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D'Antoni S, Spatuzza M, Bonaccorso CM, Catania MV. Role of fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein 1 in the pathophysiology of brain disorders: a glia perspective. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 162:105731. [PMID: 38763180 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
Fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein 1 (FMRP) is a widely expressed RNA binding protein involved in several steps of mRNA metabolism. Mutations in the FMR1 gene encoding FMRP are responsible for fragile X syndrome (FXS), a leading genetic cause of intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder, and fragile X-associated tremor-ataxia syndrome (FXTAS), a neurodegenerative disorder in aging men. Although FMRP is mainly expressed in neurons, it is also present in glial cells and its deficiency or altered expression can affect functions of glial cells with implications for the pathophysiology of brain disorders. The present review focuses on recent advances on the role of glial subtypes, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes and microglia, in the pathophysiology of FXS and FXTAS, and describes how the absence or reduced expression of FMRP in these cells can impact on glial and neuronal functions. We will also briefly address the role of FMRP in radial glial cells and its effects on neural development, and gliomas and will speculate on the role of glial FMRP in other brain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- S D'Antoni
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB), National Research Council (CNR), Via Paolo Gaifami 18, Catania 95126, Italy
| | - M Spatuzza
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB), National Research Council (CNR), Via Paolo Gaifami 18, Catania 95126, Italy
| | - C M Bonaccorso
- Oasi Research Institute - IRCCS, via Conte Ruggero 73, Troina 94018, Italy
| | - M V Catania
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB), National Research Council (CNR), Via Paolo Gaifami 18, Catania 95126, Italy.
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2
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Tak Y, Tassone F, Hagerman RJ. Case Series: Vestibular Migraines in Fragile X Premutation Carriers. J Clin Med 2024; 13:504. [PMID: 38256638 PMCID: PMC10816080 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13020504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vestibular migraine (VM) is one of the most common causes of recurrent vertigo and presents with a history of spontaneous or positional vertigo with a history of migraine headaches. While research has identified a high prevalence of migraine headaches and vestibular deficits among fragile X premutation carriers, there has been no discussion about VM within this population. OBJECTIVE This case series and review seeks to describe the clinical characteristics and pathophysiology of VM among individuals with the fragile X premutation. We also seek to discuss treatment and future steps in addressing VM in this population. METHODS A review of the literature regarding vestibular migraine and presentation of migraine headaches and vestibular deficits among premutation carriers was performed. A detailed clinical history of migraine headaches and vertigo was obtained from three patients with the fragile X premutation seen by the senior author (RJH). RESULTS All three cases first developed symptoms of migraine headaches earlier in life, with the development of VM near menopause. Two of the three cases developed progressive balance issues following the development of VM. All three cases found that their VM episodes were improved or resolved with pharmacological and/or lifestyle interventions. CONCLUSIONS It is important to recognize VM among premutation carriers because beneficial treatments are available. Future studies are needed regarding the prevalence of VM and the relationship to subsequent FXTAS. The pathophysiology of VM remains uncertain but possibilities include mitochondrial abnormalities, cranial nerve VIII toxicity secondary to neurotoxic protein accumulation, and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) signaling dysfunction due to altered levels of fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein (FMRP).
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Affiliation(s)
- YeEun Tak
- University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento Campus, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (Y.T.); (F.T.)
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, University of California Davis Health, Sacramento, CA 95616, USA
| | - Flora Tassone
- University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento Campus, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (Y.T.); (F.T.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Randi J. Hagerman
- University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento Campus, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (Y.T.); (F.T.)
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California Davis Health, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
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3
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Tassone F, Protic D, Allen EG, Archibald AD, Baud A, Brown TW, Budimirovic DB, Cohen J, Dufour B, Eiges R, Elvassore N, Gabis LV, Grudzien SJ, Hall DA, Hessl D, Hogan A, Hunter JE, Jin P, Jiraanont P, Klusek J, Kooy RF, Kraan CM, Laterza C, Lee A, Lipworth K, Losh M, Loesch D, Lozano R, Mailick MR, Manolopoulos A, Martinez-Cerdeno V, McLennan Y, Miller RM, Montanaro FAM, Mosconi MW, Potter SN, Raspa M, Rivera SM, Shelly K, Todd PK, Tutak K, Wang JY, Wheeler A, Winarni TI, Zafarullah M, Hagerman RJ. Insight and Recommendations for Fragile X-Premutation-Associated Conditions from the Fifth International Conference on FMR1 Premutation. Cells 2023; 12:2330. [PMID: 37759552 PMCID: PMC10529056 DOI: 10.3390/cells12182330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The premutation of the fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein 1 (FMR1) gene is characterized by an expansion of the CGG trinucleotide repeats (55 to 200 CGGs) in the 5' untranslated region and increased levels of FMR1 mRNA. Molecular mechanisms leading to fragile X-premutation-associated conditions (FXPAC) include cotranscriptional R-loop formations, FMR1 mRNA toxicity through both RNA gelation into nuclear foci and sequestration of various CGG-repeat-binding proteins, and the repeat-associated non-AUG (RAN)-initiated translation of potentially toxic proteins. Such molecular mechanisms contribute to subsequent consequences, including mitochondrial dysfunction and neuronal death. Clinically, premutation carriers may exhibit a wide range of symptoms and phenotypes. Any of the problems associated with the premutation can appropriately be called FXPAC. Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS), fragile X-associated primary ovarian insufficiency (FXPOI), and fragile X-associated neuropsychiatric disorders (FXAND) can fall under FXPAC. Understanding the molecular and clinical aspects of the premutation of the FMR1 gene is crucial for the accurate diagnosis, genetic counseling, and appropriate management of affected individuals and families. This paper summarizes all the known problems associated with the premutation and documents the presentations and discussions that occurred at the International Premutation Conference, which took place in New Zealand in 2023.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flora Tassone
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA;
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95817, USA; (B.D.); (D.H.); (V.M.-C.)
| | - Dragana Protic
- Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11129 Belgrade, Serbia;
- Fragile X Clinic, Special Hospital for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Neurology, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Emily Graves Allen
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (E.G.A.); (P.J.); (K.S.)
| | - Alison D. Archibald
- Victorian Clinical Genetics Services, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia;
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia;
- Genomics in Society Group, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Anna Baud
- Department of Gene Expression, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, 61-614 Poznan, Poland; (A.B.); (K.T.)
| | - Ted W. Brown
- Central Clinical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia;
- Fragile X Association of Australia, Brookvale, NSW 2100, Australia;
- NYS Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, New York, NY 10314, USA
| | - Dejan B. Budimirovic
- Department of Psychiatry, Fragile X Clinic, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA;
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences-Child Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Jonathan Cohen
- Fragile X Alliance Clinic, Melbourne, VIC 3161, Australia;
| | - Brett Dufour
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95817, USA; (B.D.); (D.H.); (V.M.-C.)
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospitals for Children of Northern California, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA;
| | - Rachel Eiges
- Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Medical Genetics Institute, Shaare Zedek Medical Center Affiliated with the Hebrew University School of Medicine, Jerusalem 91031, Israel;
| | - Nicola Elvassore
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), 35129 Padova, Italy; (N.E.); (C.L.)
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Lidia V. Gabis
- Keshet Autism Center Maccabi Wolfson, Holon 5822012, Israel;
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Samantha J. Grudzien
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, 4148 BSRB, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (S.J.G.); (P.K.T.)
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Deborah A. Hall
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University, Chicago, IL 60612, USA;
| | - David Hessl
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95817, USA; (B.D.); (D.H.); (V.M.-C.)
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Abigail Hogan
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA; (A.H.); (J.K.)
| | - Jessica Ezzell Hunter
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA; (J.E.H.); (S.N.P.); (M.R.); (A.W.)
| | - Peng Jin
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (E.G.A.); (P.J.); (K.S.)
| | - Poonnada Jiraanont
- Faculty of Medicine, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Bangkok 10520, Thailand;
| | - Jessica Klusek
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA; (A.H.); (J.K.)
| | - R. Frank Kooy
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium;
| | - Claudine M. Kraan
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia;
- Diagnosis and Development, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Cecilia Laterza
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), 35129 Padova, Italy; (N.E.); (C.L.)
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Andrea Lee
- Fragile X New Zealand, Nelson 7040, New Zealand;
| | - Karen Lipworth
- Fragile X Association of Australia, Brookvale, NSW 2100, Australia;
| | - Molly Losh
- Roxelyn and Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60201, USA;
| | - Danuta Loesch
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia;
| | - Reymundo Lozano
- Departments of Genetics and Genomic Sciences and Pediatrics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA;
| | - Marsha R. Mailick
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA;
| | - Apostolos Manolopoulos
- Intramural Research Program, Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA;
| | - Veronica Martinez-Cerdeno
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95817, USA; (B.D.); (D.H.); (V.M.-C.)
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospitals for Children of Northern California, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA;
| | - Yingratana McLennan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospitals for Children of Northern California, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA;
| | | | - Federica Alice Maria Montanaro
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy;
- Department of Education, Psychology, Communication, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70121 Bari, Italy
| | - Matthew W. Mosconi
- Schiefelbusch Institute for Life Span Studies, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA;
- Clinical Child Psychology Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
- Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training (K-CART), University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
| | - Sarah Nelson Potter
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA; (J.E.H.); (S.N.P.); (M.R.); (A.W.)
| | - Melissa Raspa
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA; (J.E.H.); (S.N.P.); (M.R.); (A.W.)
| | - Susan M. Rivera
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA;
| | - Katharine Shelly
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (E.G.A.); (P.J.); (K.S.)
| | - Peter K. Todd
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, 4148 BSRB, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (S.J.G.); (P.K.T.)
- Ann Arbor Veterans Administration Healthcare, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA
| | - Katarzyna Tutak
- Department of Gene Expression, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, 61-614 Poznan, Poland; (A.B.); (K.T.)
| | - Jun Yi Wang
- Center for Mind and Brain, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95618, USA;
| | - Anne Wheeler
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA; (J.E.H.); (S.N.P.); (M.R.); (A.W.)
| | - Tri Indah Winarni
- Center for Biomedical Research (CEBIOR), Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Diponegoro, Semarang 502754, Central Java, Indonesia;
| | - Marwa Zafarullah
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA;
| | - Randi J. Hagerman
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95817, USA; (B.D.); (D.H.); (V.M.-C.)
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
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Xi C, Shi X, Wang Y, He J, Jiang S, Niu B, Chen Y, Zhao F, Cao Z. Influence of bifenthrin exposure at different gestational stages on the neural development. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 263:115365. [PMID: 37597292 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023]
Abstract
Perinatal exposure to bifenthrin (BF) alters neurodevelopment. However, the most susceptible time period to BF exposure and the possible mechanisms are not clear. In the current study, pregnant female mice were treated with BF (0.5 mg/kg/d) at three different stages [gestational day (GD) 0-5, 6-15 and 16-birth (B)] and neurologic deficits were evaluated in offspring mice. BF exposure at GD 16-B significantly altered the locomotor activity and caused learning and memory impairments in 6-week-old offspring. Gestational BF exposure also caused neuronal loss in the region of cornu ammonis of hippocampi of 6-week-old offspring. Interestingly, neurobehavioral impairments and neuronal loss were not observed in offspring at 10-week-old. BF exposure at GD 16-B also decreased protein levels of VGluT1, NR1 and NR2A while increased the protein levels of NR2B and VGAT1, as well as the gene levels of Il-1β, Il-6 and Tnf-α in hippocampi of 6-week-old offspring. Collectively, these data demonstrate that gestational exposure to a low dose BF causes neurodevelopmental deficits that remit with the age and the late-stage of pregnancy is the most susceptible time window to BF exposure. Imbalance in excitatory/inhibitory neuronal transmission, altered expression levels of NMDA receptors and increased neural inflammation may be associated with BF prenatal exposure-triggered neurobehavioral impairments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuchu Xi
- Department of TCM Pharmacology, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211198, PR China
| | - Xiaoqian Shi
- Department of TCM Pharmacology, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211198, PR China
| | - Yujing Wang
- Department of TCM Pharmacology, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211198, PR China
| | - Jing He
- Department of TCM Pharmacology, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211198, PR China
| | - Shan Jiang
- Department of TCM Pharmacology, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211198, PR China
| | - Bo Niu
- Department of TCM Pharmacology, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211198, PR China
| | - Ying Chen
- Department of TCM Pharmacology, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211198, PR China
| | - Fang Zhao
- Department of TCM Pharmacology, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211198, PR China.
| | - Zhengyu Cao
- Department of TCM Pharmacology, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211198, PR China.
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5
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Aydogmus H, Hu M, Ivancevic L, Frimat JP, van den Maagdenberg AMJM, Sarro PM, Mastrangeli M. An organ-on-chip device with integrated charge sensors and recording microelectrodes. Sci Rep 2023; 13:8062. [PMID: 37202451 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-34786-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Continuous monitoring of tissue microphysiology is a key enabling feature of the organ-on-chip (OoC) approach for in vitro drug screening and disease modeling. Integrated sensing units are particularly convenient for microenvironmental monitoring. However, sensitive in vitro and real-time measurements are challenging due to the inherently small size of OoC devices, the characteristics of commonly used materials, and external hardware setups required to support the sensing units. Here we propose a silicon-polymer hybrid OoC device that encompasses transparency and biocompatibility of polymers at the sensing area, and has the inherently superior electrical characteristics and ability to house active electronics of silicon. This multi-modal device includes two sensing units. The first unit consists of a floating-gate field-effect transistor (FG-FET), which is used to monitor changes in pH in the sensing area. The threshold voltage of the FG-FET is regulated by a capacitively-coupled gate and by the changes in charge concentration in close proximity to the extension of the floating gate, which functions as the sensing electrode. The second unit uses the extension of the FG as microelectrode, in order to monitor the action potential of electrically active cells. The layout of the chip and its packaging are compatible with multi-electrode array measurement setups, which are commonly used in electrophysiology labs. The multi-functional sensing is demonstrated by monitoring the growth of induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cortical neurons. Our multi-modal sensor is a milestone in combined monitoring of different, physiologically-relevant parameters on the same device for future OoC platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hande Aydogmus
- ECTM, Department of Microelectronics, Delft University of Technology, Delft, 2628 CD, The Netherlands.
| | - Michel Hu
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2333 ZC, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2333 ZC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Lovro Ivancevic
- ECTM, Department of Microelectronics, Delft University of Technology, Delft, 2628 CD, The Netherlands
| | - Jean-Philippe Frimat
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2333 ZC, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2333 ZC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Arn M J M van den Maagdenberg
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2333 ZC, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2333 ZC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Pasqualina M Sarro
- ECTM, Department of Microelectronics, Delft University of Technology, Delft, 2628 CD, The Netherlands
| | - Massimo Mastrangeli
- ECTM, Department of Microelectronics, Delft University of Technology, Delft, 2628 CD, The Netherlands
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6
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Healey KL, Kibble S, Dubester K, Bell A, Swartzwelder HS. Adolescent intermittent ethanol exposure enhances adult stress effects in male rats. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2023; 223:173513. [PMID: 36610590 PMCID: PMC10028459 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2022.173513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [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] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Binge patterns of alcohol use, prevalent among adolescents, are associated with a higher probability of developing alcohol use disorders (AUD) and other psychiatric disorders, like anxiety and depression. Additionally, adverse life events strongly predict AUD and other psychiatric disorders. As such, the combined fields of stress and AUD have been well established, and animal models indicate that both binge-like alcohol exposure and stress exposure elevate anxiety-like behaviors. However, few have investigated the interaction of adolescent intermittent ethanol (AIE) and adult stressors. We hypothesized that AIE would increase vulnerability to restraint-induced stress (RS), manifested as increased anxiety-like behavior. After AIE exposure, in adulthood, animals were tested on forced swim (FST) and saccharin preference (SP) and then exposed to either RS (90 min/5 days) or home-cage control. Twenty-four hours after the last RS session, animals began testing on the elevated plus maze (EPM), and were re-tested on FST and SP. A separate group of animals were sacrificed in adulthood after AIE and RS, and brains were harvested for immunoblot analysis of dorsal and ventral hippocampus. Consistent with previous reports, AIE had no significant effect on closed arm time in the EPM (anxiety-like behavior). However, in male rats the interaction of AIE and adult RS increased time spent in the closed arms. No effect was observed among female animals. AIE and RS-specific alterations were found in glial and synaptic markers (GLT-1, FMRP and PSD-95) in male animals. These findings indicate AIE has sex-specific effects on both SP and the interaction of AIE and adult RS, which induces a propensity toward anxiety-like behavior in males. Also, AIE produces persistent hippocampal deficits that may interact with adult RS to cause increased anxiety-like behaviors. Understanding the mechanisms behind this AIE-induced increase in stress vulnerability may provide insight into treatment and prevention strategies for alcohol use disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kati L Healey
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, United States of America.
| | - Sandra Kibble
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, United States of America
| | - Kira Dubester
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, United States of America
| | - Amelia Bell
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, United States of America
| | - H S Swartzwelder
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, United States of America
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7
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Keil-Stietz K, Lein PJ. Gene×environment interactions in autism spectrum disorders. Curr Top Dev Biol 2022; 152:221-284. [PMID: 36707213 PMCID: PMC10496028 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2022.11.001] [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: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
There is credible evidence that environmental factors influence individual risk and/or severity of autism spectrum disorders (hereafter referred to as autism). While it is likely that environmental chemicals contribute to the etiology of autism via multiple mechanisms, identifying specific environmental factors that confer risk for autism and understanding how they contribute to the etiology of autism has been challenging, in part because the influence of environmental chemicals likely varies depending on the genetic substrate of the exposed individual. Current research efforts are focused on elucidating the mechanisms by which environmental chemicals interact with autism genetic susceptibilities to adversely impact neurodevelopment. The goal is to not only generate insights regarding the pathophysiology of autism, but also inform the development of screening platforms to identify specific environmental factors and gene×environment (G×E) interactions that modify autism risk. Data from such studies are needed to support development of intervention strategies for mitigating the burden of this neurodevelopmental condition on individuals, their families and society. In this review, we discuss environmental chemicals identified as putative autism risk factors and proposed mechanisms by which G×E interactions influence autism risk and/or severity using polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) as an example.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly Keil-Stietz
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Veterinary Medicine, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Pamela J Lein
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA, United States.
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8
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Hu M, Frega M, Tolner EA, van den Maagdenberg AMJM, Frimat JP, le Feber J. MEA-ToolBox: an Open Source Toolbox for Standardized Analysis of Multi-Electrode Array Data. Neuroinformatics 2022; 20:1077-1092. [PMID: 35680724 PMCID: PMC9588481 DOI: 10.1007/s12021-022-09591-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Functional assessment of in vitro neuronal networks-of relevance for disease modelling and drug testing-can be performed using multi-electrode array (MEA) technology. However, the handling and processing of the large amount of data typically generated in MEA experiments remains a huge hurdle for researchers. Various software packages have been developed to tackle this issue, but to date, most are either not accessible through the links provided by the authors or only tackle parts of the analysis. Here, we present ''MEA-ToolBox'', a free open-source general MEA analytical toolbox that uses a variety of literature-based algorithms to process the data, detect spikes from raw recordings, and extract information at both the single-channel and array-wide network level. MEA-ToolBox extracts information about spike trains, burst-related analysis and connectivity metrics without the need of manual intervention. MEA-ToolBox is tailored for comparing different sets of measurements and will analyze data from multiple recorded files placed in the same folder sequentially, thus considerably streamlining the analysis pipeline. MEA-ToolBox is available with a graphic user interface (GUI) thus eliminating the need for any coding expertise while offering functionality to inspect, explore and post-process the data. As proof-of-concept, MEA-ToolBox was tested on earlier-published MEA recordings from neuronal networks derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) obtained from healthy subjects and patients with neurodevelopmental disorders. Neuronal networks derived from patient's hiPSCs showed a clear phenotype compared to those from healthy subjects, demonstrating that the toolbox could extract useful parameters and assess differences between normal and diseased profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel Hu
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands ,Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Monica Frega
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, University of Twente, Enschede, the Netherlands
| | - Else A. Tolner
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands ,Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - A. M. J. M. van den Maagdenberg
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands ,Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - J. P. Frimat
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands ,Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Joost le Feber
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, University of Twente, Enschede, the Netherlands
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Schwartzer JJ, Garcia-Arocena D, Jamal A, Izadi A, Willemsen R, Berman RF. Allopregnanolone Improves Locomotor Activity and Arousal in the Aged CGG Knock-in Mouse Model of Fragile X-Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:752973. [PMID: 34924931 PMCID: PMC8678485 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.752973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Carriers of the fragile X premutation (PM) can develop a variety of early neurological symptoms, including depression, anxiety and cognitive impairment as well as being at risk for developing the late-onset fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS). The absence of effective treatments for FXTAS underscores the importance of developing efficacious therapies to reduce the neurological symptoms in elderly PM carriers and FXTAS patients. A recent preliminary study reported that weekly infusions of Allopregnanolone (Allop) may improve deficits in executive function, learning and memory in FXTAS patients. Based on this study we examined whether Allop would improve neurological function in the aged CGG knock-in (CGG KI) dutch mouse, B6.129P2(Cg)-Fmr1tm2Cgr/Cgr, that models much of the symptomatology in PM carriers and FXTAS patients. Wild type and CGG KI mice received 10 weekly injections of Allop (10 mg/kg, s.c.), followed by a battery of behavioral tests of motor function, anxiety, and repetitive behavior, and 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling to examine adult neurogenesis. The results provided evidence that Allop in CGG KI mice normalized motor performance and reduced thigmotaxis in the open field, normalized repetitive digging behavior in the marble burying test, but did not appear to increase adult neurogenesis in the hippocampus. Considered together, these results support further examination of Allop as a therapeutic strategy in patients with FXTAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jared J Schwartzer
- Program in Neuroscience and Behavior, Department of Psychology and Education, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, MA, United States
| | | | - Amanda Jamal
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Ali Izadi
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Rob Willemsen
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Robert F Berman
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States.,M.I.N.D. Institute, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
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10
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Keil Stietz KP, Sethi S, Klocke CR, de Ruyter TE, Wilson MD, Pessah IN, Lein PJ. Sex and Genotype Modulate the Dendritic Effects of Developmental Exposure to a Human-Relevant Polychlorinated Biphenyls Mixture in the Juvenile Mouse. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:766802. [PMID: 34924936 PMCID: PMC8678536 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.766802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
While many neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are thought to result from interactions between environmental and genetic risk factors, the identification of specific gene-environment interactions that influence NDD risk remains a critical data gap. We tested the hypothesis that polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) interact with human mutations that alter the fidelity of neuronal Ca2+ signaling to confer NDD risk. To test this, we used three transgenic mouse lines that expressed human mutations known to alter Ca2+ signals in neurons: (1) gain-of-function mutation in ryanodine receptor-1 (T4826I-RYR1); (2) CGG-repeat expansion in the 5′ non-coding portion of the fragile X mental retardation gene 1 (FMR1); and (3) a double mutant (DM) that expressed both mutations. Transgenic and wildtype (WT) mice were exposed throughout gestation and lactation to the MARBLES PCB mix at 0.1, 1, or 6 mg/kg in the maternal diet. The MARBLES mix simulates the relative proportions of the twelve most abundant PCB congeners found in serum from pregnant women at increased risk for having a child with an NDD. Using Golgi staining, the effect of developmental PCB exposure on dendritic arborization of pyramidal neurons in the CA1 hippocampus and somatosensory cortex of male and female WT mice was compared to pyramidal neurons from transgenic mice. A multilevel linear mixed-effects model identified a main effect of dose driven by increased dendritic arborization of cortical neurons in the 1 mg/kg PCB dose group. Subsequent analyses with genotypes indicated that the MARBLES PCB mixture had no effect on the dendritic arborization of hippocampal neurons in WT mice of either sex, but significantly increased dendritic arborization of cortical neurons of WT males in the 6 mg/kg PCB dose group. Transgene expression increased sensitivity to the impact of developmental PCB exposure on dendritic arborization in a sex-, and brain region-dependent manner. In conclusion, developmental exposure to PCBs present in the gestational environment of at-risk humans interfered with normal dendritic morphogenesis in the developing mouse brain in a sex-, genotype- and brain region-dependent manner. Overall, these observations provide proof-of-principle evidence that PCBs interact with heritable mutations to modulate a neurodevelopmental outcome of relevance to NDDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly P Keil Stietz
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Sunjay Sethi
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Carolyn R Klocke
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Tryssa E de Ruyter
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Machelle D Wilson
- Clinical and Translational Science Center, Division of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Isaac N Pessah
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Pamela J Lein
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
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11
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Sethi S, Keil Stietz KP, Valenzuela AE, Klocke CR, Silverman JL, Puschner B, Pessah IN, Lein PJ. Developmental Exposure to a Human-Relevant Polychlorinated Biphenyl Mixture Causes Behavioral Phenotypes That Vary by Sex and Genotype in Juvenile Mice Expressing Human Mutations That Modulate Neuronal Calcium. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:766826. [PMID: 34938155 PMCID: PMC8685320 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.766826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are putative environmental risks for neurodevelopmental disorders. Here, we tested two hypotheses: (1) developmental exposure to a human-relevant PCB mixture causes behavioral phenotypes relevant to neurodevelopmental disorders; and (2) expression of human mutations that dysregulate neuronal Ca2+ homeostasis influence sensitivity to behavioral effects of developmental PCB exposures. To test these hypotheses, we used mice that expressed a gain-of-function mutation (T4826I) in ryanodine receptor 1 (RYR1), the X-linked fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) CGG repeat expansion or both mutations (double mutant; DM). Transgenic mice and wildtype (WT) mice were exposed to the MARBLES PCB mix at 0, 0.1, 1, and 6 mg/kg/day in the maternal diet throughout gestation and lactation. The MARBLES PCB mix simulates the relative proportions of the 12 most abundant PCB congeners found in the serum of pregnant women at increased risk for having a child with a neurodevelopmental disorder. We assessed ultrasonic vocalizations at postnatal day 7 (P7), spontaneous repetitive behaviors at P25-P30, and sociability at P27-P32. Developmental PCB exposure reduced ultrasonic vocalizations in WT litters in all dose groups, but had no effect on ultrasonic vocalizations in transgenic litters. Developmental PCB exposure significantly increased self-grooming and decreased sociability in WT males in the 0.1 mg/kg dose group, but had no effect on WT females in any dose group. Genotype alone influenced ultrasonic vocalizations, self-grooming and to a lesser extent sociability. Genotype alone also influenced effects of PCBs on sociability. PCB levels in the brain tissue of pups increased in a dose-dependent manner, but within any dose group did not differ between genotypes. In summary, developmental PCB exposure phenocopied social behavior phenotypes observed in mice expressing human mutations that modify intracellular Ca2+ dynamics, and expression of these mutations alleviated PCB effects on ultrasonic vocalizations and repetitive behavior, and modified the dose-response relationships and sex-dependent effects of PCB effects on social behavior. These findings suggest that: (1) developmental PCB exposure causes behavioral phenotypes that vary by sex and genotype; and (2) sex-specific responses to environmental factors may contribute to sex biases in the prevalence and/or severity of neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunjay Sethi
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Kimberly P. Keil Stietz
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Anthony E. Valenzuela
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Carolyn R. Klocke
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Jill L. Silverman
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
- The MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Birgit Puschner
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Isaac N. Pessah
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
- The MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Pamela J. Lein
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
- The MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
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12
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Cardiac ryanodine receptor N-terminal region biosensors identify novel inhibitors via FRET-based high-throughput screening. J Biol Chem 2021; 298:101412. [PMID: 34793835 PMCID: PMC8689225 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.101412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The N-terminal region (NTR) of ryanodine receptor (RyR) channels is critical for the regulation of Ca2+ release during excitation–contraction (EC) coupling in muscle. The NTR hosts numerous mutations linked to skeletal (RyR1) and cardiac (RyR2) myopathies, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target. Here, we constructed two biosensors by labeling the mouse RyR2 NTR at domains A, B, and C with FRET pairs. Using fluorescence lifetime (FLT) detection of intramolecular FRET signal, we developed high-throughput screening (HTS) assays with these biosensors to identify small-molecule RyR modulators. We then screened a small validation library and identified several hits. Hits with saturable FRET dose–response profiles and previously unreported effects on RyR were further tested using [3H]ryanodine binding to isolated sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles to determine effects on intact RyR opening in its natural membrane. We identified three novel inhibitors of both RyR1 and RyR2 and two RyR1-selective inhibitors effective at nanomolar Ca2+. Two of these hits activated RyR1 only at micromolar Ca2+, highlighting them as potential enhancers of excitation–contraction coupling. To determine whether such hits can inhibit RyR leak in muscle, we further focused on one, an FDA-approved natural antibiotic, fusidic acid (FA). In skinned skeletal myofibers and permeabilized cardiomyocytes, FA inhibited RyR leak with no detrimental effect on skeletal myofiber excitation–contraction coupling. However, in intact cardiomyocytes, FA induced arrhythmogenic Ca2+ transients, a cautionary observation for a compound with an otherwise solid safety record. These results indicate that HTS campaigns using the NTR biosensor can identify compounds with therapeutic potential.
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13
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Electrophysiological- and Neuropharmacological-Based Benchmarking of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived and Primary Rodent Neurons. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2021; 18:259-277. [PMID: 34687385 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-021-10263-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neurons are of interest for studying neurological disease mechanisms, developing potential therapies and deepening our understanding of the human nervous system. However, compared to an extensive history of practice with primary rodent neuron cultures, human iPSC-neurons still require more robust characterization of expression of neuronal receptors and ion channels and functional and predictive pharmacological responses. In this study, we differentiated human amniotic fluid-derived iPSCs into a mixed population of neurons (AF-iNs). Functional assessments were performed by evaluating electrophysiological (patch-clamp) properties and the effect of a panel of neuropharmacological agents on spontaneous activity (multi-electrode arrays; MEAs). These electrophysiological data were benchmarked relative to commercially sourced human iPSC-derived neurons (CNS.4U from Ncardia), primary human neurons (ScienCell™) and primary rodent cortical/hippocampal neurons. Patch-clamp whole-cell recordings showed that mature AF-iNs generated repetitive firing of action potentials in response to depolarizations, similar to that of primary rodent cortical/hippocampal neurons, with nearly half of the neurons displaying spontaneous post-synaptic currents. Immunochemical and MEA-based analyses indicated that AF-iNs were composed of functional glutamatergic excitatory and inhibitory GABAergic neurons. Principal component analysis of MEA data indicated that human AF-iN and rat neurons exhibited distinct pharmacological and electrophysiological properties. Collectively, this study establishes a necessary prerequisite for AF-iNs as a human neuron culture model suitable for pharmacological studies.
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14
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Molecular Pathogenesis and Peripheral Monitoring of Adult Fragile X-Associated Syndromes. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168368. [PMID: 34445074 PMCID: PMC8395059 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168368] [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: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Abnormal trinucleotide expansions cause rare disorders that compromise quality of life and, in some cases, lifespan. In particular, the expansions of the CGG-repeats stretch at the 5’-UTR of the Fragile X Mental Retardation 1 (FMR1) gene have pleiotropic effects that lead to a variety of Fragile X-associated syndromes: the neurodevelopmental Fragile X syndrome (FXS) in children, the late-onset neurodegenerative disorder Fragile X-associated tremor-ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) that mainly affects adult men, the Fragile X-associated primary ovarian insufficiency (FXPOI) in adult women, and a variety of psychiatric and affective disorders that are under the term of Fragile X-associated neuropsychiatric disorders (FXAND). In this review, we will describe the pathological mechanisms of the adult “gain-of-function” syndromes that are mainly caused by the toxic actions of CGG RNA and FMRpolyG peptide. There have been intensive attempts to identify reliable peripheral biomarkers to assess disease progression and onset of specific pathological traits. Mitochondrial dysfunction, altered miRNA expression, endocrine system failure, and impairment of the GABAergic transmission are some of the affectations that are susceptible to be tracked using peripheral blood for monitoring of the motor, cognitive, psychiatric and reproductive impairment of the CGG-expansion carriers. We provided some illustrative examples from our own cohort. Understanding the association between molecular pathogenesis and biomarkers dynamics will improve effective prognosis and clinical management of CGG-expansion carriers.
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15
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The purpose of this paper is to review the prevalence, pathophysiology, and management of fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS). RECENT FINDINGS The pathophysiology of FXTAS involves ribonucleic acid (RNA) toxicity due to elevated levels of the premutation-expanded CGG (eoxycytidylate-deoxyguanylate-deoxyguanylate)-repeat FMR1 mRNA, which can sequester a variety of proteins important for neuronal function. A recent analysis of the inclusions in FXTAS demonstrates elevated levels of several proteins, including small ubiquitin-related modifiers 1/2 (SUMO1/2), that target molecules for the proteasome, suggesting that some aspect(s) of proteasomal function may be altered in FXTAS. Recent neuropathological studies show that Parkinson disease and Alzheimer disease can sometimes co-occur with FXTAS. Lewy bodies can be found in 10% of the brains of patients with FXTAS. Microbleeds and iron deposition are also common in the neuropathology, in addition to white matter disease (WMD) and atrophy. SUMMARY The premutation occurs in 1:200 females and 1:400 males. Penetrance for FXTAS increases with age, though lower in females (16%) compared to over 60% of males by age 70. To diagnose FXTAS, an MRI is essential to document the presence of WMD, a primary component of the diagnostic criteria. Pain can be a significant feature of FXTAS and is seen in approximately 50% of patients.
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16
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Wheeler AC, Gwaltney A, Raspa M, Okoniewski KC, Berry-Kravis E, Botteron KN, Budimirovic D, Hazlett HC, Hessl D, Losh M, Martin GE, Rivera SM, Roberts JE, Bailey DB. Emergence of Developmental Delay in Infants and Toddlers With an FMR1 Mutation. Pediatrics 2021; 147:peds.2020-011528. [PMID: 33911031 PMCID: PMC8086007 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2020-011528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children with FMR1 gene expansions are known to experience a range of developmental challenges, including fragile X syndrome. However, little is known about early development and symptom onset, information that is critical to guide earlier identification, more accurate prognoses, and improved treatment options. METHODS Data from 8 unique studies that used the Mullen Scales of Early Learning to assess children with an FMR1 gene expansion were combined to create a data set of 1178 observations of >500 young children. Linear mixed modeling was used to explore developmental trajectories, symptom onset, and unique developmental profiles of children <5 years of age. RESULTS Boys with an FMR1 gene full mutation showed delays in early learning, motor skills, and language development as young as 6 months of age, and both sexes with a full mutation were delayed on all developmental domains by their second birthday. Boys with a full mutation continued to gain skills over early childhood at around half the rate of their typically developing peers; girls with a full mutation showed growth at around three-quarters of the rate of their typically developing peers. Although children with a premutation were mostly typical in their developmental profiles and trajectories, mild but significant delays in fine motor skills by 18 months were detected. CONCLUSIONS Children with the FMR1 gene full mutation demonstrate significant developmental challenges within the first 2 years of life, suggesting that earlier identification is needed to facilitate earlier implementation of interventions and therapeutics to maximize effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne C. Wheeler
- Research Triangle Institute International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | - Angela Gwaltney
- Research Triangle Institute International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | - Melissa Raspa
- Research Triangle Institute International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | | | | | - Kelly N. Botteron
- Departments of Psychiatry and Radiology, School of Medicine, Washington University, St Louis, Missouri
| | | | - Heather Cody Hazlett
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - David Hessl
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, MIND Institute, Sacramento, California
| | - Molly Losh
- School of Communication, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
| | - Gary E. Martin
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, St. John’s University, Staten Island, New York
| | - Susan M. Rivera
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, MIND Institute, Sacramento, California;,Department of Psychology, College of Letters and Science, University of California, Davis, Davis, California; and
| | - Jane E. Roberts
- Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina
| | - Donald B. Bailey
- Research Triangle Institute International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
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Antrobus S, Pressly B, Nik AM, Wulff H, Pessah IN. Structure-Activity Relationship of Neuroactive Steroids, Midazolam, and Perampanel Toward Mitigating Tetramine-Triggered Activity in Murine Hippocampal Neuronal Networks. Toxicol Sci 2021; 180:325-341. [PMID: 33483729 PMCID: PMC8599726 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfab007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tetramethylenedisulfotetramine (tetramine or TETS), a potent convulsant, triggers abnormal electrical spike activity (ESA) and synchronous Ca2+ oscillation (SCO) patterns in cultured neuronal networks by blocking gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABAA) receptors. Murine hippocampal neuronal/glial cocultures develop extensive dendritic connectivity between glutamatergic and GABAergic inputs and display two distinct SCO patterns when imaged with the Ca2+ indicator Fluo-4: Low amplitude SCO events (LASE) and High amplitude SCO events (HASE) that are dependent on TTX-sensitive network electrical spike activity (ESA). Acute TETS (3.0 µM) increased overall network SCO amplitude and decreased SCO frequency by stabilizing HASE and suppressing LASE while increasing ESA. In multielectrode arrays, TETS also increased burst frequency and synchronicity. In the presence of TETS (3.0 µM), the clinically used anticonvulsive perampanel (0.1-3.0 µM), a noncompetitive AMPAR antagonist, suppressed all SCO activity, whereas the GABAA receptor potentiator midazolam (1.0-30 µM), the current standard of care, reciprocally suppressed HASE and stabilized LASE. The neuroactive steroid (NAS) allopregnanolone (0.1-3.0 µM) normalized TETS-triggered patterns by selectively suppressing HASE and increasing LASE, a pharmacological pattern distinct from its epimeric form eltanolone, ganaxolone, alphaxolone, and XJ-42, which significantly potentiated TETS-triggered HASE in a biphasic manner. Cortisol failed to mitigate TETS-triggered patterns and at >1 µM augmented them. Combinations of allopregnanolone and midazolam were significantly more effective at normalizing TETS-triggered SCO patterns, ESA patterns, and more potently enhanced GABA-activated Cl- current, than either drug alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shane Antrobus
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, California 95616, USA
| | - Brandon Pressly
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, California 95616, USA
| | - Atefeh Mousavi Nik
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, California 95616, USA
| | - Heike Wulff
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, California 95616, USA
| | - Isaac N Pessah
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, California 95616, USA
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18
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Bhat SA, Yousuf A, Mushtaq Z, Kumar V, Qurashi A. Fragile X Premutation rCGG Repeats Impair Synaptic Growth and Synaptic Transmission at Drosophila larval Neuromuscular Junction. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 30:1677-1692. [PMID: 33772546 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddab087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) is a late-onset neurodegenerative disease that develops in some premutation (PM) carriers of the FMR1 gene with alleles bearing 55-200 CGG repeats. The discovery of a broad spectrum of clinical and cell developmental abnormalities among PM carriers with or without FXTAS and in model systems suggests that neurodegeneration seen in FXTAS could be the inevitable end-result of pathophysiological processes set during early development. Hence, it is imperative to trace early PM-induced pathological abnormalities. Previous studies have shown that transgenic Drosophila carrying PM-length CGG repeats are sufficient to cause neurodegeneration. Here, we used the same transgenic model to understand the effect of CGG repeats on the structure and function of the developing nervous system. We show that presynaptic expression of CGG repeats restricts synaptic growth, reduces the number of synaptic boutons, leads to aberrant presynaptic varicosities, and impairs synaptic transmission at the larval neuromuscular junctions. The postsynaptic analysis shows that both glutamate receptors and subsynaptic reticulum proteins were normal. However, a high percentage of boutons show a reduced density of Bruchpilot protein, a key component of presynaptic active zones required for vesicle release. The electrophysiological analysis shows a significant reduction in quantal content, a measure of total synaptic vesicles released per excitation potential. Together, these findings suggest that synapse perturbation caused by rCGG repeats mediates presynaptically during larval NMJ development. We also suggest that the stress-activated c-Jun N-terminal kinase protein Basket and CIDE-N protein Drep-2 positively mediate Bruchpilot active zone defects caused by rCGG repeats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sajad A Bhat
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, JK, 190006, India
| | - Aadil Yousuf
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, JK, 190006, India
| | - Zeeshan Mushtaq
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, IISER-Bhopal, Bhopal, MP, 462066, India
| | - Vimlesh Kumar
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, IISER-Bhopal, Bhopal, MP, 462066, India
| | - Abrar Qurashi
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, JK, 190006, India
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Asamitsu S, Yabuki Y, Ikenoshita S, Kawakubo K, Kawasaki M, Usuki S, Nakayama Y, Adachi K, Kugoh H, Ishii K, Matsuura T, Nanba E, Sugiyama H, Fukunaga K, Shioda N. CGG repeat RNA G-quadruplexes interact with FMRpolyG to cause neuronal dysfunction in fragile X-related tremor/ataxia syndrome. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:7/3/eabd9440. [PMID: 33523882 PMCID: PMC7806243 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abd9440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Fragile X-related tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by CGG triplet repeat expansions in FMR1, which elicit repeat-associated non-AUG (RAN) translation and produce the toxic protein FMRpolyG. We show that FMRpolyG interacts with pathogenic CGG repeat-derived RNA G-quadruplexes (CGG-G4RNA), propagates cell to cell, and induces neuronal dysfunction. The FMRpolyG polyglycine domain has a prion-like property, preferentially binding to CGG-G4RNA. Treatment with 5-aminolevulinic acid, which is metabolized to protoporphyrin IX, inhibited RAN translation of FMRpolyG and CGG-G4RNA-induced FMRpolyG aggregation, ameliorating aberrant synaptic plasticity and behavior in FXTAS model mice. Thus, we present a novel therapeutic strategy to target G4RNA prionoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sefan Asamitsu
- Department of Genomic Neurology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Yasushi Yabuki
- Department of Genomic Neurology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Susumu Ikenoshita
- Department of Genomic Neurology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Kosuke Kawakubo
- Department of Genomic Neurology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Moe Kawasaki
- Department of Genomic Neurology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Shingo Usuki
- Liaison Laboratory Research Promotion Center, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Yuji Nakayama
- Division of Radioisotope Science, Research Initiative Center, Organization for Research Initiative and Promotion, Tottori University, Tottori, Japan
| | - Kaori Adachi
- Division of Genomic Science, Research Initiative Center, Organization for Research Initiative and Promotion, Tottori University, Tottori, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Kugoh
- Department of Biomedical Science, Institute of Regenerative Medicine and Biofunction, Graduate School of Medical Science, Tottori University, Tottori, Japan
- Chromosome Engineering Research Center, Tottori University, Tottori, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Ishii
- Department of the Neurology, Division of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Tohru Matsuura
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Shimono, Japan
| | - Eiji Nanba
- Office for Research Strategy, Organization for Research Initiative and Promotion, Tottori University, Tottori, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Sugiyama
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kohji Fukunaga
- Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Norifumi Shioda
- Department of Genomic Neurology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
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20
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Li W, Kutas M, Gray JA, Hagerman RH, Olichney JM. The Role of Glutamate in Language and Language Disorders - Evidence from ERP and Pharmacologic Studies. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 119:217-241. [PMID: 33039453 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.09.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2020] [Revised: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Current models of language processing do not address mechanisms at the neurotransmitter level, nor how pharmacologic agents may improve language function(s) in seemingly disparate disorders. L-Glutamate, the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the human brain, is extensively involved in various higher cortical functions. We postulate that the physiologic role of L-Glutamate neurotransmission extends to the regulation of language access, comprehension, and production, and that disorders in glutamatergic transmission and circuitry contribute to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases and sporadic-onset language disorders such as the aphasic stroke syndromes. We start with a review of basic science data pertaining to various glutamate receptors in the CNS and ways that they may influence the physiological processes of language access and comprehension. We then focus on the dysregulation of glutamate neurotransmission in three conditions in which language dysfunction is prominent: Alzheimer's Disease, Fragile X-associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome, and Aphasic Stroke Syndromes. Finally, we review the pharmacologic and electrophysiologic (event related brain potential or ERP) data pertaining to the role glutamate neurotransmission plays in language processing and disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wentao Li
- Department of Neurology, University of California, Davis, 4860 Y Street, Suite 3700, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.
| | - Marta Kutas
- Department of Cognitive Science, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive #0515, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA; Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
| | - John A Gray
- Department of Neurology, University of California, Davis, 4860 Y Street, Suite 3700, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA; Center for Neuroscience, University of California, Davis, 1544 Newton Court, Davis, CA, 95618, USA.
| | - Randi H Hagerman
- MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, 2825 50th Street, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.
| | - John M Olichney
- Department of Neurology, University of California, Davis, 4860 Y Street, Suite 3700, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA; Center for Mind and Brain, University of California, Davis, 267 Cousteau Place, Davis, CA, 95618, USA.
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21
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Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs): Risk Factors for Autism Spectrum Disorder? TOXICS 2020; 8:toxics8030070. [PMID: 32957475 PMCID: PMC7560399 DOI: 10.3390/toxics8030070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) includes a group of multifactorial neurodevelopmental disorders defined clinically by core deficits in social reciprocity and communication, restrictive interests and repetitive behaviors. ASD affects one in 54 children in the United States, one in 89 children in Europe, and one in 277 children in Asia, with an estimated worldwide prevalence of 1-2%. While there is increasing consensus that ASD results from complex gene x environment interactions, the identity of specific environmental risk factors and the mechanisms by which environmental and genetic factors interact to determine individual risk remain critical gaps in our understanding of ASD etiology. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants that have been linked to altered neurodevelopment in humans. Preclinical studies demonstrate that PCBs modulate signaling pathways implicated in ASD and phenocopy the effects of ASD risk genes on critical morphometric determinants of neuronal connectivity, such as dendritic arborization. Here, we review human and experimental evidence identifying PCBs as potential risk factors for ASD and discuss the potential for PCBs to influence not only core symptoms of ASD, but also comorbidities commonly associated with ASD, via effects on the central and peripheral nervous systems, and/or peripheral target tissues, using bladder dysfunction as an example. We also discuss critical data gaps in the literature implicating PCBs as ASD risk factors. Unlike genetic factors, which are currently irreversible, environmental factors are modifiable risks. Therefore, data confirming PCBs as risk factors for ASD may suggest rational approaches for the primary prevention of ASD in genetically susceptible individuals.
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22
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Matelski L, Keil Stietz KP, Sethi S, Taylor SL, Van de Water J, Lein PJ. The influence of sex, genotype, and dose on serum and hippocampal cytokine levels in juvenile mice developmentally exposed to a human-relevant mixture of polychlorinated biphenyls. Curr Res Toxicol 2020; 1:85-103. [PMID: 34296199 PMCID: PMC8294704 DOI: 10.1016/j.crtox.2020.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are pervasive environmental contaminants implicated as risk factors for neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). Immune dysregulation is another NDD risk factor, and developmental PCB exposures are associated with early life immune dysregulation. Studies of the immunomodulatory effects of PCBs have focused on the higher-chlorinated congeners found in legacy commercial mixtures. Comparatively little is known about the immune effects of contemporary, lower-chlorinated PCBs. This is a critical data gap given recent reports that lower-chlorinated congeners comprise >70% of the total PCB burden in serum of pregnant women enrolled in the MARBLES study who are at increased risk for having a child with an NDD. To examine the influence of PCBs, sex, and genotype on cytokine levels, mice were exposed throughout gestation and lactation to a PCB mixture in the maternal diet, which was based on the 12 most abundant PCBs in sera from MARBLES subjects. Using multiplex array, cytokines were quantified in the serum and hippocampus of weanling mice expressing either a human gain-of-function mutation in ryanodine receptor 1 (T4826I mice), a human CGG premutation repeat expansion in the fragile X mental retardation gene 1 (CGG mice), or both mutations (DM mice). Congenic wildtype (WT) mice were used as controls. There were dose-dependent effects of PCB exposure on cytokine concentrations in the serum but not hippocampus. Differential effects of genotype were observed in the serum and hippocampus. Hippocampal cytokines were consistently elevated in T4826I mice and also in WT animals for some cytokines compared to CGG and DM mice, while serum cytokines were usually elevated in the mutant genotypes compared to the WT group. Males had elevated levels of 19 cytokines in the serum and 4 in the hippocampus compared to females, but there were also interactions between sex and genotype for 7 hippocampal cytokines. Only the chemokine CCL5 in the serum showed an interaction between PCB dose, genotype, and sex. Collectively, these findings indicate differential influences of PCB exposure and genotype on cytokine levels in serum and hippocampal tissue of weanling mice. These results suggest that developmental PCB exposure has chronic effects on baseline serum, but not hippocampal, cytokine levels in juvenile mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Matelski
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Kimberly P. Keil Stietz
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Sunjay Sethi
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Sandra L. Taylor
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Judy Van de Water
- MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA,Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Clinical Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Pamela J. Lein
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA 95616, USA,MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA,Corresponding author at: Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Drive, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
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23
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Silvennoinen K, Balestrini S, Rothwell JC, Sisodiya SM. Transcranial magnetic stimulation as a tool to understand genetic conditions associated with epilepsy. Epilepsia 2020; 61:1818-1839. [PMID: 32783192 PMCID: PMC8432162 DOI: 10.1111/epi.16634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Advances in genetics may enable a deeper understanding of disease mechanisms and promote a shift to more personalised medicine in the epilepsies. At present, understanding of consequences of genetic variants mainly relies on preclinical functional work; tools for acquiring similar data from the living human brain are needed. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), in particular paired-pulse TMS protocols which depend on the function of cortical GABAergic interneuron networks, has the potential to become such a tool. For this report, we identified and reviewed 23 publications on TMS studies of cortical excitability and inhibition in 15 different genes or conditions relevant to epilepsy. Reduced short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) and reduced cortical silent period (CSP) duration were the most commonly reported findings, suggesting abnormal GABAA - (SICI) or GABAB ergic (CSP) signalling. For several conditions, these findings are plausible based on established evidence of involvement of the GABAergic system; for some others, they may inform future research around such mechanisms. Challenges of TMS include lack of complete understanding of the neural underpinnings of the measures used: hypotheses and analyses should be based on existing clinical and preclinical data. Further pitfalls include gathering sufficient numbers of participants, and the effect of confounding factors, especially medications. TMS-EEG is a unique perturbational technique to study the intrinsic properties of the cortex with excellent temporal resolution; while it has the potential to provide further information of use in interpreting effects of genetic variants, currently the links between measures and neurophysiology are less established. Despite these challenges, TMS is a tool with potential for elucidating the system-level in vivo functional consequences of genetic variants in people carrying genetic changes of interest, providing unique insights.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katri Silvennoinen
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK.,Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy, Chalfont St. Peter, UK
| | - Simona Balestrini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK.,Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy, Chalfont St. Peter, UK
| | - John C Rothwell
- Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, Department of UCL Queen Square, Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Sanjay M Sisodiya
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK.,Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy, Chalfont St. Peter, UK
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24
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Freel BA, Sheets JN, Francis KR. iPSC modeling of rare pediatric disorders. J Neurosci Methods 2019; 332:108533. [PMID: 31811832 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2019.108533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2019] [Revised: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Discerning the underlying pathological mechanisms and the identification of therapeutic strategies to treat individuals affected with rare neurological diseases has proven challenging due to a host of factors. For instance, rare diseases affecting the nervous system are inherently lacking in appropriate patient sample availability compared to more common diseases, while animal models often do not accurately recapitulate specific disease phenotypes. These challenges impede research that may otherwise illuminate aspects of disease initiation and progression, leading to the ultimate identification of potential therapeutics. The establishment of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) as a human cellular model with defined genetics has provided the unique opportunity to study rare diseases within a controlled environment. iPSC models enable researchers to define mutational effects on specific cell types and signaling pathways within increasingly complex systems. Among rare diseases, pediatric diseases affecting neurodevelopment and neurological function highlight the critical need for iPSC-based disease modeling due to the inherent difficulty associated with collecting human neural tissue and the complexity of the mammalian nervous system. Rare neurodevelopmental disorders are therefore ideal candidates for utilization of iPSC-based in vitro studies. In this review, we address both the state of the iPSC field in the context of their utility and limitations for neurodevelopmental studies, as well as speculating about the future applications and unmet uses for iPSCs in rare diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bethany A Freel
- Cellular Therapies and Stem Cell Biology Group, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
| | - Jordan N Sheets
- Cellular Therapies and Stem Cell Biology Group, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
| | - Kevin R Francis
- Cellular Therapies and Stem Cell Biology Group, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine, Sioux Falls, SD, USA.
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25
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Ma L, Herren AW, Espinal G, Randol J, McLaughlin B, Martinez-Cerdeño V, Pessah IN, Hagerman RJ, Hagerman PJ. Composition of the Intranuclear Inclusions of Fragile X-associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2019; 7:143. [PMID: 31481131 PMCID: PMC6720097 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-019-0796-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) is a neurodegenerative disorder associated with a premutation repeat expansion (55-200 CGG repeats) in the 5' noncoding region of the FMR1 gene. Solitary intranuclear inclusions within FXTAS neurons and astrocytes constitute a hallmark of the disorder, yet our understanding of how and why these bodies form is limited. Here, we have discovered that FXTAS inclusions emit a distinct autofluorescence spectrum, which forms the basis of a novel, unbiased method for isolating FXTAS inclusions by preparative fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Using a combination of autofluorescence-based FACS and liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)-based proteomics, we have identified more than two hundred proteins that are enriched within the inclusions relative to FXTAS whole nuclei. Whereas no single protein species dominates inclusion composition, highly enriched levels of conjugated small ubiquitin-related modifier 2 (SUMO 2) protein and p62/sequestosome-1 (p62/SQSTM1) protein were found within the inclusions. Many additional proteins involved with RNA binding, protein turnover, and DNA damage repair were enriched within inclusions relative to total nuclear protein. The current analysis has also allowed the first direct detection, through peptide sequencing, of endogenous FMRpolyG peptide, the product of repeat-associated non-ATG (RAN) translation of the FMR1 mRNA. However, this peptide was found only at extremely low levels and not within whole FXTAS nuclear preparations, raising the question whether endogenous RAN products exist at quantities sufficient to contribute to FXTAS pathogenesis. The abundance of the inclusion-associated ubiquitin- and SUMO-based modifiers supports a model for inclusion formation as the result of increased protein loads and elevated oxidative stress leading to maladaptive autophagy. These results highlight the need to further investigate FXTAS pathogenesis in the context of endogenous systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Ma
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California Davis, School of Medicine, One Shields Ave, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Anthony W Herren
- Genome Center, University of California Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Glenda Espinal
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California Davis, School of Medicine, One Shields Ave, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Jamie Randol
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California Davis, School of Medicine, One Shields Ave, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Bridget McLaughlin
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Veronica Martinez-Cerdeño
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospital of Northern California, University of California Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis Health, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Isaac N Pessah
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis Health, Sacramento, California, USA
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of California Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, California, USA
| | - Randi J Hagerman
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis Health, Sacramento, California, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Paul J Hagerman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California Davis, School of Medicine, One Shields Ave, Davis, CA, USA.
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis Health, Sacramento, California, USA.
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26
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Zheng J, Yu Y, Feng W, Li J, Liu J, Zhang C, Dong Y, Pessah IN, Cao Z. Influence of Nanomolar Deltamethrin on the Hallmarks of Primary Cultured Cortical Neuronal Network and the Role of Ryanodine Receptors. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2019; 127:67003. [PMID: 31166131 PMCID: PMC6792378 DOI: 10.1289/ehp4583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2018] [Revised: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The pyrethroid deltamethrin (DM) is broadly used for insect control. Although DM hyperexcites neuronal networks by delaying inactivation of axonal voltage-dependent [Formula: see text] channels, this mechanism is unlikely to mediate neurotoxicity at lower exposure levels during critical perinatal periods in mammals. OBJECTIVES We aimed to identify mechanisms by which acute and subchronic DM altered axonal and dendritic growth, patterns of synchronous [Formula: see text] oscillations (SCOs), and electrical spike activity (ESA) functions critical to neuronal network formation. METHODS Measurements of SCOs using [Formula: see text] imaging, ESA using microelectrode array (MEA) technology, and dendritic complexity using Sholl analysis were performed in primary murine cortical neurons from wild-type (WT) and/or ryanodine receptor 1 ([Formula: see text]) mice between 5 and 14 d in vitro (DIV). [Formula: see text] binding analysis and a single-channel voltage clamp were utilized to measure engagement of RyRs as a direct target of DM. RESULTS Neuronal networks responded to DM ([Formula: see text]) as early as 5 DIV, reducing SCO amplitude and depressing ESA and burst frequencies by 60-70%. DM ([Formula: see text]) enhanced axonal growth in a nonmonotonic manner. [Formula: see text] enhanced dendritic complexity. DM stabilized channel open states of RyR1, RyR2, and cortical preparations expressing all three isoforms. DM ([Formula: see text]) altered gating kinetics of RyR1 channels, increasing mean open time, decreasing mean closed time, and thereby enhancing overall open probability. SCO patterns from cortical networks expressing [Formula: see text] were more responsive to DM than WT. [Formula: see text] neurons showed inherently longer axonal lengths than WT neurons and maintained less length-promoting responses to nanomolar DM. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggested that RyRs were sensitive molecular targets of DM with functional consequences likely relevant for mediating abnormal neuronal network connectivity in vitro. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP4583.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory for TCM Evaluation and Translational Research, Department of TCM Pharmacology, School of Traditional Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Yiyi Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory for TCM Evaluation and Translational Research, Department of TCM Pharmacology, School of Traditional Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wei Feng
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Jing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory for TCM Evaluation and Translational Research, Department of TCM Pharmacology, School of Traditional Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ju Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory for TCM Evaluation and Translational Research, Department of TCM Pharmacology, School of Traditional Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chunlei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory for TCM Evaluation and Translational Research, Department of TCM Pharmacology, School of Traditional Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yao Dong
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Isaac N. Pessah
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Zhengyu Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory for TCM Evaluation and Translational Research, Department of TCM Pharmacology, School of Traditional Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
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27
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Napoli E, Schneider A, Wang JY, Trivedi A, Carrillo NR, Tassone F, Rogawski M, Hagerman RJ, Giulivi C. Allopregnanolone Treatment Improves Plasma Metabolomic Profile Associated with GABA Metabolism in Fragile X-Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome: a Pilot Study. Mol Neurobiol 2019; 56:3702-3713. [PMID: 30187385 PMCID: PMC6401336 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-018-1330-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2018] [Accepted: 08/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Currently, there is no effective treatment for the fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS), a late-onset neurodegenerative disorder. In this pilot study, we evaluated whether allopregnanolone, a natural neurosteroid that exerts beneficial effects in neurodegenerative diseases, nervous system injury, and peripheral neuropathies, could improve lymphocytic bioenergetics and plasma pharmacometabolomics in six males with FXTAS (68 ± 3 years old; FMR1 CGG repeats 94 ± 4; FXTAS stages ranging from 3 to 5) enrolled in a 12-week open-label intervention study conducted at the University of California Davis from December 2015 through July 2016. Plasma pharmacometabolomics and lymphocytic mitochondria function were assessed at baseline (on the day of the first infusion) and at follow-up (within 48 h from the last infusion). In parallel, quantitative measurements of tremor and ataxia and neuropsychological evaluations of mental state, executive function, learning, memory, and psychological symptoms were assessed at the same time points. Allopregnanolone treatment impacted significantly GABA metabolism, oxidative stress, and some of the mitochondria-related outcomes. Notably, the magnitude of the individual metabolic response, as well as the correlation with some of the behavioral tests, was overwhelmingly carrier-specific. Based on this pilot study, allopregnanolone treatment has the potential for improving cognitive and GABA metabolism in FXTAS aligned with the concept of precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Napoli
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Andrea Schneider
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
- UC Davis Health, UC Davis MIND Institute, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Jun Yi Wang
- UC Davis Health, UC Davis MIND Institute, Sacramento, CA, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Aditi Trivedi
- School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Nika Roa Carrillo
- School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Flora Tassone
- UC Davis Health, UC Davis MIND Institute, Sacramento, CA, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Michael Rogawski
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Randi J Hagerman
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
- UC Davis Health, UC Davis MIND Institute, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Cecilia Giulivi
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
- UC Davis Health, UC Davis MIND Institute, Sacramento, CA, USA.
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28
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Saldarriaga W, Salcedo-Arellano MJ, Rodriguez-Guerrero T, Ríos M, Fandiño-Losada A, Ramirez-Cheyne J, Lein PJ, Tassone F, Hagerman RJ. Increased severity of fragile X spectrum disorders in the agricultural community of Ricaurte, Colombia. Int J Dev Neurosci 2019; 72:1-5. [PMID: 30385191 PMCID: PMC6354926 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2018.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2018] [Revised: 09/30/2018] [Accepted: 10/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Premutation carriers of the FMR1 gene (CGG repeats between 55 and 200) usually have normal intellectual abilities but approximately 20% are diagnosed with developmental problems or autism spectrum disorder. Additionally, close to 50% have psychiatric problems such as anxiety, ADHD and/or depression. The spectrum of fragile X disorders also includes Fragile-X-associated primary ovarian insufficiency (FXPOI) in female carriers and Fragile-X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) in older male and female carriers. We evaluated 25 premutation carriers in the rural community of Ricaurte Colombia and documented all behavioral problems, social deficits and clinical signs of FXPOI and FXTAS as well as reviewed the medical and obstetric history. We found an increased frequency and severity of symptoms of fragile X spectrum disorders, which might be related to the vulnerability of FMR1 premutation carriers to higher exposure to neurotoxic pesticides in this rural community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wilmar Saldarriaga
- School of Medicine, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia; Research Group in Congenital & Perinatal Malformations, Dysmorphology and Clinical Genetics (MACOS), Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia; Department of Morphology, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia
| | - María J Salcedo-Arellano
- School of Medicine, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia; Research Group in Congenital & Perinatal Malformations, Dysmorphology and Clinical Genetics (MACOS), Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia; Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA.
| | | | - Marcela Ríos
- School of Medicine, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia
| | - Andrés Fandiño-Losada
- School of Medicine, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia; CISALVA Institute, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia
| | - Julian Ramirez-Cheyne
- School of Medicine, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia; Research Group in Congenital & Perinatal Malformations, Dysmorphology and Clinical Genetics (MACOS), Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia; Department of Morphology, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia
| | - Pamela J Lein
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA; Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of California Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Flora Tassone
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Randi J Hagerman
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA.
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Keil KP, Sethi S, Wilson MD, Silverman JL, Pessah IN, Lein PJ. Genetic mutations in Ca 2+ signaling alter dendrite morphology and social approach in juvenile mice. GENES, BRAIN, AND BEHAVIOR 2019; 18:e12526. [PMID: 30311737 PMCID: PMC6540090 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Revised: 10/05/2018] [Accepted: 10/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Dendritic morphology is a critical determinant of neuronal connectivity, and calcium signaling plays a predominant role in shaping dendrites. Altered dendritic morphology and genetic mutations in calcium signaling are both associated with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). In this study we tested the hypothesis that dendritic arborization and NDD-relevant behavioral phenotypes are altered by human mutations that modulate calcium-dependent signaling pathways implicated in NDDs. The dendritic morphology of pyramidal neurons in CA1 hippocampus and somatosensory cortex was quantified in Golgi-stained brain sections from juvenile mice of both sexes expressing either a human gain-of-function mutation in ryanodine receptor 1 (T4826I-RYR1), a human CGG repeat expansion (170-200 CGG repeats) in the fragile X mental retardation gene 1 (FMR1 premutation), both mutations (double mutation; DM), or wildtype mice. In hippocampal neurons, increased dendritic arborization was observed in male T4826I-RYR1 and, to a lesser extent, male FMR1 premutation neurons. Dendritic morphology of cortical neurons was altered in both sexes of FMR1 premutation and DM animals with the most pronounced differences seen in DM females. Genotype also impaired behavior, as assessed using the three-chambered social approach test. The most striking lack of sociability was observed in DM male and female mice. In conclusion, mutations that alter the fidelity of calcium signaling enhance dendritic arborization in a brain region- and sex-specific manner and impair social behavior in juvenile mice. The phenotypic outcomes of these mutations likely provide a susceptible biological substrate for additional environmental stressors that converge on calcium signaling to determine individual NDD risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly P. Keil
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of California-Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, California
| | - Sunjay Sethi
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of California-Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, California
| | - Machelle D. Wilson
- Clinical and Translational Science Center, Department of Public Health Sciences, Division of Biostatistics, University of California-Davis, School of Medicine, Davis, California
| | - Jill L. Silverman
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California-Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California
- MIND Institute, University of California-Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California
| | - Isaac N. Pessah
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of California-Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, California
- MIND Institute, University of California-Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California
| | - Pamela J. Lein
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of California-Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, California
- MIND Institute, University of California-Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California
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30
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Hagerman RJ, Protic D, Rajaratnam A, Salcedo-Arellano MJ, Aydin EY, Schneider A. Fragile X-Associated Neuropsychiatric Disorders (FXAND). Front Psychiatry 2018; 9:564. [PMID: 30483160 PMCID: PMC6243096 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Accepted: 10/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is caused by the full mutation (>200 CGG repeats) in the Fragile X Mental Retardation 1 (FMR1) gene. It is the most common inherited cause of intellectual disability (ID) and autism. This review focuses on neuropsychiatric disorders frequently experienced by premutation carriers with 55 to 200 CGG repeats and the pathophysiology involves elevated FMR1 mRNA levels, which is different from the absence or deficiency of fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) seen in FXS. Neuropsychiatric disorders are the most common problems associated with the premutation, and they affect approximately 50% of individuals with 55 to 200 CGG repeats in the FMR1 gene. Neuropsychiatric disorders in children with the premutation include anxiety, ADHD, social deficits, or autism spectrum disorders (ASD). In adults with the premutation, anxiety and depression are the most common problems, although obsessive compulsive disorder, ADHD, and substance abuse are also common. These problems are often exacerbated by chronic fatigue, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, autoimmune disorders and sleep problems, which are also associated with the premutation. Here we review the clinical studies, neuropathology and molecular underpinnings of RNA toxicity associated with the premutation. We also propose the name Fragile X-associated Neuropsychiatric Disorders (FXAND) in an effort to promote research and the use of fragile X DNA testing to enhance recognition and treatment for these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Randi J. Hagerman
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Dragana Protic
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Akash Rajaratnam
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
- Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Maria J. Salcedo-Arellano
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Elber Yuksel Aydin
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
- Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Andrea Schneider
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States
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31
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Gelfman S, Wang Q, Lu YF, Hall D, Bostick CD, Dhindsa R, Halvorsen M, McSweeney KM, Cotterill E, Edinburgh T, Beaumont MA, Frankel WN, Petrovski S, Allen AS, Boland MJ, Goldstein DB, Eglen SJ. meaRtools: An R package for the analysis of neuronal networks recorded on microelectrode arrays. PLoS Comput Biol 2018; 14:e1006506. [PMID: 30273353 PMCID: PMC6181426 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1006506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2018] [Revised: 10/11/2018] [Accepted: 09/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Here we present an open-source R package 'meaRtools' that provides a platform for analyzing neuronal networks recorded on Microelectrode Arrays (MEAs). Cultured neuronal networks monitored with MEAs are now being widely used to characterize in vitro models of neurological disorders and to evaluate pharmaceutical compounds. meaRtools provides core algorithms for MEA spike train analysis, feature extraction, statistical analysis and plotting of multiple MEA recordings with multiple genotypes and treatments. meaRtools functionality covers novel solutions for spike train analysis, including algorithms to assess electrode cross-correlation using the spike train tiling coefficient (STTC), mutual information, synchronized bursts and entropy within cultured wells. Also integrated is a solution to account for bursts variability originating from mixed-cell neuronal cultures. The package provides a statistical platform built specifically for MEA data that can combine multiple MEA recordings and compare extracted features between different genetic models or treatments. We demonstrate the utilization of meaRtools to successfully identify epilepsy-like phenotypes in neuronal networks from Celf4 knockout mice. The package is freely available under the GPL license (GPL> = 3) and is updated frequently on the CRAN web-server repository. The package, along with full documentation can be downloaded from: https://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/meaRtools/.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahar Gelfman
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Quanli Wang
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
- Simcere Diagnostics Co, Ltd, Nanjing, China
| | - Yi-Fan Lu
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Biology, Westmont College, Santa Barbara, CA, United States of America
| | - Diana Hall
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Christopher D. Bostick
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Ryan Dhindsa
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Matt Halvorsen
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - K. Melodi McSweeney
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
- University Program in Genetics and Genomics, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Ellese Cotterill
- Cambridge Computational Biology Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Tom Edinburgh
- Cambridge Computational Biology Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Michael A. Beaumont
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
- Axion BioSystems, Inc., Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Wayne N. Frankel
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Slavé Petrovski
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, Austin Health and Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Andrew S. Allen
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States of America
| | - Michael J. Boland
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - David B. Goldstein
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Stephen J. Eglen
- Cambridge Computational Biology Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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32
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Fragile X syndrome and fragile X-associated tremor ataxia syndrome. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2018; 147:377-391. [PMID: 29325626 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-444-63233-3.00025-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Fragile X-associated disorders encompass several conditions, which are caused by expansion mutations in the fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene. Fragile X syndrome is the most common inherited etiology of intellectual disability and results from a full mutation or >200 CGG repeats in FMR1. It is associated with developmental delay, autism spectrum disorder, and seizures. Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that occurs in premutation carriers of 55-200 CGG repeats in FMR1 and is characterized by kinetic tremor, gait ataxia, parkinsonism, executive dysfunction, and neuropathy. Fragile X-associated primary ovarian insufficiency also occurs in premutation carrier women and manifests with infertility and early menopause. The diseases constituting fragile X-associated disorders differ mechanistically, due to the distinct molecular properties of premutation versus full mutations. Fragile X syndrome occurs when there is a lack of fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) due to FMR1 methylation and silencing. In fragile X-associated tremor ataxia syndrome, a toxic gain of function is postulated with the production of excess CGG repeat-containing FMR1 mRNA, abnormal translation of the repeat sequence leading to production of polyglycine, polyalanine, and other polypeptides and to outright deficits in translation leading to reduced FMRP at larger premutation sizes. The changes in underlying brain chemistry due to FMR1 mutations have led to therapeutic studies in these disorders, with some progress being made in fragile X syndrome. This paper also summarizes indications for testing, genetic counseling issues, and what the future holds for these disorders.
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Wang JY, Trivedi AM, Carrillo NR, Yang J, Schneider A, Giulivi C, Adams P, Tassone F, Kim K, Rivera SM, Lubarr N, Wu CY, Irwin RW, Brinton RD, Olichney JM, Rogawski MA, Hagerman RJ. Open-Label Allopregnanolone Treatment of Men with Fragile X-Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome. Neurotherapeutics 2017; 14:1073-1083. [PMID: 28707277 PMCID: PMC5722761 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-017-0555-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) is a late-onset neurodegenerative disorder affecting approximately 45% of male and 16% of female carriers of the FMR1 premutation over the age of 50 years. Currently, no effective treatment is available. We performed an open-label intervention study to assess whether allopregnanolone, a neurosteroid promoting regeneration and repair, can improve clinical symptoms, brain activity, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements in patients with FXTAS. Six patients underwent weekly intravenous infusions of allopregnanolone (2-6 mg over 30 min) for 12 weeks. All patients completed baseline and follow-up studies, though MRI scans were not collected from 1 patient because of MRI contraindications. The MRI scans from previous visits, along with scans from 8 age-matched male controls, were also included to establish patients' baseline condition as a reference. Functional outcomes included quantitative measurements of tremor and ataxia and neuropsychological evaluations. Brain activity consisted of event-related potential N400 word repetition effect during a semantic memory processing task. Structural MRI outcomes comprised volumes of the hippocampus, amygdala, and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery hyperintensities, and microstructural integrity of the corpus callosum. The results of the study showed that allopregnanolone infusions were well tolerated in all subjects. Before treatment, the patients disclosed impairment in executive function, verbal fluency and learning, and progressive deterioration of all MRI measurements. After treatment, the patients demonstrated improvement in executive functioning, episodic memory and learning, and increased N400 repetition effect amplitude. Although MRI changes were not significant as a group, both improved and deteriorated MRI measurements occurred in individual patients in contrast to uniform deterioration before the treatment. Significant correlations between baseline MRI measurements and changes in neuropsychological test scores indicated the effects of allopregnanolone on improving executive function, learning, and memory for patients with relatively preserved hippocampus and corpus callosum, while reducing psychological symptoms for patients with small hippocampi and amygdalae. The findings show the promise of allopregnanolone in improving cognitive functioning in patients with FXTAS and in partially alleviating some aspects of neurodegeneration. Further studies are needed to verify the efficacy of allopregnanolone for treating FXTAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Y Wang
- UC Davis MIND Institute, UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - A M Trivedi
- School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - N R Carrillo
- School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - J Yang
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
- Center for Mind and Brain, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - A Schneider
- UC Davis MIND Institute, UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - C Giulivi
- UC Davis MIND Institute, UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA, USA
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of California Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA, USA
| | - P Adams
- UC Davis MIND Institute, UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - F Tassone
- UC Davis MIND Institute, UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - K Kim
- UC Davis MIND Institute, UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA, USA
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - S M Rivera
- UC Davis MIND Institute, UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA, USA
- Center for Mind and Brain, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - N Lubarr
- Department of Neurology, Mount Sinai Beth Israel Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - C-Y Wu
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
- PK/PD Bioanalytical Core Facility, UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - R W Irwin
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - R D Brinton
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Center for Innovation in Brain Science, School of Medicine, Departments of Pharmacology and Neurology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - J M Olichney
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
- Center for Mind and Brain, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - M A Rogawski
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - R J Hagerman
- UC Davis MIND Institute, UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA.
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Update on the Clinical, Radiographic, and Neurobehavioral Manifestations in FXTAS and FMR1 Premutation Carriers. THE CEREBELLUM 2017; 15:578-86. [PMID: 27287737 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-016-0799-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by a repeat expansion in the fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene. The disorder is characterized by kinetic tremor and cerebellar ataxia, shows age-dependent penetrance, and occurs more frequently in men. This paper summarizes the key emerging issues in FXTAS as presented at the Second International Conference on the FMR1 Premutation: Basic Mechanisms & Clinical Involvement in 2015. The topics discussed include phenotype-genotype relationships, neurobehavioral function, and updates on FXTAS genetics and imaging.
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Robin G, López JR, Espinal GM, Hulsizer S, Hagerman PJ, Pessah IN. Calcium dysregulation and Cdk5-ATM pathway involved in a mouse model of fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome. Hum Mol Genet 2017; 26:2649-2666. [PMID: 28444183 PMCID: PMC5886271 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddx148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2017] [Revised: 04/06/2017] [Accepted: 04/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) is a neurological disorder that affects premutation carriers with 55-200 CGG-expansion repeats (preCGG) in FMR1, presenting with early alterations in neuronal network formation and function that precede neurodegeneration. Whether intranuclear inclusions containing DNA damage response (DDR) proteins are causally linked to abnormal synaptic function, neuronal growth and survival are unknown. In a mouse that harbors a premutation CGG expansion (preCGG), cortical and hippocampal FMRP expression is moderately reduced from birth through adulthood, with greater FMRP reductions in the soma than in the neurite, despite several-fold elevation of Fmr1 mRNA levels. Resting cytoplasmic calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in cultured preCGG hippocampal neurons is chronically elevated, 3-fold compared to Wt; elevated ROS and abnormal glutamatergic responses are detected at 14 DIV. Elevated µ-calpain activity and a higher p25/p35 ratio in the cortex of preCGG young adult mice indicate abnormal Cdk5 regulation. In support, the Cdk5 substrate, ATM, is upregulated by 1.5- to 2-fold at P0 and 6 months in preCGG brain, as is p-Ser1981-ATM. Bax:Bcl-2 is 30% higher in preCGG brain, indicating a greater vulnerability to apoptotic activation. Elevated [Ca2+]i, ROS, and DDR signals are normalized with dantrolene. Chronic [Ca2+]i dysregulation amplifies Cdk5-ATM signaling, possibly linking impaired glutamatergic signaling and DDR to neurodegeneration in preCGG brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaëlle Robin
- Department Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA, USA
| | - José R. López
- Department Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Glenda M. Espinal
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, UC Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Susan Hulsizer
- Department Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Paul J. Hagerman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, UC Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
- Medical Investigations of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Isaac N. Pessah
- Department Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA, USA
- Medical Investigations of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
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36
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Wheeler A, Raspa M, Hagerman R, Mailick M, Riley C. Implications of the FMR1 Premutation for Children, Adolescents, Adults, and Their Families. Pediatrics 2017; 139:S172-S182. [PMID: 28814538 PMCID: PMC5621635 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2016-1159d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Given the nature of FMR1 gene expansions, most biological mothers, and often multiple other family members of children with fragile X syndrome (FXS), will have a premutation, which may increase individual and family vulnerabilities. This article summarizes important gaps in knowledge and notes potential implications for pediatric providers with regard to developmental and medical risks for children and adolescents with an FMR1 premutation, including possible implications into adulthood. METHODS A structured electronic literature search was conducted on FMR1 pre- and full mutations, yielding a total of 306 articles examined. Of these, 116 focused primarily on the premutation and are included in this review. RESULTS Based on the literature review, 5 topic areas are discussed: genetics and epidemiology; phenotypic characteristics of individuals with the premutation; implications for carrier parents of children with FXS; implications for the extended family; and implications for pediatricians. CONCLUSIONS Although the premutation phenotype is typically less severe in clinical presentation than in FXS, premutation carriers are much more common and are therefore more likely to be seen in a typical pediatric practice. In addition, there is a wide range of medical, cognitive/developmental, and psychiatric associated features that individuals with a premutation are at increased risk for having, which underscores the importance of awareness on the part of pediatricians in identifying and monitoring premutation carriers and recognizing the impact this identification may have on family members.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Wheeler
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina;
| | - Melissa Raspa
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | - Randi Hagerman
- MIND Institute, University of California at Davis, Sacramento, California
| | - Marsha Mailick
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin; and
| | - Catharine Riley
- National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
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37
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Kong HE, Zhao J, Xu S, Jin P, Jin Y. Fragile X-Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome: From Molecular Pathogenesis to Development of Therapeutics. Front Cell Neurosci 2017; 11:128. [PMID: 28529475 PMCID: PMC5418347 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2017.00128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2017] [Accepted: 04/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by a premutation CGG repeat expansion (55-200 repeats) within the 5' UTR of the fragile X gene (FMR1). FXTAS is characterized by intension tremor, cerebellar ataxia, progressive neurodegeneration, parkinsonism and cognitive decline. The development of transgenic mouse and Drosophila melanogaster models carrying an expanded CGG repeat has yielded valuable insight into the pathophysiology of FXTAS. To date, we know of two main molecular mechanisms of this disorder: (1) a toxic gain of function of the expanded CGG-repeat FMR1 mRNA, which results in the binding/sequestration of the CGG-binding proteins; and (2) CGG repeat-associated non-AUG-initiated (RAN) translation, which generates a polyglycine peptide toxic to cells. Besides these CGG-mediated mechanisms, recent studies have shed light on additional mechanisms of pathogenesis, such as the antisense transcript ASFMR1, mitochondrial dysfunction, DNA damage from R-loop formation and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC)-mediated epigenetic modulation. Here we summarize the recent progress towards understanding the etiology of FXTAS and provide an overview of potential treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ha Eun Kong
- Department of Human Genetics, School of Medicine, Emory UniversityAtlanta, GA, USA
| | - Juan Zhao
- The State Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South UniversityChangsha, China
| | - Shunliang Xu
- Department of Neurology, 2nd Hospital of Shandong UniversityJinan, China
| | - Peng Jin
- Department of Human Genetics, School of Medicine, Emory UniversityAtlanta, GA, USA
| | - Yan Jin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Second Hospital, Jilin UniversityChangchun, China
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Duan H, Li X, Wang C, Hao P, Song W, Li M, Zhao W, Gao Y, Yang Z. Functional hyaluronate collagen scaffolds induce NSCs differentiation into functional neurons in repairing the traumatic brain injury. Acta Biomater 2016; 45:182-195. [PMID: 27562609 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2016.08.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2016] [Revised: 08/14/2016] [Accepted: 08/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The traumatic brain injury (TBI) usually causes brain tissue defects, including neuronal death or loss, which ultimately results in dysfunction in some degree. The cell replacement therapy is now one of the most promising methods for such injury. There are currently various methods to induce the differentiation of stem cells into neurons, but all extremely complex, slow and unstable. Here we report that the sodium hyaluronate collagen scaffold loaded with bFGF (bFGF-controlled releasing system, bFGF-CRS) can induce neural stem cells (NSCs) to differentiate into multi-type and mature functional neurons at a high percentage of 82±1.528% in two weeks. The quantitative real-time (QRT) PCR results reveal that a long-term activation of bFGF receptors could up-regulate ERK/MAPK signal pathways, thus facilitating the formation of presynaptic and postsynaptic structure among the induced neuronal cells (iN cells). The functional synaptic connections established among iN cells were detected by the planar multielectrode dish system. When jointly transplanting the bFGF-CRS and NSCs into the CA1 zone of the rat TBI area, the results suggested that bFGF-CRS provided an optimal microenvironment, which promoted survival, neuronal differentiation of transplanted NSCs and functional synapse formation not only among iN cells but also between iN cells and the host brain tissue in TBI rats, consequently leading to the cognitive function recovery of TBI rats. These findings in vitro and in vivo may lay a foundation for the application of bFGF-CRS and shed light on the delivery of exogenous cells or nutrients to the CNS injury or disease area. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE A sodium hyaluronate collagen scaffold was specifically functionalized with nutrient-bFGF which can induce the differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs) into multi-type and mature functional neurons at a high percentage in two week. When jointly transplanting the bFGF-CRS and NSCs into the CA1 zone of the traumatic brain injured area of adult rats, the bFGF-CRS could provide an optimal microenvironment, which promoted survival, migration and neuronal differentiation of transplanted NSCs and functional synapse formation among iN cells, as well as between iN cells and host brain tissue in TBI rats, consequently leading to the cognitive function recovery of TBI rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongmei Duan
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Captial Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Xiaoguang Li
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Captial Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Cong Wang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Captial Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Peng Hao
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Captial Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Wei Song
- School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Captial Medical University, Beijing 100068, China; China Rehabilitation Research Center, Beijing 100068, China
| | - Manli Li
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Wen Zhao
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Captial Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Yudan Gao
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Captial Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Zhaoyang Yang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Captial Medical University, Beijing 100069, China.
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Cao Z, Xu J, Hulsizer S, Cui Y, Dong Y, Pessah IN. Influence of tetramethylenedisulfotetramine on synchronous calcium oscillations at distinct developmental stages of hippocampal neuronal cultures. Neurotoxicology 2016; 58:11-22. [PMID: 27984050 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2016.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2016] [Revised: 10/18/2016] [Accepted: 10/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The spatial and temporal patterns of spontaneous synchronous Ca2+ oscillations (SCOs) regulate physiological pathways that influence neuronal development, excitability, and health. Hippocampal neuronal cultures (HN) and neuron/glia co-cultures (HNG) produced from neonatal mice were loaded with Fluo-4/AM and SCOs recorded in real-time using a Fluorescence Imaging Plate Reader at different developmental stages in vitro. HNG showed an earlier onset of SCOs, with low amplitude and low frequency SCOs at 4days in vitro (DIV), whereas HN were quiescent at this point. SCO amplitude peaked at 9 DIV for both cultures. SCO network frequency peaked at 12 DIV in HN, whereas in HNG the frequency peaked at 6 DIV. SCO patterns were associated with the temporal development of neuronal networks and their ratio of glutamatergic to GABAergic markers of excitatory/inhibitory balance. HN and HNG exhibited differential responses to the convulsant tetramethylenedisulfotetramine (TETS) and were highly dependent on DIV. In HN, TETS triggered an acute rise of intracellular Ca2+ (Phase I response) only in 14 DIV and a sustained decrease of SCO frequency with increased amplitude (Phase II response) at all developmental stages. In HNG, TETS decreased the SCO frequency and increased the amplitude at 6 and 14 but not 9 DIV. There was no acute Ca2+ rise (Phase I response) in any age of HNG tested with TETS. These data demonstrated the importance of glia and developmental stage in modulating neuronal responses to TETS. Our results illustrate the applicability of the model for investigating how caged convulsants elicit abnormal network activity during the development of HN and HNG cultures in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengyu Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines & Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory for TCM Evaluation and Translational Development, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, PR China; Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, 95616, United States.
| | - Jian Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines & Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory for TCM Evaluation and Translational Development, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, PR China
| | - Susan Hulsizer
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, 95616, United States
| | - Yanjun Cui
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, 95616, United States
| | - Yao Dong
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, 95616, United States
| | - Isaac N Pessah
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, 95616, United States.
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Zwemer LM, Nolin SL, Okamoto PM, Eisenberg M, Wick HC, Bianchi DW. Global transcriptome dysregulation in second trimester fetuses with FMR1 expansions. Prenat Diagn 2016; 37:43-52. [PMID: 27646161 DOI: 10.1002/pd.4928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2016] [Revised: 08/30/2016] [Accepted: 09/14/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We tested the hypothesis that FMR1 expansions would result in global gene dysregulation as early as the second trimester of human fetal development. METHOD Using cell-free fetal RNA obtained from amniotic fluid supernatant and expression microarrays, we compared RNA levels in samples from fetuses with premutation or full mutation allele expansions with control samples. RESULTS We found clear signals of differential gene expression relating to a variety of cellular functions, including ubiquitination, mitochondrial function, and neuronal/synaptic architecture. Additionally, among the genes showing differential gene expression, we saw links to related diseases of intellectual disability and motor function. Finally, within the unique molecular phenotypes established for each mutation set, we saw clear signatures of mitochondrial dysfunction and disrupted neurological function. Patterns of differential gene expression were very different in male and female fetuses with premutation alleles. CONCLUSION These results support a model for which genetic misregulation during fetal development may set the stage for late clinical manifestations of FMR1-related disorders. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lillian M Zwemer
- Mother Infant Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sarah L Nolin
- New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, NY, USA
| | - Patricia M Okamoto
- Integrated Genetics/Laboratory Corporation of America® Holdings, Westborough, MA, USA
| | - Marcia Eisenberg
- Laboratory Corporation of America® Holdings, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Heather C Wick
- Department of Computer Science, Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA
| | - Diana W Bianchi
- Mother Infant Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
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Lozano R, Martinez-Cerdeno V, Hagerman RJ. Advances in the Understanding of the Gabaergic Neurobiology of FMR1 Expanded Alleles Leading to Targeted Treatments for Fragile X Spectrum Disorder. Curr Pharm Des 2016; 21:4972-4979. [PMID: 26365141 DOI: 10.2174/1381612821666150914121038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2015] [Accepted: 09/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Fragile X spectrum disorder (FXSD) includes: fragile X syndrome (FXS), fragile X-associated tremor ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) and fragile X-associated primary ovarian insufficiency (FXPOI), as well as other medical, psychiatric and neurobehavioral problems associated with the premutation and gray zone alleles. FXS is the most common monogenetic cause of autism (ASD) and intellectual disability (ID). The understanding of the neurobiology of FXS has led to many targeted treatment trials in FXS. The first wave of phase II clinical trials in FXS were designed to target the mGluR5 pathway; however the results did not show significant efficacy and the trials were terminated. The advances in the understanding of the GABA system in FXS have shifted the focus of treatment trials to GABA agonists, and a new wave of promising clinical trials is under way. Ganaxolone and allopregnanolone (GABA agonists) have been studied in individuals with FXSD and are currently in phase II trials. Both allopregnanolone and ganaxolone may be efficacious in treatment of FXS and FXTAS, respectively. Allopregnanolone, ganaxolone, riluzole, gaboxadol, tiagabine, and vigabatrin are potential GABAergic treatments. The lessons learned from the initial trials have not only shifted the targeted system, but also have refined the design of clinical trials. The results of these new trials will likely impact further clinical trials for FXS and other genetic disorders associated with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reymundo Lozano
- 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; Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY USA; Department of Pediatrics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY USA
| | - Veronica Martinez-Cerdeno
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders MIND Institute, UC Davis, CA, USA; Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine and Shriners Hospital for Children of Northern California, Sacramento, CA, USA; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis, Sacramento, USA
| | - Randi J Hagerman
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders MIND Institute, UC Davis, CA, USA; Department of Pediatrics, UC Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
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Giulivi C, Napoli E, Tassone F, Halmai J, Hagerman R. Plasma Biomarkers for Monitoring Brain Pathophysiology in FMR1 Premutation Carriers. Front Mol Neurosci 2016; 9:71. [PMID: 27570505 PMCID: PMC4981605 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2016.00071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2016] [Accepted: 07/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Premutation carriers have a 55–200 CGG expansion in the fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene. Currently, 1.5 million individuals are affected in the United States, and carriers are at risk of developing the late-onset neurodegenerative disorder Fragile X-associated tremor ataxia syndrome (FXTAS). Limited efforts have been made to develop new methods for improved early patient monitoring, treatment response, and disease progression. To this end, plasma metabolomic phenotyping was obtained for 23 premutation carriers and 16 age- and sex-matched controls. Three biomarkers, phenylethylamine normalized by either aconitate or isocitrate and oleamide normalized by isocitrate, exhibited excellent model performance. The lower phenylethylamine and oleamide plasma levels in carriers may indicate, respectively, incipient nigrostriatal degeneration and higher incidence of substance abuse, anxiety and sleep disturbances. Higher levels of citrate, isocitrate, aconitate, and lactate may reflect deficits in both bioenergetics and neurotransmitter metabolism (Glu, GABA). This study lays important groundwork by defining the potential utility of plasma metabolic profiling to monitor brain pathophysiology in carriers before and during the progression of FXTAS, treatment efficacy and evaluation of side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Giulivi
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CAUSA; Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders Institute, University of California, Davis, Davis, CAUSA
| | - Eleonora Napoli
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA USA
| | - Flora Tassone
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders Institute, University of California, Davis, Davis, CAUSA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CAUSA
| | - Julian Halmai
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA USA
| | - Randi Hagerman
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders Institute, University of California, Davis, Davis, CAUSA; Department of Pediatrics, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CAUSA
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McSweeney KM, Gussow AB, Bradrick SS, Dugger SA, Gelfman S, Wang Q, Petrovski S, Frankel WN, Boland MJ, Goldstein DB. Inhibition of microRNA 128 promotes excitability of cultured cortical neuronal networks. Genome Res 2016; 26:1411-1416. [PMID: 27516621 PMCID: PMC5052052 DOI: 10.1101/gr.199828.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2015] [Accepted: 08/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Cultured neuronal networks monitored with microelectrode arrays (MEAs) have been used widely to evaluate pharmaceutical compounds for potential neurotoxic effects. A newer application of MEAs has been in the development of in vitro models of neurological disease. Here, we directly evaluated the utility of MEAs to recapitulate in vivo phenotypes of mature microRNA-128 (miR-128) deficiency, which causes fatal seizures in mice. We show that inhibition of miR-128 results in significantly increased neuronal activity in cultured neuronal networks derived from primary mouse cortical neurons. These results support the utility of MEAs in developing in vitro models of neuroexcitability disorders, such as epilepsy, and further suggest that MEAs provide an effective tool for the rapid identification of microRNAs that promote seizures when dysregulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Melodi McSweeney
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USA; University Program in Genetics and Genomics, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA
| | - Ayal B Gussow
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USA; Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA
| | - Shelton S Bradrick
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555, USA
| | - Sarah A Dugger
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USA; Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USA
| | - Sahar Gelfman
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USA
| | - Quanli Wang
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USA
| | - Slavé Petrovski
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USA; Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Austin Health and Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Wayne N Frankel
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USA; Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USA
| | - Michael J Boland
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USA; Department of Neurology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USA
| | - David B Goldstein
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USA; Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USA
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Pessah IN, Rogawski MA, Tancredi DJ, Wulff H, Zolkowska D, Bruun DA, Hammock BD, Lein PJ. Models to identify treatments for the acute and persistent effects of seizure-inducing chemical threat agents. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2016; 1378:124-136. [PMID: 27467073 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.13137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2016] [Revised: 05/15/2016] [Accepted: 05/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Exposures to seizure-inducing chemical threat agents are a major public health concern. Of particular need is improved treatment to terminate convulsions and to prevent the long-term neurological sequelae in survivors. We are studying the organophosphorus cholinesterase inhibitor diisopropyl fluorophosphate (DFP) and the GABA receptor inhibitor tetramethylenedisulfotetramine (TETS), which arguably encompass the mechanistic spectrum of seizure-inducing chemical threats, with the goal of identifying therapeutic approaches with broad-spectrum efficacy. Research efforts have focused on developing translational models and translational diagnostic approaches, including (1) in vivo models of DFP- and TETS-induced seizures for studying neuropathological mechanisms and identifying treatment approaches; (2) in vivo imaging modalities for noninvasive longitudinal monitoring of neurological damage and response to therapeutic candidates; and (3) higher-throughput in vitro platforms for rapid screening of compounds to identify potential antiseizure and neuroprotective agents, as well as mechanistically relevant novel drug targets. This review summarizes our progress toward realizing these goals and discusses best practices and mechanistic insights derived from our modeling efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaac N Pessah
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine
| | | | | | - Heike Wulff
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine
| | | | - Donald A Bruun
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine
| | - Bruce D Hammock
- Department of Entomology, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, California
| | - Pamela J Lein
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine.
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He Y, Zou X, Li X, Chen J, Jin L, Zhang F, Yu B, Cao Z. Activation of sodium channels by α-scorpion toxin, BmK NT1, produced neurotoxicity in cerebellar granule cells: an association with intracellular Ca 2+ overloading. Arch Toxicol 2016; 91:935-948. [PMID: 27318804 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-016-1755-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2015] [Accepted: 06/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) are responsible for the action potential generation in excitable cells including neurons and involved in many physiological and pathological processes. Scorpion toxins are invaluable tools to explore the structure and function of ion channels. BmK NT1, a scorpion toxin from Buthus martensii Karsch, stimulates sodium influx in cerebellar granule cells (CGCs). In this study, we characterized the mode of action of BmK NT1 on the VGSCs and explored the cellular response in CGC cultures. BmK NT1 delayed the fast inactivation of VGSCs, increased the Na+ currents, and shifted the steady-state activation and inactivation to more hyperpolarized membrane potential, which was similar to the mode of action of α-scorpion toxins. BmK NT1 stimulated neuron death (EC50 = 0.68 µM) and produced massive intracellular Ca2+ overloading (EC50 = 0.98 µM). TTX abrogated these responses, suggesting that both responses were subsequent to the activation of VGSCs. The Ca2+ response of BmK NT1 was primary through extracellular Ca2+ influx since reducing the extracellular Ca2+ concentration suppressed the Ca2+ response. Further pharmacological evaluation demonstrated that BmK NT1-induced Ca2+ influx and neurotoxicity were partially blocked either by MK-801, an NMDA receptor blocker, or by KB-R7943, an inhibitor of Na+/Ca2+ exchangers. Nifedipine, an L-type Ca2+ channel inhibitor, slightly suppressed both Ca2+ response and neurotoxicity. A combination of these three inhibitors abrogated both responses. Considered together, these data ambiguously demonstrated that activation of VGSCs by an α-scorpion toxin was sufficient to produce neurotoxicity which was associated with intracellular Ca2+ overloading through both NMDA receptor- and Na+/Ca2+ exchanger-mediated Ca2+ influx.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuwei He
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory for TCM Evaluation and Translational Development, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaohan Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory for TCM Evaluation and Translational Development, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Xichun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory for TCM Evaluation and Translational Development, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Juan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory for TCM Evaluation and Translational Development, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Liang Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.,School of Biological Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Fan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China. .,Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory for TCM Evaluation and Translational Development, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
| | - Boyang Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory for TCM Evaluation and Translational Development, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhengyu Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China. .,Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory for TCM Evaluation and Translational Development, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
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Reddy DS, Estes WA. Clinical Potential of Neurosteroids for CNS Disorders. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2016; 37:543-561. [PMID: 27156439 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2016.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2016] [Revised: 04/02/2016] [Accepted: 04/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Neurosteroids are key endogenous molecules in the brain that affect many neural functions. We describe here recent advances in US National Institutes of Health (NIH)-sponsored and other clinical studies of neurosteroids for CNS disorders. The neuronal GABA-A receptor chloride channel is one of the prime molecular targets of neurosteroids. Allopregnanolone-like neurosteroids are potent allosteric agonists as well as direct activators of both synaptic and extrasynaptic GABA-A receptors. Hence, neurosteroids can maximally enhance synaptic phasic and extrasynaptic tonic inhibition. The resulting chloride current conductance generates a form of shunting inhibition that controls network excitability, seizures, and behavior. Such mechanisms of neurosteroids are providing innovative therapies for epilepsy, status epilepticus (SE), traumatic brain injury (TBI), fragile X syndrome (FXS), and chemical neurotoxicity. The neurosteroid field has entered a new era, and many compounds have reached advanced clinical trials. Synthetic analogs have several advantages over natural neurosteroids for clinical use because of their superior bioavailability and safety trends.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doodipala Samba Reddy
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA.
| | - William A Estes
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
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Yang JC, Rodriguez A, Royston A, Niu YQ, Avar M, Brill R, Simon C, Grigsby J, Hagerman RJ, Olichney JM. Memantine Improves Attentional Processes in Fragile X-Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome: Electrophysiological Evidence from a Randomized Controlled Trial. Sci Rep 2016; 6:21719. [PMID: 26898832 PMCID: PMC4761982 DOI: 10.1038/srep21719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2015] [Accepted: 01/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Progressive cognitive deficits are common in patients with fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS), with no targeted treatment yet established. In this substudy of the first randomized controlled trial for FXTAS, we examined the effects of NMDA antagonist memantine on attention and working memory. Data were analyzed for patients (24 in each arm) who completed both the primary memantine trial and two EEG recordings (at baseline and follow-up) using an auditory “oddball” task. Results demonstrated significantly improved attention/working memory performance after one year only for the memantine group. The event-related potential P2 amplitude elicited by non-targets was significantly enhanced in the treated group, indicating memantine-associated improvement in attentional processes at the stimulus identification/discrimination level. P2 amplitude increase was positively correlated with improvement on the behavioral measure of attention/working memory during target detection. Analysis also revealed that memantine treatment normalized the P2 habituation effect at the follow-up visit. These findings indicate that memantine may benefit attentional processes that represent fundamental components of executive function/dysfunction, thought to comprise the core cognitive deficit in FXTAS. The results provide evidence of target engagement of memantine, as well as therapeutically relevant information that could further the development of specific cognitive or disease-modifying therapies for FXTAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Chen Yang
- Center for Mind and Brain, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, 95618 USA.,Department of Neurology, University of California Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, 95817 USA
| | - Annette Rodriguez
- Center for Mind and Brain, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, 95618 USA.,Department of Psychology, California State University, Sacramento, Sacramento, CA, 95819 USA
| | - Ashley Royston
- Center for Mind and Brain, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, 95618 USA.,Department of Psychology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, 95616 USA
| | - Yu-Qiong Niu
- Center for Mind and Brain, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, 95618 USA.,Department of Neurology, University of California Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, 95817 USA
| | - Merve Avar
- Center for Mind and Brain, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, 95618 USA.,University of Vienna, Vienna, 1010 Austria
| | - Ryan Brill
- Center for Mind and Brain, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, 95618 USA.,Department of Neurology, University of California Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, 95817 USA
| | - Christa Simon
- Center for Mind and Brain, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, 95618 USA.,Department of Neurology, University of California Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, 95817 USA
| | - Jim Grigsby
- Department of Psychology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, CO, 80217 USA
| | - Randi J Hagerman
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (M.I.N.D.) Institute, University of California Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, 95817 USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of California Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, 95817 USA
| | - John M Olichney
- Center for Mind and Brain, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, 95618 USA.,Department of Neurology, University of California Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, 95817 USA
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48
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Lu C, Chen Q, Zhou T, Bozic D, Fu Z, Pan JQ, Feng G. Micro-electrode array recordings reveal reductions in both excitation and inhibition in cultured cortical neuron networks lacking Shank3. Mol Psychiatry 2016; 21:159-68. [PMID: 26598066 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2015.173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2015] [Revised: 08/27/2015] [Accepted: 10/06/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Numerous risk genes have recently been implicated in susceptibility to autism and schizophrenia. Translating such genetic findings into disease-relevant neurobiological mechanisms is challenging due to the lack of throughput assays that can be used to assess their functions on an appropriate scale. To address this issue, we explored the feasibility of using a micro-electrode array (MEA) as a potentially scalable assay to identify the electrical network phenotypes associated with risk genes. We first characterized local and global network firing in cortical neurons with MEAs, and then developed methods to analyze the alternation between the network active period (NAP) and the network inactive period (NIP), each of which lasts tens of seconds. We then evaluated the electric phenotypes of neurons derived from Shank3 knockout (KO) mice. Cortical neurons cultured on MEAs displayed a rich repertoire of spontaneous firing, and Shank3 deletion led to reduced firing activity. Enhancing excitation with CX546 rescued the deficit in the spike rate in the Shank3 KO network. In addition, the Shank3 KO network produced a shorter NIP, and this altered network firing pattern was normalized by clonazepam, a positive modulator of the GABAA receptor. MEA recordings revealed electric phenotypes that displayed altered excitation and inhibition in the network lacking Shank3. Thus, our study highlights MEAs as an experimental framework for measuring multiple robust neurobiological end points in dynamic networks and as an assay system that could be used to identify electric phenotypes in cultured neuronal networks and to analyze additional risk genes identified in psychiatric genetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Lu
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Q Chen
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - T Zhou
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - D Bozic
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Z Fu
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - J Q Pan
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - G Feng
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
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49
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Saldarriaga W, Lein P, González Teshima LY, Isaza C, Rosa L, Polyak A, Hagerman R, Girirajan S, Silva M, Tassone F. Phenobarbital use and neurological problems in FMR1 premutation carriers. Neurotoxicology 2016; 53:141-147. [PMID: 26802682 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2016.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2015] [Revised: 01/08/2016] [Accepted: 01/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by a CGG expansion in the FMR1 gene located at Xq27.3. Patients with the premutation in FMR1 present specific clinical problems associated with the number of CGG repeats (55-200 CGG repeats). Premutation carriers have elevated FMR1 mRNA expression levels, which have been associated with neurotoxicity potentially causing neurodevelopmental problems or neurological problems associated with aging. However, cognitive impairments or neurological problems may also be related to increased vulnerability of premutation carriers to neurotoxicants, including phenobarbital. Here we present a study of three sisters with the premutation who were exposed differentially to phenobarbital therapy throughout their lives, allowing us to compare the neurological effects of this drug in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wilmar Saldarriaga
- Research Group in Congenital & Perinatal Malformations, Dysmorphology and Clinical Genetics (MACOS),Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia; Departments of Morphology and Obstetrics & Gynecology, Universidad del Valle, Hospital Universitario Del Valle, Cali, Colombia.
| | - Pamela Lein
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA, USA; MIND Institute, University of California, Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | | | - Carolina Isaza
- Department of Morphology, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia
| | - Lina Rosa
- La Misericordia International Clinic, Barranquilla, Colombia; Instituto Superior de Estudios Psicológicos, Barcelona, Spain; Autonomous University of Barcelona-Sant Joan de Déu Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Andrew Polyak
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Randi Hagerman
- Department of Pediatrics and the MIND Institute, University of California, Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Santhosh Girirajan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Marisol Silva
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Flora Tassone
- MIND Institute, University of California, Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
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50
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Ariza J, Steward C, Rueckert F, Widdison M, Coffman R, Afjei A, Noctor SC, Hagerman R, Hagerman P, Martínez-Cerdeño V. Dysregulated iron metabolism in the choroid plexus in fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome. Brain Res 2015; 1598:88-96. [PMID: 25498860 PMCID: PMC4340768 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2014.11.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2014] [Revised: 09/25/2014] [Accepted: 11/27/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) is a late-onset neurodegenerative disorder associated with premutation alleles of the FMR1 gene that is characterized by progressive action tremor, gait ataxia, and cognitive decline. Recent studies of mitochondrial dysfunction in FXTAS have suggested that iron dysregulation may be one component of disease pathogenesis. We tested the hypothesis that iron dysregulation is part of the pathogenic process in FXTAS. We analyzed postmortem choroid plexus from FXTAS and control subjects, and found that in FXTAS iron accumulated in the stroma, transferrin levels were decreased in the epithelial cells, and transferrin receptor 1 distribution was shifted from the basolateral membrane (control) to a predominantly intracellular location (FXTAS). In addition, ferroportin and ceruloplasmin were markedly decreased within the epithelial cells. These alterations have implications not only for understanding the pathophysiology of FXTAS, but also for the development of new clinical treatments that may incorporate selective iron chelation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanelle Ariza
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospital of Northern California, University of California, Davis, 2425 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Davis 4400 V Street, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Craig Steward
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospital of Northern California, University of California, Davis, 2425 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Flora Rueckert
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospital of Northern California, University of California, Davis, 2425 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Matt Widdison
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospital of Northern California, University of California, Davis, 2425 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Robert Coffman
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospital of Northern California, University of California, Davis, 2425 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Atiyeh Afjei
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospital of Northern California, University of California, Davis, 2425 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Stephen C Noctor
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, Davis, 2805 50th St., Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, 2825 50th Street, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Randi Hagerman
- MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, 2825 50th Street, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Davis, 2825 50th Street, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Paul Hagerman
- MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, 2825 50th Street, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, CA 95616, USA
| | - Verónica Martínez-Cerdeño
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospital of Northern California, University of California, Davis, 2425 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Davis 4400 V Street, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, 2825 50th Street, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.
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