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Collinge CW, Razzoli M, Mansk R, McGonigle S, Lamming DW, Pacak CA, van der Pluijm I, Niedernhofer L, Bartolomucci A. The mouse Social Frailty Index (mSFI): a novel behavioral assessment for impaired social functioning in aging mice. GeroScience 2024:10.1007/s11357-024-01263-4. [PMID: 38987495 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-024-01263-4] [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: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Various approaches exist to quantify the aging process and estimate biological age on an individual level. Frailty indices based on an age-related accumulation of physical deficits have been developed for human use and translated into mouse models. However, declines observed in aging are not limited to physical functioning but also involve social capabilities. The concept of "social frailty" has been recently introduced into human literature, but no index of social frailty exists for laboratory mice yet. To fill this gap, we developed a mouse Social Frailty Index (mSFI) consisting of seven distinct assays designed to quantify social functioning which is relatively simple to execute and is minimally invasive. Application of the mSFI in group-housed male C57BL/6 mice demonstrated a progressively elevated levels of social frailty through the lifespan. Conversely, group-housed females C57BL/6 mice manifested social frailty only at a very old age. Female mice also showed significantly lower mSFI score from 10 months of age onward when compared to males. We also applied the mSFI in male C57BL/6 mice under chronic subordination stress and in chronic isolation, both of which induced larger increases in social frailty compared to age-matched group-housed males. Lastly, we show that the mSFI is enhanced in mouse models that show accelerated biological aging such as progeroid Ercc1-/Δ and Xpg-/- mice of both sexes compared to age matched littermate wild types. In summary, the mSFI represents a novel index to quantify trajectories of biological aging in mice and may help elucidate links between impaired social behavior and the aging process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles W Collinge
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Maria Razzoli
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Rachel Mansk
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Seth McGonigle
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Dudley W Lamming
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Christina A Pacak
- Greg Marzolf Jr. Muscular Dystrophy Center & Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Ingrid van der Pluijm
- Department of Molecular Genetics, and Department of Vascular Surgery, Cardiovascular Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Laura Niedernhofer
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Institute on the Biology of Aging and Metabolism, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Alessandro Bartolomucci
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
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Bove M, Palmieri MA, Santoro M, Agosti LP, Gaetani S, Romano A, Dimonte S, Costantino G, Sikora V, Tucci P, Schiavone S, Morgese MG, Trabace L. Amygdalar neurotransmission alterations in the BTBR mice model of idiopathic autism. Transl Psychiatry 2024; 14:193. [PMID: 38632257 PMCID: PMC11024334 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-024-02905-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are principally diagnosed by three core behavioural symptoms, such as stereotyped repertoire, communication impairments and social dysfunctions. This complex pathology has been linked to abnormalities of corticostriatal and limbic circuits. Despite experimental efforts in elucidating the molecular mechanisms behind these abnormalities, a clear etiopathogenic hypothesis is still lacking. To this aim, preclinical studies can be really helpful to longitudinally study behavioural alterations resembling human symptoms and to investigate the underlying neurobiological correlates. In this regard, the BTBR T+ Itpr3tf/J (BTBR) mice are an inbred mouse strain that exhibits a pattern of behaviours well resembling human ASD-like behavioural features. In this study, the BTBR mice model was used to investigate neurochemical and biomolecular alterations, regarding Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), together with GABAergic, glutamatergic, cholinergic, dopaminergic and noradrenergic neurotransmissions and their metabolites in four different brain areas, i.e. prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, amygdala and hypothalamus. In our results, BTBR strain reported decreased noradrenaline, acetylcholine and GABA levels in prefrontal cortex, while hippocampal measurements showed reduced NGF and BDNF expression levels, together with GABA levels. Concerning hypothalamus, no differences were retrieved. As regarding amygdala, we found reduced dopamine levels, accompanied by increased dopamine metabolites in BTBR mice, together with decreased acetylcholine, NGF and GABA levels and enhanced glutamate content. Taken together, our data showed that the BTBR ASD model, beyond its face validity, is a useful tool to untangle neurotransmission alterations that could be underpinned to the heterogeneous ASD-like behaviours, highlighting the crucial role played by amygdala.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Bove
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Napoli 20, 71122, Foggia, Italy
| | - Maria Adelaide Palmieri
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Napoli 20, 71122, Foggia, Italy
| | - Martina Santoro
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "V. Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Lisa Pia Agosti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Napoli 20, 71122, Foggia, Italy
| | - Silvana Gaetani
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "V. Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Adele Romano
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "V. Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefania Dimonte
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Napoli 20, 71122, Foggia, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Costantino
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Napoli 20, 71122, Foggia, Italy
| | - Vladyslav Sikora
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Napoli 20, 71122, Foggia, Italy
- Department of Pathology, Sumy State University, 40007, Sumy, Ukraine
| | - Paolo Tucci
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Napoli 20, 71122, Foggia, Italy
| | - Stefania Schiavone
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Napoli 20, 71122, Foggia, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Morgese
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Napoli 20, 71122, Foggia, Italy
| | - Luigia Trabace
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Napoli 20, 71122, Foggia, Italy.
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Matthiesen M, Khlaifia A, Steininger CFD, Dadabhoy M, Mumtaz U, Arruda-Carvalho M. Maturation of nucleus accumbens synaptic transmission signals a critical period for the rescue of social deficits in a mouse model of autism spectrum disorder. Mol Brain 2023; 16:46. [PMID: 37226266 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-023-01028-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Social behavior emerges early in development, a time marked by the onset of neurodevelopmental disorders featuring social deficits, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Although social deficits are at the core of the clinical diagnosis of ASD, very little is known about their neural correlates at the time of clinical onset. The nucleus accumbens (NAc), a brain region extensively implicated in social behavior, undergoes synaptic, cellular and molecular alterations in early life, and is particularly affected in ASD mouse models. To explore a link between the maturation of the NAc and neurodevelopmental deficits in social behavior, we compared spontaneous synaptic transmission in NAc shell medium spiny neurons (MSNs) between the highly social C57BL/6J and the idiopathic ASD mouse model BTBR T+Itpr3tf/J at postnatal day (P) 4, P6, P8, P12, P15, P21 and P30. BTBR NAc MSNs display increased spontaneous excitatory transmission during the first postnatal week, and increased inhibition across the first, second and fourth postnatal weeks, suggesting accelerated maturation of excitatory and inhibitory synaptic inputs compared to C57BL/6J mice. BTBR mice also show increased optically evoked medial prefrontal cortex-NAc paired pulse ratios at P15 and P30. These early changes in synaptic transmission are consistent with a potential critical period, which could maximize the efficacy of rescue interventions. To test this, we treated BTBR mice in either early life (P4-P8) or adulthood (P60-P64) with the mTORC1 antagonist rapamycin, a well-established intervention for ASD-like behavior. Rapamycin treatment rescued social interaction deficits in BTBR mice when injected in infancy, but did not affect social interaction in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melina Matthiesen
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON, M1C1A4, Canada
| | - Abdessattar Khlaifia
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON, M1C1A4, Canada
| | | | - Maryam Dadabhoy
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON, M1C1A4, Canada
| | - Unza Mumtaz
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON, M1C1A4, Canada
| | - Maithe Arruda-Carvalho
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON, M1C1A4, Canada.
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S3G5, Canada.
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Salles A, Neunuebel J. What do mammals have to say about the neurobiology of acoustic communication? MOLECULAR PSYCHOLOGY : BRAIN, BEHAVIOR, AND SOCIETY 2023; 2:5. [PMID: 38827277 PMCID: PMC11141777 DOI: 10.12688/molpsychol.17539.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
Auditory communication is crucial across taxa, including humans, because it enables individuals to convey information about threats, food sources, mating opportunities, and other social cues necessary for survival. Comparative approaches to auditory communication will help bridge gaps across taxa and facilitate our understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying this complex task. In this work, we briefly review the field of auditory communication processing and the classical champion animal, the songbird. In addition, we discuss other mammalian species that are advancing the field. In particular, we emphasize mice and bats, highlighting the characteristics that may inform how we think about communication processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angeles Salles
- Biological Sciences, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Joshua Neunuebel
- Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
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Uddin MN, Mondal T, Yao Y, Manley K, Lawrence DA. Oxidative stress and neuroimmune proteins in a mouse model of autism. Cell Stress Chaperones 2023; 28:201-217. [PMID: 36795226 PMCID: PMC10050529 DOI: 10.1007/s12192-023-01331-2] [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: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress including decreased antioxidant enzyme activities, elevated lipid peroxidation, and accumulation of advanced glycation end products in the blood from children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has been reported. The mechanisms affecting the development of ASD remain unclear; however, toxic environmental exposures leading to oxidative stress have been proposed to play a significant role. The BTBRT+Itpr3tf/J (BTBR) strain provides a model to investigate the markers of oxidation in a mouse strain exhibiting ASD-like behavioral phenotypes. In the present study, we investigated the level of oxidative stress and its effects on immune cell populations, specifically oxidative stress affecting surface thiols (R-SH), intracellular glutathione (iGSH), and expression of brain biomarkers that may contribute to the development of the ASD-like phenotypes that have been observed and reported in BTBR mice. Lower levels of cell surface R-SH were detected on multiple immune cell subpopulations from blood, spleens, and lymph nodes and for sera R-SH levels of BTBR mice compared to C57BL/6 J (B6) mice. The iGSH levels of immune cell populations were also lower in the BTBR mice. Elevated protein expression of GATA3, TGM2, AhR, EPHX2, TSLP, PTEN, IRE1α, GDF15, and metallothionein in BTBR mice is supportive of an increased level of oxidative stress in BTBR mice and may underpin the pro-inflammatory immune state that has been reported in the BTBR strain. Results of a decreased antioxidant system suggest an important oxidative stress role in the development of the BTBR ASD-like phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Nizam Uddin
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Center for Medical Science, 150 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, NY, 12208, USA
| | - Tapan Mondal
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Center for Medical Science, 150 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, NY, 12208, USA
| | - Yunyi Yao
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Center for Medical Science, 150 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, NY, 12208, USA
| | - Kevin Manley
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Center for Medical Science, 150 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, NY, 12208, USA
| | - David A Lawrence
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Center for Medical Science, 150 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, NY, 12208, USA.
- University at Albany School of Public Health, Rensselaer, NY, USA.
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Higuchi Y, Tachigori SI, Arakawa H. Faded neural projection from the posterior bed nucleus of the stria terminalis to the lateral habenula contributes to social signaling deficit in male BTBR mice as a mouse model of autism. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2023; 149:106004. [PMID: 36543023 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2022.106004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BTBR T+ Itpr3tf/J (BTBR) mice display several behavioral characteristics, including social deficits resembling the core symptoms of human autism. Atypical social behaviors include sequential processes of assembled cognitive-behavior components, such as recognition, investigatory assessment, and signaling response. This study aimed to elucidate the neural circuits responsible for the regulation of the social signaling response, as shown by scent marking behavior in male mice. We first assessed the recognition and investigatory patterns of male BTBR mice compared to those of C57BL/6 J (B6) mice. Next, we examined their scent-marking behavior as innate social signaling responses adjusted to a confronted feature of social stimuli and situations, along with the expression of c-Fos as a marker of neuronal activity in selected brain areas involved in the regulation of social behavior. The function of the targeted brain area was confirmed by chemogenetic manipulation. We also examined the social peptides, oxytocin and vasopressin neurons of the major brain regions that are associated with the regulation of social behavior. Our data indicate that male BTBR mice are less responsive to the presentation of social stimuli and the expression of social signaling responses, which is paralleled by blunted c-Fos responsivity and vasopressin neurons morphological changes in selected brain areas, including the posterior bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (pBnST) and lateral habenula (LHb) in BTBR mice. Further investigation of LHb function revealed that chemogenetic inhibition and activation of LHb activity can induce a change in scent marking responses in both B6 and BTBR mice. Our elucidation of the downstream LHb circuits controlling scent marking behavior indicates intact function in BTBR mice. The altered morphological characteristics of oxytocin neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus and vasopressin-positive neurons and axonal projections in the pBnST and LHb appear to underlie the dysfunction of scent marking responses in BTBR mice. (300/300 words).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Higuchi
- Department of Systems Physiology, University of the Ryukyus Graduate School of Medicine, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Shun-Ichi Tachigori
- Department of Systems Physiology, University of the Ryukyus, Faculty of Medicine, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Arakawa
- Department of Systems Physiology, University of the Ryukyus Graduate School of Medicine, Okinawa, Japan.
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A comparison of stress reactivity between BTBR and C57BL/6J mice: an impact of early-life stress. Exp Brain Res 2023; 241:687-698. [PMID: 36670311 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-022-06541-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Early-life stress (ELS) is associated with hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation and can increase the risk of psychiatric disorders later in life. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of ELS on baseline HPA axis functioning and on the response to additional stress in adolescent male mice of strains C57BL/6J and BTBR. As a model of ELS, prolonged separation of pups from their mothers (for 3 h once a day: maternal separation [MS]) was implemented. To evaluate HPA axis activity, we assessed serum corticosterone levels and mRNA expression of corticotropin-releasing hormone (Crh) in the hypothalamus, of steroidogenesis genes in adrenal glands, and of an immediate early gene (c-Fos) in both tissues at baseline and immediately after 1 h of restraint stress. HPA axis activity at baseline did not depend on the history of ELS in mice of both strains. After the exposure to the acute restraint stress, C57BL/6J-MS mice showed less pronounced upregulation of Crh and of corticosterone concentration as compared to the control, indicating a decrease in stress reactivity. By contrast, BTBR-MS mice showed stronger upregulation of c-Fos in the hypothalamus and adrenal glands as compared to controls, thus pointing to greater activation of these organs in response to the acute restraint stress. In addition, we noted that BTBR mice are more stress reactive (than C57BL/6J mice) because they exhibited greater upregulation of corticosterone, c-Fos, and Cyp11a1 in response to the acute restraint stress. Taken together, these results indicate strain-specific and situation-dependent effects of ELS on HPA axis functioning and on c-Fos expression.
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Pranic NM, Kornbrek C, Yang C, Cleland TA, Tschida KA. Rates of ultrasonic vocalizations are more strongly related than acoustic features to non-vocal behaviors in mouse pups. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:1015484. [PMID: 36600992 PMCID: PMC9805956 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.1015484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Mouse pups produce. ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) in response to isolation from the nest (i.e., isolation USVs). Rates and acoustic features of isolation USVs change dramatically over the first two weeks of life, and there is also substantial variability in the rates and acoustic features of isolation USVs at a given postnatal age. The factors that contribute to within age variability in isolation USVs remain largely unknown. Here, we explore the extent to which non-vocal behaviors of mouse pups relate to the within age variability in rates and acoustic features of their USVs. We recorded non-vocal behaviors of isolated C57BL/6J mouse pups at four postnatal ages (postnatal days 5, 10, 15, and 20), measured rates of isolation USV production, and applied a combination of pre-defined acoustic feature measurements and an unsupervised machine learning-based vocal analysis method to examine USV acoustic features. When we considered different categories of non-vocal behavior, our analyses revealed that mice in all postnatal age groups produce higher rates of isolation USVs during active non-vocal behaviors than when lying still. Moreover, rates of isolation USVs are correlated with the intensity (i.e., magnitude) of non-vocal body and limb movements within a given trial. In contrast, USVs produced during different categories of non-vocal behaviors and during different intensities of non-vocal movement do not differ substantially in their acoustic features. Our findings suggest that levels of behavioral arousal contribute to within age variability in rates, but not acoustic features, of mouse isolation USVs.
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Altered meningeal immunity contributing to the autism-like behavior of BTBR T Itpr3/J mice. Brain Behav Immun Health 2022; 26:100563. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2022.100563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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Dougnon G, Matsui H. Modelling Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Using Mice and Zebrafish. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147550. [PMID: 35886894 PMCID: PMC9319972 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are two debilitating neurodevelopmental disorders. The former is associated with social impairments whereas the latter is associated with inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. There is recent evidence that both disorders are somehow related and that genes may play a large role in these disorders. Despite mounting human and animal research, the neurological pathways underlying ASD and ADHD are still not well understood. Scientists investigate neurodevelopmental disorders by using animal models that have high similarities in genetics and behaviours with humans. Mice have been utilized in neuroscience research as an excellent animal model for a long time; however, the zebrafish has attracted much attention recently, with an increasingly large number of studies using this model. In this review, we first discuss ASD and ADHD aetiology from a general point of view to their characteristics and treatments. We also compare mice and zebrafish for their similarities and discuss their advantages and limitations in neuroscience. Finally, we summarize the most recent and existing research on zebrafish and mouse models of ASD and ADHD. We believe that this review will serve as a unique document providing interesting information to date about these models, thus facilitating research on ASD and ADHD.
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Bouguiyoud N, Morales-Grahl E, Bronchti G, Frasnelli J, Roullet FI, Al Aïn S. Effects of Congenital Blindness on Ultrasonic Vocalizations and Social Behaviors in the ZRDBA Mouse. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:884688. [PMID: 35592638 PMCID: PMC9110969 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.884688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Mice produce ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) at different ages and social contexts, including maternal-pup separation, social play in juveniles, social interactions, and mating in adults. The USVs' recording can be used as an index of sensory detection, internal state, and social motivation. While sensory deprivation may alter USVs' emission and some social behaviors in deaf and anosmic rodents, little is known about the effects of visual deprivation in rodents. This longitudinal study aimed to assess acoustic communication and social behaviors using a mouse model of congenital blindness. Anophthalmic and sighted mice were assayed to a series of behavioral tests at three different ages, namely, the maternal isolation-induced pup USV test and the home odor discrimination and preference test on postnatal day (PND) 7, the juvenile social test on PND 30-35, and the female urine-induced USVs and scent-marking behavior at 2-3 months. Our results evidenced that (1) at PND 7, USVs' total number between both groups was similar, all mice vocalized less during the second isolation period than the first period, and both phenotypes showed similar discrimination and preference, favoring exploration of the home bedding odor; (2) at PND 30-35, anophthalmic mice engaged less in social behaviors in the juvenile play test than sighted ones, but the number of total USVs produced is not affected; and (3) at adulthood, when exposed to a female urine spot, anophthalmic male mice displayed faster responses in terms of USVs' emission and sniffing behavior, associated with a longer time spent exploring the female urinary odor. Interestingly, acoustic behavior in the pups and adults was correlated in sighted mice only. Together, our study reveals that congenital visual deprivation had no effect on the number of USVs emitted in the pups and juveniles, but affected the USVs' emission in the adult male and impacted the social behavior in juvenile and adult mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nouhaila Bouguiyoud
- Department of Anatomy, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
- Cognition, Neurosciences, Affect et Comportement (CogNAC) Research Group, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
| | | | - Gilles Bronchti
- Department of Anatomy, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
| | - Johannes Frasnelli
- Department of Anatomy, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
- Cognition, Neurosciences, Affect et Comportement (CogNAC) Research Group, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
| | - Florence I. Roullet
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Syrina Al Aïn
- Department of Anatomy, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
- Cognition, Neurosciences, Affect et Comportement (CogNAC) Research Group, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
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Caruso A, Ricceri L, Caruso A, Nicoletti F, Gaetano A, Scaccianoce S. Postweaning social isolation and autism-like phenotype: a biochemical and behavioral comparative analysis. Behav Brain Res 2022; 428:113891. [PMID: 35421428 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2022.113891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Adolescence is a critical period for brain development. In most mammalian species, disturbances experienced during adolescence constitute a risk factor for several neuropsychiatric disorders. In this study, we compared the biochemical and behavioral profile induced by postweaning social isolation (PWSI) in inbred C57BL/6N mice with that of BTBR mice, a rodent model of autism spectrum disorders. Male C57BL/6N mice were either housed in groups of four or isolated from weaning (postnatal day 21) for four weeks before experimental analyses. After weaning, male BTBR mice were housed four per cage and analyzed at 48 days of age. PWSI reduced hippocampal levels of type 2 metabotropic glutamate (mGlu2) receptors, and glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors. A similar reduction was seen in group-housed BTBR mice. Plasma corticosterone levels in basal conditions were not influenced by PWSI, but were increased in BTBR mice. Social investigation (total and head sniffing) and the number of ultrasonic vocalizations were reduced in both PWSI mice and age-matched group-housed BTBR mice, indicating a lower social responsiveness in both groups of mice. These results suggest that absence of social stimuli during adolescence induces an endophenotype with social deficit features, which mimics the phenotype of a mouse model of autism spectrum disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Caruso
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "V. Erspamer" University Sapienza of Rome, Italy.
| | - Laura Ricceri
- Centre for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
| | - Angela Caruso
- Research Coordination and Support Service, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
| | - Ferdinando Nicoletti
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "V. Erspamer" University Sapienza of Rome, Italy; IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy.
| | - Alessandra Gaetano
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "V. Erspamer" University Sapienza of Rome, Italy.
| | - Sergio Scaccianoce
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "V. Erspamer" University Sapienza of Rome, Italy.
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Capas-Peneda S, Saavedra Torres Y, Prins JB, Olsson IAS. From Mating to Milk Access: A Review of Reproductive Vocal Communication in Mice. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:833168. [PMID: 35418843 PMCID: PMC8995852 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.833168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Vocalisations play a central role in rodent communication, especially in reproduction related behaviours. In adult mice (Mus musculus) the emission of ultrasonic vocalisations (USVs) has been observed in courtship and mating behaviour, especially by males. These have been found to have distinctive individual signatures that influence female choice of mating partner. The most recent findings show that vocal communication also has a role in parental cooperation, in that female mice communicate with male partners in ultrasonic frequencies to induce paternal behaviour. Infant vocalisations form the other important part of reproductive vocal communication. Although born deaf, neonatal mice are capable of producing vocalisations since birth. As an altricial species, successful mother-infant communication is essential for survival, and these vocalisations are important modulators of maternal behaviour. Three main types of infant vocalisations have been identified and characterised. Most research has addressed pure USVs, related to stressful situations (e.g., cold, isolation, handling, presence of unfamiliar males or predators), which usually elicit maternal search and retrieval. In addition, broad-band spectrum signals, emitted post-partum during cleaning of foetal membranes, inhibit biting and injury by adults and “wriggling calls,” emitted during suckling, release maternal behaviour (such as licking). Several variables have been identified to modulate vocalisations in mice, including individual characteristics such as strain/genotype, age, sex, and experimental factors such as pharmacological compounds and social context. In recent years, there has been a big increase in the knowledge about the characteristics of vocal communication in rodents due to recent technological advances as well as a growing interest from the neuroscience community. Vocalisation analysis has become an essential tool for phenotyping and evaluating emotional states. In this review, we will (i) provide a comprehensive summary of the current knowledge on mouse reproductive vocal communication and (ii) discuss the most recent findings in order to provide a broad overview on this topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Capas-Peneda
- Biological Research Facility, Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
- i3S – Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- ICBAS – School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- *Correspondence: Sara Capas-Peneda,
| | | | - Jan-Bas Prins
- Biological Research Facility, Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
- Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - I. Anna S. Olsson
- i3S – Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- ICBAS – School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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14
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DiCarlo GE, Wallace MT. Modeling dopamine dysfunction in autism spectrum disorder: From invertebrates to vertebrates. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 133:104494. [PMID: 34906613 PMCID: PMC8792250 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a highly heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social communication and by patterns of restricted interests and/or repetitive behaviors. The Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative's Human Gene and CNV Modules now list over 1000 genes implicated in ASD and over 2000 copy number variant loci reported in individuals with ASD. Given this ever-growing list of genetic changes associated with ASD, it has become evident that there is likely not a single genetic cause of this disorder nor a single neurobiological basis of this disorder. Instead, it is likely that many different neurobiological perturbations (which may represent subtypes of ASD) can result in the set of behavioral symptoms that we called ASD. One such of possible subtype of ASD may be associated with dopamine dysfunction. Precise regulation of synaptic dopamine (DA) is required for reward processing and behavioral learning, behaviors which are disrupted in ASD. Here we review evidence for DA dysfunction in ASD and in animal models of ASD. Further, we propose that these studies provide a scaffold for scientists and clinicians to consider subcategorizing the ASD diagnosis based on the genetic changes, neurobiological difference, and behavioral features identified in individuals with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella E DiCarlo
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Mark T Wallace
- Vanderbilt University Brain Institute, Nashville, TN, United States; Department of Psychology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States; Department of Hearing & Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States; Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States.
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15
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Håkansson J, Jiang W, Xue Q, Zheng X, Ding M, Agarwal AA, Elemans CPH. Aerodynamics and motor control of ultrasonic vocalizations for social communication in mice and rats. BMC Biol 2022; 20:3. [PMID: 34996429 PMCID: PMC8742360 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-021-01185-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rodent ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) are crucial to their social communication and a widely used translational tool for linking gene mutations to behavior. To maximize the causal interpretation of experimental treatments, we need to understand how neural control affects USV production. However, both the aerodynamics of USV production and its neural control remain poorly understood. RESULTS Here, we test three intralaryngeal whistle mechanisms-the wall and alar edge impingement, and shallow cavity tone-by combining in vitro larynx physiology and individual-based 3D airway reconstructions with fluid dynamics simulations. Our results show that in the mouse and rat larynx, USVs are produced by a glottal jet impinging on the thyroid inner wall. Furthermore, we implemented an empirically based motor control model that predicts motor gesture trajectories of USV call types. CONCLUSIONS Our results identify wall impingement as the aerodynamic mechanism of USV production in rats and mice. Furthermore, our empirically based motor control model shows that both neural and anatomical components contribute to USV production, which suggests that changes in strain specific USVs or USV changes in disease models can result from both altered motor programs and laryngeal geometry. Our work provides a quantitative neuromechanical framework to evaluate the contributions of brain and body in shaping USVs and a first step in linking descending motor control to USV production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Håkansson
- Department of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230, Odense M, Denmark
| | - Weili Jiang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, ME, 04469, USA
| | - Qian Xue
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, ME, 04469, USA
| | - Xudong Zheng
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, ME, 04469, USA
| | - Ming Ding
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, Odense University Hospital, 5000, Odense C, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, 5000, Odense C, Denmark
| | - Anurag A Agarwal
- Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1TN, UK
| | - Coen P H Elemans
- Department of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230, Odense M, Denmark.
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16
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Prenatal exposure to valproic acid and treatment with intranasal oxytocin have sex-specific effects on behavior in Long Evans rats. Behav Pharmacol 2021; 32:561-570. [PMID: 34494987 DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0000000000000650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social behaviors and communication. In rodents and humans, prenatal exposure to antiepileptic valproic acid is associated with an increased risk for autistic-like characteristics. One potential treatment is oxytocin, a prosocial neuropeptide that can be delivered intranasally. However, the sex-specific effects of valproic acid exposure and intranasal oxytocin treatment on behavior have not been fully explored. Pregnant Long Evans rats were administered valproic acid (500 mg/kg) or saline midday on gestational day 12, and after weaning, male and female pups were assigned to control (saline-saline), valproic acid-saline, or valproic acid-oxytocin groups. Oxytocin (0.8 IU/kg) or saline was delivered intranasally 30-60 min before tests for anxiety-like behaviors (elevated plus maze), social interactions (sociability) and sociosexual behaviors (partner preference, 50 kHz vocalizations and scent marking). Prenatal exposure to valproic acid resulted in sex-specific differences in behavior. When compared to controls, valproic acid males showed enhanced anxiety-like behaviors in adolescence and fewer scent marks in adulthood, while valproic acid females showed reduced sexual (partner) preference as adults. Intranasal oxytocin was anxiolytic for valproic acid males, but moderately anxiogenic for valproic acid females, and in both sexes it surprisingly impaired social interactions in the sociability test. Furthermore, intranasal oxytocin failed to improve sociosexual deficits in valproic acid rats. These findings highlight the importance of conducting preclinical studies in both sexes, and suggest that oxytocin may be an effective treatment in animal models with heightened anxiety-like behaviors.
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Ahadullah, Yau SY, Lu HX, Lee TMC, Guo H, Chan CCH. PM 2.5 as a potential risk factor for autism spectrum disorder: Its possible link to neuroinflammation, oxidative stress and changes in gene expression. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 128:534-548. [PMID: 34216652 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.06.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by behavioral deficits including impairments in social communication, social interaction, and repetitive behaviors. Because the etiology of ASD is still largely unknown, there is no cure for ASD thus far. Although it has been established that genetic components play a vital role in ASD development, the influence of epigenetic regulation induced by environmental factors could also contribute to ASD susceptibility. Accumulated evidence has suggested that exposure to atmospheric particulate matter (PM) in polluted air could affect neurodevelopment, thus possibly leading to ASD. Particles with a size of 2.5 μm (PM2.5) or less have been shown to have negative effects on human health, and could be linked to ASD symptoms in children. This review summarizes evidence from clinical and animal studies to demonstrate the possible linkage between PM2.5 exposure and the incidence of ASD in children. An attempt was made to explore the possible mechanisms of this linkage, including changes of gene expression, oxidative stress and neuroinflammation induced by PM2.5 exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahadullah
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Suk-Yu Yau
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China; Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangzhou 510515, China.
| | - Hao-Xian Lu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Tatia M C Lee
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Laboratory of Neuropsychology and Human Neuroscience, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hai Guo
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Chetwyn C H Chan
- Department of Psychology, The Education University of Hong Kong, Tai Po, Hong Kong, China
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18
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Premoli M, Memo M, Bonini SA. Ultrasonic vocalizations in mice: relevance for ethologic and neurodevelopmental disorders studies. Neural Regen Res 2021; 16:1158-1167. [PMID: 33269765 PMCID: PMC8224126 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.300340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Mice use ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) to communicate each other and to convey their emotional state. USVs have been greatly characterized in specific life phases and contexts, such as mother isolation-induced USVs for pups or female-induced USVs for male mice during courtship. USVs can be acquired by means of specific tools and later analyzed on the base of both quantitative and qualitative parameters. Indeed, different ultrasonic call categories exist and have already been defined. The understanding of different calls meaning is still missing, and it will represent an essential step forward in the field of USVs. They have long been studied in the ethological context, but recently they emerged as a precious instrument to study pathologies characterized by deficits in communication, in particular neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), such as autism spectrum disorders. This review covers the topics of USVs characteristics in mice, contexts for USVs emission and factors that modulate their expression. A particular focus will be devoted to mouse USVs in the context of NDDs. Indeed, several NDDs murine models exist and an intense study of USVs is currently in progress, with the aim of both performing an early diagnosis and to find a pharmacological/behavioral intervention to improve patients' quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marika Premoli
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, Brescia, Italy
| | - Maurizio Memo
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, Brescia, Italy
| | - Sara Anna Bonini
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, Brescia, Italy
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19
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Vocalizations of infant brown rats, but not infant house mice, enhance rodent captures in sex pheromone-baited traps. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2021.105267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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20
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Gandhi T, Lee CC. Neural Mechanisms Underlying Repetitive Behaviors in Rodent Models of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 14:592710. [PMID: 33519379 PMCID: PMC7840495 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.592710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is comprised of several conditions characterized by alterations in social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors. Genetic and environmental factors contribute to the heterogeneous development of ASD behaviors. Several rodent models display ASD-like phenotypes, including repetitive behaviors. In this review article, we discuss the potential neural mechanisms involved in repetitive behaviors in rodent models of ASD and related neuropsychiatric disorders. We review signaling pathways, neural circuits, and anatomical alterations in rodent models that display robust stereotypic behaviors. Understanding the mechanisms and circuit alterations underlying repetitive behaviors in rodent models of ASD will inform translational research and provide useful insight into therapeutic strategies for the treatment of repetitive behaviors in ASD and other neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanya Gandhi
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
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21
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Yamauchi T, Yoshioka T, Yamada D, Hamano T, Ohashi M, Matsumoto M, Iio K, Ikeda M, Kamei M, Otsuki T, Sato Y, Nii K, Suzuki M, Ichikawa H, Nagase H, Iriyama S, Yoshizawa K, Nishino S, Miyazaki S, Saitoh A. Cold-restraint stress–induced ultrasonic vocalization as a novel tool to measure anxiety in mice. Biol Pharm Bull 2021; 45:268-275. [DOI: 10.1248/bpb.b21-00776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tsugumi Yamauchi
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science
| | - Toshinori Yoshioka
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science
| | - Daisuke Yamada
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science
| | - Takumi Hamano
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science
| | - Misaki Ohashi
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science
| | - Maki Matsumoto
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science
| | - Keita Iio
- International Institute for Integrative Sleep Medicine (WPI-IIIS), University of Tsukuba
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Hiroko Ichikawa
- Laboratory of Psychology, Noda Division, Institute of Arts and Sciences, Tokyo University of Science
| | - Hiroshi Nagase
- International Institute for Integrative Sleep Medicine (WPI-IIIS), University of Tsukuba
| | - Satoshi Iriyama
- Laboratory of Quantum information dynamics, Department of Information Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science
| | - Kazumi Yoshizawa
- Laboratory of Disease Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science
| | | | - Satoru Miyazaki
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science
| | - Akiyoshi Saitoh
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science
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22
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Mizuno S, Hirota JN, Ishii C, Iwasaki H, Sano Y, Furuichi T. Comprehensive Profiling of Gene Expression in the Cerebral Cortex and Striatum of BTBRTF/ArtRbrc Mice Compared to C57BL/6J Mice. Front Cell Neurosci 2020; 14:595607. [PMID: 33362469 PMCID: PMC7758463 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.595607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Mouse line BTBR T+ Iptr3tf/J (hereafter referred as to BTBR/J) is a mouse strain that shows lower sociability compared to the C57BL/6J mouse strain (B6) and thus is often utilized as a model for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In this study, we utilized another subline, BTBRTF/ArtRbrc (hereafter referred as to BTBR/R), and analyzed the associated brain transcriptome compared to B6 mice using microarray analysis, quantitative RT-PCR analysis, various bioinformatics analyses, and in situ hybridization. We focused on the cerebral cortex and the striatum, both of which are thought to be brain circuits associated with ASD symptoms. The transcriptome profiling identified 1,280 differentially expressed genes (DEGs; 974 downregulated and 306 upregulated genes, including 498 non-coding RNAs [ncRNAs]) in BTBR/R mice compared to B6 mice. Among these DEGs, 53 genes were consistent with ASD-related genes already established. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis highlighted 78 annotations (GO terms) including DNA/chromatin regulation, transcriptional/translational regulation, intercellular signaling, metabolism, immune signaling, and neurotransmitter/synaptic transmission-related terms. RNA interaction analysis revealed novel RNA–RNA networks, including 227 ASD-related genes. Weighted correlation network analysis highlighted 10 enriched modules including DNA/chromatin regulation, neurotransmitter/synaptic transmission, and transcriptional/translational regulation. Finally, the behavioral analyses showed that, compared to B6 mice, BTBR/R mice have mild but significant deficits in social novelty recognition and repetitive behavior. In addition, the BTBR/R data were comprehensively compared with those reported in the previous studies of human subjects with ASD as well as ASD animal models, including BTBR/J mice. Our results allow us to propose potentially important genes, ncRNAs, and RNA interactions. Analysis of the altered brain transcriptome data of the BTBR/R and BTBR/J sublines can contribute to the understanding of the genetic underpinnings of autism susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shota Mizuno
- Department of Applied Biological Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Japan
| | - Jun-Na Hirota
- Department of Applied Biological Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Japan
| | - Chiaki Ishii
- Department of Applied Biological Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Japan
| | - Hirohide Iwasaki
- Department of Anatomy, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan
| | - Yoshitake Sano
- Department of Applied Biological Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Japan
| | - Teiichi Furuichi
- Department of Applied Biological Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Japan
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23
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Binder M, Nolan SO, Lugo JN. A comparison of the Avisoft (v.5.2) and MATLAB Mouse Song Analyzer (v.1.3) vocalization analysis systems in C57BL/6, Fmr1-FVB.129, NS-Pten-FVB, and 129 mice. J Neurosci Methods 2020; 346:108913. [PMID: 32805316 PMCID: PMC7606442 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2020.108913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Communicative behaviors play a vital role in mammals and are highly relevant to human neurodevelopmental conditions. Mice produce communicative vocalizations that occur in the ultrasonic range, which are commonly analyzed within the Avisoft recording system. Fully automated programs such as the Mouse Song Analyzer in MATLAB, have been developed to analyze USVs in a shorter time period, however, no study has compared the accuracy of MATLAB to Avisoft. NEW METHOD In order to determine MATLAB's accuracy, we used data from four different mouse strains and assessed whether the total number of USVs detected was similar between systems. RESULTS We found that there was a high correlation between systems for the number of USVs emitted from C57BL/6 and NS-Pten mice however, Avisoft detected significantly more USVs than MATLAB for both strains. For Fmr1-FVB.129 and 129 mice, large correlations were observed between systems and no significant difference was present in the USVs detected. A partial correlation was run to control for the covariates: sex, age, strain, and treatment, and found that only strain substantially influences the relationship between the USVs detected in Avisoft and those detected in MATLAB. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHOD These findings demonstrate that there is a high degree of agreement between Avisoft and the Mouse Song Analyzer however, Avisoft does detect significantly more USVs depending on the strain assessed. CONCLUSIONS Therefore, there are relative advantages and disadvantages with both systems that vocalization researchers should be aware of when interpreting USV results, and when using either system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Binder
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Suzanne O Nolan
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Joaquin N Lugo
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA; Institute of Biomedical Studies, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76798, USA.
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24
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Ciernia AV, Link VM, Careaga M, LaSalle JM, Ashwood P. Genetic variants drive altered epigenetic regulation of endotoxin response in BTBR macrophages. Brain Behav Immun 2020; 89:20-31. [PMID: 32454135 PMCID: PMC7572655 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2020.05.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The BTBR T+Itpr3tf/J (BTBR) mouse has been used as a complex genetic model of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). While the specific mechanisms underlying BTBR behavioral phenotypes are poorly understood, prior studies have implicated profound differences in innate immune system control of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Innate immune activation and elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines are also detected in blood of children with ASD. In this study, we examined how underlying BTBR genetic variants correspond to strain-specific changes in chromatin accessibility, resulting in a pro-inflammatory response specifically in BTBR bone marrow derived macrophages (BMDM). In response to repeated lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatments, C57BL/6J (C57) BMDM exhibited intact endotoxin tolerance. In contrast, BTBR BMDM exhibited hyper-responsive expression of genes that were normally tolerized in C57. This failure in formation of endotoxin tolerance in BTBR was mirrored at the level of chromatin accessibility. Using ATAC-seq, we specifically identified promoter and enhancer regions with strain-specific differential chromatin accessibility both at baseline and in response to LPS. Regions with strain-specific differences in chromatin accessibility were significantly enriched for BTBR genetic variants, such that an average of 22% of the differential chromatin regions had at least one variant. Together, these results demonstrate that BTBR genetic variants contribute to altered chromatin responsiveness to endotoxin challenge resulting in hyper-responsive innate immunity in BTBR. These findings provide evidence for an interaction between complex genetic variants and differential epigenetic regulation of innate immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annie Vogel Ciernia
- Department Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver V6T2A1, Canada.
| | - Verena M Link
- Metaorganism Immunity Section, Laboratory of Immune System Biology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Milo Careaga
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, MIND Institute, Genome Center, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Janine M LaSalle
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, MIND Institute, Genome Center, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Paul Ashwood
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, MIND Institute, Genome Center, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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Arakawa H. Somatosensorimotor and Odor Modification, Along with Serotonergic Processes Underlying the Social Deficits in BTBR T+ Itpr3 tf/J and BALB/cJ Mouse Models of Autism. Neuroscience 2020; 445:144-162. [PMID: 32061779 PMCID: PMC8078887 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Revised: 02/02/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Autism is a complex spectrum of disorders characterized by core behavioral deficits in social communicative behavior, which are also required for comprehensive analysis of preclinical mouse models. As animal models of the core behavioral deficits in autism, two inbred mouse strains, BTBR T+ Itpr3tf/J (BTBR) and BALB/cJ (BALB), were compared with the standard social strain, C57BL/6J (B6), regarding a variety of behavioral factors underlying social communicative interactions, including olfactory and tactile sensory processes, social recognition abilities and behavioral expression strategies. Although both female BTBR and BALB mice can express social recognition and approach behavior depending on the stimuli they encounter, the available sensory modalities, along with modulation of the serotonergic system, differ between the two strains. BALB mice have deficits in using volatile olfactory cues and tactile information in a social context; they fail to exhibit a social approach to volatile cues and seek nonvolatile cues by exhibiting substantial sniff/contact behavior when allowed direct contact with social opponents. Systemic injection of the serotonin (5-HT1A) agonist buspirone has little effect on these social deficits, suggesting a congenitally degraded serotonergic system in BALB mice. In contrast, BTBR mice exhibit impaired body coordination and social motivation-modified olfactory signals, which are relevant to a reduced social approach. A systemic injection of the 5-HT1A agonist restored these social deficits in BTBR mice, indicating that a downregulated serotonergic system is involved in the social deficits exhibited by BTBR mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Arakawa
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Rodent Behavioral Core Department of Research Administration, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA.
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26
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Caruso A, Ricceri L, Scattoni ML. Ultrasonic vocalizations as a fundamental tool for early and adult behavioral phenotyping of Autism Spectrum Disorder rodent models. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 116:31-43. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2020] [Revised: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Niemczura AC, Grimsley JM, Kim C, Alkhawaga A, Poth A, Carvalho A, Wenstrup JJ. Physiological and Behavioral Responses to Vocalization Playback in Mice. Front Behav Neurosci 2020; 14:155. [PMID: 33033474 PMCID: PMC7490332 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2020.00155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In mice, the caller’s production of social vocalizations has been extensively studied but the effect of these vocalizations on the listener is less understood, with playback studies to date utilizing one vocalization category or listeners of one sex. This study examines how several categories of mouse vocalizations affect listeners of both sexes to better understand the communicative functions of these vocal categories. We examined physiological and behavioral responses of male and female CBA/CaJ mice to playback of four social vocalization categories: ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs), low-frequency harmonic calls, mid-frequency vocalizations, and noisy calls. Based on the conditions under which these calls are emitted, we hypothesized that playback of these vocal categories would have differential effects on the listeners. In females, playback of all four vocalization categories increased stress hormone levels (corticosterone), but only the non-USV categories increased corticosterone in males. The magnitude of corticosterone increase in non-USV trials was greater in females than in males. In open field tests, all four vocal categories decreased central ambulation in males and females, indicating an increase in anxiety-related behavior. Further, we found that the proportions of USVs emitted by subjects, but not their overall calling rates, were affected by playback of some vocal categories, suggesting that vocalization categories have different communication content. These results show that, even in the absence of behavioral and acoustic contextual features, each vocal category evokes physiological and behavioral responses in mice, with some differences in responses as a function of the listener’s sex and playback signal. These findings suggest that at least some of the vocal categories have distinct communicative functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra C Niemczura
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH, United States.,School of Biomedical Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH, United States
| | - Jasmine M Grimsley
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH, United States.,School of Biomedical Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH, United States
| | - Chae Kim
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH, United States
| | - Ahmad Alkhawaga
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH, United States
| | - Austin Poth
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH, United States
| | - Alyssa Carvalho
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH, United States
| | - Jeffrey J Wenstrup
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH, United States.,School of Biomedical Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH, United States.,Brain Health Research Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH, United States
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28
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Kabitzke P, Morales D, He D, Cox K, Sutphen J, Thiede L, Sabath E, Hanania T, Biemans B, Brunner D. Mouse model systems of autism spectrum disorder: Replicability and informatics signature. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2020; 19:e12676. [PMID: 32445272 PMCID: PMC7540461 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Revised: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Phenotyping mouse model systems of human disease has proven to be a difficult task, with frequent poor inter- and intra-laboratory replicability, particularly in behavioral domains such as social and cognitive function. However, establishing robust animal model systems with strong construct validity is of fundamental importance as they are central tools for understanding disease pathophysiology and developing therapeutics. To complete our studies of mouse model systems relevant to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), we present a replication of the main findings from our two published studies of five genetic mouse model systems of ASD. To assess the intra-laboratory robustness of previous results, we chose the two model systems that showed the greatest phenotypic differences, the Shank3/F and Cntnap2, and repeated assessments of general health, activity and social behavior. We additionally explored all five model systems in the same framework, comparing all results obtained in this three-yearlong effort using informatics techniques to assess commonalities and differences. Our results showed high intra-laboratory replicability of results, even for those with effect sizes that were not particularly large, suggesting that discrepancies in the literature may be dependent on subtle but pivotal differences in testing conditions, housing enrichment, or background strains and less so on the variability of the behavioral phenotypes. The overall informatics analysis suggests that in our behavioral assays we can separate the set of tested mouse model system into two main classes that in some aspects lie on opposite ends of the behavioral spectrum, supporting the view that autism is not a unitary concept.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Kabitzke
- PsychoGenics, Inc., Paramus, New Jersey, USA.,The Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Diana Morales
- PsychoGenics, Inc., Paramus, New Jersey, USA.,Pfizer, Pearl River, NY, USA
| | - Dansha He
- PsychoGenics, Inc., Paramus, New Jersey, USA
| | | | - Jane Sutphen
- PsychoGenics, Inc., Paramus, New Jersey, USA.,Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Lucinda Thiede
- PsychoGenics, Inc., Paramus, New Jersey, USA.,Boehringer Ingelheim, Ridgefield, CT, USA
| | - Emily Sabath
- PsychoGenics, Inc., Paramus, New Jersey, USA.,JRS Pharma, Patterson, NY, USA
| | | | | | - Daniela Brunner
- PsychoGenics, Inc., Paramus, New Jersey, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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29
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Uddin MN, Yao Y, Mondal T, Matala R, Manley K, Lin Q, Lawrence DA. Immunity and autoantibodies of a mouse strain with autistic-like behavior. Brain Behav Immun Health 2020; 4:100069. [PMID: 34589851 PMCID: PMC8474232 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2020.100069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Female and male mice of the BTBR T + Itpr3 tf /J (BTBR) strain have behaviors that resemble autism spectrum disorder. In comparison to C57BL/6 (B6) mice, BTBR mice have elevated humoral immunity, in that they have naturally high serum IgG levels and generate high levels of IgG antibodies, including autoantibodies to brain antigens. This study focused on the specificities of autoantibodies and the immune cells and their transcription factors that might be responsible for the autoantibodies. BTBR IgG autoantibodies bind to neurons better than microglia and with highest titer to nuclear antigens. Two of the antigens identified were alpha-enolase (ENO1) and dihydrolipoyllysine-residue succinyltransferase component of 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex, mitochondrial (DLST). Surprisingly based on IgG levels, the blood and spleens of BTBR mice have more CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, but fewer B cells than B6 mice. The high levels of autoantibodies in BTBR relates to their splenic T follicular helper (Tfh) cell levels, which likely are responsible for the higher number of plasma cells in BTBR mice than B6 mice. BTBR mice have increased gene expression of interleukin-21 receptor (I l -21 r) and Paired Box 5 (Pax5), which are known to aid B cell differentiation to plasma cells, and an increased Lysine Demethylase 6B (Kdm6b)/DNA Methyltransferase 1 (Dnmt1) ratio, which increases gene expression. Identification of gene expression and immune activities of BTBR mice may aid understanding of mechanisms associated with autism since neuroimmune network interactions have been posited and induction of autoantibodies may drive the neuroinflammation associated with autism.
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Key Words
- ASD, autism spectrum disorder
- Ab, antibody
- Ag, antigen
- Alpha-enolase
- Autism
- Autoantibody
- BM, bone marrow
- BTBR
- Dlst, dihydrolipoyllysine-residue succinyltransferase component of 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex, mitochondrial
- Dnmt1
- Dnmt1, DNA Methyltransferase 1
- Eno1, alpha-enolase
- IL-21r
- IL21R, interleukin-21 receptor
- Kdm6b
- Kdm6b, Lysine Demethylase 6B
- Pax5
- Pax5, Paired Box 5
- Plasma cell
- T follicular helper cell
- Tfh, T follicular helper cell
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Nizam Uddin
- Wadsworth Center/New York State Department of Health, RNA Epitranscriptomics & Proteomics Resource, SUNY at Albany, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Yunyi Yao
- Wadsworth Center/New York State Department of Health, RNA Epitranscriptomics & Proteomics Resource, SUNY at Albany, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Tapan Mondal
- Wadsworth Center/New York State Department of Health, RNA Epitranscriptomics & Proteomics Resource, SUNY at Albany, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Rosemary Matala
- University at Albany School of Public Health, Rensselaer, NY, USA
| | - Kevin Manley
- Wadsworth Center/New York State Department of Health, RNA Epitranscriptomics & Proteomics Resource, SUNY at Albany, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Qishan Lin
- RNA Epitranscriptomics & Proteomics Resource, SUNY at Albany, Albany, NY, USA
| | - David A Lawrence
- Wadsworth Center/New York State Department of Health, RNA Epitranscriptomics & Proteomics Resource, SUNY at Albany, Albany, NY, USA.,University at Albany School of Public Health, Rensselaer, NY, USA
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30
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Binder MS, Jones DG, Hodges SL, Lugo JN. NS-Pten adult knockout mice display both quantitative and qualitative changes in urine-induced ultrasonic vocalizations. Behav Brain Res 2020; 378:112189. [PMID: 31586563 PMCID: PMC7000110 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.112189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Revised: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The NS-Pten knockout (KO) mouse exhibits hyperactivity of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and is a model of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ASD presents with marked deficits in communication which can be elucidated by investigating their counterpart in mice, ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs). While USVs have been found to be altered in NS-Pten KO pups, no study has assessed whether this communication deficit persists into adulthood. In the present study, we investigate female urine-induced USVs, scent marking behavior, and open field activity in NS-Pten KO and wildtype (WT) adult male mice. Results showed that there was no difference in the quantity of vocalizations produced between groups, however, there were extensive alterations in the spectral properties of USVs. KO mice emitted vocalizations of a lower peak frequency, shorter duration, and higher peak amplitude compared to WT mice. KO animals also emitted a significantly different distribution of call-types relative to controls, displaying increased complex and short calls, but fewer upward, chevron, frequency steps, and composite calls. No significant differences between groups were observed for scent marking behavior and there was no difference between groups in the amount of time spent near the female urine. Overall, this study demonstrated that mTOR hyperactivity contributes to communication deficits in adult mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew S Binder
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, TX, 76798, USA
| | - Dalton G Jones
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, TX, 76798, USA
| | - Samantha L Hodges
- Institute of Biomedical Studies, Baylor University, Waco TX 76798, USA
| | - Joaquin N Lugo
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, TX, 76798, USA; Institute of Biomedical Studies, Baylor University, Waco TX 76798, USA; Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, TX, 76798, USA.
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31
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Kim J, Ciernia AV. Chromatin Dynamics and Genetic Variation Combine to Regulate Innate Immune Memory. JOURNAL OF CLINICAL & CELLULAR IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 11:595. [PMID: 34295572 PMCID: PMC8294664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Recent work by Ciernia et al. (2020) identified how genetic and epigenetic mechanisms interact to regulate innate immune memory in bone marrow derived macrophages. The authors examined the BTBR strain, a naturally occurring mouse model of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) that captures the complex genetics, behavioral and immune dysregulation found in the human disorder. Immune cell cultures from the BTBR strain compared to the standard C57 showed hyper-responsive immune gene expression that was linked to altered chromatin accessibility at sites with genetic differences between the strains. Together, findings from this work demonstrated that multiple levels of gene regulation likely dictate the formation of innate immune memory and are likely disrupted in immune cells in ASD. Future work will be needed to extend these findings to immune gene regulation in the brain and how changes in immune function are related to abnormal behaviors in brain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Kim
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Annie Vogel Ciernia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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32
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Endo N, Makinodan M, Somayama N, Komori T, Kishimoto T, Nishi M. Characterization of behavioral phenotypes in the BTBR T + Itpr3 tf/J mouse model of autism spectrum disorder under social housing conditions using the multiple animal positioning system. Exp Anim 2019; 68:319-330. [PMID: 30905912 PMCID: PMC6699967 DOI: 10.1538/expanim.18-0177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The BTBR T+ Itpr3tf/J (BTBR) mouse strain is a widely used model of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The BTBR mice display behavior consistent with the three diagnostic categories of ASD. However, the behavioral phenotypes of the BTBR mice in a long-term group housing setting are largely unknown because conventional behavioral tests for ASD model mice are designed for use under simplified artificial conditions over a short observation period. In this study, we applied a newly developed assay system, the Multiple Animal Positioning System (MAPS), to quantify behaviors under group housing conditions over four days of continuous observation. Using MAPS, we showed that in a group housing condition, the BTBR mice exhibited lower activity levels in the dark phase and alteration of social behavior in comparison with the C57BL/6J mice. The phenotypes of the BTBR mice were affected by co-housing with the C57BL/6J mice for four days, but the influence was weak and limited. Our results by MAPS differ from those obtained using conventional behavioral tests. The present study demonstrated that MAPS would be useful for evaluating the usual/natural behaviors of various animal models in detail and under more ethological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nozomi Endo
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, Nara 634-8521, Japan
| | - Manabu Makinodan
- Department of Psychiatry, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, Nara 634-8521, Japan
| | - Nami Somayama
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, Nara 634-8521, Japan
| | - Takashi Komori
- Department of Psychiatry, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, Nara 634-8521, Japan
| | - Toshifumi Kishimoto
- Department of Psychiatry, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, Nara 634-8521, Japan
| | - Mayumi Nishi
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, Nara 634-8521, Japan
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33
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Neural Deletion of Glucose Transporter Isoform 3 Creates Distinct Postnatal and Adult Neurobehavioral Phenotypes. J Neurosci 2018; 38:9579-9599. [PMID: 30232223 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0503-18.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2018] [Revised: 09/06/2018] [Accepted: 09/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
We created a neural-specific conditional murine glut3 (Slc2A3) deletion (glut3 flox/flox/nestin-Cre+) to examine the effect of a lack of Glut3 on neurodevelopment. Compared with age-matched glut3 flox/flox = WT and heterozygotes (glut3 flox/+/nestin-Cre+), we found that a >90% reduction in male and female brain Glut3 occurred by postnatal day 15 (PN15) in glut3 flox/flox/nestin-Cre+ This genetic manipulation caused a diminution in brain weight and cortical thickness at PN15, a reduced number of dendritic spines, and fewer ultrasonic vocalizations. Patch-clamp recordings of cortical pyramidal neurons revealed increased frequency of bicuculline-induced paroxysmal discharges as well as reduced latency, attesting to a functional synaptic and cortical hyperexcitability. Concomitant stunting with lower glucose concentrations despite increased milk intake shortened the lifespan, failing rescue by a ketogenic diet. This led to creating glut3 flox/flox/CaMK2α-Cre+ mice lacking Glut3 in the adult male limbic system. These mice had normal lifespan, displayed reduced IPSCs in cortical pyramidal neurons, less anxiety/fear, and lowered spatial memory and motor abilities but heightened exploratory and social responses. These distinct postnatal and adult phenotypes, based upon whether glut3 gene is globally or restrictively absent, have implications for humans who carry copy number variations and present with neurodevelopmental disorders.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Lack of the key brain-specific glucose transporter 3 gene found in neurons during early postnatal life results in significant stunting, a reduction in dendritic spines found on neuronal processes and brain size, heightened neuronal excitability, along with a shortened lifespan. When occurring in the adult and limited to the limbic system alone, lack of this gene in neurons reduces the fear of spatial exploration and socialization but does not affect the lifespan. These features are distinct heralding differences between postnatal and adult phenotypes based upon whether the same gene is globally or restrictively lacking. These findings have implications for humans who carry copy number variations pertinent to this gene and have been described to present with neurodevelopmental disorders.
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34
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Semple BD, Zamani A, Rayner G, Shultz SR, Jones NC. Affective, neurocognitive and psychosocial disorders associated with traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic epilepsy. Neurobiol Dis 2018; 123:27-41. [PMID: 30059725 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2018.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2018] [Revised: 07/08/2018] [Accepted: 07/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Survivors of traumatic brain injury (TBI) often develop chronic neurological, neurocognitive, psychological, and psychosocial deficits that can have a profound impact on an individual's wellbeing and quality of life. TBI is also a common cause of acquired epilepsy, which is itself associated with significant behavioral morbidity. This review considers the clinical and preclinical evidence that post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE) acts as a 'second-hit' insult to worsen chronic behavioral outcomes for brain-injured patients, across the domains of emotional, cognitive, and psychosocial functioning. Surprisingly, few well-designed studies have specifically examined the relationship between seizures and behavioral outcomes after TBI. The complex mechanisms underlying these comorbidities remain incompletely understood, although many of the biological processes that precipitate seizure occurrence and epileptogenesis may also contribute to the development of chronic behavioral deficits. Further, the relationship between PTE and behavioral dysfunction is increasingly recognized to be a bidirectional one, whereby premorbid conditions are a risk factor for PTE. Clinical studies in this arena are often challenged by the confounding effects of anti-seizure medications, while preclinical studies have rarely examined an adequately extended time course to fully capture the time course of epilepsy development after a TBI. To drive the field forward towards improved treatment strategies, it is imperative that both seizures and neurobehavioral outcomes are assessed in parallel after TBI, both in patient populations and preclinical models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bridgette D Semple
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Medicine (Royal Melbourne Hospital), The University of Melbourne, Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
| | - Akram Zamani
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | - Genevieve Rayner
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre (Austin Campus), Heidelberg, VIC, Australia; Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia; Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, Alfred Health, Australia.
| | - Sandy R Shultz
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Medicine (Royal Melbourne Hospital), The University of Melbourne, Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
| | - Nigel C Jones
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Medicine (Royal Melbourne Hospital), The University of Melbourne, Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
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35
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Chao OY, Yunger R, Yang YM. Behavioral assessments of BTBR T+Itpr3tf/J mice by tests of object attention and elevated open platform: Implications for an animal model of psychiatric comorbidity in autism. Behav Brain Res 2018; 347:140-147. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2018.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2017] [Revised: 03/09/2018] [Accepted: 03/09/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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36
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Knoll AT, Jiang K, Levitt P. Quantitative trait locus mapping and analysis of heritable variation in affiliative social behavior and co-occurring traits. GENES, BRAIN, AND BEHAVIOR 2018; 17:e12431. [PMID: 29052939 PMCID: PMC5910301 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2017] [Revised: 10/04/2017] [Accepted: 10/14/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Humans exhibit broad heterogeneity in affiliative social behavior. Twin and family studies show that individual differences in core dimensions of social behavior are heritable, yet there are knowledge gaps in understanding the underlying genetic and neurobiological mechanisms. Animal genetic reference panels (GRPs) provide a tractable strategy for examining the behavioral and genetic architecture of complex traits. Here, using males from 50 mouse strains from the BXD GRP, 4 domains of affiliative social behavior-social approach, social recognition, direct social interaction (DSI) (partner sniffing) and vocal communication-were examined in 2 widely used behavioral tasks-the 3-chamber and DSI tasks. There was continuous and broad variation in social and nonsocial traits, with moderate to high heritability of social approach sniff preference (0.31), ultrasonic vocalization (USV) count (0.39), partner sniffing (0.51), locomotor activity (0.54-0.66) and anxiety-like behavior (0.36). Principal component analysis shows that variation in social and nonsocial traits are attributable to 5 independent factors. Genome-wide mapping identified significant quantitative trait loci for USV count on chromosome (Chr) 18 and locomotor activity on Chr X, with suggestive loci and candidate quantitative trait genes identified for all traits with one notable exception-partner sniffing in the DSI task. The results show heritable variation in sociability, which is independent of variation in activity and anxiety-like traits. In addition, a highly heritable and ethological domain of affiliative sociability-partner sniffing-appears highly polygenic. These findings establish a basis for identifying functional natural variants, leading to a new understanding typical and atypical sociability.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. T. Knoll
- Program in Developmental NeurogeneticsInstitute for the Developing Mind, The Saban Research Institute, Children’s Hospital Los AngelesLos AngelesCA
- Department of PediatricsKeck School of Medicine of the University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCA
| | - K. Jiang
- Department of PediatricsKeck School of Medicine of the University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCA
| | - P. Levitt
- Program in Developmental NeurogeneticsInstitute for the Developing Mind, The Saban Research Institute, Children’s Hospital Los AngelesLos AngelesCA
- Department of PediatricsKeck School of Medicine of the University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCA
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37
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Langguth M, Fassin M, Alexander S, Turner KM, Burne THJ. No effect of prenatal vitamin D deficiency on autism-relevant behaviours in multiple inbred strains of mice. Behav Brain Res 2018; 348:42-52. [PMID: 29655594 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2018.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2017] [Revised: 03/29/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) is a group of neurodevelopmental disorders commonly characterised by verbal and non-verbal communication deficits, impaired social interaction and repetitive, stereotypic behaviours. The aetiology of ASD is most likely a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Epidemiological evidence suggests that prenatal vitamin D deficiency is associated with an increased incidence of ASD. The overall aim of this study was to investigate prenatal vitamin D deficiency on ASD-related behavioural phenotypes in multiple inbred strains of mice. We included two commonly used inbred mouse strains (C57BL/6J and BALB/c) as well as inbred BTBR mice, which show ASD-related behaviours, such as excessive self-grooming, hyperlocomotion, social interaction deficits and altered communication. We also studied the effect of prenatal vitamin D deficiency in a fourth strain; an F1 cross of C57BL/6J x BTBR mice, which have a partial BTBR phenotype. To implement prenatal vitamin D deficiency, female mice were placed on vitamin D deplete diets for ten weeks, including mating and gestation, until littering, when all dams were switched to the control diet. Behavioural symptoms related to ASD were measured, including isolation-induced ultrasonic vocalisations to measure communication, the three-chambered social interaction task to observe social interaction, the open field test to examine hyperlocomotion, assessment of grooming and rearing behaviour and finally the active place avoidance task to observe spatial learning and memory in response to a mild foot shock. Prenatal vitamin D deficiency had a negative impact on preference for social novelty in C57BL/6J mice, despite similar vocalisation phenotypes, and prenatal vitamin D-deficient F1 mice were found to be hypolocomotive in the open field test yet performed better on the active place avoidance task. Despite clear differences between strains, there were no other consistent significant main effects of maternal diet on the behaviour of the offspring. Vitamin D deficiency has been implicated as a risk factor for ASD and these data show that there is greater variation between different inbred strains in ASD-related behaviour, suggesting that prenatal vitamin D deficiency is not sufficient to recapitulate an ASD phenotype in multiple inbred strains of mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Langguth
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - M Fassin
- Faculté de Médecine et de Pharmacie, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
| | - S Alexander
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia; Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, The Park Centre for Mental Health, Richlands, Queensland, Australia
| | - K M Turner
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - T H J Burne
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia; Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, The Park Centre for Mental Health, Richlands, Queensland, Australia.
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38
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Needham BD, Tang W, Wu WL. Searching for the gut microbial contributing factors to social behavior in rodent models of autism spectrum disorder. Dev Neurobiol 2018; 78:474-499. [PMID: 29411548 DOI: 10.1002/dneu.22581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2017] [Revised: 11/07/2017] [Accepted: 01/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Social impairment is one of the major symptoms in multiple psychiatric disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Accumulated studies indicate a crucial role for the gut microbiota in social development, but these mechanisms remain unclear. This review focuses on two strategies adopted to elucidate the complicated relationship between gut bacteria and host social behavior. In a top-down approach, researchers have attempted to correlate behavioral abnormalities with altered gut microbial profiles in rodent models of ASD, including BTBR mice, maternal immune activation (MIA), maternal valproic acid (VPA) and maternal high-fat diet (MHFD) offspring. In a bottom-up approach, researchers use germ-free (GF) animals, antibiotics, probiotics or pathogens to manipulate the intestinal environment and ascertain effects on social behavior. The combination of both approaches will hopefully pinpoint specific bacterial communities that control host social behavior. Further discussion of how brain development and circuitry is impacted by depletion of gut microbiota is also included. The converging evidence strongly suggests that gut microbes affect host social behavior through the alteration of brain neural circuits. Investigation of intestinal microbiota and host social behavior will unveil any bidirectional communication between the gut and brain and provide alternative therapeutic targets for ASD. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 78: 474-499, 2018.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany D Needham
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, 1200 E. California Boulevard, Pasadena, California
| | - Weiyi Tang
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, 1200 E. California Boulevard, Pasadena, California
| | - Wei-Li Wu
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, 1200 E. California Boulevard, Pasadena, California
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Scattoni ML, Michetti C, Ricceri L. Rodent Vocalization Studies in Animal Models of the Autism Spectrum Disorder. HANDBOOK OF ULTRASONIC VOCALIZATION - A WINDOW INTO THE EMOTIONAL BRAIN 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-809600-0.00042-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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Kim S, Lee B, Choi JH, Kim JH, Kim CH, Shin HS. Deficiency of a brain-specific chemokine-like molecule, SAM3, induces cardinal phenotypes of autism spectrum disorders in mice. Sci Rep 2017; 7:16503. [PMID: 29184127 PMCID: PMC5705707 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-16769-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2017] [Accepted: 11/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemokines are small secreted signaling proteins produced by a broad range of cells, including immune cells. Several studies have recently suggested potential roles of chemokines and their receptors in the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). SAM3 is a novel brain-specific chemokine-like molecule with an unknown physiological function. We explored the relevance of chemokines in the development of ASD in mice, with a focus on SAM3. We generated Sam3 gene knockout (KO) mice and characterized their behavioral phenotypes, with a focus on those relevant to ASD. Sam3-deficient mice displayed all three core phenotypes of ASD: impaired responses to social novelty, defects in social communication, and increased repetitive behavior. In addition, they showed increased anxiety. Interestingly, gender differences were identified for several behaviors: only male Sam3 KO mice exhibited increased anxiety and increased repetitive behaviors. Sam3 KO mice did not exhibit changes in other behaviors, including locomotor activities, fear learning and memory, and object recognition memory. These findings indicate that a deficiency of SAM3, a novel brain-specific chemokine-like molecule, may lead to the pathogenesis of ASDs and suggest the possibility that SAM3, a soluble factor, could be a novel therapeutic target for ASD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sujin Kim
- Center for Cognition and Sociality, Institute for Basic Science, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
- Basic Science, IBS School, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, 34113, Republic of Korea
| | - Boyoung Lee
- Center for Cognition and Sociality, Institute for Basic Science, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Hwa Choi
- Department of Biology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong-Hyun Kim
- Center for Cognition and Sociality, Institute for Basic Science, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
- Center for Functional Connectomics, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, 02797, Republic of Korea
- Laboratory of Cell Death and Human Diseases, Department of Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Cheol-Hee Kim
- Department of Biology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 34134, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hee-Sup Shin
- Center for Cognition and Sociality, Institute for Basic Science, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea.
- Basic Science, IBS School, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, 34113, Republic of Korea.
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41
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Neuroprotective Actions of Dietary Choline. Nutrients 2017; 9:nu9080815. [PMID: 28788094 PMCID: PMC5579609 DOI: 10.3390/nu9080815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 147] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2017] [Revised: 07/21/2017] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Choline is an essential nutrient for humans. It is a precursor of membrane phospholipids (e.g., phosphatidylcholine (PC)), the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, and via betaine, the methyl group donor S-adenosylmethionine. High choline intake during gestation and early postnatal development in rat and mouse models improves cognitive function in adulthood, prevents age-related memory decline, and protects the brain from the neuropathological changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and neurological damage associated with epilepsy, fetal alcohol syndrome, and inherited conditions such as Down and Rett syndromes. These effects of choline are correlated with modifications in histone and DNA methylation in brain, and with alterations in the expression of genes that encode proteins important for learning and memory processing, suggesting a possible epigenomic mechanism of action. Dietary choline intake in the adult may also influence cognitive function via an effect on PC containing eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids; polyunsaturated species of PC whose levels are reduced in brains from AD patients, and is associated with higher memory performance, and resistance to cognitive decline.
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Lahvis GP. Social Reward and Empathy as Proximal Contributions to Altruism: The Camaraderie Effect. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2017; 30:127-157. [PMID: 27600591 PMCID: PMC5675738 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2016_449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Natural selection favors individuals to act in their own interests, implying that wild animals experience a competitive psychology. Animals in the wild also express helping behaviors, presumably at their own expense and suggestive of a more compassionate psychology. This apparent paradox can be partially explained by ultimate mechanisms that include kin selection, reciprocity, and multilevel selection, yet some theorists argue such ultimate explanations may not be sufficient and that an additional "stake in others" is necessary for altruism's evolution. We suggest this stake is the "camaraderie effect," a by-product of two highly adaptive psychological experiences: social motivation and empathy. Rodents can derive pleasure from access to others and this appetite for social rewards motivates individuals to live together, a valuable psychology when group living is adaptive. Rodents can also experience empathy, the generation of an affective state more appropriate to the situation of another compared to one's own. Empathy is not a compassionate feeling but it has useful predictive value. For instance, empathy allows an individual to feel an unperceived danger from social cues. Empathy of another's stance toward one's self would predict either social acceptance or ostracism and amplify one's physiological sensitivity to social isolation, including impaired immune responses and delayed wound healing. By contrast, altruistic behaviors would promote well-being in others and feelings of camaraderie from others, thereby improving one's own physiological well-being. Together, these affective states engender a stake in others necessary for the expression of altruistic behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garet P Lahvis
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Road, Mail Code L-470, Portland, Oregon, 97239, USA.
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43
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Hodges SL, Nolan SO, Reynolds CD, Lugo JN. Spectral and temporal properties of calls reveal deficits in ultrasonic vocalizations of adult Fmr1 knockout mice. Behav Brain Res 2017; 332:50-58. [PMID: 28552599 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2017.05.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2016] [Revised: 03/22/2017] [Accepted: 05/24/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The Fmr1 knockout (KO) mouse has commonly been used to investigate communication impairments, one of the key diagnostic symptoms observed in Fragile X syndrome (FXS) and Autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Many studies have found alterations in ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) in neonatal Fmr1 KO mice, however, there is limited research investigating whether these deficits continue into adulthood. In the present study, we examine differences in female urine-induced ultrasonic vocalizations, scent marking behavior, odor discrimination, and open field activity in adult male Fmr1 KO and wildtype (WT) mice. Overall, we found extensive alterations between genotypes in both spectral and temporal properties of ultrasonic vocalizations. There was no difference in the average number of calls emitted by both genotypes, however, Fmr1 KO mice emitted calls of a higher frequency, decreased amplitude, and shorter duration than WT mice. Spectrographic analyses revealed statistically significant differences between genotypes in the types of calls emitted. Contrastingly, we found no differences in scent marking behavior, a form of social communication, or in odor discrimination and activity levels of the mice. The results corroborate previous studies emphasizing the importance of qualitative differences observed in vocalization behavior of Fmr1 KO mice, rather than quantitative measurements such as number of calls emitted. Overall, the study confirms the presence of abnormalities in vocalization behavior in adult Fmr1 KO mice that we believe are consistent with communication deficits seen in the syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha L Hodges
- Institute of Biomedical Studies, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76798, USA
| | - Suzanne O Nolan
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76798, USA
| | - Conner D Reynolds
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76798, USA; Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
| | - Joaquin N Lugo
- Institute of Biomedical Studies, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76798, USA; Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76798, USA.
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44
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Hrabovska SV, Salyha YT. Animal Models of Autism Spectrum Disorders and Behavioral Techniques of their Examination. NEUROPHYSIOLOGY+ 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s11062-017-9613-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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45
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Keesom SM, Finton CJ, Sell GL, Hurley LM. Early-Life Social Isolation Influences Mouse Ultrasonic Vocalizations during Male-Male Social Encounters. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0169705. [PMID: 28056078 PMCID: PMC5215938 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0169705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2016] [Accepted: 12/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Early-life social isolation has profound effects on adult social competence. This is often expressed as increased aggression or inappropriate displays of courtship-related behaviors. The social incompetence exhibited by isolated animals could be in part due to an altered ability to participate in communicatory exchanges. House mice (Mus musculus) present an excellent model for exploring this idea, because social isolation has a well-established influence on their social behavior, and mice engage in communication via multiple sensory modalities. Here, we tested the prediction that social isolation during early life would influence ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) emitted by adult male mice during same-sex social encounters. Starting at three weeks of age, male mice were housed individually or in social groups of four males for five weeks, after which they were placed in one of three types of paired social encounters. Pair types consisted of: two individually housed males, two socially housed males, or an individually housed and a socially housed male (“mixed” pairs). Vocal behavior (USVs) and non-vocal behaviors were recorded from these 15-minute social interactions. Pairs of mice consisting of at least one individually housed male emitted more and longer USVs, with a greater proportional use of USVs containing frequency jumps and 50-kHz components. Individually housed males in the mixed social pairs exhibited increased levels of mounting behavior towards the socially housed males. Mounting in these pairs was positively correlated with increased number and duration of USVs as well as increased proportional use of spectrally more complex USVs. These findings demonstrate that USVs are part of the suite of social behaviors influenced by early-life social isolation, and suggest that altered vocal communication following isolation reflects reduced social competence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah M. Keesom
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Caitlyn J. Finton
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Gabrielle L. Sell
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Laura M. Hurley
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, United States of America
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46
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Homberg JR, Olivier JDA, VandenBroeke M, Youn J, Ellenbroek AK, Karel P, Shan L, van Boxtel R, Ooms S, Balemans M, Langedijk J, Muller M, Vriend G, Cools AR, Cuppen E, Ellenbroek BA. The role of the dopamine D1 receptor in social cognition: studies using a novel genetic rat model. Dis Model Mech 2016; 9:1147-1158. [PMID: 27483345 PMCID: PMC5087833 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.024752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2016] [Accepted: 05/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Social cognition is an endophenotype that is impaired in schizophrenia and several other (comorbid) psychiatric disorders. One of the modulators of social cognition is dopamine, but its role is not clear. The effects of dopamine are mediated through dopamine receptors, including the dopamine D1 receptor (Drd1). Because current Drd1 receptor agonists are not Drd1 selective, pharmacological tools are not sufficient to delineate the role of the Drd1. Here, we describe a novel rat model with a genetic mutation in Drd1 in which we measured basic behavioural phenotypes and social cognition. The I116S mutation was predicted to render the receptor less stable. In line with this computational prediction, this Drd1 mutation led to a decreased transmembrane insertion of Drd1, whereas Drd1 expression, as measured by Drd1 mRNA levels, remained unaffected. Owing to decreased transmembrane Drd1 insertion, the mutant rats displayed normal basic motoric and neurological parameters, as well as locomotor activity and anxiety-like behaviour. However, measures of social cognition like social interaction, scent marking, pup ultrasonic vocalizations and sociability, were strongly reduced in the mutant rats. This profile of the Drd1 mutant rat offers the field of neuroscience a novel genetic rat model to study a series of psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia, autism, depression, bipolar disorder and drug addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith R Homberg
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen 6525 EZ, The Netherlands
| | - Jocelien D A Olivier
- Department of Neurobiology, Unit Behavioural Neuroscience, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen 9700 CC, The Netherlands
| | - Marie VandenBroeke
- Victoria University of Wellington, School of Psychology, PO Box 600, Wellington 6040, New Zealand
| | - Jiun Youn
- Victoria University of Wellington, School of Psychology, PO Box 600, Wellington 6040, New Zealand
| | - Arabella K Ellenbroek
- Victoria University of Wellington, School of Psychology, PO Box 600, Wellington 6040, New Zealand
| | - Peter Karel
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen 6525 EZ, The Netherlands
| | - Ling Shan
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen 6525 EZ, The Netherlands
| | - Ruben van Boxtel
- Hubrecht Institute, KNAW and University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht 3584 CT, The Netherlands
| | - Sharon Ooms
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen 6525 EZ, The Netherlands
| | - Monique Balemans
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen 6525 EZ, The Netherlands
| | - Jacqueline Langedijk
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen 6525 EZ, The Netherlands
| | - Mareike Muller
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen 6525 EZ, The Netherlands
| | - Gert Vriend
- CMBI, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Geert Grooteplein 26-28, Nijmegen 6525 GA, The Netherlands
| | - Alexander R Cools
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen 6525 EZ, The Netherlands
| | - Edwin Cuppen
- Hubrecht Institute, KNAW and University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht 3584 CT, The Netherlands
| | - Bart A Ellenbroek
- Victoria University of Wellington, School of Psychology, PO Box 600, Wellington 6040, New Zealand
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47
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Kim KC, Gonzales EL, Lázaro MT, Choi CS, Bahn GH, Yoo HJ, Shin CY. Clinical and Neurobiological Relevance of Current Animal Models of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Biomol Ther (Seoul) 2016; 24:207-43. [PMID: 27133257 PMCID: PMC4859786 DOI: 10.4062/biomolther.2016.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2016] [Accepted: 04/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social and communication impairments, as well as repetitive and restrictive behaviors. The phenotypic heterogeneity of ASD has made it overwhelmingly difficult to determine the exact etiology and pathophysiology underlying the core symptoms, which are often accompanied by comorbidities such as hyperactivity, seizures, and sensorimotor abnormalities. To our benefit, the advent of animal models has allowed us to assess and test diverse risk factors of ASD, both genetic and environmental, and measure their contribution to the manifestation of autistic symptoms. At a broader scale, rodent models have helped consolidate molecular pathways and unify the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying each one of the various etiologies. This approach will potentially enable the stratification of ASD into clinical, molecular, and neurophenotypic subgroups, further proving their translational utility. It is henceforth paramount to establish a common ground of mechanistic theories from complementing results in preclinical research. In this review, we cluster the ASD animal models into lesion and genetic models and further classify them based on the corresponding environmental, epigenetic and genetic factors. Finally, we summarize the symptoms and neuropathological highlights for each model and make critical comparisons that elucidate their clinical and neurobiological relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ki Chan Kim
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.,Center for Neuroscience Research, SMART Institute of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Edson Luck Gonzales
- Center for Neuroscience Research, SMART Institute of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea.,School of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - María T Lázaro
- Program in Neurogenetics, Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Chang Soon Choi
- Center for Neuroscience Research, SMART Institute of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea.,School of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Geon Ho Bahn
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, School of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee Jeong Yoo
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Seoul National University Bungdang Hospital, Seongnam 13620, Republic of Korea
| | - Chan Young Shin
- Center for Neuroscience Research, SMART Institute of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea.,School of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
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48
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Characterization of ultrasonic vocalizations of Fragile X mice. Behav Brain Res 2016; 310:76-83. [PMID: 27142239 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2016.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2016] [Revised: 04/07/2016] [Accepted: 04/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is the leading form of inherited intellectual disability. It is caused by the transcriptional silencing of FMR1, the gene which codes for the Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein (FMRP). Patients who have FXS exhibit numerous behavioral and cognitive impairments, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and autistic-like behaviors. In addition to these behavioral abnormalities, FXS patients have also been shown to exhibit various deficits in communication such as abnormal sentence structures, increased utterances, repetition of sounds and words, and reduced articulation. These deficits can dramatically hinder communication for FXS patients, exacerbating learning and cognition impairments while decreasing their quality of life. To examine the biological underpinnings of these communication abnormalities, studies have used a mouse model of the Fragile X Syndrome; however, these vocalization studies have resulted in inconsistent findings that often do not correlate with abnormalities observed in FXS patients. Interestingly, a detailed examination of frequency modulated vocalizations that are believed to be a better assessment of rodent communication has never been conducted. The following study used courtship separation to conduct a detailed examination of frequency modulated ultrasonic vocalizations (USV) in FXS mice. Our analyses of frequency modulated USVs demonstrated that adult FXS mice exhibited longer phrases and more motifs. Phrases are vocalizations consisting of multiple frequency modulated ultrasonic vocalizations, while motifs are repeated frequency modulated USV patterns. Fragile X mice had a higher proportion of "u" syllables in all USVs and phrases while their wildtype counterparts preferred isolated "h" syllables. Although the specific importance of these syllables towards communication deficits still needs to be evaluated, these findings in production of USVs are consistent with the repetitive and perseverative speech patterns observed in FXS patients. This study demonstrates that FXS mice can be used to study the underlying biological mechanism(s) mediating FXS vocalization abnormalities.
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49
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Yang M, Lewis F, Foley G, Crawley JN. In tribute to Bob Blanchard: Divergent behavioral phenotypes of 16p11.2 deletion mice reared in same-genotype versus mixed-genotype cages. Physiol Behav 2016; 146:16-27. [PMID: 26066718 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2015.04.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2015] [Revised: 04/08/2015] [Accepted: 04/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Mouse models offer indispensable heuristic tools for studying genetic and environmental causes of neuropsychiatric disorders, including autism. Development of useful animal models of complex human behaviors depends not only on extensive knowledge of the human disease, but also on a deep understanding of animal behavior and ethology. Robert and Caroline Blanchard pioneered a number of elegant social paradigms in rodents. Their early work led to systematic delineations of rodent naturalist defensive behaviors,which were proven to be highly useful models of human psychiatric disorders, including fear and anxiety. Their work using the Visible Burrow System to study social stress in rats represented an unprecedented approach to study biological mechanisms of depression. In recent years, their extensive knowledge of mouse behavior and ethology enabled them to quickly become leading figures in the field of behavioral genetics of autism. To commemorate Robert Blanchard's influences on animal models of human psychiatric disorders, here we describe a study conceptualized and led by Mu Yang who was trained as a graduate student in the Blanchard laboratory in the early 2000s. This investigation focuses on social housing in a genetic mouse model of 16p11.2 deletion syndrome. Heterozygous deletions and duplications of a segment containing about 29 genes on human chromosome 16 appear in approximately 0.5–1% of all cases of autism. 16p11.2 deletion syndrome is also associated with intellectual disabilities and speech impairments. Our previous studies showed that a mouse model of 16p11.2 deletion syndrome exhibited deficits in vocalizations and novel object recognition, as compared to wildtype littermate control cagemates. In the spirit of Bob Blanchard's careful attention to the role of social dominance in rodent behaviors, we became interested in the question of whether behavioral outcomes of a mutation differ when mutants are housed in mixed genotype cages, versus housing only mutants together in one group cage, and only wildtype littermates together in another group cage after weaning. 16p11.2 deletion presented a particularly good model organism to investigate this question, because the heterozygotes are smaller than their wildtype littermates, and may therefore become subordinate to their larger cagemates.Wildtype and heterozygotes were housed with cagemates of the same genotype (same-genotype cage) or with cagemates of the opposite genotype (mixed-genotype cage). Current results replicated social vocalization and object recognition deficits that we previously found in heterozygotes living in mixed-genotype cages. In contrast, heterozygotes that lived in same-genotype cages emitted normal numbers of vocalizations during male–female interactions, and displayed normal novel object recognition, indicating that the deletion per se was not sufficient to cause cognitive or social deficits. Social approach, same-sex social interaction, anxiety-related behavior, depression-related behavior, and open field exploration were not different between genotypes, and were not affected by housing in mixed versus in same-genotype cages. These findings suggest that elements of the home cage social environment could interact with genotype to impact aspects of disease phenotypes. Current findings are discussed as potentially reflecting behavioral deficits resulted from social stress, as inspired by a seminal paper by Bob and Caroline Blanchard [1].
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50
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Grimsley JMS, Sheth S, Vallabh N, Grimsley CA, Bhattal J, Latsko M, Jasnow A, Wenstrup JJ. Contextual Modulation of Vocal Behavior in Mouse: Newly Identified 12 kHz "Mid-Frequency" Vocalization Emitted during Restraint. Front Behav Neurosci 2016; 10:38. [PMID: 27014000 PMCID: PMC4783392 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2016.00038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2015] [Accepted: 02/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
While several studies have investigated mouse ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) emitted by isolated pups or by males in mating contexts, studies of behavioral contexts other than mating and vocalization categories other than USVs have been limited. By improving our understanding of the vocalizations emitted by mice across behavioral contexts, we will better understand the natural vocal behavior of mice and better interpret vocalizations from mouse models of disease. Hypothesizing that mouse vocal behavior would differ depending on behavioral context, we recorded vocalizations from male CBA/CaJ mice across three behavioral contexts including mating, isolation, and restraint. We found that brief restraint elevated blood corticosterone levels of mice, indicating increased stress relative to isolation. Further, after 3 days of brief restraint, mice displayed behavioral changes indicative of stress. These persisted for at least 2 days after restraint. Contextual differences in mouse vocal behavior were striking and robust across animals. Thus, while USVs were the most common vocalization type across contexts, the spectrotemporal features of USVs were context-dependent. Compared to the mating context, vocalizations during isolation and restraint displayed a broader frequency range, with a greater emphasis on frequencies below 50 kHz. These contexts also included more non-USV vocal categories and different vocal patterns. We identified a new Mid-Frequency Vocalization, a tonal vocalization with fundamental frequencies below 18 kHz, which was almost exclusively emitted by mice undergoing restraint stress. These differences combine to form vocal behavior that is grossly different among behavioral contexts and may reflect the level of anxiety in these contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmine M S Grimsley
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Northeast Ohio Medical University Rootstown, OH, USA
| | - Saloni Sheth
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Northeast Ohio Medical University Rootstown, OH, USA
| | - Neil Vallabh
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Northeast Ohio Medical University Rootstown, OH, USA
| | - Calum A Grimsley
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Northeast Ohio Medical University Rootstown, OH, USA
| | - Jyoti Bhattal
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Northeast Ohio Medical University Rootstown, OH, USA
| | - Maeson Latsko
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Kent State University Kent, OH, USA
| | - Aaron Jasnow
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Kent State University Kent, OH, USA
| | - Jeffrey J Wenstrup
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Northeast Ohio Medical University Rootstown, OH, USA
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