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Qu S, Yu Z, Zhou Y, Wang S, Jia M, Chen T, Zhang X. Gut microbiota modulates neurotransmitter and gut-brain signaling. Microbiol Res 2024; 287:127858. [PMID: 39106786 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2024.127858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 06/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/09/2024]
Abstract
Neurotransmitters, including 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), dopamine (DA), gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and glutamate, are essential transductors in the Gut-Brain Axis (GBA), playing critical roles both peripherally and centrally. Accumulating evidence suggests that the gut microbiota modulates intestinal neurotransmitter metabolism and gut-to-brain signaling, shedding light on the crucial role of the gut microbiota in brain function and the pathogenesis of various neuropsychiatric diseases, such as major depression disorder (MDD), anxiety, addiction and Parkinson's disease (PD). Despite the exciting findings, the mechanisms underlying the modulation of neurotransmitter metabolism and function by the gut microbiota are still being elucidated. In this review, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the existing knowledge about the role of the gut microbiota in neurotransmitter metabolism and function in animal and clinical experiments. Moreover, we will discuss the potential mechanisms through which gut microbiota-derived neurotransmitters contribute to the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric diseases, thus highlighting a novel therapeutic target for these conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiyan Qu
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China; National Clinic Research Center for Mental Disorders, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China; National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China; Mental Health Institute, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410000, China
| | - Zijin Yu
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China; National Clinic Research Center for Mental Disorders, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China; National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China; Mental Health Institute, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410000, China
| | - Yaxuan Zhou
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China; National Clinic Research Center for Mental Disorders, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China; National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China; Mental Health Institute, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410000, China
| | - Shiyi Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China; National Clinic Research Center for Mental Disorders, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China; National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China; Mental Health Institute, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410000, China
| | - Minqi Jia
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China; National Clinic Research Center for Mental Disorders, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China; National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China; Mental Health Institute, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410000, China
| | - Ti Chen
- Clinical Laboratory, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China
| | - Xiaojie Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China; National Clinic Research Center for Mental Disorders, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China; National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China; Mental Health Institute, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410000, China.
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Refai O, Rodriguez P, Gichi Z, Blakely RD. Forward genetic screen of the C. elegans million mutation library reveals essential, cell-autonomous contributions of BBSome proteins to dopamine signaling. J Neurochem 2024; 168:2073-2091. [PMID: 39118406 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.16188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2024] [Revised: 07/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is well known for its ability to support forward genetic screens to identify molecules involved in neuronal viability and signaling. The proteins involved in C. elegans dopamine (DA) regulation are highly conserved across evolution, with prior work demonstrating that the model can serve as an efficient platform to identify novel genes involved in disease-associated processes. To identify novel players in DA signaling, we took advantage of a recently developed library of pre-sequenced mutant nematodes arising from the million mutation project (MMP) to identify strains that display the DA-dependent swimming-induced-paralysis phenotype (Swip). Our screen identified novel mutations in the dopamine transporter encoding gene dat-1, whose loss was previously used to identify the Swip phenotype, as well as multiple genes with previously unknown connections to DA signaling. Here, we present our isolation and characterization of one of these genes, bbs-1, previously linked to the function of primary cilia in worms and higher organisms, including humans, and where loss-of-function mutations result in a human disorder known as Bardet-Biedl syndrome. Our studies of C. elegans BBS-1 protein, as well as other proteins that are known to be assembled into a higher order complex (the BBSome) reveal that functional or structural disruption of this complex leads to exaggerated C. elegans DA signaling to produce Swip via a cell-autonomous mechanism. We provide evidence that not only does the proper function of cilia in C. elegans DA neurons support normal swimming behavior, but also that bbs-1 maintains normal levels of DAT-1 trafficking or function via a RHO-1 and SWIP-13/MAPK-15 dependent pathway where mutants may contribute to Swip independent of altered ciliary function. Together, these studies demonstrate novel contributors to DA neuron function in the worm and demonstrate the utility and efficiency of forward genetic screens using the MMP library.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osama Refai
- Department of Biomedical Science, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida, USA
| | - Peter Rodriguez
- Department of Biomedical Science, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida, USA
| | - Zayna Gichi
- Department of Biomedical Science, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida, USA
| | - Randy D Blakely
- Department of Biomedical Science, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida, USA
- Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida, USA
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Pravikova PD, Arssan MA, Zalivina EA, Kondaurova EM, Kulikova EA, Belokopytova II, Naumenko VS. Dopamine receptors and key elements of the neurotrophins (BDNF, CDNF) expression patterns during critical periods of ontogenesis in the brain structures of mice with autism-like behavior (BTBR) or its absence (С57BL/6 J). Vavilovskii Zhurnal Genet Selektsii 2024; 28:407-415. [PMID: 39027124 PMCID: PMC11253014 DOI: 10.18699/vjgb-24-46] [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: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Analysis of the mechanisms underlying autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is an urgent task due to the ever-increasing prevalence of this condition. The study of critical periods of neuroontogenesis is of interest, since the manifestation of ASD is often associated with prenatal disorders of the brain development. One of the currently promising hypotheses postulates a connection between the pathogenesis of ASD and the dysfunction of neurotransmitters and neurotrophins. In this study, we investigated the expression of key dopamine receptors (Drd1, Drd2), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf), its receptors (Ntrkb2, Ngfr) and the transcription factor Creb1 that mediates BDNF action, as well as cerebral dopamine neurotrophic factor (Cdnf) during the critical periods of embryogenesis (e14 and e18) and postnatal development (p14, p28, p60) in the hippocampus and frontal cortex of BTBR mice with autism-like behavior compared to the neurotypical C57BL/6 J strain. In BTBR embryos, on the 14th day of prenatal development, an increase in the expression of the Ngfr gene encoding the p75NTR receptor, which may lead to the activation of apoptosis, was found in the hippocampus and frontal cortex. A decrease in the expression of Cdnf, Bdnf and its receptor Ntrkb2, as well as dopamine receptors (Drd1, Drd2) was detected in BTBR mice in the postnatal period of ontogenesis mainly in the frontal cortex, while in the hippocampus of mature mice (p60), only a decrease in the Drd2 mRNA level was revealed. The obtained results suggest that the decrease in the expression levels of CDNF, BDNF-TrkB and dopamine receptors in the frontal cortex in the postnatal period can lead to significant changes in both the morphology of neurons and dopamine neurotransmission in cortical brain structures. At the same time, the increase in p75NTR receptor gene expression observed on the 14th day of embryogenesis, crucial for hippocampus and frontal cortex development, may have direct relevance to the manifestation of early autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- P D Pravikova
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - M A Arssan
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - E A Zalivina
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - E M Kondaurova
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - E A Kulikova
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - I I Belokopytova
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - V S Naumenko
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
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Hui J, Zhang N, Kang M, Gou Y, Liu C, Zhou R, Liu Y, Wang B, Shi P, Cheng S, Yang X, Pan C, Zhang F. Micronutrient-Associated Single Nucleotide Polymorphism and Mental Health: A Mendelian Randomization Study. Nutrients 2024; 16:2042. [PMID: 38999789 PMCID: PMC11243241 DOI: 10.3390/nu16132042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2024] [Revised: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Previous studies have demonstrated the link between micronutrients and mental health. However, it remains uncertain whether this connection is causal. We aim to investigate the potential causal effects of micronutrients on mental health based on linkage disequilibrium score (LDSC) regression and Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. METHODS Utilizing publicly available genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary datasets, we performed LDSC and MR analysis to identify candidate micronutrients with potential causal effects on mental health. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) significantly linked with candidate micronutrients with a genome-wide significance level (p < 5 × 10-8) were selected as instrumental variables (IVs). To estimate the causal effect of candidate micronutrients on mental health, we employed inverse variance weighted (IVW) regression. Additionally, two sensitivity analyses, MR-Egger and weighted median, were performed to validate our results. RESULTS We found evidence supporting significant causal associations between micronutrients and mental health. LDSC detected several candidate micronutrients, including serum iron (genetic correlation = -0.134, p = 0.032) and vitamin C (genetic correlation = -0.335, p < 0.001) for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), iron-binding capacity (genetic correlation = 0.210, p = 0.037) for Alzheimer's disease (AD), and vitamin B12 (genetic correlation = -0.178, p = 0.044) for major depressive disorder (MDD). Further MR analysis suggested a potential causal relationship between vitamin B12 and MDD (b = -0.139, p = 0.009). There was no significant heterogeneity or pleiotropy, indicating the validity of the findings. CONCLUSION In this study, we identified underlying causal relationships between micronutrients and mental health. Notably, more research is necessary to clarify the underlying biological mechanisms by which micronutrients affect mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingni Hui
- Key Laboratory of Trace Elements and Endemic Diseases of National Health and Family Planning Commission, School of Public Health, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Na Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Trace Elements and Endemic Diseases of National Health and Family Planning Commission, School of Public Health, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Meijuan Kang
- Key Laboratory of Trace Elements and Endemic Diseases of National Health and Family Planning Commission, School of Public Health, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Yifan Gou
- Key Laboratory of Trace Elements and Endemic Diseases of National Health and Family Planning Commission, School of Public Health, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Chen Liu
- Key Laboratory of Trace Elements and Endemic Diseases of National Health and Family Planning Commission, School of Public Health, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Ruixue Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Trace Elements and Endemic Diseases of National Health and Family Planning Commission, School of Public Health, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Ye Liu
- Key Laboratory of Trace Elements and Endemic Diseases of National Health and Family Planning Commission, School of Public Health, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Bingyi Wang
- Key Laboratory of Trace Elements and Endemic Diseases of National Health and Family Planning Commission, School of Public Health, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Panxing Shi
- Key Laboratory of Trace Elements and Endemic Diseases of National Health and Family Planning Commission, School of Public Health, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Shiqiang Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Trace Elements and Endemic Diseases of National Health and Family Planning Commission, School of Public Health, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Xuena Yang
- Key Laboratory of Trace Elements and Endemic Diseases of National Health and Family Planning Commission, School of Public Health, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Chuyu Pan
- Key Laboratory of Trace Elements and Endemic Diseases of National Health and Family Planning Commission, School of Public Health, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Trace Elements and Endemic Diseases of National Health and Family Planning Commission, School of Public Health, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
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Mayer FP, Stewart A, Varman DR, Moritz AE, Foster JD, Owens AW, Areal LB, Gowrishankar R, Velez M, Wickham K, Phelps H, Katamish R, Rabil M, Jayanthi LD, Vaughan RA, Daws LC, Blakely RD, Ramamoorthy S. Kappa Opioid Receptor Antagonism Restores Phosphorylation, Trafficking and Behavior induced by a Disease Associated Dopamine Transporter Variant. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.05.03.539310. [PMID: 37205452 PMCID: PMC10187322 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.03.539310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Aberrant dopamine (DA) signaling is implicated in schizophrenia, bipolar disorder (BPD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), substance use disorder, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Treatment of these disorders remains inadequate, as exemplified by the therapeutic use of d-amphetamine and methylphenidate for the treatment of ADHD, agents with high abuse liability. In search for an improved and non-addictive therapeutic approach for the treatment of DA-linked disorders, we utilized a preclinical mouse model expressing the human DA transporter (DAT) coding variant DAT Val559, previously identified in individuals with ADHD, ASD, or BPD. DAT Val559, like several other disease-associated variants of DAT, exhibits anomalous DA efflux (ADE) that can be blocked by d-amphetamine and methylphenidate. Kappa opioid receptors (KORs) are expressed by DA neurons and modulate DA release and clearance, suggesting that targeting KORs might also provide an alternative approach to normalizing DA-signaling disrupted by perturbed DAT function. Here we demonstrate that KOR stimulation leads to enhanced surface trafficking and phosphorylation of Thr53 in wildtype DAT, effects achieved constitutively by the Val559 mutant. Moreover, these effects can be rescued by KOR antagonism of DAT Val559 in ex vivo preparations. Importantly, KOR antagonism also corrected in vivo DA release as well as sex-dependent behavioral abnormalities observed in DAT Val559 mice. Given their low abuse liability, our studies with a construct valid model of human DA associated disorders reinforce considerations of KOR antagonism as a pharmacological strategy to treat DA associated brain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix P. Mayer
- Department of Biomedical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL, USA
- Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | - Adele Stewart
- Department of Biomedical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL, USA
- Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | - Durairaj Ragu Varman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Amy E. Moritz
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Grand Forks, ND, USA
| | - James D. Foster
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Grand Forks, ND, USA
| | - Anthony W. Owens
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Lorena B. Areal
- Department of Biomedical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | - Raajaram Gowrishankar
- Department of Biomedical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | - Michelle Velez
- Department of Biomedical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | - Kyria Wickham
- Department of Biomedical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | - Hannah Phelps
- Department of Biomedical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | - Rania Katamish
- Department of Biomedical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | - Maximilian Rabil
- Department of Biomedical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | - Lankupalle D. Jayanthi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Roxanne A. Vaughan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Grand Forks, ND, USA
| | - Lynette C. Daws
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, TX, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Randy D. Blakely
- Department of Biomedical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL, USA
- Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | - Sammanda Ramamoorthy
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
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Thöny B, Ng J, Kurian MA, Mills P, Martinez A. Mouse models for inherited monoamine neurotransmitter disorders. J Inherit Metab Dis 2024; 47:533-550. [PMID: 38168036 DOI: 10.1002/jimd.12710] [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: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Several mouse models have been developed to study human defects of primary and secondary inherited monoamine neurotransmitter disorders (iMND). As the field continues to expand, current defects in corresponding mouse models include enzymes and a molecular co-chaperone involved in monoamine synthesis and metabolism (PAH, TH, PITX3, AADC, DBH, MAOA, DNAJC6), tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) cofactor synthesis and recycling (adGTPCH1/DRD, arGTPCH1, PTPS, SR, DHPR), and vitamin B6 cofactor deficiency (ALDH7A1), as well as defective monoamine neurotransmitter packaging (VMAT1, VMAT2) and reuptake (DAT). No mouse models are available for human DNAJC12 co-chaperone and PNPO-B6 deficiencies, disorders associated with recessive variants that result in decreased stability and function of the aromatic amino acid hydroxylases and decreased neurotransmitter synthesis, respectively. More than one mutant mouse is available for some of these defects, which is invaluable as different variant-specific (knock-in) models may provide more insights into underlying mechanisms of disorders, while complete gene inactivation (knock-out) models often have limitations in terms of recapitulating complex human diseases. While these mouse models have common phenotypic traits also observed in patients, reflecting the defective homeostasis of the monoamine neurotransmitter pathways, they also present with disease-specific manifestations with toxic accumulation or deficiency of specific metabolites related to the specific gene affected. This review provides an overview of the currently available models and may give directions toward selecting existing models or generating new ones to investigate novel pathogenic mechanisms and precision therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beat Thöny
- Division of Metabolism and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Joanne Ng
- Genetic Therapy Accelerator Centre, University College London, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Manju A Kurian
- Zayed Centre for Research into Rare Disease in Children, GOS Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Neurology, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK
| | - Philippa Mills
- Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Aurora Martinez
- Department of Biomedicine and Center for Translational Research in Parkinson's Disease, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Neuro-SysMed, Department of Neurology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
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Yu S, Qu Y, Du Z, Ou M, Lu R, Yuan J, Jiang Y, Zhu H. The expression of immune related genes and potential regulatory mechanisms in schizophrenia. Schizophr Res 2024; 267:507-518. [PMID: 37993327 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2023.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the role of immune dysfunction in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia through single-cell transcriptome and bulk RNA data analyses. METHODS The single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) was selected to assess the cellular composition and gene expression profiles of the brain tissue. Further, bulk RNA sequencing data was utilized to corroborate findings from the single-cell analyses and provide additional insights into the molecular changes associated with the disease. Gene-drug interaction data was also included to identify potential therapeutic drugs targeting these dysregulated immune-related genes in schizophrenia. RESULTS We discovered significant differences in cellular composition within schizophrenia tissue, including increased infiltration of fibroblasts, horizontal basal cells, monocytes, mesenchymal cells, and smooth muscle cells. The investigation of immune-related genes revealed significantly different expression of genes such as S100A2, CCL14, IGHA1, BPIFA1, GDF15, IL32, BPIFB2, HLA-DRA, S100A8, PTX3, TPM2, TNFRSF12A, GREM1 and others. These genes possibly contribute to the progression of schizophrenia through various pathways such as humoral immune response, IL-17 signaling pathway, adaptive immune response, antigen processing and presentation, and gut IgA production. Our findings also suggest possible transcriptional regulation in schizophrenia's immune dysfunction by transcription factors in monocytes, neutrophils, endothelial cells, and epithelial cells. Lastly, potential therapeutic drugs were identified through gene-drug interaction data, such as those targeting HLA-A and HLAB. CONCLUSION The cellular heterogeneity and immune-related gene dysregulation play important roles in schizophrenia, which provides a foundation for understanding the pathogenesis and developing new treatment methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shui Yu
- Mental Health Center of Jiangnan University, Wuxi Central Rehabilitation Hospital, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214151, China
| | - Yucai Qu
- Mental Health Center of Jiangnan University, Wuxi Central Rehabilitation Hospital, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214151, China
| | - Zhiqiang Du
- Mental Health Center of Jiangnan University, Wuxi Central Rehabilitation Hospital, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214151, China
| | - Mengmeng Ou
- Mental Health Center of Jiangnan University, Wuxi Central Rehabilitation Hospital, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214151, China
| | - Rongrong Lu
- Mental Health Center of Jiangnan University, Wuxi Central Rehabilitation Hospital, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214151, China
| | - Jianming Yuan
- Mental Health Center of Jiangnan University, Wuxi Central Rehabilitation Hospital, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214151, China
| | - Ying Jiang
- Mental Health Center of Jiangnan University, Wuxi Central Rehabilitation Hospital, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214151, China.
| | - Haohao Zhu
- Mental Health Center of Jiangnan University, Wuxi Central Rehabilitation Hospital, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214151, China.
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8
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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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9
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Prodani C, Irvine EE, Sardini A, Gleneadie HJ, Dimond A, Van de Pette M, John R, Kokkinou M, Howes O, Withers DJ, Ungless MA, Merkenschlager M, Fisher AG. Protein restriction during pregnancy alters Cdkn1c silencing, dopamine circuitry and offspring behaviour without changing expression of key neuronal marker genes. Sci Rep 2024; 14:8528. [PMID: 38609446 PMCID: PMC11014953 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59083-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
We tracked the consequences of in utero protein restriction in mice throughout their development and life course using a luciferase-based allelic reporter of imprinted Cdkn1c. Exposure to gestational low-protein diet (LPD) results in the inappropriate expression of paternally inherited Cdkn1c in the brains of embryonic and juvenile mice. These animals were characterised by a developmental delay in motor skills, and by behavioural alterations indicative of reduced anxiety. Exposure to LPD in utero resulted in significantly more tyrosine hydroxylase positive (dopaminergic) neurons in the midbrain of adult offspring as compared to age-matched, control-diet equivalents. Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging revealed an increase in striatal dopamine synthesis capacity in LPD-exposed offspring, where elevated levels of dopamine correlated with an enhanced sensitivity to cocaine. These data highlight a profound sensitivity of the developing epigenome to gestational protein restriction. Our data also suggest that loss of Cdkn1c imprinting and p57KIP2 upregulation alters the cellular composition of the developing midbrain, compromises dopamine circuitry, and thereby provokes behavioural abnormalities in early postnatal life. Molecular analyses showed that despite this phenotype, exposure to LPD solely during pregnancy did not significantly change the expression of key neuronal- or dopamine-associated marker genes in adult offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Prodani
- Epigenetic Memory Group, MRC LMS, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Elaine E Irvine
- Metabolic Signalling Group, MRC LMS, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Alessandro Sardini
- Whole Animal Physiology and Imaging, MRC LMS, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Hannah J Gleneadie
- Epigenetic Memory Group, MRC LMS, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Andrew Dimond
- Epigenetic Memory Group, MRC LMS, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Mathew Van de Pette
- MRC Toxicology Unit, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Rd, Cambridge, CB2 1QR, UK
| | - Rosalind John
- Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Sir Martin Evans Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, UK
| | - Michelle Kokkinou
- Psychiatric Imaging Group, MRC LMS, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Oliver Howes
- Psychiatric Imaging Group, MRC LMS, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Dominic J Withers
- Metabolic Signalling Group, MRC LMS, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Mark A Ungless
- MRC LMS, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Matthias Merkenschlager
- Lymphocyte Development Group, MRC LMS, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Amanda G Fisher
- Epigenetic Memory Group, MRC LMS, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK.
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK.
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10
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Lu X, Song Y, Wang J, Cai Y, Peng S, Lin J, Lai B, Sun J, Liu T, Chen G, Xing L. Developmental dopaminergic signaling modulates neural circuit formation and contributes to autism spectrum disorder (ASD)-related phenotypes. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2024:S0002-9440(24)00086-5. [PMID: 38492733 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2024.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2023] [Revised: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder with a complex etiology. Recent evidence suggests that dopamine plays a crucial role in neural development. However, it remains unclear whether and how disrupted dopaminergic signaling during development contributes to ASD. In this study, human brain RNA-seq transcriptome analysis revealed a significant correlation between changes in dopaminergic signaling pathways and neural developmental signaling in ASD patients. In the zebrafish model, disrupted developmental dopaminergic signaling led to neural circuit abnormalities and behavior reminiscent of autism. Dopaminergic signaling may impact neuronal specification by potentially modulating integrins. These findings shed light on the mechanisms underlying the link between disrupted developmental dopamine signaling and ASD, and they point to the possibility of targeting dopaminergic signaling in early development for ASD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojuan Lu
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and the Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Tissue Engineering Technology Products, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Yixing Song
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and the Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Tissue Engineering Technology Products, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Jiaqi Wang
- Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, 226001, China
| | - Yunyun Cai
- Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, 226001, China
| | - Siwan Peng
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and the Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Tissue Engineering Technology Products, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Jiaqi Lin
- Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, 226001, China
| | - Biqin Lai
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Jiangsu Province, 226001, China
| | - Junjie Sun
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and the Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Tissue Engineering Technology Products, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Tianqing Liu
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Westmead 2145, Australia
| | - Gang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and the Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Tissue Engineering Technology Products, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China; Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, 226001, China.
| | - Lingyan Xing
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and the Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Tissue Engineering Technology Products, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China.
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11
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Tu G, Fu T, Zheng G, Xu B, Gou R, Luo D, Wang P, Xue W. Computational Chemistry in Structure-Based Solute Carrier Transporter Drug Design: Recent Advances and Future Perspectives. J Chem Inf Model 2024; 64:1433-1455. [PMID: 38294194 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.3c01736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Solute carrier transporters (SLCs) are a class of important transmembrane proteins that are involved in the transportation of diverse solute ions and small molecules into cells. There are approximately 450 SLCs within the human body, and more than a quarter of them are emerging as attractive therapeutic targets for multiple complex diseases, e.g., depression, cancer, and diabetes. However, only 44 unique transporters (∼9.8% of the SLC superfamily) with 3D structures and specific binding sites have been reported. To design innovative and effective drugs targeting diverse SLCs, there are a number of obstacles that need to be overcome. However, computational chemistry, including physics-based molecular modeling and machine learning- and deep learning-based artificial intelligence (AI), provides an alternative and complementary way to the classical drug discovery approach. Here, we present a comprehensive overview on recent advances and existing challenges of the computational techniques in structure-based drug design of SLCs from three main aspects: (i) characterizing multiple conformations of the proteins during the functional process of transportation, (ii) identifying druggability sites especially the cryptic allosteric ones on the transporters for substrates and drugs binding, and (iii) discovering diverse small molecules or synthetic protein binders targeting the binding sites. This work is expected to provide guidelines for a deep understanding of the structure and function of the SLC superfamily to facilitate rational design of novel modulators of the transporters with the aid of state-of-the-art computational chemistry technologies including artificial intelligence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gao Tu
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Natural Product Synthesis and Drug Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, China
| | - Tingting Fu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | | | - Binbin Xu
- Chengdu Sintanovo Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Chengdu 610200, China
| | - Rongpei Gou
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Natural Product Synthesis and Drug Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, China
| | - Ding Luo
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Natural Product Synthesis and Drug Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, China
| | - Panpan Wang
- College of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Huanghuai University, Zhumadian 463000, China
| | - Weiwei Xue
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Natural Product Synthesis and Drug Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, China
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12
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Ishikawa M, Yamamoto Y, Wulaer B, Kunisawa K, Fujigaki H, Ando T, Kimura H, Kushima I, Arioka Y, Torii Y, Mouri A, Ozaki N, Nabeshima T, Saito K. Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 2 deficiency associates with autism-like behavior via dopaminergic neuronal dysfunction. FEBS J 2024; 291:945-964. [PMID: 38037233 DOI: 10.1111/febs.17019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 2 (IDO2) is an enzyme of the tryptophan-kynurenine pathway that is constitutively expressed in the brain. To provide insight into the physiological role of IDO2 in the brain, behavioral and neurochemical analyses in IDO2 knockout (KO) mice were performed. IDO2 KO mice showed stereotyped behavior, restricted interest and social deficits, traits that are associated with behavioral endophenotypes of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). IDO2 was colocalized immunohistochemically with tyrosine-hydroxylase-positive cells in dopaminergic neurons. In the striatum and amygdala of IDO2 KO mice, decreased dopamine turnover was associated with increased α-synuclein level. Correspondingly, levels of downstream dopamine D1 receptor signaling molecules such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor and c-Fos positive proteins were decreased. Furthermore, decreased abundance of ramified-type microglia resulted in increased dendritic spine density in the striatum of IDO2 KO mice. Both chemogenetic activation of dopaminergic neurons and treatment with methylphenidate, a dopamine reuptake inhibitor, ameliorated the ASD-like behavior of IDO2 KO mice. Sequencing analysis of exon regions in IDO2 from 309 ASD samples identified a rare canonical splice site variant in one ASD case. These results suggest that the IDO2 gene is, at least in part, a factor closely related to the development of psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaki Ishikawa
- Department of Advanced Diagnostic System Development, Fujita Health University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Yasuko Yamamoto
- Department of Advanced Diagnostic System Development, Fujita Health University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Bolati Wulaer
- Department of Advanced Diagnostic System Development, Fujita Health University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Toyoake, Japan
- Laboratory of Health and Medical Science Innovation, Fujita Health University Graduate School of Health Science, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Kazuo Kunisawa
- Department of Regulatory Science for Evaluation & Development of Pharmaceuticals & Devices, Fujita Health University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Hidetsugu Fujigaki
- Department of Advanced Diagnostic System Development, Fujita Health University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Ando
- Department of Advanced Diagnostic System Development, Fujita Health University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Hiroki Kimura
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Itaru Kushima
- Medical Genomics Center, Nagoya University Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yuko Arioka
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Youta Torii
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Akihiro Mouri
- Department of Regulatory Science for Evaluation & Development of Pharmaceuticals & Devices, Fujita Health University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Toyoake, Japan
- Japanese Drug Organization of Appropriate Use and Research, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Norio Ozaki
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Toshitaka Nabeshima
- Laboratory of Health and Medical Science Innovation, Fujita Health University Graduate School of Health Science, Toyoake, Japan
- Japanese Drug Organization of Appropriate Use and Research, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Kuniaki Saito
- Department of Advanced Diagnostic System Development, Fujita Health University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Toyoake, Japan
- Japanese Drug Organization of Appropriate Use and Research, Nagoya, Japan
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13
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Pan YD, Zhang Y, Zheng WY, Zhu MZ, Li HY, Ouyang WJ, Wen QQ, Zhu XH. Intermittent Hypobaric Hypoxia Ameliorates Autistic-Like Phenotypes in Mice. J Neurosci 2024; 44:e1665232023. [PMID: 38124211 PMCID: PMC10869151 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1665-23.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and stereotyped behaviors. Although major advances in basic research on autism have been achieved in the past decade, and behavioral interventions can mitigate the difficulties that individuals with autism experience, little is known about the many fundamental issues of the interventions, and no specific medication has demonstrated efficiency for the core symptoms of ASD. Intermittent hypobaric hypoxia (IHH) is characterized by repeated exposure to lowered atmospheric pressure and oxygen levels, which triggers multiple physiological adaptations in the body. Here, using two mouse models of ASD, male Shank3B -/- and Fmr1 -/y mice, we found that IHH training at an altitude of 5,000 m for 4 h per day, for 14 consecutive days, ameliorated autistic-like behaviors. Moreover, IHH training enhanced hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) 1α in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) and activated the DRN serotonergic neurons. Infusion of cobalt chloride into the DRN, to mimic IHH in increasing HIF1α expression or genetically knockdown PHD2 to upregulate HIF1α expression in the DRN serotonergic neurons, alleviated autistic-like behaviors in Shank3B -/- mice. In contrast, downregulation of HIF1α in DRN serotonergic neurons induced compulsive behaviors. Furthermore, upregulating HIF1α in DRN serotonergic neurons increased the firing rates of these neurons, whereas downregulation of HIF1α in DRN serotonergic neurons decreased their firing rates. These findings suggest that IHH activated DRN serotonergic neurons via upregulation of HIF1α, and thus ameliorated autistic-like phenotypes, providing a novel therapeutic option for ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-da Pan
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
- Research Center for Brain Health, Pazhou Lab, Guangzhou 510330, China
| | - Yuan Zhang
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Wen-Ying Zheng
- Research Center for Brain Health, Pazhou Lab, Guangzhou 510330, China
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Min-Zhen Zhu
- Research Center for Brain Health, Pazhou Lab, Guangzhou 510330, China
| | - Huan-Yu Li
- Research Center for Brain Health, Pazhou Lab, Guangzhou 510330, China
| | - Wen-Jie Ouyang
- Research Center for Brain Health, Pazhou Lab, Guangzhou 510330, China
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Qin-Qing Wen
- Research Center for Brain Health, Pazhou Lab, Guangzhou 510330, China
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Xin-Hong Zhu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
- Research Center for Brain Health, Pazhou Lab, Guangzhou 510330, China
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
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14
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Mayer FP, Stewart A, Blakely RD. Leaky lessons learned: Efflux prone dopamine transporter variant reveals sex and circuit specific contributions of D2 receptor signalling to neuropsychiatric disease. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol 2024; 134:206-218. [PMID: 37987120 DOI: 10.1111/bcpt.13964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Aberrant dopamine (DA) signalling has been implicated in various neuropsychiatric disorders, including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), schizophrenia, bipolar disorder (BPD) and addiction. The availability of extracellular DA is sculpted by the exocytotic release of vesicular DA and subsequent transporter-mediated clearance, rendering the presynaptic DA transporter (DAT) a crucial regulator of DA neurotransmission. D2-type DA autoreceptors (D2ARs) regulate multiple aspects of DA homeostasis, including (i) DA synthesis, (ii) vesicular release, (iii) DA neuron firing and (iv) the surface expression of DAT and DAT-mediated DA clearance. The DAT Val559 variant, identified in boys with ADHD or ASD, as well as in a girl with BPD, supports anomalous DA efflux (ADE), which we have shown drives tonic activation of D2ARs. Through ex vivo and in vivo studies of the DAT Val559 variant using transgenic knock-in mice, we have uncovered a circuit and sex-specific capacity of D2ARs to regulate DAT, which consequently disrupts DA signalling and behaviour differently in males and females. Our studies reveal the ability of the construct-valid DAT Val559 model to elucidate endogenous mechanisms that support DA signalling, findings that may be of translational and/or therapeutic importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix P Mayer
- Department of Biomedical Science, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida, USA
- Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida, USA
| | - Adele Stewart
- Department of Biomedical Science, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida, USA
- Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida, USA
| | - Randy D Blakely
- Department of Biomedical Science, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida, USA
- Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida, USA
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15
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Chu WS, Ng J, Waddington SN, Kurian MA. Gene therapy for neurotransmitter-related disorders. J Inherit Metab Dis 2024; 47:176-191. [PMID: 38221762 PMCID: PMC11108624 DOI: 10.1002/jimd.12697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Inborn errors of neurotransmitter (NT) metabolism are a group of rare, heterogenous diseases with predominant neurological features, such as movement disorders, autonomic dysfunction, and developmental delay. Clinical overlap with other disorders has led to delayed diagnosis and treatment, and some conditions are refractory to oral pharmacotherapies. Gene therapies have been developed and translated to clinics for paediatric inborn errors of metabolism, with 38 interventional clinical trials ongoing to date. Furthermore, efforts in restoring dopamine synthesis and neurotransmission through viral gene therapy have been developed for Parkinson's disease. Along with the recent European Medicines Agency (EMA) and Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approval of an AAV2 gene supplementation therapy for AADC deficiency, promising efficacy and safety profiles can be achieved in this group of diseases. In this review, we present preclinical and clinical advances to address NT-related diseases, and summarise potential challenges that require careful considerations for NT gene therapy studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wing Sum Chu
- Gene Transfer Technology Group, EGA Institute for Women's HealthUniversity College LondonLondonUK
- Genetic Therapy Accelerator Centre, Queen Square Institute of NeurologyUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | - Joanne Ng
- Gene Transfer Technology Group, EGA Institute for Women's HealthUniversity College LondonLondonUK
- Genetic Therapy Accelerator Centre, Queen Square Institute of NeurologyUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | - Simon N. Waddington
- Gene Transfer Technology Group, EGA Institute for Women's HealthUniversity College LondonLondonUK
- Wits/SAMRC Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit, Faculty of Health SciencesUniversity of the WitwatersrandJohannesburgSouth Africa
| | - Manju A. Kurian
- Developmental Neurosciences, Zayed Centre for Research into Rare Disease in Children, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child HealthUniversity College LondonLondonUK
- Department of NeurologyGreat Ormond Street Hospital for ChildrenLondonUK
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16
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Nisar S, Haris M. Neuroimaging genetics approaches to identify new biomarkers for the early diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:4995-5008. [PMID: 37069342 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02060-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023]
Abstract
Autism-spectrum disorders (ASDs) are developmental disabilities that manifest in early childhood and are characterized by qualitative abnormalities in social behaviors, communication skills, and restrictive or repetitive behaviors. To explore the neurobiological mechanisms in ASD, extensive research has been done to identify potential diagnostic biomarkers through a neuroimaging genetics approach. Neuroimaging genetics helps to identify ASD-risk genes that contribute to structural and functional variations in brain circuitry and validate biological changes by elucidating the mechanisms and pathways that confer genetic risk. Integrating artificial intelligence models with neuroimaging data lays the groundwork for accurate diagnosis and facilitates the identification of early diagnostic biomarkers for ASD. This review discusses the significance of neuroimaging genetics approaches to gaining a better understanding of the perturbed neurochemical system and molecular pathways in ASD and how these approaches can detect structural, functional, and metabolic changes and lead to the discovery of novel biomarkers for the early diagnosis of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabah Nisar
- Laboratory of Molecular and Metabolic Imaging, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Mohammad Haris
- Laboratory of Molecular and Metabolic Imaging, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar.
- Center for Advanced Metabolic Imaging in Precision Medicine, Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Laboratory Animal Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
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17
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Ding Z, Huang G, Wang T, Duan W, Li H, Wang Y, Jia H, Yang Z, Wang K, Chu X, Kurtz-Nelson EC, Ahlers K, Earl RK, Han Y, Feliciano P, Chung WK, Eichler EE, Jiang M, Xiong B. Genetic Ablation of GIGYF1, Associated With Autism, Causes Behavioral and Neurodevelopmental Defects in Zebrafish and Mice. Biol Psychiatry 2023; 94:769-779. [PMID: 36924980 PMCID: PMC10502190 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2023.02.993] [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: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder is characterized by deficits in social communication and restricted or repetitive behaviors. Due to the extremely high genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity, it is critical to pinpoint the genetic factors for understanding the pathology of these disorders. METHODS We analyzed the exomes generated by the SPARK (Simons Powering Autism Research) project and performed a meta-analysis with previous data. We then generated 1 zebrafish knockout model and 3 mouse knockout models to examine the function of GIGYF1 in neurodevelopment and behavior. Finally, we performed whole tissue and single-nucleus transcriptome analysis to explore the molecular and cellular function of GIGYF1. RESULTS GIGYF1 variants are significantly associated with various neurodevelopmental disorder phenotypes, including autism, global developmental delay, intellectual disability, and sleep disturbance. Loss of GIGYF1 causes similar behavioral effects in zebrafish and mice, including elevated levels of anxiety and reduced social engagement, which is reminiscent of the behavioral deficits in human patients carrying GIGYF1 variants. Moreover, excitatory neuron-specific Gigyf1 knockout mice recapitulate the increased repetitive behaviors and impaired social memory, suggesting a crucial role of Gigyf1 in excitatory neurons, which correlates with the observations in single-nucleus RNA sequencing. We also identified a series of downstream target genes of GIGYF1 that affect many aspects of the nervous system, especially synaptic transmission. CONCLUSIONS De novo variants of GIGYF1 are associated with neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder. GIGYF1 is involved in neurodevelopment and animal behavior, potentially through regulating hippocampal CA2 neuronal numbers and disturbing synaptic transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zijiao Ding
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Guiyang Huang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Tianyun Wang
- Department of Medical Genetics, Center for Medical Genetics, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China; Neuroscience Research Institute, Peking University, Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education of China & National Health Commission of China, Beijing, China; Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | - Weicheng Duan
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Hua Li
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yirong Wang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Huiting Jia
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Ziqian Yang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Kang Wang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xufeng Chu
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | | | - Kaitlyn Ahlers
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Rachel K Earl
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Yunyun Han
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | | | - Wendy K Chung
- Simons Foundation, New York; Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University, New York
| | - Evan E Eichler
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Man Jiang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
| | - Bo Xiong
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
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18
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Cording KR, Bateup HS. Altered motor learning and coordination in mouse models of autism spectrum disorder. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1270489. [PMID: 38026686 PMCID: PMC10663323 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1270489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder with increasing prevalence. Over 1,000 risk genes have now been implicated in ASD, suggesting diverse etiology. However, the diagnostic criteria for the disorder still comprise two major behavioral domains - deficits in social communication and interaction, and the presence of restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior (RRBs). The RRBs associated with ASD include both stereotyped repetitive movements and other motor manifestations including changes in gait, balance, coordination, and motor skill learning. In recent years, the striatum, the primary input center of the basal ganglia, has been implicated in these ASD-associated motor behaviors, due to the striatum's role in action selection, motor learning, and habit formation. Numerous mouse models with mutations in ASD risk genes have been developed and shown to have alterations in ASD-relevant behaviors. One commonly used assay, the accelerating rotarod, allows for assessment of both basic motor coordination and motor skill learning. In this corticostriatal-dependent task, mice walk on a rotating rod that gradually increases in speed. In the extended version of this task, mice engage striatal-dependent learning mechanisms to optimize their motor routine and stay on the rod for longer periods. This review summarizes the findings of studies examining rotarod performance across a range of ASD mouse models, and the resulting implications for the involvement of striatal circuits in ASD-related motor behaviors. While performance in this task is not uniform across mouse models, there is a cohort of models that show increased rotarod performance. A growing number of studies suggest that this increased propensity to learn a fixed motor routine may reflect a common enhancement of corticostriatal drive across a subset of mice with mutations in ASD-risk genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine R. Cording
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Helen S. Bateup
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
- Molecular and Cell Biology Department, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, United States
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19
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Yildirim V, Simsek S, Cetin I, Dokuyucu R. Kynurenine, Kynurenic Acid, Quinolinic Acid and Interleukin-6 Levels in the Serum of Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2023; 59:1906. [PMID: 38003955 PMCID: PMC10673218 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59111906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: It is known that inflammatory processes play a role in the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It is also reported that immune activation induces the kynurenine pathway (KP), as known as the tryptophan destruction pathway. In our study, we aimed to investigate whether the serum levels of KP products and interleukin (IL)-6 activating indolamine 2-3 dioxygenase (IDO) enzyme are different in healthy developing children and children with ASD. Materials and Methods: Forty-three ASD children aged 2-9 were included in this study. Forty-two healthy developing children, similar to the patient group in terms of age and gender, were selected as the control group. Serum levels of kynurenic acid, kynurenine, quinolinic acid and IL-6 were analyzed using the ELISA method. ASD severity was evaluated with the Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC). Results: The mean age of children with ASD was 42.4 ± 20.5 months, and that of healthy controls was 48.1 ± 15.8 months. While the serum levels of kynurenic acid, kynurenine and interleukin-6 were higher in the group with ASD (p < 0.05), there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in terms of the quinolinic acid level. There was no significant difference between the ABC total and subscale scores of children with ASD and biochemical parameters (p > 0.05). Conclusions: We conclude that these biomarkers must be measured in all ASD cases. They may be important for the diagnosis of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veli Yildirim
- Special Clinic, Department of Child Psychiatry, Yenişehir, Mersin 33110, Turkey;
| | - Seref Simsek
- Special Clinic, Department of Child Psychiatry, Antalya 07000, Turkey;
| | - Ihsan Cetin
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences, Batman University, Batman 72040, Turkey;
| | - Recep Dokuyucu
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Atlas University, Istanbul 34413, Turkey
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20
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Ortner NJ, Sah A, Paradiso E, Shin J, Stojanovic S, Hammer N, Haritonova M, Hofer NT, Marcantoni A, Guarina L, Tuluc P, Theiner T, Pitterl F, Ebner K, Oberacher H, Carbone E, Stefanova N, Ferraguti F, Singewald N, Roeper J, Striessnig J. The human channel gating-modifying A749G CACNA1D (Cav1.3) variant induces a neurodevelopmental syndrome-like phenotype in mice. JCI Insight 2023; 8:e162100. [PMID: 37698939 PMCID: PMC10619503 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.162100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Germline de novo missense variants of the CACNA1D gene, encoding the pore-forming α1 subunit of Cav1.3 L-type Ca2+ channels (LTCCs), have been found in patients with neurodevelopmental and endocrine dysfunction, but their disease-causing potential is unproven. These variants alter channel gating, enabling enhanced Cav1.3 activity, suggesting Cav1.3 inhibition as a potential therapeutic option. Here we provide proof of the disease-causing nature of such gating-modifying CACNA1D variants using mice (Cav1.3AG) containing the A749G variant reported de novo in a patient with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual impairment. In heterozygous mutants, native LTCC currents in adrenal chromaffin cells exhibited gating changes as predicted from heterologous expression. The A749G mutation induced aberrant excitability of dorsomedial striatum-projecting substantia nigra dopamine neurons and medium spiny neurons in the dorsal striatum. The phenotype observed in heterozygous mutants reproduced many of the abnormalities described within the human disease spectrum, including developmental delay, social deficit, and pronounced hyperactivity without major changes in gross neuroanatomy. Despite an approximately 7-fold higher sensitivity of A749G-containing channels to the LTCC inhibitor isradipine, oral pretreatment over 2 days did not rescue the hyperlocomotion. Cav1.3AG mice confirm the pathogenicity of the A749G variant and point toward a pathogenetic role of altered signaling in the dopamine midbrain system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine J. Ortner
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy, Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Anupam Sah
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy, Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Enrica Paradiso
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Josef Shin
- Institute for Neurophysiology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | | | - Niklas Hammer
- Institute for Neurophysiology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Maria Haritonova
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy, Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Nadja T. Hofer
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy, Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Andrea Marcantoni
- Department of Drug Science, N.I.S. Centre, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Laura Guarina
- Department of Drug Science, N.I.S. Centre, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Petronel Tuluc
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy, Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Tamara Theiner
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy, Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Florian Pitterl
- Institute of Legal Medicine and Core Facility Metabolomics and
| | - Karl Ebner
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy, Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | - Emilio Carbone
- Department of Drug Science, N.I.S. Centre, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Nadia Stefanova
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Francesco Ferraguti
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Nicolas Singewald
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy, Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Jochen Roeper
- Institute for Neurophysiology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Jörg Striessnig
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy, Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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21
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Filošević Vujnović A, Saftić Martinović L, Medija M, Andretić Waldowski R. Distinct and Dynamic Changes in the Temporal Profiles of Neurotransmitters in Drosophila melanogaster Brain following Volatilized Cocaine or Methamphetamine Administrations. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1489. [PMID: 37895961 PMCID: PMC10609923 DOI: 10.3390/ph16101489] [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: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to similarities in genetics, cellular response, and behavior, Drosophila is used as a model organism in addiction research. A well-described behavioral response examined in flies is the induced increase in locomotor activity after a single dose of volatilized cocaine (vCOC) and volatilized methamphetamine (vMETH), the sensitivity, and the escalation of the locomotor response after the repeated dose, the locomotor sensitization. However, knowledge about how vCOC and vMETH affect different neurotransmitter systems over time is scarce. We used LC-MS/MS to systematically examine changes in the concentration of neurotransmitters, metabolites and non-metabolized COC and METH in the whole head homogenates of male flies one to seven hours after single and double vCOC or vMETH administrations. vMETH leads to complex changes in the levels of examined substances over time, while vCOC strongly and briefly increases concentrations of dopamine, tyramine and octopamine followed by a delayed degradation into N-acetyl dopamine and N-acetyl tyramine. The first exposure to psychostimulants leads to significant and dynamic changes in the concentrations relative to the second administration when they are more stable over several hours. Further investigations are needed to understand neurochemical and molecular changes post-psychostimulant administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Filošević Vujnović
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Rijeka, Radmile Matejčić 2, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia; (L.S.M.); (M.M.); (R.A.W.)
| | - Lara Saftić Martinović
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Rijeka, Radmile Matejčić 2, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia; (L.S.M.); (M.M.); (R.A.W.)
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Braće Branchetta 20, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Marta Medija
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Rijeka, Radmile Matejčić 2, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia; (L.S.M.); (M.M.); (R.A.W.)
| | - Rozi Andretić Waldowski
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Rijeka, Radmile Matejčić 2, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia; (L.S.M.); (M.M.); (R.A.W.)
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22
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Iffland M, Livingstone N, Jorgensen M, Hazell P, Gillies D. Pharmacological intervention for irritability, aggression, and self-injury in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2023; 10:CD011769. [PMID: 37811711 PMCID: PMC10561353 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd011769.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pharmacological interventions are frequently used for people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to manage behaviours of concern, including irritability, aggression, and self-injury. Some pharmacological interventions might help treat some behaviours of concern, but can also have adverse effects (AEs). OBJECTIVES To assess the effectiveness and AEs of pharmacological interventions for managing the behaviours of irritability, aggression, and self-injury in ASD. SEARCH METHODS We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, 11 other databases and two trials registers up to June 2022. We also searched reference lists of relevant studies, and contacted study authors, experts and pharmaceutical companies. SELECTION CRITERIA We included randomised controlled trials of participants of any age with a clinical diagnosis of ASD, that compared any pharmacological intervention to an alternative drug, standard care, placebo, or wait-list control. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We used standard Cochrane methods. Primary outcomes were behaviours of concern in ASD, (irritability, aggression and self-injury); and AEs. Secondary outcomes were quality of life, and tolerability and acceptability. Two review authors independently assessed each study for risk of bias, and used GRADE to judge the certainty of the evidence for each outcome. MAIN RESULTS We included 131 studies involving 7014 participants in this review. We identified 26 studies as awaiting classification and 25 as ongoing. Most studies involved children (53 studies involved only children under 13 years), children and adolescents (37 studies), adolescents only (2 studies) children and adults (16 studies), or adults only (23 studies). All included studies compared a pharmacological intervention to a placebo or to another pharmacological intervention. Atypical antipsychotics versus placebo At short-term follow-up (up to 6 months), atypical antipsychotics probably reduce irritability compared to placebo (standardised mean difference (SMD) -0.90, 95% confidence interval (CI) -1.25 to -0.55, 12 studies, 973 participants; moderate-certainty evidence), which may indicate a large effect. However, there was no clear evidence of a difference in aggression between groups (SMD -0.44, 95% CI -0.89 to 0.01; 1 study, 77 participants; very low-certainty evidence). Atypical antipsychotics may also reduce self-injury (SMD -1.43, 95% CI -2.24 to -0.61; 1 study, 30 participants; low-certainty evidence), possibly indicating a large effect. There may be higher rates of neurological AEs (dizziness, fatigue, sedation, somnolence, and tremor) in the intervention group (low-certainty evidence), but there was no clear evidence of an effect on other neurological AEs. Increased appetite may be higher in the intervention group (low-certainty evidence), but we found no clear evidence of an effect on other metabolic AEs. There was no clear evidence of differences between groups in musculoskeletal or psychological AEs. Neurohormones versus placebo At short-term follow-up, neurohormones may have minimal to no clear effect on irritability when compared to placebo (SMD -0.18, 95% CI -0.37 to -0.00; 8 studies; 466 participants; very low-certainty evidence), although the evidence is very uncertain. No data were reported for aggression or self -injury. Neurohormones may reduce the risk of headaches slightly in the intervention group, although the evidence is very uncertain. There was no clear evidence of an effect of neurohormones on any other neurological AEs, nor on any psychological, metabolic, or musculoskeletal AEs (low- and very low-certainty evidence). Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)-related medications versus placebo At short-term follow-up, ADHD-related medications may reduce irritability slightly (SMD -0.20, 95% CI -0.40 to -0.01; 10 studies, 400 participants; low-certainty evidence), which may indicate a small effect. However, there was no clear evidence that ADHD-related medications have an effect on self-injury (SMD -0.62, 95% CI -1.63 to 0.39; 1 study, 16 participants; very low-certainty evidence). No data were reported for aggression. Rates of neurological AEs (drowsiness, emotional AEs, fatigue, headache, insomnia, and irritability), metabolic AEs (decreased appetite) and psychological AEs (depression) may be higher in the intervention group, although the evidence is very uncertain (very low-certainty evidence). There was no evidence of a difference between groups for any other metabolic, neurological, or psychological AEs (very low-certainty evidence). No data were reported for musculoskeletal AEs. Antidepressants versus placebo At short-term follow-up, there was no clear evidence that antidepressants have an effect on irritability (SMD -0.06, 95% CI -0.30 to 0.18; 3 studies, 267 participants; low-certainty evidence). No data for aggression or self-injury were reported or could be included in the analysis. Rates of metabolic AEs (decreased energy) may be higher in participants receiving antidepressants (very low-certainty evidence), although no other metabolic AEs showed clear evidence of a difference. Rates of neurological AEs (decreased attention) and psychological AEs (impulsive behaviour and stereotypy) may also be higher in the intervention group (very low-certainty evidence) although the evidence is very uncertain. There was no clear evidence of any difference in the other metabolic, neurological, or psychological AEs (very low-certainty evidence), nor between groups in musculoskeletal AEs (very low-certainty evidence). Risk of bias We rated most of the studies across the four comparisons at unclear overall risk of bias due to having multiple domains rated as unclear, very few rated as low across all domains, and most having at least one domain rated as high risk of bias. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Evidence suggests that atypical antipsychotics probably reduce irritability, ADHD-related medications may reduce irritability slightly, and neurohormones may have little to no effect on irritability in the short term in people with ASD. There was some evidence that atypical antipsychotics may reduce self-injury in the short term, although the evidence is uncertain. There was no clear evidence that antidepressants had an effect on irritability. There was also little to no difference in aggression between atypical antipsychotics and placebo, or self-injury between ADHD-related medications and placebo. However, there was some evidence that atypical antipsychotics may result in a large reduction in self-injury, although the evidence is uncertain. No data were reported (or could be used) for self-injury or aggression for neurohormones versus placebo. Studies reported a wide range of potential AEs. Atypical antipsychotics and ADHD-related medications in particular were associated with an increased risk of metabolic and neurological AEs, although the evidence is uncertain for atypical antipsychotics and very uncertain for ADHD-related medications. The other drug classes had minimal or no associated AEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Iffland
- Senior Practitioner Branch, NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, Penrith, Australia
| | - Nuala Livingstone
- Cochrane Evidence Production and Methods Directorate , Cochrane, London, UK
| | - Mikaela Jorgensen
- Senior Practitioner Branch, NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, Penrith, Australia
| | - Philip Hazell
- Speciality of Psychiatry, University of Sydney School of Medicine, Sydney, Australia
| | - Donna Gillies
- Senior Practitioner Branch, NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, Penrith, Australia
- Sydney, Australia
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23
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Zanfino G, Puzzo C, de Laurenzi V, Adriani W. Characterization of Behavioral Phenotypes in Heterozygous DAT Rat Based on Pedigree. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2565. [PMID: 37761006 PMCID: PMC10526166 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11092565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Dopamine is an essential neurotransmitter whose key roles include movement control, pleasure and reward, attentional and cognitive skills, and regulation of the sleep/wake cycle. Reuptake is carried out by the dopamine transporter (DAT; DAT1 SLC6A3 gene). In order to study the effects of hyper-dopaminergia syndrome, the gene was silenced in rats. DAT-KO rats show stereotypical behavior, hyperactivity, a deficit in working memory, and an altered circadian cycle. In addition to KO rats, heterozygous (DAT-HET) rats show relative hypofunction of DAT; exact phenotypic effects are still unknown and may depend on whether the sire or the dam was KO. Our goal was to elucidate the potential importance of the parental origin of the healthy or silenced allele and its impact across generations, along with the potential variations in maternal care. We thus generated specular lines to study the effects of (grand) parental roles in inheriting the wild or mutated allele. MAT-HETs are the progeny of a KO sire and a WT dam; by breeding MAT-HET males and KO females, we obtained subjects with a DAT -/- epigenotype, named QULL, to reflect additional epigenetic DAT modulation when embryos develop within a hyper-dopaminergic KO uterus. We aimed to verify if any behavioral anomaly was introduced by a QULL (instead of KO) rat acting as a direct father or indirect maternal grandfather (or both). We thus followed epigenotypes obtained after three generations and observed actual effects on impaired maternal care of the offspring (based on pedigree). In particular, offspring of MAT-HET-dam × QULL-sire breeding showed a compulsive and obsessive phenotype. Although the experimental groups were all heterozygous, the impact of having a sire of epigenotype QULL (who developed in the uterus of a KO grand-dam) has emerged clearly. Along the generations, the effects of the DAT epigenotype on the obsessive/compulsive phenotype do vary as a function of the uterine impact on either allele in one's genealogical line.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gioia Zanfino
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.Z.); (C.P.)
| | - Concetto Puzzo
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.Z.); (C.P.)
- Faculty of Psychology, International Telematic University Uninettuno, 00186 Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo de Laurenzi
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy;
- Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine and Dentistry, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Walter Adriani
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.Z.); (C.P.)
- Faculty of Psychology, International Telematic University Uninettuno, 00186 Rome, Italy
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24
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Pavăl D. The dopamine hypothesis of autism spectrum disorder: A comprehensive analysis of the evidence. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2023; 173:1-42. [PMID: 37993174 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2023.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Despite intensive research into the etiopathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), limited progress has been achieved so far. Among the plethora of models seeking to clarify how ASD arises, a coherent dopaminergic model was lacking until recently. In 2017, we provided a theoretical framework that we designated "the dopamine hypothesis of ASD". In the meantime, numerous studies yielded empirical evidence for this model. 4 years later, we provided a second version encompassing a refined and reconceptualized framework that accounted for these novel findings. In this chapter, we will review the evidence backing the previous versions of our model and add the most recent developments to the picture. Along these lines, we intend to lay out a comprehensive analysis of the supporting evidence for the dopamine hypothesis of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis Pavăl
- The Romanian Association for Autoimmune Encephalitis, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; Department of Psychiatry, "Iuliu Hațieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
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25
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Saha S, Chatterjee M, Dutta N, Sinha S, Mukhopadhyay K. Analysis of neurotransmitters validates the importance of the dopaminergic system in autism spectrum disorder. World J Pediatr 2023; 19:770-781. [PMID: 36847977 DOI: 10.1007/s12519-023-00702-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The reasons behind the cardinal symptoms of communication deficits and repetitive, stereotyped behaviors that characterize autism spectrum disorder (ASD) remain unknown. The dopamine (DA) system, which regulates motor activity, goal-directed behaviors, and reward function, is believed to play a crucial role in ASD, although the exact mechanism is still unclear. Investigations have shown an association of the dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4) with various neurobehavioral disorders. METHODS We analyzed the association between ASD and four DRD4 genetic polymorphisms, 5' flanking 120-bp duplication (rs4646984), rs1800955 in the promoter, exon 1 12 bp duplication (rs4646983), and exon 3 48 bp repeats. We also examined plasma DA and its metabolite levels, DRD4 mRNA expression, and correlations of the studied polymorphisms with these parameters by case-control comparative analyses. The expression of DA transporter (DAT), which is important in regulating the circulating DA level, was also evaluated. RESULTS A significantly higher occurrence of rs1800955 "T/TT" was observed in the probands. ASD traits were affected by rs1800955 "T" and the higher repeat alleles of the exon 3 48 bp repeats, rs4646983 and rs4646984. ASD probands exhibited lower DA and norepinephrine levels together with higher homovanillic acid levels than the control subjects. DAT and DRD4 mRNA expression were down-regulated in the probands, especially in the presence of DAT rs3836790 "6R" and rs27072 "CC" and DRD4 rs4646984 higher repeat allele and rs1800955 "T". CONCLUSION This pioneering investigation revealed a positive correlation between genetic variants, hypodopaminergic state, and impairment in socio-emotional and communication reciprocity in Indian subjects with ASD, warranting further in-depth analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharmistha Saha
- Manovikas Biomedical Research and Diagnostic Centre, Manovikas Kendra, 482 Madudah, Plot I-24, Sector-J, E.M. Bypass, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700107, India
| | - Mahasweta Chatterjee
- Manovikas Biomedical Research and Diagnostic Centre, Manovikas Kendra, 482 Madudah, Plot I-24, Sector-J, E.M. Bypass, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700107, India
| | - Nilanjana Dutta
- Manovikas Biomedical Research and Diagnostic Centre, Manovikas Kendra, 482 Madudah, Plot I-24, Sector-J, E.M. Bypass, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700107, India
| | - Swagata Sinha
- Manovikas Biomedical Research and Diagnostic Centre, Manovikas Kendra, 482 Madudah, Plot I-24, Sector-J, E.M. Bypass, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700107, India
| | - Kanchan Mukhopadhyay
- Manovikas Biomedical Research and Diagnostic Centre, Manovikas Kendra, 482 Madudah, Plot I-24, Sector-J, E.M. Bypass, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700107, India.
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26
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Yin H, Wang Z, Liu J, Li Y, Liu L, Huang P, Wang W, Shan Z, Sun R, Shen J, Duan L. Dysregulation of immune and metabolism pathways in maternal immune activation induces an increased risk of autism spectrum disorders. Life Sci 2023; 324:121734. [PMID: 37105442 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.121734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Maternal immune activation (MIA) via infection during pregnancy is known to be an environmental risk factor for neurodevelopmental disorders and the development of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in the offspring, but it still remains elusive that the molecular relevance between infection-induced abnormal neurodevelopmental events and an increased risk for ASD development. MAIN METHODS Fully considering the extremely high genetic heterogeneity of ASD and the universality of risk-gene with minimal effect-sizes, the gene and pathway-based association analysis was performed with the transcriptomic and DNA methylation landscapes of temporal human embryonic brain development and ASD, and the time-course transcriptional profiling of MIA. We conducted the transcriptional profiling of mouse abnormal neurodevelopment two days following induced MIA via LPS injection at E10.5. KEY FINDINGS A novel evidence was proved that illustrated altering four immune and metabolism-related risk pathways, including starch and sucrose metabolism, ribosome, protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum, and retrograde endocannabinoid signaling pathway, which were prominent involvement in the process of MIA regulating abnormal fetal brain development to induce an increased risk of ASD. Here, we have observed that almost all key genes within these risk pathways are significantly differentially expressed at embryonic days (E) 10.5-12.5, which is considered to be the optimal coincidence window of mouse embryonic brain development to study the intimate association between MIA and ASD using mouse animal models. SIGNIFICANCE There search establishes that MIA causes dysregulation of immune and metabolic pathways, which leads to abnormal embryonic neurodevelopment, thus promoting development of ASD symptoms in offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huamin Yin
- Central Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China; Institute of Life Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Zhendong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Interventional Pulmonology of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China
| | - Jiaxin Liu
- Institute of Life Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Ying Li
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
| | - Li Liu
- Institute of Life Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Peijun Huang
- Institute of Life Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325015, China
| | - Wenhang Wang
- Institute of Life Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Zhiyan Shan
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
| | - Ruizhen Sun
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
| | - Jingling Shen
- Institute of Life Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China.
| | - Lian Duan
- Central Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China; Institute of Life Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China.
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Curtis MA, Dhamsania RK, Branco RC, Guo JD, Creeden J, Neifer KL, Black CA, Winokur EJ, Andari E, Dias BG, Liu RC, Gourley SL, Miller GW, Burkett JP. Developmental pyrethroid exposure causes a neurodevelopmental disorder phenotype in mice. PNAS NEXUS 2023; 2:pgad085. [PMID: 37113978 PMCID: PMC10129348 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgad085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are a widespread and growing public health challenge, affecting as many as 17% of children in the United States. Recent epidemiological studies have implicated ambient exposure to pyrethroid pesticides during pregnancy in the risk for NDDs in the unborn child. Using a litter-based, independent discovery-replication cohort design, we exposed mouse dams orally during pregnancy and lactation to the Environmental Protection Agency's reference pyrethroid, deltamethrin, at 3 mg/kg, a concentration well below the benchmark dose used for regulatory guidance. The resulting offspring were tested using behavioral and molecular methods targeting behavioral phenotypes relevant to autism and NDD, as well as changes to the striatal dopamine system. Low-dose developmental exposure to the pyrethroid deltamethrin (DPE) decreased pup vocalizations, increased repetitive behaviors, and impaired both fear conditioning and operant conditioning. Compared with control mice, DPE mice had greater total striatal dopamine, dopamine metabolites, and stimulated dopamine release, but no difference in vesicular dopamine capacity or protein markers of dopamine vesicles. Dopamine transporter protein levels were increased in DPE mice, but not temporal dopamine reuptake. Striatal medium spiny neurons showed changes in electrophysiological properties consistent with a compensatory decrease in neuronal excitability. Combined with previous findings, these results implicate DPE as a direct cause of an NDD-relevant behavioral phenotype and striatal dopamine dysfunction in mice and implicate the cytosolic compartment as the location of excess striatal dopamine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa A Curtis
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, USA
| | - Rohan K Dhamsania
- College of Arts and Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19131, USA
| | - Rachel C Branco
- Laney Graduate School, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Ji-Dong Guo
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Justin Creeden
- Department of Medicine, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Kari L Neifer
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, USA
| | - Carlie A Black
- Laney Graduate School, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Schiemer School of Psychology and Biblical Counseling, Truett McConnell University, Cleveland, GA 30528, USA
| | - Emily J Winokur
- College of Arts and Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Department of Cognitive Science, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Elissar Andari
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Brian G Dias
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
- Division of Endocrinology, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA
- Developmental Neuroscience and Neurogenetics Program, The Saban Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA
| | - Robert C Liu
- Department of Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Center for Translational Social Neuroscience, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Shannon L Gourley
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
| | - Gary W Miller
- Department of Environmental Health, Emory Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
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28
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Mintz Hemed N, Melosh NA. An integrated perspective for the diagnosis and therapy of neurodevelopmental disorders - From an engineering point of view. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2023; 194:114723. [PMID: 36746077 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2023.114723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are complex conditions with largely unknown pathophysiology. While many NDD symptoms are familiar, the cause of these disorders remains unclear and may involve a combination of genetic, biological, psychosocial, and environmental risk factors. Current diagnosis relies heavily on behaviorally defined criteria, which may be biased by the clinical team's professional and cultural expectations, thus a push for new biological-based biomarkers for NDDs diagnosis is underway. Emerging new research technologies offer an unprecedented view into the electrical, chemical, and physiological activity in the brain and with further development in humans may provide clinically relevant diagnoses. These could also be extended to new treatment options, which can start to address the underlying physiological issues. When combined with current speech, language, occupational therapy, and pharmacological treatment these could greatly improve patient outcomes. The current review will discuss the latest technologies that are being used or may be used for NDDs diagnosis and treatment. The aim is to provide an inspiring and forward-looking view for future research in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nofar Mintz Hemed
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
| | - Nicholas A Melosh
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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29
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Mai AS, Yau CE, Tseng FS, Foo QXJ, Wang DQ, Tan EK. Linking autism spectrum disorders and parkinsonism: clinical and genetic association. Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2023; 10:484-496. [PMID: 36738194 PMCID: PMC10109258 DOI: 10.1002/acn3.51736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) comprise many complex and clinically distinct neurodevelopmental conditions, with increasing evidence linking them to parkinsonism. METHODS We searched Medline and Embase from inception to 21 March 2022 and reviewed the bibliographies of relevant articles. Studies were screened and reviewed comprehensively by two independent authors. RESULTS Of 863 references from our search, we included eight clinical studies, nine genetic studies, and five case reports. Regardless of age group, Parkinson's disease (PD) and parkinsonian syndromes were more frequently observed in patients with ASD, though the evidence for increased rates of parkinsonism is less clear for children and adolescents. Parkinsonian features and hypokinetic behavior were common in Rett syndrome, with prevalence estimates ranging from 40% to 80%. Frequently observed parkinsonian features include bradykinesia, rigidity, hypomimia, and gait freezing. PD gene PARK2 copy number variations appear more frequently in ASD cases than controls. Evidence suggests that RIT2 and CD157/BST1 are implicated in ASD and PD, while the evidence for other PD-related genes (DRD2, GPCR37, the SLC gene family, and SMPD1) is less clear. Rare mutations, such as ATP13A2, CLN3, and WDR45, could result in autistic behavior and concomitant parkinsonism. CONCLUSION The prevalence of parkinsonism in ASD is substantially greater than in the general population or matched controls. Various PD-associated gene loci, especially PARK2, could confer susceptibility to ASD as well. Important future directions include conducting prospective cohort studies to understand how parkinsonian symptoms may progress, genetic studies to reveal relevant gene loci, and pathophysiologic studies to identify potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Shengting Mai
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Chun En Yau
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Fan Shuen Tseng
- Department of Neurology, Singapore General Hospital Campus, National Neuroscience Institute, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Qi Xuan Joel Foo
- Department of Neurology, Singapore General Hospital Campus, National Neuroscience Institute, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Dennis Qing Wang
- Department of Neurology, Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Eng-King Tan
- Department of Neurology, Singapore General Hospital Campus, National Neuroscience Institute, Singapore, Singapore.,Neuroscience and Behavioural Disorders, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
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30
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Wang L, Wang B, Wu C, Wang J, Sun M. Autism Spectrum Disorder: Neurodevelopmental Risk Factors, Biological Mechanism, and Precision Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24031819. [PMID: 36768153 PMCID: PMC9915249 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24031819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous, behaviorally defined neurodevelopmental disorder. Over the past two decades, the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders has progressively increased, however, no clear diagnostic markers and specifically targeted medications for autism have emerged. As a result, neurobehavioral abnormalities, neurobiological alterations in ASD, and the development of novel ASD pharmacological therapy necessitate multidisciplinary collaboration. In this review, we discuss the development of multiple animal models of ASD to contribute to the disease mechanisms of ASD, as well as new studies from multiple disciplines to assess the behavioral pathology of ASD. In addition, we summarize and highlight the mechanistic advances regarding gene transcription, RNA and non-coding RNA translation, abnormal synaptic signaling pathways, epigenetic post-translational modifications, brain-gut axis, immune inflammation and neural loop abnormalities in autism to provide a theoretical basis for the next step of precision therapy. Furthermore, we review existing autism therapy tactics and limits and present challenges and opportunities for translating multidisciplinary knowledge of ASD into clinical practice.
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31
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Shekar A, Mabry SJ, Cheng MH, Aguilar JI, Patel S, Zanella D, Saleeby DP, Zhu Y, Romanazzi T, Ulery-Reynolds P, Bahar I, Carter AM, Matthies HJG, Galli A. Syntaxin 1 Ser 14 phosphorylation is required for nonvesicular dopamine release. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadd8417. [PMID: 36630507 PMCID: PMC9833662 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.add8417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Amphetamine (AMPH) is a psychostimulant that is commonly abused. The stimulant properties of AMPH are associated with its ability to increase dopamine (DA) neurotransmission. This increase is promoted by nonvesicular DA release mediated by reversal of DA transporter (DAT) function. Syntaxin 1 (Stx1) is a SNARE protein that is phosphorylated at Ser14 by casein kinase II. We show that Stx1 phosphorylation is critical for AMPH-induced nonvesicular DA release and, in Drosophila melanogaster, regulates the expression of AMPH-induced preference and sexual motivation. Our molecular dynamics simulations of the DAT/Stx1 complex demonstrate that phosphorylation of these proteins is pivotal for DAT to dwell in a DA releasing state. This state is characterized by the breakdown of two key salt bridges within the DAT intracellular gate, causing the opening and hydration of the DAT intracellular vestibule, allowing DA to bind from the cytosol, a mechanism that we hypothesize underlies nonvesicular DA release.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aparna Shekar
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Samuel J. Mabry
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Mary H. Cheng
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Jenny I. Aguilar
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Shalin Patel
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Daniele Zanella
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - David P. Saleeby
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Yanqi Zhu
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Tiziana Romanazzi
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | | | - Ivet Bahar
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Angela M. Carter
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | | | - Aurelio Galli
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
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32
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Wang X, Liu X, Chen L, Zhang X. The inflammatory injury in the striatal microglia-dopaminergic-neuron crosstalk involved in Tourette syndrome development. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1178113. [PMID: 37187752 PMCID: PMC10175669 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1178113] [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: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Tourette syndrome (TS) is associated with immunological dysfunction. The DA system is closely related to TS development, or behavioral stereotypes. Previous evidence suggested that hyper-M1-polarized microglia may exist in the brains of TS individuals. However, the role of microglia in TS and their interaction with dopaminergic neurons is unclear. In this study, we applied iminodipropionitrile (IDPN) to establish a TS model and focused on the inflammatory injury in the striatal microglia-dopaminergic-neuron crosstalk. Methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats were intraperitoneally injected with IDPN for seven consecutive days. Stereotypic behavior was observed to verify the TS model. Striatal microglia activation was evaluated based on different markers and expressions of inflammatory factors. The striatal dopaminergic neurons were purified and co-cultured with different microglia groups, and dopamine-associated markers were assessed. Results First, there was pathological damage to striatal dopaminergic neurons in TS rats, as indicated by decreased expression of TH, DAT, and PITX3. Next, the TS group showed a trend of increased Iba-1 positive cells and elevated levels of inflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-6, as well as an enhanced M1-polarization marker (iNOS) and an attenuated M2-polarization marker (Arg-1). Finally, in the co-culture experiment, IL-4-treated microglia could upregulate the expression of TH, DAT, and PITX3 in striatal dopaminergic neurons vs LPS-treated microglia. Similarly, the TS group (microglia from TS rats) caused a decreased expression of TH, DAT, and PITX3 compared with the Sham group (microglia from control rats) in the dopaminergic neurons. Conclusion In the striatum of TS rats, microglia activation is M1 hyperpolarized, which transmits inflammatory injury to striatal dopaminergic neurons and disrupts normal dopamine signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueming Wang
- Plastic Surgery Department, Fujian Children’s Hospital, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xiumei Liu
- Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Developmental and Behavior Pediatrics Department, Fujian Children’s Hospital, Fuzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Xiumei Liu,
| | - Liangliang Chen
- Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Developmental and Behavior Pediatrics Department, Fujian Children’s Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xiaoling Zhang
- Child Healthcare Department, Fuzhou Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Fuzhou, China
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33
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Ji Q, Li SJ, Zhao JB, Xiong Y, Du XH, Wang CX, Lu LM, Tan JY, Zhu ZR. Genetic and neural mechanisms of sleep disorders in children with autism spectrum disorder: a review. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1079683. [PMID: 37200906 PMCID: PMC10185750 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1079683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The incidence of sleep disorders in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is very high. Sleep disorders can exacerbate the development of ASD and impose a heavy burden on families and society. The pathological mechanism of sleep disorders in autism is complex, but gene mutations and neural abnormalities may be involved. Methods In this review, we examined literature addressing the genetic and neural mechanisms of sleep disorders in children with ASD. The databases PubMed and Scopus were searched for eligible studies published between 2013 and 2023. Results Prolonged awakenings of children with ASD may be caused by the following processes. Mutations in the MECP2, VGAT and SLC6A1 genes can decrease GABA inhibition on neurons in the locus coeruleus, leading to hyperactivity of noradrenergic neurons and prolonged awakenings in children with ASD. Mutations in the HRH1, HRH2, and HRH3 genes heighten the expression of histamine receptors in the posterior hypothalamus, potentially intensifying histamine's ability to promote arousal. Mutations in the KCNQ3 and PCDH10 genes cause atypical modulation of amygdala impact on orexinergic neurons, potentially causing hyperexcitability of the hypothalamic orexin system. Mutations in the AHI1, ARHGEF10, UBE3A, and SLC6A3 genes affect dopamine synthesis, catabolism, and reuptake processes, which can elevate dopamine concentrations in the midbrain. Secondly, non-rapid eye movement sleep disorder is closely related to the lack of butyric acid, iron deficiency and dysfunction of the thalamic reticular nucleus induced by PTCHD1 gene alterations. Thirdly, mutations in the HTR2A, SLC6A4, MAOA, MAOB, TPH2, VMATs, SHANK3, and CADPS2 genes induce structural and functional abnormalities of the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) and amygdala, which may disturb REM sleep. In addition, the decrease in melatonin levels caused by ASMT, MTNR1A, and MTNR1B gene mutations, along with functional abnormalities of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons, may lead to abnormal sleep-wake rhythm transitions. Conclusion Our review revealed that the functional and structural abnormalities of sleep-wake related neural circuits induced by gene mutations are strongly correlated with sleep disorders in children with ASD. Exploring the neural mechanisms of sleep disorders and the underlying genetic pathology in children with ASD is significant for further studies of therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Ji
- Department of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
- College of Basic Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Si-Jia Li
- Department of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
- College of Basic Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jun-Bo Zhao
- Department of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
- College of Basic Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yun Xiong
- Department of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
- College of Basic Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiao-Hui Du
- Department of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chun-Xiang Wang
- Department of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Li-Ming Lu
- College of Educational Sciences, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jing-Yao Tan
- College of Educational Sciences, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhi-Ru Zhu
- Department of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
- *Correspondence: Zhi-Ru Zhu,
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D’Elia A, Schiavi S, Manduca A, Rava A, Buzzelli V, Ascone F, Orsini T, Putti S, Soluri A, Galli F, Soluri A, Mattei M, Cicconi R, Massari R, Trezza V. FMR1 deletion in rats induces hyperactivity with no changes in striatal dopamine transporter availability. Sci Rep 2022; 12:22535. [PMID: 36581671 PMCID: PMC9800572 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-26986-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a pervasive neurodevelopmental disorder emerging in early life characterized by impairments in social interaction, poor verbal and non-verbal communication, and repetitive patterns of behaviors. Among the best-known genetic risk factors for ASD, there are mutations causing the loss of the Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein 1 (FMRP) leading to Fragile X syndrome (FXS), a common form of inherited intellectual disability and the leading monogenic cause of ASD. Being a pivotal regulator of motor activity, motivation, attention, and reward processing, dopaminergic neurotransmission has a key role in several neuropsychiatric disorders, including ASD. Fmr1 Δexon 8 rats have been validated as a genetic model of ASD based on FMR1 deletion, and they are also a rat model of FXS. Here, we performed behavioral, biochemical and in vivo SPECT neuroimaging experiments to investigate whether Fmr1 Δexon 8 rats display ASD-like repetitive behaviors associated with changes in striatal dopamine transporter (DAT) availability assessed through in vivo SPECT neuroimaging. At the behavioral level, Fmr1 Δexon 8 rats displayed hyperactivity in the open field test in the absence of repetitive behaviors in the hole board test. However, these behavioral alterations were not associated with changes in striatal DAT availability as assessed by non-invasive in vivo SPECT and Western blot analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annunziata D’Elia
- grid.5326.20000 0001 1940 4177Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), c/o International Campus “A. Buzzati-Traverso”, Via E. Ramarini, 32, 00015 Monterotondo Scalo (Rome), Italy ,grid.8509.40000000121622106Department of Science, Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, Roma Tre University, Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Schiavi
- grid.8509.40000000121622106Department of Science, Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, Roma Tre University, Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonia Manduca
- grid.8509.40000000121622106Department of Science, Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, Roma Tre University, Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy ,grid.417778.a0000 0001 0692 3437Neuroendocrinology, Metabolism and Neuropharmacology Unit, IRCSS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Rava
- grid.8509.40000000121622106Department of Science, Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, Roma Tre University, Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Valeria Buzzelli
- grid.8509.40000000121622106Department of Science, Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, Roma Tre University, Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Ascone
- grid.8509.40000000121622106Department of Science, Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, Roma Tre University, Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Tiziana Orsini
- grid.5326.20000 0001 1940 4177Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), c/o International Campus “A. Buzzati-Traverso”, Via E. Ramarini, 32, 00015 Monterotondo Scalo (Rome), Italy
| | - Sabrina Putti
- grid.5326.20000 0001 1940 4177Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), c/o International Campus “A. Buzzati-Traverso”, Via E. Ramarini, 32, 00015 Monterotondo Scalo (Rome), Italy
| | - Andrea Soluri
- grid.5326.20000 0001 1940 4177Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), c/o International Campus “A. Buzzati-Traverso”, Via E. Ramarini, 32, 00015 Monterotondo Scalo (Rome), Italy ,grid.9657.d0000 0004 1757 5329Unit of Molecular Neurosciences, University Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Filippo Galli
- grid.7841.aNuclear Medicine Unit, Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Soluri
- grid.5326.20000 0001 1940 4177Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), c/o International Campus “A. Buzzati-Traverso”, Via E. Ramarini, 32, 00015 Monterotondo Scalo (Rome), Italy
| | - Maurizio Mattei
- grid.6530.00000 0001 2300 0941Department of Biology and Centro di Servizi Interdipartimentale-Stazione per la Tecnologia Animale, “Tor Vergata” University, Rome, Italy
| | - Rosella Cicconi
- grid.6530.00000 0001 2300 0941Department of Biology and Centro di Servizi Interdipartimentale-Stazione per la Tecnologia Animale, “Tor Vergata” University, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Massari
- grid.5326.20000 0001 1940 4177Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), c/o International Campus “A. Buzzati-Traverso”, Via E. Ramarini, 32, 00015 Monterotondo Scalo (Rome), Italy
| | - Viviana Trezza
- grid.8509.40000000121622106Department of Science, Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, Roma Tre University, Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy
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Eissa N, Awad MA, Thomas SD, Venkatachalam K, Jayaprakash P, Zhong S, Stark H, Sadek B. Simultaneous Antagonism at H3R/D2R/D3R Reduces Autism-like Self-Grooming and Aggressive Behaviors by Mitigating MAPK Activation in Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010526. [PMID: 36613969 PMCID: PMC9820264 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysregulation in brain neurotransmitters underlies several neuropsychiatric disorders, e.g., autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Also, abnormalities in the extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway pave the way for neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration, and altered learning phenotype in ASD. Therefore, the effects of chronic systemic administration of the multiple-targeting antagonist ST-713 at the histamine H3 receptor (H3R) and dopamine D2/D3 receptors (D2/D3R) on repetitive self-grooming, aggressive behaviors, and abnormalities in the MAPK pathway in BTBR T + Itpr3tf/J (BTBR) mice were assessed. The results showed that ST-713 (2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg, i.p.) mitigated repetitive self-grooming and aggression in BTBR mice (all p < 0.05), and the ameliorative effects of the most promising dose of ST-713 (5 mg/kg, i.p.) on behaviors were completely abrogated by co-administration of the H3R agonist (R)-α-methylhistamine or the anticholinergic drug scopolamine. Moreover, the elevated levels of several MAPK pathway proteins and induced proinflammatory markers such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and IL-6 were significantly suppressed following chronic administration of ST-713 (5 mg/kg, i.p.) (all p < 0.01). Furthermore, ST-713 significantly increased the levels of histamine and dopamine in hippocampal tissue of treated BTBR mice (all p < 0.01). The current observations signify the potential role of such multiple-targeting compounds, e.g., ST-713, in multifactorial neurodevelopmental disorders such as ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nermin Eissa
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
- Zayed Bin Sultan Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Abu Dhabi University, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 59911, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mohamed Al Awad
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
- Zayed Bin Sultan Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
| | - Shilu Deepa Thomas
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
- Zayed Bin Sultan Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
| | - Karthikkumar Venkatachalam
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
- Zayed Bin Sultan Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
| | - Petrilla Jayaprakash
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
- Zayed Bin Sultan Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
| | - Sicheng Zhong
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Universitaetsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Holger Stark
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Universitaetsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Bassem Sadek
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
- Zayed Bin Sultan Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
- Correspondence:
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Mahony C, O'Ryan C. A molecular framework for autistic experiences: Mitochondrial allostatic load as a mediator between autism and psychopathology. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:985713. [PMID: 36506457 PMCID: PMC9732262 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.985713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular autism research is evolving toward a biopsychosocial framework that is more informed by autistic experiences. In this context, research aims are moving away from correcting external autistic behaviors and toward alleviating internal distress. Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASCs) are associated with high rates of depression, suicidality and other comorbid psychopathologies, but this relationship is poorly understood. Here, we integrate emerging characterizations of internal autistic experiences within a molecular framework to yield insight into the prevalence of psychopathology in ASC. We demonstrate that descriptions of social camouflaging and autistic burnout resonate closely with the accepted definitions for early life stress (ELS) and chronic adolescent stress (CAS). We propose that social camouflaging could be considered a distinct form of CAS that contributes to allostatic overload, culminating in a pathophysiological state that is experienced as autistic burnout. Autistic burnout is thought to contribute to psychopathology via psychological and physiological mechanisms, but these remain largely unexplored by molecular researchers. Building on converging fields in molecular neuroscience, we discuss the substantial evidence implicating mitochondrial dysfunction in ASC to propose a novel role for mitochondrial allostatic load in the relationship between autism and psychopathology. An interplay between mitochondrial, neuroimmune and neuroendocrine signaling is increasingly implicated in stress-related psychopathologies, and these molecular players are also associated with neurodevelopmental, neurophysiological and neurochemical aspects of ASC. Together, this suggests an increased exposure and underlying molecular susceptibility to ELS that increases the risk of psychopathology in ASC. This article describes an integrative framework shaped by autistic experiences that highlights novel avenues for molecular research into mechanisms that directly affect the quality of life and wellbeing of autistic individuals. Moreover, this framework emphasizes the need for increased access to diagnoses, accommodations, and resources to improve mental health outcomes in autism.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Colleen O'Ryan
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Chen WX, Liu B, Zhou L, Xiong X, Fu J, Huang ZF, Tan T, Tang M, Wang J, Tang YP. De novo mutations within metabolism networks of amino acid/protein/energy in Chinese autistic children with intellectual disability. Hum Genomics 2022; 16:52. [PMID: 36320054 PMCID: PMC9623983 DOI: 10.1186/s40246-022-00427-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is often accompanied by intellectual disability (ID). Despite extensive studies, however, the genetic basis for this comorbidity is still not clear. In this study, we tried to develop an analyzing pipeline for de novo mutations and possible pathways related to ID phenotype in ASD. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed to screen de novo mutations and candidate genes in 79 ASD children together with their parents (trios). The de novo altering genes and relative pathways which were associated with ID phenotype were analyzed. The connection nodes (genes) of above pathways were selected, and the diagnostic value of these selected genes for ID phenotype in the study population was also evaluated. RESULTS We identified 89 de novo mutant genes, of which 34 genes were previously reported to be associated with ASD, including double hits in the EGF repeats of NOTCH1 gene (p.V999M and p.S1027L). Interestingly, of these 34 genes, 22 may directly affect intelligence quotient (IQ). Further analyses revealed that these IQ-related genes were enriched in protein synthesis, energy metabolism, and amino acid metabolism, and at least 9 genes (CACNA1A, ALG9, PALM2, MGAT4A, PCK2, PLEKHA1, PSME3, ADI1, and TLE3) were involved in all these three pathways. Seven patients who harbored these gene mutations showed a high prevalence of a low IQ score (< 70), a non-verbal language, and an early diagnostic age (< 4 years). Furthermore, our panel of these 9 genes reached a 10.2% diagnostic rate (5/49) in early diagnostic patients with a low IQ score and also reached a 10% diagnostic yield in those with both a low IQ score and non-verbal language (4/40). CONCLUSION We found some new genetic disposition for ASD accompanied with intellectual disability in this study. Our results may be helpful for etiologic research and early diagnoses of intellectual disability in ASD. Larger population studies and further mechanism studies are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Xiong Chen
- grid.410737.60000 0000 8653 1072The Assessment and Intervention Center for Autistic Children, Department of Neurology, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510623 Guangdong China
| | - Bin Liu
- grid.410737.60000 0000 8653 1072Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510623 China ,grid.258164.c0000 0004 1790 3548Department of Biobank, Shenzhen Baoan Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Jinan University, Shenzhen, 518102 Guangdong China
| | - Lijie Zhou
- grid.412719.8Department of Pediatric Rehabilitation, Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052 China
| | - Xiaoli Xiong
- grid.410737.60000 0000 8653 1072Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510623 China
| | - Jie Fu
- grid.410737.60000 0000 8653 1072Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510623 China
| | - Zhi-Fang Huang
- grid.410737.60000 0000 8653 1072The Assessment and Intervention Center for Autistic Children, Department of Neurology, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510623 Guangdong China
| | - Ting Tan
- grid.410737.60000 0000 8653 1072Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510623 China
| | - Mingxi Tang
- grid.488387.8Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000 Sichuan China
| | - Jun Wang
- grid.412719.8Department of Pediatric Rehabilitation, Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052 China
| | - Ya-Ping Tang
- grid.410737.60000 0000 8653 1072Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510623 China ,grid.412719.8Department of Pediatric Rehabilitation, Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052 China ,grid.12981.330000 0001 2360 039XGuangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080 Guangdong China
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Langlie J, Mittal R, Finberg A, Bencie NB, Mittal J, Omidian H, Omidi Y, Eshraghi AA. Unraveling pathological mechanisms in neurological disorders: the impact of cell-based and organoid models. Neural Regen Res 2022; 17:2131-2140. [PMID: 35259819 PMCID: PMC9083150 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.335836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell-based models are a promising tool in deciphering the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of neurological disorders as well as aiding in the discovery and development of future drug therapies. The greatest challenge is creating cell-based models that encapsulate the vast phenotypic presentations as well as the underlying genotypic etiology of these conditions. In this article, we discuss the recent advancements in cell-based models for understanding the pathophysiology of neurological disorders. We reviewed studies discussing the progression of cell-based models to the advancement of three-dimensional models and organoids that provide a more accurate model of the pathophysiology of neurological disorders in vivo. The better we understand how to create more precise models of the neurological system, the sooner we will be able to create patient-specific models and large libraries of these neurological disorders. While three-dimensional models can be used to discover the linking factors to connect the varying phenotypes, such models will also help to understand the early pathophysiology of these neurological disorders and how they are affected by their environment. The three-dimensional cell models will allow us to create more specific treatments and uncover potentially preventative measures in neurological disorders such as autism spectrum disorder, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jake Langlie
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hearing Research and Communication Disorders Laboratory, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Rahul Mittal
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hearing Research and Communication Disorders Laboratory, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Ariel Finberg
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hearing Research and Communication Disorders Laboratory, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Nathalie B Bencie
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hearing Research and Communication Disorders Laboratory, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Jeenu Mittal
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hearing Research and Communication Disorders Laboratory, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Hossein Omidian
- College of Pharmacy, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
| | - Yadollah Omidi
- College of Pharmacy, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
| | - Adrien A Eshraghi
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hearing Research and Communication Disorders Laboratory; Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables; Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
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Spee BTM, Sladky R, Fingerhut J, Laciny A, Kraus C, Carls-Diamante S, Brücke C, Pelowski M, Treven M. Repeating patterns: Predictive processing suggests an aesthetic learning role of the basal ganglia in repetitive stereotyped behaviors. Front Psychol 2022; 13:930293. [PMID: 36160532 PMCID: PMC9497189 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.930293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Recurrent, unvarying, and seemingly purposeless patterns of action and cognition are part of normal development, but also feature prominently in several neuropsychiatric conditions. Repetitive stereotyped behaviors (RSBs) can be viewed as exaggerated forms of learned habits and frequently correlate with alterations in motor, limbic, and associative basal ganglia circuits. However, it is still unclear how altered basal ganglia feedback signals actually relate to the phenomenological variability of RSBs. Why do behaviorally overlapping phenomena sometimes require different treatment approaches-for example, sensory shielding strategies versus exposure therapy for autism and obsessive-compulsive disorder, respectively? Certain clues may be found in recent models of basal ganglia function that extend well beyond action selection and motivational control, and have implications for sensorimotor integration, prediction, learning under uncertainty, as well as aesthetic learning. In this paper, we systematically compare three exemplary conditions with basal ganglia involvement, obsessive-compulsive disorder, Parkinson's disease, and autism spectrum conditions, to gain a new understanding of RSBs. We integrate clinical observations and neuroanatomical and neurophysiological alterations with accounts employing the predictive processing framework. Based on this review, we suggest that basal ganglia feedback plays a central role in preconditioning cortical networks to anticipate self-generated, movement-related perception. In this way, basal ganglia feedback appears ideally situated to adjust the salience of sensory signals through precision weighting of (external) new sensory information, relative to the precision of (internal) predictions based on prior generated models. Accordingly, behavioral policies may preferentially rely on new data versus existing knowledge, in a spectrum spanning between novelty and stability. RSBs may then represent compensatory or reactive responses, respectively, at the opposite ends of this spectrum. This view places an important role of aesthetic learning on basal ganglia feedback, may account for observed changes in creativity and aesthetic experience in basal ganglia disorders, is empirically testable, and may inform creative art therapies in conditions characterized by stereotyped behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blanca T. M. Spee
- Vienna Cognitive Science Hub, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Neurology, Center of Expertise for Parkinson and Movement Disorders, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Ronald Sladky
- Social, Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience Unit, Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Joerg Fingerhut
- Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Department of Philosophy, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Faculty of Philosophy, Philosophy of Science and Religious Studies, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Alice Laciny
- Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research, Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Christoph Kraus
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Medical Neuroscience Cluster, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Christof Brücke
- Medical Neuroscience Cluster, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Matthew Pelowski
- Vienna Cognitive Science Hub, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Marco Treven
- Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research, Klosterneuburg, Austria
- Medical Neuroscience Cluster, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Singla R, Mishra A, Cao R. The trilateral interactions between mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling, the circadian clock, and psychiatric disorders: an emerging model. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:355. [PMID: 36045116 PMCID: PMC9433414 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-02120-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Circadian (~24 h) rhythms in physiology and behavior are evolutionarily conserved and found in almost all living organisms. The rhythms are endogenously driven by daily oscillatory activities of so-called "clock genes/proteins", which are widely distributed throughout the mammalian brain. Mammalian (mechanistic) target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling is a fundamental intracellular signal transduction cascade that controls important neuronal processes including neurodevelopment, synaptic plasticity, metabolism, and aging. Dysregulation of the mTOR pathway is associated with psychiatric disorders including autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and mood disorders (MD), in which patients often exhibit disrupted daily physiological rhythms and abnormal circadian gene expression in the brain. Recent work has found that the activities of mTOR signaling are temporally controlled by the circadian clock and exhibit robust circadian oscillations in multiple systems. In the meantime, mTOR signaling regulates fundamental properties of the central and peripheral circadian clocks, including period length, entrainment, and synchronization. Whereas the underlying mechanisms remain to be fully elucidated, increasing clinical and preclinical evidence support significant crosstalk between mTOR signaling, the circadian clock, and psychiatric disorders. Here, we review recent progress in understanding the trilateral interactions and propose an "interaction triangle" model between mTOR signaling, the circadian clock, and psychiatric disorders (focusing on ASD and MD).
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Affiliation(s)
- Rubal Singla
- grid.17635.360000000419368657Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth, MN 55812 USA
| | - Abhishek Mishra
- grid.17635.360000000419368657Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth, MN 55812 USA
| | - Ruifeng Cao
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth, MN, 55812, USA. .,Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
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41
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Transcriptomic analysis in the striatum reveals the involvement of Nurr1 in the social behavior of prenatally valproic acid-exposed male mice. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:324. [PMID: 35945212 PMCID: PMC9363495 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-02056-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that exhibits neurobehavioral deficits characterized by abnormalities in social interactions, deficits in communication as well as restricted interests, and repetitive behaviors. The basal ganglia is one of the brain regions implicated as dysfunctional in ASD. In particular, the defects in corticostriatal function have been reported to be involved in the pathogenesis of ASD. Surface deformation of the striatum in the brains of patients with ASD and their correlation with behavioral symptoms was reported in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies. We demonstrated that prenatal valproic acid (VPA) exposure induced synaptic and molecular changes and decreased neuronal activity in the striatum. Using RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq), we analyzed transcriptome alterations in striatal tissues from 10-week-old prenatally VPA-exposed BALB/c male mice. Among the upregulated genes, Nurr1 was significantly upregulated in striatal tissues from prenatally VPA-exposed mice. Viral knockdown of Nurr1 by shRNA significantly rescued the reduction in dendritic spine density and the number of mature dendritic spines in the striatum and markedly improved social deficits in prenatally VPA-exposed mice. In addition, treatment with amodiaquine, which is a known ligand for Nurr1, mimicked the social deficits and synaptic abnormalities in saline-exposed mice as observed in prenatally VPA-exposed mice. Furthermore, PatDp+/- mice, a commonly used ASD genetic mouse model, also showed increased levels of Nurr1 in the striatum. Taken together, these results suggest that the increase in Nurr1 expression in the striatum is a mechanism related to the changes in synaptic deficits and behavioral phenotypes of the VPA-induced ASD mouse model.
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Sharma A, Bhalla S, Mehan S. PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling inhibitor chrysophanol ameliorates neurobehavioural and neurochemical defects in propionic acid-induced experimental model of autism in adult rats. Metab Brain Dis 2022; 37:1909-1929. [PMID: 35687217 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-022-01026-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder marked by social and communication deficits as well as repetitive behaviour. Several studies have found that overactivation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling pathways during brain development plays a significant role in autism pathogenesis. Overexpression of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling pathway causes neurological disorders by increasing cell death, neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress. Chrysophanol, also known as chrysophanic acid, is a naturally occurring chemical obtained from the plant Rheum palmatum. This study aimed to examine the neuroprotective effect of CPH on neurobehavioral, molecular, neurochemical, and gross pathological alterations in ICV-PPA induced experimental model of autism in adult rats. The effects of ICV-PPA on PI3K/AKT/mTOR downregulation in the brain were studied in autism-like rats. Furthermore, we investigated how CPH affected myelin basic protein (MBP) levels in rat brain homogenate and apoptotic biomarkers such as caspase-3, Bax, and Bcl-2 levels in rat brain homogenate and blood plasma samples. Rats were tested for behavioural abnormalities such as neuromuscular dysfunction using an actophotometer, motor coordination using a beam crossing task (BCT), depressive behaviour using a forced swim test (FST), cognitive deficiency, and memory consolidation using a Morris water maze (MWM) task. In PPA-treated rats, prolonged oral CPH administration from day 12 to day 44 of the experimental schedule reduces autistic-like symptoms. Furthermore, in rat brain homogenates, blood plasma, and CSF samples, cellular, molecular, and cell death markers, neuroinflammatory cytokines, neurotransmitter levels, and oxidative stress indicators were investigated. The recent findings imply that CPH also restores abnormal neurochemical levels and may prevent autism-like gross pathological alterations, such as demyelination volume, in the rat brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aarti Sharma
- Neuropharmacology Division, Department of Pharmacology, ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga, Punjab, 142001, India
| | - Sonalika Bhalla
- Neuropharmacology Division, Department of Pharmacology, ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga, Punjab, 142001, India
| | - Sidharth Mehan
- Neuropharmacology Division, Department of Pharmacology, ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga, Punjab, 142001, India.
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Experimental Studies Indicate That ST-2223, the Antagonist of Histamine H3 and Dopamine D2/D3 Receptors, Restores Social Deficits and Neurotransmission Dysregulation in Mouse Model of Autism. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15080929. [PMID: 36015079 PMCID: PMC9414676 DOI: 10.3390/ph15080929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Altered regulation of neurotransmitters may lead to many pathophysiological changes in brain disorders including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Given the fact that there are no FDA-approved effective treatments for the social deficits in ASD, the present study determined the effects of chronic systemic treatment of the novel multiple-active H3R/D2R/D3R receptor antagonist ST-2223 on ASD-related social deficits in a male Black and Tan Brachyury (BTBR) mice. ST-2223 (2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly and dose-dependently mitigated social deficits and disturbed anxiety levels of BTBR mice (p < 0.05) in comparison to the effects of aripiprazole (1 mg/kg, i.p.). Moreover, levels of monoaminergic neurotransmitters quantified by LC-MS/MS in four brain regions including the prefrontal cortex, cerebellum, striatum, and hippocampus unveiled significant elevation of histamine (HA) in the cerebellum and striatum; dopamine (DA) in the prefrontal cortex and striatum; as well as acetylcholine (ACh) in the prefrontal cortex, striatum, and hippocampus following ST-2223 (5 mg/kg) administration (all p < 0.05). These in vivo findings demonstrate the mitigating effects of a multiple-active H3R/D2R/D3R antagonist on social deficits of assessed BTBR mice, signifying its pharmacological potential to rescue core ASD-related behaviors and altered monoaminergic neurotransmitters. Further studies on neurochemical alterations in ASD are crucial to elucidate the early neurodevelopmental variations behind the core symptoms and heterogeneity of ASD, leading to new approaches for the future therapeutic management of ASD.
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Todd KL, Lipski J, Freestone PS. The Subthalamic Nucleus Exclusively Evokes Dopamine Release in the Tail of the Striatum. J Neurochem 2022; 162:417-429. [PMID: 35869680 PMCID: PMC9541146 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
A distinct population of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra pars lateralis (SNL) has a unique projection to the most caudolateral (tail) region of the striatum. Here, using two electrochemical techniques to measure basal dopamine and electrically evoked dopamine release in anesthetized rats, we characterized this pathway, and compared it with the ‘classic’ nigrostriatal pathway from neighboring substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) dopamine neurons to the dorsolateral striatum. We found that the tail striatum constitutes a distinct dopamine domain compared with the dorsolateral striatum, with consistently lower basal and evoked dopamine, and diverse dopamine release kinetics. Importantly, electrical stimulation of the SNL and SNc evoked dopamine release in entirely separate striatal regions; the tail and dorsolateral striatum, respectively. Furthermore, we showed that stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) evoked dopamine release exclusively in the tail striatum, likely via the SNL, consistent with previous anatomical evidence of STN afferents to SNL dopamine neurons. Our work identifies the STN as an important modulator of dopamine release in a novel dopamine pathway to the tail striatum, largely independent of the classic nigrostriatal pathway, which necessitates a revision of the basal ganglia circuitry with the STN positioned as a central integrator of striatal information.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn L. Todd
- Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences University of Auckland Auckland New Zealand
| | - Janusz Lipski
- Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences University of Auckland Auckland New Zealand
| | - Peter S. Freestone
- Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences University of Auckland Auckland New Zealand
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Alhusaini M, Eissa N, Saad AK, Beiram R, Sadek B. Revisiting Preclinical Observations of Several Histamine H3 Receptor Antagonists/Inverse Agonists in Cognitive Impairment, Anxiety, Depression, and Sleep-Wake Cycle Disorder. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:861094. [PMID: 35721194 PMCID: PMC9198498 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.861094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
A relationship appears to exist between dysfunction of brain histamine (HA) and various neuropsychiatric brain disorders. The possible involvement of brain HA in neuropathology has gained attention recently, and its role in many (patho)physiological brain functions including memory, cognition, and sleep-wake cycle paved the way for further research on the etiology of several brain disorders. Histamine H3 receptor (H3R) evidenced in the brains of rodents and humans remains of special interest, given its unique position as a pre- and postsynaptic receptor, controlling the synthesis and release of HA as well as different other neurotransmitters in different brain regions, respectively. Despite several disappointing outcomes for several H3R antagonists/inverse agonists in clinical studies addressing their effectiveness in Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and schizophrenia (SCH), numerous H3R antagonists/inverse agonists showed great potentials in modulating memory and cognition, mood, and sleep-wake cycle, thus suggesting its potential role in neurocognitive and neurodegenerative diseases such as AD, PD, SCH, narcolepsy, and major depression in preclinical rodent models. In this review, we present preclinical applications of selected H3R antagonists/inverse agonists and their pharmacological effects on cognitive impairment, anxiety, depression, and sleep-wake cycle disorders. Collectively, the current review highlights the behavioral impact of developments of H3R antagonists/inverse agonists, aiming to further encourage researchers in the preclinical drug development field to profile the potential therapeutic role of novel antagonists/inverse agonists targeting histamine H3Rs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mera Alhusaini
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.,Zayed Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Nermin Eissa
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.,Zayed Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Abu Dhabi University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ali K Saad
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.,Zayed Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Rami Beiram
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.,Zayed Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Bassem Sadek
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.,Zayed Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
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46
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Multimodal detection of dopamine by sniffer cells expressing genetically encoded fluorescent sensors. Commun Biol 2022; 5:578. [PMID: 35689020 PMCID: PMC9187629 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03488-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Dopamine supports locomotor control and higher brain functions such as motivation and learning. Consistently, dopaminergic dysfunction is involved in a spectrum of neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases. Detailed data on dopamine dynamics is needed to understand how dopamine signals translate into cellular and behavioral responses, and to uncover pathological disturbances in dopamine-related diseases. Genetically encoded fluorescent dopamine sensors have recently enabled unprecedented monitoring of dopamine dynamics in vivo. However, these sensors' utility for in vitro and ex vivo assays remains unexplored. Here, we present a blueprint for making dopamine sniffer cells for multimodal dopamine detection. We generated sniffer cell lines with inducible expression of seven different dopamine sensors and perform a head-to-head comparison of sensor properties to guide users in sensor selection. In proof-of-principle experiments, we apply the sniffer cells to record endogenous dopamine release from cultured neurons and striatal slices, and for determining tissue dopamine content. Furthermore, we use the sniffer cells to measure dopamine uptake and release via the dopamine transporter as a radiotracer free, high-throughput alternative to electrochemical- and radiotracer-based assays. Importantly, the sniffer cell framework can readily be applied to the growing list of genetically encoded fluorescent neurotransmitter sensors.
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Perdikaris P, Dermon CR. Behavioral and neurochemical profile of MK-801 adult zebrafish model: Forebrain β 2-adrenoceptors contribute to social withdrawal and anxiety-like behavior. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2022; 115:110494. [PMID: 34896197 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2021.110494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Deficits in social communication and interaction are core clinical symptoms characterizing multiple neuropsychiatric conditions, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia. Interestingly, elevated anxiety levels are a common comorbid psychopathology characterizing individuals with aberrant social behavior. Despite recent progress, the underlying neurobiological mechanisms that link anxiety with social withdrawal remain poorly understood. The present study developed a zebrafish pharmacological model displaying social withdrawal behavior, following a 3-h exposure to 4 μΜ (+)-MK-801, a non-competitive N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, for 7 days. Interestingly, MK-801-treated zebrafish displayed elevated anxiety levels along with higher frequency of stereotypical behaviors, rendering this zebrafish model appropriate to unravel a possible link of catecholaminergic and ASD-like phenotypes. MK-801-treated zebrafish showed increased telencephalic protein expression of metabotropic glutamate 5 receptor (mGluR5), dopamine transporter (DAT) and β2-adrenergic receptors (β2-ARs), supporting the presence of excitation/inhibition imbalance along with altered dopaminergic and noradrenergic activity. Interestingly, β2-ARs expression, was differentially regulated across the Social Decision-Making (SDM) network nodes, exhibiting increased levels in ventral telencephalic area (Vv), a key-area integrating reward and social circuits but decreased expression in dorso-medial telencephalic area (Dm) and anterior tuberal nucleus (ATN). Moreover, the co-localization of β2-ARs with elements of GABAergic and glutamatergic systems, as well as with GAP-43, a protein indicating increased brain plasticity potential, support the key-role of β2-ARs in the MK-801 zebrafish social dysfunctions. Our results highlight the importance of the catecholaminergic neurotransmission in the manifestation of ASD-like behavior, representing a site of potential interventions for amelioration of ASD-like symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiotis Perdikaris
- Human and Animal Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology, University of Patras, Rio, 26500 Patras, Greece
| | - Catherine R Dermon
- Human and Animal Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology, University of Patras, Rio, 26500 Patras, Greece.
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48
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Yeh SHH, Tsai CJ, Yu TH, Chiang YH, Lin SZ, Peng NJ, Huang WS. 99mTc-TRODAT-1 SPECT Revealed That Striatal Dopamine Transport Availability Significantly Decreases in Late Mid-Aged Healthy Taiwanese and Then Remains Stable. Clin Nucl Med 2022; 47:201-208. [PMID: 35081059 PMCID: PMC8820763 DOI: 10.1097/rlu.0000000000004063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Neuroimaging studies in the past 20 years have documented an age-related decline in striatal dopamine transporters (DATs), which is a marker of dopaminergic neurodegeneration; however, concerns about ethnic variations in the decline in DAT with age have not been addressed. The purpose of this study was to assess the rate of striatal DAT loss in healthy Taiwanese adults using kit-based 99mTc-TRODAT-1, a radioligand for DAT SPECT. PATIENTS AND METHODS Fifty healthy subjects (mean age ± SD, 63 ± 12 years; range, 30-80 years) were studied. 99mTc-TRODAT-1 was prepared from a lyophilized kit. Brain DAT SPECT imaging was acquired between 165 and 195 minutes postinjection (~740 MBq or 20 mCi) using a dual-head camera equipped with fan-beam collimators (Helix SPX; GE). Specific uptake in the striatum (ST), caudate nucleus (CA), and putamen (PU) were calculated from reconstructed transaxial slices at the level of maximal striatal activity. Occipital cortices were used as reference areas. Data were presented as specific binding ratios. RESULTS Age had a significant moderate to large negative effect on striatal DAT, which declined by -25.7% ± 6.10% between the ages of 30 and 80 years, equivalent to 6.4% loss per decade. The rates of decline in the CA and PU were 6.9% and 7.3% per decade, respectively. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests ethnic variations may not significantly affect the age-related decline in DAT. The data generated in this study could also be used as a reference to estimate DAT loss/occupancy in patients with DAT-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Skye Hsin-Hsien Yeh
- From the Brain Research Center, National Yang Ming Chaio Tung University
- School of Medicine, National Defense Medical Center
| | - Chi-Jung Tsai
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Taipei Medical University Hospital
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital
| | - Tsung-Hsun Yu
- From the Brain Research Center, National Yang Ming Chaio Tung University
| | | | | | - Nan-Jing Peng
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Sheng Huang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Taipei Medical University Hospital
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital
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Zaheer J, Kim H, Ko IO, Jo EK, Choi EJ, Lee HJ, Shim I, Woo HJ, Choi J, Kim GH, Kim JS. Pre/post-natal exposure to microplastic as a potential risk factor for autism spectrum disorder. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 161:107121. [PMID: 35134716 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
In common with the increase in environmental pollution in the past 10 years, there has also been a recent increase in the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In this regard, we hypothesized that exposure to microplastics is a potential risk factor for ASD. To evaluate the validity of this hypothesis, we initially examined the accumulation of polyethylene (PE) in the brains of mice and then assessed the behavioral effects using mouse models at different life stages, namely, prenatal, post-weaning, puberty, and adult models. Based on typical behavioral assessments of autistic traits in the model mice, we established that ASD-like traits were induced in mice after PE feeding. In addition, we examined the induction of ASD-like traits in response to microplastic exposure using positron emission tomography, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, microarray, and microbiome analysis. We believe these findings provide evidence in microplastics as a potential risk factor for ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javeria Zaheer
- Division of RI Application, Korea Institute Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul 01812, Republic of Korea; Radiological and Medico-Oncological Sciences, University of Science and Technology (UST), Seoul 01812, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeongi Kim
- Division of RI Application, Korea Institute Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul 01812, Republic of Korea; Department of Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - In Ok Ko
- Division of RI Application, Korea Institute Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul 01812, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun-Kyeong Jo
- School of Health & Environmental Science, College of Health Science, Korea University Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Eui-Ju Choi
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Hae-June Lee
- Division of Radiation Biomedical Research, Korea Institute Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul 01812, Republic of Korea
| | - Insop Shim
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02453, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun-Jeong Woo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Integrative Engineering, College of ICT Engineering, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Jonghoon Choi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Integrative Engineering, College of ICT Engineering, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Gun-Ha Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Korea Cancer Center Hospital, Korea Institute Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul 01812, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Su Kim
- Division of RI Application, Korea Institute Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul 01812, Republic of Korea; Radiological and Medico-Oncological Sciences, University of Science and Technology (UST), Seoul 01812, Republic of Korea.
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50
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Refai O, Aggarwal S, Cheng MH, Gichi Z, Salvino JM, Bahar I, Blakely RD, Mortensen OV. Allosteric Modulator KM822 Attenuates Behavioral Actions of Amphetamine in Caenorhabditis elegans through Interactions with the Dopamine Transporter DAT-1. Mol Pharmacol 2022; 101:123-131. [PMID: 34906999 PMCID: PMC8969146 DOI: 10.1124/molpharm.121.000400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant dopamine (DA) signaling is associated with several psychiatric disorders, such as autism, bipolar disorder, addiction, and Parkinson's disease, and several medications that target the DA transporter (DAT) can induce or treat these disorders. In addition, psychostimulants, such as cocaine and D-amphetamine (AMPH), rely on the competitive interactions with the transporter's substrate binding site to produce their rewarding effects. Agents that exhibit noncompetitive, allosteric modulation of DAT remain an important topic of investigation due to their potential therapeutic applications. We previously identified a novel allosteric modulator of human DAT, KM822, that can decrease the affinity of cocaine for DAT and attenuate cocaine-elicited behaviors; however, whether DAT is the sole mediator of KM822 actions in vivo is unproven given the large number of potential off-target sites. Here, we provide in silico and in vitro evidence that the allosteric site engaged by KM822 is conserved between human DAT and Caenorhabditis elegans DAT-1. KM822 binds to a similar pocket in DAT-1 as previously identified in human DAT. In functional dopamine uptake assays, KM822 affects the interaction between AMPH and DAT-1 by reducing the affinity of AMPH for DAT-1. Finally, through a combination of genetic and pharmacological in vivo approaches we provide evidence that KM822 diminishes the behavioral actions of AMPH on swimming-induced paralysis through a direct allosteric modulation of DAT-1. More broadly, our findings demonstrate allosteric modulation of DAT as a behavior modifying strategy and suggests that Caenorhabditis elegans can be operationalized to identify and investigate the interactions of DAT allosteric modulators. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: We previously demonstrated that the dopamine transporter (DAT) allosteric modulator KM822 decreases cocaine affinity for human DAT. Here, using in silico and in vivo genetic approaches, we extend this finding to interactions with amphetamine, demonstrating evolutionary conservation of the DAT allosteric site. In Caenorhabditis elegans, we report that KM822 suppresses amphetamine behavioral effects via specific interactions with DAT-1. Our findings reveal Caenorhabditis elegans as a new tool to study allosteric modulation of DAT and its behavioral consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osama Refai
- Department of Biomedical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida (O.R., Z.G., R.D.B.); Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida (O.R., R.D.B.); Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (S.A., O.V.M.); Department of Computational and Systems Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (M.H.C., I.B.); and The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (J.M.S.)
| | - Shaili Aggarwal
- Department of Biomedical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida (O.R., Z.G., R.D.B.); Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida (O.R., R.D.B.); Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (S.A., O.V.M.); Department of Computational and Systems Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (M.H.C., I.B.); and The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (J.M.S.)
| | - Mary Hongying Cheng
- Department of Biomedical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida (O.R., Z.G., R.D.B.); Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida (O.R., R.D.B.); Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (S.A., O.V.M.); Department of Computational and Systems Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (M.H.C., I.B.); and The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (J.M.S.)
| | - Zayna Gichi
- Department of Biomedical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida (O.R., Z.G., R.D.B.); Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida (O.R., R.D.B.); Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (S.A., O.V.M.); Department of Computational and Systems Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (M.H.C., I.B.); and The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (J.M.S.)
| | - Joseph M Salvino
- Department of Biomedical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida (O.R., Z.G., R.D.B.); Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida (O.R., R.D.B.); Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (S.A., O.V.M.); Department of Computational and Systems Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (M.H.C., I.B.); and The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (J.M.S.)
| | - Ivet Bahar
- Department of Biomedical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida (O.R., Z.G., R.D.B.); Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida (O.R., R.D.B.); Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (S.A., O.V.M.); Department of Computational and Systems Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (M.H.C., I.B.); and The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (J.M.S.)
| | - Randy D Blakely
- Department of Biomedical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida (O.R., Z.G., R.D.B.); Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida (O.R., R.D.B.); Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (S.A., O.V.M.); Department of Computational and Systems Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (M.H.C., I.B.); and The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (J.M.S.)
| | - Ole V Mortensen
- Department of Biomedical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida (O.R., Z.G., R.D.B.); Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida (O.R., R.D.B.); Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (S.A., O.V.M.); Department of Computational and Systems Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (M.H.C., I.B.); and The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (J.M.S.)
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