1
|
Matteoli G, Alvente S, Bastianini S, Berteotti C, Ciani E, Cinelli E, Lo Martire V, Medici G, Mello T, Miglioranza E, Silvani A, Mutolo D, Zoccoli G. Characterisation of sleep apneas and respiratory circuitry in mice lacking CDKL5. J Sleep Res 2024:e14295. [PMID: 39049436 DOI: 10.1111/jsr.14295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Revised: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
CDKL5 deficiency disorder is a rare genetic disease caused by mutations in the CDKL5 gene. Central apneas during wakefulness have been reported in patients with CDKL5 deficiency disorder. Studies on CDKL5-knockout mice, a CDKL5 deficiency disorder model, reported sleep apneas, but it is still unclear whether these events are central (central sleep apnea) or obstructive (obstructive sleep apnea) and may be related to alterations of brain circuits that modulate breathing rhythm. This study aimed to discriminate central sleep apnea and obstructive sleep apnea in CDKL5-knockout mice, and explore changes in the somatostatin neurons expressing high levels of neurokinin-1 receptors within the preBötzinger complex. Ten adult male wild-type and 12 CDKL5-knockout mice underwent electrode implantation for sleep stage discrimination and diaphragmatic activity recording, and were studied using whole-body plethysmography for 7 hr during the light (resting) period. Sleep apneas were categorised as central sleep apnea or obstructive sleep apnea based on the recorded signals. The number of somatostatin neurons in the preBötzinger complex and their neurokinin-1 receptors expression were assessed through immunohistochemistry in a sub-group of animals. CDKL5-knockout mice exhibited a higher apnea occurrence rate and a greater prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea during rapid eye movement sleep, compared with wild-type, whereas no significant difference was observed for central sleep apnea. Moreover, CDKL5-knockout mice showed a reduced number of somatostatin neurons in the preBötzinger complex, and these neurons expressed a lower level of neurokinin-1 receptors compared with wild-type controls. These findings underscore the pivotal role of CDKL5 in regulating normal breathing, suggesting its potential involvement in shaping preBötzinger complex neural circuitry and controlling respiratory muscles during sleep.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Matteoli
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Sara Alvente
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Stefano Bastianini
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Chiara Berteotti
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Ciani
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Elenia Cinelli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Physiology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Viviana Lo Martire
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giorgio Medici
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Tommaso Mello
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biochemical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Elena Miglioranza
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessandro Silvani
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Donatella Mutolo
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Physiology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Giovanna Zoccoli
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Yoshida S, Kawamura A, Aoki K, Wiriyasermkul P, Sugimoto S, Tomiyoshi J, Tajima A, Ishida Y, Katoh Y, Tsukada T, Tsuneoka Y, Yamada K, Nagamori S, Nakayama K, Yoshida K. Positive regulation of Hedgehog signaling via phosphorylation of GLI2/GLI3 by DYRK2 kinase. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2320070121. [PMID: 38968120 PMCID: PMC11252808 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2320070121] [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: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Hedgehog (Hh) signaling, an evolutionarily conserved pathway, plays an essential role in development and tumorigenesis, making it a promising drug target. Multiple negative regulators are known to govern Hh signaling; however, how activated Smoothened (SMO) participates in the activation of downstream GLI2 and GLI3 remains unclear. Herein, we identified the ciliary kinase DYRK2 as a positive regulator of the GLI2 and GLI3 transcription factors for Hh signaling. Transcriptome and interactome analyses demonstrated that DYRK2 phosphorylates GLI2 and GLI3 on evolutionarily conserved serine residues at the ciliary base, in response to activation of the Hh pathway. This phosphorylation induces the dissociation of GLI2/GLI3 from suppressor, SUFU, and their translocation into the nucleus. Loss of Dyrk2 in mice causes skeletal malformation, but neural tube development remains normal. Notably, DYRK2-mediated phosphorylation orchestrates limb development by controlling cell proliferation. Taken together, the ciliary kinase DYRK2 governs the activation of Hh signaling through the regulation of two processes: phosphorylation of GLI2 and GLI3 downstream of SMO and cilia formation. Thus, our findings of a unique regulatory mechanism of Hh signaling expand understanding of the control of Hh-associated diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Saishu Yoshida
- Department of Biochemistry, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo105-8461, Japan
| | - Akira Kawamura
- Department of Biochemistry, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo105-8461, Japan
| | - Katsuhiko Aoki
- Radioisotope Research Facilities, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo105-8461, Japan
| | - Pattama Wiriyasermkul
- Center for Stable Isotope Medical Research, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo105-8461, Japan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo105-8461, Japan
| | - Shinya Sugimoto
- Department of Bacteriology, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo105-8461, Japan
- Center for Biofilm Science and Technology, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo105-8461, Japan
- Laboratory of Amyloid Regulation, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo105-8461, Japan
| | - Junnosuke Tomiyoshi
- Department of Biochemistry, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo105-8461, Japan
| | - Ayasa Tajima
- Center for Stable Isotope Medical Research, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo105-8461, Japan
- Department of Molecular Biology, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo105-8461, Japan
| | - Yamato Ishida
- Department of Physiological Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto606-8501, Japan
| | - Yohei Katoh
- Department of Physiological Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto606-8501, Japan
| | - Takehiro Tsukada
- Department of Biomolecular Science, Toho University, Chiba274-8510, Japan
| | - Yousuke Tsuneoka
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Toho University, Tokyo143-8540, Japan
| | - Kohji Yamada
- Department of Biochemistry, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo105-8461, Japan
| | - Shushi Nagamori
- Center for Stable Isotope Medical Research, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo105-8461, Japan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo105-8461, Japan
| | - Kazuhisa Nakayama
- Department of Physiological Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto606-8501, Japan
| | - Kiyotsugu Yoshida
- Department of Biochemistry, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo105-8461, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Medina J, Zhou Z. Unlock the potential: Auditory-evoked event-related potential (ERP) as a treatment-responsive biomarker for Rett syndrome. Neurotherapeutics 2024; 21:e00389. [PMID: 38944637 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurot.2024.e00389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/01/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Medina
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Zhaolan Zhou
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Lombardo A, Sinibaldi L, Genovese S, Catino G, Mei V, Pompili D, Sallicandro E, Falasca R, Liambo MT, Faggiano MV, Roberti MC, Di Donato M, Vitelli A, Russo S, Giannini R, Micalizzi A, Pietrafusa N, Digilio MC, Novelli A, Fusco L, Alesi V. A Case of CDKL5 Deficiency Due to an X Chromosome Pericentric Inversion: Delineation of Structural Rearrangements as an Overlooked Recurrent Pathological Mechanism. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6912. [PMID: 39000022 PMCID: PMC11241409 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25136912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2024] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD) is an X-linked dominant epileptic encephalopathy, characterized by early-onset and drug-resistant seizures, psychomotor delay, and slight facial features. Genomic variants inactivating CDKL5 or impairing its protein product kinase activity have been reported, making next-generation sequencing (NGS) and chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) the standard diagnostic tests. We report a suspicious case of CDD in a female child who tested negative upon NGS and CMA and harbored an X chromosome de novo pericentric inversion. The use of recently developed genomic techniques (optical genome mapping and whole-genome sequencing) allowed us to finely characterize the breakpoints, with one of them interrupting CDKL5 at intron 1. This is the fifth case of CDD reported in the scientific literature harboring a structural rearrangement on the X chromosome, providing evidence for the hypothesis that this type of anomaly can represent a recurrent pathogenic mechanism, whose frequency is likely underestimated, with it being overlooked by standard techniques. The identification of the molecular etiology of the disorder is extremely important in evaluating the pathological outcome and to better investigate the mechanisms associated with drug resistance, paving the way for the development of specific therapies. Karyotype and genomic techniques should be considered in all cases presenting with CDD without molecular confirmation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antonietta Lombardo
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Translational Cytogenomics Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Sinibaldi
- Medical Genetics Unit, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, 00165 Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Genovese
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Translational Cytogenomics Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy
| | - Giorgia Catino
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Translational Cytogenomics Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy
| | - Valerio Mei
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Translational Cytogenomics Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy
| | - Daniele Pompili
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Translational Cytogenomics Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy
| | - Ester Sallicandro
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Translational Cytogenomics Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Falasca
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Translational Cytogenomics Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Liambo
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Translational Cytogenomics Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Vittoria Faggiano
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Translational Cytogenomics Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Roberti
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Translational Cytogenomics Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy
| | - Maddalena Di Donato
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Translational Cytogenomics Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Vitelli
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Translational Cytogenomics Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy
| | - Serena Russo
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Translational Cytogenomics Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy
| | - Rosalinda Giannini
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Translational Cytogenomics Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessia Micalizzi
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Translational Cytogenomics Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy
- Medical Genetics Unit, San Pietro Fatebenefratelli Hospital, 00189 Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola Pietrafusa
- Neurology, Epilepsy and Movement Disorders Unit, Bambino Gesù, IRCCS Children’s Hospital, 00165 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Antonio Novelli
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Translational Cytogenomics Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Fusco
- Neurology, Epilepsy and Movement Disorders Unit, Bambino Gesù, IRCCS Children’s Hospital, 00165 Rome, Italy
| | - Viola Alesi
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Translational Cytogenomics Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Simões de Oliveira L, O'Leary HE, Nawaz S, Loureiro R, Davenport EC, Baxter P, Louros SR, Dando O, Perkins E, Peltier J, Trost M, Osterweil EK, Hardingham GE, Cousin MA, Chattarji S, Booker SA, Benke TA, Wyllie DJA, Kind PC. Enhanced hippocampal LTP but normal NMDA receptor and AMPA receptor function in a rat model of CDKL5 deficiency disorder. Mol Autism 2024; 15:28. [PMID: 38877552 PMCID: PMC11177379 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-024-00601-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mutations in the X-linked gene cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) cause a severe neurological disorder characterised by early-onset epileptic seizures, autism and intellectual disability (ID). Impaired hippocampal function has been implicated in other models of monogenic forms of autism spectrum disorders and ID and is often linked to epilepsy and behavioural abnormalities. Many individuals with CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD) have null mutations and complete loss of CDKL5 protein, therefore in the current study we used a Cdkl5-/y rat model to elucidate the impact of CDKL5 loss on cellular excitability and synaptic function of CA1 pyramidal cells (PCs). We hypothesised abnormal pre and/or post synaptic function and plasticity would be observed in the hippocampus of Cdkl5-/y rats. METHODS To allow cross-species comparisons of phenotypes associated with the loss of CDKL5, we generated a loss of function mutation in exon 8 of the rat Cdkl5 gene and assessed the impact of the loss of CDLK5 using a combination of extracellular and whole-cell electrophysiological recordings, biochemistry, and histology. RESULTS Our results indicate that CA1 hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) is enhanced in slices prepared from juvenile, but not adult, Cdkl5-/y rats. Enhanced LTP does not result from changes in NMDA receptor function or subunit expression as these remain unaltered throughout development. Furthermore, Ca2+ permeable AMPA receptor mediated currents are unchanged in Cdkl5-/y rats. We observe reduced mEPSC frequency accompanied by increased spine density in basal dendrites of CA1 PCs, however we find no evidence supporting an increase in silent synapses when assessed using a minimal stimulation protocol in slices. Additionally, we found no change in paired-pulse ratio, consistent with normal release probability at Schaffer collateral to CA1 PC synapses. CONCLUSIONS Our data indicate a role for CDKL5 in hippocampal synaptic function and raise the possibility that altered intracellular signalling rather than synaptic deficits contribute to the altered plasticity. LIMITATIONS This study has focussed on the electrophysiological and anatomical properties of hippocampal CA1 PCs across early postnatal development. Studies involving other brain regions, older animals and behavioural phenotypes associated with the loss of CDKL5 are needed to understand the pathophysiology of CDD.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Animals
- Male
- Rats
- CA1 Region, Hippocampal/metabolism
- CA1 Region, Hippocampal/pathology
- CA1 Region, Hippocampal/physiopathology
- Disease Models, Animal
- Epileptic Syndromes/genetics
- Epileptic Syndromes/metabolism
- Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials
- Genetic Diseases, X-Linked/genetics
- Genetic Diseases, X-Linked/metabolism
- Genetic Diseases, X-Linked/physiopathology
- Hippocampus/metabolism
- Long-Term Potentiation
- Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism
- Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics
- Pyramidal Cells/metabolism
- Pyramidal Cells/pathology
- Receptors, AMPA/metabolism
- Receptors, AMPA/genetics
- Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate/metabolism
- Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate/genetics
- Spasms, Infantile/genetics
- Spasms, Infantile/metabolism
- Synapses/metabolism
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Simões de Oliveira
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, Patrick Wild Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Heather E O'Leary
- School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Denver, CO, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Denver, 12800 East 19th Ave, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Sarfaraz Nawaz
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, Patrick Wild Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute for Fundamental Research, Bangalore, 560065, India
- Centre for Brain Development and Repair, Instem, Bangalore, India
| | - Rita Loureiro
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, Patrick Wild Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - Paul Baxter
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Susana R Louros
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, Patrick Wild Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Owen Dando
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, Patrick Wild Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Emma Perkins
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, Patrick Wild Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Julien Peltier
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Matthias Trost
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Emily K Osterweil
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, Patrick Wild Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Giles E Hardingham
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, Patrick Wild Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Michael A Cousin
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, Patrick Wild Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Brain Development and Repair, Instem, Bangalore, India
| | - Sumantra Chattarji
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, Patrick Wild Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute for Fundamental Research, Bangalore, 560065, India
- Centre for Brain Development and Repair, Instem, Bangalore, India
| | - Sam A Booker
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, Patrick Wild Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Tim A Benke
- School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Denver, CO, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Denver, 12800 East 19th Ave, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
| | - David J A Wyllie
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, Patrick Wild Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
- Centre for Brain Development and Repair, Instem, Bangalore, India.
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK.
| | - Peter C Kind
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, Patrick Wild Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
- Centre for Brain Development and Repair, Instem, Bangalore, India.
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Li X, Yennawar M, Wiest A, O'Brien WT, Babrowicz B, White RS, Talos DM, Jensen FE. Cannabidiol attenuates seizure susceptibility and behavioural deficits in adult CDKL5 R59X knock-in mice. Eur J Neurosci 2024; 59:3337-3352. [PMID: 38654472 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) deficiency disorder (CDD) is caused by a loss-of-function mutation in CDKL5 gene, encoding a serine-threonine kinase highly expressed in the brain. CDD manifests with early-onset epilepsy, autism, motor impairment and severe intellectual disability. While there are no known treatments for CDD, the use of cannabidiol has recently been introduced into clinical practice for neurodevelopmental disorders. Given the increased clinical utilization of cannabidiol, we examined its efficacy in the CDKL5R59X knock-in (R59X) mice, a CDD model based on a human mutation that exhibits both lifelong seizure susceptibility and behavioural deficits. We found that cannabidiol pre-treatment rescued the increased seizure susceptibility in response to the chemoconvulsant pentylenetetrazol (PTZ), attenuated working memory and long-term memory impairments, and rescued social deficits in adult R59X mice. To elucidate a potential mechanism, we compared the developmental hippocampal and cortical expression of common endocannabinoid (eCB) targets in R59X mice and their wild-type littermates, including cannabinoid type 1 receptor (CB1R), transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) and 2 (TRPV2), G-coupled protein receptor 55 (GPR55) and adenosine receptor 1 (A1R). Many of these eCB targets were developmentally regulated in both R59X and wild-type mice. In addition, adult R59X mice demonstrated significantly decreased expression of CB1R and TRPV1 in the hippocampus, and TRPV2 in the cortex, while TRPV1 was increased in the cortex. These findings support the potential for dysregulation of eCB signalling as a plausible mechanism and therapeutic target in CDD, given the efficacy of cannabidiol to attenuate hyperexcitability and behavioural deficits in this disorder.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofan Li
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Madhumita Yennawar
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Alyssa Wiest
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - William T O'Brien
- Neurobehavior Testing Core, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Bergan Babrowicz
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Rachel S White
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Delia M Talos
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Frances E Jensen
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Martinez D, Jiang E, Zhou Z. Overcoming genetic and cellular complexity to study the pathophysiology of X-linked intellectual disabilities. J Neurodev Disord 2024; 16:5. [PMID: 38424476 PMCID: PMC10902969 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-024-09517-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
X-linked genetic causes of intellectual disability (ID) account for a substantial proportion of cases and remain poorly understood, in part due to the heterogeneous expression of X-linked genes in females. This is because most genes on the X chromosome are subject to random X chromosome inactivation (XCI) during early embryonic development, which results in a mosaic pattern of gene expression for a given X-linked mutant allele. This mosaic expression produces substantial complexity, especially when attempting to study the already complicated neural circuits that underly behavior, thus impeding the understanding of disease-related pathophysiology and the development of therapeutics. Here, we review a few selected X-linked forms of ID that predominantly affect heterozygous females and the current obstacles for developing effective therapies for such disorders. We also propose a genetic strategy to overcome the complexity presented by mosaicism in heterozygous females and highlight specific tools for studying synaptic and circuit mechanisms, many of which could be shared across multiple forms of intellectual disability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dayne Martinez
- Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19102, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19102, USA
| | - Evan Jiang
- Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19102, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19102, USA
| | - Zhaolan Zhou
- Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19102, USA.
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19102, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19102, USA.
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Silvestre M, Dempster K, Mihaylov SR, Claxton S, Ultanir SK. Cell type-specific expression, regulation and compensation of CDKL5 activity in mouse brain. Mol Psychiatry 2024:10.1038/s41380-024-02434-7. [PMID: 38326557 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02434-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
CDKL5 is a brain-enriched serine/threonine kinase, associated with a profound developmental and epileptic encephalopathy called CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD). To design targeted therapies for CDD, it is essential to determine where CDKL5 is expressed and is active in the brain and test if compensatory mechanisms exist at cellular level. We generated conditional Cdkl5 knockout mice in excitatory neurons, inhibitory neurons and astrocytes. To assess CDKL5 activity, we utilized a phosphospecific antibody for phosphorylated EB2, a well-known substrate of CDKL5. We found that CDKL5 and EB2 pS222 were prominent in excitatory and inhibitory neurons but were not detected in astrocytes. We observed that approximately 15-20% of EB2 pS222 remained in Cdkl5 knockout brains and primary neurons. Surprisingly, the remaining phosphorylation was modulated by NMDA and PP1/PP2A in neuronal CDKL5 knockout cultures, indicating the presence of a compensating kinase. Using a screen of candidate kinases with highest homology to the CDKL5 kinase domain, we found that CDKL2 and ICK can phosphorylate EB2 S222 in HEK293T cells and in primary neurons. We then generated Cdkl5/Cdkl2 dual knockout mice to directly test if CDKL2 phosphorylates EB2 in vivo and found that CDKL2 phosphorylates CDKL5 substrates in the brain. This study is the first indication that CDKL2 could potentially replace CDKL5 functions in the brain, alluding to novel therapeutic possibilities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Margaux Silvestre
- Kinases and Brain Development Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Kelvin Dempster
- Kinases and Brain Development Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Simeon R Mihaylov
- Kinases and Brain Development Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Suzanne Claxton
- Kinases and Brain Development Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Sila K Ultanir
- Kinases and Brain Development Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Seo JY, Jo HR, Lee SH, Kim DG, Lee H, Kim YL, Choi YI, Jung SJ, Son H. TRPC4 deletion elicits behavioral defects in sociability by dysregulating expression of microRNA-138-2. iScience 2024; 27:108617. [PMID: 38188509 PMCID: PMC10770719 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108617] [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: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
To investigate whether the defects in transient receptor potential canonical 4 (TRPC4), which is strongly expressed in the hippocampus, are implicated in ASD, we examined the social behaviors of mice in which Trpc4 was deleted (Trpc4-/-). Trpc4-/- mice displayed the core symptoms of ASD, namely, social disability and repetitive behaviors. In microarray analysis of the hippocampus, microRNA (miR)-138-2, the precursor of miR-138, was upregulated in Trpc4-/- mice. We also found that binding of Matrin3 (MATR3), a selective miR-138-2 binding nuclear protein, to miR-138-2 was prominently enhanced, resulting in the downregulation of miR-138 in Trpc4-/- mice. Some parameters of the social defects and repetitive behaviors in the Trpc4-/- mice were rescued by increased miR-138 levels following miR-138-2 infusion in the hippocampus. Together, these results suggest that Trpc4 regulates some signaling components that oppose the development of social behavioral deficits through miR-138 and provide a potential therapeutic strategy for ASD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jee Young Seo
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Hanyang Biomedical Research Institute, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hye-Ryeong Jo
- Hanyang University Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seung Hoon Lee
- Hanyang University Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Do Gyeong Kim
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Hanyang Biomedical Research Institute, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Huiju Lee
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Hanyang Biomedical Research Institute, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ye Lim Kim
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Hanyang Biomedical Research Institute, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Young In Choi
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sung Jun Jung
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Hanyang Biomedical Research Institute, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyeon Son
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Hanyang Biomedical Research Institute, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Thinwa JW, Zou Z, Parks E, Sebti S, Hui K, Wei Y, Goodarzi M, Singh V, Urquhart G, Jewell JL, Pfeiffer JK, Levine B, Reese TA, Shiloh MU. CDKL5 regulates p62-mediated selective autophagy and confers protection against neurotropic viruses. J Clin Invest 2024; 134:e168544. [PMID: 37917202 PMCID: PMC10760973 DOI: 10.1172/jci168544] [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: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Virophagy, the selective autophagosomal engulfment and lysosomal degradation of viral components, is crucial for neuronal cell survival and antiviral immunity. However, the mechanisms leading to viral antigen recognition and capture by autophagic machinery remain poorly understood. Here, we identified cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5), known to function in neurodevelopment, as an essential regulator of virophagy. Loss-of-function mutations in CDKL5 are associated with a severe neurodevelopmental encephalopathy. We found that deletion of CDKL5 or expression of a clinically relevant pathogenic mutant of CDKL5 reduced virophagy of Sindbis virus (SINV), a neurotropic RNA virus, and increased intracellular accumulation of SINV capsid protein aggregates and cellular cytotoxicity. Cdkl5-knockout mice displayed increased viral antigen accumulation and neuronal cell death after SINV infection and enhanced lethality after infection with several neurotropic viruses. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that CDKL5 directly binds the canonical selective autophagy receptor p62 and phosphorylates p62 at T269/S272 to promote its interaction with viral capsid aggregates. We found that CDKL5-mediated phosphorylation of p62 facilitated the formation of large p62 inclusion bodies that captured viral capsids to initiate capsid targeting to autophagic machinery. Overall, these findings identify a cell-autonomous innate immune mechanism for autophagy activation to clear intracellular toxic viral protein aggregates during infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Kelvin Hui
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yongjie Wei
- Cancer Research Institute, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | | | | | - Greg Urquhart
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Jenna L. Jewell
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | | | - Beth Levine
- Department of Internal Medicine
- Department of Microbiology
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Sampedro-Castañeda M, Baltussen LL, Lopes AT, Qiu Y, Sirvio L, Mihaylov SR, Claxton S, Richardson JC, Lignani G, Ultanir SK. Epilepsy-linked kinase CDKL5 phosphorylates voltage-gated calcium channel Cav2.3, altering inactivation kinetics and neuronal excitability. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7830. [PMID: 38081835 PMCID: PMC10713615 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43475-w] [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: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs) are a group of rare childhood disorders characterized by severe epilepsy and cognitive deficits. Numerous DEE genes have been discovered thanks to advances in genomic diagnosis, yet putative molecular links between these disorders are unknown. CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD, DEE2), one of the most common genetic epilepsies, is caused by loss-of-function mutations in the brain-enriched kinase CDKL5. To elucidate CDKL5 function, we looked for CDKL5 substrates using a SILAC-based phosphoproteomic screen. We identified the voltage-gated Ca2+ channel Cav2.3 (encoded by CACNA1E) as a physiological target of CDKL5 in mice and humans. Recombinant channel electrophysiology and interdisciplinary characterization of Cav2.3 phosphomutant mice revealed that loss of Cav2.3 phosphorylation leads to channel gain-of-function via slower inactivation and enhanced cholinergic stimulation, resulting in increased neuronal excitability. Our results thus show that CDD is partly a channelopathy. The properties of unphosphorylated Cav2.3 closely resemble those described for CACNA1E gain-of-function mutations causing DEE69, a disorder sharing clinical features with CDD. We show that these two single-gene diseases are mechanistically related and could be ameliorated with Cav2.3 inhibitors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Lucas L Baltussen
- Kinases and Brain Development Lab, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
- Laboratory for the Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases (VIB-KU Leuven), Department of Neurosciences, ON5 Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - André T Lopes
- Kinases and Brain Development Lab, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Yichen Qiu
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square House, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Liina Sirvio
- Kinases and Brain Development Lab, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Simeon R Mihaylov
- Kinases and Brain Development Lab, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Suzanne Claxton
- Kinases and Brain Development Lab, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Jill C Richardson
- Neuroscience, MSD Research Laboratories, 120 Moorgate, London, EC2M 6UR, UK
| | - Gabriele Lignani
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square House, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Sila K Ultanir
- Kinases and Brain Development Lab, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Liao W, Lee KZ. CDKL5-mediated developmental tuning of neuronal excitability and concomitant regulation of transcriptome. Hum Mol Genet 2023; 32:3276-3298. [PMID: 37688574 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddad149] [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: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) is a serine-threonine kinase enriched in the forebrain to regulate neuronal development and function. Patients with CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD), a severe neurodevelopmental condition caused by mutations of CDKL5 gene, present early-onset epilepsy as the most prominent feature. However, spontaneous seizures have not been reported in mouse models of CDD, raising vital questions on the human-mouse differences and the roles of CDKL5 in early postnatal brains. Here, we firstly measured electroencephalographic (EEG) activities via a wireless telemetry system coupled with video-recording in neonatal mice. We found that mice lacking CDKL5 exhibited spontaneous epileptic EEG discharges, accompanied with increased burst activities and ictal behaviors, specifically at postnatal day 12 (P12). Intriguingly, those epileptic spikes disappeared after P14. We next performed an unbiased transcriptome profiling in the dorsal hippocampus and motor cortex of Cdkl5 null mice at different developmental timepoints, uncovering a set of age-dependent and brain region-specific alterations of gene expression in parallel with the transient display of epileptic activities. Finally, we validated multiple differentially expressed genes, such as glycine receptor alpha 2 and cholecystokinin, at the transcript or protein levels, supporting the relevance of these genes to CDKL5-regulated excitability. Our findings reveal early-onset neuronal hyperexcitability in mouse model of CDD, providing new insights into CDD etiology and potential molecular targets to ameliorate intractable neonatal epilepsy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenlin Liao
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Cheng-Chi University, Taipei 116, Taiwan
- Research Center for Mind, Brain and Learning, National Cheng-Chi University, Taipei 116, Taiwan
| | - Kun-Ze Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, National Sun Yat-Sen University, No. 70, Lienhai Road, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan
- Department of Biomedical Science and Environmental Biology, Kaohsiung Medical University, 100, Shih-Chuan 1st Road, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Cording KR, Bateup HS. Altered motor learning and coordination in mouse models of autism spectrum disorder. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1270489. [PMID: 38026686 PMCID: PMC10663323 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1270489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder with increasing prevalence. Over 1,000 risk genes have now been implicated in ASD, suggesting diverse etiology. However, the diagnostic criteria for the disorder still comprise two major behavioral domains - deficits in social communication and interaction, and the presence of restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior (RRBs). The RRBs associated with ASD include both stereotyped repetitive movements and other motor manifestations including changes in gait, balance, coordination, and motor skill learning. In recent years, the striatum, the primary input center of the basal ganglia, has been implicated in these ASD-associated motor behaviors, due to the striatum's role in action selection, motor learning, and habit formation. Numerous mouse models with mutations in ASD risk genes have been developed and shown to have alterations in ASD-relevant behaviors. One commonly used assay, the accelerating rotarod, allows for assessment of both basic motor coordination and motor skill learning. In this corticostriatal-dependent task, mice walk on a rotating rod that gradually increases in speed. In the extended version of this task, mice engage striatal-dependent learning mechanisms to optimize their motor routine and stay on the rod for longer periods. This review summarizes the findings of studies examining rotarod performance across a range of ASD mouse models, and the resulting implications for the involvement of striatal circuits in ASD-related motor behaviors. While performance in this task is not uniform across mouse models, there is a cohort of models that show increased rotarod performance. A growing number of studies suggest that this increased propensity to learn a fixed motor routine may reflect a common enhancement of corticostriatal drive across a subset of mice with mutations in ASD-risk genes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katherine R. Cording
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Helen S. Bateup
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
- Molecular and Cell Biology Department, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Abstract
Rett syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by loss-of-function mutations in the methyl-CpG binding protein-2 (MeCP2) gene that is characterized by epilepsy, intellectual disability, autistic features, speech deficits, and sleep and breathing abnormalities. Neurologically, patients with all three disorders display microcephaly, aberrant dendritic morphology, reduced spine density, and an imbalance of excitatory/inhibitory signaling. Loss-of-function mutations in the cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) and FOXG1 genes also cause similar behavioral and neurobiological defects and were referred to as congenital or variant Rett syndrome. The relatively recent realization that CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD), FOXG1 syndrome, and Rett syndrome are distinct neurodevelopmental disorders with some distinctive features have resulted in separate focus being placed on each disorder with the assumption that distinct molecular mechanisms underlie their pathogenesis. However, given that many of the core symptoms and neurological features are shared, it is likely that the disorders share some critical molecular underpinnings. This review discusses the possibility that deregulation of common molecules in neurons and astrocytes plays a central role in key behavioral and neurological abnormalities in all three disorders. These include KCC2, a chloride transporter, vGlut1, a vesicular glutamate transporter, GluD1, an orphan-glutamate receptor subunit, and PSD-95, a postsynaptic scaffolding protein. We propose that reduced expression or activity of KCC2, vGlut1, PSD-95, and AKT, along with increased expression of GluD1, is involved in the excitatory/inhibitory that represents a key aspect in all three disorders. In addition, astrocyte-derived brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and inflammatory cytokines likely affect the expression and functioning of these molecules resulting in disease-associated abnormalities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Santosh R D’Mello
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University Shreveport, Shreveport, LA 71104, USA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Zhu ZA, Li YY, Xu J, Xue H, Feng X, Zhu YC, Xiong ZQ. CDKL5 deficiency in adult glutamatergic neurons alters synaptic activity and causes spontaneous seizures via TrkB signaling. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113202. [PMID: 37777961 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD) is a severe epileptic encephalopathy resulting from pathological mutations in the X-linked cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) gene. Despite significant progress in understanding the neuronal function of CDKL5, the molecular mechanisms underlying CDD-associated epileptogenesis are unknown. Here, we report that acute ablation of CDKL5 from adult forebrain glutamatergic neurons leads to elevated neural network activity in the dentate gyrus and the occurrence of early-onset spontaneous seizures via tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB) signaling. We observe increased expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and enhanced activation of its receptor TrkB in the hippocampus of Cdkl5-deficient mice prior to the onset of behavioral seizures. Moreover, reducing TrkB signaling in these mice rescues the altered synaptic activity and suppresses recurrent seizures. These results suggest that TrkB signaling mediates epileptogenesis in a mouse model of CDD and that targeting this pathway might be effective for treating epilepsy in patients affected by CDKL5 mutations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Ai Zhu
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Shanghai 200031, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yi-Yan Li
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Shanghai 200031, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Juan Xu
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Hui Xue
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Shanghai 200031, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xue Feng
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Yong-Chuan Zhu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China.
| | - Zhi-Qi Xiong
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Shanghai 200031, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China; Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, Shanghai 201210, China; School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Ziemka-Nalecz M, Pawelec P, Ziabska K, Zalewska T. Sex Differences in Brain Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14571. [PMID: 37834018 PMCID: PMC10572175 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
A remarkable feature of the brain is its sexual dimorphism. Sexual dimorphism in brain structure and function is associated with clinical implications documented previously in healthy individuals but also in those who suffer from various brain disorders. Sex-based differences concerning some features such as the risk, prevalence, age of onset, and symptomatology have been confirmed in a range of neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases. The mechanisms responsible for the establishment of sex-based differences between men and women are not fully understood. The present paper provides up-to-date data on sex-related dissimilarities observed in brain disorders and highlights the most relevant features that differ between males and females. The topic is very important as the recognition of disparities between the sexes might allow for the identification of therapeutic targets and pharmacological approaches for intractable neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Teresa Zalewska
- NeuroRepair Department, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, 5, A. Pawinskiego Str., 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (M.Z.-N.); (P.P.); (K.Z.)
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Mottolese N, Uguagliati B, Tassinari M, Cerchier CB, Loi M, Candini G, Rimondini R, Medici G, Trazzi S, Ciani E. Voluntary Running Improves Behavioral and Structural Abnormalities in a Mouse Model of CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1396. [PMID: 37759796 PMCID: PMC10527551 DOI: 10.3390/biom13091396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) deficiency disorder (CDD) is a rare neurodevelopmental disease caused by mutations in the X-linked CDKL5 gene. CDD is characterized by a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations, including early-onset refractory epileptic seizures, intellectual disability, hypotonia, visual disturbances, and autism-like features. The Cdkl5 knockout (KO) mouse recapitulates several features of CDD, including autistic-like behavior, impaired learning and memory, and motor stereotypies. These behavioral alterations are accompanied by diminished neuronal maturation and survival, reduced dendritic branching and spine maturation, and marked microglia activation. There is currently no cure or effective treatment to ameliorate the symptoms of the disease. Aerobic exercise is known to exert multiple beneficial effects in the brain, not only by increasing neurogenesis, but also by improving motor and cognitive tasks. To date, no studies have analyzed the effect of physical exercise on the phenotype of a CDD mouse model. In view of the positive effects of voluntary running on the brain of mouse models of various human neurodevelopmental disorders, we sought to determine whether voluntary daily running, sustained over a month, could improve brain development and behavioral defects in Cdkl5 KO mice. Our study showed that long-term voluntary running improved the hyperlocomotion and impulsivity behaviors and memory performance of Cdkl5 KO mice. This is correlated with increased hippocampal neurogenesis, neuronal survival, spine maturation, and inhibition of microglia activation. These behavioral and structural improvements were associated with increased BDNF levels. Given the positive effects of BDNF on brain development and function, the present findings support the positive benefits of exercise as an adjuvant therapy for CDD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Mottolese
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Beatrice Uguagliati
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Marianna Tassinari
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Camilla Bruna Cerchier
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Manuela Loi
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Giulia Candini
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Roberto Rimondini
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Giorgio Medici
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Stefania Trazzi
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Ciani
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Briguglio S, Cambria C, Albizzati E, Marcello E, Provenzano G, Frasca A, Antonucci F. New Views of the DNA Repair Protein Ataxia-Telangiectasia Mutated in Central Neurons: Contribution in Synaptic Dysfunctions of Neurodevelopmental and Neurodegenerative Diseases. Cells 2023; 12:2181. [PMID: 37681912 PMCID: PMC10486624 DOI: 10.3390/cells12172181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Ataxia-Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM) is a serine/threonine protein kinase principally known to orchestrate DNA repair processes upon DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). Mutations in the Atm gene lead to Ataxia-Telangiectasia (AT), a recessive disorder characterized by ataxic movements consequent to cerebellar atrophy or dysfunction, along with immune alterations, genomic instability, and predisposition to cancer. AT patients show variable phenotypes ranging from neurologic abnormalities and cognitive impairments to more recently described neuropsychiatric features pointing to symptoms hardly ascribable to the canonical functions of ATM in DNA damage response (DDR). Indeed, evidence suggests that cognitive abilities rely on the proper functioning of DSB machinery and specific synaptic changes in central neurons of ATM-deficient mice unveiled unexpected roles of ATM at the synapse. Thus, in the present review, upon a brief recall of DNA damage responses, we focus our attention on the role of ATM in neuronal physiology and pathology and we discuss recent findings showing structural and functional changes in hippocampal and cortical synapses of AT mouse models. Collectively, a deeper knowledge of ATM-dependent mechanisms in neurons is necessary not only for a better comprehension of AT neurological phenotypes, but also for a higher understanding of the pathological mechanisms in neurodevelopmental and degenerative disorders involving ATM dysfunctions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Briguglio
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine (BIOMETRA), University of Milan, Via F.lli Cervi 93, 20129 Segrate (MI) and via Vanvitelli 32, 20129 Milan, MI, Italy; (S.B.); (C.C.); (A.F.)
| | - Clara Cambria
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine (BIOMETRA), University of Milan, Via F.lli Cervi 93, 20129 Segrate (MI) and via Vanvitelli 32, 20129 Milan, MI, Italy; (S.B.); (C.C.); (A.F.)
| | - Elena Albizzati
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA;
| | - Elena Marcello
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Via Giuseppe Balzaretti 9, 20133 Milan, MI, Italy;
| | - Giovanni Provenzano
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology—CIBIO, University of Trento, Via Sommarive 9, 38068 Trento, TN, Italy;
| | - Angelisa Frasca
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine (BIOMETRA), University of Milan, Via F.lli Cervi 93, 20129 Segrate (MI) and via Vanvitelli 32, 20129 Milan, MI, Italy; (S.B.); (C.C.); (A.F.)
| | - Flavia Antonucci
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine (BIOMETRA), University of Milan, Via F.lli Cervi 93, 20129 Segrate (MI) and via Vanvitelli 32, 20129 Milan, MI, Italy; (S.B.); (C.C.); (A.F.)
- Institute of Neuroscience, IN-CNR, Via Raoul Follereau 3, 20854 Vedano al Lambro, MB, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Castano A, Silvestre M, Wells CI, Sanderson JL, Ferrer CA, Ong HW, Lang Y, Richardson W, Silvaroli JA, Bashore FM, Smith JL, Genereux IM, Dempster K, Drewry DH, Pabla NS, Bullock AN, Benke TA, Ultanir SK, Axtman AD. Discovery and characterization of a specific inhibitor of serine-threonine kinase cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) demonstrates role in hippocampal CA1 physiology. eLife 2023; 12:e88206. [PMID: 37490324 PMCID: PMC10406435 DOI: 10.7554/elife.88206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Pathological loss-of-function mutations in cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) cause CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD), a rare and severe neurodevelopmental disorder associated with severe and medically refractory early-life epilepsy, motor, cognitive, visual, and autonomic disturbances in the absence of any structural brain pathology. Analysis of genetic variants in CDD has indicated that CDKL5 kinase function is central to disease pathology. CDKL5 encodes a serine-threonine kinase with significant homology to GSK3β, which has also been linked to synaptic function. Further, Cdkl5 knock-out rodents have increased GSK3β activity and often increased long-term potentiation (LTP). Thus, development of a specific CDKL5 inhibitor must be careful to exclude cross-talk with GSK3β activity. We synthesized and characterized specific, high-affinity inhibitors of CDKL5 that do not have detectable activity for GSK3β. These compounds are very soluble in water but blood-brain barrier penetration is low. In rat hippocampal brain slices, acute inhibition of CDKL5 selectively reduces postsynaptic function of AMPA-type glutamate receptors in a dose-dependent manner. Acute inhibition of CDKL5 reduces hippocampal LTP. These studies provide new tools and insights into the role of CDKL5 as a newly appreciated key kinase necessary for synaptic plasticity. Comparisons to rodent knock-out studies suggest that compensatory changes have limited the understanding of the roles of CDKL5 in synaptic physiology, plasticity, and human neuropathology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Castano
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado School of MedicineAuroraUnited States
| | - Margaux Silvestre
- Kinases and Brain Development Laboratory, The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Carrow I Wells
- Structural Genomics Consortium, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillUnited States
| | - Jennifer L Sanderson
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado School of MedicineAuroraUnited States
| | - Carla A Ferrer
- Structural Genomics Consortium, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillUnited States
| | - Han Wee Ong
- Structural Genomics Consortium, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillUnited States
| | - Yi Lang
- Structural Genomics Consortium, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillUnited States
| | - William Richardson
- Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Josie A Silvaroli
- Division of Pharmaceutics and Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy and Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State UniversityColumbusUnited States
| | - Frances M Bashore
- Structural Genomics Consortium, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillUnited States
| | - Jeffery L Smith
- Structural Genomics Consortium, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillUnited States
| | - Isabelle M Genereux
- Structural Genomics Consortium, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillUnited States
| | - Kelvin Dempster
- Kinases and Brain Development Laboratory, The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - David H Drewry
- Structural Genomics Consortium, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillUnited States
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillUnited States
| | - Navlot S Pabla
- Division of Pharmaceutics and Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy and Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State UniversityColumbusUnited States
| | - Alex N Bullock
- Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Tim A Benke
- Departments of Pediatrics, Pharmacology, Neurology and Otolaryngology, University of Colorado School of MedicineAuroraUnited States
| | - Sila K Ultanir
- Kinases and Brain Development Laboratory, The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Alison D Axtman
- Structural Genomics Consortium, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillUnited States
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Tassinari M, Uguagliati B, Trazzi S, Cerchier CB, Cavina OV, Mottolese N, Loi M, Candini G, Medici G, Ciani E. Early-onset brain alterations during postnatal development in a mouse model of CDKL5 deficiency disorder. Neurobiol Dis 2023; 182:106146. [PMID: 37164289 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the CDKL5 gene are the cause of CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD), a rare and severe neurodevelopmental condition characterized by early-onset epilepsy, motor impairment, intellectual disability, and autistic features. A mouse model of CDD, the Cdkl5 KO mouse, that recapitulates several aspects of CDD symptomology, has helped to highlight brain alterations leading to CDD neurological defects. Studies of brain morphogenesis in adult Cdkl5 KO mice showed defects in dendritic arborization of pyramidal neurons and in synaptic connectivity, a hypocellularity of the hippocampal dentate gyrus, and a generalized microglia over-activation. Nevertheless, no studies are available regarding the presence of these brain alterations in Cdkl5 KO pups, and their severity in early stages of life compared to adulthood. A deeper understanding of the CDKL5 deficient brain during an early phase of postnatal development would represent an important milestone for further validation of the CDD mouse model, and for the identification of the optimum time window for treatments that target defects in brain development. In sight of this, we comparatively evaluated the dendritic arborization and spines of cortical pyramidal neurons, cortical excitatory and inhibitory connectivity, microglia activation, and proliferation and survival of granule cells of the hippocampal dentate gyrus in hemizygous Cdkl5 KO male (-/Y) mice aged 7, 14, 21, and 60 days. We found that most of the structural alterations in Cdkl5 -/Y brains are already present in pups aged 7 days and do not worsen with age. In contrast, the difference in the density of excitatory and inhibitory terminals between Cdkl5 -/Y and wild-type mice changes with age, suggesting an age-dependent cortical excitatory/inhibitory synaptic imbalance. Confirming the precocious presence of brain defects, Cdkl5 -/Y pups are characterized by an impairment in neonatal sensory-motor reflexes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Tassinari
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Science, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Beatrice Uguagliati
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Science, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Stefania Trazzi
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Science, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
| | - Camilla Bruna Cerchier
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Science, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Ottavia Vera Cavina
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Science, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Nicola Mottolese
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Science, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Manuela Loi
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Science, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Giulia Candini
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Science, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Giorgio Medici
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Science, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Ciani
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Science, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Castano A, Silvestre M, Wells CI, Sanderson JL, Ferrer CA, Ong HW, Liang Y, Richardson W, Silvaroli JA, Bashore FM, Smith JL, Genereux IM, Dempster K, Drewry DH, Pabla NS, Bullock AN, Benke TA, Ultanir SK, Axtman AD. Discovery and characterization of a specific inhibitor of serine-threonine kinase cyclin dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) demonstrates role in hippocampal CA1 physiology. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.24.538049. [PMID: 37162893 PMCID: PMC10168277 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.24.538049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Pathological loss-of-function mutations in cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 ( CDKL5 ) cause CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD), a rare and severe neurodevelopmental disorder associated with severe and medically refractory early-life epilepsy, motor, cognitive, visual and autonomic disturbances in the absence of any structural brain pathology. Analysis of genetic variants in CDD have indicated that CDKL5 kinase function is central to disease pathology. CDKL5 encodes a serine-threonine kinase with significant homology to GSK3β, which has also been linked to synaptic function. Further, Cdkl5 knock-out rodents have increased GSK3β activity and often increased long-term potentiation (LTP). Thus, development of a specific CDKL5 inhibitor must be careful to exclude cross-talk with GSK3β activity. We synthesized and characterized specific, high-affinity inhibitors of CDKL5 that do not have detectable activity for GSK3β. These compounds are very soluble in water but blood-brain barrier penetration is low. In rat hippocampal brain slices, acute inhibition of CDKL5 selectively reduces post-synaptic function of AMPA-type glutamate receptors in a dose-dependent manner. Acute inhibition of CDKL5 reduces hippocampal LTP. These studies provide new tools and insights into the role of CDKL5 as a newly appreciated, key kinase necessary for synaptic plasticity. Comparisons to rodent knock-out studies suggest that compensatory changes have limited the understanding of the roles of CDKL5 in synaptic physiology, plasticity and human neuropathology.
Collapse
|
22
|
Kontaxi C, Ivanova D, Davenport EC, Kind PC, Cousin MA. Epilepsy-Related CDKL5 Deficiency Slows Synaptic Vesicle Endocytosis in Central Nerve Terminals. J Neurosci 2023; 43:2002-2020. [PMID: 36759195 PMCID: PMC10027047 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1537-22.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) deficiency disorder (CDD) is a severe early-onset epileptic encephalopathy resulting mainly from de novo mutations in the X-linked CDKL5 gene. To determine whether loss of presynaptic CDKL5 function contributes to CDD, we examined synaptic vesicle (SV) recycling in primary hippocampal neurons generated from Cdkl5 knockout rat males. Using a genetically encoded reporter, we revealed that CDKL5 is selectively required for efficient SV endocytosis. We showed that CDKL5 kinase activity is both necessary and sufficient for optimal SV endocytosis, since kinase-inactive mutations failed to correct endocytosis in Cdkl5 knockout neurons, whereas the isolated CDKL5 kinase domain fully restored SV endocytosis kinetics. Finally, we demonstrated that CDKL5-mediated phosphorylation of amphiphysin 1, a putative presynaptic target, is not required for CDKL5-dependent control of SV endocytosis. Overall, our findings reveal a key presynaptic role for CDKL5 kinase activity and enhance our insight into how its dysfunction may culminate in CDD.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Loss of cyclin-dependent kinase like 5 (CDKL5) function is a leading cause of monogenic childhood epileptic encephalopathy. However, information regarding its biological role is scarce. In this study, we reveal a selective presynaptic role for CDKL5 in synaptic vesicle endocytosis and that its protein kinase activity is both necessary and sufficient for this role. The isolated protein kinase domain is sufficient to correct this loss of function, which may facilitate future gene therapy strategies if presynaptic dysfunction is proven to be central to the disorder. It also reveals that a CDKL5-specific substrate is located at the presynapse, the phosphorylation of which is required for optimal SV endocytosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christiana Kontaxi
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, United Kingdom
- Muir Maxwell Epilepsy Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, United Kingdom
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, United Kingdom
| | - Daniela Ivanova
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, United Kingdom
- Muir Maxwell Epilepsy Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, United Kingdom
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth C Davenport
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, United Kingdom
- Muir Maxwell Epilepsy Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, United Kingdom
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, United Kingdom
| | - Peter C Kind
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, United Kingdom
- Muir Maxwell Epilepsy Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, United Kingdom
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, United Kingdom
| | - Michael A Cousin
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, United Kingdom
- Muir Maxwell Epilepsy Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, United Kingdom
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Damiani F, Cornuti S, Tognini P. The gut-brain connection: Exploring the influence of the gut microbiota on neuroplasticity and neurodevelopmental disorders. Neuropharmacology 2023; 231:109491. [PMID: 36924923 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Abstract
Neuroplasticity refers to the ability of brain circuits to reorganize and change the properties of the network, resulting in alterations in brain function and behavior. It is traditionally believed that neuroplasticity is influenced by external stimuli, learning, and experience. Intriguingly, there is new evidence suggesting that endogenous signals from the body's periphery may play a role. The gut microbiota, a diverse community of microorganisms living in harmony with their host, may be able to influence plasticity through its modulation of the gut-brain axis. Interestingly, the maturation of the gut microbiota coincides with critical periods of neurodevelopment, during which neural circuits are highly plastic and potentially vulnerable. As such, dysbiosis (an imbalance in the gut microbiota composition) during early life may contribute to the disruption of normal developmental trajectories, leading to neurodevelopmental disorders. This review aims to examine the ways in which the gut microbiota can affect neuroplasticity. It will also discuss recent research linking gastrointestinal issues and bacterial dysbiosis to various neurodevelopmental disorders and their potential impact on neurological outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Sara Cornuti
- Laboratory of Biology, Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy
| | - Paola Tognini
- Laboratory of Biology, Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy; Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Cardiac Functional and Structural Abnormalities in a Mouse Model of CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065552. [PMID: 36982627 PMCID: PMC10059787 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/15/2023] Open
Abstract
CDKL5 (cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5) deficiency disorder (CDD) is a severe neurodevelopmental disease that mostly affects girls, who are heterozygous for mutations in the X-linked CDKL5 gene. Mutations in the CDKL5 gene lead to a lack of CDKL5 protein expression or function and cause numerous clinical features, including early-onset seizures, marked hypotonia, autistic features, gastrointestinal problems, and severe neurodevelopmental impairment. Mouse models of CDD recapitulate several aspects of CDD symptomology, including cognitive impairments, motor deficits, and autistic-like features, and have been useful to dissect the role of CDKL5 in brain development and function. However, our current knowledge of the function of CDKL5 in other organs/tissues besides the brain is still quite limited, reducing the possibility of broad-spectrum interventions. Here, for the first time, we report the presence of cardiac function/structure alterations in heterozygous Cdkl5 +/− female mice. We found a prolonged QT interval (corrected for the heart rate, QTc) and increased heart rate in Cdkl5 +/− mice. These changes correlate with a marked decrease in parasympathetic activity to the heart and in the expression of the Scn5a and Hcn4 voltage-gated channels. Interestingly, Cdkl5 +/− hearts showed increased fibrosis, altered gap junction organization and connexin-43 expression, mitochondrial dysfunction, and increased ROS production. Together, these findings not only contribute to our understanding of the role of CDKL5 in heart structure/function but also document a novel preclinical phenotype for future therapeutic investigation.
Collapse
|
25
|
Awad PN, Zerbi V, Johnson-Venkatesh EM, Damiani F, Pagani M, Markicevic M, Nickles S, Gozzi A, Umemori H, Fagiolini M. CDKL5 sculpts functional callosal connectivity to promote cognitive flexibility. Mol Psychiatry 2023:10.1038/s41380-023-01962-y. [PMID: 36737483 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-01962-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Functional and structural connectivity alterations in short- and long-range projections have been reported across neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD). Interhemispheric callosal projection neurons (CPN) represent one of the major long-range projections in the brain, which are particularly important for higher-order cognitive function and flexibility. However, whether a causal relationship exists between interhemispheric connectivity alterations and cognitive deficits in NDD remains elusive. Here, we focused on CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder (CDD), a severe neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutations in the X-linked Cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) gene. We found an increase in homotopic interhemispheric connectivity and functional hyperconnectivity across higher cognitive areas in adult male and female CDKL5-deficient mice by resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) analysis. This was accompanied by an increase in the number of callosal synaptic inputs but decrease in local synaptic connectivity in the cingulate cortex of juvenile CDKL5-deficient mice, suggesting an impairment in excitatory synapse development and a differential role of CDKL5 across excitatory neuron subtypes. These deficits were associated with significant cognitive impairments in CDKL5 KO mice. Selective deletion of CDKL5 in the largest subtype of CPN likewise resulted in an increase of functional callosal inputs, without however significantly altering intracortical cingulate networks. Notably, such callosal-specific changes were sufficient to cause cognitive deficits. Finally, when CDKL5 was selectively re-expressed only in this CPN subtype, in otherwise CDKL5-deficient mice, it was sufficient to prevent the cognitive impairments of CDKL5 mutants. Together, these results reveal a novel role of CDKL5 by demonstrating that it is both necessary and sufficient for proper CPN connectivity and cognitive function and flexibility, and further validates a causal relationship between CPN dysfunction and cognitive impairment in a model of NDD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Nora Awad
- F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Valerio Zerbi
- Neural Control of Movement Lab, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Neuro-X Institute, School of Engineering (STI), École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- CIBM Center for Biomedical Imaging, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Erin M Johnson-Venkatesh
- F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Francesca Damiani
- F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Marco Pagani
- Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rovereto, Italy
- Autism Center, Child Mind Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Marija Markicevic
- Neural Control of Movement Lab, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sarah Nickles
- F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alessandro Gozzi
- Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rovereto, Italy
| | - Hisashi Umemori
- F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michela Fagiolini
- F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Hock E. Tan and K. Lisa Yang Center for Autism Research at Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA.
- International Research Center for Neurointelligence (IRCN), University of Tokyo Institutes for Advanced Study, Tokyo, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Xu B, Ho Y, Fasolino M, Medina J, O’Brien WT, Lamonica JM, Nugent E, Brodkin ES, Fuccillo MV, Bucan M, Zhou Z. Allelic contribution of Nrxn1α to autism-relevant behavioral phenotypes in mice. PLoS Genet 2023; 19:e1010659. [PMID: 36848371 PMCID: PMC9997995 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Copy number variations (CNVs) in the Neurexin 1 (NRXN1) gene, which encodes a presynaptic protein involved in neurotransmitter release, are some of the most frequently observed single-gene variants associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). To address the functional contribution of NRXN1 CNVs to behavioral phenotypes relevant to ASD, we carried out systematic behavioral phenotyping of an allelic series of Nrxn1 mouse models: one carrying promoter and exon 1 deletion abolishing Nrxn1α transcription, one carrying exon 9 deletion disrupting Nrxn1α protein translation, and one carrying an intronic deletion with no observable effect on Nrxn1α expression. We found that homozygous loss of Nrxn1α resulted in enhanced aggression in males, reduced affiliative social behaviors in females, and significantly altered circadian activities in both sexes. Heterozygous or homozygous loss of Nrxn1α affected the preference for social novelty in male mice, and notably, enhanced repetitive motor skills and motor coordination in both sexes. In contrast, mice bearing an intronic deletion of Nrxn1 did not display alterations in any of the behaviors assessed. These findings demonstrate the importance of Nrxn1α gene dosage in regulating social, circadian, and motor functions, and the variables of sex and genomic positioning of CNVs in the expression of autism-related phenotypes. Importantly, mice with heterozygous loss of Nrxn1, as found in numerous autistic individuals, show an elevated propensity to manifest autism-related phenotypes, supporting the use of models with this genomic architecture to study ASD etiology and assess additional genetic variants associated with autism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bing Xu
- Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Autism Spectrum Program of Excellence (ASPE), University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Province Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong Medicine and Health Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation and Nephrosis, Shandong Institute of Nephrology, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yugong Ho
- Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Autism Spectrum Program of Excellence (ASPE), University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Maria Fasolino
- Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Autism Spectrum Program of Excellence (ASPE), University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Joanna Medina
- Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Autism Spectrum Program of Excellence (ASPE), University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - William Timothy O’Brien
- Preclinical Models Core, Intellectual and Developmental Disability Research Center (IDDRC) Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Janine M. Lamonica
- Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Autism Spectrum Program of Excellence (ASPE), University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Erin Nugent
- Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Autism Spectrum Program of Excellence (ASPE), University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Edward S. Brodkin
- Autism Spectrum Program of Excellence (ASPE), University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Marc V. Fuccillo
- Autism Spectrum Program of Excellence (ASPE), University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Maja Bucan
- Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Autism Spectrum Program of Excellence (ASPE), University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Zhaolan Zhou
- Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Autism Spectrum Program of Excellence (ASPE), University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Preclinical Models Core, Intellectual and Developmental Disability Research Center (IDDRC) Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Loss of CDKL5 Causes Synaptic GABAergic Defects That Can Be Restored with the Neuroactive Steroid Pregnenolone-Methyl-Ether. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010068. [PMID: 36613509 PMCID: PMC9820583 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD) is an X-linked neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by early-onset drug-resistant epilepsy and impaired cognitive and motor skills. CDD is caused by mutations in cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5), which plays a well-known role in regulating excitatory neurotransmission, while its effect on neuronal inhibition has been poorly investigated. We explored the potential role of CDKL5 in the inhibitory compartment in Cdkl5-KO male mice and primary hippocampal neurons and found that CDKL5 interacts with gephyrin and collybistin, two crucial organisers of the inhibitory postsynaptic sites. Through molecular and electrophysiological approaches, we demonstrated that CDKL5 loss causes a reduced number of gephyrin puncta and surface exposed γ2 subunit-containing GABAA receptors, impacting the frequency of miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents, which we ascribe to a postsynaptic function of CDKL5. In line with previous data showing that CDKL5 loss impacts microtubule (MT) dynamics, we showed that treatment with pregnenolone-methyl-ether (PME), which promotes MT dynamics, rescues the above defects. The impact of CDKL5 deficiency on inhibitory neurotransmission might explain the presence of drug-resistant epilepsy and cognitive defects in CDD patients. Moreover, our results may pave the way for drug-based therapies that could bypass the need for CDKL5 and provide effective therapeutic strategies for CDD patients.
Collapse
|
28
|
CDKL5 deficiency causes epileptic seizures independent of cellular mosaicism. J Neurol Sci 2022; 443:120498. [PMID: 36417806 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2022.120498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In a study using a mouse model of CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD), seizures are specific to female mice heterozygous for Cdkl5 mutations and not observed in hemizygous knockout males or homozygous knockout females. The aim of this study was to examine whether the clinical phenotype of patients with CDD can be impacted by the type of genetic variant. METHODS Eleven CDD patients (six females and five males) were included in this study. The molecular diagnosis of hemizygous male patients was performed using digital PCR and their clinical phenotypes were compared with those of patients with mosaic or heterozygous CDKL5 variants. The severity of clinical phenotypes was graded by using CDKL5 Developmental Score and the adapted version of the CDKL5 Clinical Severity Assessment. The effect of cellular mosaicism on the severity of CDD was studied by comparing the clinical characteristics and comorbidities between individuals with hemizygous and mosaic or heterozygous CDKL5 variants. RESULTS One of the five male patients was mosaic for the CDKL5 variant. All patients developed seizures irrespective of their genetic status of the pathogenic variant. However, cellular mosaicism of CDKL5 deficiency was associated with lesser severity of other comorbidities such as feeding, respiratory, and visual functional impairments. SIGNIFICANCE This study provided evidence that cellular mosaicism of CDKL5 deficiency was not necessarily required for developing epilepsy. CDD patients not only exhibited clinical features of epilepsy but also exhibited the developmental consequences arising directly from the effect of the CDKL5 pathogenic variant.
Collapse
|
29
|
Karalis V, Donovan KE, Sahin M. Primary Cilia Dysfunction in Neurodevelopmental Disorders beyond Ciliopathies. J Dev Biol 2022; 10:54. [PMID: 36547476 PMCID: PMC9782889 DOI: 10.3390/jdb10040054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary cilia are specialized, microtubule-based structures projecting from the surface of most mammalian cells. These organelles are thought to primarily act as signaling hubs and sensors, receiving and integrating extracellular cues. Several important signaling pathways are regulated through the primary cilium including Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) and Wnt signaling. Therefore, it is no surprise that mutated genes encoding defective proteins that affect primary cilia function or structure are responsible for a group of disorders collectively termed ciliopathies. The severe neurologic abnormalities observed in several ciliopathies have prompted examination of primary cilia structure and function in other brain disorders. Recently, neuronal primary cilia defects were observed in monogenic neurodevelopmental disorders that were not traditionally considered ciliopathies. The molecular mechanisms of how these genetic mutations cause primary cilia defects and how these defects contribute to the neurologic manifestations of these disorders remain poorly understood. In this review we will discuss monogenic neurodevelopmental disorders that exhibit cilia deficits and summarize findings from studies exploring the role of primary cilia in the brain to shed light into how these deficits could contribute to neurologic abnormalities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vasiliki Karalis
- The Rosamund Stone Zander Translational Neuroscience Center, Department of Neurology Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- FM Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Kathleen E. Donovan
- The Rosamund Stone Zander Translational Neuroscience Center, Department of Neurology Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- FM Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Mustafa Sahin
- The Rosamund Stone Zander Translational Neuroscience Center, Department of Neurology Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- FM Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Viglione A, Sagona G, Carrara F, Amato G, Totaro V, Lupori L, Putignano E, Pizzorusso T, Mazziotti R. Behavioral impulsivity is associated with pupillary alterations and hyperactivity in CDKL5 mutant mice. Hum Mol Genet 2022; 31:4107-4120. [PMID: 35861639 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddac164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (Cdkl5) deficiency disorder (CDD) is a severe neurodevelopmental condition caused by mutations in the X-linked Cdkl5 gene. CDD is characterized by early-onset seizures in the first month of life, intellectual disability, motor and social impairment. No effective treatment is currently available and medical management is only symptomatic and supportive. Recently, mouse models of Cdkl5 disorder have demonstrated that mice lacking Cdkl5 exhibit autism-like phenotypes, hyperactivity and dysregulations of the arousal system, suggesting the possibility to use these features as translational biomarkers. In this study, we tested Cdkl5 male and female mutant mice in an appetitive operant conditioning chamber to assess cognitive and motor abilities, and performed pupillometry to assess the integrity of the arousal system. Then, we evaluated the performance of artificial intelligence models to classify the genotype of the animals from the behavioral and physiological phenotype. The behavioral results show that CDD mice display impulsivity, together with low levels of cognitive flexibility and perseverative behaviors. We assessed arousal levels by simultaneously recording pupil size and locomotor activity. Pupillometry reveals in CDD mice a smaller pupil size and an impaired response to unexpected stimuli associated with hyperlocomotion, demonstrating a global defect in arousal modulation. Finally, machine learning reveals that both behavioral and pupillometry parameters can be considered good predictors of CDD. Since early diagnosis is essential to evaluate treatment outcomes and pupillary measures can be performed easily, we proposed the monitoring of pupil size as a promising biomarker for CDD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aurelia Viglione
- BIO@SNS Lab, Scuola Normale Superiore, via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Giulia Sagona
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, viale del Tirreno 331, 56128 Pisa, Italy
| | - Fabio Carrara
- ISTI-Istituto di Scienza e Tecnologia dell'Informazione, National Research Council, via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Amato
- ISTI-Istituto di Scienza e Tecnologia dell'Informazione, National Research Council, via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Valentino Totaro
- BIO@SNS Lab, Scuola Normale Superiore, via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Leonardo Lupori
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, viale del Tirreno 331, 56128 Pisa, Italy
| | - Elena Putignano
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council, via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Tommaso Pizzorusso
- BIO@SNS Lab, Scuola Normale Superiore, via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy.,Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council, via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Raffaele Mazziotti
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, viale del Tirreno 331, 56128 Pisa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Neuronal hyperexcitability and ion channel dysfunction in CDKL5-deficiency patient iPSC-derived cortical organoids. Neurobiol Dis 2022; 174:105882. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2022.105882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 10/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
|
32
|
Ma J, Li K, Sun X, Liang JN, An XQ, Tian M, Li J, Yan F, Yin Y, Yang YA, Chen FY, Zhang LQ, He XX, He ZX, Guo WX, Zhu XJ, Yu HL. Dysregulation of AMPK-mTOR signaling leads to comorbid anxiety in Dip2a KO mice. Cereb Cortex 2022; 33:4977-4989. [PMID: 36227200 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhac393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism is often comorbid with other psychiatric disorders. We have previously shown that Dip2a knockout (KO) induces autism-like behaviors in mice. However, the role of Dip2a in other psychiatric disorders remains unclear. In this paper, we revealed that Dip2a KO mice had comorbid anxiety. Dip2a KO led to a reduction in the dendritic length of cortical and hippocampal excitatory neurons. Molecular mechanism studies suggested that AMPK was overactivated and suppressed the mTOR cascade, contributing to defects in dendritic morphology. Deletion of Dip2a in adult-born hippocampal neurons (Dip2a conditional knockout (cKO)) increased susceptibility to anxiety upon acute stress exposure. Application of (2R,6R)-hydroxynorketamine (HNK), an inhibitor of mTOR, rescued anxiety-like behaviors in Dip2a KO and Dip2a cKO mice. In addition, 6 weeks of high-fat diet intake alleviated AMPK-mTOR signaling and attenuated the severity of anxiety in both Dip2a KO mice and Dip2a cKO mice. Taken together, these results reveal an unrecognized function of DIP2A in anxiety pathophysiology via regulation of AMPK-mTOR signaling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jun Ma
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics, Ministry of Education and Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China.,Department of Oral Anatomy and Physiology, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Kai Li
- Department of Anesthesia, China-Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun 130033, China
| | - Xue Sun
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics, Ministry of Education and Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
| | - Jia-Nan Liang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics, Ministry of Education and Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
| | - Xian-Quan An
- Department of Anesthesiology, Second Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun 130041, China
| | - Meng Tian
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics, Ministry of Education and Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
| | - Jing Li
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics, Ministry of Education and Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
| | - Fang Yan
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics, Ministry of Education and Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
| | - Yue Yin
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics, Ministry of Education and Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
| | - Ying-Ao Yang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics, Ministry of Education and Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
| | - Fei-Yang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics, Ministry of Education and Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
| | - Lu-Qing Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics, Ministry of Education and Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
| | - Xiao-Xiao He
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics, Ministry of Education and Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
| | - Zi-Xuan He
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics, Ministry of Education and Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
| | - Wei-Xiang Guo
- State Key Laboratory for Molecular and Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Xiao-Juan Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics, Ministry of Education and Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
| | - Hua-Li Yu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics, Ministry of Education and Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Faubel RJ, Santos Canellas VS, Gaesser J, Beluk NH, Feinstein TN, Wang Y, Yankova M, Karunakaran KB, King SM, Ganapathiraju MK, Lo CW. Flow blockage disrupts cilia-driven fluid transport in the epileptic brain. Acta Neuropathol 2022; 144:691-706. [PMID: 35980457 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-022-02463-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
A carpet of ependymal motile cilia lines the brain ventricular system, forming a network of flow channels and barriers that pattern cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow at the surface. This CSF transport system is evolutionary conserved, but its physiological function remains unknown. Here we investigated its potential role in epilepsy with studies focused on CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD), a neurodevelopmental disorder with early-onset epilepsy refractory to seizure medications and the most common cause of infant epilepsy. CDKL5 is a highly conserved X-linked gene suggesting its function in regulating cilia length and motion in the green alga Chlamydomonas might have implication in the etiology of CDD. Examination of the structure and function of airway motile cilia revealed both the CDD patients and the Cdkl5 knockout mice exhibit cilia lengthening and abnormal cilia motion. Similar defects were observed for brain ventricular cilia in the Cdkl5 knockout mice. Mapping ependymal cilia generated flow in the ventral third ventricle (v3V), a brain region with important physiological functions showed altered patterning of flow. Tracing of cilia-mediated inflow into v3V with fluorescent dye revealed the appearance of a flow barrier at the inlet of v3V in Cdkl5 knockout mice. Analysis of mice with a mutation in another epilepsy-associated kinase, Yes1, showed the same disturbance of cilia motion and flow patterning. The flow barrier was also observed in the Foxj1± and FOXJ1CreERT:Cdkl5y/fl mice, confirming the contribution of ventricular cilia to the flow disturbances. Importantly, mice exhibiting altered cilia-driven flow also showed increased susceptibility to anesthesia-induced seizure-like activity. The cilia-driven flow disturbance arises from altered cilia beating orientation with the disrupted polarity of the cilia anchoring rootlet meshwork. Together these findings indicate motile cilia disturbances have an essential role in CDD-associated seizures and beyond, suggesting cilia regulating kinases may be a therapeutic target for medication-resistant epilepsy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Regina J Faubel
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15201, USA
| | - Veronica S Santos Canellas
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15201, USA
| | - Jenna Gaesser
- Division of Child Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15201, USA
| | - Nancy H Beluk
- Division of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, USA
| | - Tim N Feinstein
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15201, USA
| | - Yong Wang
- Laboratory for Fluid Physics, Pattern Formation and Biocomplexity, Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization, Am Faßberg 17, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Maya Yankova
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, And Electron Microscopy Facility, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, 06030-3305, USA
| | - Kalyani B Karunakaran
- Supercomputer Education and Research Centre, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 560012, India
| | - Stephen M King
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, And Electron Microscopy Facility, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, 06030-3305, USA
| | - Madhavi K Ganapathiraju
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15201, USA
| | - Cecilia W Lo
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15201, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Medici G, Tassinari M, Galvani G, Bastianini S, Gennaccaro L, Loi M, Mottolese N, Alvente S, Berteotti C, Sagona G, Lupori L, Candini G, Baggett HR, Zoccoli G, Giustetto M, Muotri A, Pizzorusso T, Nakai H, Trazzi S, Ciani E. Expression of a Secretable, Cell-Penetrating CDKL5 Protein Enhances the Efficacy of Gene Therapy for CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder. Neurotherapeutics 2022; 19:1886-1904. [PMID: 36109452 PMCID: PMC9723029 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-022-01295-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Although delivery of a wild-type copy of the mutated gene to cells represents the most effective approach for a monogenic disease, proof-of-concept studies highlight significant efficacy caveats for treatment of brain disorders. Herein, we develop a cross-correction-based strategy to enhance the efficiency of a gene therapy for CDKL5 deficiency disorder, a severe neurodevelopmental disorder caused by CDKL5 gene mutations. We created a gene therapy vector that produces an Igk-TATk-CDKL5 fusion protein that can be secreted via constitutive secretory pathways and, due to the cell-penetration property of the TATk peptide, internalized by cells. We found that, although AAVPHP.B_Igk-TATk-CDKL5 and AAVPHP.B_CDKL5 vectors had similar brain infection efficiency, the AAVPHP.B_Igk-TATk-CDKL5 vector led to higher CDKL5 protein replacement due to secretion and penetration of the TATk-CDKL5 protein into the neighboring cells. Importantly, Cdkl5 KO mice treated with the AAVPHP.B_Igk-TATk-CDKL5 vector showed a behavioral and neuroanatomical improvement in comparison with vehicle or AAVPHP.B_CDKL5 vector-treated Cdkl5 KO mice. In conclusion, we provide the first evidence that a gene therapy based on a cross-correction approach is more effective at compensating Cdkl5-null brain defects than gene therapy based on the expression of the native CDKL5, opening avenues for the development of this innovative approach for other monogenic diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giorgio Medici
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Science, University of Bologna, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Marianna Tassinari
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Science, University of Bologna, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Galvani
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Science, University of Bologna, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Stefano Bastianini
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Science, University of Bologna, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Laura Gennaccaro
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Science, University of Bologna, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Manuela Loi
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Science, University of Bologna, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Nicola Mottolese
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Science, University of Bologna, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Sara Alvente
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Science, University of Bologna, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Chiara Berteotti
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Science, University of Bologna, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giulia Sagona
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Florence, 50139, Psychology, Italy
| | - Leonardo Lupori
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128, Pisa, Italy
- Scuola Normale Superiore, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giulia Candini
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Science, University of Bologna, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Helen Rappe Baggett
- Departments of Molecular and Medical Genetics and Molecular Immunology and Microbiology Oregon Health & Science University, OR, 97239, Portland, USA
| | - Giovanna Zoccoli
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Science, University of Bologna, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maurizio Giustetto
- Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, OR, 10126, Turin, Italy
| | - Alysson Muotri
- School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics/Rady Children's Hospital, University of California San Diego, San Diego, USA
- Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, Kavli Institute for Brain and Mind, Archealization Center (ArchC), Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny (CARTA), La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Tommaso Pizzorusso
- Scuola Normale Superiore, 56126, Pisa, Italy
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Hiroyuki Nakai
- Departments of Molecular and Medical Genetics and Molecular Immunology and Microbiology Oregon Health & Science University, OR, 97239, Portland, USA
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, OR, 97006, USA
| | - Stefania Trazzi
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Science, University of Bologna, 40126, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Elisabetta Ciani
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Science, University of Bologna, 40126, Bologna, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
CDKL5 deficiency disorder: molecular insights and mechanisms of pathogenicity to fast-track therapeutic development. Biochem Soc Trans 2022; 50:1207-1224. [PMID: 35997111 PMCID: PMC9444073 DOI: 10.1042/bst20220791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD) is an X-linked brain disorder of young children and is caused by pathogenic variants in the cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) gene. Individuals with CDD suffer infantile onset, drug-resistant seizures, severe neurodevelopmental impairment and profound lifelong disability. The CDKL5 protein is a kinase that regulates key phosphorylation events vital to the development of the complex neuronal network of the brain. Pathogenic variants identified in patients may either result in loss of CDKL5 catalytic activity or are hypomorphic leading to partial loss of function. Whilst the progressive nature of CDD provides an excellent opportunity for disease intervention, we cannot develop effective therapeutics without in-depth knowledge of CDKL5 function in human neurons. In this mini review, we summarize new findings on the function of CDKL5. These include CDKL5 phosphorylation targets and the consequence of disruptions on signaling pathways in the human brain. This new knowledge of CDKL5 biology may be leveraged to advance targeted drug discovery and rapid development of treatments for CDD. Continued development of effective humanized models will further propel our understanding of CDD biology and may permit the development and testing of therapies that will significantly alter CDD disease trajectory in young children.
Collapse
|
36
|
mGluR5 PAMs rescue cortical and behavioural defects in a mouse model of CDKL5 deficiency disorder. Neuropsychopharmacology 2022; 48:877-886. [PMID: 35945276 PMCID: PMC10156697 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-022-01412-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) deficiency disorder (CDD) is a devastating rare neurodevelopmental disease without a cure, caused by mutations of the serine/threonine kinase CDKL5 highly expressed in the forebrain. CDD is characterized by early-onset seizures, severe intellectual disabilities, autistic-like traits, sensorimotor and cortical visual impairments (CVI). The lack of an effective therapeutic strategy for CDD urgently demands the identification of novel druggable targets potentially relevant for CDD pathophysiology. To this aim, we studied Class I metabotropic glutamate receptors 5 (mGluR5) because of their important role in the neuropathological signs produced by the lack of CDKL5 in-vivo, such as defective synaptogenesis, dendritic spines formation/maturation, synaptic transmission and plasticity. Importantly, mGluR5 function strictly depends on the correct expression of the postsynaptic protein Homer1bc that we previously found atypical in the cerebral cortex of Cdkl5-/y mice. In this study, we reveal that CDKL5 loss tampers with (i) the binding strength of Homer1bc-mGluR5 complexes, (ii) the synaptic localization of mGluR5 and (iii) the mGluR5-mediated enhancement of NMDA-induced neuronal responses. Importantly, we showed that the stimulation of mGluR5 activity by administering in mice specific positive-allosteric-modulators (PAMs), i.e., 3-Cyano-N-(1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)benzamide (CDPPB) or RO6807794, corrected the synaptic, functional and behavioral defects shown by Cdkl5-/y mice. Notably, in the visual cortex of 2 CDD patients we found changes in synaptic organization that recapitulate those of mutant CDKL5 mice, including the reduced expression of mGluR5, suggesting that these receptors represent a promising therapeutic target for CDD.
Collapse
|
37
|
Tassinari M, Mottolese N, Galvani G, Ferrara D, Gennaccaro L, Loi M, Medici G, Candini G, Rimondini R, Ciani E, Trazzi S. Luteolin Treatment Ameliorates Brain Development and Behavioral Performance in a Mouse Model of CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158719. [PMID: 35955854 PMCID: PMC9369425 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD), a rare and severe neurodevelopmental disease caused by mutations in the X-linked CDKL5 gene, is characterized by early-onset epilepsy, intellectual disability, and autistic features. Although pharmacotherapy has shown promise in the CDD mouse model, safe and effective clinical treatments are still far off. Recently, we found increased microglial activation in the brain of a mouse model of CDD, the Cdkl5 KO mouse, suggesting that a neuroinflammatory state, known to be involved in brain maturation and neuronal dysfunctions, may contribute to the pathophysiology of CDD. The present study aims to evaluate the possible beneficial effect of treatment with luteolin, a natural flavonoid known to have anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective activities, on brain development and behavior in a heterozygous Cdkl5 (+/−) female mouse, the mouse model of CDD that best resembles the genetic clinical condition. We found that inhibition of neuroinflammation by chronic luteolin treatment ameliorates motor stereotypies, hyperactive profile and memory ability in Cdkl5 +/− mice. Luteolin treatment also increases hippocampal neurogenesis and improves dendritic spine maturation and dendritic arborization of hippocampal and cortical neurons. These findings show that microglia overactivation exerts a harmful action in the Cdkl5 +/− brain, suggesting that treatments aimed at counteracting the neuroinflammatory process should be considered as a promising adjuvant therapy for CDD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Tassinari
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Nicola Mottolese
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Galvani
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Domenico Ferrara
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Laura Gennaccaro
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Manuela Loi
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Giorgio Medici
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Giulia Candini
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Roberto Rimondini
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Ciani
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Stefania Trazzi
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
McKnight D, Bean L, Karbassi I, Beattie K, Bienvenu T, Bonin H, Fang P, Chrisodoulou J, Friez M, Helgeson M, Krishnaraj R, Meng L, Mighion L, Neul J, Percy A, Ramsden S, Zoghbi H, Das S. Recommendations by the ClinGen Rett/Angelman-like expert panel for gene-specific variant interpretation methods. Hum Mutat 2022; 43:1097-1113. [PMID: 34837432 PMCID: PMC9135956 DOI: 10.1002/humu.24302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The genes MECP2, CDKL5, FOXG1, UBE3A, SLC9A6, and TCF4 present unique challenges for current ACMG/AMP variant interpretation guidelines. To address those challenges, the Rett and Angelman-like Disorders Variant Curation Expert Panel (Rett/AS VCEP) drafted gene-specific modifications. A pilot study was conducted to test the clarity and accuracy of using the customized variant interpretation criteria. Multiple curators obtained the same interpretation for 78 out of the 87 variants (~90%), indicating appropriate usage of the modified guidelines the majority of times by all the curators. The classification of 13 variants changed using these criteria specifications compared to when the variants were originally curated and as present in ClinVar. Many of these changes were due to internal data shared from laboratory members however some changes were because of changes in strength of criteria. There were no two-step classification changes and only 1 clinically relevant change (Likely pathogenic to VUS). The Rett/AS VCEP hopes that these gene-specific variant curation rules and the assertions provided help clinicians, clinical laboratories, and others interpret variants in these genes but also other fully penetrant, early-onset genes associated with rare disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - John Chrisodoulou
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute and the University of Melbourne,University of Sydney
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
39
|
Varela T, Varela D, Martins G, Conceição N, Cancela ML. Cdkl5 mutant zebrafish shows skeletal and neuronal alterations mimicking human CDKL5 deficiency disorder. Sci Rep 2022; 12:9325. [PMID: 35665761 PMCID: PMC9167277 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-13364-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD) is a rare neurodevelopmental condition characterized primarily by seizures and impairment of cognitive and motor skills. Additional phenotypes include microcephaly, dysmorphic facial features, and scoliosis. Mutations in cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) gene, encoding a kinase essential for normal brain development and function, are responsible for CDD. Zebrafish is an accepted biomedical model for the study of several genetic diseases and has many advantages over other models. Therefore, this work aimed to characterize the phenotypic, behavioral, and molecular consequences of the Cdkl5 protein disruption in a cdkl5 mutant zebrafish line (sa21938). cdkl5sa21938 mutants displayed a reduced head size, suggesting microcephaly, a feature frequently observed in CDD individuals. Double staining revealed shorter craniofacial cartilage structures and decrease bone mineralization in cdkl5 homozygous zebrafish indicating an abnormal craniofacial cartilage development and impaired skeletal development. Motor behavior analysis showed that cdkl5sa21938 embryos had less frequency of double coiling suggesting impaired glutamatergic neurotransmission. Locomotor behavior analysis revealed that homozygous embryos swim shorter distances, indicative of impaired motor activity which is one of the main traits of CCD. Although no apparent spontaneous seizures were observed in these models, upon treatment with pentylenetetrazole, seizure behavior and an increase in the distance travelled were observed. Quantitative PCR showed that neuronal markers, including glutamatergic genes were dysregulated in cdkl5sa21938 mutant embryos. In conclusion, homozygous cdkl5sa21938 zebrafish mimic several characteristics of CDD, thus validating them as a suitable animal model to better understand the physiopathology of this disorder.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Varela
- Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Débora Varela
- Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Gil Martins
- Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Natércia Conceição
- Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal.
- Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal.
- Algarve Biomedical Center, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal.
| | - M Leonor Cancela
- Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal.
- Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal.
- Algarve Biomedical Center, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal.
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Allen M, Huang BS, Notaras MJ, Lodhi A, Barrio-Alonso E, Lituma PJ, Wolujewicz P, Witztum J, Longo F, Chen M, Greening DW, Klann E, Ross ME, Liston C, Colak D. Astrocytes derived from ASD individuals alter behavior and destabilize neuronal activity through aberrant Ca 2+ signaling. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:2470-2484. [PMID: 35365802 PMCID: PMC9135629 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01486-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The cellular mechanisms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are poorly understood. Cumulative evidence suggests that abnormal synapse function underlies many features of this disease. Astrocytes regulate several key neuronal processes, including the formation of synapses and the modulation of synaptic plasticity. Astrocyte abnormalities have also been identified in the postmortem brain tissue of ASD individuals. However, it remains unclear whether astrocyte pathology plays a mechanistic role in ASD, as opposed to a compensatory response. To address this, we combined stem cell culturing with transplantation techniques to determine disease-specific properties inherent to ASD astrocytes. We demonstrate that ASD astrocytes induce repetitive behavior as well as impair memory and long-term potentiation when transplanted into the healthy mouse brain. These in vivo phenotypes were accompanied by reduced neuronal network activity and spine density caused by ASD astrocytes in hippocampal neurons in vitro. Transplanted ASD astrocytes also exhibit exaggerated Ca2+ fluctuations in chimeric brains. Genetic modulation of evoked Ca2+ responses in ASD astrocytes modulates behavior and neuronal activity deficits. Thus, this study determines that astrocytes derived from ASD iPSCs are sufficient to induce repetitive behavior as well as cognitive deficit, suggesting a previously unrecognized primary role for astrocytes in ASD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Megan Allen
- Center for Neurogenetics, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ben S Huang
- Center for Neurogenetics, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Michael J Notaras
- Center for Neurogenetics, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Aiman Lodhi
- Center for Neurogenetics, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Estibaliz Barrio-Alonso
- Center for Neurogenetics, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Pablo J Lituma
- Center for Neurogenetics, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Paul Wolujewicz
- Center for Neurogenetics, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jonathan Witztum
- Center for Neurogenetics, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Francesco Longo
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Maoshan Chen
- Molecular Proteomics, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Baker Department of Cardiometabolic Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Baker Department of Cardiovascular Research, Translation and Implementation, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - David W Greening
- Molecular Proteomics, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Baker Department of Cardiometabolic Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Baker Department of Cardiovascular Research, Translation and Implementation, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Eric Klann
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - M Elizabeth Ross
- Center for Neurogenetics, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Conor Liston
- Center for Neurogenetics, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Dilek Colak
- Center for Neurogenetics, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA. .,Gale and Ira Drukier Institute for Children's Health, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Adhikari A, Buchanan FKB, Fenton TA, Cameron DL, Halmai JANM, Copping NA, Fink KD, Silverman JL. Touchscreen Cognitive Deficits, Hyperexcitability, and Hyperactivity in Males and Females Using Two Models of Cdkl5 Deficiency. Hum Mol Genet 2022; 31:3032-3050. [PMID: 35445702 PMCID: PMC9476626 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddac091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Many neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are the result of mutations on the X chromosome. One severe NDD resulting from mutations on the X chromosome is CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD). CDD is an epigenetic, X-linked NDD characterized by intellectual disability (ID), pervasive seizures and severe sleep disruption, including recurring hospitalizations. CDD occurs at a 4:1 ratio, with a female bias. CDD is driven by the loss of cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5), a serine/threonine kinase that is essential for typical brain development, synapse formation and signal transmission. Previous studies focused on male subjects from animal models, likely to avoid the complexity of X mosaicism. For the first time, we report translationally relevant behavioral phenotypes in young adult (8–20 weeks) females and males with robust signal size, including impairments in learning and memory, substantial hyperactivity and increased susceptibility to seizures/reduced seizure thresholds, in both sexes, and in two models of CDD preclinical mice, one with a general loss-of-function mutation and one that is a patient-derived mutation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Adhikari
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA
| | - Fiona K B Buchanan
- Department of Neurology, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA.,Stem Cell Program and Gene Therapy Center, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA
| | - Timothy A Fenton
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA
| | - David L Cameron
- Department of Neurology, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA.,Stem Cell Program and Gene Therapy Center, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA
| | - Julian A N M Halmai
- Department of Neurology, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA.,Stem Cell Program and Gene Therapy Center, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA
| | - Nycole A Copping
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA
| | - Kyle D Fink
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA.,Department of Neurology, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA.,Stem Cell Program and Gene Therapy Center, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA
| | - Jill L Silverman
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Di Nardo A, Rühmkorf A, Award P, Brennecke A, Fagiolini M, Sahin M. Phenotypic characterization of Cdkl5-knockdown neurons establishes elongated cilia as a functional assay for CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder. Neurosci Res 2022; 176:73-78. [PMID: 34624412 PMCID: PMC8960319 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2021.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder (CDD) is a severe encephalopathy characterized by intractable epilepsy, infantile spasms, and cognitive disabilities. The detrimental CNS manifestations and lack of therapeutic interventions represent unmet needs, necessitating identification of CDD-dependent phenotypes for in vitro disease modeling and therapeutic testing. Here, we optimized a high-content assay to quantify cilia in CDKL5-deficient neurons. Our work shows that Cdkl5-knockdown neurons have elongated cilia and uncovers cilium lengthening in hippocampi of Cdkl5 knockout mice. Collectively, our findings identify cilia length alterations under CDKL5 activity loss in vitro and in vivo and reveal elongated cilia as a robust functional phenotype for CDD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Di Nardo
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Rosamund Stone Zander Translational Neuroscience Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Genetic and Developmental Disorders Research Unit, Biogen 115 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA(1)
| | - Alina Rühmkorf
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Rosamund Stone Zander Translational Neuroscience Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Patricia Award
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ashton Brennecke
- Genetic and Developmental Disorders Research Unit, Biogen 115 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA(1)
| | - Michela Fagiolini
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Hock E. Tan and K. Lisa Yang Center for Autism Research at Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Mustafa Sahin
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Rosamund Stone Zander Translational Neuroscience Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Barbiero I, Bianchi M, Kilstrup‐Nielsen C. Therapeutic potential of pregnenolone and pregnenolone methyl ether on depressive and CDKL5 deficiency disorders: Focus on microtubule targeting. J Neuroendocrinol 2022; 34:e13033. [PMID: 34495563 PMCID: PMC9286658 DOI: 10.1111/jne.13033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Pregnenolone methyl-ether (PME) is a synthetic derivative of the endogenous neuroactive steroid pregnenolone (PREG), which is an important modulator of several brain functions. In addition to being the precursor of steroids, PREG acts directly on various targets including microtubules (MTs), the functioning of which is fundamental for the development and homeostasis of nervous system. The coordination of MT dynamics is supported by a plethora of MT-associated proteins (MAPs) and by a specific MT code that is defined by the post-translational modifications of tubulin. Defects associated with MAPs or tubulin post-translational modifications are linked to different neurological pathologies including mood and neurodevelopmental disorders. In this review, we describe the beneficial effect of PME in major depressive disorders (MDDs) and in CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD), two pathologies that are joint by defective MT dynamics. Growing evidence indeed suggests that PME, as well as PREG, is able to positively affect the MT-binding of MAP2 and the plus-end tracking protein CLIP170 that are both found to be deregulated in the above mentioned pathologies. Furthermore, PME influences the state of MT acetylation, the deregulation of which is often associated with neurological abnormalities including MDDs. By contrast to PREG, PME is not metabolised into other downstream molecules with specific biological properties, an aspect that makes this compound more suitable for therapeutic strategies. Thus, through the analysis of MDDs and CDD, this work focuses attention on the possible use of PME for neuronal pathologies associated with MT defects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isabella Barbiero
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, (DBSV)Centre of NeuroScienceUniversity of InsubriaBusto ArsizioItaly
| | - Massimiliano Bianchi
- Ulysses Neuroscience Ltd.Trinity College DublinDublinIreland
- Institute of NeuroscienceTrinity College DublinDublinIreland
| | - Charlotte Kilstrup‐Nielsen
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, (DBSV)Centre of NeuroScienceUniversity of InsubriaBusto ArsizioItaly
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Neuronal Yin Yang1 in the prefrontal cortex regulates transcriptional and behavioral responses to chronic stress in mice. Nat Commun 2022; 13:55. [PMID: 35013139 PMCID: PMC8748737 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27571-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the synaptic alterations associated with the stress-related mood disorder major depression has been well-documented, the underlying transcriptional mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we perform complementary bulk nuclei- and single-nucleus transcriptome profiling and map locus-specific chromatin interactions in mouse neocortex to identify the cell type-specific transcriptional changes associated with stress-induced behavioral maladaptation. We find that cortical excitatory neurons, layer 2/3 neurons in particular, are vulnerable to chronic stress and acquire signatures of gene transcription and chromatin structure associated with reduced neuronal activity and expression of Yin Yang 1 (YY1). Selective ablation of YY1 in cortical excitatory neurons enhances stress sensitivity in both male and female mice and alters the expression of stress-associated genes following an abbreviated stress exposure. These findings demonstrate how chronic stress impacts transcription in cortical excitatory neurons and identify YY1 as a regulator of stress-induced maladaptive behavior in mice. The mechanisms underlying the chronic stress-induced increased risk for major depressive disorder and anxiety are unclear. Here, the authors show the transcriptional changes occurring in neocortical neurons and identify YY1 as a regulator of chronic stress-induced maladaptive behavior in mice.
Collapse
|
45
|
Serrano RJ, Lee C, Douek AM, Kaslin J, Bryson-Richardson RJ, Sztal TE. Novel pre-clinical model for CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder. Dis Model Mech 2021; 15:273746. [PMID: 34913468 PMCID: PMC8922025 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.049094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase-like-5 (CDKL5) deficiency disorder (CDD) is a severe X-linked neurodegenerative disease characterised by early-onset epileptic seizures, low muscle tone, progressive intellectual disability and severe motor function. CDD affects ∼1 in 60,000 live births, with many patients experiencing a reduced quality of life due to the severity of their neurological symptoms and functional impairment. There are no effective therapies for CDD, with current treatments focusing on improving symptoms rather than addressing the underlying causes of the disorder. Zebrafish offer many unique advantages for high-throughput preclinical evaluation of potential therapies for neurological diseases, including CDD. In particular, the large number of offspring produced, together with the possibilities for in vivo imaging and genetic manipulation, allows for the detailed assessment of disease pathogenesis and therapeutic discovery. We have characterised a loss-of-function zebrafish model for CDD, containing a nonsense mutation in cdkl5. cdkl5 mutant zebrafish display defects in neuronal patterning, seizures, microcephaly, and reduced muscle function caused by impaired muscle innervation. This study provides a powerful vertebrate model for investigating CDD disease pathophysiology and allowing high-throughput screening for effective therapies. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper. Summary: Characterisation of a novel loss-of-function zebrafish model for CDKL5 deficiency disorder, containing a nonsense mutation, demonstrates its utility for investigating disease aetiology and allowing high-throughput screening for potentially effective therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rita J Serrano
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Clara Lee
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Alon M Douek
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Jan Kaslin
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Tamar E Sztal
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Negraes PD, Trujillo CA, Yu NK, Wu W, Yao H, Liang N, Lautz JD, Kwok E, McClatchy D, Diedrich J, de Bartolome SM, Truong J, Szeto R, Tran T, Herai RH, Smith SEP, Haddad GG, Yates JR, Muotri AR. Altered network and rescue of human neurons derived from individuals with early-onset genetic epilepsy. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:7047-7068. [PMID: 33888873 PMCID: PMC8531162 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01104-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Early-onset epileptic encephalopathies are severe disorders often associated with specific genetic mutations. In this context, the CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by early-onset seizures, intellectual delay, and motor dysfunction. Although crucial for proper brain development, the precise targets of CDKL5 and its relation to patients' symptoms are still unknown. Here, induced pluripotent stem cells derived from individuals deficient in CDKL5 protein were used to generate neural cells. Proteomic and phosphoproteomic approaches revealed disruption of several pathways, including microtubule-based processes and cytoskeleton organization. While CDD-derived neural progenitor cells have proliferation defects, neurons showed morphological alterations and compromised glutamatergic synaptogenesis. Moreover, the electrical activity of CDD cortical neurons revealed hyperexcitability during development, leading to an overly synchronized network. Many parameters of this hyperactive network were rescued by lead compounds selected from a human high-throughput drug screening platform. Our results enlighten cellular, molecular, and neural network mechanisms of genetic epilepsy that could ultimately promote novel therapeutic opportunities for patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Priscilla D Negraes
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Cleber A Trujillo
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| | - Nam-Kyung Yu
- Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Wei Wu
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Hang Yao
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Nicholas Liang
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jonathan D Lautz
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Ellius Kwok
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Daniel McClatchy
- Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jolene Diedrich
- Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | | | - Justin Truong
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ryan Szeto
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Timothy Tran
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Roberto H Herai
- Experimental Multiuser Laboratory, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Stephen E P Smith
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Gabriel G Haddad
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - John R Yates
- Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Alysson R Muotri
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Kavli Institute for Brain and Mind, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny (CARTA), La Jolla, CA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Hao S, Wang Q, Tang B, Wu Z, Yang T, Tang J. CDKL5 Deficiency Augments Inhibitory Input into the Dentate Gyrus That Can Be Reversed by Deep Brain Stimulation. J Neurosci 2021; 41:9031-9046. [PMID: 34544833 PMCID: PMC8549531 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1010-21.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cognitive impairment is a core feature of cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) deficiency, a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by early epileptic seizures, intellectual disability, and autistic behaviors. Although loss of CDKL5 affects a number of molecular pathways, very little has been discovered about the physiological effects of these changes on the neural circuitry. We therefore studied synaptic plasticity and local circuit activity in the dentate gyrus of both Cdkl5-/y and Cdkl5+/- mutant mice. We found that CDKL5 haploinsufficiency in both male and female mice impairs hippocampus-dependent learning and memory in multiple tasks. In vivo, loss of CDKL5 reduced LTP of the perforant path to the dentate gyrus and augmented feedforward inhibition in this pathway; ex vivo experiments confirmed that excitatory/inhibitory input into the dentate gyrus is skewed toward inhibition. Injecting the GABAergic antagonist gabazine into the dentate improved contextual fear memory in Cdkl5-/y mice. Finally, chronic forniceal deep brain stimulation rescued hippocampal memory deficits, restored synaptic plasticity, and relieved feedforward inhibition in Cdkl5+/- mice. These results indicate that CDKL5 is important for maintaining proper dentate excitatory/inhibitory balance, with consequences for hippocampal memory.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Cognitive impairment is a core feature of cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) deficiency disorder. Although CDKL5 deficiency has been found to affect a number of molecular pathways, little is known about its physiological effects on the neural circuitry. We find that CDKL5 loss reduces hippocampal synaptic plasticity and augments feedforward inhibition in the perforant path to the dentate gyrus in vivo in Cdkl5 mutant mice. Chronic forniceal deep brain stimulation rescued hippocampal memory deficits, restored synaptic plasticity, and relieved feedforward inhibition in Cdkl5+/- mice, as it had previously done with Rett syndrome mice, suggesting that such stimulation may be useful for other neurodevelopmental disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Hao
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Qi Wang
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Bin Tang
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Zhenyu Wu
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Tingting Yang
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
- Department of Neurology, People's Hospital of Guizhou Province, Guiyang, 560000, China
| | - Jianrong Tang
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Terzic B, Davatolhagh MF, Ho Y, Tang S, Liu YT, Xia Z, Cui Y, Fuccillo MV, Zhou Z. Temporal manipulation of Cdkl5 reveals essential postdevelopmental functions and reversible CDKL5 deficiency disorder-related deficits. J Clin Invest 2021; 131:143655. [PMID: 34651584 DOI: 10.1172/jci143655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD) is an early onset, neurodevelopmental syndrome associated with pathogenic variants in the X-linked gene encoding cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5). CDKL5 has been implicated in neuronal synapse maturation, yet its postdevelopmental necessity and the reversibility of CDD-associated impairments remain unknown. We temporally manipulated endogenous Cdkl5 expression in male mice and found that postdevelopmental loss of CDKL5 disrupts numerous behavioral domains, hippocampal circuit communication, and dendritic spine morphology, demonstrating an indispensable role for CDKL5 in the adult brain. Accordingly, restoration of Cdkl5 after the early stages of brain development using a conditional rescue mouse model ameliorated CDD-related behavioral impairments and aberrant NMDA receptor signaling. These findings highlight the requirement of CDKL5 beyond early development, underscore the potential for disease reversal in CDD, and suggest that a broad therapeutic time window exists for potential treatment of CDD-related deficits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - M Felicia Davatolhagh
- Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Marc V Fuccillo
- Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
Jhang CL, Lee HY, Chen JC, Liao W. Dopaminergic loss of cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 recapitulates methylphenidate-remediable hyperlocomotion in mouse model of CDKL5 deficiency disorder. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 29:2408-2419. [PMID: 32588892 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddaa122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2020] [Revised: 05/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5), a serine-threonine kinase encoded by an X-linked gene, is highly expressed in the mammalian forebrain. Mutations in this gene cause CDKL5 deficiency disorder, a neurodevelopmental encephalopathy characterized by early-onset seizures, motor dysfunction, and intellectual disability. We previously found that mice lacking CDKL5 exhibit hyperlocomotion and increased impulsivity, resembling the core symptoms in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Here, we report the potential neural mechanisms and treatment for hyperlocomotion induced by CDKL5 deficiency. Our results showed that loss of CDKL5 decreases the proportion of phosphorylated dopamine transporter (DAT) in the rostral striatum, leading to increased levels of extracellular dopamine and hyperlocomotion. Administration of methylphenidate (MPH), a DAT inhibitor clinically effective to improve symptoms in ADHD, significantly alleviated the hyperlocomotion phenotype in Cdkl5 null mice. In addition, the improved behavioral effects of MPH were accompanied by a region-specific restoration of phosphorylated dopamine- and cAMP-regulated phosphoprotein Mr 32 kDa, a key signaling protein for striatal motor output. Finally, mice carrying a Cdkl5 deletion selectively in DAT-expressing dopaminergic neurons, but not dopamine receptive neurons, recapitulated the hyperlocomotion phenotype found in Cdkl5 null mice. Our findings suggest that CDKL5 is essential to control locomotor behavior by regulating region-specific dopamine content and phosphorylation of dopamine signaling proteins in the striatum. The direct, as well as indirect, target proteins regulated by CDKL5 may play a key role in movement control and the therapeutic development for hyperactivity disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cian-Ling Jhang
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Cheng-Chi University, Taipei 116, Taiwan
| | - Hom-Yi Lee
- Department of Psychology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402, Taiwan.,Department of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Jin-Chung Chen
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
| | - Wenlin Liao
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Cheng-Chi University, Taipei 116, Taiwan.,Research Center for Mind, Brain and Learning, National Cheng-Chi University, Taipei 116, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Cellular and Behavioral Characterization of Pcdh19 Mutant Mice: subtle Molecular Changes, Increased Exploratory Behavior and an Impact of Social Environment. eNeuro 2021; 8:ENEURO.0510-20.2021. [PMID: 34272258 PMCID: PMC8362684 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0510-20.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the X-linked cell adhesion protein PCDH19 lead to seizures, cognitive impairment, and other behavioral comorbidities when present in a mosaic pattern. Neither the molecular mechanisms underpinning this disorder nor the function of PCDH19 itself are well understood. By combining RNA in situ hybridization with immunohistochemistry and analyzing single-cell RNA sequencing datasets, we reveal Pcdh19 expression in cortical interneurons and provide a first account of the subtypes of neurons expressing Pcdh19/PCDH19, both in the mouse and the human cortex. Our quantitative analysis of the Pcdh19 mutant mouse exposes subtle changes in cortical layer composition, with no major alterations of the main axonal tracts. In addition, Pcdh19 mutant animals, particularly females, display preweaning behavioral changes, including reduced anxiety and increased exploratory behavior. Importantly, our experiments also reveal an effect of the social environment on the behavior of wild-type littermates of Pcdh19 mutant mice, which show alterations when compared with wild-type animals not housed with mutants.
Collapse
|