of aberrant cell cycle re-entry. The aberrant cell cycle re-entry is manifested as kinase/oncogene activation and tumor suppressor inactivation, which are hallmarks of both tumor growth in cancers and neuronal death in neurological disorders. Therefore, some cancer therapies (e.g., kinase inhibition, tumor suppressor elevation) can be leveraged for neurological treatments. The United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) has so far approved 74 kinase inhibitors, with numerous other kinase inhibitors in clinical trials, mostly for the treatment of cancers. In contrast, there are dire unmet needs of FDA-approved drugs for neurological treatments, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), ischemic stroke (IS), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and others. In this review, we list these 74 FDA-approved kinase-targeted drugs and identify those that have been reported in preclinical and/or clinical trials for neurological disorders, with a purpose of discussing the feasibility and applicability of leveraging these cancer drugs (FDA-approved kinase inhibitors) for neurological treatments.
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13
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Ni RJ, Gao TH, Wang YY, Tian Y, Wei JX, Zhao LS, Ni PY, Ma XH, Li T. Chronic lithium treatment ameliorates ketamine-induced mania-like behavior via the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. Zool Res 2022; 43:989-1004. [PMID: 36257830 PMCID: PMC9700503 DOI: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2022.278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 09/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Ketamine, a rapid-acting antidepressant drug, has been used to treat major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder (BD). Recent studies have shown that ketamine may increase the potential risk of treatment-induced mania in patients. Ketamine has also been applied to establish animal models of mania. At present, however, the underlying mechanism is still unclear. In the current study, we found that chronic lithium exposure attenuated ketamine-induced mania-like behavior and c-Fos expression in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of adult male mice. Transcriptome sequencing was performed to determine the effect of lithium administration on the transcriptome of the PFC in ketamine-treated mice, showing inactivation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathway. Pharmacological inhibition of AKT signaling by MK2206 (40 mg/kg), a selective AKT inhibitor, reversed ketamine-induced mania. Furthermore, selective knockdown of AKT via AAV-AKT-shRNA-EGFP in the mPFC also reversed ketamine-induced mania-like behavior. Importantly, pharmacological activation of AKT signaling by SC79 (40 mg/kg), an AKT activator, contributed to mania in low-dose ketamine-treated mice. Inhibition of PI3K signaling by LY294002 (25 mg/kg), a specific PI3K inhibitor, reversed the mania-like behavior in ketamine-treated mice. However, pharmacological inhibition of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling with rapamycin (10 mg/kg), a specific mTOR inhibitor, had no effect on ketamine-induced mania-like behavior. These results suggest that chronic lithium treatment ameliorates ketamine-induced mania-like behavior via the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway, which may be a novel target for the development of BD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong-Jun Ni
- Psychiatric Laboratory and Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Tian-Hao Gao
- Psychiatric Laboratory and Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Yi-Yan Wang
- Psychiatric Laboratory and Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Yang Tian
- Psychiatric Laboratory and Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Jin-Xue Wei
- Psychiatric Laboratory and Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Lian-Sheng Zhao
- Psychiatric Laboratory and Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Pei-Yan Ni
- Psychiatric Laboratory and Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Xiao-Hong Ma
- Psychiatric Laboratory and Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Tao Li
- Affiliated Mental Health Center & Hangzhou Seventh People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310013, China
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, China
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510799, China. E-mail:
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14
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Gai J, Xing J, Wang Y, Lei J, Zhang C, Zhang J, Tang J. Exploration of potential targets and mechanisms of Naringenin in treating autism spectrum disorder via network pharmacology and molecular docking. Medicine (Baltimore) 2022; 101:e31787. [PMID: 36401485 PMCID: PMC9678605 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000031787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Naringenin (NR) is a kind of flavonoid which plays a great role in the treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the underlying mechanism of NR in treating ASD still remains unclear. This study used network pharmacology and molecular docking to examine the potential targets and pharmacological mechanism of NR on ASD. Targets related to NR were screened from Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP), Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicine Database (ETCM), Traditional Chinese Medicine Integrated Database (TCMID), PharmaMapper database, and targets related to ASD were screened from Online Mendelian Inheritance In Man (OMIM), Disgenet, GeneCards, Therapeutic Target Database (TTD), Drugbank, and ETCM. Screened of the intersected gene targets. Then, we used the protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks to construct a PPI network and used Network Analyzer plug-in to perform topological analysis to screen out the core target. We used Metascape platform to perform gene ontology (GO) functional enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis, and used Chem draw, Pymol, AutoDock 1.5.6 software for molecular docking verification with core targets. A total of 149 targets of NR and 1594 potential targets of ASD were screened, and 43 intersected targets and 8 key targets were obtained and screened. A total of 176 GO items were obtained by GO enrichment analysis (P < .05), 153 entries on biological process (BP), 12 entries on BP and 11entries on cell composition (CC) were included. A total of 100 signaling pathways were obtained by KEGG pathway enrichment screening (P < .05).The pathways that are closely related to the pathogenesis of ASD are estrogen signaling, thyroid hormone signaling pathway, prolactin signaling pathway, and endocrine resistance pathway. Molecular docking results showed that NR had the best docking activity with the core target CASP3, and had good binding ability with AKT1, ESR1, ACTB and MAPK3. Taken together, our findings support that NR exerts therapeutic effects on ASD with multi-target, and multi-pathway characteristics, which provides a preliminary theoretical basis for clinical trials. The mechanism of anti-oxidative stress response, anti-apoptosis, regulation of cell growth and metabolism, anti-inflammatory, balance hormone levels may be important for the therapeutic effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jialin Gai
- School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Jinxiao Xing
- School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yangyang Wang
- College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Junfang Lei
- School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Chengdong Zhang
- College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Jinfei Zhang
- School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Jiqin Tang
- School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, China
- * Correspondence: Jiqin Tang, College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, Shandong, China (e-mail: )
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15
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Umanah GKE, Abalde-Atristain L, Khan MR, Mitra J, Dar MA, Chang M, Tangella K, McNamara A, Bennett S, Chen R, Aggarwal V, Cortes M, Worley PF, Ha T, Dawson TM, Dawson VL. AAA + ATPase Thorase inhibits mTOR signaling through the disassembly of the mTOR complex 1. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4836. [PMID: 35977929 PMCID: PMC9385847 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32365-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signals through the mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) and the mTOR complex 2 to maintain cellular and organismal homeostasis. Failure to finely tune mTOR activity results in metabolic dysregulation and disease. While there is substantial understanding of the molecular events leading mTORC1 activation at the lysosome, remarkably little is known about what terminates mTORC1 signaling. Here, we show that the AAA + ATPase Thorase directly binds mTOR, thereby orchestrating the disassembly and inactivation of mTORC1. Thorase disrupts the association of mTOR to Raptor at the mitochondria-lysosome interface and this action is sensitive to amino acids. Lack of Thorase causes accumulation of mTOR-Raptor complexes and altered mTORC1 disassembly/re-assembly dynamics upon changes in amino acid availability. The resulting excessive mTORC1 can be counteracted with rapamycin in vitro and in vivo. Collectively, we reveal Thorase as a key component of the mTOR pathway that disassembles and thus inhibits mTORC1.
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Affiliation(s)
- George K E Umanah
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Division of Neuroscience, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Leire Abalde-Atristain
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Cellular and Molecular Medicine Graduate Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Vollum Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Mohammed Repon Khan
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Jaba Mitra
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Mohamad Aasif Dar
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Melissa Chang
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Kavya Tangella
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Amy McNamara
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Samuel Bennett
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Rong Chen
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Vasudha Aggarwal
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Marisol Cortes
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Paul F Worley
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Taekjip Ha
- Departments of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering, JHU Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Ted M Dawson
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Cellular and Molecular Medicine Graduate Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
| | - Valina L Dawson
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Cellular and Molecular Medicine Graduate Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
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16
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Neuroligins in neurodevelopmental conditions: how mouse models of de novo mutations can help us link synaptic function to social behavior. Neuronal Signal 2022; 6:NS20210030. [PMID: 35601025 PMCID: PMC9093077 DOI: 10.1042/ns20210030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental conditions (or neurodevelopmental disorders, NDDs) are highly heterogeneous with overlapping characteristics and shared genetic etiology. The large symptom variability and etiological heterogeneity have made it challenging to understand the biological mechanisms underpinning NDDs. To accommodate this individual variability, one approach is to move away from diagnostic criteria and focus on distinct dimensions with relevance to multiple NDDs. This domain approach is well suited to preclinical research, where genetically modified animal models can be used to link genetic variability to neurobiological mechanisms and behavioral traits. Genetic factors associated with NDDs can be grouped functionally into common biological pathways, with one prominent functional group being genes associated with the synapse. These include the neuroligins (Nlgns), a family of postsynaptic transmembrane proteins that are key modulators of synaptic function. Here, we review how research using Nlgn mouse models has provided insight into how synaptic proteins contribute to behavioral traits associated with NDDs. We focus on how mutations in different Nlgns affect social behaviors, as differences in social interaction and communication are a common feature of most NDDs. Importantly, mice carrying distinct mutations in Nlgns share some neurobiological and behavioral phenotypes with other synaptic gene mutations. Comparing the functional implications of mutations in multiple synaptic proteins is a first step towards identifying convergent neurobiological pathways in multiple brain regions and circuits.
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17
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A Multi-Target and Multi-Channel Mechanism of Action for Jiawei Yinhuo Tang in the Treatment of Social Communication Disorders in Autism: Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking Studies. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2022; 2022:4093138. [PMID: 35178102 PMCID: PMC8846994 DOI: 10.1155/2022/4093138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Background Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a highly heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder with complex pathogenesis. Currently, the pathogenesis of ASD is not fully understood. Moreover, current treatments do not effectively alleviate the primary symptoms of ASD social disorder (SCDA). Jiawei Yinhuo Tang (JWYHT) is an improved version of the classic prescription Yinhuo Tang. Although this medication has been shown to improve social behavior in ASD patients, the mechanism by which it works remains unknown. Methods In this study, network pharmacology bioinformatics analysis was used to identify the key targets, biological functions, and signal pathways of JWYHT in SCDA. Then, molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulation were used to validate the activity and stability of the active ingredient and the target protein during the binding process. Results The analysis identified 157 key targets and 9 core targets of JWYHT (including proto-oncogene (FOS), caspase 3 (CASP3), mitogen-activated protein kinase-3 (MAPK3), interleukin-6 (IL6), mitogen-activated protein kinase-1 (MAPK1), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), mitogen-activated protein kinase-8 (MAPK8), AKT serine/threonine kinase 1 (AKT1), and 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 1B (5HT1B)) in SCDA. In addition, the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genome results, as well as the staggering network analyses, revealed 20 biological processes and 20 signal pathways targeted by JWYHT in SCDA. Finally, molecular docking analysis was used to determine the binding activity of the main active components of JWYHT to the key targets. The binding activity and stability of methyl arachidonate and MAPK8 were demonstrated using molecular dynamics simulation. Conclusion This study demonstrates that JWYHT regulates neuronal development, synaptic transmission, intestinal and cerebral inflammatory response, and other processes in SCDA.
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18
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Beretta S, Gritti L, Ponzoni L, Scalmani P, Mantegazza M, Sala M, Verpelli C, Sala C. Rescuing epileptic and behavioral alterations in a Dravet syndrome mouse model by inhibiting eukaryotic elongation factor 2 kinase (eEF2K). Mol Autism 2022; 13:1. [PMID: 34980259 PMCID: PMC8722032 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-021-00484-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Dravet Syndrome is a severe childhood pharmaco-resistant epileptic disorder mainly caused by mutations in the SCN1A gene, which encodes for the α1 subunit of the type I voltage-gated sodium channel (NaV1.1), that causes imbalance between excitation and inhibition in the brain. We recently found that eEF2K knock out mice displayed enhanced GABAergic transmission and tonic inhibition and were less susceptible to epileptic seizures. Thus, we investigated the effect of inhibition of eEF2K on the epileptic and behavioral phenotype of Scn1a ± mice, a murine model of Dravet Syndrome. Methods To elucidate the role of eEF2K pathway in the etiopathology of Dravet syndrome we generated a new mouse model deleting the eEF2K gene in Scn1a ± mice. By crossing Scn1a ± mice with eEF2K−/− mice we obtained the three main genotypes needed for our studies, Scn1a+/+ eEF2K+/+ (WT mice), Scn1a ± eEF2K+/+ mice (Scn1a ± mice) and Scn1a ± eEF2K−/− mice, that were fully characterized for EEG and behavioral phenotype. Furthermore, we tested the ability of a pharmacological inhibitor of eEF2K in rescuing EEG alterations of the Scn1a ± mice. Results We showed that the activity of eEF2K/eEF2 pathway was enhanced in Scn1a ± mice. Then, we demonstrated that both genetic deletion and pharmacological inhibition of eEF2K were sufficient to ameliorate the epileptic phenotype of Scn1a ± mice. Interestingly we also found that motor coordination defect, memory impairments, and stereotyped behavior of the Scn1a ± mice were reverted by eEF2K deletion. The analysis of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs) suggested that the rescue of the pathological phenotype was driven by the potentiation of GABAergic synapses. Limitations Even if we found that eEF2K deletion was able to increase inhibitory synapses function, the molecular mechanism underlining the inhibition of eEF2K/eEF2 pathway in rescuing epileptic and behavioral alterations in the Scn1a ± needs further investigations. Conclusions Our data indicate that pharmacological inhibition of eEF2K could represent a novel therapeutic intervention for treating epilepsy and related comorbidities in the Dravet syndrome. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13229-021-00484-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Beretta
- CNR Neuroscience Institute, Milan, and NeuroMi Milan Center for Neuroscience, Via Raoul Follereau 3, 20854, Vedano al Lambro, MB, Italy
| | - Laura Gritti
- CNR Neuroscience Institute, Milan, and NeuroMi Milan Center for Neuroscience, Via Raoul Follereau 3, 20854, Vedano al Lambro, MB, Italy
| | - Luisa Ponzoni
- CNR Neuroscience Institute, Milan, and NeuroMi Milan Center for Neuroscience, Via Raoul Follereau 3, 20854, Vedano al Lambro, MB, Italy
| | - Paolo Scalmani
- L'Unità Operativa Complessa di Epilettologia Clinica e Sperimentale, Foundation Istituto di Ricerca e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Neurological Institute Carlo Besta, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Mantegazza
- CNRS UMR 7275, Institut National de La Santé Et de La Recherche Médicale, LabEx ICST, Institute of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology (IPMC), Université Côte d'Azur (UCA), 06560, Valbonne-Sophia Antipolis, France
| | - Mariaelvina Sala
- CNR Neuroscience Institute, Milan, and NeuroMi Milan Center for Neuroscience, Via Raoul Follereau 3, 20854, Vedano al Lambro, MB, Italy
| | - Chiara Verpelli
- CNR Neuroscience Institute, Milan, and NeuroMi Milan Center for Neuroscience, Via Raoul Follereau 3, 20854, Vedano al Lambro, MB, Italy.
| | - Carlo Sala
- CNR Neuroscience Institute, Milan, and NeuroMi Milan Center for Neuroscience, Via Raoul Follereau 3, 20854, Vedano al Lambro, MB, Italy.
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Riemersma IW, Havekes R, Kas MJH. Spatial and Temporal Gene Function Studies in Rodents: Towards Gene-Based Therapies for Autism Spectrum Disorder. Genes (Basel) 2021; 13:28. [PMID: 35052369 PMCID: PMC8774890 DOI: 10.3390/genes13010028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition that is characterized by differences in social interaction, repetitive behaviors, restricted interests, and sensory differences beginning early in life. Especially sensory symptoms are highly correlated with the severity of other behavioral differences. ASD is a highly heterogeneous condition on multiple levels, including clinical presentation, genetics, and developmental trajectories. Over a thousand genes have been implicated in ASD. This has facilitated the generation of more than two hundred genetic mouse models that are contributing to understanding the biological underpinnings of ASD. Since the first symptoms already arise during early life, it is especially important to identify both spatial and temporal gene functions in relation to the ASD phenotype. To further decompose the heterogeneity, ASD-related genes can be divided into different subgroups based on common functions, such as genes involved in synaptic function. Furthermore, finding common biological processes that are modulated by this subgroup of genes is essential for possible patient stratification and the development of personalized early treatments. Here, we review the current knowledge on behavioral rodent models of synaptic dysfunction by focusing on behavioral phenotypes, spatial and temporal gene function, and molecular targets that could lead to new targeted gene-based therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Martien J. H. Kas
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, Neurobiology, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands; (I.W.R.); (R.H.)
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Santos-Terra J, Deckmann I, Schwingel GB, Paz AVC, Gama CS, Bambini-Junior V, Fontes-Dutra M, Gottfried C. Resveratrol prevents long-term structural hippocampal alterations and modulates interneuron organization in an animal model of ASD. Brain Res 2021; 1768:147593. [PMID: 34331907 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2021.147593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impairments in both communication and social interaction, besides repetitive or stereotyped behavior. Although the etiology is unknown, environmental factors such as valproic acid (VPA) increase the risk of ASD onset. Resveratrol (RSV), a neuroprotective molecule, has been shown to counteract the effects of intrauterine exposure to VPA. We aimed to evaluate histological parameters related to hippocampal morphology and to the distribution of parvalbumin- (PV), calbindin- (CB), and somatostatin-positive (SOM) interneurons sub-populations, in addition to evaluate the total/phosphorylation levels of PTEN, AKT, GSK3β and total CK2 in the animal model of autism induced by VPA, as well as addressing the potential protective effect of RSV. On postnatal day 120, histological analysis showed a loss in total neurons in the dentate gyrus (DG) and decreased CB+ neurons in DG and CA1 in VPA animals, both prevented by RSV. In addition, PV+ neurons were diminished in CA1, CA2, and CA3, and SOM+ were interestingly increased in DG (prevented by RSV) and decreased in CA1 and CA2. A hippocampal lesion similar to sclerosis was also observed in the samples from the VPA group. Besides that, VPA reduced AKT and PTEN immunocontent, and VPA increased CK2 immunocontent. Thus, this work demonstrated long-term effects of prenatal exposure to ASD in different sub-populations of interneurons, structural damage of hippocampus, and also alteration in proteins associated with pivotal cell signaling pathways, highlighting the role of RSV as a tool for understanding the pathophysiology of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Júlio Santos-Terra
- Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorders-GETTEA, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Brazil; Autism Wellbeing And Research Development (AWARD) Institute, BR-UK-CA, Brazil.
| | - Iohanna Deckmann
- Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorders-GETTEA, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Brazil; Autism Wellbeing And Research Development (AWARD) Institute, BR-UK-CA, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Brum Schwingel
- Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorders-GETTEA, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Brazil; Autism Wellbeing And Research Development (AWARD) Institute, BR-UK-CA, Brazil
| | - André Vinicius Contri Paz
- Laboratory of Molecular Psychiatry, National Science and Technology Institute for Translational Medicine, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Brazil
| | - Clarissa S Gama
- National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Brazil; Laboratory of Molecular Psychiatry, National Science and Technology Institute for Translational Medicine, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Brazil; Postgraduate Program in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Victorio Bambini-Junior
- Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorders-GETTEA, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Brazil; Autism Wellbeing And Research Development (AWARD) Institute, BR-UK-CA, Brazil; School of Pharmacology and Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom
| | - Mellanie Fontes-Dutra
- Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorders-GETTEA, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Brazil; Autism Wellbeing And Research Development (AWARD) Institute, BR-UK-CA, Brazil
| | - Carmem Gottfried
- Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorders-GETTEA, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Brazil; Autism Wellbeing And Research Development (AWARD) Institute, BR-UK-CA, Brazil.
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21
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Stanton JE, Malijauskaite S, McGourty K, Grabrucker AM. The Metallome as a Link Between the "Omes" in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:695873. [PMID: 34290588 PMCID: PMC8289253 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.695873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Metal dyshomeostasis plays a significant role in various neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), and many more. Like studies investigating the proteome, transcriptome, epigenome, microbiome, etc., for years, metallomics studies have focused on data from their domain, i.e., trace metal composition, only. Still, few have considered the links between other "omes," which may together result in an individual's specific pathologies. In particular, ASD have been reported to have multitudes of possible causal effects. Metallomics data focusing on metal deficiencies and dyshomeostasis can be linked to functions of metalloenzymes, metal transporters, and transcription factors, thus affecting the proteome and transcriptome. Furthermore, recent studies in ASD have emphasized the gut-brain axis, with alterations in the microbiome being linked to changes in the metabolome and inflammatory processes. However, the microbiome and other "omes" are heavily influenced by the metallome. Thus, here, we will summarize the known implications of a changed metallome for other "omes" in the body in the context of "omics" studies in ASD. We will highlight possible connections and propose a model that may explain the so far independently reported pathologies in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janelle E Stanton
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.,Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Sigita Malijauskaite
- Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.,Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Kieran McGourty
- Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.,Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.,Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Andreas M Grabrucker
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.,Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.,Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
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22
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Swain O, Romano SK, Miryala R, Tsai J, Parikh V, Umanah GKE. SARS-CoV-2 Neuronal Invasion and Complications: Potential Mechanisms and Therapeutic Approaches. J Neurosci 2021; 41:5338-5349. [PMID: 34162747 PMCID: PMC8221594 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.3188-20.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Clinical reports suggest that the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-coronavirus-2 (CoV-2) has not only taken millions of lives, but has also created a major crisis of neurologic complications that persist even after recovery from the disease. Autopsies of patients confirm the presence of the coronaviruses in the CNS, especially in the brain. The invasion and transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in the CNS is not clearly defined, but, because the endocytic pathway has become an important target for the development of therapeutic strategies for COVID-19, it is necessary to understand endocytic processes in the CNS. In addition, mitochondria and mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathways play a critical role in the antiviral immune response, and may also be critical for endocytic activity. Furthermore, dysfunctions of mitochondria and mTOR signaling pathways have been associated with some high-risk conditions such as diabetes and immunodeficiency for developing severe complications observed in COVID-19 patients. However, the role of these pathways in SARS-CoV-2 infection and spread are largely unknown. In this review, we discuss the potential mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 entry into the CNS and how mitochondria and mTOR pathways might regulate endocytic vesicle-mitochondria interactions and dynamics during SARS-CoV-2 infection. The mechanisms that plausibly account for severe neurologic complications with COVID-19 and potential treatments with Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs targeting mitochondria and the mTOR pathways are also addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Swain
- Neuroscience Department, Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
| | - Sofia K Romano
- Neuroscience Department, Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
| | - Ritika Miryala
- Neuroscience Department, Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
| | - Jocelyn Tsai
- Neuroscience Department, Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
| | - Vinnie Parikh
- Neuroscience Department, Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
| | - George K E Umanah
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
- Department of Neurology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
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23
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Sharma A, Mehan S. Targeting PI3K-AKT/mTOR signaling in the prevention of autism. Neurochem Int 2021; 147:105067. [PMID: 33992742 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2021.105067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
PI3K-AKT/mTOR signaling pathway represents an essential signaling mechanism for mammalian enzyme-related receptors in transducing signals or biological processes such as cell development, differentiation, cell survival, protein synthesis, and metabolism. Upregulation of the PI3K-AKT/mTOR signaling pathway involves many human brain abnormalities, including autism and other neurological dysfunctions. Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder associated with behavior and psychiatric illness. This research-based review discusses the functional relationship between the neuropathogenic factors associated with PI3K-AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Ultimately causes autism-like conditions associated with genetic alterations, neuronal apoptosis, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neuroinflammation. Therefore, inhibition of the PI3K-AKT/mTOR signaling pathway may have an effective therapeutic value for autism treatment. The current review also summarizes the involvement of PI3K-AKT/mTOR signaling pathway inhibitors in the treatment of autism and other neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aarti Sharma
- Neuropharmacology Division, Department of Pharmacology, ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga, Punjab, India
| | - Sidharth Mehan
- Neuropharmacology Division, Department of Pharmacology, ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga, Punjab, India.
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24
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Pan XJ, Misrani A, Tabassum S, Yang L. Mitophagy pathways and Alzheimer's disease: From pathogenesis to treatment. Mitochondrion 2021; 59:37-47. [PMID: 33872797 DOI: 10.1016/j.mito.2021.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an age-dependent, incurable mental illness that is associated with the accumulation of aggregates of amyloid-beta (Aβ) and hyperphosphorylated tau fragments (p-tau). Detailed studies on postmortem AD brains, cell lines, and mouse models of AD have shown that numerous cellular alterations, including mitochondrial deficits, synaptic disruption and glial/astrocytic activation, are involved in the disease process. Mitophagy is a cellular process by which damaged/weakened mitochondria are selectively eliminated from the cell. In AD, impairments in mitophagy trigger the gradual accumulation of defective mitochondria. This review will focus on the recent progress in understanding the molecular mechanisms and pathological role of mitophagy and its implications for AD pathogenesis. We will also discuss the novel concept of the regulation of mitophagy as a therapeutic avenue for the prevention and treatment of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xian-Ji Pan
- Precise Genome Engineering Center, School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Afzal Misrani
- Precise Genome Engineering Center, School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Sidra Tabassum
- Precise Genome Engineering Center, School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Li Yang
- Precise Genome Engineering Center, School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
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25
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Zhang Z, Yao Z, Wu K, Zhang T, Xing C, Xing XL. Resveratrol rescued the pain related hypersensitivity for Cntnap2-deficient mice. Eur J Pharmacol 2021; 891:173704. [PMID: 33137333 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2020.173704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Contactin-associated protein-like 2 (CNTNAP2 or CASPR2) is a neuronal transmembrane protein of the neurexin superfamily which is correlated with pain related hypersensitivity. Recent results indicated that the hyperactive phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway may be a promising therapeutic target for pain-related hypersensitivity in patients with dysfunction of CNTNAP2. Resveratrol is one of the most widely studied polyphenols with several beneficial properties. In the present study, we investigated the effects of resveratrol on the pain related hypersensitivity. And we found that the up-regulated phosphorylation of S6 could be suppressed by resveratrol. The nocifensive behavior duration time to heat and chemical algogens stimulation in Cntnap2-deficiency (Cntnap2-/-) mice could be attenuated by resveratrol. Our results indicated that resveratrol could rescue the pain related hypersensitivity for Cntnap2-/- mice may be via mTOR signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zaiqi Zhang
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Dong Medicine, Hunan University of Medicine, Huaihua 418000, Hunan, PR China
| | - Zhiyong Yao
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Synthetic Biology of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hunan University of Medicine, Huaihua 418000, Hunan, PR China
| | - Kunyang Wu
- Zhejiang Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou 310000, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Ti Zhang
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Synthetic Biology of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hunan University of Medicine, Huaihua 418000, Hunan, PR China
| | - Chaoqun Xing
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Medicine, Huaihua 418000, Hunan, PR China.
| | - Xiao-Liang Xing
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Dong Medicine, Hunan University of Medicine, Huaihua 418000, Hunan, PR China; Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Synthetic Biology of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hunan University of Medicine, Huaihua 418000, Hunan, PR China.
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26
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Mechanisms Underlying the Cognitive and Behavioural Effects of Maternal Obesity. Nutrients 2021; 13:nu13010240. [PMID: 33467657 PMCID: PMC7829712 DOI: 10.3390/nu13010240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The widespread consumption of 'western'-style diets along with sedentary lifestyles has led to a global epidemic of obesity. Epidemiological, clinical and preclinical evidence suggests that maternal obesity, overnutrition and unhealthy dietary patterns programs have lasting adverse effects on the physical and mental health of offspring. We review currently available preclinical and clinical evidence and summarise possible underlying neurobiological mechanisms by which maternal overnutrition may perturb offspring cognitive function, affective state and psychosocial behaviour, with a focus on (1) neuroinflammation; (2) disrupted neuronal circuities and connectivity; and (3) dysregulated brain hormones. We briefly summarise research implicating the gut microbiota in maternal obesity-induced changes to offspring behaviour. In animal models, maternal obesogenic diet consumption disrupts CNS homeostasis in offspring, which is critical for healthy neurodevelopment, by altering hypothalamic and hippocampal development and recruitment of glial cells, which subsequently dysregulates dopaminergic and serotonergic systems. The adverse effects of maternal obesogenic diets are also conferred through changes to hormones including leptin, insulin and oxytocin which interact with these brain regions and neuronal circuits. Furthermore, accumulating evidence suggests that the gut microbiome may directly and indirectly contribute to these maternal diet effects in both human and animal studies. As the specific pathways shaping abnormal behaviour in offspring in the context of maternal obesogenic diet exposure remain unknown, further investigations are needed to address this knowledge gap. Use of animal models permits investigation of changes in neuroinflammation, neurotransmitter activity and hormones across global brain network and sex differences, which could be directly and indirectly modulated by the gut microbiome.
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27
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Sotelo-Orozco J, Abbeduto L, Hertz-Picciotto I, Slupsky CM. Association Between Plasma Metabolites and Psychometric Scores Among Children With Developmental Disabilities: Investigating Sex-Differences. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:579538. [PMID: 33414730 PMCID: PMC7783080 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.579538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Developmental disabilities are defined by delays in learning, language, and behavior, yet growing evidence has revealed disturbances in metabolic systems that may also be present. Little is known about whether these metabolic issues contribute to the symptoms or severity of these disabilities, or whether sex plays a role in these associations, given that boys are disproportionately affected by some developmental disabilities. Here we sought to investigate the correlation between psychometric scores, sex, and the plasma metabolome. Methods: The plasma metabolomes of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD; n = 167), idiopathic developmental delay (i-DD; n = 51), Down syndrome (DS; n = 31), and typically developing controls (TD; n = 193) were investigated using NMR spectroscopy. Spearman rank correlations and multiple linear regression models (adjusted for child's neurodevelopmental diagnosis, child's sex, child's age, child's race/ethnicity, maternal age at child's birth, and parental homeownership) were used to examine the association between plasma metabolites and sex in relation to psychometric measures of cognitive skills, adaptive behavior, and maladaptive behavior in our study population. Results: Higher levels of metabolites involved in cellular energy and mitochondrial function among children with ASD (fumarate and cis-aconitate), DS (lactate), and TD (pyruvate) are associated with poorer cognitive and adaptive subscales. Similarly, higher o-acetylcarnitine associated with deficits in cognitive subscales among all DS cases and TD boys, and carnitine correlated with increased maladaptive behavior among girls with ASD and girls with DS. Among children with DS, elevated myo-inositol, ornithine, and creatine correlated with poorer scores across several subscales. Even among TD cases, elevated 3-hydroxybutyrate correlated with decreased receptive language. In contrast, higher levels of glutamate were associated with better socialization skills among ASD cases. Even after adjusting for the child's neurodevelopmental diagnosis, sex, and other possible confounders, key metabolites including glycolysis metabolites (lactate and pyruvate), ketone bodies (3-hydroxybutyrate and acetoacetate), TCA cycle metabolites (cis-aconitate and fumarate), as well as ornithine were associated with deficits in multiple domains of cognitive function, adaptive skills, and aberrant behaviors. Conclusions: Our results highlight that some plasma metabolites may relate to specific functional subdomains within cognitive, adaptive, and behavioral development with some variation by diagnosis and sex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennie Sotelo-Orozco
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Leonard Abbeduto
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California Davis Health, Sacramento, CA, United States
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Irva Hertz-Picciotto
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Carolyn M. Slupsky
- Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
- Department of Food Science and Technology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
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28
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Basilico B, Morandell J, Novarino G. Molecular mechanisms for targeted ASD treatments. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2020; 65:126-137. [PMID: 32659636 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2020.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The possibility to generate construct valid animal models enabled the development and testing of therapeutic strategies targeting the core features of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). At the same time, these studies highlighted the necessity of identifying sensitive developmental time windows for successful therapeutic interventions. Animal and human studies also uncovered the possibility to stratify the variety of ASDs in molecularly distinct subgroups, potentially facilitating effective treatment design. Here, we focus on the molecular pathways emerging as commonly affected by mutations in diverse ASD-risk genes, on their role during critical windows of brain development and the potential treatments targeting these biological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jasmin Morandell
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria, Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Gaia Novarino
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria, Klosterneuburg, Austria.
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29
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Prem S, Millonig JH, DiCicco-Bloom E. Dysregulation of Neurite Outgrowth and Cell Migration in Autism and Other Neurodevelopmental Disorders. ADVANCES IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2020; 25:109-153. [PMID: 32578146 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-45493-7_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Despite decades of study, elucidation of the underlying etiology of complex developmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), schizophrenia (SCZ), intellectual disability (ID), and bipolar disorder (BPD) has been hampered by the inability to study human neurons, the heterogeneity of these disorders, and the relevance of animal model systems. Moreover, a majority of these developmental disorders have multifactorial or idiopathic (unknown) causes making them difficult to model using traditional methods of genetic alteration. Examination of the brains of individuals with ASD and other developmental disorders in both post-mortem and MRI studies shows defects that are suggestive of dysregulation of embryonic and early postnatal development. For ASD, more recent genetic studies have also suggested that risk genes largely converge upon the developing human cerebral cortex between weeks 8 and 24 in utero. Yet, an overwhelming majority of studies in autism rodent models have focused on postnatal development or adult synaptic transmission defects in autism related circuits. Thus, studies looking at early developmental processes such as proliferation, cell migration, and early differentiation, which are essential to build the brain, are largely lacking. Yet, interestingly, a few studies that did assess early neurodevelopment found that alterations in brain structure and function associated with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) begin as early as the initial formation and patterning of the neural tube. By the early to mid-2000s, the derivation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and later induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) allowed us to study living human neural cells in culture for the first time. Specifically, iPSCs gave us the unprecedented ability to study cells derived from individuals with idiopathic disorders. Studies indicate that iPSC-derived neural cells, whether precursors or "matured" neurons, largely resemble cortical cells of embryonic humans from weeks 8 to 24. Thus, these cells are an excellent model to study early human neurodevelopment, particularly in the context of genetically complex diseases. Indeed, since 2011, numerous studies have assessed developmental phenotypes in neurons derived from individuals with both genetic and idiopathic forms of ASD and other NDDs. However, while iPSC-derived neurons are fetal in nature, they are post-mitotic and thus cannot be used to study developmental processes that occur before terminal differentiation. Moreover, it is important to note that during the 8-24-week window of human neurodevelopment, neural precursor cells are actively undergoing proliferation, migration, and early differentiation to form the basic cytoarchitecture of the brain. Thus, by studying NPCs specifically, we could gain insight into how early neurodevelopmental processes contribute to the pathogenesis of NDDs. Indeed, a few studies have explored NPC phenotypes in NDDs and have uncovered dysregulations in cell proliferation. Yet, few studies have explored migration and early differentiation phenotypes of NPCs in NDDs. In this chapter, we will discuss cell migration and neurite outgrowth and the role of these processes in neurodevelopment and NDDs. We will begin by reviewing the processes that are important in early neurodevelopment and early cortical development. We will then delve into the roles of neurite outgrowth and cell migration in the formation of the brain and how errors in these processes affect brain development. We also provide review of a few key molecules that are involved in the regulation of neurite outgrowth and migration while discussing how dysregulations in these molecules can lead to abnormalities in brain structure and function thereby highlighting their contribution to pathogenesis of NDDs. Then we will discuss whether neurite outgrowth, migration, and the molecules that regulate these processes are associated with ASD. Lastly, we will review the utility of iPSCs in modeling NDDs and discuss future goals for the study of NDDs using this technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Smrithi Prem
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - James H Millonig
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Emanuel DiCicco-Bloom
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology/Pediatrics, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA.
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30
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Neurobiological Mechanisms of Autism Spectrum Disorder and Epilepsy, Insights from Animal Models. Neuroscience 2020; 445:69-82. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.02.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Revised: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
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31
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Loss of
Cntnap2
in the Rat Causes Autism‐Related Alterations in Social Interactions, Stereotypic Behavior, and Sensory Processing. Autism Res 2020; 13:1698-1717. [DOI: 10.1002/aur.2364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 07/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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32
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Modi ME, Sahin M. Tau: A Novel Entry Point for mTOR-Based Treatments in Autism Spectrum Disorder? Neuron 2020; 106:359-361. [PMID: 32380047 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2020.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Dysregulation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway has become a point of convergence in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In this issue of Neuron, Tai et al. (2020) identify a therapeutic role for tau reduction in downregulating this pathway and ameliorating ASD-like symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meera E Modi
- Translational Neuroscience Center, F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mustafa Sahin
- Translational Neuroscience Center, F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Mitchell EJ, Thomson DM, Openshaw RL, Bristow GC, Dawson N, Pratt JA, Morris BJ. Drug-responsive autism phenotypes in the 16p11.2 deletion mouse model: a central role for gene-environment interactions. Sci Rep 2020; 10:12303. [PMID: 32704009 PMCID: PMC7378168 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-69130-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
There are no current treatments for autism, despite its high prevalence. Deletions of chromosome 16p11.2 dramatically increase risk for autism, suggesting that mice with an equivalent genetic rearrangement may offer a valuable model for the testing of novel classes of therapeutic drug. 16p11.2 deletion (16p11.2 DEL) mice and wild-type controls were assessed using an ethological approach, with 24 h monitoring of activity and social interaction of groups of mice in a home-cage environment. The ability of the excitation/inhibition modulator N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) and the 5-HT1B/1D/1F receptor agonist eletriptan to normalise the behavioural deficits observed was tested. 16p11.2 DEL mice exhibited largely normal behaviours, but, following the stress of an injection, showed hyperlocomotion, reduced sociability, and a strong anxiolytic phenotype. The hyperactivity and reduced sociability, but not the suppressed anxiety, were effectively attenuated by both NAC and eletriptan. The data suggest that 16p11.2 DEL mice show an autism-relevant phenotype that becomes overt after an acute stressor, emphasising the importance of gene-environmental interactions in phenotypic analysis. Further, they add to an emerging view that NAC, or 5-HT1B/1D/1F receptor agonist treatment, may be a promising strategy for further investigation as a future treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma J Mitchell
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0RE, UK
| | - David M Thomson
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0RE, UK
| | - Rebecca L Openshaw
- Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Sir James Black Building, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Greg C Bristow
- Department of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YW, UK.,School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford, BD7 1DP, UK
| | - Neil Dawson
- Department of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YW, UK
| | - Judith A Pratt
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0RE, UK
| | - Brian J Morris
- Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Sir James Black Building, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK.
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Tai C, Chang CW, Yu GQ, Lopez I, Yu X, Wang X, Guo W, Mucke L. Tau Reduction Prevents Key Features of Autism in Mouse Models. Neuron 2020; 106:421-437.e11. [PMID: 32126198 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2020.01.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2019] [Revised: 11/21/2019] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Autism is characterized by repetitive behaviors, impaired social interactions, and communication deficits. It is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder, and available treatments offer little benefit. Here, we show that genetically reducing the protein tau prevents behavioral signs of autism in two mouse models simulating distinct causes of this condition. Similar to a proportion of people with autism, both models have epilepsy, abnormally enlarged brains, and overactivation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt (protein kinase B)/ mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. All of these abnormalities were prevented or markedly diminished by partial or complete genetic removal of tau. We identify disinhibition of phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN), a negative PI3K regulator that tau controls, as a plausible mechanism and demonstrate that tau interacts with PTEN via tau's proline-rich domain. Our findings suggest an enabling role of tau in the pathogenesis of autism and identify tau reduction as a potential therapeutic strategy for some of the disorders that cause this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Tai
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Che-Wei Chang
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Gui-Qiu Yu
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Isabel Lopez
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Xinxing Yu
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Xin Wang
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Weikun Guo
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Lennart Mucke
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Neurology and Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
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Hyperactive Akt-mTOR pathway as a therapeutic target for pain hypersensitivity in Cntnap2-deficient mice. Neuropharmacology 2020; 165:107816. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2019.107816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Revised: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Neurofibromatosis Type 1 Implicates Ras Pathways in the Genetic Architecture of Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Behav Genet 2020; 50:191-202. [DOI: 10.1007/s10519-020-09991-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2019] [Accepted: 01/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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Association of genes with phenotype in autism spectrum disorder. Aging (Albany NY) 2019; 11:10742-10770. [PMID: 31744938 PMCID: PMC6914398 DOI: 10.18632/aging.102473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a genetic heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder that is characterized by impairments in social interaction and speech development and is accompanied by stereotypical behaviors such as body rocking, hand flapping, spinning objects, sniffing and restricted behaviors. The considerable significance of the genetics associated with autism has led to the identification of many risk genes for ASD used for the probing of ASD specificity and shared cognitive features over the past few decades. Identification of ASD risk genes helps to unravel various genetic variants and signaling pathways which are involved in ASD. This review highlights the role of ASD risk genes in gene transcription and translation regulation processes, as well as neuronal activity modulation, synaptic plasticity, disrupted key biological signaling pathways, and the novel candidate genes that play a significant role in the pathophysiology of ASD. The current emphasis on autism spectrum disorders has generated new opportunities in the field of neuroscience, and further advancements in the identification of different biomarkers, risk genes, and genetic pathways can help in the early diagnosis and development of new clinical and pharmacological treatments for ASD.
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