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Schaer R, Mueller FS, Notter T, Weber-Stadlbauer U, Meyer U. Intrauterine position effects in a mouse model of maternal immune activation. Brain Behav Immun 2024:S0889-1591(24)00454-9. [PMID: 38897330 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2024.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Rodent models of maternal immune activation (MIA) are increasingly used as experimental tools in preclinical research of immune-mediated neurodevelopmental disorders and mental illnesses. Using a viral-like MIA model that is based on prenatal poly(I:C) exposure in mice, we have recently identified the existence of subgroups of MIA-exposed offspring that show dissociable behavioral, transcriptional, brain network and inflammatory profiles even under conditions of genetic homogeneity and identical MIA. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the intrauterine positions of fetuses, which are known to shape individual variability in litter-bearing mammals through variations in fetal hormone exposure, may contribute to the variable outcomes of MIA in mice. MIA was induced by maternal administration of poly(I:C) on gestation day 12 in C57BL/6N mice. Determining intrauterine positions using delivery by Cesarean section (C-section), we found that MIA-exposed offspring developing between female fetuses only (0 M-MIA offspring) displayed significant deficits in sociability and sensorimotor gating at adult age, whereas MIA-exposed offspring developing between one or two males in utero (1/2M-MIA offspring) did not show the same deficits. These intrauterine position effects similarly emerged in male and female offspring. Furthermore, while MIA elevated fetal brain levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines independently of the precise intrauterine position and sex of adjacent fetuses during the acute phase, fetal brain levels of TNF-α remained elevated in 0 M-MIA but not 1/2M-MIA offspring until the post-acute phase in late gestation. As expected, 1/2M offspring generally showed higher testosterone levels in the fetal brain during late gestation as compared to 0 M offspring, confirming the transfer of testosterone from male fetuses to adjacent male or female fetuses. Taken together, our findings identify a novel source of within-litter variability contributing to heterogeneous outcomes of short- and long-term effects in a mouse model of MIA. In broader context, our findings highlight that individual differences in fetal exposure to hormonal and inflammatory signals may be a perinatal factor that shapes risk and resilience to MIA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ron Schaer
- Institute of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Flavia S Mueller
- Institute of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tina Notter
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, CH-8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Ulrike Weber-Stadlbauer
- Institute of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, CH-8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Urs Meyer
- Institute of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, CH-8057 Zürich, Switzerland.
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Debs SR, Conn I, Navaneethan B, Penklis AG, Meyer U, Killcross S, Weickert CS, Purves-Tyson TD. Maternal immune activation and estrogen receptor modulation induce sex-specific dopamine-related behavioural and molecular alterations in adult rat offspring. Brain Behav Immun 2024; 118:236-251. [PMID: 38431238 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2024.02.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Dopamine dysregulation contributes to psychosis and cognitive deficits in schizophrenia that can be modelled in rodents by inducing maternal immune activation (MIA). The selective estrogen receptor (ER) modulator, raloxifene, can improve psychosis and cognition in men and women with schizophrenia. However, few studies have examined how raloxifene may exert its therapeutic effects in mammalian brain in both sexes during young adulthood (age relevant to most prevalent age at diagnosis). Here, we tested the extent to which raloxifene alters dopamine-related behaviours and brain transcripts in young adult rats, both control and MIA-exposed females and males. We found that raloxifene increased amphetamine (AMPH)-induced locomotor activity in female controls, and in contrast, raloxifene reduced AMPH-induced locomotor activity in male MIA offspring. We did not detect overt prepulse inhibition (PPI) deficits in female or male MIA offspring, yet raloxifene enhanced PPI in male MIA offspring. Whereas, raloxifene ameliorated increased startle responsivity in female MIA offspring. In the substantia nigra (SN), we found reduced Drd2s mRNA in raloxifene-treated female offspring with or without MIA, and increased Comt mRNA in placebo-treated male MIA offspring relative to placebo-treated controls. These data demonstrate an underlying dopamine dysregulation in MIA animals that can become more apparent with raloxifene treatment, and may involve selective alterations in dopamine receptor levels and dopamine breakdown processes in the SN. Our findings support sex-specific, differential behavioural responses to ER modulation in MIA compared to control offspring, with beneficial effects of raloxifene treatment on dopamine-related behaviours relevant to schizophrenia found in male MIA offspring only.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie R Debs
- Preclinical Neuropsychiatry Laboratory, Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, Australia; Schizophrenia Research Laboratory, Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, Australia; Discipline of Psychiatry & Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Illya Conn
- Preclinical Neuropsychiatry Laboratory, Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, Australia; Schizophrenia Research Laboratory, Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, Australia
| | - Brendan Navaneethan
- Preclinical Neuropsychiatry Laboratory, Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, Australia
| | - Andriane G Penklis
- Preclinical Neuropsychiatry Laboratory, Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, Australia; Schizophrenia Research Laboratory, Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, Australia
| | - Urs Meyer
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zürich-Vetsuisse, Zürich, Switzerland; Switzerland Neuroscience Centre Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Simon Killcross
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Cynthia Shannon Weickert
- Schizophrenia Research Laboratory, Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, Australia; Discipline of Psychiatry & Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Department of Neuroscience & Physiology, Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, USA
| | - Tertia D Purves-Tyson
- Preclinical Neuropsychiatry Laboratory, Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, Australia; Discipline of Psychiatry & Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
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Yang JC, Troutman R, Buri H, Gutta A, Situ J, Aja E, Jacobs JP. Ileal Dysbiosis Is Associated with Increased Acoustic Startle in the 22q11.2 Microdeletion Mouse Model of Schizophrenia. Nutrients 2023; 15:3631. [PMID: 37630824 PMCID: PMC10458577 DOI: 10.3390/nu15163631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies involving transplantation of feces from schizophrenia (SCZ) patients and their healthy controls into germ-free mice have demonstrated that the gut microbiome plays a critical role in mediating SCZ-linked physiology and behavior. To date, only one animal model (a metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 knockout) of SCZ has been reported to recapitulate SCZ-linked gut dysbiosis. Since human 22q11.2 microdeletion syndrome is associated with increased risk of SCZ, we investigated whether the 22q11.2 microdeletion ("Q22") mouse model of SCZ exhibits both SCZ-linked behaviors and intestinal dysbiosis. We demonstrated that Q22 mice display increased acoustic startle response and ileal (but not colonic) dysbiosis, which may be due to the role of the ileum as an intestinal region with high immune and neuroimmune activity. We additionally identified a negative correlation between the abundance of a Streptococcus species in the ilea of Q22 mice and their acoustic startle response, providing early evidence of a gut-brain relationship in these mice. Given the translational relevance of this mouse model, our work suggests that Q22 mice could have considerable utility in preclinical research probing the relationship between gut dysbiosis and the gut-brain axis in the pathogenesis of SCZ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julianne Ching Yang
- The Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (J.C.Y.); (R.T.); (H.B.); (A.G.); (J.S.); (E.A.)
| | - Ryan Troutman
- The Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (J.C.Y.); (R.T.); (H.B.); (A.G.); (J.S.); (E.A.)
| | - Heidi Buri
- The Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (J.C.Y.); (R.T.); (H.B.); (A.G.); (J.S.); (E.A.)
| | - Arjun Gutta
- The Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (J.C.Y.); (R.T.); (H.B.); (A.G.); (J.S.); (E.A.)
| | - Jamilla Situ
- The Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (J.C.Y.); (R.T.); (H.B.); (A.G.); (J.S.); (E.A.)
| | - Ezinne Aja
- The Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (J.C.Y.); (R.T.); (H.B.); (A.G.); (J.S.); (E.A.)
- Goodman-Luskin Microbiome Center, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Jonathan Patrick Jacobs
- The Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (J.C.Y.); (R.T.); (H.B.); (A.G.); (J.S.); (E.A.)
- Goodman-Luskin Microbiome Center, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Parenteral Nutrition, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA 90073, USA
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Frare C, Pitt SK, Hewett SJ. Sex- and age-dependent contribution of System x c- to cognitive, sensory, and social behaviors revealed by comprehensive behavioral analyses of System x c- null mice. Front Behav Neurosci 2023; 17:1238349. [PMID: 37649973 PMCID: PMC10462982 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1238349] [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: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background System xc- (Sxc-) is an important heteromeric amino acid cystine/glutamate exchanger that plays a pivotal role in the CNS by importing cystine into cells while exporting glutamate. Although certain behaviors have been identified as altered in Sxc- null mutant mice, our understanding of the comprehensive impact of Sxc- on behavior remains incomplete. Methods To address this gap, we compared motor, sensory and social behaviors of male and female mice in mice null for Sxc- (SLC7A11sut/sut) with wildtype littermates (SLC7A11+/+) in a comprehensive and systematic manner to determine effects of genotype, sex, age, and their potential interactions. Results Motor performance was not affected by loss of Sxc- in both males and females, although it was impacted negatively by age. Motor learning was specifically disrupted in female mice lacking Sxc- at both 2 and 6 months of age. Further, female SLC7A11sut/sut mice at both ages exhibited impaired sociability, but normal spatial and recognition memory, as well as sensorimotor gating. Finally, pronounced open-space anxiety was displayed by female SLC7A11sut/sut when they were young. In contrast, young SLC7A11sut/sut male mice demonstrated normal sociability, delayed spatial learning, increased open-space anxiety and heightened sensitivity to noise. As they aged, anxiety and noise sensitivity abated but hyperactivity emerged. Discussion We find that the behavioral phenotypes of female SLC7A11sut/sut are similar to those observed in mouse models of autism spectrum disorder, while behaviors of male SLC7A11sut/sut resemble those seen in mouse models of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. These results underscore the need for further investigation of SLC7A11 in neurodevelopment. By expanding our understanding of the potential involvement of Sxc-, we may gain additional insights into the mechanisms underlying complex neurodevelopmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sandra J. Hewett
- Department of Biology, Program in Neuroscience, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, United States
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Oliveras I, Tapias-Espinosa C, Río-Álamos C, Sampedro-Viana D, Cañete T, Sánchez-González A, Tobeña A, Fernández-Teruel A. Prepulse inhibition deficits in inbred and outbred rats and between-strain differences in startle habituation do not depend on startle reactivity levels. Behav Processes 2022; 197:104618. [DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2022.104618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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Glac W, Dunacka J, Grembecka B, Świątek G, Majkutewicz I, Wrona D. Prolonged Peripheral Immunosuppressive Responses as Consequences of Random Amphetamine Treatment, Amphetamine Withdrawal and Subsequent Amphetamine Challenges in Rats. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 2021; 16:870-887. [PMID: 33586062 PMCID: PMC8714631 DOI: 10.1007/s11481-021-09988-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Drug-induced immunosuppression may underline increased hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis response to stress observed following chronic psychostimulant treatment. However, the consequences of random amphetamine (AMPH) treatment, withdrawal and AMPH challenge after withdrawal on the peripheral immunity and systemic corticosterone response are unknown. In this study, the total blood and spleen leukocyte, lymphocyte, T, B, NK, TCD4+/TCD8+ cell numbers and ratio, pro-inflammatory interferon gamma (IFN-γ), and anti-inflammatory interleukin-4 (IL-4) production, and plasma corticosterone concentration in Wistar rats were investigated after: chronic, random AMPH/SAL treatment alone (20 injections in 60 days, 1 mg/kg b.w., i.p.), AMPH/SAL withdrawal (for 20 consecutive days after random AMPH/SAL exposure) or AMPH/SAL challenge after withdrawal (single injection after the AMPH/SAL withdrawal phase). The results showed blood and spleen leukopenia, lymphopenia, lower blood production of IFN-ɤ, and increased plasma corticosterone concentration after the AMPH treatment, which were more pronounced in the AMPH after withdrawal group. In contrast, an increased number of blood NK cells and production of IL-4 after chronic, random AMPH treatment alone, were found. Blood AMPH-induced leukopenia and lymphopenia were due to decreased total number of T, B lymphocytes and, at least in part, of granulocytes and monocytes. Moreover, decreases in the number of blood TCD4+ and TCD8+ lymphocytes both in the AMPH chronic alone and withdrawal phases, were found.The major findings of this study are that AMPH treatment after the long-term withdrawal from previous random AMPH exposure, accelerates the drug-induced immunosuppressive and systemic corticosterone responses, suggesting prolonged immunosuppressive effects and an increase in incidence of infectious diseases. Prolonged peripheral immunosuppressive responses as consequences of random amphetamine…The results indicate that the chronic and random AMPH exposure alone and the acute (single injection) challenge of the drug after the withdrawal phase induced long-term immunosuppressive effects, which were similar to those occurring during the stress response, and sensitized the peripheral immunosuppressive and corticosterone responses of the rat to the disinhibitory effects of this stressor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wojciech Glac
- Department of Animal and Human Physiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, 59 Wita Stwosza Str, 80-308, Gdansk, Poland.
| | - Joanna Dunacka
- Department of Animal and Human Physiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, 59 Wita Stwosza Str, 80-308, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Beata Grembecka
- Department of Animal and Human Physiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, 59 Wita Stwosza Str, 80-308, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Świątek
- Department of Animal and Human Physiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, 59 Wita Stwosza Str, 80-308, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Irena Majkutewicz
- Department of Animal and Human Physiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, 59 Wita Stwosza Str, 80-308, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Danuta Wrona
- Department of Animal and Human Physiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, 59 Wita Stwosza Str, 80-308, Gdansk, Poland.
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Scarborough J, Mattei D, Dorner-Ciossek C, Sand M, Arban R, Rosenbrock H, Richetto J, Meyer U. Symptomatic and preventive effects of the novel phosphodiesterase-9 inhibitor BI 409306 in an immune-mediated model of neurodevelopmental disorders. Neuropsychopharmacology 2021; 46:1526-1534. [PMID: 33941860 PMCID: PMC8209175 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-021-01016-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BI 409306, a phosphodiesterase-9 inhibitor under development for treatment of schizophrenia and attenuated psychosis syndrome (APS), promotes synaptic plasticity and cognition. Here, we explored the effects of BI 409306 treatment in the polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidilic acid (poly[I:C])-based mouse model of maternal immune activation (MIA), which is relevant to schizophrenia and APS. In Study 1, adult offspring received BI 409306 0.2, 0.5, or 1 mg/kg or vehicle to establish an active dose. In Study 2, adult offspring received BI 409306 1 mg/kg and/or risperidone 0.025 mg/kg, risperidone 0.05 mg/kg, or vehicle, to evaluate BI 409306 as add-on to standard therapy for schizophrenia. In Study 3, offspring received BI 409306 1 mg/kg during adolescence only, or continually into adulthood to evaluate preventive effects of BI 409306. We found that BI 409306 significantly mitigated MIA-induced social interaction deficits and amphetamine-induced hyperlocomotion, but not prepulse inhibition impairments, in a dose-dependent manner (Study 1). Furthermore, BI 409306 1 mg/kg alone or in combination with risperidone 0.025 mg/kg significantly reversed social interaction deficits and attenuated amphetamine-induced hyperlocomotion in MIA offspring (Study 2). Finally, we revealed that BI 409306 1 mg/kg treatment restricted to adolescence prevented adult deficits in social interaction, whereas continued treatment into adulthood also significantly reduced amphetamine-induced hyperlocomotion (Study 3). Taken together, our findings suggest that symptomatic treatment with BI 409306 can restore social interaction deficits and dopaminergic dysfunctions in a MIA model of neurodevelopmental disruption, lending preclinical support to current clinical trials of BI 409306 in patients with schizophrenia. Moreover, BI 409306 given during adolescence has preventive effects on adult social interaction deficits in this model, supporting its use in people with APS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Scarborough
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zürich-Vetsuisse, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Daniele Mattei
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zürich-Vetsuisse, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Cornelia Dorner-Ciossek
- Department of CNS Discovery Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Michael Sand
- Department of Medicine, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc., Ridgefield, CT, USA
| | - Roberto Arban
- Department of CNS Discovery Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Holger Rosenbrock
- Department of CNS Discovery Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Juliet Richetto
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zürich-Vetsuisse, Zürich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zürich, University of Zürich and ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Urs Meyer
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zürich-Vetsuisse, Zürich, Switzerland.
- Neuroscience Center Zürich, University of Zürich and ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
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