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Marshall AH, Boyle DJ, Hanson MA, Nagarajan D, Bibi N, Safa A, Johantges AC, Wester JC. Arid1b haploinsufficiency in cortical inhibitory interneurons causes cell-type-dependent changes in cellular and synaptic development. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.07.597984. [PMID: 38895260 PMCID: PMC11185764 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.07.597984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) presents with diverse cognitive and behavioral abnormalities beginning during early development. Although the neural circuit mechanisms remain unclear, recent work suggests pathology in cortical inhibitory interneurons (INs) plays a crucial role. However, we lack fundamental information regarding changes in the physiology of synapses to and from INs in ASD. Here, we used transgenic mice to conditionally knockout one copy of the high confidence ASD risk gene Arid1b from the progenitors of parvalbumin-expressing fast-spiking (PV-FS) INs and somatostatin-expressing non-fast-spiking (SST-NFS) INs. In brain slices, we performed paired whole-cell recordings between INs and excitatory projection neurons (PNs) to investigate changes in synaptic physiology. In neonates, we found reduced synaptic input to INs but not PNs, with a concomitant reduction in the frequency of spontaneous network events, which are driven by INs in immature circuits. In mature mice, we found a reduction in the number of PV-FS INs in cortical layers 2/3 and 5. However, changes in PV-FS IN synaptic physiology were cortical layer and PN cell-type dependent. In layer 5, synapses from PV-FS INs to subcortical-projecting PNs were weakened. In contrast, in layer 2/3, synapses to and from PV-FS INs and corticocortical-projecting PNs were strengthened, leading to enhanced feedforward inhibition of input from layer 4. Finally, we found a novel synaptic deficit among SST-NFS INs, in which excitatory synapses from layer 2/3 PNs failed to facilitate. Our data highlight that changes in unitary synaptic dynamics among INs in ASD depend on neuronal cell-type.
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Zhao R, Ren B, Xiao Y, Tian J, Zou Y, Wei J, Qi Y, Hu A, Xie X, Huang ZJ, Shu Y, He M, Lu J, Tai Y. Axo-axonic synaptic input drives homeostatic plasticity by tuning the axon initial segment structurally and functionally. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.11.589005. [PMID: 38659885 PMCID: PMC11042219 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.11.589005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
The stability of functional brain network is maintained by homeostatic plasticity, which restores equilibrium following perturbation. As the initiation site of action potentials, the axon initial segment (AIS) of glutamatergic projection neurons (PyNs) undergoes dynamic adjustment that exerts powerful control over neuronal firing properties in response to changes in network states. Although AIS plasticity has been reported to be coupled with the changes of network activity, it is poorly understood whether it involves direct synaptic input to the AIS. Here we show that changes of GABAergic synaptic input to the AIS of cortical PyNs, specifically from chandelier cells (ChCs), are sufficient to drive homeostatic tuning of the AIS within 1-2 weeks, while those from parvalbumin-positive basket cells do not. This tuning is reflected in the morphology of the AIS, the expression level of voltage-gated sodium channels, and the intrinsic neuronal excitability of PyNs. Interestingly, the timing of AIS tuning in PyNs of the prefrontal cortex corresponds to the recovery of changes in social behavior caused by alterations of ChC synaptic transmission. Thus, homeostatic plasticity of the AIS at postsynaptic PyNs may counteract deficits elicited by imbalanced ChC presynaptic input. Teaser Axon initial segment dynamically responds to changes in local input from chandelier cells to prevent abnormal neuronal functions.
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Zhvania MG, Lobzhanidze G, Pochkhidze N, Japaridze N, Tchelidze P, Rzayev F, Gasimov E. Propionic acid affects the synaptic architecture of rat hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Micron 2024; 181:103624. [PMID: 38492241 DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2024.103624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 02/24/2024] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
It is well documented that propionic acid (PPA) produces behavioral, morphological, molecular and immune responses in rats that are characteristic of autism spectrum disorder in humans. However, whether PPA affects the ultrastructure and synaptic architecture of regions of autistic brain has not been adequately addressed. Earlier we show that single intraperitoneal (IP) injection of PPA (175 mg/kg) produces superficial changes in the spatial memory and learning of adolescent male Wistar rats. However, in neurons, synapses and glial cells of hippocampal CA1 area and medial prefrontal cortex transient (mainly) or enduring alterations were detected. In this study, we used electron microscopic morphometric analysis to test the effect of PPA on different structural parameters of axodendritic synapses of the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. The animals were treated with a single IP injection of PPA (175 mg/kg). The length and width of synaptic active zone, the area of presynaptic and postsynaptic mitochondria, the distance between presynaptic mitochondria and the synapse active zone, the distance between postsynaptic mitochondria and postsynaptic density and the depth and opening diameter of neuronal porosome complex were evaluated. Our results show that synaptic mitochondria of the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex are the most vulnerable to PPA treatment: in both regions, the area of postsynaptic mitochondria were increased. In general, our results show that even small dose of PPA, which produces only superficial effects on spatial memory and learning is able to alter the synapse architecture in brain regions involved in cognition and autism pathogenesis. Therefore, the microbiome may be involved in the control of neurotransmission in these regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mzia G Zhvania
- School of Natural Sciences and Medicine, Ilia State University, 3/5 K. Cholokashvili Avenue, Tbilisi 0162, Georgia; Department of Brain Ultrastructure and Nanoarchitecture, Ivane Beritashvili Center of Experimental Biomedicine, 14 Gotua Street, Tbilisi 0160, Georgia.
| | - Giorgi Lobzhanidze
- Department of Brain Ultrastructure and Nanoarchitecture, Ivane Beritashvili Center of Experimental Biomedicine, 14 Gotua Street, Tbilisi 0160, Georgia
| | - Nino Pochkhidze
- School of Natural Sciences and Medicine, Ilia State University, 3/5 K. Cholokashvili Avenue, Tbilisi 0162, Georgia; Department of Brain Ultrastructure and Nanoarchitecture, Ivane Beritashvili Center of Experimental Biomedicine, 14 Gotua Street, Tbilisi 0160, Georgia
| | - Nadezhda Japaridze
- Department of Brain Ultrastructure and Nanoarchitecture, Ivane Beritashvili Center of Experimental Biomedicine, 14 Gotua Street, Tbilisi 0160, Georgia; New Vision University, 1A Evgeni Mikeladze Street, Tbilisi 0159, Georgia
| | - Pavel Tchelidze
- New Vision University, 1A Evgeni Mikeladze Street, Tbilisi 0159, Georgia
| | - Fuad Rzayev
- Azerbaijan Medical University, 23 Bakikhanov Street, Baku 1022, Azerbaijan
| | - Eldar Gasimov
- Azerbaijan Medical University, 23 Bakikhanov Street, Baku 1022, Azerbaijan
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Zhao T, Huang CQ, Zhang YH, Zhu YY, Chen XX, Wang T, Shao J, Meng XH, Huang Y, Wang H, Wang HL, Wang B, Xu DX. Prenatal 1-Nitropyrene Exposure Causes Autism-Like Behavior Partially by Altering DNA Hydroxymethylation in Developing Brain. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024:e2306294. [PMID: 38757379 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202306294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder, characterized by social communication disability and stereotypic behavior. This study aims to investigate the impact of prenatal exposure to 1-nitropyrene (1-NP), a key component of motor vehicle exhaust, on autism-like behaviors in a mouse model. Three-chamber test finds that prenatal 1-NP exposure causes autism-like behaviors during the weaning period. Patch clamp shows that inhibitory synaptic transmission is reduced in medial prefrontal cortex of 1-NP-exposed weaning pups. Immunofluorescence finds that prenatal 1-NP exposure reduces the number of prefrontal glutamate decarboxylase 67 (GAD67) positive interneurons in fetuses and weaning pups. Moreover, prenatal 1-NP exposure retards tangential migration of GAD67-positive interneurons and downregulates interneuron migration-related genes, such as Nrg1, Erbb4, and Sema3F, in fetal forebrain. Mechanistically, prenatal 1-NP exposure reduces hydroxymethylation of interneuron migration-related genes through inhibiting ten-eleven translocation (TET) activity in fetal forebrain. Supplement with alpha-ketoglutarate (α-KG), a cofactor of TET enzyme, reverses 1-NP-induced hypohydroxymethylation at specific sites of interneuron migration-related genes. Moreover, α-KG supplement alleviates 1-NP-induced migration retardation of interneurons in fetal forebrain. Finally, maternal α-KG supplement improves 1-NP-induced autism-like behaviors in weaning offspring. In conclusion, prenatal 1-NP exposure causes autism-like behavior partially by altering DNA hydroxymethylation of interneuron migration-related genes in developing brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Zhao
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Cheng-Qing Huang
- School of Food and Bioengineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, 230009, China
| | - Yi-Hao Zhang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Yan-Yan Zhu
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Xiao-Xi Chen
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Tao Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Jing Shao
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Xiu-Hong Meng
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Yichao Huang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Hua Wang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Hui-Li Wang
- School of Food and Bioengineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, 230009, China
| | - Bo Wang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - De-Xiang Xu
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
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Théberge S, Belliveau C, Xie D, Khalaf R, Perlman K, Rahimian R, Davoli MA, Turecki G, Mechawar N. Parvalbumin interneurons in human ventromedial prefrontal cortex: a comprehensive post-mortem study of myelination and perineuronal nets in neurotypical individuals and depressed suicides with and without a history of child abuse. Cereb Cortex 2024; 34:bhae197. [PMID: 38760318 PMCID: PMC11101286 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhae197] [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: 03/10/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Cortical parvalbumin interneurons (PV+) are major regulators of excitatory/inhibitory information processing, and their maturation is associated with the opening of developmental critical periods (CP). Recent studies reveal that cortical PV+ axons are myelinated, and that myelination along with perineuronal net (PNN) maturation around PV+ cells is associated with the closures of CP. Although PV+ interneurons are susceptible to early-life stress, their relationship between their myelination and PNN coverage remains unexplored. This study compared the fine features of PV+ interneurons in well-characterized human post-mortem ventromedial prefrontal cortex samples (n = 31) from depressed suicides with or without a history of child abuse (CA) and matched controls. In healthy controls, 81% of all sampled PV+ interneurons displayed a myelinated axon, while a subset (66%) of these cells also displayed a PNN, proposing a relationship between both attributes. Intriguingly, a 3-fold increase in the proportion of unmyelinated PV+ interneurons with a PNN was observed in CA victims, along with greater PV-immunofluorescence intensity in myelinated PV+ cells with a PNN. This study, which is the first to provide normative data on myelination and PNNs around PV+ interneurons in human neocortex, sheds further light on the cellular and molecular consequences of early-life adversity on cortical PV+ interneurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphanie Théberge
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, 6875 Boulevard LaSalle, H4H 1R3, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, 1033 Av des Pins Ouest, H3A 1A1, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Claudia Belliveau
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, 6875 Boulevard LaSalle, H4H 1R3, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, 1033 Av des Pins Ouest, H3A 1A1, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Dongyue Xie
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, 6875 Boulevard LaSalle, H4H 1R3, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Roy Khalaf
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, 6875 Boulevard LaSalle, H4H 1R3, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Kelly Perlman
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, 6875 Boulevard LaSalle, H4H 1R3, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, 1033 Av des Pins Ouest, H3A 1A1, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Reza Rahimian
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, 6875 Boulevard LaSalle, H4H 1R3, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Maria Antonietta Davoli
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, 6875 Boulevard LaSalle, H4H 1R3, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Gustavo Turecki
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, 6875 Boulevard LaSalle, H4H 1R3, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, 1033 Av des Pins Ouest, H3A 1A1, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, 1033 Av des Pins Ouest, H3A 1A1, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Naguib Mechawar
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, 6875 Boulevard LaSalle, H4H 1R3, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, 1033 Av des Pins Ouest, H3A 1A1, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, 1033 Av des Pins Ouest, H3A 1A1, Montréal, QC, Canada
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Vakilzadeh G, Maseko BC, Bartely TD, McLennan YA, Martínez-Cerdeño V. Increased number of excitatory synapsis and decreased number of inhibitory synapsis in the prefrontal cortex in autism. Cereb Cortex 2024; 34:121-128. [PMID: 38696601 PMCID: PMC11065106 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhad268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Previous studies in autism spectrum disorder demonstrated an increased number of excitatory pyramidal cells and a decreased number of inhibitory parvalbumin+ chandelier interneurons in the prefrontal cortex of postmortem brains. How these changes in cellular composition affect the overall abundance of excitatory and inhibitory synapses in the cortex is not known. Herein, we quantified the number of excitatory and inhibitory synapses in the prefrontal cortex of 10 postmortem autism spectrum disorder brains and 10 control cases. To identify excitatory synapses, we used VGlut1 as a marker of the presynaptic component and postsynaptic density protein-95 as marker of the postsynaptic component. To identify inhibitory synapses, we used the vesicular gamma-aminobutyric acid transporter as a marker of the presynaptic component and gephyrin as a marker of the postsynaptic component. We used Puncta Analyzer to quantify the number of co-localized pre- and postsynaptic synaptic components in each area of interest. We found an increase in the number of excitatory synapses in upper cortical layers and a decrease in inhibitory synapses in all cortical layers in autism spectrum disorder brains compared with control cases. The alteration in the number of excitatory and inhibitory synapses could lead to neuronal dysfunction and disturbed network connectivity in the prefrontal cortex in autism spectrum disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gelareh Vakilzadeh
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine and Shriners Hospitals for Children, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Busisiwe C Maseko
- Faculty of health Sciences, School of Anatomical Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, The Republic of South Africa
| | - Trevor D Bartely
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine and Shriners Hospitals for Children, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Yingratana A McLennan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine and Shriners Hospitals for Children, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Verónica Martínez-Cerdeño
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine and Shriners Hospitals for Children, Sacramento, CA, United States
- MIND Institute, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States
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Juarez P, Salcedo-Arellano MJ, Dufour B, Martinez-Cerdeño V. Fragile X cortex is characterized by decreased parvalbumin-expressing interneurons. Cereb Cortex 2024; 34:bhae103. [PMID: 38521994 PMCID: PMC10960956 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhae103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome is a genetic neurodevelopmental disorder caused by a mutation of the fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein 1 (FMR1) gene in the X chromosome. Many fragile X syndrome cases present with autism spectrum disorder and fragile X syndrome cases account for up to 5% of all autism spectrum disorder cases. The cellular composition of the fragile X syndrome cortex is not well known. We evaluated alterations in the number of Calbindin, Calretinin, and Parvalbumin expressing interneurons across 5 different cortical areas, medial prefrontal cortex (BA46), primary somatosensory cortex (BA3), primary motor cortex (BA4), superior temporal cortex (BA22), and anterior cingulate cortex (BA24) of fragile X syndrome and neurotypical brains. Compared with neurotypical cases, fragile X syndrome brains displayed a significant reduction in the number of PV+ interneurons in all areas and of CR+ interneurons in BA22 and BA3. The number of CB+ interneurons did not differ. These findings are the first to demonstrate that fragile X syndrome brains are characterized by cortical wide PV+ interneuron deficits across multiple cortical areas. These add to the idea that deficits in PV+ interneurons could disrupt the cortical balance and promote clinical deficits in fragile X syndrome patients and help to develop novel therapies for neurodevelopmental disorders like fragile X syndrome and autism spectrum disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Juarez
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine; Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine and Shriners Hospitals for Children of Northern CaliforniaSacramento, CA 95817, United States
| | - Maria Jimena Salcedo-Arellano
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine; Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine and Shriners Hospitals for Children of Northern CaliforniaSacramento, CA 95817, United States
- MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, United States
| | - Brett Dufour
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine; Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine and Shriners Hospitals for Children of Northern CaliforniaSacramento, CA 95817, United States
- MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, United States
| | - Veronica Martinez-Cerdeño
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine; Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine and Shriners Hospitals for Children of Northern CaliforniaSacramento, CA 95817, United States
- MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, United States
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Shih YC, Nelson L, Janeček M, Peixoto RT. Late onset and regional heterogeneity of synaptic deficits in cortical PV interneurons of Shank3B -/- mice. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.23.568500. [PMID: 38045377 PMCID: PMC10690261 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.23.568500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Epilepsy and epileptiform patterns of cortical activity are highly prevalent in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), but the neural substrates and pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the onset of cortical dysfunction in ASD remains elusive. Reduced cortical expression of Parvalbumin (PV) has been widely observed in ASD mouse models and human postmortem studies, suggesting a crucial role of PV interneurons (PVINs) in ASD pathogenesis. Shank3B -/- mice carrying a Δ13-16 deletion in SHANK3 exhibit cortical hyperactivity during postnatal development and reduced sensory responses in cortical GABAergic interneurons in adulthood. However, whether these phenotypes are associated with PVIN dysfunction is unknown. Using whole-cell electrophysiology and a viral-based strategy to label PVINs during postnatal development, we performed a developmental characterization of AMPAR miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) in PVINs and pyramidal (PYR) neurons of layer (L) 2/3 mPFC in Shank3B -/- mice. Surprisingly, reduced mEPSC frequency was observed in both PYR and PVIN populations, but only in adulthood. At P15, when cortical hyperactivity is already observed, both neuron types exhibited normal mEPSC amplitude and frequency, suggesting that glutamatergic connectivity deficits in these neurons emerge as compensatory mechanisms. Additionally, we found normal mEPSCs in adult PVINs of L2/3 somatosensory cortex, revealing region-specific phenotypic differences of cortical PVINs in Shank3B -/- mice. Together, these results demonstrate that loss of Shank3 alters PVIN function but suggest that PVIN glutamatergic synapses are a suboptimal therapeutic target for normalizing early cortical imbalances in SHANK3-associated disorders. More broadly, these findings underscore the complexity of interneuron dysfunction in ASDs, prompting further exploration of region and developmental stage specific phenotypes for understanding and developing effective interventions.
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Rudy MJ, Salois G, Cubello J, Newell R, Mayer-Proschel M. Gestational iron deficiency affects the ratio between interneuron subtypes in the postnatal cerebral cortex in mice. Development 2023; 150:dev201068. [PMID: 36805633 PMCID: PMC10110419 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201068] [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: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
Gestational iron deficiency (gID) is highly prevalent and associated with an increased risk of intellectual and developmental disabilities in affected individuals that are often defined by a disrupted balance of excitation and inhibition (E/I) in the brain. Using a nutritional mouse model of gID, we previously demonstrated a shift in the E/I balance towards increased inhibition in the brains of gID offspring that was refractory to postnatal iron supplementation. We thus tested whether gID affects embryonic progenitor cells that are fated towards inhibitory interneurons. We quantified relevant cell populations during embryonic inhibitory neuron specification and found an increase in the proliferation of Nkx2.1+ interneuron progenitors in the embryonic medial ganglionic eminence at E14 that was associated with increased Shh signaling in gID animals at E12. When we quantified the number of mature inhibitory interneurons that are known to originate from the MGE, we found a persistent disruption of differentiated interneuron subtypes in early adulthood. Our data identify a cellular target that links gID with a disruption of cortical interneurons which play a major role in the establishment of the E/I balance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J. Rudy
- Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Colorado Denver – Anschutz Medical Campus, 13001 East 17th Place, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Garrick Salois
- Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Janine Cubello
- Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Robert Newell
- Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Margot Mayer-Proschel
- Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
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Monday HR, Wang HC, Feldman DE. Circuit-level theories for sensory dysfunction in autism: convergence across mouse models. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1254297. [PMID: 37745660 PMCID: PMC10513044 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1254297] [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: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit a diverse range of behavioral features and genetic backgrounds, but whether different genetic forms of autism involve convergent pathophysiology of brain function is unknown. Here, we analyze evidence for convergent deficits in neural circuit function across multiple transgenic mouse models of ASD. We focus on sensory areas of neocortex, where circuit differences may underlie atypical sensory processing, a central feature of autism. Many distinct circuit-level theories for ASD have been proposed, including increased excitation-inhibition (E-I) ratio and hyperexcitability, hypofunction of parvalbumin (PV) interneuron circuits, impaired homeostatic plasticity, degraded sensory coding, and others. We review these theories and assess the degree of convergence across ASD mouse models for each. Behaviorally, our analysis reveals that innate sensory detection behavior is heightened and sensory discrimination behavior is impaired across many ASD models. Neurophysiologically, PV hypofunction and increased E-I ratio are prevalent but only rarely generate hyperexcitability and excess spiking. Instead, sensory tuning and other aspects of neural coding are commonly degraded and may explain impaired discrimination behavior. Two distinct phenotypic clusters with opposing neural circuit signatures are evident across mouse models. Such clustering could suggest physiological subtypes of autism, which may facilitate the development of tailored therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah R. Monday
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | | | - Daniel E. Feldman
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
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Rabelo LN, Queiroz JPG, Castro CCM, Silva SP, Campos LD, Silva LC, Nascimento EB, Martínez-Cerdeño V, Fiuza FP. Layer-Specific Changes in the Prefrontal Glia/Neuron Ratio Characterizes Patches of Gene Expression Disorganization in Children with Autism. J Autism Dev Disord 2023; 53:3648-3658. [PMID: 35704132 PMCID: PMC10084744 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-022-05626-8] [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] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is manifested by abnormal cell numbers and patches of gene expression disruption in higher-order brain regions. Here, we investigated whether layer-specific changes in glia/neuron ratios (GNR) characterize patches in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DL-PFC) of children with ASD. We analyzed high-resolution digital images of postmortem human brains from 11 ASD and 11 non-ASD children obtained from the Autism Study of the Allen Human Brain Atlas. We found the GNR is overall reduced in the ASD DL-PFC. Moreover, layers II-III belonging to patches presented a lower GNR in comparison with layers V-VI. We here provide a new insight into how brain cells are arranged within patches that contributes to elucidate how neurodevelopmental programs are altered in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Livia Nascimento Rabelo
- Graduate Program in Neuroengineering, Edmond and Lily Safra International Institute of Neuroscience, Santos Dumont Institute, Macaíba, RN, 59280-000, Brazil
| | - José Pablo Gonçalves Queiroz
- Graduate Program in Neuroengineering, Edmond and Lily Safra International Institute of Neuroscience, Santos Dumont Institute, Macaíba, RN, 59280-000, Brazil
| | - Carla Cristina Miranda Castro
- Graduate Program in Neuroengineering, Edmond and Lily Safra International Institute of Neuroscience, Santos Dumont Institute, Macaíba, RN, 59280-000, Brazil
| | - Sayonara Pereira Silva
- Graduate Program in Neuroengineering, Edmond and Lily Safra International Institute of Neuroscience, Santos Dumont Institute, Macaíba, RN, 59280-000, Brazil
| | - Laura Damasceno Campos
- Graduate Program in Neuroengineering, Edmond and Lily Safra International Institute of Neuroscience, Santos Dumont Institute, Macaíba, RN, 59280-000, Brazil
| | - Larissa Camila Silva
- Graduate Program in Neuroengineering, Edmond and Lily Safra International Institute of Neuroscience, Santos Dumont Institute, Macaíba, RN, 59280-000, Brazil
| | | | - Veronica Martínez-Cerdeño
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospitals for Children of Northern California, MIND Institute, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
| | - Felipe Porto Fiuza
- Graduate Program in Neuroengineering, Edmond and Lily Safra International Institute of Neuroscience, Santos Dumont Institute, Macaíba, RN, 59280-000, Brazil.
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12
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Dufour BD, McBride E, Bartley T, Juarez P, Martínez-Cerdeño V. Distinct patterns of GABAergic interneuron pathology in autism are associated with intellectual impairment and stereotypic behaviors. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2023; 27:1730-1745. [PMID: 36935610 PMCID: PMC10846597 DOI: 10.1177/13623613231154053] [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] [Indexed: 03/21/2023]
Abstract
LAY ABSTRACT Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by deficits in sociability and communication and the presence of repetitive behaviors. How specific pathological alterations of the brain contribute to the clinical profile of autism spectrum disorder remains unknown. We previously found that a specific type of inhibitory interneuron is reduced in number in the autism spectrum disorder prefrontal cortex. Here, we assessed the relationship between interneuron reduction and autism spectrum disorder symptom severity. We collected clinical records from autism spectrum disorder (n = 20) and assessed the relationship between the severity of symptoms and interneuron number. We found that the reduced number of inhibitory interneurons that we previously reported is linked to specific symptoms of autism spectrum disorder, particularly stereotypic movements and intellectual impairments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett D Dufour
- UC Davis Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, USA
- UC Davis School of Medicine, USA
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, USA
| | - Erin McBride
- UC Davis School of Medicine, USA
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, USA
- UC Davis Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, USA
| | - Trevor Bartley
- UC Davis School of Medicine, USA
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, USA
- UC Davis Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, USA
| | - Pablo Juarez
- UC Davis School of Medicine, USA
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, USA
| | - Verónica Martínez-Cerdeño
- UC Davis School of Medicine, USA
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, USA
- UC Davis Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, USA
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13
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Lupori L, Totaro V, Cornuti S, Ciampi L, Carrara F, Grilli E, Viglione A, Tozzi F, Putignano E, Mazziotti R, Amato G, Gennaro C, Tognini P, Pizzorusso T. A comprehensive atlas of perineuronal net distribution and colocalization with parvalbumin in the adult mouse brain. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112788. [PMID: 37436896 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Perineuronal nets (PNNs) surround specific neurons in the brain and are involved in various forms of plasticity and clinical conditions. However, our understanding of the PNN role in these phenomena is limited by the lack of highly quantitative maps of PNN distribution and association with specific cell types. Here, we present a comprehensive atlas of Wisteria floribunda agglutinin (WFA)-positive PNNs and colocalization with parvalbumin (PV) cells for over 600 regions of the adult mouse brain. Data analysis shows that PV expression is a good predictor of PNN aggregation. In the cortex, PNNs are dramatically enriched in layer 4 of all primary sensory areas in correlation with thalamocortical input density, and their distribution mirrors intracortical connectivity patterns. Gene expression analysis identifies many PNN-correlated genes. Strikingly, PNN-anticorrelated transcripts are enriched in synaptic plasticity genes, generalizing PNNs' role as circuit stability factors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sara Cornuti
- BIO@SNS Lab, Scuola Normale Superiore, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Luca Ciampi
- Institute of Information Science and Technologies (ISTI-CNR), 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Fabio Carrara
- Institute of Information Science and Technologies (ISTI-CNR), 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Edda Grilli
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Giuseppe Amato
- Institute of Information Science and Technologies (ISTI-CNR), 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Claudio Gennaro
- Institute of Information Science and Technologies (ISTI-CNR), 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Paola Tognini
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Tommaso Pizzorusso
- BIO@SNS Lab, Scuola Normale Superiore, 56126 Pisa, Italy; Institute of Neuroscience (IN-CNR), 56124 Pisa, Italy.
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14
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Vivien J, El Azraoui A, Lheraux C, Lanore F, Aouizerate B, Herry C, Humeau Y, Bienvenu TCM. Axo-axonic cells in neuropsychiatric disorders: a systematic review. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1212202. [PMID: 37435048 PMCID: PMC10330806 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1212202] [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: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Imbalance between excitation and inhibition in the cerebral cortex is one of the main theories in neuropsychiatric disorder pathophysiology. Cortical inhibition is finely regulated by a variety of highly specialized GABAergic interneuron types, which are thought to organize neural network activities. Among interneurons, axo-axonic cells are unique in making synapses with the axon initial segment of pyramidal neurons. Alterations of axo-axonic cells have been proposed to be implicated in disorders including epilepsy, schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder. However, evidence for the alteration of axo-axonic cells in disease has only been examined in narrative reviews. By performing a systematic review of studies investigating axo-axonic cells and axo-axonic communication in epilepsy, schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder, we outline convergent findings and discrepancies in the literature. Overall, the implication of axo-axonic cells in neuropsychiatric disorders might have been overstated. Additional work is needed to assess initial, mostly indirect findings, and to unravel how defects in axo-axonic cells translates to cortical dysregulation and, in turn, to pathological states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliette Vivien
- Université de Bordeaux, Inserm Neurocentre Magendie U1215, Bordeaux, France
| | - Anass El Azraoui
- Université de Bordeaux, Inserm Neurocentre Magendie U1215, Bordeaux, France
- Univ Bordeaux, CNRS, Interdisciplinary Institute for Neuroscience, IINS, UMR 5297, Bordeaux, France
| | - Cloé Lheraux
- Université de Bordeaux, Inserm Neurocentre Magendie U1215, Bordeaux, France
| | - Frederic Lanore
- Centre Hospitalier Charles Perrens, Inserm Neurocentre Magendie U1215, Bordeaux, France
| | - Bruno Aouizerate
- Université de Bordeaux, Inserm Neurocentre Magendie U1215, Bordeaux, France
- Centre Hospitalier Charles Perrens, Inserm Neurocentre Magendie U1215, Bordeaux, France
- INRAE, Bordeaux INP, NutriNeuro, UMR 1286, Bordeaux, France
| | - Cyril Herry
- Université de Bordeaux, Inserm Neurocentre Magendie U1215, Bordeaux, France
| | - Yann Humeau
- Univ Bordeaux, CNRS, Interdisciplinary Institute for Neuroscience, IINS, UMR 5297, Bordeaux, France
| | - Thomas C. M. Bienvenu
- Université de Bordeaux, Inserm Neurocentre Magendie U1215, Bordeaux, France
- Centre Hospitalier Charles Perrens, Inserm Neurocentre Magendie U1215, Bordeaux, France
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15
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Pipicelli F, Baumann N, Di Giaimo R, Forero-Echeverry A, Kyrousi C, Bonrath R, Maccarrone G, Jabaudon D, Cappello S. Non-cell-autonomous regulation of interneuron specification mediated by extracellular vesicles. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadd8164. [PMID: 37205765 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.add8164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Disruption in neurogenesis and neuronal migration can influence the assembly of cortical circuits, affecting the excitatory-inhibitory balance and resulting in neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders. Using ventral cerebral organoids and dorsoventral cerebral assembloids with mutations in the extracellular matrix gene LGALS3BP, we show that extracellular vesicles released into the extracellular environment regulate the molecular differentiation of neurons, resulting in alterations in migratory dynamics. To investigate how extracellular vesicles affect neuronal specification and migration dynamics, we collected extracellular vesicles from ventral cerebral organoids carrying a mutation in LGALS3BP, previously identified in individuals with cortical malformations and neuropsychiatric disorders. These results revealed differences in protein composition and changes in dorsoventral patterning. Proteins associated with cell fate decision, neuronal migration, and extracellular matrix composition were altered in mutant extracellular vesicles. Moreover, we show that treatment with extracellular vesicles changes the transcriptomic profile in neural progenitor cells. Our results indicate that neuronal molecular differentiation can be influenced by extracellular vesicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizia Pipicelli
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
- International Max Planck Research School for Translational Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Natalia Baumann
- Department of Basic Neurosciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Rossella Di Giaimo
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
- Biomedical Center (BMC), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet (LMU), Großhaderner Straße 9, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Andrea Forero-Echeverry
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
- Biomedical Center (BMC), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet (LMU), Großhaderner Straße 9, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Denis Jabaudon
- Department of Basic Neurosciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Silvia Cappello
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
- Biomedical Center (BMC), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet (LMU), Großhaderner Straße 9, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
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16
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Hong T, McBride E, Dufour BD, Falcone C, Doan M, Noctor SG, Martínez-Cerdeño V. Synaptic boutons are smaller in chandelier cell cartridges in autism. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0281477. [PMID: 37097993 PMCID: PMC10128992 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0281477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Chandelier (Ch) cells are cortical interneurons with axon terminal structures known as cartridges that synapse on the axon initial segment of excitatory pyramidal neurons. Previous studies indicate that the number of Ch cells is decreased in autism, and that GABA receptors are decreased in the Ch cell synaptic target in the prefrontal cortex. To further identify Ch cell alterations, we examined whether the length of cartridges, and the number, density, and size of Ch cell synaptic boutons, differed in the prefrontal cortex of cases with autism versus control cases. We collected samples of postmortem human prefrontal cortex (Brodmann Area (BA) 9, 46, and 47) from 20 cases with autism and 20 age- and sex-matched control cases. Ch cells were labeled using an antibody against parvalbumin, a marker that labeles soma, cartridges, and synaptic boutons. We found no significant difference in the average length of cartridges, or in the total number or density of boutons in control subjects vs. subjects with autism. However, we found a significant decrease in the size of Ch cell boutons in those with autism. The reduced size of Ch cell boutons may result in reduced inhibitory signal transmission and impact the balance of excitation to inhibition in the prefrontal cortex in autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany Hong
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine and Shriners Hospitals for Children of Northern California, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States of America
| | - Erin McBride
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine and Shriners Hospitals for Children of Northern California, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States of America
| | - Brett D. Dufour
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine and Shriners Hospitals for Children of Northern California, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States of America
| | - Carmen Falcone
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine and Shriners Hospitals for Children of Northern California, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States of America
| | - Mai Doan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine and Shriners Hospitals for Children of Northern California, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States of America
| | - Stephen G. Noctor
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States of America
| | - Verónica Martínez-Cerdeño
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine and Shriners Hospitals for Children of Northern California, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States of America
- MIND Institute, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, United States of America
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17
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Vakilzadeh G, Martinez-Cerdeño V. Pathology and Astrocytes in Autism. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2023; 19:841-850. [PMID: 37077706 PMCID: PMC10106330 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s390053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023] Open
Abstract
A distinct pathology for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) remains elusive. Human and animal studies have focused on investigating the role of neurons in ASD. However, recent studies have hinted that glial cell pathology could be a characteristic of ASD. Astrocytes are the most abundant glial cell in the brain and play an important role in neuronal function, both during development and in adult. They regulate neuronal migration, dendritic and spine development, and control the concentration of neurotransmitters at the synaptic cleft. They are also responsible for synaptogenesis, synaptic development, and synaptic function. Therefore, any change in astrocyte number and/or function could contribute to the impairment of connectivity that has been reported in ASD. Data available to date is scarce but indicates that while the number of astrocytes is reduced, their state of activation and their GFAP expression is increased in ASD. Disruption of astrocyte function in ASD may affect proper neurotransmitter metabolism, synaptogenesis, and the state of brain inflammation. Astrocytes alterations are common to ASD and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Future studies about the role of astrocytes in ASD are required to better understand this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gelareh Vakilzadeh
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, and Shriners Hospitals for Children, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Veronica Martinez-Cerdeño
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, and Shriners Hospitals for Children, Sacramento, CA, USA
- MIND Institute, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
- Correspondence: Veronica Martinez-Cerdeño, 2425 Stockton Boulevard, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA, Tel +916 453-2163, Email
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18
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Liu Y, Di Y, Zheng Q, Qian Z, Fan J, Ren W, Wei Z, Tian Y. Altered expression of glycan patterns and glycan-related genes in the medial prefrontal cortex of the valproic acid rat model of autism. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:1057857. [PMID: 36568890 PMCID: PMC9772556 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.1057857] [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: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) represent a group of neurodevelopmental defects characterized by social deficits and repetitive behaviors. Alteration in Glycosylation patterns could influence the nervous system development and contribute to the molecular mechanism of ASD. Interaction of environmental factors with susceptible genes may affect expressions of glycosylation-related genes and thus result in abnormal glycosylation patterns. Here, we used an environmental factor-induced model of autism by a single intraperitoneal injection of 400 mg/kg valproic acid (VPA) to female rats at day 12.5 post-conception. Following confirmation of reduced sociability and increased self-grooming behaviors in VPA-treated offspring, we analyzed the alterations in the expression profile of glycan patterns and glycan-related genes by lectin microarrays and RNA-seq, respectively. Lectin microarrays detected 14 significantly regulated lectins in VPA rats, with an up-regulation of high-mannose with antennary and down-regulation of Siaα2-3 Gal/GalNAc. Based on the KEGG and CAZy resources, we assembled a comprehensive list of 961 glycan-related genes to focus our analysis on specific genes. Of those, transcription results revealed that there were 107 differentially expressed glycan-related genes (DEGGs) after VPA treatment. Functional analysis of DEGGs encoding anabolic enzymes revealed that the process trimming to form core structure and glycan extension from core structure primarily changed, which is consistent with the changes in glycan patterns. In addition, the DEGGs encoding glycoconjugates were mainly related to extracellular matrix and axon guidance. This study provides insights into the underlying molecular mechanism of aberrant glycosylation after prenatal VPA exposure, which may serve as potential biomarkers for the autism diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingxun Liu
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Medicinal Plant Resource and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest of China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China,College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China,Genetic Engineering Laboratory, College of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Xi’an University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yuanyuan Di
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Qi Zheng
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zhaoqiang Qian
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Juan Fan
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Medicinal Plant Resource and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest of China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China,College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wei Ren
- School of Education, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zhaoming Wei
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Medicinal Plant Resource and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest of China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China,College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China,*Correspondence: Zhaoming Wei,
| | - Yingfang Tian
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Medicinal Plant Resource and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest of China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China,College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China,Yingfang Tian,
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19
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Gonzalez AE, Jorgensen ET, Ramos JD, Harkness JH, Aadland JA, Brown TE, Sorg BA. Impact of Perineuronal Net Removal in the Rat Medial Prefrontal Cortex on Parvalbumin Interneurons After Reinstatement of Cocaine Conditioned Place Preference. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:932391. [PMID: 35966203 PMCID: PMC9366391 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.932391] [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: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Parvalbumin (PV)-positive cells are GABAergic fast-spiking interneurons that modulate the activity of pyramidal neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and their output to brain areas associated with learning and memory. The majority of PV cells within the mPFC are surrounded by a specialized extracellular matrix structure called the perineuronal net (PNN). We have shown that removal of PNNs with the enzyme chondroitinase-ABC (Ch-ABC) in the mPFC prevents the consolidation and reconsolidation of cocaine-associated conditioned place preference (CPP) memories. Here we examined the extent to which retrieval of a CPP memory during cocaine-primed reinstatement altered the levels and function of PV neurons and their surrounding PNNs during the reconsolidation period. We further determined the extent to which PNN removal prior to reinstatement altered PV intensity levels and PV cell function. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were trained for cocaine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) followed by extinction training, microinjection of Ch-ABC in the prelimbic PFC, and cocaine-induced reinstatement. Rats were sacrificed immediately prior to reinstatement or at 2 h, 6 h, or 48 h after reinstatement for immunohistochemistry or 2 h later for electrophysiology. Our findings indicate that PNN removal only partially diminished reinstatement. Cocaine-primed reinstatement produced only minor changes in PNN or PV intensity in vehicle controls. However, after PNN removal, the intensity of remaining PNN-surrounded PV cells was decreased at all times except at 2 h post-reinstatement, at which time cocaine increased PV intensity. Consistent with this, in vehicle controls, PV neurons naturally devoid of PNNs showed a similar pattern to Ch-ABC-treated rats prior to and after cocaine reinstatement, suggesting a protective effect of PNNs on cocaine-induced changes in PV intensity. Using whole-cell patch-clamp, cocaine-primed reinstatement in Ch-ABC-treated rats decreased the number of elicited action potentials but increased excitatory synaptic transmission, which may have been compensatory. These findings suggest that without PNNs, cocaine-induced reinstatement produces rapid changes in PV intensity and PV cell excitability, which may in turn regulate output of the mPFC post-memory retrieval and diminish the maintenance of cocaine memory during reconsolidation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela E. Gonzalez
- Program in Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience, Washington State University, Vancouver, WA, United States
- Dow Neurobiology Laboratories, Legacy Research Institute, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Emily T. Jorgensen
- Neuroscience Graduate Program and School of Pharmacy, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, United States
| | - Jonathan D. Ramos
- Dow Neurobiology Laboratories, Legacy Research Institute, Portland, OR, United States
| | | | - Jake A. Aadland
- Neuroscience Graduate Program and School of Pharmacy, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, United States
| | - Travis E. Brown
- Neuroscience Graduate Program and School of Pharmacy, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, United States
| | - Barbara A. Sorg
- Program in Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience, Washington State University, Vancouver, WA, United States
- Dow Neurobiology Laboratories, Legacy Research Institute, Portland, OR, United States
- *Correspondence: Barbara A. Sorg
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20
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Kalinowska M, van der Lei MB, Kitiashvili M, Mamcarz M, Oliveira MM, Longo F, Klann E. Deletion of Fmr1 in parvalbumin-expressing neurons results in dysregulated translation and selective behavioral deficits associated with fragile X syndrome. Mol Autism 2022; 13:29. [PMID: 35768828 PMCID: PMC9245312 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-022-00509-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fragile X syndrome (FXS), the most common genetic cause of autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability, is caused by the lack of fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) expression. FMRP is an mRNA binding protein with functions in mRNA transport, localization, and translational control. In Fmr1 knockout mice, dysregulated translation has been linked to pathophysiology, including abnormal synaptic function and dendritic morphology, and autistic-like behavioral phenotypes. The role of FMRP in morphology and function of excitatory neurons has been well studied in mice lacking Fmr1, but the impact of Fmr1 deletion on inhibitory neurons remains less characterized. Moreover, the contribution of FMRP in different cell types to FXS pathophysiology is not well defined. We sought to characterize whether FMRP loss in parvalbumin or somatostatin-expressing neurons results in FXS-like deficits in mice. METHODS We used Cre-lox recombinase technology to generate two lines of conditional knockout mice lacking FMRP in either parvalbumin or somatostatin-expressing cells and carried out a battery of behavioral tests to assess motor function, anxiety, repetitive, stereotypic, social behaviors, and learning and memory. In addition, we used fluorescent non-canonical amino acid tagging along with immunostaining to determine whether de novo protein synthesis is dysregulated in parvalbumin or somatostatin-expressing neurons. RESULTS De novo protein synthesis was elevated in hippocampal parvalbumin and somatostatin-expressing inhibitory neurons in Fmr1 knockout mice. Cell type-specific deletion of Fmr1 in parvalbumin-expressing neurons resulted in anxiety-like behavior, impaired social behavior, and dysregulated de novo protein synthesis. In contrast, deletion of Fmr1 in somatostatin-expressing neurons did not result in behavioral abnormalities and did not significantly impact de novo protein synthesis. This is the first report of how loss of FMRP in two specific subtypes of inhibitory neurons is associated with distinct FXS-like abnormalities. LIMITATIONS The mouse models we generated are limited by whole body knockout of FMRP in parvalbumin or somatostatin-expressing cells and further studies are needed to establish a causal relationship between cellular deficits and FXS-like behaviors. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate a cell type-specific role for FMRP in parvalbumin-expressing neurons in regulating distinct behavioral features associated with FXS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Kalinowska
- grid.137628.90000 0004 1936 8753Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY USA
| | - Mathijs B. van der Lei
- grid.5284.b0000 0001 0790 3681Department of Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Michael Kitiashvili
- grid.137628.90000 0004 1936 8753Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY USA
| | - Maggie Mamcarz
- grid.137628.90000 0004 1936 8753Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY USA
| | - Mauricio M. Oliveira
- grid.137628.90000 0004 1936 8753Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY USA
| | - Francesco Longo
- grid.8761.80000 0000 9919 9582Institute for Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden ,grid.8761.80000 0000 9919 9582Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Eric Klann
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY, USA. .,NYU Neuroscience Institute, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
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21
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Park S, Zikopoulos B, Yazdanbakhsh A. Visual illusion susceptibility in autism: A neural model. Eur J Neurosci 2022; 56:4246-4265. [PMID: 35701859 PMCID: PMC9541695 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
While atypical sensory perception is reported among individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the underlying neural mechanisms of autism that give rise to disruptions in sensory perception remain unclear. We developed a neural model with key physiological, functional and neuroanatomical parameters to investigate mechanisms underlying the range of representations of visual illusions related to orientation perception in typically developed subjects compared to individuals with ASD. Our results showed that two theorized autistic traits, excitation/inhibition imbalance and weakening of top‐down modulation, could be potential candidates for reduced susceptibility to some visual illusions. Parametric correlation between cortical suppression, balance of excitation/inhibition, feedback from higher visual areas on one hand and susceptibility to a class of visual illusions related to orientation perception on the other hand provide the opportunity to investigate the contribution and complex interactions of distinct sensory processing mechanisms in ASD. The novel approach used in this study can be used to link behavioural, functional and neuropathological studies; estimate and predict perceptual and cognitive heterogeneity in ASD; and form a basis for the development of novel diagnostics and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangwook Park
- Computational Neuroscience and Vision Laboratory, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Basilis Zikopoulos
- Human Systems Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Health Sciences, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Center for Systems Neuroscience, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Graduate Program for Neuroscience, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Arash Yazdanbakhsh
- Computational Neuroscience and Vision Laboratory, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Center for Systems Neuroscience, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Graduate Program for Neuroscience, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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22
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Neonatal Oxidative Stress Impairs Cortical Synapse Formation and GABA Homeostasis in Parvalbumin-Expressing Interneurons. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2022; 2022:8469756. [PMID: 35663195 PMCID: PMC9159830 DOI: 10.1155/2022/8469756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Neonatal brain injury is often caused by preterm birth. Brain development is vulnerable to increased environmental stress, including oxidative stress challenges. Due to a premature change of the fetal living environment from low oxygen in utero into postnatal high-oxygen room air conditions ex utero, the immature preterm brain is exposed to a relative hyperoxia, which can induce oxidative stress and impair neuronal cell development. To simulate the drastic increase of oxygen exposure in the immature brain, 5-day-old C57BL/6 mice were exposed to hyperoxia (80% oxygen) for 48 hours or kept in room air (normoxia, 21% oxygen) and mice were analyzed for maturational alterations of cortical GABAergic interneurons. As a result, oxidative stress was indicated by elevated tyrosine nitration of proteins. We found perturbation of perineuronal net formation in line with decreased density of parvalbumin-expressing (PVALB) cortical interneurons in hyperoxic mice. Moreover, maturational deficits of cortical PVALB+ interneurons were obtained by decreased glutamate decarboxylase 67 (GAD67) protein expression in Western blot analysis and lower gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) fluorescence intensity in immunostaining. Hyperoxia-induced oxidative stress affected cortical synaptogenesis by decreasing synapsin 1, synapsin 2, and synaptophysin expression. Developmental delay of synaptic marker expression was demonstrated together with decreased PI3K-signaling as a pathway being involved in synaptogenesis. These results elucidate that neonatal oxidative stress caused by increased oxygen exposure can lead to GABAergic interneuron damage which may serve as an explanation for the high incidence of psychiatric and behavioral alterations found in preterm infants.
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23
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Jiang S, Xiao L, Sun Y, He M, Gao C, Zhu C, Chang H, Ding J, Li W, Wang Y, Sun T, Wang F. The GABAB receptor agonist STX209 reverses the autism‑like behaviour in an animal model of autism induced by prenatal exposure to valproic acid. Mol Med Rep 2022; 25:154. [PMID: 35244195 PMCID: PMC8941376 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2022.12670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition characterized by impaired social interaction, compromised communication, and restrictive or stereotyped behaviours and interests. Due to the complex pathophysiology of ASD, there are currently no available medical therapies for improving the associated social deficits. Consequently, the present study investigated the effects of STX209, a selective γ‑aminobutyric acid type B receptor (GABABR2) agonist, on an environmental rodent model of autism. The mouse model of autism induced by prenatal exposure to valproic acid (VPA) was used to assess the therapeutic potential of STX209 on autism‑like behaviour in the present study. This study investigated the effects of STX209 on VPA model mice via behavioral testing and revealed a significant reversal of core/associated autism‑like behavior, including sociability and preference for social novelty, novelty recognition, locomotion and exploration activity and marble‑burying deficit. This may be associated with STX209 correcting dendritic arborization, spine density and GABABR2 expression in hippocampus of VPA model mice. However, expression of glutamic acid decarboxylase 65/67 in the hippocampus were not altered by STX209. The present results demonstrated that STX209 administration ameliorated autism‑like symptoms in mice exposed to VPA prenatally, suggesting that autism‑like symptoms in children with a history of prenatal VPA exposure may also benefit from treatment with the GABABR2 agonist STX209.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shucai Jiang
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Craniocerebral Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia 750004, P.R. China
| | - Lifei Xiao
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Craniocerebral Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia 750004, P.R. China
| | - Yu Sun
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Craniocerebral Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia 750004, P.R. China
| | - Maotao He
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261053, P.R. China
| | - Caibin Gao
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Craniocerebral Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia 750004, P.R. China
| | - Changliang Zhu
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Craniocerebral Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia 750004, P.R. China
| | - Haigang Chang
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Craniocerebral Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia 750004, P.R. China
| | - Jiangwei Ding
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Craniocerebral Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia 750004, P.R. China
| | - Wenchao Li
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Craniocerebral Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia 750004, P.R. China
| | - Yangyang Wang
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Craniocerebral Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia 750004, P.R. China
| | - Tao Sun
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Craniocerebral Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia 750004, P.R. China
| | - Feng Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310006, P.R. China
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24
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Vakilzadeh G, Falcone C, Dufour B, Hong T, Noctor SC, Martínez-Cerdeño V. Decreased number and increased activation state of astrocytes in gray and white matter of the prefrontal cortex in autism. Cereb Cortex 2022; 32:4902-4912. [PMID: 35212358 PMCID: PMC9627019 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhab523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The cerebral cortex presents with alterations in the number of specific cell types in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Astrocytes have many functions in the brain including a role in higher cognitive functions and in inflammatory brain processes. Therefore, an alteration in number, function, and/or activation state of astrocytes, could be present in ASD. We quantified astrocyte number in the gray and white matter of the prefrontal cortex-BA9, BA46, and BA47-in 15 ASD and 15 age- and sex-matched control cases. We labeled astrocytes with antibodies against the protein GFAP and S100β, markers of astrocytes. We found a significant decrease in the number of astrocytes in the gray and white matter of all prefrontal areas of interest with both markers. We also found an increased state of activation of GFAP+ astrocytes in all areas. A reduced number of astrocytes in the cerebral cortex in ASD could lead to impaired synaptic function and disrupted connectivity. An increased astrocyte activation may indicate a chronic mild inflammatory state of the cerebral cortex in ASD. Overall, we found that astrocytes are disrupted in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gelareh Vakilzadeh
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA,Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine and Shriners Hospitals for Children Northern California, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Carmen Falcone
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA,Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine and Shriners Hospitals for Children Northern California, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Brett Dufour
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA,Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine and Shriners Hospitals for Children Northern California, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Tiffany Hong
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA,Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine and Shriners Hospitals for Children Northern California, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Stephen C Noctor
- MIND Institute, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Verónica Martínez-Cerdeño
- Address correspondence to Verónica Martínez-Cerdeño, 2425 Stockton Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.
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25
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Abstract
During evolution, the cerebral cortex advances by increasing in surface and the introduction of new cytoarchitectonic areas among which the prefrontal cortex (PFC) is considered to be the substrate of highest cognitive functions. Although neurons of the PFC are generated before birth, the differentiation of its neurons and development of synaptic connections in humans extend to the 3rd decade of life. During this period, synapses as well as neurotransmitter systems including their receptors and transporters, are initially overproduced followed by selective elimination. Advanced methods applied to human and animal models, enable investigation of the cellular mechanisms and role of specific genes, non-coding regulatory elements and signaling molecules in control of prefrontal neuronal production and phenotypic fate, as well as neuronal migration to establish layering of the PFC. Likewise, various genetic approaches in combination with functional assays and immunohistochemical and imaging methods reveal roles of neurotransmitter systems during maturation of the PFC. Disruption, or even a slight slowing of the rate of neuronal production, migration and synaptogenesis by genetic or environmental factors, can induce gross as well as subtle changes that eventually can lead to cognitive impairment. An understanding of the development and evolution of the PFC provide insight into the pathogenesis and treatment of congenital neuropsychiatric diseases as well as idiopathic developmental disorders that cause intellectual disabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon M Kolk
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour and Faculty of Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Pasko Rakic
- Department of Neuroscience and Kavli Institute for Neuroscience, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.
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26
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Juarez P, Martínez Cerdeño V. Parvalbumin and parvalbumin chandelier interneurons in autism and other psychiatric disorders. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:913550. [PMID: 36311505 PMCID: PMC9597886 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.913550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Parvalbumin (PV) is a calcium binding protein expressed by inhibitory fast-spiking interneurons in the cerebral cortex. By generating a fast stream of action potentials, PV+ interneurons provide a quick and stable inhibitory input to pyramidal neurons and contribute to the generation of gamma oscillations in the cortex. Their fast-firing rates, while advantageous for regulating cortical signaling, also leave them vulnerable to metabolic stress. Chandelier (Ch) cells are a type of PV+ interneuron that modulate the output of pyramidal neurons and synchronize spikes within neuron populations by directly innervating the pyramidal axon initial segment. Changes in the morphology and/or function of PV+ interneurons, mostly of Ch cells, are linked to neurological disorders. In ASD, the number of PV+ Ch cells is decreased across several cortical areas. Changes in the morphology and/or function of PV+ interneurons have also been linked to schizophrenia, epilepsy, and bipolar disorder. Herein, we review the role of PV and PV+ Ch cell alterations in ASD and other psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Juarez
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine (IPRM), Shriners Hospital for Children and UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Verónica Martínez Cerdeño
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine (IPRM), Shriners Hospital for Children and UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States.,MIND Institute, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States
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27
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Uchida K, Suzuki M. Congenital Hypothyroidism and Brain Development: Association With Other Psychiatric Disorders. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:772382. [PMID: 34955723 PMCID: PMC8695682 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.772382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Thyroid hormones play an important role in brain development, and thyroid hormone insufficiency during the perinatal period results in severe developmental delays. Perinatal thyroid hormone deficiency is clinically known as congenital hypothyroidism, which is caused by dysgenesis of the thyroid gland or low iodine intake. If the disorder is not diagnosed or not treated early, the neuronal architecture is perturbed by thyroid hormone insufficiency, and neuropathological findings, such as abnormal synapse formation, defects in neuronal migration, and impairment of myelination, are observed in the brains of such patients. Furthermore, the expression of psychiatric disorder-related molecules, especially parvalbumin, is significantly decreased by thyroid hormone insufficiency during the perinatal period. Animal experiments using hypothyroidism models display decreased parvalbumin expression and abnormal brain architecture, and these experimental results show reproducibility and stability. These basic studies reinforce the results of epidemiological studies, suggesting the relevance of thyroid dysfunction in psychiatric disorders. In this review, we discuss the disruption of brain function associated with congenital hypothyroidism from the perspective of basic and clinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katsuya Uchida
- Laboratory of Information Biology, Graduate School of Information Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Mao Suzuki
- Laboratory of Biomodeling, Graduate School of Information Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
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28
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Contractor A, Ethell IM, Portera-Cailliau C. Cortical interneurons in autism. Nat Neurosci 2021; 24:1648-1659. [PMID: 34848882 PMCID: PMC9798607 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-021-00967-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The mechanistic underpinnings of autism remain a subject of debate and controversy. Why do individuals with autism share an overlapping set of atypical behaviors and symptoms, despite having different genetic and environmental risk factors? A major challenge in developing new therapies for autism has been the inability to identify convergent neural phenotypes that could explain the common set of symptoms that result in the diagnosis. Although no striking macroscopic neuropathological changes have been identified in autism, there is growing evidence that inhibitory interneurons (INs) play an important role in its neural basis. In this Review, we evaluate and interpret this evidence, focusing on recent findings showing reduced density and activity of the parvalbumin class of INs. We discuss the need for additional studies that investigate how genes and the environment interact to change the developmental trajectory of INs, permanently altering their numbers, connectivity and circuit engagement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anis Contractor
- Department of Neuroscience Feinberg School of Medicine, Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.,Department of Neurobiology, Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Iryna M. Ethell
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, UC Riverside School of Medicine, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Carlos Portera-Cailliau
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA. .,Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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29
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Dysfunction of Trio GEF1 involves in excitatory/inhibitory imbalance and autism-like behaviors through regulation of interneuron migration. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:7621-7640. [PMID: 33963279 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01109-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of highly inheritable neurodevelopmental disorders. Functional mutations in TRIO, especially in the GEF1 domain, are strongly implicated in ASDs, whereas the underlying neurobiological pathogenesis and molecular mechanisms remain to be clarified. Here we characterize the abnormal morphology and behavior of embryonic migratory interneurons (INs) upon Trio deficiency or GEF1 mutation in mice, which are mediated by the Trio GEF1-Rac1 activation and involved in SDF1α/CXCR4 signaling. In addition, the migration deficits are specifically associated with altered neural microcircuit, decreased inhibitory neurotransmission, and autism-like behaviors, which are reminiscent of some features observed in patients with ASDs. Furthermore, restoring the excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) imbalance via activation of GABA signaling rescues autism-like deficits. Our findings demonstrate a critical role of Trio GEF1 mediated signaling in IN migration and E/I balance, which are related to autism-related behavioral phenotypes.
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30
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Paterno R, Marafiga JR, Ramsay H, Li T, Salvati KA, Baraban SC. Hippocampal gamma and sharp-wave ripple oscillations are altered in a Cntnap2 mouse model of autism spectrum disorder. Cell Rep 2021; 37:109970. [PMID: 34758298 PMCID: PMC8783641 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Impaired synaptic neurotransmission may underly circuit alterations contributing to behavioral autism spectrum disorder (ASD) phenotypes. A critical component of impairments reported in somatosensory and prefrontal cortex of ASD mouse models are parvalbumin (PV)-expressing fast-spiking interneurons. However, it remains unknown whether PV interneurons mediating hippocampal networks crucial to navigation and memory processing are similarly impaired. Using PV-labeled transgenic mice, a battery of behavioral assays, in vitro patch-clamp electrophysiology, and in vivo 32-channel silicon probe local field potential recordings, we address this question in a Cntnap2-null mutant mouse model representing a human ASD risk factor gene. Cntnap2-/- mice show a reduction in hippocampal PV interneuron density, reduced inhibitory input to CA1 pyramidal cells, deficits in spatial discrimination ability, and frequency-dependent circuit changes within the hippocampus, including alterations in gamma oscillations, sharp-wave ripples, and theta-gamma modulation. Our findings highlight hippocampal involvement in ASD and implicate interneurons as a potential therapeutical target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosalia Paterno
- Department of Neurological Surgery and Weill Institute of Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
| | - Joseane Righes Marafiga
- Neurophysiology and Neurochemistry of Neuronal Excitability and Synaptic Plasticity Laboratory, Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, ICBS, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, 90035-003, Brazil
| | - Harrison Ramsay
- Department of Neurological Surgery and Weill Institute of Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Tina Li
- Department of Neurological Surgery and Weill Institute of Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Kathryn A Salvati
- Department of Neurological Surgery and Weill Institute of Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Scott C Baraban
- Department of Neurological Surgery and Weill Institute of Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
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31
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Duba-Kiss R, Niibori Y, Hampson DR. GABAergic Gene Regulatory Elements Used in Adeno-Associated Viral Vectors. Front Neurol 2021; 12:745159. [PMID: 34671313 PMCID: PMC8521139 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.745159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Several neurological and psychiatric disorders have been associated with impairments in GABAergic inhibitory neurons in the brain. Thus, in the current era of accelerated development of molecular medicine and biologically-based drugs, there is a need to identify gene regulatory sequences that can be utilized for selectively manipulating the expression of nucleic acids and proteins in GABAergic neurons. This is particularly important for the use of viral vectors in gene therapy. In this Mini Review, we discuss the use of various gene regulatory elements for targeting GABAergic neurons, with an emphasis on adeno-associated viral vectors, the most widely used class of viral vectors for treating brain diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Duba-Kiss
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Yosuke Niibori
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - David R Hampson
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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32
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Fujitani M, Otani Y, Miyajima H. Pathophysiological Roles of Abnormal Axon Initial Segments in Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Cells 2021; 10:2110. [PMID: 34440880 PMCID: PMC8392614 DOI: 10.3390/cells10082110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The 20-60 μm axon initial segment (AIS) is proximally located at the interface between the axon and cell body. AIS has characteristic molecular and structural properties regulated by the crucial protein, ankyrin-G. The AIS contains a high density of Na+ channels relative to the cell body, which allows low thresholds for the initiation of action potential (AP). Molecular and physiological studies have shown that the AIS is also a key domain for the control of neuronal excitability by homeostatic mechanisms. The AIS has high plasticity in normal developmental processes and pathological activities, such as injury, neurodegeneration, and neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). In the first half of this review, we provide an overview of the molecular, structural, and ion-channel characteristics of AIS, AIS regulation through axo-axonic synapses, and axo-glial interactions. In the second half, to understand the relationship between NDDs and AIS, we discuss the activity-dependent plasticity of AIS, the human mutation of AIS regulatory genes, and the pathophysiological role of an abnormal AIS in NDD model animals and patients. We propose that the AIS may provide a potentially valuable structural biomarker in response to abnormal network activity in vivo as well as a new treatment concept at the neural circuit level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masashi Fujitani
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Shimane University, 89-1 Enya-cho, Izumo-shi 693-8501, Shimane, Japan; (Y.O.); (H.M.)
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33
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Deemyad T, Puig S, Papale AE, Qi H, LaRocca GM, Aravind D, LaNoce E, Urban NN. Lateralized Decrease of Parvalbumin+ Cells in the Somatosensory Cortex of ASD Models Is Correlated with Unilateral Tactile Hypersensitivity. Cereb Cortex 2021; 32:554-568. [PMID: 34347040 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhab233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Inhibitory control of excitatory networks contributes to cortical functions. Increasing evidence indicates that parvalbumin (PV+)-expressing basket cells (BCs) are a major player in maintaining the balance between excitation (E) and inhibition (I). Disruption of E/I balance in cortical networks is believed to be a hallmark of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Here, we report a lateralized decrease in the number of PV+ BCs in L2/3 of the somatosensory cortex in the dominant hemisphere of Shank3-/- and Cntnap2-/- mouse models of ASD. The dominant hemisphere was identified during a reaching task to establish each animal's dominant forepaw. Double labeling with anti-PV antibody and a biotinylated lectin (Vicia villosa lectin [VVA]) showed that the number of BCs was not different but rather, some BCs did not express PV (PV-), resulting in an elevated number of PV- VVA+ BCs. Finally, we showed that dominant hindpaws had higher mechanical sensitivity when compared with the other hindpaws. This mechanical hypersensitivity in the dominant paw strongly correlated with the decrease in the number of PV+ interneurons and reduced PV expression in the corresponding cortex. Together, these results suggest that the hypersensitivity in ASD patients could be due to decreased inhibitory inputs to the dominant somatosensory cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tara Deemyad
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Translational Neuroscience Program, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Stephanie Puig
- Department of Psychiatry, Translational Neuroscience Program, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Andrew E Papale
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Hang Qi
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Gregory M LaRocca
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Deepthi Aravind
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Emma LaNoce
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Nathaniel N Urban
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.,Center for Neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
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Yang Y, Paul A, Bach TN, Huang ZJ, Zhang MQ. Single-cell alternative polyadenylation analysis delineates GABAergic neuron types. BMC Biol 2021; 19:144. [PMID: 34301239 PMCID: PMC8299648 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-021-01076-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Alternative polyadenylation (APA) is emerging as an important mechanism in the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression across eukaryotic species. Recent studies have shown that APA plays key roles in biological processes, such as cell proliferation and differentiation. Single-cell RNA-seq technologies are widely used in gene expression heterogeneity studies; however, systematic studies of APA at the single-cell level are still lacking. Results Here, we described a novel computational framework, SAPAS, that utilizes 3′-tag-based scRNA-seq data to identify novel poly(A) sites and quantify APA at the single-cell level. Applying SAPAS to the scRNA-seq data of phenotype characterized GABAergic interneurons, we identified cell type-specific APA events for different GABAergic neuron types. Genes with cell type-specific APA events are enriched for synaptic architecture and communications. In further, we observed a strong enrichment of heritability for several psychiatric disorders and brain traits in altered 3′ UTRs and coding sequences of cell type-specific APA events. Finally, by exploring the modalities of APA, we discovered that the bimodal APA pattern of Pak3 could classify chandelier cells into different subpopulations that are from different laminar positions. Conclusions We established a method to characterize APA at the single-cell level. When applied to a scRNA-seq dataset of GABAergic interneurons, the single-cell APA analysis not only identified cell type-specific APA events but also revealed that the modality of APA could classify cell subpopulations. Thus, SAPAS will expand our understanding of cellular heterogeneity. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12915-021-01076-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Yang
- Present Address: Department of Pharmacology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Inflammation Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China.,Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Systems Biology, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
| | - Anirban Paul
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Harbor, Cold Spring, NY, 11724, USA.,Deparment of Neural and Behavioral Sciences, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA
| | - Thao Nguyen Bach
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Systems Biology, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
| | - Z Josh Huang
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Harbor, Cold Spring, NY, 11724, USA.,Deparment of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Michael Q Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Systems Biology, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA.
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35
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Yang SS, Mack NR, Shu Y, Gao WJ. Prefrontal GABAergic Interneurons Gate Long-Range Afferents to Regulate Prefrontal Cortex-Associated Complex Behaviors. Front Neural Circuits 2021; 15:716408. [PMID: 34322002 PMCID: PMC8313241 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2021.716408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Prefrontal cortical GABAergic interneurons (INs) and their innervations are essential for the execution of complex behaviors such as working memory, social behavior, and fear expression. These behavior regulations are highly dependent on primary long-range afferents originating from the subcortical structures such as mediodorsal thalamus (MD), ventral hippocampus (vHPC), and basolateral amygdala (BLA). In turn, the regulatory effects of these inputs are mediated by activation of parvalbumin-expressing (PV) and/or somatostatin expressing (SST) INs within the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Here we review how each of these long-range afferents from the MD, vHPC, or BLA recruits a subset of the prefrontal interneuron population to exert precise control of specific PFC-dependent behaviors. Specifically, we first summarize the anatomical connections of different long-range inputs formed on prefrontal GABAergic INs, focusing on PV versus SST cells. Next, we elaborate on the role of prefrontal PV- and SST- INs in regulating MD afferents-mediated cognitive behaviors. We also examine how prefrontal PV- and SST- INs gate vHPC afferents in spatial working memory and fear expression. Finally, we discuss the possibility that prefrontal PV-INs mediate fear conditioning, predominantly driven by the BLA-mPFC pathway. This review will provide a broad view of how multiple long-range inputs converge on prefrontal interneurons to regulate complex behaviors and novel future directions to understand how PFC controls different behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sha-Sha Yang
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States,Institute for Translational Brain Research, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Nancy R. Mack
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Yousheng Shu
- Institute for Translational Brain Research, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen-Jun Gao
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States,*Correspondence: Wen-Jun Gao,
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Falcone C, Mevises NY, Hong T, Dufour B, Chen X, Noctor SC, Martínez Cerdeño V. Neuronal and glial cell number is altered in a cortical layer-specific manner in autism. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2021; 25:2238-2253. [PMID: 34107793 DOI: 10.1177/13623613211014408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
LAY ABSTRACT The cerebral cortex affected with autism spectrum disorder presents changes in the number of neurons and glia cells, possibly leading to a dysregulation of brain circuits and affecting behavior. However, little is known about cell number alteration in specific layers of the cortex in autism spectrum disorder. We found an increase in the number of neurons and a decrease in the number of astrocytes in specific layers of the prefrontal cortex in postmortem human brains from autism spectrum disorder cases. We hypothesize that this may be due to a failure in neural stem cells to shift differentiation from neurons to glial cells during prenatal brain development. These data provide key anatomical findings that contribute to the bases of autism spectrum disorder pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Falcone
- UC Davis School of Medicine, USA.,Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, and Shriners Hospitals for Children of Northern California, USA
| | - Natalie-Ya Mevises
- UC Davis School of Medicine, USA.,Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, and Shriners Hospitals for Children of Northern California, USA
| | - Tiffany Hong
- UC Davis School of Medicine, USA.,Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, and Shriners Hospitals for Children of Northern California, USA
| | - Brett Dufour
- UC Davis School of Medicine, USA.,Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, and Shriners Hospitals for Children of Northern California, USA
| | - Xiaohui Chen
- UC Davis School of Medicine, USA.,Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, and Shriners Hospitals for Children of Northern California, USA
| | | | - Verónica Martínez Cerdeño
- UC Davis School of Medicine, USA.,Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, and Shriners Hospitals for Children of Northern California, USA
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Amina S, Falcone C, Hong T, Wolf-Ochoa MW, Vakilzadeh G, Allen E, Perez-Castro R, Kargar M, Noctor S, Martínez-Cerdeño V. Chandelier Cartridge Density Is Reduced in the Prefrontal Cortex in Autism. Cereb Cortex 2021; 31:2944-2951. [PMID: 33527113 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhaa402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
An alteration in the balance of excitation-inhibition has been proposed as a common characteristic of the cerebral cortex in autism, which may be due to an alteration in the number and/or function of the excitatory and/or inhibitory cells that form the cortical circuitry. We previously found a decreased number of the parvalbumin (PV)+ interneuron known as Chandelier (Ch) cell in the prefrontal cortex in autism. This decrease could result from a decreased number of Ch cells, but also from decreased PV protein expression by Ch cells. To further determine if Ch cell number is altered in autism, we quantified the number of Ch cells following a different approach and different patient cohort than in our previous studies. We quantified the number of Ch cell cartridges-rather than Ch cell somata-that expressed GAT1-rather than PV. Specifically, we quantified GAT1+ cartridges in prefrontal areas BA9, BA46, and BA47 of 11 cases with autism and 11 control cases. We found that the density of GAT1+ cartridges was decreased in autism in all areas and layers. Whether this alteration is cause or effect remains unclear but could result from alterations that take place during cortical prenatal and/or postnatal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarwat Amina
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine; Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine and Shriners Hospitals for Children, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Carmen Falcone
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine; Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine and Shriners Hospitals for Children, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Tiffany Hong
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine; Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine and Shriners Hospitals for Children, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Marisol Wendy Wolf-Ochoa
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine; Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine and Shriners Hospitals for Children, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Gelareh Vakilzadeh
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine; Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine and Shriners Hospitals for Children, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Erik Allen
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine; Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine and Shriners Hospitals for Children, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Rosalia Perez-Castro
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine; Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine and Shriners Hospitals for Children, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Maryam Kargar
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine; Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine and Shriners Hospitals for Children, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Stephen Noctor
- MIND Institute, UC Davis Medical Center, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Verónica Martínez-Cerdeño
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine; Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine and Shriners Hospitals for Children, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.,MIND Institute, UC Davis Medical Center, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
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Shin S, Santi A, Huang S. Conditional Pten knockout in parvalbumin- or somatostatin-positive neurons sufficiently leads to autism-related behavioral phenotypes. Mol Brain 2021; 14:24. [PMID: 33504340 PMCID: PMC7839207 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-021-00731-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Disrupted GABAergic neurons have been extensively described in brain tissues from individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and animal models for ASD. However, the contribution of these aberrant inhibitory neurons to autism-related behavioral phenotypes is not well understood. We examined ASD-related behaviors in mice with conditional Pten knockout in parvalbumin (PV)-expressing or somatostatin (Sst)-expressing neurons, two common subtypes of GABAergic neurons. We found that mice with deletion of Pten in either PV-neurons or Sst-neurons displayed social deficits, repetitive behaviors and impaired motor coordination/learning. In addition, mice with one copy of Pten deletion in PV-neurons exhibited hyperlocomotion in novel open fields and home cages. We also examined anxiety behaviors and found that mice with Pten deletion in Sst-neurons displayed anxiety-like behaviors, while mice with Pten deletion in PV-neurons exhibited anxiolytic-like behaviors. These behavioral assessments demonstrate that Pten knockout in the subtype of inhibitory neurons sufficiently gives rise to ASD-core behaviors, providing evidence that both PV- and Sst-neurons may play a critical role in ASD symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangyep Shin
- Program in Neuroscience, Hussman Institute for Autism, Baltimore, MD 21201 USA
| | - Andrea Santi
- Program in Neuroscience, Hussman Institute for Autism, Baltimore, MD 21201 USA
| | - Shiyong Huang
- Program in Neuroscience, Hussman Institute for Autism, Baltimore, MD 21201 USA
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Filice F, Janickova L, Henzi T, Bilella A, Schwaller B. The Parvalbumin Hypothesis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Front Cell Neurosci 2020; 14:577525. [PMID: 33390904 PMCID: PMC7775315 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.577525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD)-a type of neurodevelopmental disorder-is increasing and is around 2% in North America, Asia, and Europe. Besides the known genetic link, environmental, epigenetic, and metabolic factors have been implicated in ASD etiology. Although highly heterogeneous at the behavioral level, ASD comprises a set of core symptoms including impaired communication and social interaction skills as well as stereotyped and repetitive behaviors. This has led to the suggestion that a large part of the ASD phenotype is caused by changes in a few and common set of signaling pathways, the identification of which is a fundamental aim of autism research. Using advanced bioinformatics tools and the abundantly available genetic data, it is possible to classify the large number of ASD-associated genes according to cellular function and pathways. Cellular processes known to be impaired in ASD include gene regulation, synaptic transmission affecting the excitation/inhibition balance, neuronal Ca2+ signaling, development of short-/long-range connectivity (circuits and networks), and mitochondrial function. Such alterations often occur during early postnatal neurodevelopment. Among the neurons most affected in ASD as well as in schizophrenia are those expressing the Ca2+-binding protein parvalbumin (PV). These mainly inhibitory interneurons present in many different brain regions in humans and rodents are characterized by rapid, non-adaptive firing and have a high energy requirement. PV expression is often reduced at both messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels in human ASD brain samples and mouse ASD (and schizophrenia) models. Although the human PVALB gene is not a high-ranking susceptibility/risk gene for either disorder and is currently only listed in the SFARI Gene Archive, we propose and present supporting evidence for the Parvalbumin Hypothesis, which posits that decreased PV level is causally related to the etiology of ASD (and possibly schizophrenia).
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Beat Schwaller
- Section of Medicine, Anatomy, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
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40
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Jacot-Descombes S, Keshav NU, Dickstein DL, Wicinski B, Janssen WGM, Hiester LL, Sarfo EK, Warda T, Fam MM, Harony-Nicolas H, Buxbaum JD, Hof PR, Varghese M. Altered synaptic ultrastructure in the prefrontal cortex of Shank3-deficient rats. Mol Autism 2020; 11:89. [PMID: 33203459 PMCID: PMC7671669 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-020-00393-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Deletion or mutations of SHANK3 lead to Phelan–McDermid syndrome and monogenic forms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). SHANK3 encodes its eponymous scaffolding protein at excitatory glutamatergic synapses. Altered morphology of dendrites and spines in the hippocampus, cerebellum, and striatum have been associated with behavioral impairments in Shank3-deficient animal models. Given the attentional deficit in these animals, our study explored whether deficiency of Shank3 in a rat model alters neuron morphology and synaptic ultrastructure in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Methods We assessed dendrite and spine morphology and spine density in mPFC layer III neurons in Shank3-homozygous knockout (Shank3-KO), heterozygous (Shank3-Het), and wild-type (WT) rats. We used electron microscopy to determine the density of asymmetric synapses in mPFC layer III excitatory neurons in these rats. We measured postsynaptic density (PSD) length, PSD area, and head diameter (HD) of spines at these synapses. Results Basal dendritic morphology was similar among the three genotypes. Spine density and morphology were comparable, but more thin and mushroom spines had larger head volumes in Shank3-Het compared to WT and Shank3-KO. All three groups had comparable synapse density and PSD length. Spine HD of total and non-perforated synapses in Shank3-Het rats, but not Shank3-KO rats, was significantly larger than in WT rats. The total and non-perforated PSD area was significantly larger in Shank3-Het rats compared to Shank3-KO rats. These findings represent preliminary evidence for synaptic ultrastructural alterations in the mPFC of rats that lack one copy of Shank3 and mimic the heterozygous loss of SHANK3 in Phelan–McDermid syndrome. Limitations The Shank3 deletion in the rat model we used does not affect all isoforms of the protein and would only model the effect of mutations resulting in loss of the N-terminus of the protein. Given the higher prevalence of ASD in males, the ultrastructural study focused only on synaptic structure in male Shank3-deficient rats. Conclusions We observed increased HD and PSD area in Shank3-Het rats. These observations suggest the occurrence of altered synaptic ultrastructure in this animal model, further pointing to a key role of defective expression of the Shank3 protein in ASD and Phelan–McDermid syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Jacot-Descombes
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Hess Center for Science and Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1470 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10029, USA.,Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Unit of Psychiatry, Department of Children and Teenagers, University Hospital and School of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland.,Department of Legal Medicine, University Hospital and School of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Neha U Keshav
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Hess Center for Science and Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1470 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10029, USA.,Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Dara L Dickstein
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Hess Center for Science and Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1470 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10029, USA.,Department of Pathology, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Bridget Wicinski
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Hess Center for Science and Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1470 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10029, USA.,Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - William G M Janssen
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Hess Center for Science and Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1470 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10029, USA.,Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Liam L Hiester
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Hess Center for Science and Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1470 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10029, USA.,Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Edward K Sarfo
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Hess Center for Science and Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1470 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10029, USA.,Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tahia Warda
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Hess Center for Science and Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1470 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10029, USA.,Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Psychology Department, Rutgers University Brain Imaging Center (RUBIC), Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, 07102, USA
| | - Matthew M Fam
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Hess Center for Science and Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1470 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10029, USA.,Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hala Harony-Nicolas
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Hess Center for Science and Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1470 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10029, USA.,Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Joseph D Buxbaum
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Hess Center for Science and Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1470 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10029, USA.,Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Patrick R Hof
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Hess Center for Science and Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1470 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10029, USA. .,Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA. .,Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Merina Varghese
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Hess Center for Science and Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1470 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10029, USA. .,Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
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Gallo NB, Paul A, Van Aelst L. Shedding Light on Chandelier Cell Development, Connectivity, and Contribution to Neural Disorders. Trends Neurosci 2020; 43:565-580. [PMID: 32564887 PMCID: PMC7392791 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2020.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Chandelier cells (ChCs) are a unique type of GABAergic interneuron that selectively innervate the axon initial segment (AIS) of excitatory pyramidal neurons; the subcellular domain where action potentials are initiated. The proper genesis and maturation of ChCs is critical for regulating neural ensemble firing in the neocortex throughout development and adulthood. Recently, genetic and molecular studies have shed new light on the complex innerworkings of ChCs in health and disease. This review presents an overview of recent studies on the developmental origins, migratory properties, and morphology of ChCs. In addition, attention is given to newly identified molecules regulating ChC morphogenesis and connectivity as well as recent work linking ChC dysfunction to neural disorders, including schizophrenia, epilepsy, and autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas B Gallo
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, 11724, USA; Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA
| | - Anirban Paul
- Department of Neural and Behavioral Sciences, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA
| | - Linda Van Aelst
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, 11724, USA.
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Janickova L, Rechberger KF, Wey L, Schwaller B. Absence of parvalbumin increases mitochondria volume and branching of dendrites in inhibitory Pvalb neurons in vivo: a point of convergence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) risk gene phenotypes. Mol Autism 2020; 11:47. [PMID: 32517751 PMCID: PMC7285523 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-020-00323-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background In fast firing, parvalbumin (PV)-expressing (Pvalb) interneurons, PV acts as an intracellular Ca2+ signal modulator with slow-onset kinetics. In Purkinje cells of PV−/− mice, adaptive/homeostatic mechanisms lead to an increase in mitochondria, organelles equally capable of delayed Ca2+ sequestering/buffering. An inverse regulation of PV and mitochondria likewise operates in cell model systems in vitro including myotubes, epithelial cells, and oligodendrocyte-like cells overexpressing PV. Whether such opposite regulation pertains to all Pvalb neurons is currently unknown. In oligodendrocyte-like cells, PV additionally decreases growth and branching of processes in a cell-autonomous manner. Methods The in vivo effects of absence of PV were investigated in inhibitory Pvalb neurons expressing EGFP, present in the somatosensory and medial prefrontal cortex, striatum, thalamic reticular nucleus, hippocampal regions DG, CA3, and CA1 and cerebellum of mice either wild-type or knockout (PV−/−) for the Pvalb gene. Changes in Pvalb neuron morphology and PV concentrations were determined using immunofluorescence, followed by 3D-reconstruction and quantitative image analyses. Results PV deficiency led to an increase in mitochondria volume and density in the soma; the magnitude of the effect was positively correlated with the estimated PV concentrations in the various Pvalb neuron subpopulations in wild-type neurons. The increase in dendrite length and branching, as well as thickness of proximal dendrites of selected PV−/− Pvalb neurons is likely the result of the observed increased density and length of mitochondria in these PV−/− Pvalb neuron dendrites. The increased branching and soma size directly linked to the absence of PV is assumed to contribute to the increased volume of the neocortex present in juvenile PV−/− mice. The extended dendritic branching is in line with the hypothesis of local hyperconnectivity in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and ASD mouse models including PV−/− mice, which display all ASD core symptoms and several comorbidities including cortical macrocephaly at juvenile age. Conclusion PV is involved in most proposed mechanisms implicated in ASD etiology: alterations in Ca2+ signaling affecting E/I balance, changes in mitochondria structure/function, and increased dendritic length and branching, possibly resulting in local hyperconnectivity, all in a likely cell autonomous way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Janickova
- Anatomy, Section of Medicine, University of Fribourg, Route Albert-Gockel 1, 1700, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Karin Farah Rechberger
- Anatomy, Section of Medicine, University of Fribourg, Route Albert-Gockel 1, 1700, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Lucas Wey
- Anatomy, Section of Medicine, University of Fribourg, Route Albert-Gockel 1, 1700, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Beat Schwaller
- Anatomy, Section of Medicine, University of Fribourg, Route Albert-Gockel 1, 1700, Fribourg, Switzerland.
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Casanova MF, Sokhadze EM, Casanova EL, Opris I, Abujadi C, Marcolin MA, Li X. Translational Neuroscience in Autism: From Neuropathology to Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Therapies. Psychiatr Clin North Am 2020; 43:229-248. [PMID: 32439019 PMCID: PMC7245584 DOI: 10.1016/j.psc.2020.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The presence of heterotopias, increased regional density of neurons at the gray-white matter junction, and focal cortical dysplasias all suggest an abnormality of neuronal migration in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The abnormality is borne from a dissonance in timing between radial and tangentially migrating neuroblasts to the developing cortical plate. The uncoupling of excitatory and inhibitory cortical cells disturbs the coordinated interactions of neurons within local networks, thus providing abnormal patterns of brainwave activity in the gamma bandwidth. In ASD, gamma oscillation abnormalities and autonomic markers offer measures of therapeutic progress and help in the identification of subgroups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel F Casanova
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics, Greenville Health System, 200 Patewood Drive, Suite A200, Greenville, SC 29615, USA.
| | - Estate M Sokhadze
- University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville, 200 Patewood Drive, Greenville, SC 29615, USA
| | - Emily L Casanova
- University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville, 200 Patewood Drive, Greenville, SC 29615, USA. https://twitter.com/EmLyWill
| | - Ioan Opris
- University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Department Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Caio Abujadi
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marco Antonio Marcolin
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Xiaoli Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
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44
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Sciara AN, Beasley B, Crawford JD, Anderson EP, Carrasco T, Zheng S, Ordway GA, Chandley MJ. Neuroinflammatory Gene Expression Alterations in Anterior Cingulate Cortical White and Gray Matter of Males With Autism Spectrum Disorder. Autism Res 2020; 13:870-884. [PMID: 32129578 PMCID: PMC7540672 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2019] [Revised: 01/26/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Evidence for putative pathophysiological mechanisms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), including peripheral inflammation, blood-brain barrier disruption, white matter alterations, and abnormal synaptic overgrowth, indicate a possible involvement of neuroinflammation in the disorder. Neuroinflammation plays a role in the development and maintenance of the dendritic spines involved in glutamatergic and GABAergic neurotransmission, and also influences blood-brain permeability. Cytokines released from microglia can impact the length, location or organization of dendritic spines on excitatory and inhibitory cells as well as recruit and impact glial cell function around the neurons. In this study, gene expression levels of anti- and pro-inflammatory signaling molecules, as well as oligodendrocyte and astrocyte marker proteins, were measured in both gray and white matter tissue in the anterior cingulate cortex from ASD and age-matched typically developing (TD) control brain donors, ranging from ages 4 to 37 years. Expression levels of the pro-inflammatory gene, HLA-DR, were significantly reduced in gray matter and expression levels of the anti-inflammatory gene MRC1 were significantly elevated in white matter from ASD donors as compared to TD donors, but neither retained statistical significance after correction for multiple comparisons. Modest trends toward differences in expression levels were also observed for the pro-inflammatory (CD68, IL1β) and anti-inflammatory genes (IGF1, IGF1R) comparing ASD donors to TD donors. The direction of gene expression changes comparing ASD to TD donors did not reveal consistent findings implicating an elevated pro- or anti-inflammatory state in ASD. However, altered expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory gene expression indicates some involvement of neuroinflammation in ASD. Autism Res 2020, 13: 870-884. © 2020 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. LAY SUMMARY: The anterior cingulate cortex is an integral brain region in modulating social behaviors including nonverbal communication. The study found that inflammatory gene expression levels were altered in this brain region. We hypothesize that the inflammatory changes in this area could impact neuronal function. The finding has future implications in using these molecular markers to identify potential environmental exposures and distinct cell differences in autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aubrey N. Sciara
- Department of Biological SciencesEast Tennessee State UniversityJohnson CityTennessee
| | - Brooke Beasley
- Department of Health SciencesEast Tennessee State UniversityJohnson CityTN
| | - Jessica D. Crawford
- Department of Biomedical SciencesEast Tennessee State UniversityJohnson CityTN
| | - Emma P. Anderson
- Department of Health SciencesEast Tennessee State UniversityJohnson CityTN
| | - Tiffani Carrasco
- Department of Health SciencesEast Tennessee State UniversityJohnson CityTN
| | - Shimin Zheng
- Department of Biostatistics and EpidemiologyEast Tennessee State UniversityJohnson CityTN
| | - Gregory A. Ordway
- Department of Biomedical SciencesEast Tennessee State UniversityJohnson CityTN
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral SciencesEast Tennessee State University, Johnson CityJohnson CityTN
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GABA ARα2 is Decreased in the Axon Initial Segment of Pyramidal Cells in Specific Areas of the Prefrontal Cortex in Autism. Neuroscience 2020; 437:76-86. [PMID: 32335215 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.04.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Revised: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Some forms of Autism Spectrum Disorder, a neurodevelopmental syndrome characterized by impaired communication and social skills as well as repetitive behaviors, are purportedly associated with dysregulation of the excitation/inhibition balance in the cerebral cortex. Through human postmortem tissue analysis, we previously found a significant decrease in the number of a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic interneuron subtype, the chandelier (Ch) cell, in the prefrontal cortex of subjects with autism. Ch cells exclusively target the axon initial segment (AIS) of excitatory pyramidal (Pyr) neurons, and a single Ch cell forms synapses on hundreds of Pyr cells, indicating a possible role in maintaining electrical balance. Thus, we herein investigated this crucial link between Ch and Pyr cells in the anatomy of autism neuropathology by examining GABA receptor protein expression in the Pyr cell AIS in subjects with autism. We collected tissue from the prefrontal cortex (Brodmann Areas (BA) 9, 46, and 47) of 20 subjects with autism and 20 age- and sex-matched control subjects. Immunohistochemical staining with antibodies against the GABAA receptor subunit α2 (GABAARα2) - the subunit most prevalent in the Pyr cell AIS - revealed a significantly decreased GABAARα2 protein in the Pyr cell AIS in supragranular layers of prefrontal cortical areas BA9 and BA47 in autism. Downregulated GABAARα2 protein in the Pyr cell AIS may result from decreased GABA synthesis in the prefrontal cortex of subjects with autism, and thereby contribute to an excitation/inhibition imbalance. Our findings support the potential for GABA receptor agonists asa therapeutic tool for autism.
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46
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Lobzhanidze G, Japaridze N, Lordkipanidze T, Rzayev F, MacFabe D, Zhvania M. Behavioural and brain ultrastructural changes following the systemic administration of propionic acid in adolescent male rats. Further development of a rodent model of autism. Int J Dev Neurosci 2020; 80:139-156. [PMID: 31997401 DOI: 10.1002/jdn.10011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Revised: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Short chain fatty acids, produced as gut microbiome metabolites but also present in the diet, exert broad effects in host physiology. Propionic acid (PPA), along with butyrate and acetate, plays a growing role in health, but also in neurological conditions. Increased PPA exposure in humans, animal models and cell lines elicit diverse behavioural and biochemical changes consistent with organic acidurias, mitochondrial disorders and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). ASD is considered a disorder of synaptic dysfunction and cell signalling, but also neuroinflammatory and neurometabolic components. We examined behaviour (Morris water and radial arm mazes) and the ultrastructure of the hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex (electron microscopy) following a single intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of PPA (175 mg/kg) in male adolescent rats. PPA treatment showed altered social and locomotor behaviour without changes in learning and memory. Both transient and enduring ultrastructural alterations in synapses, astro- and microglia were detected in the CA1 hippocampal area. Electron microscopic analysis showed the PPA treatment significantly decreased the total number of synaptic vesicles, presynaptic mitochondria and synapses with a symmetric active zone. Thus, brief systemic administration of this dietary and enteric short chain fatty acid produced behavioural and dynamic brain ultrastructural changes, providing further validation of the PPA model of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgi Lobzhanidze
- School of Natural Sciences and Medicine, Ilia State University, Tbilisi, Georgia.,Department of Brain Ultrastructure and Nanoarchitecture, I. Beritashvili Center of Experimental Biomedicine, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Nadezhda Japaridze
- Department of Brain Ultrastructure and Nanoarchitecture, I. Beritashvili Center of Experimental Biomedicine, Tbilisi, Georgia.,Medical School, New Vision University, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Tamar Lordkipanidze
- School of Natural Sciences and Medicine, Ilia State University, Tbilisi, Georgia.,Department of Brain Ultrastructure and Nanoarchitecture, I. Beritashvili Center of Experimental Biomedicine, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Fuad Rzayev
- Laboratory of Electron Microscopy, Research Center of Azerbaijan Medical University, Baku, Azerbaijan
| | - Derrick MacFabe
- The Kilee Patchell-Evans Autism Research Group, London, ON, Canada.,Faculty of Medicine, Department of Microbiology, Center for Healthy Eating and Food Innovation, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Mzia Zhvania
- School of Natural Sciences and Medicine, Ilia State University, Tbilisi, Georgia.,Department of Brain Ultrastructure and Nanoarchitecture, I. Beritashvili Center of Experimental Biomedicine, Tbilisi, Georgia
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Petanjek Z, Sedmak D, Džaja D, Hladnik A, Rašin MR, Jovanov-Milosevic N. The Protracted Maturation of Associative Layer IIIC Pyramidal Neurons in the Human Prefrontal Cortex During Childhood: A Major Role in Cognitive Development and Selective Alteration in Autism. Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:122. [PMID: 30923504 PMCID: PMC6426783 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2018] [Accepted: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The human specific cognitive shift starts around the age of 2 years with the onset of self-awareness, and continues with extraordinary increase in cognitive capacities during early childhood. Diffuse changes in functional connectivity in children aged 2-6 years indicate an increase in the capacity of cortical network. Interestingly, structural network complexity does not increase during this time and, thus, it is likely to be induced by selective maturation of a specific neuronal subclass. Here, we provide an overview of a subclass of cortico-cortical neurons, the associative layer IIIC pyramids of the human prefrontal cortex. Their local axonal collaterals are in control of the prefrontal cortico-cortical output, while their long projections modulate inter-areal processing. In this way, layer IIIC pyramids are the major integrative element of cortical processing, and changes in their connectivity patterns will affect global cortical functioning. Layer IIIC neurons have a unique pattern of dendritic maturation. In contrast to other classes of principal neurons, they undergo an additional phase of extensive dendritic growth during early childhood, and show characteristic molecular changes. Taken together, circuits associated with layer IIIC neurons have the most protracted period of developmental plasticity. This unique feature is advanced but also provides a window of opportunity for pathological events to disrupt normal formation of cognitive circuits involving layer IIIC neurons. In this manuscript, we discuss how disrupted dendritic and axonal maturation of layer IIIC neurons may lead into global cortical disconnectivity, affecting development of complex communication and social abilities. We also propose a model that developmentally dictated incorporation of layer IIIC neurons into maturing cortico-cortical circuits between 2 to 6 years will reveal a previous (perinatal) lesion affecting other classes of principal neurons. This "disclosure" of pre-existing functionally silent lesions of other neuronal classes induced by development of layer IIIC associative neurons, or their direct alteration, could be found in different forms of autism spectrum disorders. Understanding the gene-environment interaction in shaping cognitive microcircuitries may be fundamental for developing rehabilitation and prevention strategies in autism spectrum and other cognitive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zdravko Petanjek
- Department of Anatomy and Clinical Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
- Department of Neuroscience, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
- Center of Excellence for Basic, Clinical and Translational Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Dora Sedmak
- Department of Anatomy and Clinical Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
- Department of Neuroscience, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
- Center of Excellence for Basic, Clinical and Translational Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Domagoj Džaja
- Department of Anatomy and Clinical Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
- Department of Neuroscience, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
- Center of Excellence for Basic, Clinical and Translational Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ana Hladnik
- Department of Anatomy and Clinical Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
- Department of Neuroscience, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
- Center of Excellence for Basic, Clinical and Translational Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Mladen Roko Rašin
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers University, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, United States
| | - Nataša Jovanov-Milosevic
- Department of Neuroscience, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
- Center of Excellence for Basic, Clinical and Translational Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
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48
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Tai Y, Gallo NB, Wang M, Yu JR, Van Aelst L. Axo-axonic Innervation of Neocortical Pyramidal Neurons by GABAergic Chandelier Cells Requires AnkyrinG-Associated L1CAM. Neuron 2019; 102:358-372.e9. [PMID: 30846310 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2019.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2018] [Revised: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Among the diverse interneuron subtypes in the neocortex, chandelier cells (ChCs) are the only population that selectively innervate pyramidal neurons (PyNs) at their axon initial segment (AIS), the site of action potential initiation, allowing them to exert powerful control over PyN output. Yet, mechanisms underlying their subcellular innervation of PyN AISs are unknown. To identify molecular determinants of ChC/PyN AIS innervation, we performed an in vivo RNAi screen of PyN-expressed axonal cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) and select Ephs/ephrins. Strikingly, we found the L1 family member L1CAM to be the only molecule required for ChC/PyN AIS innervation. Further, we show that L1CAM is required during both the establishment and maintenance of innervation, and that selective innervation of PyN AISs by ChCs requires AIS anchoring of L1CAM by the cytoskeletal ankyrin-G/βIV-spectrin complex. Thus, our findings identify PyN-expressed L1CAM as a critical CAM required for innervation of neocortical PyN AISs by ChCs. VIDEO ABSTRACT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yilin Tai
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - Nicholas B Gallo
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA; Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Minghui Wang
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - Jia-Ray Yu
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - Linda Van Aelst
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA.
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49
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Liu F, Horton-Sparks K, Hull V, Li RW, Martínez-Cerdeño V. The valproic acid rat model of autism presents with gut bacterial dysbiosis similar to that in human autism. Mol Autism 2018; 9:61. [PMID: 30555669 PMCID: PMC6288876 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-018-0251-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Gut microbiota has the capacity to impact the regular function of the brain, which can in turn affect the composition of microbiota. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) patients suffer from gastrointestinal problems and experience changes in gut microbiota; however, it is not yet clear whether the change in the microbiota associated with ASD is a cause or a consequence of the disease. Methods We have investigated the species richness and microbial composition in a valproic acid (VPA)-induced rat model autism. Fecal samples from the rectum were collected at necropsy, microbial total DNA was extracted, 16 rRNA genes sequenced using Illumina, and the global microbial co-occurrence network was constructed using a random matrix theory-based pipeline. Collected rat microbiome data were compared to available data derived from cases of autism. Results We found that VPA administration during pregnancy reduced fecal microbial richness, changed the gut microbial composition, and altered the metabolite potential of the fecal microbial community in a pattern similar to that seen in patients with ASD. However, the global network property and network composition as well as microbial co-occurrence patterns were largely preserved in the offspring of rats exposed to prenatal administration of VPA. Conclusions Our data on the microbiota of the VPA rat model of autism indicate that this model, in addition to behaviorally and anatomically mimicking the autistic brain as previously shown, also mimics the microbiome features of autism, making it one of the best-suited rodent models for the study of autism and ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Liu
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Kayla Horton-Sparks
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine and Shriners Hospitals for Children Northern California, 2504 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95817 USA
| | - Vanessa Hull
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine and Shriners Hospitals for Children Northern California, 2504 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95817 USA
| | - Robert W. Li
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Research Service (USDA-ARS), Animal Genomics and Improvement Laboratory, Beltsville, MD USA
| | - Verónica Martínez-Cerdeño
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine and Shriners Hospitals for Children Northern California, 2504 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95817 USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA USA
- MIND Institute, Sacramento, CA USA
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50
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Iritani S, Torii Y, Habuchi C, Sekiguchi H, Fujishiro H, Yoshida M, Go Y, Iriki A, Isoda M, Ozaki N. The neuropathological investigation of the brain in a monkey model of autism spectrum disorder with ABCA13 deletion. Int J Dev Neurosci 2018; 71:130-139. [PMID: 30201574 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2018.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2018] [Revised: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The precise biological etiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the neuropathology of a monkey model of autism Human ABCA13 is the largest ABC transporter protein, with a length of 5058 amino acids and a predicted molecular weight of >450 kDa. However, the function of this protein remains to be elucidated. This protein is thought to be associated with major psychiatric disease. Using this monkey model of autism with an ABCA13 deletion and a mutation of 5HT2c, we neuropathologically investigated the changes in the neuronal formation in the frontal cortex. As a result, the neuronal formation in the cortex was found to be disorganized with regard to the neuronal size and laminal distribution in the ABCA13 deletion monkey. The catecholaminergic and GABAergic neuronal systems, serotoninergic neuronal formation (5HT2c) were also found to be impaired by an immunohistochemical evaluation. This study suggested that ABCA13 deficit induces the impairment of neuronal maturation or migration, and the function of the neuronal network. This protein might thus play a role in the neurodevelopmental function of the central nervous system and the dysfunction of this protein may be a pathophysiological cause of mental disorders including autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuji Iritani
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan.
| | - Youta Torii
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Chikako Habuchi
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Hirotaka Sekiguchi
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Hiroshige Fujishiro
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Mari Yoshida
- Department of Neuropathology, Institute for Medical Science of Aging, Aichi Medical University, Aichi, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Go
- Department of Brain Sciences, Center for Novel Science Initiatives, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi, Japan; Department of Developmental Physiology, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Japan; The Graduate University for Advanced Studies (Sokendai), Okazaki, Japan
| | - Astushi Iriki
- Laboratory for Symbolic Cognitive Developmen RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama, Japan
| | - Masaki Isoda
- Department of System Neuroscience, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi, Japan; Laboratory for Symbolic Cognitive Development, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama, Japan; Department of Physiology, Kansai Medical University School of Medicine, Hirakata, Osaka, Japan
| | - Norio Ozaki
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
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