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Xia QQ, Singh A, Wang J, Xuan ZX, Singer JD, Powell CM. Autism risk gene Cul3 alters neuronal morphology via caspase-3 activity in mouse hippocampal neurons. Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 18:1320784. [PMID: 38803442 PMCID: PMC11129687 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2024.1320784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) are neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) in which children display differences in social interaction/communication and repetitive stereotyped behaviors along with variable associated features. Cul3, a gene linked to ASD, encodes CUL3 (CULLIN-3), a protein that serves as a key component of a ubiquitin ligase complex with unclear function in neurons. Cul3 homozygous deletion in mice is embryonic lethal; thus, we examine the role of Cul3 deletion in early synapse development and neuronal morphology in hippocampal primary neuronal cultures. Homozygous deletion of Cul3 significantly decreased dendritic complexity and dendritic length, as well as axon formation. Synaptic spine density significantly increased, mainly in thin and stubby spines along with decreased average spine volume in Cul3 knockouts. Both heterozygous and homozygous knockout of Cul3 caused significant reductions in the density and colocalization of gephyrin/vGAT puncta, providing evidence of decreased inhibitory synapse number, while excitatory synaptic puncta vGulT1/PSD95 density remained unchanged. Based on previous studies implicating elevated caspase-3 after Cul3 deletion, we demonstrated increased caspase-3 in our neuronal cultures and decreased neuronal cell viability. We then examined the efficacy of the caspase-3 inhibitor Z-DEVD-FMK to rescue the decrease in neuronal cell viability, demonstrating reversal of the cell viability phenotype with caspase-3 inhibition. Studies have also implicated caspase-3 in neuronal morphological changes. We found that caspase-3 inhibition largely reversed the dendrite, axon, and spine morphological changes along with the inhibitory synaptic puncta changes. Overall, these data provide additional evidence that Cul3 regulates the formation or maintenance of cell morphology, GABAergic synaptic puncta, and neuronal viability in developing hippocampal neurons in culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang-qiang Xia
- Department of Neurobiology, Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine & Civitan International Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Anju Singh
- Department of Neurobiology, Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine & Civitan International Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Neurobiology, Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine & Civitan International Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Zhong Xin Xuan
- Department of Neurobiology, Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine & Civitan International Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Jeffrey D. Singer
- Department of Biology, Portland State University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Craig M. Powell
- Department of Neurobiology, Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine & Civitan International Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
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Rylaarsdam L, Rakotomamonjy J, Pope E, Guemez-Gamboa A. iPSC-derived models of PACS1 syndrome reveal transcriptional and functional deficits in neuron activity. Nat Commun 2024; 15:827. [PMID: 38280846 PMCID: PMC10821916 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-44989-7] [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: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/29/2024] Open
Abstract
PACS1 syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by intellectual disability and distinct craniofacial abnormalities resulting from a de novo p.R203W variant in phosphofurin acidic cluster sorting protein 1 (PACS1). PACS1 is known to have functions in the endosomal pathway and nucleus, but how the p.R203W variant affects developing neurons is not fully understood. Here we differentiated stem cells towards neuronal models including cortical organoids to investigate the impact of the PACS1 syndrome-causing variant on neurodevelopment. While few deleterious effects were detected in PACS1(+/R203W) neural precursors, mature PACS1(+/R203W) glutamatergic neurons exhibited impaired expression of genes involved in synaptic signaling processes. Subsequent characterization of neural activity using calcium imaging and multielectrode arrays revealed the p.R203W PACS1 variant leads to a prolonged neuronal network burst duration mediated by an increased interspike interval. These findings demonstrate the impact of the PACS1 p.R203W variant on developing human neural tissue and uncover putative electrophysiological underpinnings of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Rylaarsdam
- Department of Neuroscience, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Jennifer Rakotomamonjy
- Department of Neuroscience, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Eleanor Pope
- Department of Neuroscience, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Alicia Guemez-Gamboa
- Department of Neuroscience, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
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3
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Bosetti C, Ferrini L, Ferrari AR, Bartolini E, Calderoni S. Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Abnormalities of Clinical EEG: A Qualitative Review. J Clin Med 2024; 13:279. [PMID: 38202286 PMCID: PMC10779511 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13010279] [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: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Over the last decade, the comorbidity between Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and epilepsy has been widely demonstrated, and many hypotheses regarding the common neurobiological bases of these disorders have been put forward. A variable, but significant, prevalence of abnormalities on electroencephalogram (EEG) has been documented in non-epileptic children with ASD; therefore, several scientific studies have recently tried to demonstrate the role of these abnormalities as a possible biomarker of altered neural connectivity in ASD individuals. This narrative review intends to summarize the main findings of the recent scientific literature regarding abnormalities detected with standard EEG in children/adolescents with idiopathic ASD. Research using three different databases (PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar) was conducted, resulting in the selection of 10 original articles. Despite an important lack of studies on preschoolers and a deep heterogeneity in results, some authors speculated on a possible association between EEG abnormalities and ASD characteristics, in particular, the severity of symptoms. Although this correlation needs to be more strongly elucidated, these findings may encourage future studies aimed at demonstrating the role of electrical brain abnormalities as an early biomarker of neural circuit alterations in ASD, highlighting the potential diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic value of EEG in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Bosetti
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (C.B.); (L.F.); (A.R.F.); (S.C.)
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Luca Ferrini
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (C.B.); (L.F.); (A.R.F.); (S.C.)
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Anna Rita Ferrari
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (C.B.); (L.F.); (A.R.F.); (S.C.)
| | - Emanuele Bartolini
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (C.B.); (L.F.); (A.R.F.); (S.C.)
- Tuscany PhD Programme in Neurosciences, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Sara Calderoni
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (C.B.); (L.F.); (A.R.F.); (S.C.)
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
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4
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Meng X, Yao D, Imaizumi K, Chen X, Kelley KW, Reis N, Thete MV, Arjun McKinney A, Kulkarni S, Panagiotakos G, Bassik MC, Pașca SP. Assembloid CRISPR screens reveal impact of disease genes in human neurodevelopment. Nature 2023; 622:359-366. [PMID: 37758944 PMCID: PMC10567561 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06564-w] [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: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
The assembly of cortical circuits involves the generation and migration of interneurons from the ventral to the dorsal forebrain1-3, which has been challenging to study at inaccessible stages of late gestation and early postnatal human development4. Autism spectrum disorder and other neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) have been associated with abnormal cortical interneuron development5, but which of these NDD genes affect interneuron generation and migration, and how they mediate these effects remains unknown. We previously developed a platform to study interneuron development and migration in subpallial organoids and forebrain assembloids6. Here we integrate assembloids with CRISPR screening to investigate the involvement of 425 NDD genes in human interneuron development. The first screen aimed at interneuron generation revealed 13 candidate genes, including CSDE1 and SMAD4. We subsequently conducted an interneuron migration screen in more than 1,000 forebrain assembloids that identified 33 candidate genes, including cytoskeleton-related genes and the endoplasmic reticulum-related gene LNPK. We discovered that, during interneuron migration, the endoplasmic reticulum is displaced along the leading neuronal branch before nuclear translocation. LNPK deletion interfered with this endoplasmic reticulum displacement and resulted in abnormal migration. These results highlight the power of this CRISPR-assembloid platform to systematically map NDD genes onto human development and reveal disease mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangling Meng
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Stanford Brain Organogenesis Program, Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute and Bio-X, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - David Yao
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Kent Imaizumi
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Stanford Brain Organogenesis Program, Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute and Bio-X, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Xiaoyu Chen
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Stanford Brain Organogenesis Program, Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute and Bio-X, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Kevin W Kelley
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Stanford Brain Organogenesis Program, Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute and Bio-X, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Noah Reis
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Stanford Brain Organogenesis Program, Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute and Bio-X, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Mayuri Vijay Thete
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Stanford Brain Organogenesis Program, Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute and Bio-X, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Arpana Arjun McKinney
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Alper Center for Neural Development and Regeneration, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Shravanti Kulkarni
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Stanford Brain Organogenesis Program, Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute and Bio-X, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Georgia Panagiotakos
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Alper Center for Neural Development and Regeneration, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Sergiu P Pașca
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Stanford Brain Organogenesis Program, Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute and Bio-X, Stanford, CA, USA.
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Dufour BD, McBride E, Bartley T, Juarez P, Martínez-Cerdeño V. Distinct patterns of GABAergic interneuron pathology in autism are associated with intellectual impairment and stereotypic behaviors. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2023; 27:1730-1745. [PMID: 36935610 PMCID: PMC10846597 DOI: 10.1177/13623613231154053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/21/2023]
Abstract
LAY ABSTRACT Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by deficits in sociability and communication and the presence of repetitive behaviors. How specific pathological alterations of the brain contribute to the clinical profile of autism spectrum disorder remains unknown. We previously found that a specific type of inhibitory interneuron is reduced in number in the autism spectrum disorder prefrontal cortex. Here, we assessed the relationship between interneuron reduction and autism spectrum disorder symptom severity. We collected clinical records from autism spectrum disorder (n = 20) and assessed the relationship between the severity of symptoms and interneuron number. We found that the reduced number of inhibitory interneurons that we previously reported is linked to specific symptoms of autism spectrum disorder, particularly stereotypic movements and intellectual impairments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett D Dufour
- UC Davis Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, USA
- UC Davis School of Medicine, USA
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, USA
| | - Erin McBride
- UC Davis School of Medicine, USA
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, USA
- UC Davis Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, USA
| | - Trevor Bartley
- UC Davis School of Medicine, USA
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, USA
- UC Davis Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, USA
| | - Pablo Juarez
- UC Davis School of Medicine, USA
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, USA
| | - Verónica Martínez-Cerdeño
- UC Davis School of Medicine, USA
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, USA
- UC Davis Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, USA
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6
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Pagano J, Landi S, Stefanoni A, Nardi G, Albanesi M, Bauer HF, Pracucci E, Schön M, Ratto GM, Boeckers TM, Sala C, Verpelli C. Shank3 deletion in PV neurons is associated with abnormal behaviors and neuronal functions that are rescued by increasing GABAergic signaling. Mol Autism 2023; 14:28. [PMID: 37528484 PMCID: PMC10394945 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-023-00557-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by developmental delay, intellectual disability, and autistic-like behaviors and is primarily caused by haploinsufficiency of SHANK3 gene. Currently, there is no specific treatment for PMS, highlighting the need for a better understanding of SHANK3 functions and the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms in the brain. We hypothesize that SHANK3 haploinsufficiency may lead to alterations in the inhibitory system, which could be linked to the excitatory/inhibitory imbalance observed in models of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Investigation of these neuropathological features may shed light on the pathogenesis of PMS and potential therapeutic interventions. METHODS We recorded local field potentials and visual evoked responses in the visual cortex of Shank3∆11-/- mice. Then, to understand the impact of Shank3 in inhibitory neurons, we generated Pv-cre+/- Shank3Fl/Wt conditional mice, in which Shank3 was deleted in parvalbumin-positive neurons. We characterized the phenotype of this murine model and we compared this phenotype before and after ganaxolone administration. RESULTS We found, in the primary visual cortex, an alteration of the gain control of Shank3 KO compared with Wt mice, indicating a deficit of inhibition on pyramidal neurons. This alteration was rescued after the potentiation of GABAA receptor activity by Midazolam. Behavioral analysis showed an impairment in grooming, memory, and motor coordination of Pv-cre+/- Shank3Fl/Wt compared with Pv-cre+/- Shank3Wt/Wt mice. These deficits were rescued with ganaxolone, a positive modulator of GABAA receptors. Furthermore, we demonstrated that treatment with ganaxolone also ameliorated evocative memory deficits and repetitive behavior of Shank3 KO mice. LIMITATIONS Despite the significant findings of our study, some limitations remain. Firstly, the neurobiological mechanisms underlying the link between Shank3 deletion in PV neurons and behavioral alterations need further investigation. Additionally, the impact of Shank3 on other classes of inhibitory neurons requires further exploration. Finally, the pharmacological activity of ganaxolone needs further characterization to improve our understanding of its potential therapeutic effects. CONCLUSIONS Our study provides evidence that Shank3 deletion leads to an alteration in inhibitory feedback on cortical pyramidal neurons, resulting in cortical hyperexcitability and ASD-like behavioral problems. Specifically, cell type-specific deletion of Shank3 in PV neurons was associated with these behavioral deficits. Our findings suggest that ganaxolone may be a potential pharmacological approach for treating PMS, as it was able to rescue the behavioral deficits in Shank3 KO mice. Overall, our study highlights the importance of investigating the role of inhibitory neurons and potential therapeutic interventions in neurodevelopmental disorders such as PMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Pagano
- CNR, Neuroscience Institute, Via Follereau 3, 20854, Vedano al Lambro, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Landi
- CNR, Neuroscience Institute, Pisa, Italy
- NEST, Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR and Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessia Stefanoni
- CNR, Neuroscience Institute, Via Follereau 3, 20854, Vedano al Lambro, Milan, Italy
| | - Gabriele Nardi
- NEST, Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR and Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy
| | - Marica Albanesi
- NEST, Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR and Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy
| | - Helen F Bauer
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Enrico Pracucci
- NEST, Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR and Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy
| | - Michael Schön
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Gian Michele Ratto
- CNR, Neuroscience Institute, Pisa, Italy
- NEST, Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR and Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy
- Padova Neuroscience Center, Università degli Studi di Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Tobias M Boeckers
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
- DZNE, Ulm Site, Ulm, Germany
| | - Carlo Sala
- CNR, Neuroscience Institute, Via Follereau 3, 20854, Vedano al Lambro, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Verpelli
- CNR, Neuroscience Institute, Via Follereau 3, 20854, Vedano al Lambro, Milan, Italy.
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Nardi L, Chhabra S, Leukel P, Krueger-Burg D, Sommer CJ, Schmeisser MJ. Neuroanatomical changes of ionotropic glutamatergic and GABAergic receptor densities in male mice modeling idiopathic and syndromic autism spectrum disorder. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1199097. [PMID: 37547211 PMCID: PMC10401048 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1199097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) comprises a wide range of neurodevelopment conditions primarily characterized by impaired social interaction and repetitive behavior, accompanied by a variable degree of neuropsychiatric characteristics. Synaptic dysfunction is undertaken as one of the key underlying mechanisms in understanding the pathophysiology of ASD. The excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) hypothesis is one of the most widely held theories for its pathogenesis. Shifts in E/I balance have been proven in several ASD models. In this study, we investigated three mouse lines recapitulating both idiopathic (the BTBR strain) and genetic (Fmr1 and Shank3 mutants) forms of ASD at late infancy and early adulthood. Using receptor autoradiography for ionotropic excitatory (AMPA and NMDA) and inhibitory (GABAA) receptors, we mapped the receptor binding densities in brain regions known to be associated with ASD such as prefrontal cortex, dorsal and ventral striatum, dorsal hippocampus, and cerebellum. The individual mouse lines investigated show specific alterations in excitatory ionotropic receptor density, which might be accounted as specific hallmark of each individual line. Across all the models investigated, we found an increased binding density to GABAA receptors at adulthood in the dorsal hippocampus. Interestingly, reduction in the GABAA receptor binding density was observed in the cerebellum. Altogether, our findings suggest that E/I disbalance individually affects several brain regions in ASD mouse models and that alterations in GABAergic transmission might be accounted as unifying factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Nardi
- Institute of Anatomy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Stuti Chhabra
- Institute of Anatomy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
- Focus Program Translational Neurosciences, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Petra Leukel
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Dilja Krueger-Burg
- Institute of Anatomy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
- Focus Program Translational Neurosciences, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Clemens J. Sommer
- Focus Program Translational Neurosciences, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Michael J. Schmeisser
- Institute of Anatomy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
- Focus Program Translational Neurosciences, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
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Ábrahám H, Kojima H, Götzer K, Molnár A, Tornóczky T, Seress L. Development of parvalbumin-immunoreactive neurons in the postnatal human hippocampal formation. Front Neuroanat 2023; 17:1058370. [PMID: 36816519 PMCID: PMC9932602 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2023.1058370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Parvalbumin (PV) is a calcium-binding protein present in fast-spiking GABAergic neurons, such as basket and axo-axonic cells. Previous studies in non-human primates reported prenatal expression of PV in the temporal archicortex including entorhinal cortex and hippocampal formation. In contrast, PV-immunoreactivity was observed only postnatally in the human entorhinal cortex. Regarding PV expression in the human hippocampal formation, no information is available. Methods: In this study, the neurochemical maturation of PV-immunoreactive interneurons was studied in the postnatal developing human hippocampal formation. Results: Before birth, no PV-immunoreactive neurons could be detected in the human hippocampus. At birth, only a few PV-immunoreactive neurons were visible in Ammon's horn. The first PV-immunoreactive cells in the hilus of the dentate gyrus appeared at the age of 1 month. Even at the age of 5 months, only a few PV-immunopositive cells were present in the dentate hilus. The number of cells and their dendritic and axonal arborization in Ammon's horn and in the dentate gyrus gradually increased with age. Even at the age of 2 years, dendritic tree and axons of PV-immunoreactive neurons were less complex than can be seen in 8 and 11 years old children. Discussion: Our results showed that long-lasting maturation of PV-immunoreactive interneurons follows the developmental sequence of the subfields of the human hippocampal formation and provides further morphological evidence for the long-lasting functional maturation of the human cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hajnalka Ábrahám
- Department of Medical Biology and Central Electron Microscopic Laboratory, University of Pécs Medical School, Pécs, Hungary,Center for Neuroscience, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary,Institute for the Psychology of Special Needs, Bárczi Gusztáv Faculty of Special Needs Education, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary,*Correspondence: Hajnalka Ábrahám
| | - Hisae Kojima
- Department of Medical Biology and Central Electron Microscopic Laboratory, University of Pécs Medical School, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Katalin Götzer
- Department of Medical Biology and Central Electron Microscopic Laboratory, University of Pécs Medical School, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Abigél Molnár
- Department of Medical Biology and Central Electron Microscopic Laboratory, University of Pécs Medical School, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Tamás Tornóczky
- Department of Pathology, University of Pécs Medical School, Pécs, Hungary
| | - László Seress
- Department of Medical Biology and Central Electron Microscopic Laboratory, University of Pécs Medical School, Pécs, Hungary,Center for Neuroscience, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
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Walsh MJM, Ofori E, Pagni BA, Chen K, Sullivan G, Braden BB. Preliminary findings of accelerated visual memory decline and baseline brain correlates in middle-age and older adults with autism: The case for hippocampal free-water. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:1029166. [PMID: 36437999 PMCID: PMC9694823 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.1029166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Research aimed at understanding cognitive and brain aging in adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is growing, but critical longitudinal work is scant. Adults with ASD struggle with tasks involving visual memory compared with neurotypical adults (NT). This may be related to differences in size or integrity of the hippocampus and its’ primary structural connectivity pathway, the fornix. The aim of this study was to describe preliminary findings of longitudinal aging trajectories in short- and long-term visual memory abilities in middle-age and older adults with ASD, compared with matched NT adults. We then evaluated baseline multi-modal imaging metrics of the hippocampal system, including the relatively novel metric of free-water, as potential correlates of longitudinal memory change in the ASD group. Middle-age and older adults with ASD (n = 25) and matched NT adults (n = 25) between the ages of 40 and 70 years were followed longitudinally at ~2-year intervals (range 2–5 years). Participants completed the Wechsler Memory Scale III Visual Reproduction task. Longitudinal mixed models were utilized to detect group differences in memory change with baseline age and sex as covariates. Hippocampal volume was measured via T1-weighted MRI images with FreeSurfer. Fornix fractional anisotropy and hippocampal and fornix free-water were measured from diffusion tensor imaging scans. Exploratory correlations were run between individual hippocampal system metrics and longitudinal slopes of visual memory change. There was a significant group by time interaction for long-term visual memory, such that middle-age and older adults with ASD declined faster than matched NT adults. There was no group by time interaction for short-term visual memory. Baseline hippocampal free-water was the only hippocampal system metric that correlated with long-term visual memory change in the ASD group. As one of the first longitudinal cognitive and brain aging studies in middle-age and older adults with ASD, our findings suggest vulnerabilities for accelerated long-term visual memory decline, compared to matched NT adults. Further, baseline hippocampal free-water may be a predictor of visual memory change in middle-age and older adults with ASD. These preliminary findings lay the groundwork for future prognostic applications of MRI for cognitive aging in middle-age and older adults with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa J. M. Walsh
- College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
| | - Edward Ofori
- College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
| | - Broc A. Pagni
- College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
| | - Kewei Chen
- Banner Alzheimer’s Institute, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Georgia Sullivan
- College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
| | - B. Blair Braden
- College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
- *Correspondence: B. Blair Braden,
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Rozhkova IN, Okotrub SV, Brusentsev EY, Uldanova EE, Chuyko EА, Lipina TV, Amstislavskaya TG, Amstislavsky SY. Neuronal density in the brain cortex and hippocampus in Clsnt2-KO mouse strain modeling autistic spectrum disorder. Vavilovskii Zhurnal Genet Selektsii 2022; 26:365-370. [PMID: 35975241 PMCID: PMC9333157 DOI: 10.18699/vjgb-22-44] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) represent conditions starting in childhood, which are characterized by diff iculties with social interaction and communication, as well as non-typical and stereotyping models of behavior. The mechanisms and the origin of these disorders are not yet understood and thus far there is a lack of prophylactic measures for these disorders. The current study aims to estimate neuronal density in the prefrontal cortex and four hippocampal subf ields, i. e. СA1, СA2, СA3, and DG in Clstn2-KO mice as a genetic model of ASD. In addition, the level of
neurogenesis was measured in the DG area of the hippocampus. This mouse strain was obtained by a knockout of the
calsinthenin-2 gene (Clsnt2) in C57BL/6J mice; the latter (wild type) was used as controls. To estimate neuronal density,
serial sections were prepared on a cryotome for the above-mentioned brain structures with the subsequent immunohistochemical
labeling and confocal microscopy; the neuronal marker (anti-NeuN) was used as the primary antibody.
In addition, neurogenesis was estimated in the DG region of the hippocampus; for this purpose, a primary antibody
against doublecortin (anti-DCX) was used. In all cases Goat anti-rabbit IgG was used as the secondary antibody. The
density of neurons in the CA1 region of the hippocampus was lower in Clstn2-KO mice of both sexes as compared with
controls. Moreover, in males of both strains, neuronal density in this region was lower as compared to females. Besides,
the differences between males and females were revealed in two other hippocampal regions. In the CA2 region, a lower
density of neurons was observed in males of both strains, and in the CA3 region, a lower density of neurons was also
observed in males as compared to females but only in C57BL/6J mice. No difference between the studied groups was
revealed in neurogenesis, nor was it in neuronal density in the prefrontal cortex or DG hippocampal region. Our new
f indings indicate that calsyntenin-2 regulates neuronal hippocampal density in subf ield-specif ic manner, suggesting
that the CA1 neuronal subpopulation may represent a cellular target for early-life preventive therapy of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- I. N. Rozhkova
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
| | - S. V. Okotrub
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences; Novosibirsk State University
| | - E. Yu. Brusentsev
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
| | - E. E. Uldanova
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
| | - E. А. Chuyko
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences; Novosibirsk State University
| | | | | | - S. Ya. Amstislavsky
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
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11
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Montanari M, Martella G, Bonsi P, Meringolo M. Autism Spectrum Disorder: Focus on Glutamatergic Neurotransmission. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073861. [PMID: 35409220 PMCID: PMC8998955 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Disturbances in the glutamatergic system have been increasingly documented in several neuropsychiatric disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Glutamate-centered theories of ASD are based on evidence from patient samples and postmortem studies, as well as from studies documenting abnormalities in glutamatergic gene expression and metabolic pathways, including changes in the gut microbiota glutamate metabolism in patients with ASD. In addition, preclinical studies on animal models have demonstrated glutamatergic neurotransmission deficits and altered expression of glutamate synaptic proteins. At present, there are no approved glutamatergic drugs for ASD, but several ongoing clinical trials are currently focusing on evaluating in autistic patients glutamatergic pharmaceuticals already approved for other conditions. In this review, we provide an overview of the literature concerning the role of glutamatergic neurotransmission in the pathophysiology of ASD and as a potential target for novel treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Montanari
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Plasticity, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00179 Rome, Italy; (M.M.); (G.M.)
- Department of Systems Neuroscience, University Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Martella
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Plasticity, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00179 Rome, Italy; (M.M.); (G.M.)
| | - Paola Bonsi
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Plasticity, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00179 Rome, Italy; (M.M.); (G.M.)
- Correspondence: (P.B.); (M.M.)
| | - Maria Meringolo
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Plasticity, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00179 Rome, Italy; (M.M.); (G.M.)
- Correspondence: (P.B.); (M.M.)
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12
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Zhao H, Mao X, Zhu C, Zou X, Peng F, Yang W, Li B, Li G, Ge T, Cui R. GABAergic System Dysfunction in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 9:781327. [PMID: 35198562 PMCID: PMC8858939 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.781327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) refers to a series of neurodevelopmental diseases characterized by two hallmark symptoms, social communication deficits and repetitive behaviors. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is one of the most important inhibitory neurotransmitters in the central nervous system (CNS). GABAergic inhibitory neurotransmission is critical for the regulation of brain rhythm and spontaneous neuronal activities during neurodevelopment. Genetic evidence has identified some variations of genes associated with the GABA system, indicating an abnormal excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) neurotransmission ratio implicated in the pathogenesis of ASD. However, the specific molecular mechanism by which GABA and GABAergic synaptic transmission affect ASD remains unclear. Transgenic technology enables translating genetic variations into rodent models to further investigate the structural and functional synaptic dysregulation related to ASD. In this review, we summarized evidence from human neuroimaging, postmortem, and genetic and pharmacological studies, and put emphasis on the GABAergic synaptic dysregulation and consequent E/I imbalance. We attempt to illuminate the pathophysiological role of structural and functional synaptic dysregulation in ASD and provide insights for future investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Ranji Cui
- *Correspondence: Tongtong Ge, ; Ranji Cui,
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13
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Juarez P, Martínez Cerdeño V. Parvalbumin and parvalbumin chandelier interneurons in autism and other psychiatric disorders. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:913550. [PMID: 36311505 PMCID: PMC9597886 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.913550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Parvalbumin (PV) is a calcium binding protein expressed by inhibitory fast-spiking interneurons in the cerebral cortex. By generating a fast stream of action potentials, PV+ interneurons provide a quick and stable inhibitory input to pyramidal neurons and contribute to the generation of gamma oscillations in the cortex. Their fast-firing rates, while advantageous for regulating cortical signaling, also leave them vulnerable to metabolic stress. Chandelier (Ch) cells are a type of PV+ interneuron that modulate the output of pyramidal neurons and synchronize spikes within neuron populations by directly innervating the pyramidal axon initial segment. Changes in the morphology and/or function of PV+ interneurons, mostly of Ch cells, are linked to neurological disorders. In ASD, the number of PV+ Ch cells is decreased across several cortical areas. Changes in the morphology and/or function of PV+ interneurons have also been linked to schizophrenia, epilepsy, and bipolar disorder. Herein, we review the role of PV and PV+ Ch cell alterations in ASD and other psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Juarez
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine (IPRM), Shriners Hospital for Children and UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Verónica Martínez Cerdeño
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine (IPRM), Shriners Hospital for Children and UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States.,MIND Institute, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States
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14
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An assessment of the existence of adult neurogenesis in humans and value of its rodent models for neuropsychiatric diseases. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:377-382. [PMID: 34667259 PMCID: PMC8967762 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01314-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
In sub-mammalian vertebrates like fishes, amphibians, and reptiles, new neurons are produced during the entire lifespan. This capacity diminishes considerably in birds and even more in mammals where it persists only in the olfactory system and hippocampal dentate gyrus. Adult neurogenesis declines even more drastically in nonhuman primates and recent evidence shows that this is basically extinct in humans. Why should such seemingly useful capacity diminish during primate evolution? It has been proposed that this occurs because of the need to retain acquired complex knowledge in stable populations of neurons and their synaptic connections during many decades of human life. In this review, we will assess critically the claim of significant adult neurogenesis in humans and show how current evidence strongly indicates that humans lack this trait. In addition, we will discuss the allegation of many rodent studies that adult neurogenesis is involved in psychiatric diseases and that it is a potential mechanism for human neuron replacement and regeneration. We argue that these reports, which usually neglect significant structural and functional species-specific differences, mislead the general population into believing that there might be a cure for a variety of neuropsychiatric diseases as well as stroke and brain trauma by genesis of new neurons and their incorporation into existing synaptic circuitry.
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15
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Uchida K, Suzuki M. Congenital Hypothyroidism and Brain Development: Association With Other Psychiatric Disorders. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:772382. [PMID: 34955723 PMCID: PMC8695682 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.772382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Thyroid hormones play an important role in brain development, and thyroid hormone insufficiency during the perinatal period results in severe developmental delays. Perinatal thyroid hormone deficiency is clinically known as congenital hypothyroidism, which is caused by dysgenesis of the thyroid gland or low iodine intake. If the disorder is not diagnosed or not treated early, the neuronal architecture is perturbed by thyroid hormone insufficiency, and neuropathological findings, such as abnormal synapse formation, defects in neuronal migration, and impairment of myelination, are observed in the brains of such patients. Furthermore, the expression of psychiatric disorder-related molecules, especially parvalbumin, is significantly decreased by thyroid hormone insufficiency during the perinatal period. Animal experiments using hypothyroidism models display decreased parvalbumin expression and abnormal brain architecture, and these experimental results show reproducibility and stability. These basic studies reinforce the results of epidemiological studies, suggesting the relevance of thyroid dysfunction in psychiatric disorders. In this review, we discuss the disruption of brain function associated with congenital hypothyroidism from the perspective of basic and clinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katsuya Uchida
- Laboratory of Information Biology, Graduate School of Information Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Mao Suzuki
- Laboratory of Biomodeling, Graduate School of Information Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
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16
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Contractor A, Ethell IM, Portera-Cailliau C. Cortical interneurons in autism. Nat Neurosci 2021; 24:1648-1659. [PMID: 34848882 PMCID: PMC9798607 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-021-00967-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The mechanistic underpinnings of autism remain a subject of debate and controversy. Why do individuals with autism share an overlapping set of atypical behaviors and symptoms, despite having different genetic and environmental risk factors? A major challenge in developing new therapies for autism has been the inability to identify convergent neural phenotypes that could explain the common set of symptoms that result in the diagnosis. Although no striking macroscopic neuropathological changes have been identified in autism, there is growing evidence that inhibitory interneurons (INs) play an important role in its neural basis. In this Review, we evaluate and interpret this evidence, focusing on recent findings showing reduced density and activity of the parvalbumin class of INs. We discuss the need for additional studies that investigate how genes and the environment interact to change the developmental trajectory of INs, permanently altering their numbers, connectivity and circuit engagement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anis Contractor
- Department of Neuroscience Feinberg School of Medicine, Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.,Department of Neurobiology, Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Iryna M. Ethell
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, UC Riverside School of Medicine, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Carlos Portera-Cailliau
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA. .,Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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17
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Dysfunction of Trio GEF1 involves in excitatory/inhibitory imbalance and autism-like behaviors through regulation of interneuron migration. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:7621-7640. [PMID: 33963279 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01109-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of highly inheritable neurodevelopmental disorders. Functional mutations in TRIO, especially in the GEF1 domain, are strongly implicated in ASDs, whereas the underlying neurobiological pathogenesis and molecular mechanisms remain to be clarified. Here we characterize the abnormal morphology and behavior of embryonic migratory interneurons (INs) upon Trio deficiency or GEF1 mutation in mice, which are mediated by the Trio GEF1-Rac1 activation and involved in SDF1α/CXCR4 signaling. In addition, the migration deficits are specifically associated with altered neural microcircuit, decreased inhibitory neurotransmission, and autism-like behaviors, which are reminiscent of some features observed in patients with ASDs. Furthermore, restoring the excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) imbalance via activation of GABA signaling rescues autism-like deficits. Our findings demonstrate a critical role of Trio GEF1 mediated signaling in IN migration and E/I balance, which are related to autism-related behavioral phenotypes.
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18
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Paterno R, Marafiga JR, Ramsay H, Li T, Salvati KA, Baraban SC. Hippocampal gamma and sharp-wave ripple oscillations are altered in a Cntnap2 mouse model of autism spectrum disorder. Cell Rep 2021; 37:109970. [PMID: 34758298 PMCID: PMC8783641 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Impaired synaptic neurotransmission may underly circuit alterations contributing to behavioral autism spectrum disorder (ASD) phenotypes. A critical component of impairments reported in somatosensory and prefrontal cortex of ASD mouse models are parvalbumin (PV)-expressing fast-spiking interneurons. However, it remains unknown whether PV interneurons mediating hippocampal networks crucial to navigation and memory processing are similarly impaired. Using PV-labeled transgenic mice, a battery of behavioral assays, in vitro patch-clamp electrophysiology, and in vivo 32-channel silicon probe local field potential recordings, we address this question in a Cntnap2-null mutant mouse model representing a human ASD risk factor gene. Cntnap2-/- mice show a reduction in hippocampal PV interneuron density, reduced inhibitory input to CA1 pyramidal cells, deficits in spatial discrimination ability, and frequency-dependent circuit changes within the hippocampus, including alterations in gamma oscillations, sharp-wave ripples, and theta-gamma modulation. Our findings highlight hippocampal involvement in ASD and implicate interneurons as a potential therapeutical target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosalia Paterno
- Department of Neurological Surgery and Weill Institute of Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
| | - Joseane Righes Marafiga
- Neurophysiology and Neurochemistry of Neuronal Excitability and Synaptic Plasticity Laboratory, Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, ICBS, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, 90035-003, Brazil
| | - Harrison Ramsay
- Department of Neurological Surgery and Weill Institute of Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Tina Li
- Department of Neurological Surgery and Weill Institute of Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Kathryn A Salvati
- Department of Neurological Surgery and Weill Institute of Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Scott C Baraban
- Department of Neurological Surgery and Weill Institute of Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
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19
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Santos-Terra J, Deckmann I, Schwingel GB, Paz AVC, Gama CS, Bambini-Junior V, Fontes-Dutra M, Gottfried C. Resveratrol prevents long-term structural hippocampal alterations and modulates interneuron organization in an animal model of ASD. Brain Res 2021; 1768:147593. [PMID: 34331907 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2021.147593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impairments in both communication and social interaction, besides repetitive or stereotyped behavior. Although the etiology is unknown, environmental factors such as valproic acid (VPA) increase the risk of ASD onset. Resveratrol (RSV), a neuroprotective molecule, has been shown to counteract the effects of intrauterine exposure to VPA. We aimed to evaluate histological parameters related to hippocampal morphology and to the distribution of parvalbumin- (PV), calbindin- (CB), and somatostatin-positive (SOM) interneurons sub-populations, in addition to evaluate the total/phosphorylation levels of PTEN, AKT, GSK3β and total CK2 in the animal model of autism induced by VPA, as well as addressing the potential protective effect of RSV. On postnatal day 120, histological analysis showed a loss in total neurons in the dentate gyrus (DG) and decreased CB+ neurons in DG and CA1 in VPA animals, both prevented by RSV. In addition, PV+ neurons were diminished in CA1, CA2, and CA3, and SOM+ were interestingly increased in DG (prevented by RSV) and decreased in CA1 and CA2. A hippocampal lesion similar to sclerosis was also observed in the samples from the VPA group. Besides that, VPA reduced AKT and PTEN immunocontent, and VPA increased CK2 immunocontent. Thus, this work demonstrated long-term effects of prenatal exposure to ASD in different sub-populations of interneurons, structural damage of hippocampus, and also alteration in proteins associated with pivotal cell signaling pathways, highlighting the role of RSV as a tool for understanding the pathophysiology of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Júlio Santos-Terra
- Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorders-GETTEA, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Brazil; Autism Wellbeing And Research Development (AWARD) Institute, BR-UK-CA, Brazil.
| | - Iohanna Deckmann
- Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorders-GETTEA, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Brazil; Autism Wellbeing And Research Development (AWARD) Institute, BR-UK-CA, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Brum Schwingel
- Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorders-GETTEA, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Brazil; Autism Wellbeing And Research Development (AWARD) Institute, BR-UK-CA, Brazil
| | - André Vinicius Contri Paz
- Laboratory of Molecular Psychiatry, National Science and Technology Institute for Translational Medicine, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Brazil
| | - Clarissa S Gama
- National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Brazil; Laboratory of Molecular Psychiatry, National Science and Technology Institute for Translational Medicine, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Brazil; Postgraduate Program in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Victorio Bambini-Junior
- Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorders-GETTEA, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Brazil; Autism Wellbeing And Research Development (AWARD) Institute, BR-UK-CA, Brazil; School of Pharmacology and Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom
| | - Mellanie Fontes-Dutra
- Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorders-GETTEA, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Brazil; Autism Wellbeing And Research Development (AWARD) Institute, BR-UK-CA, Brazil
| | - Carmem Gottfried
- Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorders-GETTEA, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Brazil; Autism Wellbeing And Research Development (AWARD) Institute, BR-UK-CA, Brazil.
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20
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Fetit R, Hillary RF, Price DJ, Lawrie SM. The neuropathology of autism: A systematic review of post-mortem studies of autism and related disorders. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 129:35-62. [PMID: 34273379 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Post-mortem studies allow for the direct investigation of brain tissue in those with autism and related disorders. Several review articles have focused on aspects of post-mortem abnormalities but none has brought together the entire post-mortem literature. Here, we systematically review the evidence from post-mortem studies of autism, and of related disorders that present with autistic features. The literature consists of a small body of studies with small sample sizes, but several remarkably consistent findings are evident. Cortical layering is largely undisturbed, but there are consistent reductions in minicolumn numbers and aberrant myelination. Transcriptomics repeatedly implicate abberant synaptic, metabolic, proliferation, apoptosis and immune pathways. Sufficient replicated evidence is available to implicate non-coding RNA, aberrant epigenetic profiles, GABAergic, glutamatergic and glial dysfunction in autism pathogenesis. Overall, the cerebellum and frontal cortex are most consistently implicated, sometimes revealing distinct region-specific alterations. The literature on related disorders such as Rett syndrome, Fragile X and copy number variations (CNVs) predisposing to autism is particularly small and inconclusive. Larger studies, matched for gender, developmental stage, co-morbidities and drug treatment are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rana Fetit
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK.
| | - Robert F Hillary
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
| | - David J Price
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK
| | - Stephen M Lawrie
- Division of Psychiatry, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH10 5HF, UK; Patrick Wild Centre, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH10 5HF, UK
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21
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Modafferi S, Zhong X, Kleensang A, Murata Y, Fagiani F, Pamies D, Hogberg HT, Calabrese V, Lachman H, Hartung T, Smirnova L. Gene-Environment Interactions in Developmental Neurotoxicity: a Case Study of Synergy between Chlorpyrifos and CHD8 Knockout in Human BrainSpheres. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2021; 129:77001. [PMID: 34259569 PMCID: PMC8278985 DOI: 10.1289/ehp8580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a major public health concern caused by complex genetic and environmental components. Mechanisms of gene-environment (G × E ) interactions and reliable biomarkers associated with ASD are mostly unknown or controversial. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from patients or with clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats and CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9)-introduced mutations in candidate ASD genes provide an opportunity to study (G × E ) interactions. OBJECTIVES In this study, we aimed to identify a potential synergy between mutation in the high-risk autism gene encoding chromodomain helicase DNA binding protein 8 (CHD8) and environmental exposure to an organophosphate pesticide (chlorpyrifos; CPF) in an iPSC-derived human three-dimensional (3D) brain model. METHODS This study employed human iPSC-derived 3D brain organoids (BrainSpheres) carrying a heterozygote CRISPR/Cas9-introduced inactivating mutation in CHD8 and exposed to CPF or its oxon-metabolite (CPO). Neural differentiation, viability, oxidative stress, and neurite outgrowth were assessed, and levels of main neurotransmitters and selected metabolites were validated against human data on ASD metabolic derangements. RESULTS Expression of CHD8 protein was significantly lower in CHD8 heterozygous knockout (C H D 8 + / - ) BrainSpheres compared with C H D 8 + / + ones. Exposure to CPF/CPO treatment further reduced CHD8 protein levels, showing the potential (G × E ) interaction synergy. A novel approach for validation of the model was chosen: from the literature, we identified a panel of metabolic biomarkers in patients and assessed them by targeted metabolomics in vitro. A synergistic effect was observed on the cholinergic system, S-adenosylmethionine, S-adenosylhomocysteine, lactic acid, tryptophan, kynurenic acid, and α -hydroxyglutaric acid levels. Neurite outgrowth was perturbed by CPF/CPO exposure. Heterozygous knockout of CHD8 in BrainSpheres led to an imbalance of excitatory/inhibitory neurotransmitters and lower levels of dopamine. DISCUSSION This study pioneered (G × E ) interaction in iPSC-derived organoids. The experimental strategy enables biomonitoring and environmental risk assessment for ASD. Our findings reflected some metabolic perturbations and disruption of neurotransmitter systems involved in ASD. The increased susceptibility of CHD 8 + / - BrainSpheres to chemical insult establishes a possibly broader role of (G × E ) interaction in ASD. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP8580.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Modafferi
- Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Xiali Zhong
- Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Andre Kleensang
- Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Yohei Murata
- Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Research Center, Nihon Nohyaku Co. Ltd., Osaka, Japan
| | - Francesca Fagiani
- Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Drug Sciences, Pharmacology Section, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Istituto Universitario di Studi Superiori (Scuola Universitaria Superiore IUSS) Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - David Pamies
- Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Biomedical Science, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Helena T. Hogberg
- Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Vittorio Calabrese
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Herbert Lachman
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Thomas Hartung
- Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Lena Smirnova
- Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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22
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Imbalance of Excitatory/Inhibitory Neuron Differentiation in Neurodevelopmental Disorders with an NR2F1 Point Mutation. Cell Rep 2021; 31:107521. [PMID: 32320667 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.03.085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Revised: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have revealed an essential role for embryonic cortical development in the pathophysiology of neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the genetic basis and underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we generate mutant human embryonic stem cell lines (Mut hESCs) carrying an NR2F1-R112K mutation that has been identified in a patient with ASD features and investigate their neurodevelopmental alterations. Mut hESCs overproduce ventral telencephalic neuron progenitors (ventral NPCs) and underproduce dorsal NPCs, causing the imbalance of excitatory/inhibitory neurons. These alterations can be mainly attributed to the aberrantly activated Hedgehog signaling pathway. Moreover, the corresponding Nr2f1 point-mutant mice display a similar excitatory/inhibitory neuron imbalance and abnormal behaviors. Antagonizing the increased inhibitory synaptic transmission partially alleviates their behavioral deficits. Together, our results suggest that the NR2F1-dependent imbalance of excitatory/inhibitory neuron differentiation caused by the activated Hedgehog pathway is one precursor of neurodevelopmental disorders and may enlighten the therapeutic approaches.
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23
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Thyroid hormone insufficiency alters the expression of psychiatric disorder-related molecules in the hypothyroid mouse brain during the early postnatal period. Sci Rep 2021; 11:6723. [PMID: 33762687 PMCID: PMC7990947 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-86237-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The functional role of thyroid hormone (TH) in the cortex and hippocampus of mouse during neuronal development was investigated in this study. TH insufficiency showed a decrease in the expression of parvalbumin (PV) in the cortex and hippocampus of pups at postnatal day (PD) 14, while treatment with thyroxine from PD 0 to PD 14 ameliorated the PV loss. On the other hand, treatment with antithyroid agents in adulthood did not result in a decrease in the expression of PV in these areas. These results indicate the existence of a critical period of TH action during the early postnatal period. A decrease in MeCP2-positive neuronal nuclei was also observed in the cortical layers II–IV of the cerebral cortex. The brains were then stained with CUX1, a marker for cortical layers II–IV. In comparison with normal mice, CUX1 signals were decreased in the somatosensory cortex of the hypothyroid mice, and the total thickness of cortical layers II–IV of the mice was lower than that of normal mice. These results suggest that TH insufficiency during the perinatal period strongly and broadly affects neuronal development.
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24
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Vojtechova I, Maleninska K, Kutna V, Klovrza O, Tuckova K, Petrasek T, Stuchlik A. Behavioral Alterations and Decreased Number of Parvalbumin-Positive Interneurons in Wistar Rats after Maternal Immune Activation by Lipopolysaccharide: Sex Matters. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22063274. [PMID: 33806936 PMCID: PMC8004756 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22063274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal immune activation (MIA) during pregnancy represents an important environmental factor in the etiology of schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Our goal was to investigate the impacts of MIA on the brain and behavior of adolescent and adult offspring, as a rat model of these neurodevelopmental disorders. We injected bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 1 mg/kg) to pregnant Wistar dams from gestational day 7, every other day, up to delivery. Behavior of the offspring was examined in a comprehensive battery of tasks at postnatal days P45 and P90. Several brain parameters were analyzed at P28. The results showed that prenatal immune activation caused social and communication impairments in the adult offspring of both sexes; males were affected already in adolescence. MIA also caused prepulse inhibition deficit in females and increased the startle reaction in males. Anxiety and hypolocomotion were apparent in LPS-affected males and females. In the 28-day-old LPS offspring, we found enlargement of the brain and decreased numbers of parvalbumin-positive interneurons in the frontal cortex in both sexes. To conclude, our data indicate that sex of the offspring plays a crucial role in the development of the MIA-induced behavioral alterations, whereas changes in the brain apparent in young animals are sex-independent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iveta Vojtechova
- National Institute of Mental Health, Topolova 748, 25067 Klecany, Czech Republic; (K.M.); (V.K.); (O.K.); (K.T.); (T.P.)
- Laboratory of the Neurophysiology of the Memory, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 14220 Prague 4, Czech Republic
- First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Katerinska 32, 12108 Prague 2, Czech Republic
- Correspondence: (I.V.); (A.S.)
| | - Kristyna Maleninska
- National Institute of Mental Health, Topolova 748, 25067 Klecany, Czech Republic; (K.M.); (V.K.); (O.K.); (K.T.); (T.P.)
- Laboratory of the Neurophysiology of the Memory, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 14220 Prague 4, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 12800 Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Viera Kutna
- National Institute of Mental Health, Topolova 748, 25067 Klecany, Czech Republic; (K.M.); (V.K.); (O.K.); (K.T.); (T.P.)
| | - Ondrej Klovrza
- National Institute of Mental Health, Topolova 748, 25067 Klecany, Czech Republic; (K.M.); (V.K.); (O.K.); (K.T.); (T.P.)
| | - Klara Tuckova
- National Institute of Mental Health, Topolova 748, 25067 Klecany, Czech Republic; (K.M.); (V.K.); (O.K.); (K.T.); (T.P.)
- Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 12800 Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Tomas Petrasek
- National Institute of Mental Health, Topolova 748, 25067 Klecany, Czech Republic; (K.M.); (V.K.); (O.K.); (K.T.); (T.P.)
- Laboratory of the Neurophysiology of the Memory, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 14220 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Ales Stuchlik
- Laboratory of the Neurophysiology of the Memory, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 14220 Prague 4, Czech Republic
- Correspondence: (I.V.); (A.S.)
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25
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Traetta ME, Codagnone MG, Uccelli NA, Ramos AJ, Zárate S, Reinés A. Hippocampal neurons isolated from rats subjected to the valproic acid model mimic in vivo synaptic pattern: evidence of neuronal priming during early development in autism spectrum disorders. Mol Autism 2021; 12:23. [PMID: 33676530 PMCID: PMC7937248 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-021-00428-8] [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: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are synaptopathies characterized by area-specific synaptic alterations and neuroinflammation. Structural and adhesive features of hippocampal synapses have been described in the valproic acid (VPA) model. However, neuronal and microglial contribution to hippocampal synaptic pattern and its time-course of appearance is still unknown. METHODS Male pups born from pregnant rats injected at embryonic day 10.5 with VPA (450 mg/kg, i.p.) or saline (control) were used. Maturation, exploratory activity and social interaction were assessed as autistic-like traits. Synaptic, cell adhesion and microglial markers were evaluated in the CA3 hippocampal region at postnatal day (PND) 3 and 35. Primary cultures of hippocampal neurons from control and VPA animals were used to study synaptic features and glutamate-induced structural remodeling. Basal and stimuli-mediated reactivity was assessed on microglia primary cultures isolated from control and VPA animals. RESULTS At PND3, before VPA behavioral deficits were evident, synaptophysin immunoreactivity and the balance between the neuronal cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) and its polysialylated form (PSA-NCAM) were preserved in the hippocampus of VPA animals along with the absence of microgliosis. At PND35, concomitantly with the establishment of behavioral deficits, the hippocampus of VPA rats showed fewer excitatory synapses and increased NCAM/PSA-NCAM balance without microgliosis. Hippocampal neurons from VPA animals in culture exhibited a preserved synaptic puncta number at the beginning of the synaptogenic period in vitro but showed fewer excitatory synapses as well as increased NCAM/PSA-NCAM balance and resistance to glutamate-induced structural synaptic remodeling after active synaptogenesis. Microglial cells isolated from VPA animals and cultured in the absence of neurons showed similar basal and stimuli-induced reactivity to the control group. Results indicate that in the absence of glia, hippocampal neurons from VPA animals mirrored the in vivo synaptic pattern and suggest that while neurons are primed during the prenatal period, hippocampal microglia are not intrinsically altered. CONCLUSIONS Our study suggests microglial role is not determinant for developing neuronal alterations or counteracting neuronal outcome in the hippocampus and highlights the crucial role of hippocampal neurons and structural plasticity in the establishment of the synaptic alterations in the VPA rat model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianela Evelyn Traetta
- Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia “Prof. E. De Robertis” (IBCN), Facultad de Medicina, CONICET - Universidad de Buenos Aires, Calle Paraguay 2155 3er piso, 1121 Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Cátedra de Farmacología, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Martín Gabriel Codagnone
- Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia “Prof. E. De Robertis” (IBCN), Facultad de Medicina, CONICET - Universidad de Buenos Aires, Calle Paraguay 2155 3er piso, 1121 Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Cátedra de Farmacología, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Nonthué Alejandra Uccelli
- Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia “Prof. E. De Robertis” (IBCN), Facultad de Medicina, CONICET - Universidad de Buenos Aires, Calle Paraguay 2155 3er piso, 1121 Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alberto Javier Ramos
- Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia “Prof. E. De Robertis” (IBCN), Facultad de Medicina, CONICET - Universidad de Buenos Aires, Calle Paraguay 2155 3er piso, 1121 Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Departamento de Histología, Embriología, Biología Celular y Genética, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Sandra Zárate
- Departamento de Histología, Embriología, Biología Celular y Genética, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), CONICET - Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Analía Reinés
- Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia “Prof. E. De Robertis” (IBCN), Facultad de Medicina, CONICET - Universidad de Buenos Aires, Calle Paraguay 2155 3er piso, 1121 Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Cátedra de Farmacología, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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26
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Navas-Pérez E, Vicente-García C, Mirra S, Burguera D, Fernàndez-Castillo N, Ferrán JL, López-Mayorga M, Alaiz-Noya M, Suárez-Pereira I, Antón-Galindo E, Ulloa F, Herrera-Úbeda C, Cuscó P, Falcón-Moya R, Rodríguez-Moreno A, D'Aniello S, Cormand B, Marfany G, Soriano E, Carrión ÁM, Carvajal JJ, Garcia-Fernàndez J. Characterization of an eutherian gene cluster generated after transposon domestication identifies Bex3 as relevant for advanced neurological functions. Genome Biol 2020; 21:267. [PMID: 33100228 PMCID: PMC7586669 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-020-02172-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND One of the most unusual sources of phylogenetically restricted genes is the molecular domestication of transposable elements into a host genome as functional genes. Although these kinds of events are sometimes at the core of key macroevolutionary changes, their origin and organismal function are generally poorly understood. RESULTS Here, we identify several previously unreported transposable element domestication events in the human and mouse genomes. Among them, we find a remarkable molecular domestication that gave rise to a multigenic family in placental mammals, the Bex/Tceal gene cluster. These genes, which act as hub proteins within diverse signaling pathways, have been associated with neurological features of human patients carrying genomic microdeletions in chromosome X. The Bex/Tceal genes display neural-enriched patterns and are differentially expressed in human neurological disorders, such as autism and schizophrenia. Two different murine alleles of the cluster member Bex3 display morphological and physiopathological brain modifications, such as reduced interneuron number and hippocampal electrophysiological imbalance, alterations that translate into distinct behavioral phenotypes. CONCLUSIONS We provide an in-depth understanding of the emergence of a gene cluster that originated by transposon domestication and gene duplication at the origin of placental mammals, an evolutionary process that transformed a non-functional transposon sequence into novel components of the eutherian genome. These genes were integrated into existing signaling pathways involved in the development, maintenance, and function of the CNS in eutherians. At least one of its members, Bex3, is relevant for higher brain functions in placental mammals and may be involved in human neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrique Navas-Pérez
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, Faculty of Biology, and Institut de Biomedicina (IBUB), University of Barcelona, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristina Vicente-García
- Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo, CSIC-UPO-JA, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, 41013, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Serena Mirra
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, Faculty of Biology, and Institut de Biomedicina (IBUB), University of Barcelona, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, and Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Demian Burguera
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, Faculty of Biology, and Institut de Biomedicina (IBUB), University of Barcelona, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Zoology, Charles University, Vinicna 7, 12844, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Noèlia Fernàndez-Castillo
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, Faculty of Biology, and Institut de Biomedicina (IBUB), University of Barcelona, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain.,Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu (IR-SJD), Esplugues de Llobregat, 08950, Barcelona, Spain
| | - José Luis Ferrán
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of Murcia and IMIB-Arrixaca Institute, 30120, Murcia, Spain
| | - Macarena López-Mayorga
- Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo, CSIC-UPO-JA, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, 41013, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Marta Alaiz-Noya
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, 41013, Sevilla, Spain.,Present Address: Instituto de Neurociencias de Alicante (Universidad Miguel Hernández - Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas), Alicante, Spain
| | - Irene Suárez-Pereira
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, 41013, Sevilla, Spain.,Present Address: Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Neuropsychopharmacology and psychobiology research group, UCA, INiBICA, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Ester Antón-Galindo
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, Faculty of Biology, and Institut de Biomedicina (IBUB), University of Barcelona, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Fausto Ulloa
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, and Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carlos Herrera-Úbeda
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, Faculty of Biology, and Institut de Biomedicina (IBUB), University of Barcelona, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pol Cuscó
- Genome Architecture, Gene Regulation, Stem Cells and Cancer Programme, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), the Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08003, Barcelona, Spain.,Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), 08003, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rafael Falcón-Moya
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, 41013, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Antonio Rodríguez-Moreno
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, 41013, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Salvatore D'Aniello
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121, Naples, Italy
| | - Bru Cormand
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, Faculty of Biology, and Institut de Biomedicina (IBUB), University of Barcelona, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain.,Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu (IR-SJD), Esplugues de Llobregat, 08950, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gemma Marfany
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, Faculty of Biology, and Institut de Biomedicina (IBUB), University of Barcelona, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain.,Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu (IR-SJD), Esplugues de Llobregat, 08950, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eduardo Soriano
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, and Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029, Madrid, Spain.,Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), 08010, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ángel M Carrión
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, 41013, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Jaime J Carvajal
- Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo, CSIC-UPO-JA, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, 41013, Sevilla, Spain.
| | - Jordi Garcia-Fernàndez
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, Faculty of Biology, and Institut de Biomedicina (IBUB), University of Barcelona, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.
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27
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Al-Absi AR, Qvist P, Okujeni S, Khan AR, Glerup S, Sanchez C, Nyengaard JR. Layers II/III of Prefrontal Cortex in Df(h22q11)/+ Mouse Model of the 22q11.2 Deletion Display Loss of Parvalbumin Interneurons and Modulation of Neuronal Morphology and Excitability. Mol Neurobiol 2020; 57:4978-4988. [PMID: 32820460 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-020-02067-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The 22q11.2 deletion has been identified as a risk factor for multiple neurodevelopmental disorders. Behavioral and cognitive impairments are common among carriers of the 22q11.2 deletion. Parvalbumin expressing (PV+) interneurons provide perisomatic inhibition of excitatory neuronal circuits through GABAA receptors, and a deficit of PV+ inhibitory circuits may underlie a multitude of the behavioral and functional deficits in the 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. We investigated putative deficits of PV+ inhibitory circuits and the associated molecular, morphological, and functional alterations in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of the Df(h22q11)/+ mouse model of the 22q11.2 hemizygous deletion. We detected a significant decrease in the number of PV+ interneurons in layers II/III of PFC in Df(h22q11)/+ mice together with a reduction in the mRNA and protein levels of GABAA (α3), a PV+ putative postsynaptic receptor subunit. Pyramidal neurons from the same layers further experienced morphological reorganizations of spines and dendrites. Accordingly, a decrease in the levels of the postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95) and a higher neuronal activity in response to the GABAA antagonist bicuculline were measured in these layers in PFC of Df(h22q11)/+ mice compared with their wild-type littermates. Our study shows that a hemizygotic deletion of the 22q11.2 locus leads to deficit in the GABAergic control of network activity and involves molecular and morphological changes in both the inhibitory and excitatory synapses of parvalbumin interneurons and pyramidal neurons specifically in layers II/III PFC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdel-Rahman Al-Absi
- Centre for Molecular Morphology, Section for Stereology and Microscopy; Centre for Stochastic Geometry and Advanced Bioimaging, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Palle Juul Jensens Boulevard, 99 8200, Aarhus N, Denmark.
| | - Per Qvist
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- iPSYCH, The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research, Aarhus, Denmark
- Centre for Integrative Sequencing, iSEQ, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Centre for Genomics and Personalized Medicine, CGPM, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Samora Okujeni
- Laboratory for Biomicrotechnology, Department of Microsystems Engineering IMTEK, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ahmad Raza Khan
- Center of Functionally Integrative Neuroscience (CFIN), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Centre of Biomedical Research (CBMR), SGPGIMS Campus, Lucknow, India
| | - Simon Glerup
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Connie Sanchez
- Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Jens R Nyengaard
- Centre for Molecular Morphology, Section for Stereology and Microscopy; Centre for Stochastic Geometry and Advanced Bioimaging, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Palle Juul Jensens Boulevard, 99 8200, Aarhus N, Denmark
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28
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Yadav A, Seth B, Chaturvedi RK. Brain Organoids: Tiny Mirrors of Human Neurodevelopment and Neurological Disorders. Neuroscientist 2020; 27:388-426. [PMID: 32723210 DOI: 10.1177/1073858420943192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Unravelling the complexity of the human brain is a challenging task. Nowadays, modern neurobiologists have developed 3D model systems called "brain organoids" to overcome the technical challenges in understanding human brain development and the limitations of animal models to study neurological diseases. Certainly like most model systems in neuroscience, brain organoids too have limitations, as these minuscule brains lack the complex neuronal circuitry required to begin the operational tasks of human brain. However, researchers are hopeful that future endeavors with these 3D brain tissues could provide mechanistic insights into the generation of circuit complexity as well as reproducible creation of different regions of the human brain. Herein, we have presented the contemporary state of brain organoids with special emphasis on their mode of generation and their utility in modelling neurological disorders, drug discovery, and clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anuradha Yadav
- Developmental Toxicology Laboratory, Systems Toxicology and Health Risk Assessment Group, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
| | - Brashket Seth
- Developmental Toxicology Laboratory, Systems Toxicology and Health Risk Assessment Group, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
| | - Rajnish Kumar Chaturvedi
- Developmental Toxicology Laboratory, Systems Toxicology and Health Risk Assessment Group, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
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29
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B Hughes R, Whittingham-Dowd J, Simmons RE, Clapcote SJ, Broughton SJ, Dawson N. Ketamine Restores Thalamic-Prefrontal Cortex Functional Connectivity in a Mouse Model of Neurodevelopmental Disorder-Associated 2p16.3 Deletion. Cereb Cortex 2020; 30:2358-2371. [PMID: 31812984 PMCID: PMC7175007 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhz244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2018] [Revised: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
2p16.3 deletions, involving heterozygous NEUREXIN1 (NRXN1) deletion, dramatically increase the risk of developing neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism and schizophrenia. We have little understanding of how NRXN1 heterozygosity increases the risk of developing these disorders, particularly in terms of the impact on brain and neurotransmitter system function and brain network connectivity. Thus, here we characterize cerebral metabolism and functional brain network connectivity in Nrxn1α heterozygous mice (Nrxn1α+/- mice), and assess the impact of ketamine and dextro-amphetamine on cerebral metabolism in these animals. We show that heterozygous Nrxn1α deletion alters cerebral metabolism in neural systems implicated in autism and schizophrenia including the thalamus, mesolimbic system, and select cortical regions. Nrxn1α heterozygosity also reduces the efficiency of functional brain networks, through lost thalamic "rich club" and prefrontal cortex (PFC) hub connectivity and through reduced thalamic-PFC and thalamic "rich club" regional interconnectivity. Subanesthetic ketamine administration normalizes the thalamic hypermetabolism and partially normalizes thalamic disconnectivity present in Nrxn1α+/- mice, while cerebral metabolic responses to dextro-amphetamine are unaltered. The data provide new insight into the systems-level impact of heterozygous Nrxn1α deletion and how this increases the risk of developing neurodevelopmental disorders. The data also suggest that the thalamic dysfunction induced by heterozygous Nrxn1α deletion may be NMDA receptor-dependent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca B Hughes
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, UK
| | - Jayde Whittingham-Dowd
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, UK
| | - Rachel E Simmons
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, UK
| | - Steven J Clapcote
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Susan J Broughton
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, UK
| | - Neil Dawson
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, UK
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Altered Expression of GABAergic Markers in the Forebrain of Young and Adult Engrailed-2 Knockout Mice. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11040384. [PMID: 32244845 PMCID: PMC7231099 DOI: 10.3390/genes11040384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2020] [Revised: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Impaired function of GABAergic interneurons, and the subsequent alteration of excitation/inhibition balance, is thought to contribute to autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Altered numbers of GABAergic interneurons and reduced expression of GABA receptors has been detected in the brain of ASD subjects and mouse models of ASD. We previously showed a reduced expression of GABAergic interneuron markers parvalbumin (PV) and somatostatin (SST) in the forebrain of adult mice lacking the Engrailed2 gene (En2-/- mice). Here, we extended this analysis to postnatal day (P) 30 by using in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, and quantitative RT-PCR to study the expression of GABAergic interneuron markers in the hippocampus and somatosensory cortex of En2-/- and wild type (WT) mice. In addition, GABA receptor subunit mRNA expression was investigated by quantitative RT-PCR in the same brain regions of P30 and adult En2-/- and WT mice. As observed in adult animals, PV and SST expression was decreased in En2-/- forebrain of P30 mice. The expression of GABA receptor subunits (including the ASD-relevant Gabrb3) was also altered in young and adult En2-/- forebrain. Our results suggest that GABAergic neurotransmission deficits are already evident at P30, confirming that neurodevelopmental defects of GABAergic interneurons occur in the En2 mouse model of ASD.
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The Reeler Mouse: A Translational Model of Human Neurological Conditions, or Simply a Good Tool for Better Understanding Neurodevelopment? J Clin Med 2019; 8:jcm8122088. [PMID: 31805691 PMCID: PMC6947477 DOI: 10.3390/jcm8122088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The first description of the Reeler mutation in mouse dates to more than fifty years ago, and later, its causative gene (reln) was discovered in mouse, and its human orthologue (RELN) was demonstrated to be causative of lissencephaly 2 (LIS2) and about 20% of the cases of autosomal-dominant lateral temporal epilepsy (ADLTE). In both human and mice, the gene encodes for a glycoprotein referred to as reelin (Reln) that plays a primary function in neuronal migration during development and synaptic stabilization in adulthood. Besides LIS2 and ADLTE, RELN and/or other genes coding for the proteins of the Reln intracellular cascade have been associated substantially to other conditions such as spinocerebellar ataxia type 7 and 37, VLDLR-associated cerebellar hypoplasia, PAFAH1B1-associated lissencephaly, autism, and schizophrenia. According to their modalities of inheritances and with significant differences among each other, these neuropsychiatric disorders can be modeled in the homozygous (reln−/−) or heterozygous (reln+/−) Reeler mouse. The worth of these mice as translational models is discussed, with focus on their construct and face validity. Description of face validity, i.e., the resemblance of phenotypes between the two species, centers onto the histological, neurochemical, and functional observations in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum of Reeler mice and their human counterparts.
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Alvarez‐Jimenez C, Múnera‐Garzón N, Zuluaga MA, Velasco NF, Romero E. Autism spectrum disorder characterization in children by capturing local‐regional brain changes in MRI. Med Phys 2019; 47:119-131. [DOI: 10.1002/mp.13901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2019] [Revised: 10/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Charlems Alvarez‐Jimenez
- Computer Imaging and Medical Application Laboratory ‐ CIM@LAB Universidad Nacional de Colombia Bogotá 111321Colombia
- ACCEDER Group Universidad Militar Nueva Granada Bogotá 110111Colombia
| | - Nicolás Múnera‐Garzón
- Computer Imaging and Medical Application Laboratory ‐ CIM@LAB Universidad Nacional de Colombia Bogotá 111321Colombia
- ACCEDER Group Universidad Militar Nueva Granada Bogotá 110111Colombia
| | - Maria A. Zuluaga
- Computer Imaging and Medical Application Laboratory ‐ CIM@LAB Universidad Nacional de Colombia Bogotá 111321Colombia
- Data Science Department EURECOM Biot 06410France
| | - Nelson F. Velasco
- Computer Imaging and Medical Application Laboratory ‐ CIM@LAB Universidad Nacional de Colombia Bogotá 111321Colombia
- ACCEDER Group Universidad Militar Nueva Granada Bogotá 110111Colombia
- GIDAM Group Universidad Militar Nueva Granada Bogotá 110111Colombia
| | - Eduardo Romero
- Computer Imaging and Medical Application Laboratory ‐ CIM@LAB Universidad Nacional de Colombia Bogotá 111321Colombia
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Yook C, Kim K, Kim D, Kang H, Kim SG, Kim E, Kim SY. A TBR1-K228E Mutation Induces Tbr1 Upregulation, Altered Cortical Distribution of Interneurons, Increased Inhibitory Synaptic Transmission, and Autistic-Like Behavioral Deficits in Mice. Front Mol Neurosci 2019; 12:241. [PMID: 31680851 PMCID: PMC6797848 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2019.00241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in Tbr1, a high-confidence ASD (autism spectrum disorder)-risk gene encoding the transcriptional regulator TBR1, have been shown to induce diverse ASD-related molecular, synaptic, neuronal, and behavioral dysfunctions in mice. However, whether Tbr1 mutations derived from autistic individuals cause similar dysfunctions in mice remains unclear. Here we generated and characterized mice carrying the TBR1-K228E de novo mutation identified in human ASD and identified various ASD-related phenotypes. In heterozygous mice carrying this mutation (Tbr1+/K228E mice), levels of the TBR1-K228E protein, which is unable to bind target DNA, were strongly increased. RNA-Seq analysis of the Tbr1+/K228E embryonic brain indicated significant changes in the expression of genes associated with neurons, astrocytes, ribosomes, neuronal synapses, and ASD risk. The Tbr1+/K228E neocortex also displayed an abnormal distribution of parvalbumin-positive interneurons, with a lower density in superficial layers but a higher density in deep layers. These changes were associated with an increase in inhibitory synaptic transmission in layer 6 pyramidal neurons that was resistant to compensation by network activity. Behaviorally, Tbr1+/K228E mice showed decreased social interaction, increased self-grooming, and modestly increased anxiety-like behaviors. These results suggest that the human heterozygous TBR1-K228E mutation induces ASD-related transcriptomic, protein, neuronal, synaptic, and behavioral dysfunctions in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaehyun Yook
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Kyungdeok Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Doyoun Kim
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Hyojin Kang
- Division of National Supercomputing, Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Sun-Gyun Kim
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Eunjoon Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, South Korea.,Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Soo Young Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Yeongnam University, Gyeongsan, South Korea
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Yang G, Shcheglovitov A. Probing disrupted neurodevelopment in autism using human stem cell-derived neurons and organoids: An outlook into future diagnostics and drug development. Dev Dyn 2019; 249:6-33. [PMID: 31398277 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2019] [Revised: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) represent a spectrum of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by impaired social interaction, repetitive or restrictive behaviors, and problems with speech. According to a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in 68 children in the US is diagnosed with ASDs. Although ASD-related diagnostics and the knowledge of ASD-associated genetic abnormalities have improved in recent years, our understanding of the cellular and molecular pathways disrupted in ASD remains very limited. As a result, no specific therapies or medications are available for individuals with ASDs. In this review, we describe the neurodevelopmental processes that are likely affected in the brains of individuals with ASDs and discuss how patient-specific stem cell-derived neurons and organoids can be used for investigating these processes at the cellular and molecular levels. Finally, we propose a discovery pipeline to be used in the future for identifying the cellular and molecular deficits and developing novel personalized therapies for individuals with idiopathic ASDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guang Yang
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.,Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Alex Shcheglovitov
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.,Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
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35
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Stolp HB, Fleiss B, Arai Y, Supramaniam V, Vontell R, Birtles S, Yates AG, Baburamani AA, Thornton C, Rutherford M, Edwards AD, Gressens P. Interneuron Development Is Disrupted in Preterm Brains With Diffuse White Matter Injury: Observations in Mouse and Human. Front Physiol 2019; 10:955. [PMID: 31417418 PMCID: PMC6683859 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Preterm brain injury, occurring in approximately 30% of infants born <32 weeks gestational age, is associated with an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The mechanism of gray matter injury in preterm born children is unclear and likely to be multifactorial; however, inflammation, a high predictor of poor outcome in preterm infants, has been associated with disrupted interneuron maturation in a number of animal models. Interneurons are important for regulating normal brain development, and disruption in interneuron development, and the downstream effects of this, has been implicated in the etiology of neurodevelopmental disorders. Here, we utilize postmortem tissue from human preterm cases with or without diffuse white matter injury (WMI; PMA range: 23+2 to 28+1 for non-WMI group, 26+6 to 30+0 for WMI group, p = 0.002) and a model of inflammation-induced preterm diffuse white matter injury (i.p. IL-1β, b.d., 10 μg/kg/injection in male CD1 mice from P1–5). Data from human preterm infants show deficits in interneuron numbers in the cortex and delayed growth of neuronal arbors at this early stage of development. In the mouse, significant reduction in the number of parvalbumin-positive interneurons was observed from postnatal day (P) 10. This decrease in parvalbumin neuron number was largely rectified by P40, though there was a significantly smaller number of parvalbumin positive cells associated with perineuronal nets in the upper cortical layers. Together, these data suggest that inflammation in the preterm brain may be a contributor to injury of specific interneuron in the cortical gray matter. This may represent a potential target for postnatal therapy to reduce the incidence and/or severity of neurodevelopmental disorders in preterm infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen B Stolp
- Department for Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Perinatal Imaging & Health, Centre for the Developing Brain, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Science, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Bobbi Fleiss
- Department of Perinatal Imaging & Health, Centre for the Developing Brain, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Science, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.,Université de Paris, NeuroDiderot, Inserm, Paris, France.,School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Yoko Arai
- Université de Paris, NeuroDiderot, Inserm, Paris, France
| | - Veena Supramaniam
- Department of Perinatal Imaging & Health, Centre for the Developing Brain, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Science, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Regina Vontell
- Department of Perinatal Imaging & Health, Centre for the Developing Brain, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Science, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Neurology, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Sebastian Birtles
- Department of Perinatal Imaging & Health, Centre for the Developing Brain, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Science, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Abi G Yates
- Department of Perinatal Imaging & Health, Centre for the Developing Brain, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Science, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ana A Baburamani
- Department of Perinatal Imaging & Health, Centre for the Developing Brain, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Science, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Claire Thornton
- Department for Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Perinatal Imaging & Health, Centre for the Developing Brain, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Science, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mary Rutherford
- Department of Perinatal Imaging & Health, Centre for the Developing Brain, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Science, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - A David Edwards
- Department of Perinatal Imaging & Health, Centre for the Developing Brain, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Science, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Pierre Gressens
- Department of Perinatal Imaging & Health, Centre for the Developing Brain, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Science, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.,Université de Paris, NeuroDiderot, Inserm, Paris, France
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36
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Moffat JJ, Jung EM, Ka M, Smith AL, Jeon BT, Santen GWE, Kim WY. The role of ARID1B, a BAF chromatin remodeling complex subunit, in neural development and behavior. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2019; 89:30-38. [PMID: 30149092 PMCID: PMC6249083 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2018.08.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2018] [Revised: 08/22/2018] [Accepted: 08/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Haploinsufficiency of the chromatin remodeling factor ARID1B leads to autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability. Several independent research groups, including our own, recently examined the effects of heterozygous deletion of Arid1b in mice and reported severe behavioral abnormalities reminiscent of autism spectrum disorders and intellectual disability as well as marked changes in gene expression and decreased body size. Arid1b heterozygous mice also display significant cortical excitatory/inhibitory imbalance due to altered GABAergic neuron numbers and impaired inhibitory synaptic transmission. Abnormal epigenetic modifications, including histone acetylation and methylation, are additionally associated with Arid1b haploinsufficiency in the brain. Treating adult Arid1b mutant mice with a positive GABA allosteric modulator, however, rescues multiple behavioral abnormalities, such as cognitive and social impairments, as well as elevated anxiety. While treating Arid1b haploinsufficient mice with recombinant mouse growth hormone successfully increases body size, it has no effect on aberrant behavior. Here we summarize the recent findings regarding the role of ARID1B in brain development and behavior and discuss the utility of the Arid1b heterozygous mouse model in neurodevelopmental and psychiatric research. We also discuss some of the opportunities and potential challenges in developing translational applications for humans and possible avenues for further research into the mechanisms of ARID1B pathology in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eui-Man Jung
- University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Minhan Ka
- Research Center for Substance Abuse Pharmacology, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Daejeon, Republic of
Korea
| | | | - Byeong Tak Jeon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA
| | - Gijs W. E. Santen
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Woo-Yang Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA.
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37
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Lei H, Lai J, Sun X, Xu Q, Feng G. Lateral orbitofrontal dysfunction in the Sapap3 knockout mouse model of obsessive–compulsive disorder. J Psychiatry Neurosci 2019; 44:120-131. [PMID: 30403026 PMCID: PMC6397042 DOI: 10.1503/jpn.180032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common psychiatric disorder that affects about 2% of the population, but the underlying neuropathophysiology of OCD is not well understood. Although increasing lines of evidence implicate dysfunction of the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) in OCD, a detailed understanding of the functional alterations in different neuronal types in the OFC is still elusive. METHODS We investigated detailed activity pattern changes in putative pyramidal neurons and interneurons, as well as local field potential oscillations, in the lateral OFC underlying OCD-relevant phenotypes. We applied in vivo multichannel recording in an awake OCD mouse model that carried a deletion of the Sapap3 gene, and in wildtype littermates. RESULTS Compared with wildtype mice, the lateral OFC of Sapap3 knockout mice exhibited network dysfunction, demonstrated by decreased power of local field potential oscillations. The activity of inhibitory and excitatory neurons in the lateral OFC showed distinct perturbations in Sapap3 knockout mice: putative interneurons exhibited increased activity; putative pyramidal neurons exhibited enhanced bursting activity; and both putative pyramidal neurons and interneurons exhibited enhanced discharge variability and altered synchronization. LIMITATIONS To exclude motor activity confounders, this study examined functional alterations in lateral OFC neurons only when the mice were stationary. CONCLUSION We provide, to our knowledge, the first direct in vivo electrophysiological evidence of detailed functional alterations in different neuronal types in the lateral OFC of an OCD mouse model. These findings may help in understanding the underlying neuropathophysiology and circuitry mechanisms for phenotypes relevant to OCD, and may help generate and refine hypotheses about potential biomarkers for further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huimeng Lei
- From the Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing Centre of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Key Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Diseases of the Ministry of Education, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China (Lei, Lai, Sun, Xu); the McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts (Feng); and the Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts (Feng)
| | - Juan Lai
- From the Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing Centre of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Key Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Diseases of the Ministry of Education, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China (Lei, Lai, Sun, Xu); the McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts (Feng); and the Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts (Feng)
| | - Xiaohong Sun
- From the Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing Centre of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Key Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Diseases of the Ministry of Education, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China (Lei, Lai, Sun, Xu); the McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts (Feng); and the Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts (Feng)
| | - Qunyuan Xu
- From the Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing Centre of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Key Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Diseases of the Ministry of Education, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China (Lei, Lai, Sun, Xu); the McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts (Feng); and the Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts (Feng)
| | - Guoping Feng
- From the Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing Centre of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Key Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Diseases of the Ministry of Education, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China (Lei, Lai, Sun, Xu); the McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts (Feng); and the Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts (Feng)
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38
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Schafer M, Schiller D. The Hippocampus and Social Impairment in Psychiatric Disorders. COLD SPRING HARBOR SYMPOSIA ON QUANTITATIVE BIOLOGY 2019; 83:105-118. [PMID: 30787048 DOI: 10.1101/sqb.2018.83.037614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Social deficits, such as poor social skills (i.e., the inability to engage in appropriate and effective social interactions) and social withdrawal, are prevalent across psychiatric disorders and often co-occur with hippocampal structural and functional abnormalities. The centrality of both social and hippocampal dysfunction in psychiatric research prompts the question: Are they linked? The social cognitive map framework provides a clue: The hippocampus tracks social information in the physical environment, maps others along social dimensions, and supports social memory and decision-making. Hippocampal dysfunction might disrupt social map representation and contribute to commonly seen social behavioral symptoms. This review summarizes evidence for the role of the hippocampus in social cognitive mapping, followed by evidence that hippocampal dysfunction and social dysfunction co-occur in psychiatric disorders. We argue that the co-occurrence of hippocampal and social impairment may be related via hippocampal social cognitive mapping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Schafer
- Department of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, USA
| | - Daniela Schiller
- Department of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, USA
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39
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Cortical interneuron function in autism spectrum condition. Pediatr Res 2019; 85:146-154. [PMID: 30367159 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-018-0214-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2018] [Revised: 10/11/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Cortical interneurons (INs) are a diverse group of neurons that project locally and shape the function of neural networks throughout the brain. Multiple lines of evidence suggest that a proper balance of glutamate and GABA signaling is essential for both the proper function and development of the brain. Dysregulation of this system may lead to neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum condition (ASC). We evaluate the development and function of INs in rodent and human models and examine how neurodevelopmental dysfunction may produce core symptoms of ASC. Finding common physiological mechanisms that underlie neurodevelopmental disorders may lead to novel pharmacological targets and candidates that could improve the cognitive and emotional symptoms associated with ASC.
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40
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Parato J, Shen H, Smith SS. α4βδ GABA A Receptors Trigger Synaptic Pruning and Reduce Dendritic Length of Female Mouse CA3 Hippocampal Pyramidal Cells at Puberty. Neuroscience 2018; 398:23-36. [PMID: 30496825 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2018.11.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2018] [Revised: 11/01/2018] [Accepted: 11/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Synaptic pruning during adolescence is critical for optimal cognition. The CA3 hippocampus contains unique spine types and plays a pivotal role in pattern separation and seizure generation, where sex differences exist, but adolescent pruning has only been studied in the male. Thus, for the present study we assessed pruning of specific spine types in the CA3 hippocampus during adolescence and investigated a possible mechanism in the female mouse. To this end, we used Golgi-impregnated brains from pubertal (∼PND 35, assessed by vaginal opening) and post-pubertal (PND 56) mice. Spine density was assessed from z-stack (0.1-μm steps) images taken using a Nikon DS-U3 camera through a Nikon Eclipse Ci-L microscope and analyzed with NIS Elements. Spine density decreased significantly (P < 0.05) during adolescence, with 50-60% decreases in mushroom and stubby spine-types (P < 0.05, ∼PND35 vs. PND56) in non-proestrous mice. This was associated with decreases in kalirin-7, a spine protein which stabilizes the cytoskeleton and is required for spine maintenance. Because our previous findings suggest that pubertal increases in α4βδ GABAA receptors (GABARs) trigger pruning in CA1, we investigated their role in CA3. α4 expression in CA3 hippocampus increased 4-fold at puberty (P < 0.05), assessed by immunostaining and verified electrophysiologically by an increased response to gaboxadol (100 nM), which is selective for α4βδ. Knock-out of α4 prevented the pubertal decrease in kalirin-7 and synaptic pruning and also increased the dendritic length, demonstrating a functional link. These data suggest that pubertal α4βδ GABARs alter dendritic morphology and trigger pruning in female CA3 hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Parato
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, 450 Clarkson Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA; Program in Neural and Behavioral Science, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, 450 Clarkson Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA
| | - Hui Shen
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, 450 Clarkson Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA; School of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical University, No. 22 Qixiangtai Road, Heping District, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Sheryl S Smith
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, 450 Clarkson Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA; The Robert F. Furchgott Center for Neural and Behavioral Science, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, 450 Clarkson Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA.
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Impaired Neuronal Differentiation of Neural Stem Cells Lacking the Engrailed-2 Gene. Neuroscience 2018; 386:137-149. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2018.06.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2018] [Revised: 06/01/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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Abstract
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) influence not only endocrine functions but also neuronal development and functions. In-vivo studies have suggested the relationship of EDC-induced neurobehavioral disorders with dysfunctions of neurotransmitter mechanisms including γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic mechanisms. However, whether EDCs affect GABAergic neuron differentiation remains unclear. In the present study, we show that a representative EDC, bisphenol A (BPA), affects GABAergic neuron differentiation. Cortical neurospheres prepared from embryonic mice were exposed to BPA for 7 days, and then neuronal differentiation was induced. We found that BPA exposure resulted in a decrease in the ratio of GABAergic neurons to total neurons. However, the same exposure stimulated the differentiation of neurons expressing calbindin, a calcium-binding protein observed in a subpopulation of GABAergic neurons. These findings suggested that BPA might influence the formation of an inhibitory neuronal network in developing cerebral cortex involved in the occurrence of neurobehavioral disorders.
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Huo HQ, Qu ZY, Yuan F, Ma L, Yao L, Xu M, Hu Y, Ji J, Bhattacharyya A, Zhang SC, Liu Y. Modeling Down Syndrome with Patient iPSCs Reveals Cellular and Migration Deficits of GABAergic Neurons. Stem Cell Reports 2018. [PMID: 29526735 PMCID: PMC5998838 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2018.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The brain of Down syndrome (DS) patients exhibits fewer interneurons in the cerebral cortex, but its underlying mechanism remains unknown. By morphometric analysis of cortical interneurons generated from DS and euploid induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), we found that DS GABA neurons are smaller and with fewer neuronal processes. The proportion of calretinin over calbindin GABA neurons is reduced, and the neuronal migration capacity is decreased. Such phenotypes were replicated following transplantation of the DS GABAergic progenitors into the mouse medial septum. Gene expression profiling revealed altered cell migratory pathways, and correction of the PAK1 pathway mitigated the cell migration deficit in vitro. These results suggest that impaired migration of DS GABAergic neurons may contribute to the reduced number of interneurons in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus in DS patients. DS iPSC-derived GABA interneurons show cellular deficits DS GABA interneurons exhibit decreased migration in vitro and in vivo RNA-seq reveals that expression of PAK1 is disrupted in the DS interneurons Regulation of PAK1 pathway rescues the defects of migration
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Qin Huo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China; Institute for Stem Cell and Neural Regeneration, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Zhuang-Yin Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China; Institute for Stem Cell and Neural Regeneration, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Fang Yuan
- Institute for Stem Cell and Neural Regeneration, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Lixiang Ma
- Department of Human Anatomy and Histology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Lin Yao
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Min Xu
- Institute for Stem Cell and Neural Regeneration, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Yao Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China; Institute for Stem Cell and Neural Regeneration, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Jing Ji
- Department of Neurosurgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Anita Bhattacharyya
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology and Neuroscience University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Su-Chun Zhang
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology and Neuroscience University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53705, USA.
| | - Yan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China; Institute for Stem Cell and Neural Regeneration, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China.
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Kaneko R, Takatsuru Y, Morita A, Amano I, Haijima A, Imayoshi I, Tamamaki N, Koibuchi N, Watanabe M, Yanagawa Y. Inhibitory neuron-specific Cre-dependent red fluorescent labeling using VGAT BAC-based transgenic mouse lines with identified transgene integration sites. J Comp Neurol 2018; 526:373-396. [PMID: 29063602 DOI: 10.1002/cne.24343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2017] [Revised: 09/30/2017] [Accepted: 10/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Inhibitory neurons are crucial for shaping and regulating the dynamics of the entire network, and disturbances in these neurons contribute to brain disorders. Despite the recent progress in genetic labeling techniques, the heterogeneity of inhibitory neurons requires the development of highly characterized tools that allow accurate, convenient, and versatile visualization of inhibitory neurons in the mouse brain. Here, we report a novel genetic technique to visualize the vast majority and/or sparse subsets of inhibitory neurons in the mouse brain without using techniques that require advanced skills. We developed several lines of Cre-dependent tdTomato reporter mice based on the vesicular GABA transporter (VGAT)-BAC, named VGAT-stop-tdTomato mice. The most useful line (line #54) was selected for further analysis based on two characteristics: the inhibitory neuron-specificity of tdTomato expression and the transgene integration site, which confers efficient breeding and fewer adverse effects resulting from transgene integration-related genomic disruption. Robust and inhibitory neuron-specific expression of tdTomato was observed in a wide range of developmental and cellular contexts. By breeding the VGAT-stop-tdTomato mouse (line #54) with a novel Cre driver mouse line, Galntl4-CreER, sparse labeling of inhibitory neurons was achieved following tamoxifen administration. Furthermore, another interesting line (line #58) was generated through the unexpected integration of the transgene into the X-chromosome and will be used to map X-chromosome inactivation of inhibitory neurons. Taken together, our studies provide new, well-characterized tools with which multiple aspects of inhibitory neurons can be studied in the mouse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryosuke Kaneko
- Bioresource Center, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma, Japan
- Department of Genetic and Behavioral Neuroscience, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma, Japan
| | - Yusuke Takatsuru
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma, Japan
- Department of Medicine, Johmoh Hospital, Gunma, Japan
| | - Ayako Morita
- Bioresource Center, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma, Japan
- Department of Genetic and Behavioral Neuroscience, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma, Japan
| | - Izuki Amano
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma, Japan
| | - Asahi Haijima
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma, Japan
| | - Itaru Imayoshi
- Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Nobuaki Tamamaki
- Department of Morphological Neural Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Noriyuki Koibuchi
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma, Japan
| | - Masahiko Watanabe
- Department of Anatomy, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Yuchio Yanagawa
- Department of Genetic and Behavioral Neuroscience, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma, Japan
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Thurm A, Powell EM, Neul JL, Wagner A, Zwaigenbaum L. Loss of skills and onset patterns in neurodevelopmental disorders: Understanding the neurobiological mechanisms. Autism Res 2018; 11:212-222. [PMID: 29226600 PMCID: PMC5825269 DOI: 10.1002/aur.1903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2017] [Revised: 11/19/2017] [Accepted: 11/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Patterns of onset in Autism Spectrum Disorder, including a pattern that includes loss of previously acquired skills, have been identified since the first reports of the disorder. However, attempts to study such "regression" have been limited to clinical studies, that until recently mostly involved retrospective reports. The current report reflects discussion that occurred at an NIMH convened meeting in 2016 with the purpose of bridging clinical autism research with basic and translational work in this area. This summary describes the state of the field with respect to clinical studies, describing gaps in knowledge based on limited methods and prospective data collected. Biological mechanisms that have been shown to account for regression early in development in specific conditions are discussed, as well as potential mechanisms that have not yet been explored. Suggestions include use of model systems during the developmental period and cutting-edge methods, including non-invasive imaging that may afford opportunities for a better understanding of the neurobiological pathways that result in loss of previously-attained skills. Autism Res 2018, 11: 212-222. © 2017 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. LAY SUMMARY Loss of previously acquired skills, or regression, has been reported in Autism Spectrum Disorder since Kanner's reports in the 1950's. The current report reflects discussion from an NIMH convened meeting in 2016 with the purpose of bridging clinical autism research with basic and translational work in this area. This summary describes the state of the field regarding clinical studies and suggests use of model systems during the developmental period and cutting-edge methods, for a better understanding of the neurobiological pathways that result in loss of previously-attained skills.
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Affiliation(s)
- Audrey Thurm
- Office of the Clinical Director, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Elizabeth M. Powell
- Division of Neuroscience and Behavior, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jeffrey L. Neul
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Ann Wagner
- Division of Translational Research, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Lonnie Zwaigenbaum
- Autism Research Center, Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Franchi SA, Macco R, Astro V, Tonoli D, Savino E, Valtorta F, Sala K, Botta M, de Curtis I. A Method to Culture GABAergic Interneurons Derived from the Medial Ganglionic Eminence. Front Cell Neurosci 2018; 11:423. [PMID: 29358905 PMCID: PMC5766683 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2017.00423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the mechanisms guiding interneuron development is a central aspect of the current research on cortical/hippocampal interneurons, which is highly relevant to brain function and pathology. In this methodological study we have addressed the setup of protocols for the reproducible culture of dissociated cells from murine medial ganglionic eminences (MGEs), to provide a culture system for the analysis of interneurons in vitro. This study includes the detailed protocols for the preparation of the dissociated cells, and for their culture on optimal substrates for cell migration or differentiation. These cultures enriched in interneurons may allow the investigation of the migratory behavior of interneuron precursors and their differentiation in vitro, up to the formation of morphologically identifiable GABAergic synapses. Live imaging of MGE-derived cells plated on proper substrates shows that they are useful to study the migratory behavior of the precursors, as well as the behavior of growth cones during the development of neurites. Most MGE-derived precursors develop into polarized GABAergic interneurons as determined by axonal, dendritic, and GABAergic markers. We present also a comparison of cells from WT and mutant mice as a proof of principle for the use of these cultures for the analysis of the migration and differentiation of GABAergic cells with different genetic backgrounds. The culture enriched in interneurons described here represents a useful experimental system to examine in a relatively easy and fast way the morpho-functional properties of these cells under physiological or pathological conditions, providing a powerful tool to complement the studies in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sira A Franchi
- Cell Adhesion Unit San Raffaele Scientific Institute and San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Romina Macco
- Cell Adhesion Unit San Raffaele Scientific Institute and San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Veronica Astro
- Cell Adhesion Unit San Raffaele Scientific Institute and San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Diletta Tonoli
- Cell Adhesion Unit San Raffaele Scientific Institute and San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisa Savino
- Neuropsychopharmacology Unit, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute and San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Flavia Valtorta
- Neuropsychopharmacology Unit, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute and San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Kristyna Sala
- Cell Adhesion Unit San Raffaele Scientific Institute and San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Martina Botta
- Cell Adhesion Unit San Raffaele Scientific Institute and San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Ivan de Curtis
- Cell Adhesion Unit San Raffaele Scientific Institute and San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
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Arid1b haploinsufficiency disrupts cortical interneuron development and mouse behavior. Nat Neurosci 2017; 20:1694-1707. [PMID: 29184203 PMCID: PMC5726525 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-017-0013-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2017] [Accepted: 09/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Haploinsufficiency of the AT-rich interactive domain 1B (ARID1B) gene causes autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual disability, however, the neurobiological basis for this is unknown. Here, we generated Arid1b knockout mice and examined heterozygotes to model human patients. Arid1b heterozygous mice showed a decreased number of cortical GABAergic interneurons and reduced proliferation of interneuron progenitors in the ganglionic eminence. Arid1b haploinsufficiency also led to an imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory synapses in the cerebral cortex. Furthermore, we found that Arid1b haploinsufficiency suppressed histone H3 lysine 9 acetylation (H3K9Ac) overall, and in particular reduced H3K9Ac of the Pvalb promoter, resulting in decreased transcription. Arid1b heterozygous mice exhibited abnormal cognitive and social behavior, which was rescued by treatment with a positive allosteric GABAA receptor modulator. Our results demonstrate a critical role for the Arid1b gene in interneuron development and behavior, and provide insight into the pathogenesis of ASD and intellectual disability.
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Varghese M, Keshav N, Jacot-Descombes S, Warda T, Wicinski B, Dickstein DL, Harony-Nicolas H, De Rubeis S, Drapeau E, Buxbaum JD, Hof PR. Autism spectrum disorder: neuropathology and animal models. Acta Neuropathol 2017; 134:537-566. [PMID: 28584888 PMCID: PMC5693718 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-017-1736-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 287] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2017] [Revised: 05/30/2017] [Accepted: 05/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has a major impact on the development and social integration of affected individuals and is the most heritable of psychiatric disorders. An increase in the incidence of ASD cases has prompted a surge in research efforts on the underlying neuropathologic processes. We present an overview of current findings in neuropathology studies of ASD using two investigational approaches, postmortem human brains and ASD animal models, and discuss the overlap, limitations, and significance of each. Postmortem examination of ASD brains has revealed global changes including disorganized gray and white matter, increased number of neurons, decreased volume of neuronal soma, and increased neuropil, the last reflecting changes in densities of dendritic spines, cerebral vasculature and glia. Both cortical and non-cortical areas show region-specific abnormalities in neuronal morphology and cytoarchitectural organization, with consistent findings reported from the prefrontal cortex, fusiform gyrus, frontoinsular cortex, cingulate cortex, hippocampus, amygdala, cerebellum and brainstem. The paucity of postmortem human studies linking neuropathology to the underlying etiology has been partly addressed using animal models to explore the impact of genetic and non-genetic factors clinically relevant for the ASD phenotype. Genetically modified models include those based on well-studied monogenic ASD genes (NLGN3, NLGN4, NRXN1, CNTNAP2, SHANK3, MECP2, FMR1, TSC1/2), emerging risk genes (CHD8, SCN2A, SYNGAP1, ARID1B, GRIN2B, DSCAM, TBR1), and copy number variants (15q11-q13 deletion, 15q13.3 microdeletion, 15q11-13 duplication, 16p11.2 deletion and duplication, 22q11.2 deletion). Models of idiopathic ASD include inbred rodent strains that mimic ASD behaviors as well as models developed by environmental interventions such as prenatal exposure to sodium valproate, maternal autoantibodies, and maternal immune activation. In addition to replicating some of the neuropathologic features seen in postmortem studies, a common finding in several animal models of ASD is altered density of dendritic spines, with the direction of the change depending on the specific genetic modification, age and brain region. Overall, postmortem neuropathologic studies with larger sample sizes representative of the various ASD risk genes and diverse clinical phenotypes are warranted to clarify putative etiopathogenic pathways further and to promote the emergence of clinically relevant diagnostic and therapeutic tools. In addition, as genetic alterations may render certain individuals more vulnerable to developing the pathological changes at the synapse underlying the behavioral manifestations of ASD, neuropathologic investigation using genetically modified animal models will help to improve our understanding of the disease mechanisms and enhance the development of targeted treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merina Varghese
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Box 1639, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Neha Keshav
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Box 1639, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Sarah Jacot-Descombes
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Box 1639, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Unit of Psychiatry, Department of Children and Teenagers, University Hospitals and School of Medicine, Geneva, CH-1205, Switzerland
| | - Tahia Warda
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Box 1639, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Bridget Wicinski
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Box 1639, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Dara L Dickstein
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Box 1639, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
| | - Hala Harony-Nicolas
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Silvia De Rubeis
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Elodie Drapeau
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Joseph D Buxbaum
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Box 1639, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Patrick R Hof
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Box 1639, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
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Region-specific impairments in parvalbumin interneurons in social isolation-reared mice. Neuroscience 2017; 359:196-208. [PMID: 28723388 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2017.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2017] [Revised: 05/17/2017] [Accepted: 07/09/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Many neuropsychiatric disorders show localized dysfunction in specific cortical regions. The mechanisms underlying such region-specific vulnerabilities are unknown. Post-mortem analyses have demonstrated a selective reduction in the expression of parvalbumin (PV) in GABAergic interneurons in the frontal rather than the sensory cortex of patients with neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorders, and bipolar disorders. PV neurons are surrounded by perineuronal nets (PNNs), and are protected from oxidative stress. Previous studies have shown that the characteristics of PNNs are brain region-specific. Therefore, we hypothesized that PV neurons and PNNs may be targeted in region-specific lesions in the brain. Oxidative stress was induced in mice by rearing them in socially isolated conditions. We systemically examined the distribution of PV neurons and PNNs in the brains of these mice as well as a control group. Our results show that the regions frequently affected in neuropsychiatric disorders show significantly lower PV expression and a lower percentage of PV neurons surrounded by PNNs in the brains of socially isolated mice. These results indicate that PV neurons and PNNs exhibit region-specific vulnerabilities. Our findings may be useful for elucidating the mechanisms underlying region-specific disruption of the brain in neuropsychiatric disorders.
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