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Steele JW, Krishnan V, Finnell RH. Mechanisms of neurodevelopmental toxicity of topiramate. Crit Rev Toxicol 2024; 54:465-475. [PMID: 38995641 PMCID: PMC11296906 DOI: 10.1080/10408444.2024.2368552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
Prescriptions for antiseizure medications (ASMs) have been rapidly growing over the last several decades due, in part, to an expanding list of clinical indications for which they are now prescribed. This trend has raised concern for potential adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in ASM-exposed pregnancies. Recent large scale population studies have suggested that the use of topiramate (TOPAMAX, Janssen-Cilag), when prescribed for seizure control, migraines, and/or weight management, is associated with an increased risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), intellectual disability, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in exposed offspring. Here, we critically review epidemiologic evidence demonstrating the neurobehavioral teratogenicity of topiramate and speculate on the neuromolecular mechanisms by which prenatal exposure may perturb neurocognitive development. Specifically, we explore the potential role of topiramate's pharmacological interactions with ligand- and voltage-gated ion channels, especially GABAergic signaling, its effects on DNA methylation and histone acetylation, whether topiramate induces oxidative stress, and its association with fetal growth restriction as possible mechanisms contributing to neurodevelopmental toxicity. Resolving this biology will be necessary to reduce the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes caused by topiramate or other ASMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- John W. Steele
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Vaishnav Krishnan
- Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Psychiatry, and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Richard H. Finnell
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Departments of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
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Kumon H, Yoshino Y, Funahashi Y, Ochi S, Iga JI, Ueno SI. Effects of gestational haloperidol exposure on mRNA expressions related to glutamate and GABA receptors in offspring. IBRO Neurosci Rep 2023; 15:281-286. [PMID: 37860710 PMCID: PMC10582061 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibneur.2023.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Antipsychotic treatment is vital for patients with schizophrenia even in the perinatal period, but the impact at the molecular biological level on offspring is unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of intraperitoneal haloperidol injection to pregnant mice on glutamate and GABA receptors in the brain of offspring mice. Eight-week-old pregnant mice were treated with either intraperitoneal haloperidol or normal saline injection, and their offspring were defined as F1 mice. In addition, eight-week-old male mice were used as acute mice that were intraperitoneally injected with haloperidol or normal saline for 20 days. mRNA expression levels were measured by RT-qPCR. Western blotting was performed of the frontal lobes of F1 mice. In the hippocampi of F1 mice, Grik3 (p = 0.023) and Gabra3 (p = 0.004) mRNA expression levels were significantly higher in the haloperidol group than in the control group, whereas Gria2 (p < 0.001) and Grin2a (p < 0.001) mRNA expression levels were significantly lower in the haloperidol group than in the control group. Gria2 (p = 0.015), and Grik3 (p = 0.037), and Grin2a (p = 0.012) mRNA expression levels were significantly lower in the haloperidol group than in the control group in the frontal lobes of F1 mice. In the hippocampi of acute mice, Grik3 (p = 0.049) and Gabra3 (p = 0.007) mRNA expression levels were significantly decreased in the haloperidol group. Fetal exposure to haloperidol can affect glutamate and GABA receptors through mRNA expression changes in the brain of offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yu Funahashi
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Molecules and Function, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Shitsukawa, Toon, Ehime 791–0295, Japan
| | - Shinichiro Ochi
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Molecules and Function, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Shitsukawa, Toon, Ehime 791–0295, Japan
| | | | - Shu-ichi Ueno
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Molecules and Function, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Shitsukawa, Toon, Ehime 791–0295, Japan
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Wang Z, Xu Z, Luo Y, Peng S, Song H, Li T, Zheng J, Liu N, Wu S, Zhang J, Zhang L, Hu Y, Liu Y, Lu D, Dai J, Zhang J. Reduced biophotonic activities and spectral blueshift in Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia models with cognitive impairment. Front Aging Neurosci 2023; 15:1208274. [PMID: 37727319 PMCID: PMC10505668 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1208274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Although clinically, Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VaD) are the two major types of dementia, it is unclear whether the biophotonic activities associated with cognitive impairments in these diseases share common pathological features. Methods We used the ultraweak biophoton imaging system (UBIS) and synaptosomes prepared by modified percoll method to directly evaluate the functional changes in synapses and neural circuits in AD and VaD model animals. Results We found that biophotonic activities induced by glutamate were significantly reduced and spectral blueshifted in synaptosomes and brain slices. These changes could be partially reversed by pre-perfusion of the ifenprodil, a specific antagonist of the GluN2B subunit of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs). Conclusion Our findings suggest that AD and VaD pathology present similar but complex changes in biophotonic activities and transmission at synapses and neural circuits, implying that communications and information processing of biophotonic signals in the brain are crucial for advanced cognitive functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuo Wang
- Department of Neurology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- College of Life Science, Wuhan Institute for Neuroscience and Neuroengineering, South-Central Minzu University, Wuhan, China
- Medical Science Research Center, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhipeng Xu
- Department of Neurology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yi Luo
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Sisi Peng
- Department of Neurology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Hao Song
- Department of Neurology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Tian Li
- Department of Neurology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiaxin Zheng
- Department of Neurology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Na Liu
- College of Life Science, Wuhan Institute for Neuroscience and Neuroengineering, South-Central Minzu University, Wuhan, China
| | - Shenjia Wu
- Department of Neurology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Junxia Zhang
- Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuan Hu
- Department of Neurology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yanping Liu
- Department of Neurology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Dongwei Lu
- Department of Neurology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiapei Dai
- College of Life Science, Wuhan Institute for Neuroscience and Neuroengineering, South-Central Minzu University, Wuhan, China
| | - Junjian Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
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Zhao T, Zhong R, Zhang X, Li G, Zhou C, Fang S, Ding Y, Lin W. Efavirenz restored NMDA receptor dysfunction and inhibited epileptic seizures in GluN2A/Grin2a mutant mice. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1086462. [PMID: 36937661 PMCID: PMC10017539 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1086462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) is one of the main receptor of the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate in the brain, which is the key determinant of the excitatory/inhibitory balance of neural network. GluN2A/GRIN2A is one of the subunits of NMDAR and plays an important role in epilepsy. Approximately 78% of patients with GluN2A/Grin2a mutations have epilepsy, and the underlying mechanism of this association is not well characterized. Methods We constructed a mouse model of hyperthermic seizure, and conducted in vitro and in vivo electrophysiological and behavioral studies to clarify the pathogenic characteristics and mechanism of GluN2A/GRIN2A-V685G mutation. In addition, the drug efavirenz (EFV), which is used to treat HIV infection, was administrated to mutant animals to assess whether it can restore the loss of function. Results Mutant mice showed no significant change in the mRNA or protein expressions of NMDAR compared with wild type (WT) mice. Mice with GluN2A/GRIN2A-V685G mutation exhibited shorter latency to seizure, increased frequency of seizure-like events, decreased peak current and current area of NMDAR excitatory postsynaptic current, and decreased event frequency of micro-inhibitory postsynaptic current, compared to WT mice. They also exhibited decreased threshold, increased amplitude, increased input resistance, and increased root number of action potential. EFV administration reversed these changes. The loss-of-function (LoF) mutation of NMDAR changed the excitatory/inhibitory balance of neural network, rendering animal more prone to seizures. Discussion EFV was indicated to hold its potential in the treatment of inherited epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teng Zhao
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Rui Zhong
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xinyue Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Guangjian Li
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Chunkui Zhou
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Shaokuan Fang
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Shaokuan Fang,
| | - Ying Ding
- Department of Radiology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Ying Ding,
| | - Weihong Lin
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- *Correspondence: Weihong Lin,
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Zhang M, Chen Y, Liu J, Yang Y, Wang R, Zhang D, Zhu T. Development of NMDA receptors contributes to the enhancement of electroencephalogram oscillations under volatile anesthetics in rats. Front Neural Circuits 2022; 16:1065374. [PMID: 36589861 PMCID: PMC9797678 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2022.1065374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Volatile anesthetics including sevoflurane and isoflurane enhance oscillations of cortical electroencephalogram (EEG), partly by their modulations on glutamate-mediated excitatory synaptic transmission. Expression of NMDA receptors is increased during neonatal development. However, how the development of NMDA receptors influences EEG under volatile anesthesia remains unclear. Methods Expressions of NMDA receptor subtypes (NR1, NR2A, and NR2B) during neonatal development were measured by Western blotting. MAC (minimal alveolar concentration) of isoflurane and sevoflurane that inducing loss of righting reflex (LORR) and no response to tail-clamp (immobility) were measured to verify the effect of NR1 expression on anesthetic potency during neonatal development. Cortical electroencephalogram recording was used to examine the influence of NR1 expression on the power density of EEG. Results The expressions of GluNR1, GluNR2A and GluNR2B receptors were gradually increased during neonatal development in cortex, hippocampus and thalamus of rats. Knockdown of NR1 enhanced the sedative potency of volatile anesthetics but not on immobility potency in postnatal day 14 (P14)-P17 rats. For cortical EEG, along with the increased concentration of volatile anesthetics, cortical slow-delta oscillations of P5 rats were inhibited, theta and alpha oscillations were not changed significantly; while these oscillations were enhanced until high anesthetic concentrations in P21 rats. Knockdown of NR1 in forebrain suppressed the enhancement of cortical EEG oscillations in P21 rats. Conclusion The development of NMDA receptors may contribute to the enhancement of cortical EEG oscillations under volatile anesthetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingyue Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China,Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, National-Local Joint Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yali Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China,Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, National-Local Joint Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jin Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China,Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, National-Local Joint Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yaoxin Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China,Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, National-Local Joint Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Rurong Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Donghang Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China,Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, National-Local Joint Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China,*Correspondence: Donghang Zhang,
| | - Tao Zhu
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China,Tao Zhu,
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Habibey R, Striebel J, Schmieder F, Czarske J, Busskamp V. Long-term morphological and functional dynamics of human stem cell-derived neuronal networks on high-density micro-electrode arrays. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:951964. [PMID: 36267241 PMCID: PMC9578684 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.951964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Comprehensive electrophysiological characterizations of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived neuronal networks are essential to determine to what extent these in vitro models recapitulate the functional features of in vivo neuronal circuits. High-density micro-electrode arrays (HD-MEAs) offer non-invasive recording with the best spatial and temporal resolution possible to date. For 3 months, we tracked the morphology and activity features of developing networks derived from a transgenic hiPSC line in which neurogenesis is inducible by neurogenic transcription factor overexpression. Our morphological data revealed large-scale structural changes from homogeneously distributed neurons in the first month to the formation of neuronal clusters over time. This led to a constant shift in position of neuronal cells and clusters on HD-MEAs and corresponding changes in spatial distribution of the network activity maps. Network activity appeared as scarce action potentials (APs), evolved as local bursts with longer duration and changed to network-wide synchronized bursts with higher frequencies but shorter duration over time, resembling the emerging burst features found in the developing human brain. Instantaneous firing rate data indicated that the fraction of fast spiking neurons (150–600 Hz) increases sharply after 63 days post induction (dpi). Inhibition of glutamatergic synapses erased burst features from network activity profiles and confirmed the presence of mature excitatory neurotransmission. The application of GABAergic receptor antagonists profoundly changed the bursting profile of the network at 120 dpi. This indicated a GABAergic switch from excitatory to inhibitory neurotransmission during circuit development and maturation. Our results suggested that an emerging GABAergic system at older culture ages is involved in regulating spontaneous network bursts. In conclusion, our data showed that long-term and continuous microscopy and electrophysiology readouts are crucial for a meaningful characterization of morphological and functional maturation in stem cell-derived human networks. Most importantly, assessing the level and duration of functional maturation is key to subject these human neuronal circuits on HD-MEAs for basic and biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rouhollah Habibey
- Department of Ophthalmology, Universitäts-Augenklinik Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Johannes Striebel
- Department of Ophthalmology, Universitäts-Augenklinik Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Felix Schmieder
- Laboratory of Measurement and Sensor System Technique, Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jürgen Czarske
- Laboratory of Measurement and Sensor System Technique, Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Competence Center for Biomedical Computational Laser Systems (BIOLAS), TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence Physics of Life, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- School of Science, Institute of Applied Physics, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Volker Busskamp
- Department of Ophthalmology, Universitäts-Augenklinik Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- *Correspondence: Volker Busskamp,
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Zoodsma JD, Keegan EJ, Moody GR, Bhandiwad AA, Napoli AJ, Burgess HA, Wollmuth LP, Sirotkin HI. Disruption of grin2B, an ASD-associated gene, produces social deficits in zebrafish. Mol Autism 2022; 13:38. [PMID: 36138431 PMCID: PMC9502958 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-022-00516-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), like many neurodevelopmental disorders, has complex and varied etiologies. Advances in genome sequencing have identified multiple candidate genes associated with ASD, including dozens of missense and nonsense mutations in the NMDAR subunit GluN2B, encoded by GRIN2B. NMDARs are glutamate-gated ion channels with key synaptic functions in excitatory neurotransmission. How alterations in these proteins impact neurodevelopment is poorly understood, in part because knockouts of GluN2B in rodents are lethal. METHODS Here, we use CRISPR-Cas9 to generate zebrafish lacking GluN2B (grin2B-/-). Using these fish, we run an array of behavioral tests and perform whole-brain larval imaging to assay developmental roles and functions of GluN2B. RESULTS We demonstrate that zebrafish GluN2B displays similar structural and functional properties to human GluN2B. Zebrafish lacking GluN2B (grin2B-/-) surprisingly survive into adulthood. Given the prevalence of social deficits in ASD, we assayed social preference in the grin2B-/- fish. Wild-type fish develop a strong social preference by 3 weeks post fertilization. In contrast, grin2B-/- fish at this age exhibit significantly reduced social preference. Notably, the lack of GluN2B does not result in a broad disruption of neurodevelopment, as grin2B-/- larvae do not show alterations in spontaneous or photic-evoked movements, are capable of prey capture, and exhibit learning. Whole-brain imaging of grin2B-/- larvae revealed reduction of an inhibitory neuron marker in the subpallium, a region linked to ASD in humans, but showed that overall brain size and E/I balance in grin2B-/- is comparable to wild type. LIMITATIONS Zebrafish lacking GluN2B, while useful in studying developmental roles of GluN2B, are unlikely to model nuanced functional alterations of human missense mutations that are not complete loss of function. Additionally, detailed mammalian homologies for larval zebrafish brain subdivisions at the age of whole-brain imaging are not fully resolved. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrate that zebrafish completely lacking the GluN2B subunit of the NMDAR, unlike rodent models, are viable into adulthood. Notably, they exhibit a highly specific deficit in social behavior. As such, this zebrafish model affords a unique opportunity to study the roles of GluN2B in ASD etiologies and establish a disease-relevant in vivo model for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josiah D Zoodsma
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-5230, USA
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-5230, USA
| | - Emma J Keegan
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-5230, USA
| | - Gabrielle R Moody
- Graduate Program in Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-5230, USA
| | - Ashwin A Bhandiwad
- Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Amalia J Napoli
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-5230, USA
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-5230, USA
| | - Harold A Burgess
- Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Lonnie P Wollmuth
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-5230, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-5230, USA
- Center for Nervous System Disorders, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-5230, USA
| | - Howard I Sirotkin
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-5230, USA.
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Kasai S, Nishizawa D, Hasegawa J, Fukuda KI, Ichinohe T, Nagashima M, Hayashida M, Ikeda K. Short Tandem Repeat Variation in the CNR1 Gene Associated With Analgesic Requirements of Opioids in Postoperative Pain Management. Front Genet 2022; 13:815089. [PMID: 35360861 PMCID: PMC8963810 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.815089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Short tandem repeats (STRs) and variable number of tandem repeats (VNTRs) that have been identified at approximately 0.7 and 0.5 million loci in the human genome, respectively, are highly multi-allelic variations rather than single-nucleotide polymorphisms. The number of repeats of more than a few thousand STRs was associated with the expression of nearby genes, indicating that STRs are influential genetic variations in human traits. Analgesics act on the central nervous system via their intrinsic receptors to produce analgesic effects. In the present study, we focused on STRs and VNTRs in the CNR1, GRIN2A, PENK, and PDYN genes and analyzed two peripheral pain sensation-related traits and seven analgesia-related traits in postoperative pain management. A total of 192 volunteers who underwent the peripheral pain sensation tests and 139 and 252 patients who underwent open abdominal and orthognathic cosmetic surgeries, respectively, were included in the study. None of the four STRs or VNTRs were associated with peripheral pain sensation. Short tandem repeats in the CNR1, GRIN2A, and PENK genes were associated with the frequency of fentanyl use, fentanyl dose, and visual analog scale pain scores 3 h after orthognathic cosmetic surgery (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient ρ = 0.199, p = 0.002, ρ = 0.174, p = 0.006, and ρ = 0.135, p = 0.033, respectively), analgesic dose, including epidural analgesics after open abdominal surgery (ρ = -0.200, p = 0.018), and visual analog scale pain scores 24 h after orthognathic cosmetic surgery (ρ = 0.143, p = 0.023), respectively. The associations between STRs in the CNR1 gene and the frequency of fentanyl use and fentanyl dose after orthognathic cosmetic surgery were confirmed by Holm's multiple-testing correction. These findings indicate that STRs in the CNR1 gene influence analgesia in the orofacial region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinya Kasai
- Addictive Substance Project, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Daisuke Nishizawa
- Addictive Substance Project, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Junko Hasegawa
- Addictive Substance Project, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ken-ichi Fukuda
- Department of Oral Health Science, Tokyo Dental College, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Ichinohe
- Department of Dental Anesthesiology, Tokyo Dental College, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Makoto Nagashima
- Department of Surgery, Toho University Sakura Medical Center, Sakura, Japan
| | - Masakazu Hayashida
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazutaka Ikeda
- Addictive Substance Project, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan
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9
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Wang X, Guo Z, Mei D, Zhang Y, Zhao S, Hu S, Luo S, Wang Q, Gao C. The GluN2B-Trp373 NMDA Receptor Variant is Associated with Autism-, Epilepsy-Related Phenotypes and Reduces NMDA Receptor Currents in Rats. Neurochem Res 2022; 47:1588-1597. [PMID: 35181828 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-022-03554-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition with core clinical features of abnormal communication, social interactions, atypical intelligence, and a higher risk of epilepsy. Prior work has suggested that de novo heterozygous mutations in the GRIN2B gene that encodes the GluN2B subunit of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptors are likely linked to ASD. However, whether GLuN2B-Trp373 mutation derived from autistic individuals causes ASD-like behavioral aberrations in rats remains to be determined. Here, through in utero electroporation and in vivo studies, we conducted a battery of tests to examine ASD-associated behaviors, cognitive impairments, and susceptibility to pentylenetetrazol-induced seizures. Whole-cell patch recording was utilized to determine whether the GluN2B-Trp373 mutation influences GluN2B-containing NMDA receptor currents in rats. Results show that, behaviorally, GLuN2B-Trp373 mutant rats exhibited core behavioral manifestations of ASD, such as social interaction deficits, increases in stereotyped behaviors and anxiety stereotyped/repetitive, impaired spatial memory, and enhanced risk of pentylenetetrazol-induced seizures, consistent with many of the hallmarks of low-functioning ASD in humans. Functionally, the GluN2B-Trp373 mutation results in reduced GluN2B surface protein expression together with decreased hippocampal NMDA receptor currents. Collectively, our findings highlight that GluN2B-Trp373 mutations can drive the manifestation of ASD-associated symptoms via the suppression of NMDA receptor currents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaona Wang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Children's Genetics and Metabolic Diseases, Henan Neurodevelopment Engineering Research Center for Children, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, 33 Longhu Outer Circle Dong Road, Zhengzhou, 450018, Henan, China.
| | - Zhiyue Guo
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Daoqi Mei
- Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yaodong Zhang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Children's Genetics and Metabolic Diseases, Henan Neurodevelopment Engineering Research Center for Children, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, 33 Longhu Outer Circle Dong Road, Zhengzhou, 450018, Henan, China
| | - Shuai Zhao
- Henan Key Laboratory of Children's Genetics and Metabolic Diseases, Henan Neurodevelopment Engineering Research Center for Children, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, 33 Longhu Outer Circle Dong Road, Zhengzhou, 450018, Henan, China
| | - Shunan Hu
- Henan Key Laboratory of Children's Genetics and Metabolic Diseases, Henan Neurodevelopment Engineering Research Center for Children, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, 33 Longhu Outer Circle Dong Road, Zhengzhou, 450018, Henan, China
| | - Shuying Luo
- Henan Key Laboratory of Children's Genetics and Metabolic Diseases, Henan Neurodevelopment Engineering Research Center for Children, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, 33 Longhu Outer Circle Dong Road, Zhengzhou, 450018, Henan, China
| | - Qi Wang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Dongqing Road, Guiyang, 550025, Guizhou, China.
| | - Chao Gao
- Department of Rehabilitation, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
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10
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Warm D, Schroer J, Sinning A. Gabaergic Interneurons in Early Brain Development: Conducting and Orchestrated by Cortical Network Activity. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 14:807969. [PMID: 35046773 PMCID: PMC8763242 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.807969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Throughout early phases of brain development, the two main neural signaling mechanisms—excitation and inhibition—are dynamically sculpted in the neocortex to establish primary functions. Despite its relatively late formation and persistent developmental changes, the GABAergic system promotes the ordered shaping of neuronal circuits at the structural and functional levels. Within this frame, interneurons participate first in spontaneous and later in sensory-evoked activity patterns that precede cortical functions of the mature brain. Upon their subcortical generation, interneurons in the embryonic brain must first orderly migrate to and settle in respective target layers before they can actively engage in cortical network activity. During this process, changes at the molecular and synaptic level of interneurons allow not only their coordinated formation but also the pruning of connections as well as excitatory and inhibitory synapses. At the postsynaptic site, the shift of GABAergic signaling from an excitatory towards an inhibitory response is required to enable synchronization within cortical networks. Concomitantly, the progressive specification of different interneuron subtypes endows the neocortex with distinct local cortical circuits and region-specific modulation of neuronal firing. Finally, the apoptotic process further refines neuronal populations by constantly maintaining a controlled ratio of inhibitory and excitatory neurons. Interestingly, many of these fundamental and complex processes are influenced—if not directly controlled—by electrical activity. Interneurons on the subcellular, cellular, and network level are affected by high frequency patterns, such as spindle burst and gamma oscillations in rodents and delta brushes in humans. Conversely, the maturation of interneuron structure and function on each of these scales feeds back and contributes to the generation of cortical activity patterns that are essential for the proper peri- and postnatal development. Overall, a more precise description of the conducting role of interneurons in terms of how they contribute to specific activity patterns—as well as how specific activity patterns impinge on their maturation as orchestra members—will lead to a better understanding of the physiological and pathophysiological development and function of the nervous system.
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11
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Liu XR, Xu XX, Lin SM, Fan CY, Ye TT, Tang B, Shi YW, Su T, Li BM, Yi YH, Luo JH, Liao WP. GRIN2A Variants Associated With Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsies. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:720984. [PMID: 34720871 PMCID: PMC8551482 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.720984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: The objective of this study is to explore the role of GRIN2A gene in idiopathic generalized epilepsies and the potential underlying mechanism for phenotypic variation. Methods: Whole-exome sequencing was performed in a cohort of 88 patients with idiopathic generalized epilepsies. Electro-physiological alterations of the recombinant N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) containing GluN2A mutants were examined using two-electrode voltage-clamp recordings. The alterations of protein expression were detected by immunofluorescence staining and biotinylation. Previous studies reported that epilepsy related GRIN2A missense mutations were reviewed. The correlation among phenotypes, functional alterations, and molecular locations was analyzed. Results: Three novel heterozygous missense GRIN2A mutations (c.1770A > C/p.K590N, c.2636A > G/p.K879R, and c.3199C > T/p.R1067W) were identified in three unrelated cases. Electrophysiological analysis demonstrated R1067W significantly increased the current density of GluN1/GluN2A NMDARs. Immunofluorescence staining indicated GluN2A mutants had abundant distribution in the membrane and cytoplasm. Western blotting showed the ratios of surface and total expression of the three GluN2A-mutants were significantly increased comparing to the wild type. Further analysis on the reported missense mutations demonstrated that mutations with severe gain-of-function were associated with epileptic encephalopathy, while mutations with mild gain of function were associated with mild phenotypes, suggesting a quantitative correlation between gain-of-function and phenotypic severity. The mutations located around transmembrane domains were more frequently associated with severe phenotypes and absence seizure-related mutations were mostly located in carboxyl-terminal domain, suggesting molecular sub-regional effects. Significance: This study revealed GRIN2A gene was potentially a candidate pathogenic gene of idiopathic generalized epilepsies. The functional quantitative correlation and the molecular sub-regional implication of mutations helped in explaining the relatively mild clinical phenotypes and incomplete penetrance associated with GRIN2A variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Rong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Neuroscience and Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xing-Xing Xu
- Department of Physiology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Si-Mei Lin
- Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Neuroscience and Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Cui-Ying Fan
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Research and Brain-Machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ting-Ting Ye
- Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Neuroscience and Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bin Tang
- Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Neuroscience and Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yi-Wu Shi
- Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Neuroscience and Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tao Su
- Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Neuroscience and Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bing-Mei Li
- Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Neuroscience and Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yong-Hong Yi
- Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Neuroscience and Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jian-Hong Luo
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Research and Brain-Machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wei-Ping Liao
- Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Neuroscience and Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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12
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Abstract
By evaluating children with a malformed cerebral cortex, we identified an ATPase pump (ATP1A3) with an early role in brain development. The ATP1A3 pump maintains the physiological concentration of sodium and potassium ions in cells, a process critical for osmotic equilibrium and membrane potential across several developing cell populations. We employed single-cell sequencing approaches to identify key enrichments for ATP1A3 expression during human cortex development. Unravelling this early cell-type–specific pathophysiology in the developing brain offers a potential basis for the treatment of ATP1A3-related diseases affecting prenatal and early childhood development. Osmotic equilibrium and membrane potential in animal cells depend on concentration gradients of sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) ions across the plasma membrane, a function catalyzed by the Na+,K+-ATPase α-subunit. Here, we describe ATP1A3 variants encoding dysfunctional α3-subunits in children affected by polymicrogyria, a developmental malformation of the cerebral cortex characterized by abnormal folding and laminar organization. To gain cell-biological insights into the spatiotemporal dynamics of prenatal ATP1A3 expression, we built an ATP1A3 transcriptional atlas of fetal cortical development using mRNA in situ hybridization and transcriptomic profiling of ∼125,000 individual cells with single-cell RNA sequencing (Drop-seq) from 11 areas of the midgestational human neocortex. We found that fetal expression of ATP1A3 is most abundant to a subset of excitatory neurons carrying transcriptional signatures of the developing subplate, yet also maintains expression in nonneuronal cell populations. Moving forward a year in human development, we profiled ∼52,000 nuclei from four areas of an infant neocortex and show that ATP1A3 expression persists throughout early postnatal development, most predominantly in inhibitory neurons, including parvalbumin interneurons in the frontal cortex. Finally, we discovered the heteromeric Na+,K+-ATPase pump complex may form nonredundant cell-type–specific α-β isoform combinations, including α3-β1 in excitatory neurons and α3-β2 in inhibitory neurons. Together, the developmental malformation phenotype of affected individuals and single-cell ATP1A3 expression patterns point to a key role for α3 in human cortex development, as well as a cell-type basis for pre- and postnatal ATP1A3-associated diseases.
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13
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Rea V, Van Raay TJ. Using Zebrafish to Model Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Comparison of ASD Risk Genes Between Zebrafish and Their Mammalian Counterparts. Front Mol Neurosci 2020; 13:575575. [PMID: 33262688 PMCID: PMC7686559 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2020.575575] [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: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a highly variable and complex set of neurological disorders that alter neurodevelopment and cognitive function, which usually presents with social and learning impairments accompanied with other comorbid symptoms like hypersensitivity or hyposensitivity, or repetitive behaviors. Autism can be caused by genetic and/or environmental factors and unraveling the etiology of ASD has proven challenging, especially given that different genetic mutations can cause both similar and different phenotypes that all fall within the autism spectrum. Furthermore, the list of ASD risk genes is ever increasing making it difficult to synthesize a common theme. The use of rodent models to enhance ASD research is invaluable and is beginning to unravel the underlying molecular mechanisms of this disease. Recently, zebrafish have been recognized as a useful model of neurodevelopmental disorders with regards to genetics, pharmacology and behavior and one of the main foundations supporting autism research (SFARI) recently identified 12 ASD risk genes with validated zebrafish mutant models. Here, we describe what is known about those 12 ASD risk genes in human, mice and zebrafish to better facilitate this research. We also describe several non-genetic models including pharmacological and gnotobiotic models that are used in zebrafish to study ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Terence J. Van Raay
- Dept of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
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14
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Alzu'bi A, Middleham W, Shoaib M, Clowry GJ. Selective Expression of Nicotinic Receptor Sub-unit mRNA in Early Human Fetal Forebrain. Front Mol Neurosci 2020; 13:72. [PMID: 32670017 PMCID: PMC7326072 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2020.00072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence from animal and human studies indicate that exposure to nicotine during development, separated from the effects of smoking tobacco, can contribute to dysregulation of brain development including behavioral deficits. An RNAseq study of human fetal cerebral cortex demonstrated that 9 out of 16 genes for human nicotinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptor subunits are selectively expressed between 7.5 and 12 post-conceptional weeks (PCW). The most highly expressed subunit genes were CHNRA4 and CHNRB2, whose protein products combine to form the most ubiquitous functional receptor isoform expressed in the adult brain. They exhibited correlated expression in both RNAseq samples, and in tissue sections by in situ hybridization. Co-localization studies with other cortical markers suggest they are pre-dominantly expressed by post-mitotic glutamatergic neuron pre-cursors in both cortical plate and pre-subplate, rather than cortical progenitor cells or GABAergic interneuron pre-cursors. However, GABAergic interneuron progenitor cells in the ganglionic eminences do express these sub-units. CHNRA5 also showed moderate levels of expression and again favored post-mitotic neurons. Other subunits, e.g., CHRNA7, exhibited low but detectable levels of expression. CHRN genes found not to be expressed included genes for subunits usually considered muscle specific, e.g., CHNRA1, although some muscle specific gene expression was detected, for instance CHNRB1. Although there is little or no synthesis of acetylcholine by intrinsic cortical neurons, cholinergic fibers from basal forebrain innervate the cerebral cortex from 12 PCW at the latest. Acetylcholine may have a paracrine effect on radially migrating cortical neurons and GABAergic interneuron progenitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayman Alzu'bi
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.,Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan
| | - William Middleham
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Mohammed Shoaib
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Gavin J Clowry
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
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15
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Smith RS, Walsh CA. Ion Channel Functions in Early Brain Development. Trends Neurosci 2020; 43:103-114. [PMID: 31959360 PMCID: PMC7092371 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2019.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Revised: 12/08/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
During prenatal brain development, ion channels are ubiquitous across several cell types, including progenitor cells and migrating neurons but their function has not been clear. In the past, ion channel dysfunction has been primarily studied in the context of postnatal, differentiated neurons that fire action potentials - notably ion channels mutated in the epilepsies - yet data now support a surprising role in prenatal human brain disorders as well. Modern gene discovery approaches have identified defective ion channels in individuals with cerebral cortex malformations, which reflect abnormalities in early-to-middle stages of embryonic development (prior to ubiquitous action potentials). These human genetics studies and recent in utero animal modeling work suggest that precise control of ionic flux (calcium, sodium, and potassium) contributes to in utero developmental processes such as neural proliferation, migration, and differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard S Smith
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research, and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Christopher A Walsh
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research, and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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16
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Tiburcio-Félix R, Cisneros B, Hernández-Kelly LCR, Hernández-Contreras MA, Luna-Herrera J, Rea-Hernández I, Jiménez-Aguilar R, Olivares-Bañuelos TN, Ortega A. Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase in Cultured Cerebellar Bergmann Glia: Glutamate-Dependent Regulation. ACS Chem Neurosci 2019; 10:2668-2675. [PMID: 31091406 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.8b00656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Glutamate exerts its actions through the activation of membrane receptors expressed in neurons and glia cells. The signaling properties of glutamate transporters have been characterized recently, suggesting a complex array of signaling transactions triggered by presynaptic released glutamate. In the cerebellar molecular layer, glutamatergic synapses are surrounded by Bergmann glia cells, compulsory participants of glutamate turnover and supply to neurons. Since a glutamate-dependent increase in cGMP levels has been described in these cells and the nitric oxide-cGMP signaling cascade increases their glutamate uptake activity, we describe here the Bergmann glia expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthetase. An augmentation of neuronal nitric oxide synthase was found upon glutamate exposure. This effect is mediated by glutamate transporters and is related to an increase in the stability of the enzyme. These results strengthen the notion of a complex regulation of glial glutamate uptake that supports neuronal glutamate signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reynaldo Tiburcio-Félix
- Departamento de Genética y Biología Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, Apartado Postal 14-740, Ciudad de México 07360, Mexico
| | - Bulmaro Cisneros
- Departamento de Genética y Biología Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, Apartado Postal 14-740, Ciudad de México 07360, Mexico
| | - Luisa C. R. Hernández-Kelly
- Departamento de Toxicología, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, Apartado Postal 14-740, Ciudad de México 07360, Mexico
| | - María A. Hernández-Contreras
- Departamento de Inmunología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México 11340, México
| | - Julieta Luna-Herrera
- Departamento de Inmunología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México 11340, México
| | - Ismael Rea-Hernández
- Departamento de Genética y Biología Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, Apartado Postal 14-740, Ciudad de México 07360, Mexico
| | - Rosalinda Jiménez-Aguilar
- Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Pediátricos, Hospital General La Raza Gaudencio González Garza, Unidad de Alta Especialidad Médica (UMAE), Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Ciudad de México 02990, México
| | - Tatiana N. Olivares-Bañuelos
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Ensenada, Baja California 22860, México
| | - Arturo Ortega
- Departamento de Toxicología, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, Apartado Postal 14-740, Ciudad de México 07360, Mexico
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17
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Yakoub AM. Cerebral organoids exhibit mature neurons and astrocytes and recapitulate electrophysiological activity of the human brain. Neural Regen Res 2019; 14:757-761. [PMID: 30688257 PMCID: PMC6375034 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.249283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple protocols have been devised to generate cerebral organoids that recapitulate features of the developing human brain, including the presence of a large, multi-layered, cortical-like neuronal zone. However, the central question is whether these organoids truly present mature, functional neurons and astrocytes, which may qualify the system for in-depth molecular neuroscience studies focused at neuronal and synaptic functions. Here, we demonstrate that cerebral organoids derived under optimal differentiation conditions exhibit mature, fully functional neurons and astrocytes, as validated by immunohistological, gene expression, and electrophysiological, analyses. Neurons in cerebral organoids showed gene expression profiles and electrophysiological properties similar to those reported for fetal human brain. These important findings indicate that cerebral organoids recapitulate the developing human brain and may enhance use of cerebral organoids in modeling human brain development or investigating neural deficits that underlie neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric conditions, such as autism or intellectual disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abraam M Yakoub
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
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18
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Mekli K, Stevens A, Marshall AD, Arpawong TE, Phillips DF, Tampubolon G, Lee J, Prescott CA, Nazroo JY, Pendleton N. Frailty Index associates with GRIN2B in two representative samples from the United States and the United Kingdom. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0207824. [PMID: 30475886 PMCID: PMC6258126 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0207824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The concept of frailty has been used in the clinical and research field for more than two decades. It is usually described as a clinical state of heightened vulnerability to poor resolution of homeostasis after a stressor event, which thereby increases the risk of adverse outcomes, including falls, delirium, disability and mortality. Here we report the results of the first genome-wide association scan and comparative gene ontology analyses where we aimed to identify genes and pathways associated with the deficit model of frailty. We used a discovery-replication design with two independent, nationally representative samples of older adults. The square-root transformed Frailty Index (FI) was the outcome variable, and age and sex were included as covariates. We report one hit exceeding genome-wide significance: the rs6765037 A allele was significantly associated with a decrease in the square-root transformed FI score in the Discovery sample (beta = -0.01958, p = 2.14E-08), without confirmation in the Replication sample. We also report a nominal replication: the rs7134291 A allele was significantly associated with a decrease in the square-root transformed FI score (Discovery sample: beta = -0.01021, p = 1.85E-06, Replication sample: beta = -0.005013, p = 0.03433). These hits represent the KBTBD12 and the GRIN2B genes, respectively. Comparative gene ontology analysis identified the pathways ‘Neuropathic pain signalling in dorsal horn neurons’ and the ‘GPCR-Mediated Nutrient Sensing in Enteroendocrine Cells’, exceeding the p = 0.01 significance in both samples, although this result does not survive correction for multiple testing. Considering the crucial role of GRIN2B in brain development, synaptic plasticity and cognition, this gene appears to be a potential candidate to play a role in frailty. In conclusion, we conducted genome-wide association scan and pathway analyses and have identified genes and pathways with potential roles in frailty. However, frailty is a complex condition. Therefore, further research is required to confirm our results and more thoroughly identify relevant biological mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krisztina Mekli
- Cathie Marsh Institute for Social Research, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Adam Stevens
- Division of Developmental Biology and Medicine, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Alan D. Marshall
- School of Social and Political Science, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Thalida E. Arpawong
- Department of Psychology, Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
| | - Drystan F. Phillips
- Dornsife Center for Economic and Social Research, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
- RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, CA, United States of America
| | - Gindo Tampubolon
- Institute for Social Change, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Jinkook Lee
- Dornsife Center for Economic and Social Research, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
- RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, CA, United States of America
| | - Carol A. Prescott
- Department of Psychology, Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
- Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
| | - James Y. Nazroo
- Cathie Marsh Institute for Social Research, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Neil Pendleton
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
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19
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Yuan H, Yang M, Han X, Ni X. The Therapeutic Effect of the Chinese Herbal Medicine, Rehmanniae Radix Preparata, in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder via Reversal of Structural Abnormalities in the Cortex. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE : ECAM 2018; 2018:3052058. [PMID: 30405737 PMCID: PMC6204205 DOI: 10.1155/2018/3052058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2018] [Revised: 09/02/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Rehmanniae radix preparata is extracted from wine-steaming the Rehmannia root, a scrophulariaceae plant. It has been used for thousands of years with effects of nourishing kidney-yin, benefiting essence and filling marrow based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory. Rehmanniae radix preparata has antioxidant, antisenescence, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. It is the most popular Traditional Chinese medicinal compound (TCMC) used in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) therapy. However, few studies have been conducted exploring the effects and potential mechanisms of Rehmanniae radix preparata alone on ADHD. Recent studies have shown that Rehmanniae radix preparata inhibits spontaneous activity in mice, improves learning and memory in rats following thalamic arcuate nucleus injury, and exhibits antidepressant effects. Catalpol, an active component of Rehmanniae radix preparata, elevates brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and attenuates neuronal apoptosis and energy metabolism failure. ADHD is characterized by hyperactivity-impulsivity and impairments in learning and memory. Its pathomechanism is closely related to structural abnormalities in the cortex that is mediated by dysfunction in neuronal development, apoptosis, and energy metabolism. We hypothesize that Rehmanniae radix preparata may be effective at treating ADHD by alleviating neurodevelopmental abnormalities, neuronal apoptosis, and energy metabolism failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haixia Yuan
- Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, First Clinical Medical College, Institute of Pediatrics of traditional Chinese Medicine, Qixia District, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Meng Yang
- Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese medicine literature, Qixia District, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xinmin Han
- Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, First Clinical Medical College, Institute of Pediatrics of traditional Chinese Medicine, Qixia District, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xinqiang Ni
- Shenzhen traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Pediatrics of traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, 518038, Guangdong Province, China
- Institute of Geriatrics, Shenzhen, 518035, Guangdong Province, China
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20
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Kumar J, Solaiman A, Mahakkanukrauh P, Mohamed R, Das S. Sleep Related Epilepsy and Pharmacotherapy: An Insight. Front Pharmacol 2018; 9:1088. [PMID: 30319421 PMCID: PMC6171479 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.01088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Accepted: 09/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
In the last several decades, sleep-related epilepsy has drawn considerable attention among epileptologists and neuroscientists in the interest of new paradigms of the disease etiology, pathogenesis and management. Sleep-related epilepsy is nocturnal seizures that manifest solely during the sleep state. Sleep comprises two distinct stages i.e., non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and rapid eye movement (REM) that alternate every 90 min with NREM preceding REM. Current findings indicate that the sleep-related epilepsy manifests predominantly during the synchronized stages of sleep; NREM over REM stage. Sleep related hypermotor epilepsy (SHE), benign partial epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes or benign rolandic epilepsy (BECTS), and Panayiotopoulos Syndrome (PS) are three of the most frequently implicated epilepsies occurring during the sleep state. Although some familial types are described, others are seemingly sporadic occurrences. In the present review, we aim to discuss the predominance of sleep-related epilepsy during NREM, established familial links to the pathogenesis of SHE, BECTS and PS, and highlight the present available pharmacotherapy options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaya Kumar
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Amro Solaiman
- Department of Anatomy, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Pasuk Mahakkanukrauh
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Excellence Centre in Forensic Osteology Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Rashidi Mohamed
- Department of Familty Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Srijit Das
- Department of Anatomy, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Kirischuk S, Sinning A, Blanquie O, Yang JW, Luhmann HJ, Kilb W. Modulation of Neocortical Development by Early Neuronal Activity: Physiology and Pathophysiology. Front Cell Neurosci 2017; 11:379. [PMID: 29238291 PMCID: PMC5712676 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2017.00379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2017] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal and human studies revealed that patterned neuronal activity is an inherent feature of developing nervous systems. This review summarizes our current knowledge about the mechanisms generating early electrical activity patterns and their impact on structural and functional development of the cerebral cortex. All neocortical areas display distinct spontaneous and sensory-driven neuronal activity patterns already at early phases of development. At embryonic stages, intermittent spontaneous activity is synchronized within small neuronal networks, becoming more complex with further development. This transition is accompanied by a gradual shift from electrical to chemical synaptic transmission, with a particular role of non-synaptic tonic currents before the onset of phasic synaptic activity. In this review article we first describe functional impacts of classical neurotransmitters (GABA, glutamate) and modulatory systems (e.g., acetylcholine, ACh) on early neuronal activities in the neocortex with special emphasis on electrical synapses, nonsynaptic and synaptic currents. Early neuronal activity influences probably all developmental processes and is crucial for the proper formation of neuronal circuits. In the second part of our review, we illustrate how specific activity patterns might interfere with distinct neurodevelopmental processes like proliferation, migration, axonal and dendritic sprouting, synapse formation and neurotransmitter specification. Finally, we present evidence that transient alterations in neuronal activity during restricted perinatal periods can lead to persistent changes in functional connectivity and therefore might underlie the manifestation of neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergei Kirischuk
- Institute of Physiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Anne Sinning
- Institute of Physiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Oriane Blanquie
- Institute of Physiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Jenq-Wei Yang
- Institute of Physiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Heiko J Luhmann
- Institute of Physiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Werner Kilb
- Institute of Physiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
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Abstract
Zika virus caught the world by surprise by its rapid spread and frightening disease outcomes. This major epidemic motivated many scientists to focus their attention on controlling this emerging pathogen. As many as 45 vaccine candidates are being developed, but progress in the antiviral arena has been slower. In a recent article (mBio 8:e00350-17, 2017, https://doi.org/10.1128/mBio.00350-17), Costa and colleagues showed that an FDA-approved drug used to treat Alzheimer’s disease may moderate Zika virus-induced neuronal damage. This work is based on the premise that overstimulation of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) may drive neurodegeneration and that this may be responsible for neuronal cell death associated with Zika virus infection of the central nervous system (CNS). Thus, blockage of the NMDAR channel activity with FDA-approved memantine or other antagonists may reduce neurological complications associated with Zika virus infection. Repurposing a preapproved drug and targeting the host represent intriguing strategies and yet require more analysis prior to moving into clinical trials.
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Ortega JA, Memi F, Radonjic N, Filipovic R, Bagasrawala I, Zecevic N, Jakovcevski I. The Subventricular Zone: A Key Player in Human Neocortical Development. Neuroscientist 2017; 24:156-170. [PMID: 29254416 DOI: 10.1177/1073858417691009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
One of the main characteristics of the developing brain is that all neurons and the majority of macroglia originate first in the ventricular zone (VZ), next to the lumen of the cerebral ventricles, and later on in a secondary germinal area above the VZ, the subventricular zone (SVZ). The SVZ is a transient compartment mitotically active in humans for several gestational months. It serves as a major source of cortical projection neurons as well as an additional source of glial cells and potentially some interneuron subpopulations. The SVZ is subdivided into the smaller inner (iSVZ) and the expanded outer SVZ (oSVZ). The enlargement of the SVZ and, in particular, the emergence of the oSVZ are evolutionary adaptations that were critical to the expansion and unique cellular composition of the primate cerebral cortex. In this review, we discuss the cell types and organization of the human SVZ during the first half of the 40 weeks of gestation that comprise intrauterine development. We focus on this period as it is when the bulk of neurogenesis in the human cerebral cortex takes place. We consider how the survival and fate of SVZ cells depend on environmental influences, by analyzing the results from in vitro experiments with human cortical progenitor cells. This in vitro model is a powerful tool to better understand human neocortex formation and the etiology of neurodevelopmental disorders, which in turn will facilitate the design of targeted preventive and/or therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Alberto Ortega
- 1 Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Fani Memi
- 1 Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Nevena Radonjic
- 1 Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA.,2 Psychiatry Department, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Radmila Filipovic
- 1 Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Inseyah Bagasrawala
- 1 Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Nada Zecevic
- 1 Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Igor Jakovcevski
- 3 Institute for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, University Hospital Cologne, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,4 Experimental Neurophysiology, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bonn, Germany
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24
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Gao K, Tankovic A, Zhang Y, Kusumoto H, Zhang J, Chen W, XiangWei W, Shaulsky GH, Hu C, Traynelis SF, Yuan H, Jiang Y. A de novo loss-of-function GRIN2A mutation associated with childhood focal epilepsy and acquired epileptic aphasia. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0170818. [PMID: 28182669 PMCID: PMC5300259 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0170818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2016] [Accepted: 01/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDAR) subunit GRIN2A/GluN2A mutations have been identified in patients with various neurological diseases, such as epilepsy and intellectual disability / developmental delay (ID/DD). In this study, we investigated the phenotype and underlying molecular mechanism of a GRIN2A missense mutation identified by next generation sequencing on idiopathic focal epilepsy using in vitro electrophysiology. METHODS Genomic DNA of patients with epilepsy and ID/DD were sequenced by targeted next-generation sequencing within 300 genes related to epilepsy and ID/DD. The effects of one missense GRIN2A mutation on NMDAR function were evaluated by two-electrode voltage clamp current recordings and whole cell voltage clamp current recordings. RESULTS We identified one de novo missense GRIN2A mutation (Asp731Asn, GluN2A(D731N)) in a child with unexplained epilepsy and DD. The D731N mutation is located in a portion of the agonist-binding domain (ABD) in the GluN2A subunit, which is the binding pocket for agonist glutamate. This residue in the ABD is conserved among vertebrate species and all other NMDAR subunits, suggesting an important role in receptor function. The proband shows developmental delay as well as EEG-confirmed seizure activity. Functional analyses reveal that the GluN2A(D731N) mutation decreases glutamate potency by over 3,000-fold, reduces amplitude of current response, shortens synaptic-like response time course, and decreases channel open probability, while enhancing sensitivity to negative allosteric modulators, including extracellular proton and zinc inhibition. The combined effects reduce NMDAR function. SIGNIFICANCE We identified a de novo missense mutation in the GRIN2A gene in a patient with childhood focal epilepsy and acquired epileptic aphasia. The mutant decreases NMDAR activation suggesting NMDAR hypofunction may contribute to the epilepsy pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Gao
- Department of Pediatrics and Pediatric Epilepsy Center, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Anel Tankovic
- Department of Pharmacology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Yujia Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics and Pediatric Epilepsy Center, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Hirofumi Kusumoto
- Department of Pharmacology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Jin Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Wenjuan Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Wenshu XiangWei
- Department of Pediatrics and Pediatric Epilepsy Center, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Gil H. Shaulsky
- Department of Pharmacology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Chun Hu
- Department of Pharmacology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Stephen F. Traynelis
- Department of Pharmacology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
- Center for Functional Evaluation of Rare Variant (CFERV), Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Hongjie Yuan
- Department of Pharmacology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
- Center for Functional Evaluation of Rare Variant (CFERV), Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Yuwu Jiang
- Department of Pediatrics and Pediatric Epilepsy Center, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
- Center of Epilepsy, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China
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Bagasrawala I, Zecevic N, Radonjić NV. N-Methyl D-Aspartate Receptor Antagonist Kynurenic Acid Affects Human Cortical Development. Front Neurosci 2016; 10:435. [PMID: 27746712 PMCID: PMC5043058 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2016.00435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2016] [Accepted: 09/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Kynurenic acid (KYNA), a neuroactive metabolite of tryptophan degradation, acts as an endogenous N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist. Elevated levels of KYNA have been observed in pregnant women after viral infections and are considered to play a role in neurodevelopmental disorders. However, the consequences of KYNA-induced NMDAR blockade in human cortical development still remain elusive. To study the potential impact of KYNA on human neurodevelopment, we used an in vitro system of multipotent cortical progenitors, i.e., radial glia cells (RGCs), enriched from human cerebral cortex at mid-gestation (16–19 gestational weeks). KYNA treatment significantly decreased RGCs proliferation and survival by antagonizing NMDAR. This alteration resulted in a reduced number of cortical progenitors and neurons while number and activation of astrocytes increased. KYNA treatment reduced differentiation of RGCs into GABAergic neurons, while differentiation into glutamatergic neurons was relatively spared. Furthermore, in mixed cortical cultures KYNA triggered an inflammatory response as evidenced by increased levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6. In conclusion, elevated levels of KYNA play a significant role in human RGC fate determination by antagonizing NMDARs and by activating an inflammatory response. The altered cell composition observed in cell culture following exposure to elevated KYNA levels suggests a mechanism for impairment of cortical circuitry formation in the fetal brain after viral infection, as seen in neurodevelopmental disorders such as schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inseyah Bagasrawala
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Nada Zecevic
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Nevena V Radonjić
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut Health Farmington, CT, USA
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