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Audouard E, Khefif N, Gillet-Legrand B, Nobilleau F, Bouazizi O, Stanga S, Despres G, Alves S, Lamazière A, Cartier N, Piguet F. Modulation of Brain Cholesterol Metabolism through CYP46A1 Overexpression for Rett Syndrome. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:756. [PMID: 38931878 PMCID: PMC11207948 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16060756] [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: 05/02/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutation in the X-linked gene methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (Mecp2), a ubiquitously expressed transcriptional regulator. RTT results in mental retardation and developmental regression that affects approximately 1 in 10,000 females. Currently, there is no curative treatment for RTT. Thus, it is crucial to develop new therapeutic approaches for children suffering from RTT. Several studies suggested that RTT is linked with defects in cholesterol homeostasis, but for the first time, therapeutic evaluation is carried out by modulating this pathway. Moreover, AAV-based CYP46A1 overexpression, the enzyme involved in cholesterol pathway, has been demonstrated to be efficient in several neurodegenerative diseases. Based on these data, we strongly believe that CYP46A1 could be a relevant therapeutic target for RTT. Herein, we evaluated the effects of intravenous AAVPHP.eB-hCYP46A1-HA delivery in male and female Mecp2-deficient mice. The applied AAVPHP.eB-hCYP46A1 transduced essential neurons of the central nervous system (CNS). CYP46A1 overexpression alleviates behavioral alterations in both male and female Mecp2 knockout mice and extends the lifespan in Mecp2-deficient males. Several parameters related to cholesterol pathway are improved and correction of mitochondrial activity is demonstrated in treated mice, which highlighted the clear therapeutic benefit of CYP46A1 through the neuroprotection effect. IV delivery of AAVPHP.eB-CYP46A1 is perfectly well tolerated with no inflammation observed in the CNS of the treated mice. Altogether, our results strongly suggest that CYP46A1 is a relevant target and overexpression could alleviate the phenotype of Rett patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Audouard
- TIDU GENOV, Institut du Cerveau, ICM, F-75013 Paris, France;
- Institut du Cerveau, ICM, Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne Université, F-75013 Paris, France (B.G.-L.); (S.A.)
| | - Nicolas Khefif
- Institut du Cerveau, ICM, Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne Université, F-75013 Paris, France (B.G.-L.); (S.A.)
| | - Béatrix Gillet-Legrand
- Institut du Cerveau, ICM, Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne Université, F-75013 Paris, France (B.G.-L.); (S.A.)
| | - Fanny Nobilleau
- Institut du Cerveau, ICM, Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne Université, F-75013 Paris, France (B.G.-L.); (S.A.)
| | - Ouafa Bouazizi
- Institut du Cerveau, ICM, Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne Université, F-75013 Paris, France (B.G.-L.); (S.A.)
| | - Serena Stanga
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, 10043 Orbassano, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience Rita Levi Montalcini, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Gaëtan Despres
- Saint Antoine Research Center, INSERM UMR 938, Département de Métabolomique Clinique, Hôpital Saint Antoine, AP-HP Sorbonne Université, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Sandro Alves
- Institut du Cerveau, ICM, Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne Université, F-75013 Paris, France (B.G.-L.); (S.A.)
| | - Antonin Lamazière
- Saint Antoine Research Center, INSERM UMR 938, Département de Métabolomique Clinique, Hôpital Saint Antoine, AP-HP Sorbonne Université, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Nathalie Cartier
- Institut du Cerveau, ICM, Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne Université, F-75013 Paris, France (B.G.-L.); (S.A.)
| | - Françoise Piguet
- TIDU GENOV, Institut du Cerveau, ICM, F-75013 Paris, France;
- Institut du Cerveau, ICM, Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne Université, F-75013 Paris, France (B.G.-L.); (S.A.)
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2
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Pramanik S, Bala A, Pradhan A. Zebrafish in understanding molecular pathophysiology, disease modeling, and developing effective treatments for Rett syndrome. J Gene Med 2024; 26:e3677. [PMID: 38380785 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.3677] [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: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT) is a rare but dreadful X-linked genetic disease that mainly affects young girls. It is a neurological disease that affects nerve cell development and function, resulting in severe motor and intellectual disabilities. To date, no cure is available for treating this disease. In 90% of the cases, RTT is caused by a mutation in methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MECP2), a transcription factor involved in the repression and activation of transcription. MECP2 is known to regulate several target genes and is involved in different physiological functions. Mouse models exhibit a broad range of phenotypes in recapitulating human RTT symptoms; however, understanding the disease mechanisms remains incomplete, and many potential RTT treatments developed in mouse models have not shown translational effectiveness in human trials. Recent data hint that the zebrafish model emulates similar disrupted neurological functions following mutation of the mecp2 gene. This suggests that zebrafish can be used to understand the onset and progression of RTT pathophysiology and develop a possible cure. In this review, we elaborate on the molecular basis of RTT pathophysiology in humans and model organisms, including rodents and zebrafish, focusing on the zebrafish model to understand the molecular pathophysiology and the development of therapeutic strategies for RTT. Finally, we propose a rational treatment strategy, including antisense oligonucleotides, small interfering RNA technology and induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subrata Pramanik
- Jyoti and Bhupat Mehta School of Health Sciences and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam, India
- Centre for Nanotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Asis Bala
- Pharmacology and Drug Discovery Research Laboratory, Division of Life Sciences; Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), An Autonomous Institute Under - Department of Science & Technology (Govt. of India) Vigyan Path, Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Ajay Pradhan
- Biology, The Life Science Center, School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
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3
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Cording KR, Bateup HS. Altered motor learning and coordination in mouse models of autism spectrum disorder. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1270489. [PMID: 38026686 PMCID: PMC10663323 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1270489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder with increasing prevalence. Over 1,000 risk genes have now been implicated in ASD, suggesting diverse etiology. However, the diagnostic criteria for the disorder still comprise two major behavioral domains - deficits in social communication and interaction, and the presence of restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior (RRBs). The RRBs associated with ASD include both stereotyped repetitive movements and other motor manifestations including changes in gait, balance, coordination, and motor skill learning. In recent years, the striatum, the primary input center of the basal ganglia, has been implicated in these ASD-associated motor behaviors, due to the striatum's role in action selection, motor learning, and habit formation. Numerous mouse models with mutations in ASD risk genes have been developed and shown to have alterations in ASD-relevant behaviors. One commonly used assay, the accelerating rotarod, allows for assessment of both basic motor coordination and motor skill learning. In this corticostriatal-dependent task, mice walk on a rotating rod that gradually increases in speed. In the extended version of this task, mice engage striatal-dependent learning mechanisms to optimize their motor routine and stay on the rod for longer periods. This review summarizes the findings of studies examining rotarod performance across a range of ASD mouse models, and the resulting implications for the involvement of striatal circuits in ASD-related motor behaviors. While performance in this task is not uniform across mouse models, there is a cohort of models that show increased rotarod performance. A growing number of studies suggest that this increased propensity to learn a fixed motor routine may reflect a common enhancement of corticostriatal drive across a subset of mice with mutations in ASD-risk genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine R. Cording
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Helen S. Bateup
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
- Molecular and Cell Biology Department, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, United States
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4
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Pepe G, Fioriniello S, Marracino F, Capocci L, Maglione V, D'Esposito M, Di Pardo A, Della Ragione F. Blood–Brain Barrier Integrity Is Perturbed in a Mecp2-Null Mouse Model of Rett Syndrome. Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13040606. [PMID: 37189354 DOI: 10.3390/biom13040606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT, online MIM 312750) is a devastating neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by motor and cognitive disabilities. It is mainly caused by pathogenetic variants in the X-linked MECP2 gene, encoding an epigenetic factor crucial for brain functioning. Despite intensive studies, the RTT pathogenetic mechanism remains to be fully elucidated. Impaired vascular function has been previously reported in RTT mouse models; however, whether an altered brain vascular homeostasis and the subsequent blood–brain barrier (BBB) breakdown occur in RTT and contribute to the disease-related cognitive impairment is still unknown. Interestingly, in symptomatic Mecp2-null (Mecp2-/y, Mecp2tm1.1Bird) mice, we found enhanced BBB permeability associated with an aberrant expression of the tight junction proteins Ocln and Cldn-5 in different brain areas, in terms of both transcript and protein levels. Additionally, Mecp2-null mice showed an altered expression of different genes encoding factors with a role in the BBB structure and function, such as Cldn3, Cldn12, Mpdz, Jam2, and Aqp4. With this study, we provide the first evidence of impaired BBB integrity in RTT and highlight a potential new molecular hallmark of the disease that might open new perspectives for the setting-up of novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Salvatore Fioriniello
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics 'A. Buzzati-Traverso', CNR, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Maurizio D'Esposito
- IRCCS Neuromed, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics 'A. Buzzati-Traverso', CNR, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | | | - Floriana Della Ragione
- IRCCS Neuromed, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics 'A. Buzzati-Traverso', CNR, 80131 Naples, Italy
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5
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Exploration of group II metabotropic glutamate receptor modulation in mouse models of Rett syndrome and MECP2 Duplication syndrome. Neuropharmacology 2022; 209:109022. [PMID: 35248529 PMCID: PMC8973998 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109022] [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: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT) and MECP2 Duplication syndrome (MDS) have opposing molecular origins in relation to expression and function of the transcriptional regulator Methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2). Several clinical and preclinical phenotypes, however, are shared between these disorders. Modulation of MeCP2 levels has recently emerged as a potential treatment option for both of these diseases. However, toxicity concerns remain with these approaches. Here, we focus on pharmacologically modulating the group II metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGlu), mGlu2 and mGlu3, which are two downstream targets of MeCP2 that are bidirectionally affected in expression in RTT patients and mice (Mecp2Null/+) versus an MDS mouse model (MECP2Tg1/o). Mecp2Null/+ and MECP2Tg1/o animals also exhibit contrasting phenotypes in trace fear acquisition, a form of temporal associative learning and memory, with trace fear deficiency observed in Mecp2Null/+ mice and abnormally enhanced trace fear acquisition in MECP2Tg1/o animals. In Mecp2Null/+ mice, treatment with the mGlu2/3 agonist LY379268 reverses the deficit in trace fear acquisition, and mGlu2/3 antagonism with LY341495 normalizes the abnormal trace fear learning and memory phenotype in MECP2Tg1/o mice. Altogether, these data highlight the role of group II mGlu receptors in RTT and MDS and demonstrate that both mGlu2 and mGlu3 may be potential therapeutic targets for these disorders.
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6
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MeCP2 and transcriptional control of eukaryotic gene expression. Eur J Cell Biol 2022; 101:151237. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2022.151237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2022] [Revised: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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7
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Gutiérrez JF, Natali G, Giorgi J, De Leonibus E, Tongiorgi E. Mirtazapine treatment in a young female mouse model of Rett syndrome identifies time windows for the rescue of early phenotypes. Exp Neurol 2022; 353:114056. [DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2022.114056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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8
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Ribeiro MC, MacDonald JL. Vitamin D modulates cortical transcriptome and behavioral phenotypes in an Mecp2 heterozygous Rett syndrome mouse model. Neurobiol Dis 2022; 165:105636. [PMID: 35091041 PMCID: PMC8864637 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2022.105636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT) is an X-linked neurological disorder caused by mutations in the transcriptional regulator MECP2. Mecp2 loss-of-function leads to the disruption of many cellular pathways, including aberrant activation of the NF-κB pathway. Genetically attenuating the NF-κB pathway in Mecp2-null mice ameliorates hallmark phenotypes of RTT, including reduced dendritic complexity, raising the question of whether NF-κB pathway inhibitors could provide a therapeutic avenue for RTT. Vitamin D is a known inhibitor of NF-κB signaling; further, vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in RTT patients and male Mecp2-null mice. We previously demonstrated that vitamin D rescues the aberrant NF-κB activity and reduced neurite outgrowth of Mecp2-knockdown cortical neurons in vitro, and that dietary vitamin D supplementation rescues decreased dendritic complexity and soma size of neocortical projection neurons in both male hemizygous Mecp2-null and female heterozygous mice in vivo. Here, we have identified over 200 genes whose dysregulated expression in the Mecp2+/- cortex is modulated by dietary vitamin D. Genes normalized with vitamin D supplementation are involved in dendritic complexity, synapses, and neuronal projections, suggesting that the rescue of their expression could underpin the rescue of neuronal morphology. Further, there is a disruption in the homeostasis of the vitamin D synthesis pathway in Mecp2+/- mice, and motor and anxiety-like behavioral phenotypes in Mecp2+/- mice correlate with circulating vitamin D levels. Thus, our data indicate that vitamin D modulates RTT pathology and its supplementation could provide a simple and cost-effective partial therapeutic for RTT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayara C Ribeiro
- Department of Biology, Program in Neuroscience, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, United States of America
| | - Jessica L MacDonald
- Department of Biology, Program in Neuroscience, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, United States of America.
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9
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Carstens KE, Lustberg DJ, Shaughnessy EK, McCann KE, Alexander GM, Dudek SM. Perineuronal net degradation rescues CA2 plasticity in a mouse model of Rett syndrome. J Clin Invest 2021; 131:e137221. [PMID: 34228646 DOI: 10.1172/jci137221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Perineuronal nets (PNNs), a specialized form of extracellular matrix, are abnormal in the brains of people with Rett syndrome (RTT). We previously reported that PNNs function to restrict synaptic plasticity in hippocampal area CA2, which is unusually resistant to long-term potentiation (LTP) and has been linked to social learning in mice. Here we report that PNNs appear elevated in area CA2 of the hippocampus of an individual with RTT and that PNNs develop precociously and remain elevated in area CA2 of a mouse model of RTT (Mecp2-null). Further, we provide evidence that LTP could be induced at CA2 synapses prior to PNN maturation (postnatal day 8-11) in wild-type mice and that this window of plasticity was prematurely restricted at CA2 synapses in Mecp2-null mice. Degrading PNNs in Mecp2-null hippocampus was sufficient to rescue the premature disruption of CA2 plasticity. We identified several molecular targets that were altered in the developing Mecp2-null hippocampus that may explain aberrant PNNs and CA2 plasticity, and we discovered that CA2 PNNs are negatively regulated by neuronal activity. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that CA2 PNN development is regulated by Mecp2 and identify a window of hippocampal plasticity that is disrupted in a mouse model of RTT.
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10
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Vermudez SAD, Gogliotti RG, Arthur B, Buch A, Morales C, Moxley Y, Rajpal H, Conn PJ, Niswender CM. Profiling beneficial and potential adverse effects of MeCP2 overexpression in a hypomorphic Rett syndrome mouse model. GENES, BRAIN, AND BEHAVIOR 2021; 21:e12752. [PMID: 34002468 PMCID: PMC8599502 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
De novo loss-of-function mutations in methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2) lead to the neurodevelopmental disorder Rett syndrome (RTT). Despite promising results from strategies aimed at increasing MeCP2 levels, additional studies exploring how hypomorphic MeCP2 mutations impact the therapeutic window are needed. Here, we investigated the consequences of genetically introducing a wild-type MECP2 transgene in the Mecp2 R133C mouse model of RTT. The MECP2 transgene reversed the majority of RTT-like phenotypes exhibited by male and female Mecp2 R133C mice. However, three core symptom domains were adversely affected in female Mecp2R133C/+ animals; these phenotypes resemble those observed in disease contexts of excess MeCP2. Parallel control experiments in Mecp2Null/+ mice linked these adverse effects to the hypomorphic R133C mutation. Collectively, these data provide evidence regarding the safety and efficacy of genetically overexpressing functional MeCP2 in Mecp2 R133C mice and suggest that personalized approaches may warrant consideration for the clinical assessment of MeCP2-targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheryl Anne D. Vermudez
- Department of Pharmacology and Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug DiscoveryVanderbilt UniversityNashvilleTennesseeUSA
| | - Rocco G. Gogliotti
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and NeuroscienceLoyola University ChicagoChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Bright Arthur
- Department of Pharmacology and Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug DiscoveryVanderbilt UniversityNashvilleTennesseeUSA
| | - Aditi Buch
- Department of Pharmacology and Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug DiscoveryVanderbilt UniversityNashvilleTennesseeUSA
| | - Clarissa Morales
- Department of Pharmacology and Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug DiscoveryVanderbilt UniversityNashvilleTennesseeUSA
| | - Yuta Moxley
- Department of Pharmacology and Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug DiscoveryVanderbilt UniversityNashvilleTennesseeUSA
| | - Hemangi Rajpal
- Department of Pharmacology and Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug DiscoveryVanderbilt UniversityNashvilleTennesseeUSA
| | - P. Jeffrey Conn
- Department of Pharmacology and Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug DiscoveryVanderbilt UniversityNashvilleTennesseeUSA,Vanderbilt Kennedy CenterVanderbilt UniversityNashvilleTennesseeUSA,Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical BiologyVanderbilt UniversityNashvilleTennesseeUSA
| | - Colleen M. Niswender
- Department of Pharmacology and Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug DiscoveryVanderbilt UniversityNashvilleTennesseeUSA,Vanderbilt Kennedy CenterVanderbilt UniversityNashvilleTennesseeUSA,Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical BiologyVanderbilt UniversityNashvilleTennesseeUSA
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11
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Carulli D, de Winter F, Verhaagen J. Semaphorins in Adult Nervous System Plasticity and Disease. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2021; 13:672891. [PMID: 34045951 PMCID: PMC8148045 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2021.672891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Semaphorins, originally discovered as guidance cues for developing axons, are involved in many processes that shape the nervous system during development, from neuronal proliferation and migration to neuritogenesis and synapse formation. Interestingly, the expression of many Semaphorins persists after development. For instance, Semaphorin 3A is a component of perineuronal nets, the extracellular matrix structures enwrapping certain types of neurons in the adult CNS, which contribute to the closure of the critical period for plasticity. Semaphorin 3G and 4C play a crucial role in the control of adult hippocampal connectivity and memory processes, and Semaphorin 5A and 7A regulate adult neurogenesis. This evidence points to a role of Semaphorins in the regulation of adult neuronal plasticity. In this review, we address the distribution of Semaphorins in the adult nervous system and we discuss their function in physiological and pathological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Carulli
- Laboratory for Neuroregeneration, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Neuroscience Rita Levi-Montalcini and Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Fred de Winter
- Laboratory for Neuroregeneration, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Joost Verhaagen
- Laboratory for Neuroregeneration, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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12
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Achilly NP, He LJ, Kim OA, Ohmae S, Wojaczynski GJ, Lin T, Sillitoe RV, Medina JF, Zoghbi HY. Deleting Mecp2 from the cerebellum rather than its neuronal subtypes causes a delay in motor learning in mice. eLife 2021; 10:64833. [PMID: 33494858 PMCID: PMC7837679 DOI: 10.7554/elife.64833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Rett syndrome is a devastating childhood neurological disorder caused by mutations in MECP2. Of the many symptoms, motor deterioration is a significant problem for patients. In mice, deleting Mecp2 from the cortex or basal ganglia causes motor dysfunction, hypoactivity, and tremor, which are abnormalities observed in patients. Little is known about the function of Mecp2 in the cerebellum, a brain region critical for motor function. Here we show that deleting Mecp2 from the cerebellum, but not from its neuronal subtypes, causes a delay in motor learning that is overcome by additional training. We observed irregular firing rates of Purkinje cells and altered heterochromatin architecture within the cerebellum of knockout mice. These findings demonstrate that the motor deficits present in Rett syndrome arise, in part, from cerebellar dysfunction. For Rett syndrome and other neurodevelopmental disorders, our results highlight the importance of understanding which brain regions contribute to disease phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan P Achilly
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States.,Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States.,Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Ling-Jie He
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States.,Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Olivia A Kim
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Shogo Ohmae
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | | | - Tao Lin
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States.,Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Roy V Sillitoe
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States.,Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States.,Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States.,Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Javier F Medina
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Huda Y Zoghbi
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States.,Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States.,Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States.,Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States.,Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
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13
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Nuclear receptor corepressors in intellectual disability and autism. Mol Psychiatry 2020; 25:2220-2236. [PMID: 32034290 PMCID: PMC7842082 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-020-0667-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Revised: 12/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by neurocognitive dysfunctions, such as impaired social interaction and language learning. Gene-environment interactions have a pivotal role in ASD pathogenesis. Nuclear receptor corepressors (NCORs) are transcription co-regulators physically associated with histone deacetylases (HDACs) and many known players in ASD etiology such as transducin β-like 1 X-linked receptor 1 and methyl-CpG binding protein 2. The epigenome-modifying NCOR complex is sensitive to many ASD risk factors, including HDAC inhibitor valproic acid and a variety of endocrine factors, xenobiotic chemicals, or metabolites that can directly bind to multiple nuclear receptors. Here, we review recent studies of NCORs in neurocognition using animal models and human genetics approaches. We discuss functional interplays between NCORs and other known players in ASD etiology. It is conceivable that the NCOR complex may bridge the in utero environmental risk factors of ASD with epigenetic remodeling and can serve as a converging point for many gene-environment interactions in the pathogenesis of ASD and intellectual disability.
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14
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Javed S, Selliah T, Lee YJ, Huang WH. Dosage-sensitive genes in autism spectrum disorders: From neurobiology to therapy. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 118:538-567. [PMID: 32858083 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 07/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of heterogenous neurodevelopmental disorders affecting 1 in 59 children. Syndromic ASDs are commonly associated with chromosomal rearrangements or dosage imbalance involving a single gene. Many of these genes are dosage-sensitive and regulate transcription, protein homeostasis, and synaptic function in the brain. Despite vastly different molecular perturbations, syndromic ASDs share core symptoms including social dysfunction and repetitive behavior. However, each ASD subtype has a unique pathogenic mechanism and combination of comorbidities that require individual attention. We have learned a great deal about how these dosage-sensitive genes control brain development and behaviors from genetically-engineered mice. Here we describe the clinical features of eight monogenic neurodevelopmental disorders caused by dosage imbalance of four genes, as well as recent advances in using genetic mouse models to understand their pathogenic mechanisms and develop intervention strategies. We propose that applying newly developed quantitative molecular and neuroscience technologies will advance our understanding of the unique neurobiology of each disorder and enable the development of personalized therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sehrish Javed
- Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Tharushan Selliah
- Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Yu-Ju Lee
- Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Wei-Hsiang Huang
- Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
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15
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Kaur S, Van Bergen NJ, Verhey KJ, Nowell CJ, Budaitis B, Yue Y, Ellaway C, Brunetti-Pierri N, Cappuccio G, Bruno I, Boyle L, Nigro V, Torella A, Roscioli T, Cowley MJ, Massey S, Sonawane R, Burton MD, Schonewolf-Greulich B, Tümer Z, Chung WK, Gold WA, Christodoulou J. Expansion of the phenotypic spectrum of de novo missense variants in kinesin family member 1A (KIF1A). Hum Mutat 2020; 41:1761-1774. [PMID: 32652677 DOI: 10.1002/humu.24079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Revised: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Defects in the motor domain of kinesin family member 1A (KIF1A), a neuron-specific ATP-dependent anterograde axonal transporter of synaptic cargo, are well-recognized to cause a spectrum of neurological conditions, commonly known as KIF1A-associated neurological disorders (KAND). Here, we report one mutation-negative female with classic Rett syndrome (RTT) harboring a de novo heterozygous novel variant [NP_001230937.1:p.(Asp248Glu)] in the highly conserved motor domain of KIF1A. In addition, three individuals with severe neurodevelopmental disorder along with clinical features overlapping with KAND are also reported carrying de novo heterozygous novel [NP_001230937.1:p.(Cys92Arg) and p.(Pro305Leu)] or previously reported [NP_001230937.1:p.(Thr99Met)] variants in KIF1A. In silico tools predicted these variants to be likely pathogenic, and 3D molecular modeling predicted defective ATP hydrolysis and/or microtubule binding. Using the neurite tip accumulation assay, we demonstrated that all novel KIF1A variants significantly reduced the ability of the motor domain of KIF1A to accumulate along the neurite lengths of differentiated SH-SY5Y cells. In vitro microtubule gliding assays showed significantly reduced velocities for the variant p.(Asp248Glu) and reduced microtubule binding for the p.(Cys92Arg) and p.(Pro305Leu) variants, suggesting a decreased ability of KIF1A to move along microtubules. Thus, this study further expanded the phenotypic characteristics of KAND individuals with pathogenic variants in the KIF1A motor domain to include clinical features commonly seen in RTT individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simranpreet Kaur
- Brain and Mitochondrial Research Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nicole J Van Bergen
- Brain and Mitochondrial Research Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kristen J Verhey
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Cameron J Nowell
- Drug Discover Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Breane Budaitis
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Yang Yue
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Carolyn Ellaway
- Discipline of Genomic Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Western Sydney Genetics Program, Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Nicola Brunetti-Pierri
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy.,Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Gerarda Cappuccio
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy.,Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Irene Bruno
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Lia Boyle
- Division of Molecular Genetics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Vincenzo Nigro
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Annalaura Torella
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Tony Roscioli
- New South Wales Health Pathology, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.,Neuroscience Research Australia, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Mark J Cowley
- Kinghorn Centre for Clinical Genomics, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,St Vincent's Clinical School, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sean Massey
- Brain and Mitochondrial Research Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rhea Sonawane
- Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment, Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Matthew D Burton
- Flow Cytometry and Imaging Facility, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Bitten Schonewolf-Greulich
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Kennedy Center, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Glostrup, Denmark
| | - Zeynep Tümer
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Kennedy Center, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Glostrup, Denmark
| | - Wendy K Chung
- Departments of Paediatrics and Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Wendy A Gold
- Molecular Neurobiology Research Laboratory, Kids Research, Children's Hospital at Westmead, and The Children's Medical Research Institute, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia.,Kids Neuroscience Centre, Kids Research, Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Medical Sciences and Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - John Christodoulou
- Brain and Mitochondrial Research Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Discipline of Genomic Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Victorian Clinical Genetics Services, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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16
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Chan WK, Griffiths R, Price DJ, Mason JO. Cerebral organoids as tools to identify the developmental roots of autism. Mol Autism 2020; 11:58. [PMID: 32660622 PMCID: PMC7359249 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-020-00360-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Some autism spectrum disorders (ASD) likely arise as a result of abnormalities during early embryonic development of the brain. Studying human embryonic brain development directly is challenging, mainly due to ethical and practical constraints. However, the recent development of cerebral organoids provides a powerful tool for studying both normal human embryonic brain development and, potentially, the origins of neurodevelopmental disorders including ASD. Substantial evidence now indicates that cerebral organoids can mimic normal embryonic brain development and neural cells found in organoids closely resemble their in vivo counterparts. However, with prolonged culture, significant differences begin to arise. We suggest that cerebral organoids, in their current form, are most suitable to model earlier neurodevelopmental events and processes such as neurogenesis and cortical lamination. Processes implicated in ASDs which occur at later stages of development, such as synaptogenesis and neural circuit formation, may also be modeled using organoids. The accuracy of such models will benefit from continuous improvements to protocols for organoid differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wai Kit Chan
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences and Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK
| | - Rosie Griffiths
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences and Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK
| | - David J Price
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences and Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK
| | - John O Mason
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences and Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK.
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17
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Tillotson R, Bird A. The Molecular Basis of MeCP2 Function in the Brain. J Mol Biol 2020; 432:1602-1623. [PMID: 31629770 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2019.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Revised: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 10/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
MeCP2 is a reader of the DNA methylome that occupies a large proportion of the genome due to its high abundance and the frequency of its target sites. It has been the subject of extensive study because of its link with 'MECP2-related disorders', of which Rett syndrome is the most prevalent. This review integrates evidence from patient mutation data with results of experimental studies using mouse models, cell lines and in vitro systems to critically evaluate our understanding of MeCP2 protein function. Recent evidence challenges the idea that MeCP2 is a multifunctional hub that integrates diverse processes to underpin neuronal function, suggesting instead that its primary role is to recruit the NCoR1/2 co-repressor complex to methylated sites in the genome, leading to dampening of gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebekah Tillotson
- Genetics and Genome Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, The Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; Medical Research Council (MRC) Molecular Haematology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford, OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Adrian Bird
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh, The Michael Swann Building, King's Buildings, Max Born Crescent, Edinburgh, EH9 3BF, UK.
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18
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Ribeiro MC, MacDonald JL. Sex differences in Mecp2-mutant Rett syndrome model mice and the impact of cellular mosaicism in phenotype development. Brain Res 2020; 1729:146644. [PMID: 31904347 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2019.146644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Revised: 12/08/2019] [Accepted: 12/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
There is currently no effective treatment for Rett syndrome (RTT), a severe X-linked progressive neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutations in the transcriptional regulator MECP2. Because MECP2 is subjected to X-inactivation, most affected individuals are female heterozygotes who display cellular mosaicism for normal and mutant MECP2. Males who are hemizygous for mutant MECP2 are more severely affected than heterozygous females and rarely survive. Mecp2 loss-of-function is less severe in mice, however, and male hemizygous null mice not only survive until adulthood, they have been the most commonly studied model system. Although heterozygous female mice better recapitulate human RTT, they have not been as thoroughly characterized. This is likely because of the added experimental challenges that they present, including delayed and more variable phenotypic progression and cellular mosaicism due to X-inactivation. In this review, we compare phenotypes of Mecp2 heterozygous female mice and male hemizygous null mouse models. Further, we discuss the complexities that arise from the many cell-type and tissue-type specific roles of MeCP2, as well as the combination of cell-autonomous and non-cell-autonomous disruptions that result from Mecp2 loss-of-function. This is of particular importance in the context of the female heterozygous brain, composed of a mixture of MeCP2+ and MeCP2- cells, the ratio of which can alter RTT phenotypes in the case of skewed X-inactivation. The goal of this review is to provide a clearer understanding of the pathophysiological differences between the mouse models, which is an essential consideration in the design of future pre-clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayara C Ribeiro
- Department of Biology, Program in Neuroscience, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, United States
| | - Jessica L MacDonald
- Department of Biology, Program in Neuroscience, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, United States.
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19
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Cordone V, Pecorelli A, Amicarelli F, Hayek J, Valacchi G. The complexity of Rett syndrome models: Primary fibroblasts as a disease-in-a-dish reliable approach. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ddmod.2019.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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20
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Smith ES, Smith DR, Eyring C, Braileanu M, Smith-Connor KS, Ei Tan Y, Fowler AY, Hoffman GE, Johnston MV, Kannan S, Blue ME. Altered trajectories of neurodevelopment and behavior in mouse models of Rett syndrome. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2019; 165:106962. [PMID: 30502397 PMCID: PMC8040058 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2018.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2018] [Revised: 10/17/2018] [Accepted: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Rett Syndrome (RTT) is a genetic disorder that is caused by mutations in the x-linked gene coding for methyl-CpG-biding-protein 2 (MECP2) and that mainly affects females. Male and female transgenic mouse models of RTT have been studied extensively, and we have learned a great deal regarding RTT neuropathology and how MeCP2 deficiency may be influencing brain function and maturation. In this manuscript we review what is known concerning structural and coinciding functional and behavioral deficits in RTT and in mouse models of MeCP2 deficiency. We also introduce our own corroborating data regarding behavioral phenotype and morphological alterations in volume of the cortex and striatum and the density of neurons, aberrations in experience-dependent plasticity within the barrel cortex and the impact of MeCP2 loss on glial structure. We conclude that regional structural changes in genetic models of RTT show great similarity to the alterations in brain structure of patients with RTT. These region-specific modifications often coincide with phenotype onset and contribute to larger issues of circuit connectivity, progression, and severity. Although the alterations seen in mouse models of RTT appear to be primarily due to cell-autonomous effects, there are also non-cell autonomous mechanisms including those caused by MeCP2-deficient glia that negatively impact healthy neuronal function. Collectively, this body of work has provided a solid foundation on which to continue to build our understanding of the role of MeCP2 on neuronal and glial structure and function, its greater impact on neural development, and potential new therapeutic avenues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth S Smith
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Dani R Smith
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Charlotte Eyring
- The Hugo W. Moser Research Institute at Kennedy Krieger, Inc., Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Maria Braileanu
- Undergraduate Program in Neuroscience, The Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Karen S Smith-Connor
- The Hugo W. Moser Research Institute at Kennedy Krieger, Inc., Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Yew Ei Tan
- Perdana University Graduate School of Medicine, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Amanda Y Fowler
- Department of Biology, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD 21251, USA
| | - Gloria E Hoffman
- Department of Biology, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD 21251, USA
| | - Michael V Johnston
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; The Hugo W. Moser Research Institute at Kennedy Krieger, Inc., Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Sujatha Kannan
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; The Hugo W. Moser Research Institute at Kennedy Krieger, Inc., Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Mary E Blue
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; The Hugo W. Moser Research Institute at Kennedy Krieger, Inc., Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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21
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Writers and Readers of DNA Methylation/Hydroxymethylation in Physiological Aging and Its Impact on Cognitive Function. Neural Plast 2019; 2019:5982625. [PMID: 31396272 PMCID: PMC6664507 DOI: 10.1155/2019/5982625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Revised: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 05/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The chromatin landscape has acquired deep attention from several fields ranging from cell biology to neurological and psychiatric diseases. The role that DNA modifications have on gene expression regulation has become apparent in several physiological processes, and numerous efforts have been performed to establish a relationship between DNA modifications and physiological conditions, such as cognitive performance and aging. DNA modifications are incorporated by specific sets of enzymes-the writers-and the modified DNA-interacting partners-the readers-are ultimately responsible for maintaining a functional epigenetic landscape. Therefore, understanding how these epigenetic mediators-writers and readers-are modulated in physiological aging will contribute to unraveling how aging-associated neuronal disturbances arise and contribute to the cognitive decline associated with this period of life. In this review, we focused on DNA modifications, writers and readers, highlighting that despite some methodological disparities, the evidence suggests a critical role for epigenetic mediators in the aging-associated neuronal dysfunction.
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22
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Cosentino L, Vigli D, Franchi F, Laviola G, De Filippis B. Rett syndrome before regression: A time window of overlooked opportunities for diagnosis and intervention. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2019; 107:115-135. [PMID: 31108160 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Revised: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT) is a rare neurological disorder primarily affecting females, causing severe cognitive, social, motor and physiological impairments for which no cure currently exists. RTT clinical diagnosis is based on the peculiar progression of the disease, since patients show an apparently normal initial development with a subsequent sudden regression at around 2 years of age. Accumulating evidences are rising doubts regarding the absence of early impairments, hence questioning the concept of regression. We reviewed the published literature addressing the pre-symptomatic stage of the disease in both patients and animal models with a particular focus on behavioral, physiological and brain abnormalities. The emerging picture delineates subtle, but reliable impairments that precede the onset of overt symptoms whose bases are likely set up already during embryogenesis. Some of the outlined alterations appear transient, suggesting compensatory mechanisms to occur in the course of development. There is urgent need for more systematic developmental analyses able to detect early pathological markers to be used as diagnostic tools and precocious targets of time-specific interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Livia Cosentino
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Daniele Vigli
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Franchi
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Laviola
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Bianca De Filippis
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
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23
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Sanfeliu A, Hokamp K, Gill M, Tropea D. Transcriptomic Analysis of Mecp2 Mutant Mice Reveals Differentially Expressed Genes and Altered Mechanisms in Both Blood and Brain. Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:278. [PMID: 31110484 PMCID: PMC6501143 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Accepted: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Rett syndrome is a rare neuropsychiatric disorder with a wide symptomatology including impaired communication and movement, cardio-respiratory abnormalities, and seizures. The clinical presentation is typically associated to mutations in the gene coding for the methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MECP2), which is a transcription factor. The gene is ubiquitously present in all the cells of the organism with a peak of expression in neurons. For this reason, most of the studies in Rett models have been performed in brain. However, some of the symptoms of Rett are linked to the peripheral expression of MECP2, suggesting that the effects of the mutations affect gene expression levels in tissues other than the brain. We used RNA sequencing in Mecp2 mutant mice and matched controls, to identify common genes and pathways differentially regulated across different tissues. We performed our study in brain and peripheral blood, and we identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and pathways in each tissue. Then, we compared the genes and mechanisms identified in each preparation. We found that some genes and molecular pathways that are differentially expressed in brain are also differentially expressed in blood of Mecp2 mutant mice at a symptomatic-but not presymptomatic-stage. This is the case for the gene Ube2v1, linked to ubiquitination system, and Serpin1, involved in complement and coagulation cascades. Analysis of biological functions in the brain shows the enrichment of mechanisms correlated to circadian rhythms, while in the blood are enriched the mechanisms of response to stimulus-including immune response. Some mechanisms are enriched in both preparations, such as lipid metabolism and response to stress. These results suggest that analysis of peripheral blood can reveal ubiquitous altered molecular mechanisms of Rett and have applications in diagnosis and treatments' assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert Sanfeliu
- Neuropsychiatric Genetics, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, St James Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Karsten Hokamp
- Department of Genetics, School of Genetics and Microbiology, Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Michael Gill
- Neuropsychiatric Genetics, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, St James Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Daniela Tropea
- Neuropsychiatric Genetics, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, St James Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Trinity College Institute for Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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24
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Treating Rett syndrome: from mouse models to human therapies. Mamm Genome 2019; 30:90-110. [PMID: 30820643 PMCID: PMC6606665 DOI: 10.1007/s00335-019-09793-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2019] [Accepted: 02/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Rare diseases are very difficult to study mechanistically and to develop therapies for because of the scarcity of patients. Here, the rare neuro-metabolic disorder Rett syndrome (RTT) is discussed as a prototype for precision medicine, demonstrating how mouse models have led to an understanding of the development of symptoms. RTT is caused by mutations in the X-linked gene methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MECP2). Mecp2-mutant mice are being used in preclinical studies that target the MECP2 gene directly, or its downstream pathways. Importantly, this work may improve the health of RTT patients. Clinical presentation may vary widely among individuals based on their mutation, but also because of the degree of X chromosome inactivation and the presence of modifier genes. Because it is a complex disorder involving many organ systems, it is likely that recovery of RTT patients will involve a combination of treatments. Precision medicine is warranted to provide the best efficacy to individually treat RTT patients.
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25
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Abstract
Elucidating the functions of a particular gene is paramount to the understanding of how its dysfunction contributes to disease. This is especially important when the gene is implicated in multiple different disorders. One such gene is methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MECP2), which has been most prominently associated with the neurodevelopmental disorder Rett syndrome, as well as major neuropsychiatric disorders such as autism and schizophrenia. Being initially identified as a transcriptional regulator that modulates gene expression and subsequently also shown to be involved in other molecular events, dysfunction of the MeCP2 protein has the potential to affect many cellular processes. In this chapter, we will briefly review the functions of the MeCP2 protein and how its mutations are implicated in Rett syndrome and other neuropsychiatric disorders. We will further discuss about the mouse models that have been generated to specifically dissect the function of MeCP2 in different cell types and brain regions. It is envisioned that such thorough and targeted examination of MeCP2 functions can aid in enlightening the role that it plays in normal and dysfunctional physiological systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunice W M Chin
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Faculty, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Eyleen L K Goh
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Faculty, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore.
- Department of Research, National Neuroscience Institute, Singapore, Singapore.
- Neuroscience Academic Clinical Programme, Singhealth Duke-NUS Academic Medical Center, Singapore, Singapore.
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26
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Vogel Ciernia A, Yasui DH, Pride MC, Durbin-Johnson B, Noronha AB, Chang A, Knotts TA, Rutkowsky JR, Ramsey JJ, Crawley JN, LaSalle JM. MeCP2 isoform e1 mutant mice recapitulate motor and metabolic phenotypes of Rett syndrome. Hum Mol Genet 2018; 27:4077-4093. [PMID: 30137367 PMCID: PMC6240741 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddy301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2018] [Revised: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 08/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the X-linked gene MECP2 cause the majority of Rett syndrome (RTT) cases. Two differentially spliced isoforms of exons 1 and 2 (MeCP2-e1 and MeCP2-e2) contribute to the diverse functions of MeCP2, but only mutations in exon 1, not exon 2, are observed in RTT. We previously described an isoform-specific MeCP2-e1-deficient male mouse model of a human RTT mutation that lacks MeCP2-e1 while preserving expression of MeCP2-e2. However, RTT patients are heterozygous females that exhibit delayed and progressive symptom onset beginning in late infancy, including neurologic as well as metabolic, immune, respiratory and gastrointestinal phenotypes. Consequently, we conducted a longitudinal assessment of symptom development in MeCP2-e1 mutant females and males. A delayed and progressive onset of motor impairments was observed in both female and male MeCP2-e1 mutant mice, including hind limb clasping and motor deficits in gait and balance. Because these motor impairments were significantly impacted by age-dependent increases in body weight, we also investigated metabolic phenotypes at an early stage of disease progression. Both male and female MeCP2-e1 mutants exhibited significantly increased body fat compared to sex-matched wild-type littermates prior to weight differences. Mecp2e1-/y males exhibited significant metabolic phenotypes of hypoactivity, decreased energy expenditure, increased respiratory exchange ratio, but decreased food intake compared to wild-type. Untargeted analysis of lipid metabolites demonstrated a distinguishable profile in MeCP2-e1 female mutant liver characterized by increased triglycerides. Together, these results demonstrate that MeCP2-e1 mutation in mice of both sexes recapitulates early and progressive metabolic and motor phenotypes of human RTT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annie Vogel Ciernia
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, UC Davis School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
- UC Davis Genome Center, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
- UC Davis MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Dag H Yasui
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, UC Davis School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Michael C Pride
- UC Davis MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UC Davis School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Blythe Durbin-Johnson
- Department of Public Health Sciences, UC Davis School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Adriana B Noronha
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, UC Davis School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Alene Chang
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, UC Davis School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Trina A Knotts
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Jennifer R Rutkowsky
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Jon J Ramsey
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Jacqueline N Crawley
- UC Davis MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UC Davis School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Janine M LaSalle
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, UC Davis School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
- UC Davis Genome Center, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
- UC Davis MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
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27
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Leach PT, Crawley JN. Touchscreen learning deficits in Ube3a, Ts65Dn and Mecp2 mouse models of neurodevelopmental disorders with intellectual disabilities. GENES, BRAIN, AND BEHAVIOR 2018; 17:e12452. [PMID: 29266714 PMCID: PMC6013336 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2017] [Revised: 11/29/2017] [Accepted: 12/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Mutant mouse models of neurodevelopmental disorders with intellectual disabilities provide useful translational research tools, especially in cases where robust cognitive deficits are reproducibly detected. However, motor, sensory and/or health issues consequent to the mutation may introduce artifacts that preclude testing in some standard cognitive assays. Touchscreen learning and memory tasks in small operant chambers have the potential to circumvent these confounds. Here we use touchscreen visual discrimination learning to evaluate performance in the maternally derived Ube3a mouse model of Angelman syndrome, the Ts65Dn trisomy mouse model of Down syndrome, and the Mecp2Bird mouse model of Rett syndrome. Significant deficits in acquisition of a 2-choice visual discrimination task were detected in both Ube3a and Ts65Dn mice. Procedural control measures showed no genotype differences during pretraining phases or during acquisition. Mecp2 males did not survive long enough for touchscreen training, consistent with previous reports. Most Mecp2 females failed on pretraining criteria. Significant impairments on Morris water maze spatial learning were detected in both Ube3a and Ts65Dn, replicating previous findings. Abnormalities on rotarod in Ube3a, and on open field in Ts65Dn, replicating previous findings, may have contributed to the observed acquisition deficits and swim speed abnormalities during water maze performance. In contrast, these motor phenotypes do not appear to have affected touchscreen procedural abilities during pretraining or visual discrimination training. Our findings of slower touchscreen learning in 2 mouse models of neurodevelopmental disorders with intellectual disabilities indicate that operant tasks offer promising outcome measures for the preclinical discovery of effective pharmacological therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- P T Leach
- MIND Institute, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California
| | - J N Crawley
- MIND Institute, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California
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28
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Gogliotti RG, Senter RK, Fisher NM, Adams J, Zamorano R, Walker AG, Blobaum AL, Engers DW, Hopkins CR, Daniels JS, Jones CK, Lindsley CW, Xiang Z, Conn PJ, Niswender CM. mGlu 7 potentiation rescues cognitive, social, and respiratory phenotypes in a mouse model of Rett syndrome. Sci Transl Med 2018; 9:9/403/eaai7459. [PMID: 28814546 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aai7459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2016] [Revised: 01/25/2017] [Accepted: 04/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutations in the methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MECP2) gene. The cognitive impairments seen in mouse models of RTT correlate with deficits in long-term potentiation (LTP) at Schaffer collateral (SC)-CA1 synapses in the hippocampus. Metabotropic glutamate receptor 7 (mGlu7) is the predominant mGlu receptor expressed presynaptically at SC-CA1 synapses in adult mice, and its activation on GABAergic interneurons is necessary for induction of LTP. We demonstrate that pathogenic mutations in MECP2 reduce mGlu7 protein expression in brain tissue from RTT patients and in MECP2-deficient mouse models. In rodents, this reduction impairs mGlu7-mediated control of synaptic transmission. We show that positive allosteric modulation of mGlu7 activity restores LTP and improves contextual fear learning, novel object recognition, and social memory. Furthermore, mGlu7 positive allosteric modulation decreases apneas in Mecp2+/- mice, suggesting that mGlu7 may be a potential therapeutic target for multiple aspects of the RTT phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocco G Gogliotti
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.,Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Rebecca K Senter
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.,Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Nicole M Fisher
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.,Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Jeffrey Adams
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.,Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Rocio Zamorano
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.,Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Adam G Walker
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.,Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Anna L Blobaum
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.,Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Darren W Engers
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.,Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Corey R Hopkins
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.,Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.,Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - J Scott Daniels
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.,Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Carrie K Jones
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.,Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Craig W Lindsley
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.,Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.,Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Zixiu Xiang
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.,Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - P Jeffrey Conn
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.,Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.,Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Colleen M Niswender
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA. .,Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.,Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
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29
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Aten S, Hansen KF, Snider K, Wheaton K, Kalidindi A, Garcia A, Alzate-Correa D, Hoyt KR, Obrietan K. miR-132 couples the circadian clock to daily rhythms of neuronal plasticity and cognition. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 25:214-229. [PMID: 29661834 PMCID: PMC5903403 DOI: 10.1101/lm.047191.117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2017] [Accepted: 02/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The microRNA miR-132 serves as a key regulator of a wide range of plasticity-associated processes in the central nervous system. Interestingly, miR-132 expression has also been shown to be under the control of the circadian timing system. This finding, coupled with work showing that miR-132 is expressed in the hippocampus, where it influences neuronal morphology and memory, led us to test the idea that daily rhythms in miR-132 within the forebrain modulate cognition as a function of circadian time. Here, we show that hippocampal miR-132 expression is gated by the time-of-day, with peak levels occurring during the circadian night. Further, in miR-132 knockout mice and in transgenic mice, where miR-132 is constitutively expressed under the control of the tetracycline regulator system, we found that time-of-day dependent memory recall (as assessed via novel object location and contextual fear conditioning paradigms) was suppressed. Given that miRNAs exert their functional effects via the suppression of target gene expression, we examined the effects that transgenic miR-132 manipulations have on MeCP2 and Sirt1-two miR-132 targets that are associated with neuronal plasticity and cognition. In mice where miR-132 was either knocked out, or transgenically expressed, rhythmic expression of MeCP2 and Sirt1 was suppressed. Taken together, these results raise the prospect that miR-132 serves as a key route through which the circadian timing system imparts a daily rhythm on cognitive capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sydney Aten
- Department of Neuroscience, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Katelin F Hansen
- Department of Neuroscience, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Kaitlin Snider
- Department of Neuroscience, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Kelin Wheaton
- Division of Pharmacology, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Anisha Kalidindi
- Department of Neuroscience, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Ashley Garcia
- Department of Neuroscience, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | | | - Kari R Hoyt
- Division of Pharmacology, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Karl Obrietan
- Department of Neuroscience, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
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30
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Nonclinical data supporting orphan medicinal product designations: lessons from rare neurological conditions. Drug Discov Today 2018; 23:26-48. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2017.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2017] [Revised: 09/01/2017] [Accepted: 09/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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31
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Abstract
X-linked cerebellar ataxias (XLCA) are an expanding group of genetically heterogeneous and clinically variable conditions characterized by cerebellar dysgenesis (hypoplasia, atrophy, or dysplasia) caused by gene mutations or genomic imbalances on the X chromosome. The neurologic features of XLCA include hypotonia, developmental delay, intellectual disability, ataxia, and other cerebellar signs. Normal cognitive development has also been reported. Cerebellar defects may be isolated or associated with other brain malformations or extraneurologic involvement. More than 20 genes on the X chromosome, mainly encoding for proteins involved in brain development and synaptic function that have been constantly or occasionally associated with a pathologic cerebellar phenotype, and several families with X-linked inheritance have been reported. Given the excess of males with ataxia, this group of conditions is probably underestimated and families of patients with neuroradiologic and clinical evidence of a cerebellar disorder should be counseled for high risk of X-linked inheritance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ginevra Zanni
- Unit of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Bambino Gesu' Children's Research Hospital, Rome, Italy.
| | - Enrico Bertini
- Unit of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Bambino Gesu' Children's Research Hospital, Rome, Italy
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32
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Xu M, Song P, Huang W, He R, He Y, Zhou X, Gu Y, Pan S, Hu Y. Disruption of AT-hook 1 domain in MeCP2 protein caused behavioral abnormality in mice. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2017; 1864:347-358. [PMID: 29074463 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2017.10.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2017] [Revised: 09/29/2017] [Accepted: 10/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
MECP2 is the causative gene for autism spectrum disorders, including Rett syndrome, a regressive neurodevelopmental rare disease mainly occurring in girls. Except for the distinct methyl-CpG binding domain and the transcriptional repression domain in MeCP2, three AT-hook-like domains have recently been identified. Several mutations in AT-hook 1 domain have been reported in autism cases or Rett database. However, the role of AT-hook 1 domain is still unclear. In this study, we generated a mouse line carrying deletion of eight conserved amino acids in AT-hook 1 domain by clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 technology. Mecp2ΔAT-hook1/y mutant male mice exhibited low locomotor activity, motor incoordination and cognitive deficit. In addition, these mutant mice exhibited increased anxiety. Moreover, pain insensitivity was noted in the mutant males. However, the social interactions were unaffected in AT-hook 1 mutant mice. Thinner CA1 region of the hippocampus was observed in the mutant mice. On the molecular basis, Western blot analysis showed increased expression of mutant MeCP2 protein in the cortex. Additionally, several genes expressed specifically in inhibitory neurons were markedly changed in the cerebrum. Taken together, these data demonstrate that disruption of AT-hook 1 domain in MeCP2 caused behavioral abnormality in mice, which suggests that AT-hook 1 is a critical region for the function of MeCP2 protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miaojing Xu
- Department of Neurology, Nanfang Hospital, the Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Pingping Song
- Department of Neurology, Nanfang Hospital, the Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Wei Huang
- Department of Neurology, Zhujiang Hospital, the Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Rongni He
- Department of Neurology, Zhujiang Hospital, the Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Yong He
- Department of Neurology, Nanfang Hospital, the Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, PR China; Department of Neurology, the First People's Hospital of Chenzhou, Chenzhou, Hunan, PR China
| | - Xiao Zhou
- Department of Neurology, Nanfang Hospital, the Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Yong Gu
- Department of Neurology, Nanfang Hospital, the Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Suyue Pan
- Department of Neurology, Nanfang Hospital, the Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Yafang Hu
- Department of Neurology, Nanfang Hospital, the Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, PR China.
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33
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Stem Cell Technology for (Epi)genetic Brain Disorders. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2017; 978:443-475. [PMID: 28523560 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-53889-1_23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Despite the enormous efforts of the scientific community over the years, effective therapeutics for many (epi)genetic brain disorders remain unidentified. The common and persistent failures to translate preclinical findings into clinical success are partially attributed to the limited efficiency of current disease models. Although animal and cellular models have substantially improved our knowledge of the pathological processes involved in these disorders, human brain research has generally been hampered by a lack of satisfactory humanized model systems. This, together with our incomplete knowledge of the multifactorial causes in the majority of these disorders, as well as a thorough understanding of associated (epi)genetic alterations, has been impeding progress in gaining more mechanistic insights from translational studies. Over the last years, however, stem cell technology has been offering an alternative approach to study and treat human brain disorders. Owing to this technology, we are now able to obtain a theoretically inexhaustible source of human neural cells and precursors in vitro that offer a platform for disease modeling and the establishment of therapeutic interventions. In addition to the potential to increase our general understanding of how (epi)genetic alterations contribute to the pathology of brain disorders, stem cells and derivatives allow for high-throughput drugs and toxicity testing, and provide a cell source for transplant therapies in regenerative medicine. In the current chapter, we will demonstrate the validity of human stem cell-based models and address the utility of other stem cell-based applications for several human brain disorders with multifactorial and (epi)genetic bases, including Parkinson's disease (PD), Alzheimer's disease (AD), fragile X syndrome (FXS), Angelman syndrome (AS), Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), and Rett syndrome (RTT).
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34
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Kang MS, Choi TY, Ryu HG, Lee D, Lee SH, Choi SY, Kim KT. Autism-like behavior caused by deletion of vaccinia-related kinase 3 is improved by TrkB stimulation. J Exp Med 2017; 214:2947-2966. [PMID: 28899869 PMCID: PMC5626391 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20160974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2016] [Revised: 12/12/2016] [Accepted: 02/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Kang et al. showed that reduced vaccinia-related kinase 3 (VRK3) expression affects synaptic structure and function and results in cognitive dysfunction and autism-like behaviors in mice. TrkB stimulation reverses the altered synaptic properties and restores autism-like behaviors in VRK3-deficient mice. Vaccinia-related kinases (VRKs) are multifaceted serine/threonine kinases that play essential roles in various aspects of cell signaling, cell cycle progression, apoptosis, and neuronal development and differentiation. However, the neuronal function of VRK3 is still unknown despite its etiological potential in human autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Here, we report that VRK3-deficient mice exhibit typical symptoms of autism-like behavior, including hyperactivity, stereotyped behaviors, reduced social interaction, and impaired context-dependent spatial memory. A significant decrease in dendritic spine number and arborization were identified in the hippocampus CA1 of VRK3-deficient mice. These mice also exhibited a reduced rectification of AMPA receptor–mediated current and changes in expression of synaptic and signaling proteins, including tyrosine receptor kinase B (TrkB), Arc, and CaMKIIα. Notably, TrkB stimulation with 7,8-dihydroxyflavone reversed the altered synaptic structure and function and successfully restored autism-like behavior in VRK3-deficient mice. These results reveal that VRK3 plays a critical role in neurodevelopmental disorders and suggest a potential therapeutic strategy for ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myung-Su Kang
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae-Yong Choi
- Department of Physiology, Dental Research Institute, Seoul National University School of Dentistry, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye Guk Ryu
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Republic of Korea
| | - Dohyun Lee
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Hyun Lee
- Department of Physiology, Dental Research Institute, Seoul National University School of Dentistry, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Se-Young Choi
- Department of Physiology, Dental Research Institute, Seoul National University School of Dentistry, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyong-Tai Kim
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Republic of Korea .,Division of Integrative Biosciences and Biotechnology, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Republic of Korea
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35
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Vogel Ciernia A, Pride MC, Durbin-Johnson B, Noronha A, Chang A, Yasui DH, Crawley JN, LaSalle JM. Early motor phenotype detection in a female mouse model of Rett syndrome is improved by cross-fostering. Hum Mol Genet 2017; 26:1839-1854. [PMID: 28334953 PMCID: PMC6075042 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddx087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2016] [Revised: 03/01/2017] [Accepted: 03/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT) is an X-linked neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutations in the gene encoding methyl CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) that occur sporadically in 1:10,000 female births. RTT is characterized by a period of largely normal development followed by regression in language and motor skills at 6-18 months of age. Mecp2 mutant mice recapitulate many of the clinical features of RTT, but the majority of behavioral assessments have been conducted in male Mecp2 hemizygous null mice as offspring of heterozygous dams. Given that RTT patients are predominantly female, we conducted a systematic analysis of developmental milestones, sensory abilities, and motor deficits, following the longitudinal decline of function from early postnatal to adult ages in female Mecp2 heterozygotes of the conventional Bird line (Mecp2tm1.1bird-/+), as compared to their female wildtype littermate controls. Further, we assessed the impact of postnatal maternal environment on developmental milestones and behavioral phenotypes. Cross-fostering to CD1 dams accelerated several developmental milestones independent of genotype, and induced earlier onset of weight gain in adult female Mecp2tm1.1bird-/+ mice. Cross-fostering improved the sensitivity of a number of motor behaviors that resulted in observable deficits in Mecp2tm1.1bird-/+ mice at much earlier (6-7 weeks) ages than were previously reported (6-9 months). Our findings indicate that female Mecp2tm1.1bird-/+ mice recapitulate many of the motor aspects of RTT syndrome earlier than previously appreciated. In addition, rearing conditions may impact the phenotypic severity and improve the ability to detect genotype differences in female Mecp2 mutant mice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Adriana Noronha
- Medical Microbiology and Immunology
- Genome Center
- MIND Institute
| | - Alene Chang
- Medical Microbiology and Immunology
- Genome Center
- MIND Institute
| | - Dag H. Yasui
- Medical Microbiology and Immunology
- Genome Center
- MIND Institute
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
| | | | - Janine M. LaSalle
- Medical Microbiology and Immunology
- Genome Center
- MIND Institute
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
- Center for Children's Environmental Health, University of California, Davis, UC Davis, CA, USA
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36
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The Role of Noncoding RNAs in Neurodevelopmental Disorders: The Case of Rett Syndrome. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2017; 978:23-37. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-53889-1_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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37
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Matagne V, Ehinger Y, Saidi L, Borges-Correia A, Barkats M, Bartoli M, Villard L, Roux JC. A codon-optimized Mecp2 transgene corrects breathing deficits and improves survival in a mouse model of Rett syndrome. Neurobiol Dis 2016; 99:1-11. [PMID: 27974239 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2016.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2016] [Revised: 11/07/2016] [Accepted: 12/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT) is a severe X-linked neurodevelopmental disorder that is primarily caused by mutations in the methyl CpG binding protein 2 gene (MECP2). RTT is the second most prevalent cause of intellectual disability in girls and there is currently no cure for the disease. The finding that the deficits caused by the loss of Mecp2 are reversible in the mouse has bolstered interest in gene therapy as a cure for RTT. In order to assess the feasibility of gene therapy in a RTT mouse model, and in keeping with translational goals, we investigated the efficacy of a self-complementary AAV9 vector expressing a codon-optimized version of Mecp2 (AAV9-MCO) delivered via a systemic approach in early symptomatic Mecp2-deficient (KO) mice. Our results show that AAV9-MCO administered at a dose of 2×1011 viral genome (vg)/mouse was able to significantly increase survival and weight gain, and delay the occurrence of behavioral deficits. Apneas, which are one of the core RTT breathing deficits, were significantly decreased to WT levels in Mecp2 KO mice after AAV9-MCO administration. Semi-quantitative analysis showed that AAV9-MCO administration in Mecp2 KO mice resulted in 10 to 20% Mecp2 immunopositive cells compared to WT animals, with the highest Mecp2 expression found in midbrain regions known to regulate cardio-respiratory functions. In addition, we also found a cell autonomous increase in tyrosine hydroxylase levels in the A1C1 and A2C2 catecholaminergic Mecp2+ neurons in treated Mecp2 KO mice, which may partly explain the beneficial effect of AAV9-MCO administration on apneas occurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie Matagne
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, GMGF, UMR_S 910, 13385 Marseille, France
| | - Yann Ehinger
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, GMGF, UMR_S 910, 13385 Marseille, France
| | - Lydia Saidi
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, GMGF, UMR_S 910, 13385 Marseille, France
| | | | - Martine Barkats
- Center of Research on Myology, FRE 3617 Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMRS 974 INSERM, French Institute of Myology, Pierre and Marie Curie University Paris, France
| | - Marc Bartoli
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, GMGF, UMR_S 910, 13385 Marseille, France
| | - Laurent Villard
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, GMGF, UMR_S 910, 13385 Marseille, France
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Janc OA, Hüser MA, Dietrich K, Kempkes B, Menzfeld C, Hülsmann S, Müller M. Systemic Radical Scavenger Treatment of a Mouse Model of Rett Syndrome: Merits and Limitations of the Vitamin E Derivative Trolox. Front Cell Neurosci 2016; 10:266. [PMID: 27895554 PMCID: PMC5109403 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2016.00266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2016] [Accepted: 11/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT) is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder typically arising from spontaneous mutations in the X-chromosomal methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MECP2) gene. The almost exclusively female Rett patients show an apparently normal development during their first 6-18 months of life. Subsequently, cognitive- and motor-impairment, hand stereotypies, loss of learned skills, epilepsy and irregular breathing manifest. Early mitochondrial impairment and oxidative challenge are considered to facilitate disease progression. Along this line, we recently confirmed in vitro that acute treatment with the vitamin E-derivative Trolox dampens neuronal hyperexcitability, reinstates synaptic plasticity, ameliorates cellular redox balance and improves hypoxia tolerance in male MeCP2-deficient (Mecp2-/y ) mouse hippocampus. Pursuing these promising findings, we performed a preclinical study to define the merit of systemic Trolox administration. Blinded, placebo-controlled in vivo treatment of male mice started at postnatal day (PD) 10-11 and continued for ~40 days. Compounds (vehicle only, 10 mg/kg or 40 mg/kg Trolox) were injected intraperitoneally every 48 h. Detailed phenotyping revealed that in Mecp2-/y mice, blood glucose levels, lipid peroxidation, synaptic short-term plasticity, hypoxia tolerance and certain forms of environmental exploration were improved by Trolox. Yet, body weight and size, motor function and the rate and regularity of breathing did not improve. In conclusion, in vivo Trolox treatment partially ameliorated a subset of symptoms of the complex Rett phenotype, thereby confirming a partial merit of the vitamin E-derivative based pharmacotherapy. Yet, it also became evident that frequent animal handling and the route of drug administration are critical issues to be optimized in future trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliwia A Janc
- Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain (CNMPB)Göttingen, Germany; Zentrum Physiologie und Pathophysiologie, Institut für Neuro- und Sinnesphysiologie, Universitätsmedizin Göttingen, Georg-August-UniversitätGöttingen, Germany
| | - Marc A Hüser
- Zentrum Physiologie und Pathophysiologie, Institut für Neuro- und Sinnesphysiologie, Universitätsmedizin Göttingen, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Germany
| | - Katharina Dietrich
- Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain (CNMPB)Göttingen, Germany; Zentrum Physiologie und Pathophysiologie, Institut für Neuro- und Sinnesphysiologie, Universitätsmedizin Göttingen, Georg-August-UniversitätGöttingen, Germany
| | - Belinda Kempkes
- Zentrum Physiologie und Pathophysiologie, Institut für Neuro- und Sinnesphysiologie, Universitätsmedizin Göttingen, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Germany
| | - Christiane Menzfeld
- Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain (CNMPB)Göttingen, Germany; Zentrum Physiologie und Pathophysiologie, Institut für Neuro- und Sinnesphysiologie, Universitätsmedizin Göttingen, Georg-August-UniversitätGöttingen, Germany
| | - Swen Hülsmann
- Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain (CNMPB)Göttingen, Germany; Klinik für Anästhesiologie, Universitätsmedizin Göttingen, Georg-August-UniversitätGöttingen, Germany
| | - Michael Müller
- Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain (CNMPB)Göttingen, Germany; Zentrum Physiologie und Pathophysiologie, Institut für Neuro- und Sinnesphysiologie, Universitätsmedizin Göttingen, Georg-August-UniversitätGöttingen, Germany
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Constantin L. The Role of MicroRNAs in Cerebellar Development and Autism Spectrum Disorder During Embryogenesis. Mol Neurobiol 2016; 54:6944-6959. [PMID: 27774573 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-016-0220-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2016] [Accepted: 10/12/2016] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNA molecules with wide-ranging and subtle effects on protein production. Their activity during the development of the cerebellum provides a valuable exemplar of how non-coding molecules may assist the development and function of the central nervous system and drive neurodevelopmental disorders. Three distinct aspects of miRNA contribution to early cerebellar development will here be reviewed. Aspects are the establishment of the cerebellar anlage, the generation and maturation of at least two principal cell types of the developing cerebellar microcircuit, and the etiology and early progression of autism spectrum disorder. It will be argued here that the autism spectrum is an adept model to explore miRNA impact on the cognitive and affective processes that descend from the developing cerebellum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena Constantin
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia. .,Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia.
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Nott A, Cheng J, Gao F, Lin YT, Gjoneska E, Ko T, Minhas P, Zamudio AV, Meng J, Zhang F, Jin P, Tsai LH. Histone deacetylase 3 associates with MeCP2 to regulate FOXO and social behavior. Nat Neurosci 2016; 19:1497-1505. [PMID: 27428650 PMCID: PMC5083138 DOI: 10.1038/nn.4347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2016] [Accepted: 06/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Mutations in MECP2 cause the neurodevelopmental disorder Rett syndrome (RTT). The RTT missense MECP2R306C mutation prevents MeCP2 interaction with NCoR/Histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3); however, the neuronal function of HDAC3 is incompletely understood. We report that neuronal deletion of Hdac3 in mice elicits abnormal locomotor coordination, sociability, and cognition. Transcriptional and chromatin profiling revealed HDAC3 positively regulates a subset of genes and is recruited to active gene promoters via MeCP2. HDAC3-associated promoters are enriched for the FOXO transcription factors, and FOXO acetylation is elevated in Hdac3 KO and Mecp2 KO neurons. Human RTT patient-derived MECP2R306C neural progenitor cells have deficits in HDAC3 and FOXO recruitment and gene expression. Gene editing of MECP2R306C cells to generate isogenic controls rescued HDAC3-FOXO-mediated impairments in gene expression. Our data suggests that HDAC3 interaction with MeCP2 positively regulates a subset of neuronal genes through FOXO deacetylation, and disruption of HDAC3 contributes to cognitive and social impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexi Nott
- The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jemmie Cheng
- The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Fan Gao
- The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Yuan-Ta Lin
- The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Elizabeta Gjoneska
- The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.,Broad Institute of Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Tak Ko
- The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Paras Minhas
- The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.,Present addresses: Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA (P.M.), and Department of Biological Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China (J.M.)
| | - Alicia Viridiana Zamudio
- The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jia Meng
- The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.,Present addresses: Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA (P.M.), and Department of Biological Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China (J.M.)
| | - Feiran Zhang
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Peng Jin
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Li-Huei Tsai
- The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.,Broad Institute of Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
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Meng X, Wang W, Lu H, He LJ, Chen W, Chao ES, Fiorotto ML, Tang B, Herrera JA, Seymour ML, Neul JL, Pereira FA, Tang J, Xue M, Zoghbi HY. Manipulations of MeCP2 in glutamatergic neurons highlight their contributions to Rett and other neurological disorders. eLife 2016; 5. [PMID: 27328325 PMCID: PMC4946906 DOI: 10.7554/elife.14199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2016] [Accepted: 06/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Many postnatal onset neurological disorders such as autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and intellectual disability are thought to arise largely from disruption of excitatory/inhibitory homeostasis. Although mouse models of Rett syndrome (RTT), a postnatal neurological disorder caused by loss-of-function mutations in MECP2, display impaired excitatory neurotransmission, the RTT phenotype can be largely reproduced in mice simply by removing MeCP2 from inhibitory GABAergic neurons. To determine what role excitatory signaling impairment might play in RTT pathogenesis, we generated conditional mouse models with Mecp2 either removed from or expressed solely in glutamatergic neurons. MeCP2 deficiency in glutamatergic neurons leads to early lethality, obesity, tremor, altered anxiety-like behaviors, and impaired acoustic startle response, which is distinct from the phenotype of mice lacking MeCP2 only in inhibitory neurons. These findings reveal a role for excitatory signaling impairment in specific neurobehavioral abnormalities shared by RTT and other postnatal neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangling Meng
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States
| | - Wei Wang
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States.,Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Hui Lu
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States.,Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Ling-Jie He
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States.,Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Wu Chen
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States.,The Cain Foundation Laboratories, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States
| | - Eugene S Chao
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States.,The Cain Foundation Laboratories, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States
| | - Marta L Fiorotto
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Bin Tang
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Jose A Herrera
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States.,Interdepartmental Program in Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Michelle L Seymour
- Huffington Center on Aging, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States.,Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Jeffrey L Neul
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States
| | - Fred A Pereira
- Huffington Center on Aging, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States.,Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States.,Bobby R Alford Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Jianrong Tang
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Mingshan Xue
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States.,The Cain Foundation Laboratories, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States
| | - Huda Y Zoghbi
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States.,Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
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Patterson KC, Hawkins VE, Arps KM, Mulkey DK, Olsen ML. MeCP2 deficiency results in robust Rett-like behavioural and motor deficits in male and female rats. Hum Mol Genet 2016; 25:3303-3320. [PMID: 27329765 PMCID: PMC5179928 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddw179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2016] [Revised: 05/18/2016] [Accepted: 06/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the identification of MECP2 as the causative gene in the majority of Rett Syndrome (RTT) cases, transgenic mouse models have played a critical role in our understanding of this disease. The use of additional mammalian RTT models offers the promise of further elucidating critical early mechanisms of disease as well as providing new avenues for translational studies. We have identified significant abnormalities in growth as well as motor and behavioural function in a novel zinc-finger nuclease model of RTT utilizing both male and female rats throughout development. Male rats lacking MeCP2 (Mecp2ZFN/y) were noticeably symptomatic as early as postnatal day 21, with most dying by postnatal day 55, while females lacking one copy of Mecp2 (Mecp2ZFN/+) displayed a more protracted disease course. Brain weights of Mecp2ZFN/y and Mecp2ZFN/+ rats were significantly reduced by postnatal day 14 and 21, respectively. Early motor and breathing abnormalities were apparent in Mecp2ZFN/y rats, whereas Mecp2ZFN/+ rats displayed functional irregularities later in development. The large size of this species will provide profound advantages in the identification of early disease mechanisms and the development of appropriately timed therapeutics. The current study establishes a foundational basis for the continued utilization of this rat model in future RTT research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey C Patterson
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Virginia E Hawkins
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Kara M Arps
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Daniel K Mulkey
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Michelle L Olsen
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
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Wu Y, Zhong W, Cui N, Johnson CM, Xing H, Zhang S, Jiang C. Characterization of Rett Syndrome-like phenotypes in Mecp2-knockout rats. J Neurodev Disord 2016; 8:23. [PMID: 27313794 PMCID: PMC4910223 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-016-9156-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2016] [Accepted: 06/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Rett Syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disease caused by the disruption of the MECP2 gene. Several mouse models of RTT have been developed with Mecp2 disruptions. Although the mouse models are widely used in RTT research, results obtained need to be validated in other species. Therefore, we performed these studies to characterize phenotypes of a novel Mecp2−/Y rat model and compared them with the Mecp2tm1.1Bird mouse model of RTT. Methods RTT-like phenotypes were systematically studied and compared between Mecp2−/Y rats and Mecp2−/Y mice. In-cage conditions of the rats were monitored. Grip strength and spontaneous locomotion were used to evaluate the motor function. Three-chamber test was performed to show autism-type behaviors. Breathing activity was recorded with the plethysmograph. Individual neurons in the locus coeruleus (LC) were studied in the whole-cell current clamp. The lifespan of the rats was determined with their survival time. Results Mecp2−/Y rats displayed growth retardation, malocclusion, and lack of movements, while hindlimb clasping was not seen. They had weaker forelimb grip strength and a lower rate of locomotion than the WT littermates. Defects in social interaction with other rats were obvious. Breathing frequency variation and apnea in the null rats were significantly higher than in the WT. LC neurons in the null rats showed excessive firing activity. A half of the null rats died in 2 months. Most of the RTT-like symptoms were comparable to those seen in Mecp2−/Y mice, while some appeared more or less severe. The findings that most RTT-like symptoms exist in the rat model with moderate variations and differences from the mouse models support the usefulness of both Mecp2−/Y rodent models. Conclusions The novel Mecp2−/Y rat model recapitulated numerous RTT-like symptoms as Mecp2−/Y mouse models did, which makes it a valuable alternative model in the RTT studies when the body size matters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Wu
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, 50 Decatur Street, Atlanta, GA 30302 USA
| | - Weiwei Zhong
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, 50 Decatur Street, Atlanta, GA 30302 USA
| | - Ningren Cui
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, 50 Decatur Street, Atlanta, GA 30302 USA
| | - Christopher M Johnson
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, 50 Decatur Street, Atlanta, GA 30302 USA
| | - Hao Xing
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, 50 Decatur Street, Atlanta, GA 30302 USA
| | - Shuang Zhang
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, 50 Decatur Street, Atlanta, GA 30302 USA
| | - Chun Jiang
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, 50 Decatur Street, Atlanta, GA 30302 USA
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Gogliotti RG, Senter RK, Rook JM, Ghoshal A, Zamorano R, Malosh C, Stauffer SR, Bridges TM, Bartolome JM, Daniels JS, Jones CK, Lindsley CW, Conn PJ, Niswender CM. mGlu5 positive allosteric modulation normalizes synaptic plasticity defects and motor phenotypes in a mouse model of Rett syndrome. Hum Mol Genet 2016; 25:1990-2004. [PMID: 26936821 PMCID: PMC5062588 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddw074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2015] [Revised: 02/04/2016] [Accepted: 02/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that shares many symptomatic and pathological commonalities with idiopathic autism. Alterations in protein synthesis-dependent synaptic plasticity (PSDSP) are a hallmark of a number of syndromic forms of autism; in the present work, we explore the consequences of disruption and rescue of PSDSP in a mouse model of RS. We report that expression of a key regulator of synaptic protein synthesis, the metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGlu5) protein, is significantly reduced in both the brains of RS model mice and in the motor cortex of human RS autopsy samples. Furthermore, we demonstrate that reduced mGlu5 expression correlates with attenuated DHPG-induced long-term depression in the hippocampus of RS model mice, and that administration of a novel mGlu5 positive allosteric modulator (PAM), termed VU0462807, can rescue synaptic plasticity defects. Additionally, treatment of Mecp2-deficient mice with VU0462807 improves motor performance (open-field behavior and gait dynamics), corrects repetitive clasping behavior, as well as normalizes cued fear-conditioning defects. Importantly, due to the rationale drug discovery approach used in its development, our novel mGlu5 PAM improves RS phenotypes and synaptic plasticity defects without evoking the overt adverse effects commonly associated with potentiation of mGlu5 signaling (i.e. seizures), or affecting cardiorespiratory defects in RS model mice. These findings provide strong support for the continued development of mGlu5 PAMs as potential therapeutic agents for use in RS, and, more broadly, for utility in idiopathic autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocco G Gogliotti
- Department of Pharmacology and Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Rebecca K Senter
- Department of Pharmacology and Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Jerri M Rook
- Department of Pharmacology and Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Ayan Ghoshal
- Department of Pharmacology and Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Rocio Zamorano
- Department of Pharmacology and Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Chrysa Malosh
- Department of Pharmacology and Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA, Department of Chemistry and
| | - Shaun R Stauffer
- Department of Pharmacology and Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA, Department of Chemistry and Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA and
| | - Thomas M Bridges
- Department of Pharmacology and Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Jose M Bartolome
- Neuroscience Medicinal Chemistry, Janssen Research and Development, Jarama 75A., Toledo 45007, Spain
| | - J Scott Daniels
- Department of Pharmacology and Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Carrie K Jones
- Department of Pharmacology and Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Craig W Lindsley
- Department of Pharmacology and Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA, Department of Chemistry and
| | - P Jeffrey Conn
- Department of Pharmacology and Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center
| | - Colleen M Niswender
- Department of Pharmacology and Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center,
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Pearson BL, Defensor EB, Blanchard DC, Blanchard RJ. Applying the ethoexperimental approach to neurodevelopmental syndrome research reveals exaggerated defensive behavior in Mecp2 mutant mice. Physiol Behav 2016; 146:98-104. [PMID: 26066729 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2015.03.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2015] [Revised: 03/25/2015] [Accepted: 03/26/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Rett syndrome is a Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) associated with de novo mutations of the methyl CpG-binding protein 2 (MECP2) gene. Mecp2 functions as a transcription factor that regulates the expression of hundreds of genes. Identification of the role of Mecp2 in specific neurodevelopmental symptoms remains an important research aim. We previously demonstrated that male mice possessing a truncation mutation in Mecp2 are hyper-social. We predicted that reduced fear or anxiety might underlie this enhanced affiliation. In order to probe risk assessment and anxiety-like behavior, we compared Mecp2 truncation mutants to their wild-type littermates in the elevated plus maze and elevated zero maze. Additionally, subjects were administered the mouse defense test battery to evaluate unconditioned fear- and panic-like behavior to a graded set of threat scenarios and a predator stimulus. Mutant mice showed no significant changes in anxiety-like behavior. Yet, they displayed hyper-reactive escape and defensive behaviors to an animate predatory threat stimulus. Notably, mutant mice engaged in exaggerated active defense responding to threat stimuli at nearly all phases of the fear battery. These results reveal abnormalities in emotion regulation in Mecp2 mutants particularly in response to ecologically relevant threats. This hyper-responsivity suggests that transcriptional targets of Mecp2 are critical to emotion regulation. Moreover, we suggest that detailed analysis of defensive behavior and aggression with ethologically relevant tasks provides an avenue to interrogate gene-behavior mechanisms of neurodevelopmental and other psychiatric conditions.
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Cobolli Gigli C, Scaramuzza L, Gandaglia A, Bellini E, Gabaglio M, Parolaro D, Kilstrup-Nielsen C, Landsberger N, Bedogni F. MeCP2 Related Studies Benefit from the Use of CD1 as Genetic Background. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0153473. [PMID: 27097329 PMCID: PMC4838291 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0153473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2015] [Accepted: 03/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
MECP2 mutations cause a number of neurological disorders of which Rett syndrome (RTT) represents the most thoroughly analysed condition. Many Mecp2 mouse models have been generated through the years; their validity is demonstrated by the presence of a broad spectrum of phenotypes largely mimicking those manifested by RTT patients. These mouse models, between which the C57BL/6 Mecp2tm1.1Bird strain probably represents the most used, enabled to disclose much of the roles of Mecp2. However, small litters with little viability and poor maternal care hamper the maintenance of the colony, thus limiting research on such animals. For this reason, past studies often used Mecp2 mouse models on mixed genetic backgrounds, thus opening questions on whether modifier genes could be responsible for at least part of the described effects. To verify this possibility, and facilitate the maintenance of the Mecp2 colony, we transferred the Mecp2tm1.1Bird allele on the stronger CD1 background. The CD1 strain is easier to maintain and largely recapitulates the phenotypes already described in Mecp2-null mice. We believe that this mouse model will foster the research on RTT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clementina Cobolli Gigli
- San Raffaele Rett Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Linda Scaramuzza
- San Raffaele Rett Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Gandaglia
- San Raffaele Rett Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisa Bellini
- San Raffaele Rett Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Institute of Surgical Pathology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marina Gabaglio
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Busto Arsizio, Italy
| | - Daniela Parolaro
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Busto Arsizio, Italy
- ZardiGori Foundation, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Nicoletta Landsberger
- San Raffaele Rett Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, L.I.T.A., Segrate, Italy
- * E-mail: (NL); (FB)
| | - Francesco Bedogni
- San Raffaele Rett Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- * E-mail: (NL); (FB)
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Bowers M, Jessberger S. Linking adult hippocampal neurogenesis with human physiology and disease. Dev Dyn 2016; 245:702-9. [PMID: 26890418 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2016] [Revised: 02/12/2016] [Accepted: 02/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
We here review the existing evidence linking adult hippocampal neurogenesis and human brain function in physiology and disease. Furthermore, we aim to point out where evidence is missing, highlight current promising avenues of investigation, and suggest future tools and approaches to foster the link between life-long neurogenesis and human brain function. Developmental Dynamics 245:702-709, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Bowers
- Laboratory of Neural Plasticity, Faculty of Medicine and Science, Brain Research Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sebastian Jessberger
- Laboratory of Neural Plasticity, Faculty of Medicine and Science, Brain Research Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Hamidi T, Singh AK, Chen T. Genetic alterations of DNA methylation machinery in human diseases. Epigenomics 2015; 7:247-65. [PMID: 25942534 DOI: 10.2217/epi.14.80] [Citation(s) in RCA: 180] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation plays a critical role in the regulation of chromatin structure and gene expression and is involved in a variety of biological processes. The levels and patterns of DNA methylation are regulated by both DNA methyltransferases (DNMT1, DNMT3A and DNMT3B) and 'demethylating' proteins, including the ten-eleven translocation (TET) family of dioxygenases (TET1, TET2 and TET3). The effects of DNA methylation on chromatin and gene expression are largely mediated by methylated DNA 'reader' proteins, including MeCP2. Numerous mutations in DNMTs, TETs and MeCP2 have been identified in cancer and developmental disorders, highlighting the importance of the DNA methylation machinery in human development and physiology. In this review, we describe these mutations and discuss how they may lead to disease phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tewfik Hamidi
- Department of Epigenetics & Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Science Park - Research Division, 1808 Park Road 1C, P. O. Box 389, Smithville, TX 78957, USA
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Abstract
Two severe, progressive neurological disorders characterized by intellectual disability, autism, and developmental regression, Rett syndrome and MECP2 duplication syndrome, result from loss and gain of function, respectively, of the same critical gene, methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MECP2). Neurons acutely require the appropriate dose of MECP2 to function properly but do not die in its absence or overexpression. Instead, neuronal dysfunction can be reversed in a Rett syndrome mouse model if MeCP2 function is restored. Thus, MECP2 disorders provide a unique window into the delicate balance of neuronal health, the power of mouse models, and the importance of chromatin regulation in mature neurons. In this Review, we will discuss the clinical profiles of MECP2 disorders, the knowledge acquired from mouse models of the syndromes, and how that knowledge is informing current and future clinical studies.
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Kondo MA, Gray LJ, Pelka GJ, Leang SK, Christodoulou J, Tam PPL, Hannan AJ. Affective dysfunction in a mouse model of Rett syndrome: Therapeutic effects of environmental stimulation and physical activity. Dev Neurobiol 2015; 76:209-24. [DOI: 10.1002/dneu.22308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2014] [Revised: 03/24/2015] [Accepted: 05/22/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Mari A. Kondo
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health; University of Melbourne; Parkville Victoria 3010 Australia
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience; University of Melbourne; Parkville Victoria 3010 Australia
| | - Laura J. Gray
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health; University of Melbourne; Parkville Victoria 3010 Australia
| | - Gregory J. Pelka
- Embryology Unit; Children's Medical Research Institute; Westmead New South Wales 2145 Australia
| | - Sook-Kwan Leang
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health; University of Melbourne; Parkville Victoria 3010 Australia
| | - John Christodoulou
- Western Sydney Genetics Program; Children's Hospital at Westmead; Westmead, New South Wales 2145 Australia
- Disciplines of Paediatrics and Child Health and Genetic Medicine; University of Sydney; Sydney New South Wales 2006 Australia
| | - Patrick P. L. Tam
- Embryology Unit; Children's Medical Research Institute; Westmead New South Wales 2145 Australia
- Sydney Medical School; University of Sydney; Sydney New South Wales 2006 Australia
| | - Anthony J. Hannan
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health; University of Melbourne; Parkville Victoria 3010 Australia
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience; University of Melbourne; Parkville Victoria 3010 Australia
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