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Wang J, Wang Y, Zhu Y, Cui C, Feng T, Huang Q, Liu S, Wu Q. Peripheral inflammation triggering central anxiety through the hippocampal glutamate metabolized receptor 1. CNS Neurosci Ther 2024; 30:e14723. [PMID: 38676295 PMCID: PMC11053250 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14723] [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: 10/29/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
AIMS This study aimed to investigate the relationship between ulcerative colitis (UC) and anxiety and explore its central mechanisms using colitis mice. METHODS Anxiety-like behavior was assessed in mice induced by 3% dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) using the elevated plus maze and open-field test. The spatial transcriptome of the hippocampus was analyzed to assess the distribution of excitatory and inhibitory synapses, and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) inhibitor TAK-242 (10 mg/kg) and AAV virus interference were used to examine the role of peripheral inflammation and central molecules such as Glutamate Receptor Metabotropic 1 (GRM1) in mediating anxiety behavior in colitis mice. RESULTS DSS-induced colitis increased anxiety-like behaviors, which was reduced by TAK-242. Spatial transcriptome analysis of the hippocampus showed an excitatory-inhibitory imbalance mediated by glutamatergic synapses, and GRM1 in hippocampus was identified as a critical mediator of anxiety behavior in colitis mice via differential gene screening and AAV virus interference. CONCLUSION Our work suggests that the hippocampus plays an important role in brain anxiety caused by peripheral inflammation, and over-excitation of hippocampal glutamate synapses by GRM1 activation induces anxiety-like behavior in colitis mice. These findings provide new insights into the central mechanisms underlying anxiety in UC and may contribute to the development of novel therapeutic strategies for UC-associated anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun‐Meng Wang
- Acupuncture and Moxibustion SchoolChengdu University of Traditional Chinese MedicineChengduChina
| | - Yue‐Mei Wang
- Acupuncture and Moxibustion SchoolChengdu University of Traditional Chinese MedicineChengduChina
| | - Yuan‐Bing Zhu
- Acupuncture and Moxibustion SchoolChengdu University of Traditional Chinese MedicineChengduChina
| | - Chan Cui
- Acupuncture and Moxibustion SchoolChengdu University of Traditional Chinese MedicineChengduChina
| | - Tong Feng
- Acupuncture and Moxibustion SchoolChengdu University of Traditional Chinese MedicineChengduChina
| | - Qin Huang
- Acupuncture and Moxibustion SchoolChengdu University of Traditional Chinese MedicineChengduChina
| | - Shu‐Qing Liu
- Acupuncture and Moxibustion SchoolChengdu University of Traditional Chinese MedicineChengduChina
| | - Qiao‐Feng Wu
- Acupuncture and Moxibustion SchoolChengdu University of Traditional Chinese MedicineChengduChina
- Institute of Acupuncture and Homeostasis RegulationChengdu University of Traditional Chinese MedicineChengduChina
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture for Senile Disease (Chengdu University of TCM), Ministry of EducationChengduChina
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2
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Lee Y, Kim S, Cho YK, Kong C, Chang JW, Jun SB. Amygdala electrical stimulation for operant conditioning in rat navigation. Biomed Eng Lett 2024; 14:291-306. [PMID: 38374898 PMCID: PMC10874353 DOI: 10.1007/s13534-023-00336-1] [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: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
There have been several attempts to navigate the locomotion of animals by neuromodulation. The most common method is animal training with electrical brain stimulation for directional cues and rewards; the basic principle is to activate dopamine-mediated neural reward pathways such as the medial forebrain bundle (MFB) when the animal correctly follows the external commands. In this study, the amygdala, which is the brain region responsible for fear modulation, was targeted for punishment training. The brain regions of MFB, amygdala, and barrel cortex were electrically stimulated for reward, punishment, and directional cues, respectively. Electrical stimulation was applied to the amygdala of rats when they failed to follow directional commands. First, two different amygdala regions, i.e., basolateral amygdala (BLA) and central amygdala (CeA), were stimulated and compared in terms of behavior responses, success and correction rates for training, and gene expression for learning and memory. Then, the training was performed in three groups: group R (MFB stimulation for reward), group P (BLA stimulation for punishment), and group RP (both MFB and BLA stimulation for reward and punishment). In group P, after the training, RNA sequencing was conducted to detect gene expression and demonstrate the effect of punishment learning. Group P showed higher success rates than group R, and group RP exhibited the most effective locomotion control among the three groups. Gene expression results imply that BLA stimulation can be more effective as a punishment in the learning process than CeA stimulation. We developed a new method to navigate rat locomotion behaviors by applying amygdala stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youjin Lee
- Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, 03760 Republic of Korea
- Graduate Program in Smart Factory, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, 03760 Republic of Korea
| | - Soonyoung Kim
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005 USA
| | - Yoon Kyung Cho
- Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, 03760 Republic of Korea
| | - Chanho Kong
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722 Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Woo Chang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722 Republic of Korea
- Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science and Brain Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722 Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Beom Jun
- Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, 03760 Republic of Korea
- Graduate Program in Smart Factory, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, 03760 Republic of Korea
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, 03760 Republic of Korea
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3
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Nithianandam P, Tzu-li L, Chen S, Yizhen J, Dong Y, Saul M, Tedeschi A, Wenjing S, Jinghua L. Flexible, Miniaturized Sensing Probes Inspired by Biofuel Cells for Monitoring Synaptically Released Glutamate in the Mouse Brain. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202310245. [PMID: 37632702 PMCID: PMC10592105 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202310245] [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: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 08/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/28/2023]
Abstract
Chemical biomarkers in the central nervous system can provide valuable quantitative measures to gain insight into the etiology and pathogenesis of neurological diseases. Glutamate, one of the most important excitatory neurotransmitters in the brain, has been found to be upregulated in various neurological disorders, such as traumatic brain injury, Alzheimer's disease, stroke, epilepsy, chronic pain, and migraines. However, quantitatively monitoring glutamate release in situ has been challenging. This work presents a novel class of flexible, miniaturized probes inspired by biofuel cells for monitoring synaptically released glutamate in the nervous system. The resulting sensors, with dimensions as low as 50 by 50 μm, can detect real-time changes in glutamate within the biologically relevant concentration range. Experiments exploiting the hippocampal circuit in mice models demonstrate the capability of the sensors in monitoring glutamate release via electrical stimulation using acute brain slices. These advances could aid in basic neuroscience studies and translational engineering, as the sensors provide a diagnostic tool for neurological disorders. Additionally, adapting the biofuel cell design to other neurotransmitters can potentially enable the detailed study of the effect of neurotransmitter dysregulation on neuronal cell signaling pathways and revolutionize neuroscience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prasad Nithianandam
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Liu Tzu-li
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Shulin Chen
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Jia Yizhen
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Yan Dong
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Morgan Saul
- Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Andrea Tedeschi
- Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Chronic Brain Injury Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Sun Wenjing
- Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Li Jinghua
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Chronic Brain Injury Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
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4
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Fehr T, Janssen WG, Park J, Baxter MG. Neonatal exposures to sevoflurane in rhesus monkeys alter synaptic ultrastructure in later life. iScience 2022; 25:105685. [PMID: 36567715 PMCID: PMC9772858 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105685] [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: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Repeated or prolonged early life exposure to anesthesia is neurotoxic in animals and associated with neurocognitive impairment in later life in humans. We used electron microscopy with unbiased stereological sampling to assess synaptic ultrastructure in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) and hippocampal CA1 of female and male rhesus monkeys, four years after three 4-h exposures to sevoflurane during the first five postnatal weeks. This allowed us to ascertain long-term consequences of anesthesia exposure without confounding effects of surgery or illness. Synapse areas were reduced in the largest synapses in CA1 and dlPFC, predominantly in perforated spinous synapses in CA1 and nonperforated spinous synapses in dlPFC. Mitochondrial morphology and localization changed subtly in both areas. Synapse areas in CA1 correlated with response to a mild social stressor. Thus, exposure to anesthesia in infancy can cause long-term ultrastructural changes in primates, which may be substrates for long-term alterations in synaptic transmission and behavioral deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tristan Fehr
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA,Section on Comparative Medicine, Department of Pathology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - William G.M. Janssen
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Janis Park
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Mark G. Baxter
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA,Section on Comparative Medicine, Department of Pathology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA,Corresponding author
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5
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Ardalan M, Chumak T, Quist A, Hermans E, Hoseinpoor Rafati A, Gravina G, Jabbari Shiadeh SM, Svedin P, Alabaf S, Hansen B, Wegener G, Westberg L, Mallard C. Reelin cells and sex-dependent synaptopathology in autism following postnatal immune activation. Br J Pharmacol 2022; 179:4400-4422. [PMID: 35474185 PMCID: PMC9545289 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorders with considerably increased risk in male infants born preterm and with neonatal infection. Here, we investigated the role of postnatal immune activation on hippocampal synaptopathology by targeting Reelin+ cells in mice with ASD-like behaviours. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH C57/Bl6 mouse pups of both sexes received lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 1 mg·kg-1 ) on postnatal day (P) 5. At P45, animal behaviour was examined by marble burying and sociability test, followed by ex vivo brain MRI diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI). Hippocampal synaptogenesis, number and morphology of Reelin+ cells, and mRNA expression of trans-synaptic genes, including neurexin-3, neuroligin-1, and cell-adhesion molecule nectin-1, were analysed at P12 and P45. KEY RESULTS Social withdrawal and increased stereotypic activities in males were related to increased mean diffusivity on MRI-DKI and overgrowth in hippocampus together with retention of long-thin immature synapses on apical dendrites, decreased volume and number of Reelin+ cells as well as reduced expression of trans-synaptic and cell-adhesion molecules. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS The study provides new insights into sex-dependent mechanisms that may underlie ASD-like behaviour in males following postnatal immune activation. We identify GABAergic interneurons as core components of dysmaturation of excitatory synapses in the hippocampus following postnatal infection and provide cellular and molecular substrates for the MRI findings with translational value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Ardalan
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Translational Neuropsychiatry UnitAarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
| | - Tetyana Chumak
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
| | - Alexandra Quist
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
| | - Eva Hermans
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
- Department of Developmental Origins of Disease, Utrecht Brain Center and Wilhelmina Children's HospitalUtrecht UniversityUtrechtNetherlands
| | - Ali Hoseinpoor Rafati
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Translational Neuropsychiatry UnitAarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
| | - Giacomo Gravina
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
| | - Seyedeh Marziyeh Jabbari Shiadeh
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Translational Neuropsychiatry UnitAarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
| | - Pernilla Svedin
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
| | - Setareh Alabaf
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
| | - Brian Hansen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Center of Functionally Integrative Neuroscience‐SKSAarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
| | - Gregers Wegener
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Translational Neuropsychiatry UnitAarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
| | - Lars Westberg
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
| | - Carina Mallard
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
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6
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Rozhkova IN, Okotrub SV, Brusentsev EY, Uldanova EE, Chuyko EА, Lipina TV, Amstislavskaya TG, Amstislavsky SY. Neuronal density in the brain cortex and hippocampus in Clsnt2-KO mouse strain modeling autistic spectrum disorder. Vavilovskii Zhurnal Genet Selektsii 2022; 26:365-370. [PMID: 35975241 PMCID: PMC9333157 DOI: 10.18699/vjgb-22-44] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) represent conditions starting in childhood, which are characterized by diff iculties with social interaction and communication, as well as non-typical and stereotyping models of behavior. The mechanisms and the origin of these disorders are not yet understood and thus far there is a lack of prophylactic measures for these disorders. The current study aims to estimate neuronal density in the prefrontal cortex and four hippocampal subf ields, i. e. СA1, СA2, СA3, and DG in Clstn2-KO mice as a genetic model of ASD. In addition, the level of
neurogenesis was measured in the DG area of the hippocampus. This mouse strain was obtained by a knockout of the
calsinthenin-2 gene (Clsnt2) in C57BL/6J mice; the latter (wild type) was used as controls. To estimate neuronal density,
serial sections were prepared on a cryotome for the above-mentioned brain structures with the subsequent immunohistochemical
labeling and confocal microscopy; the neuronal marker (anti-NeuN) was used as the primary antibody.
In addition, neurogenesis was estimated in the DG region of the hippocampus; for this purpose, a primary antibody
against doublecortin (anti-DCX) was used. In all cases Goat anti-rabbit IgG was used as the secondary antibody. The
density of neurons in the CA1 region of the hippocampus was lower in Clstn2-KO mice of both sexes as compared with
controls. Moreover, in males of both strains, neuronal density in this region was lower as compared to females. Besides,
the differences between males and females were revealed in two other hippocampal regions. In the CA2 region, a lower
density of neurons was observed in males of both strains, and in the CA3 region, a lower density of neurons was also
observed in males as compared to females but only in C57BL/6J mice. No difference between the studied groups was
revealed in neurogenesis, nor was it in neuronal density in the prefrontal cortex or DG hippocampal region. Our new
f indings indicate that calsyntenin-2 regulates neuronal hippocampal density in subf ield-specif ic manner, suggesting
that the CA1 neuronal subpopulation may represent a cellular target for early-life preventive therapy of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- I. N. Rozhkova
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
| | - S. V. Okotrub
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences; Novosibirsk State University
| | - E. Yu. Brusentsev
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
| | - E. E. Uldanova
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
| | - E. А. Chuyko
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences; Novosibirsk State University
| | | | | | - S. Ya. Amstislavsky
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
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7
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Yao M, Meng M, Yang X, Wang S, Zhang H, Zhang F, Shi L, Zhang Y, Zhang X, Xu Z. POSH regulates assembly of the NMDAR/PSD-95/Shank complex and synaptic function. Cell Rep 2022; 39:110642. [PMID: 35385725 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110642] [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: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 01/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutation or disruption of the Shank/ProSAP family of genes is a high risk factor for autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and intellectual disability. N-methyl-D-aspartate glutamate receptor (NMDAR) dysfunction contributes to the development of autism-like behaviors. However, the molecular mechanism of Shank-mediated NMDAR modulation is still not clear. Here, we show that the scaffold protein plenty of SH3s (POSH) directly interacts with two other scaffold proteins, PSD95 and SHANK2/3, at excitatory synapses. In POSH conditional knockout (cKO) mice, normal synaptic clustering of NMDAR/PSD-95/SHANK complex is disrupted, accompanied by abnormal dendritic spine development and glutamatergic transmission in hippocampal neurons. POSH cKO mice display profound autism-like behaviors, including impairments in social interactions, social communication, repetitive behaviors, and deficits in learning and memory. Thus, POSH clusters at the postsynaptic density (PSD) with PSD-95 and SHANK2/3 and plays important roles in the signaling mechanisms of the NMDAR/PSD-95/POSH/SHANK complex as well as in spine development and brain function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minghui Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
| | - Meizhen Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Xiyu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Shuo Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Hongsheng Zhang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disease and Aging Research, Institute of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Lei Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Yongqing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Xiaohui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.
| | - Zhiheng Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Parkinson's Disease Center, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing 100101, China.
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8
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Therapeutic Effects of a Novel Form of Biotin on Propionic Acid-Induced Autistic Features in Rats. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14061280. [PMID: 35334937 PMCID: PMC8955994 DOI: 10.3390/nu14061280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Magnesium biotinate (MgB) is a novel biotin complex with superior absorption and anti-inflammatory effects in the brain than D-Biotin. This study aimed to investigate the impact of different doses of MgB on social behavior deficits, learning and memory alteration, and inflammatory markers in propionic acid (PPA)-exposed rats. In this case, 35 Wistar rats (3 weeks old) were distributed into five groups: 1, Control; 2, PPA treated group; 3, PPA+MgBI (10 mg, HED); 4, PPA+MgBII (100 mg, HED); 5, PPA+MgBIII (500 mg, HED). PPA was given subcutaneously at 500 mg/kg/day for five days, followed by MgB for two weeks. PPA-exposed rats showed poor sociability and a high level of anxiety-like behaviors and cognitive impairments (p < 0.001). In a dose-dependent manner, behavioral and learning-memory disorders were significantly improved by MgB supplementation (p < 0.05). PPA decreased both the numbers and the sizes of Purkinje cells in the cerebellum. However, MgB administration increased the sizes and the densities of Purkinje cells. MgB improved the brain and serum Mg, biotin, serotonin, and dopamine concentrations, as well as antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD, GPx, and GSH) (p < 0.05). In addition, MgB treatment significantly regulated the neurotoxicity-related cytokines and neurotransmission-related markers. For instance, MgB significantly decreased the expression level of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-17, CCL-3, CCL-5, and CXCL-16 in the brain, compared to the control group (p < 0.05). These data demonstrate that MgB may ameliorate dysfunctions in social behavior, learning and memory and reduce the oxidative stress and inflammation indexes of the brain in a rat model.
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9
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Matthews EA, Sun W, McMahon SM, Doengi M, Halka L, Anders S, Müller JA, Steinlein P, Vana NS, van Dyk G, Pitsch J, Becker AJ, Pfeifer A, Kavalali ET, Lamprecht A, Henneberger C, Stein V, Schoch S, Dietrich D. Optical analysis of glutamate spread in the neuropil. Cereb Cortex 2022; 32:3669-3689. [PMID: 35059716 PMCID: PMC9433421 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhab440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Fast synaptic communication uses diffusible transmitters whose spread is limited by uptake mechanisms. However, on the submicron-scale, the distance between two synapses, the extent of glutamate spread has so far remained difficult to measure. Here, we show that quantal glutamate release from individual hippocampal synapses activates extracellular iGluSnFr molecules at a distance of >1.5 μm. 2P-glutamate uncaging near spines further showed that alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA)-Rs and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-Rs respond to distant uncaging spots at approximately 800 and 2000 nm, respectively, when releasing the amount of glutamate contained in approximately five synaptic vesicles. The uncaging-induced remote activation of AMPA-Rs was facilitated by blocking glutamate transporters but only modestly decreased by elevating the recording temperature. When mimicking release from neighboring synapses by three simultaneous uncaging spots in the microenvironment of a spine, AMPA-R-mediated responses increased supra-additively. Interfering with extracellular glutamate diffusion through a glutamate scavenger system weakly reduced field synaptic responses but not the quantal amplitude. Together, our data suggest that the neuropil is more permissive to short-range spread of transmitter than suggested by theory, that multivesicular release could regularly coactivate nearest neighbor synapses and that on this scale glutamate buffering by transporters primarily limits the spread of transmitter and allows for cooperative glutamate signaling in extracellular microdomains.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - M Doengi
- Institute of Physiology, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - L Halka
- Institute of Physiology, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - S Anders
- Institute of Cellular Neurosciences, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - J A Müller
- Section for Translational Epilepsy Research, Department of Neuropathology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - P Steinlein
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany,Department of Pharmaceutics, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - N S Vana
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - G van Dyk
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - J Pitsch
- Section for Translational Epilepsy Research, Department of Neuropathology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany,Department of Epileptology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - A J Becker
- Section for Translational Epilepsy Research, Department of Neuropathology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany,Department of Epileptology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - A Pfeifer
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Hospital, University of Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - E T Kavalali
- Department of Pharmacology, The Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37240-7933, USA
| | - A Lamprecht
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - C Henneberger
- Institute of Cellular Neurosciences, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany,German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 53127 Bonn, Germany,Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - V Stein
- Institute of Physiology, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - S Schoch
- Address correspondence to Prof. Dr Dirk Dietrich, Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg Campus 1, Bonn 53127, Germany. ; and Prof. Dr Susanne Schoch, Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg Campus 1, Bonn 53127, Germany.
| | - D Dietrich
- Address correspondence to Prof. Dr Dirk Dietrich, Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg Campus 1, Bonn 53127, Germany. ; and Prof. Dr Susanne Schoch, Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg Campus 1, Bonn 53127, Germany.
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10
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Delling JP, Boeckers TM. Comparison of SHANK3 deficiency in animal models: phenotypes, treatment strategies, and translational implications. J Neurodev Disord 2021; 13:55. [PMID: 34784886 PMCID: PMC8594088 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-021-09397-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition, which is characterized by clinical heterogeneity and high heritability. Core symptoms of ASD include deficits in social communication and interaction, as well as restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. Many genes have been identified that are associated with an increased risk for ASD. Proteins encoded by these ASD risk genes are often involved in processes related to fetal brain development, chromatin modification and regulation of gene expression in general, as well as the structural and functional integrity of synapses. Genes of the SH3 and multiple ankyrin repeat domains (SHANK) family encode crucial scaffolding proteins (SHANK1-3) of excitatory synapses and other macromolecular complexes. SHANK gene mutations are highly associated with ASD and more specifically the Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMDS), which is caused by heterozygous 22q13.3-deletion resulting in SHANK3-haploinsufficiency, or by SHANK3 missense variants. SHANK3 deficiency and potential treatment options have been extensively studied in animal models, especially in mice, but also in rats and non-human primates. However, few of the proposed therapeutic strategies have translated into clinical practice yet. MAIN TEXT This review summarizes the literature concerning SHANK3-deficient animal models. In particular, the structural, behavioral, and neurological abnormalities are described and compared, providing a broad and comprehensive overview. Additionally, the underlying pathophysiologies and possible treatments that have been investigated in these models are discussed and evaluated with respect to their effect on ASD- or PMDS-associated phenotypes. CONCLUSIONS Animal models of SHANK3 deficiency generated by various genetic strategies, which determine the composition of the residual SHANK3-isoforms and affected cell types, show phenotypes resembling ASD and PMDS. The phenotypic heterogeneity across multiple models and studies resembles the variation of clinical severity in human ASD and PMDS patients. Multiple therapeutic strategies have been proposed and tested in animal models, which might lead to translational implications for human patients with ASD and/or PMDS. Future studies should explore the effects of new therapeutic approaches that target genetic haploinsufficiency, like CRISPR-mediated activation of promotors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Philipp Delling
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, Ulm, 89081, Germany.
| | - Tobias M Boeckers
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, Ulm, 89081, Germany. .,Ulm Site, DZNE, Ulm, Germany.
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11
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Bicker F, Nardi L, Maier J, Vasic V, Schmeisser MJ. Criss-crossing autism spectrum disorder and adult neurogenesis. J Neurochem 2021; 159:452-478. [PMID: 34478569 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) comprises a group of multifactorial neurodevelopmental disorders primarily characterized by deficits in social interaction and repetitive behavior. Although the onset is typically in early childhood, ASD poses a lifelong challenge for both patients and caretakers. Adult neurogenesis (AN) is the process by which new functional neurons are created from neural stem cells existing in the post-natal brain. The entire event is based on a sequence of cellular processes, such as proliferation, specification of cell fate, maturation, and ultimately, synaptic integration into the existing neural circuits. Hence, AN is implicated in structural and functional brain plasticity throughout life. Accumulating evidence shows that impaired AN may underlie some of the abnormal behavioral phenotypes seen in ASD. In this review, we approach the interconnections between the molecular pathways related to AN and ASD. We also discuss existing therapeutic approaches targeting such pathways both in preclinical and clinical studies. A deeper understanding of how ASD and AN reciprocally affect one another could reveal important converging pathways leading to the emergence of psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Bicker
- Institute for Microscopic Anatomy and Neurobiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Leonardo Nardi
- Institute for Microscopic Anatomy and Neurobiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Jannik Maier
- Institute for Microscopic Anatomy and Neurobiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Verica Vasic
- Institute for Microscopic Anatomy and Neurobiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Michael J Schmeisser
- Institute for Microscopic Anatomy and Neurobiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany.,Focus Program Translational Neurosciences (FTN), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
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12
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Golden CEM, Wang VX, Harony-Nicolas H, Hof PR, Buxbaum JD. Reduced brain volume and white matter alterations in Shank3-deficient rats. Autism Res 2021; 14:1837-1842. [PMID: 34313403 PMCID: PMC9292834 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Mutations and deletions in the SHANK3 gene cause the major neurodevelopmental features of Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMS), which is characterized by intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, and sensory hyporeactivity. SHANK3 encodes a key structural component of excitatory synapses important for synaptogenesis. Clinical assessments and limited brain imaging studies of patients with PMS have uncovered regional volume reductions and white matter thinning. While these impairments have been replicated ex vivo in pups of a rat model, brain structure has not been assessed in rats in vivo or in adults. We assessed the brain structure of heterozygous and homozygous adult Shank3-deficient male rats in comparison to wild-type littermates with magnetic resonance imaging using both anatomical assessments and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Shank3-deficient rats showed a reduction in overall brain size and the absolute volume of the neocortex, piriform cortex, thalamus, forebrain, inferior and superior colliculi, internal capsule, and anterior commissure. The superior colliculus was decreased in relative volume. DTI revealed that axial diffusion and fractional anisotropy were reduced in the external capsule and mean diffusion was increased in the fornix, suggesting that restriction of diffusion perpendicular to the axis of the axonal fibers was impaired in these white matter tracts. Therefore, Shank3-deficient rats replicate the reduced brain volume and altered white matter phenotypes present in PMS. Our results indicate that the loss of a glutamatergic synaptic protein, Shank3, has structural consequences at the level of the whole brain. The brain regions that were altered represent potential cross-species structural biomarkers that warrant further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla E M Golden
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Victoria X Wang
- BioMedical Engineering and Imaging Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Hala Harony-Nicolas
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Patrick R Hof
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Joseph D Buxbaum
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
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13
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Bentea E, Villers A, Moore C, Funk AJ, O’Donovan SM, Verbruggen L, Lara O, Janssen P, De Pauw L, Declerck NB, DePasquale EAK, Churchill MJ, Sato H, Hermans E, Arckens L, Meshul CK, Ris L, McCullumsmith RE, Massie A. Corticostriatal dysfunction and social interaction deficits in mice lacking the cystine/glutamate antiporter. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:4754-4769. [PMID: 32366950 PMCID: PMC7609546 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-020-0751-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Revised: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The astrocytic cystine/glutamate antiporter system xc- represents an important source of extracellular glutamate in the central nervous system, with potential impact on excitatory neurotransmission. Yet, its function and importance in brain physiology remain incompletely understood. Employing slice electrophysiology and mice with a genetic deletion of the specific subunit of system xc-, xCT (xCT-/- mice), we uncovered decreased neurotransmission at corticostriatal synapses. This effect was partly mitigated by replenishing extracellular glutamate levels, indicating a defect linked with decreased extracellular glutamate availability. We observed no changes in the morphology of striatal medium spiny neurons, the density of dendritic spines, or the density or ultrastructure of corticostriatal synapses, indicating that the observed functional defects are not due to morphological or structural abnormalities. By combining electron microscopy with glutamate immunogold labeling, we identified decreased intracellular glutamate density in presynaptic terminals, presynaptic mitochondria, and in dendritic spines of xCT-/- mice. A proteomic and kinomic screen of the striatum of xCT-/- mice revealed decreased expression of presynaptic proteins and abnormal kinase network signaling, that may contribute to the observed changes in postsynaptic responses. Finally, these corticostriatal deregulations resulted in a behavioral phenotype suggestive of autism spectrum disorder in the xCT-/- mice; in tests sensitive to corticostriatal functioning we recorded increased repetitive digging behavior and decreased sociability. To conclude, our findings show that system xc- plays a previously unrecognized role in regulating corticostriatal neurotransmission and influences social preference and repetitive behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduard Bentea
- grid.8767.e0000 0001 2290 8069Neuro-Aging & Viro-Immunotherapy, Center for Neurosciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Agnès Villers
- grid.8364.90000 0001 2184 581XDepartment of Neurosciences, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
| | - Cynthia Moore
- grid.410404.50000 0001 0165 2383Research Services, Neurocytology Laboratory, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Portland, OR USA
| | - Adam J. Funk
- grid.267337.40000 0001 2184 944XDepartment of Neurosciences, University of Toledo College of Medicine, Toledo, OH USA
| | - Sinead M. O’Donovan
- grid.267337.40000 0001 2184 944XDepartment of Neurosciences, University of Toledo College of Medicine, Toledo, OH USA
| | - Lise Verbruggen
- grid.8767.e0000 0001 2290 8069Neuro-Aging & Viro-Immunotherapy, Center for Neurosciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Olaya Lara
- grid.8767.e0000 0001 2290 8069Neuro-Aging & Viro-Immunotherapy, Center for Neurosciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Pauline Janssen
- grid.8767.e0000 0001 2290 8069Neuro-Aging & Viro-Immunotherapy, Center for Neurosciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Laura De Pauw
- grid.8767.e0000 0001 2290 8069Neuro-Aging & Viro-Immunotherapy, Center for Neurosciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Noemi B. Declerck
- grid.8767.e0000 0001 2290 8069Neuro-Aging & Viro-Immunotherapy, Center for Neurosciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Erica A. K. DePasquale
- grid.239573.90000 0000 9025 8099Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH USA ,grid.24827.3b0000 0001 2179 9593Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH USA
| | - Madeline J. Churchill
- grid.410404.50000 0001 0165 2383Research Services, Neurocytology Laboratory, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Portland, OR USA
| | - Hideyo Sato
- grid.260975.f0000 0001 0671 5144Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Medicine, Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Emmanuel Hermans
- grid.7942.80000 0001 2294 713XInstitute of Neuroscience, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Lutgarde Arckens
- grid.5596.f0000 0001 0668 7884Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven—University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Charles K. Meshul
- grid.410404.50000 0001 0165 2383Research Services, Neurocytology Laboratory, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Portland, OR USA ,grid.5288.70000 0000 9758 5690Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR USA
| | - Laurence Ris
- grid.8364.90000 0001 2184 581XDepartment of Neurosciences, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
| | - Robert E. McCullumsmith
- grid.267337.40000 0001 2184 944XDepartment of Neurosciences, University of Toledo College of Medicine, Toledo, OH USA
| | - Ann Massie
- Neuro-Aging & Viro-Immunotherapy, Center for Neurosciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium.
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14
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Glutamatergic Dysfunction and Synaptic Ultrastructural Alterations in Schizophrenia and Autism Spectrum Disorder: Evidence from Human and Rodent Studies. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 22:ijms22010059. [PMID: 33374598 PMCID: PMC7793137 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22010059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The correlation between dysfunction in the glutamatergic system and neuropsychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder, is undisputed. Both disorders are associated with molecular and ultrastructural alterations that affect synaptic plasticity and thus the molecular and physiological basis of learning and memory. Altered synaptic plasticity, accompanied by changes in protein synthesis and trafficking of postsynaptic proteins, as well as structural modifications of excitatory synapses, are critically involved in the postnatal development of the mammalian nervous system. In this review, we summarize glutamatergic alterations and ultrastructural changes in synapses in schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder of genetic or drug-related origin, and briefly comment on the possible reversibility of these neuropsychiatric disorders in the light of findings in regular synaptic physiology.
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15
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Arakawa H. From Multisensory Assessment to Functional Interpretation of Social Behavioral Phenotype in Transgenic Mouse Models for Autism Spectrum Disorders. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:592408. [PMID: 33329141 PMCID: PMC7717939 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.592408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a common heterogeneous disorder, defined solely by the core behavioral characteristics, including impaired social interaction and restricted and repeated behavior. Although an increasing number of studies have been performed extensively, the neurobiological mechanisms underlying the core symptoms of ASD remain largely unknown. Transgenic mouse models provide a useful tool for evaluating genetic and neuronal mechanisms underlying ASD pathology, which are prerequisites for validating behavioral phenotypes that mimic the core symptoms of human ASD. The purpose of this review is to propose a better strategy for analyzing and interpreting social investigatory behaviors in transgenic mouse models of ASD. Mice are nocturnal, and employ multimodal processing mechanisms for social communicative behaviors, including those that involve olfactory and tactile senses. Most behavioral paradigms that have been developed for measuring a particular ASD-like behavior in mouse models, such as social recognition, preference, and discrimination tests, are based on the evaluation of distance-based investigatory behavior in response to social stimuli. This investigatory behavior in mice is regulated by multimodal processing involving with two different motives: first, an olfactory-based novelty assessment, and second, tactile-based social contact, in a temporally sequential manner. Accurate interpretation of investigatory behavior exhibited by test mice can be achieved by functional analysis of these multimodal, sequential behaviors, which will lead to a better understanding of the specific features of social deficits associated with ASD in transgenic mouse models, at high temporal and spatial resolutions.
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16
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Jacot-Descombes S, Keshav NU, Dickstein DL, Wicinski B, Janssen WGM, Hiester LL, Sarfo EK, Warda T, Fam MM, Harony-Nicolas H, Buxbaum JD, Hof PR, Varghese M. Altered synaptic ultrastructure in the prefrontal cortex of Shank3-deficient rats. Mol Autism 2020; 11:89. [PMID: 33203459 PMCID: PMC7671669 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-020-00393-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Deletion or mutations of SHANK3 lead to Phelan–McDermid syndrome and monogenic forms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). SHANK3 encodes its eponymous scaffolding protein at excitatory glutamatergic synapses. Altered morphology of dendrites and spines in the hippocampus, cerebellum, and striatum have been associated with behavioral impairments in Shank3-deficient animal models. Given the attentional deficit in these animals, our study explored whether deficiency of Shank3 in a rat model alters neuron morphology and synaptic ultrastructure in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Methods We assessed dendrite and spine morphology and spine density in mPFC layer III neurons in Shank3-homozygous knockout (Shank3-KO), heterozygous (Shank3-Het), and wild-type (WT) rats. We used electron microscopy to determine the density of asymmetric synapses in mPFC layer III excitatory neurons in these rats. We measured postsynaptic density (PSD) length, PSD area, and head diameter (HD) of spines at these synapses. Results Basal dendritic morphology was similar among the three genotypes. Spine density and morphology were comparable, but more thin and mushroom spines had larger head volumes in Shank3-Het compared to WT and Shank3-KO. All three groups had comparable synapse density and PSD length. Spine HD of total and non-perforated synapses in Shank3-Het rats, but not Shank3-KO rats, was significantly larger than in WT rats. The total and non-perforated PSD area was significantly larger in Shank3-Het rats compared to Shank3-KO rats. These findings represent preliminary evidence for synaptic ultrastructural alterations in the mPFC of rats that lack one copy of Shank3 and mimic the heterozygous loss of SHANK3 in Phelan–McDermid syndrome. Limitations The Shank3 deletion in the rat model we used does not affect all isoforms of the protein and would only model the effect of mutations resulting in loss of the N-terminus of the protein. Given the higher prevalence of ASD in males, the ultrastructural study focused only on synaptic structure in male Shank3-deficient rats. Conclusions We observed increased HD and PSD area in Shank3-Het rats. These observations suggest the occurrence of altered synaptic ultrastructure in this animal model, further pointing to a key role of defective expression of the Shank3 protein in ASD and Phelan–McDermid syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Jacot-Descombes
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Hess Center for Science and Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1470 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10029, USA.,Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Unit of Psychiatry, Department of Children and Teenagers, University Hospital and School of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland.,Department of Legal Medicine, University Hospital and School of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Neha U Keshav
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Hess Center for Science and Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1470 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10029, USA.,Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Dara L Dickstein
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Hess Center for Science and Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1470 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10029, USA.,Department of Pathology, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Bridget Wicinski
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Hess Center for Science and Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1470 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10029, USA.,Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - William G M Janssen
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Hess Center for Science and Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1470 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10029, USA.,Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Liam L Hiester
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Hess Center for Science and Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1470 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10029, USA.,Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Edward K Sarfo
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Hess Center for Science and Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1470 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10029, USA.,Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tahia Warda
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Hess Center for Science and Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1470 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10029, USA.,Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Psychology Department, Rutgers University Brain Imaging Center (RUBIC), Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, 07102, USA
| | - Matthew M Fam
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Hess Center for Science and Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1470 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10029, USA.,Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hala Harony-Nicolas
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Hess Center for Science and Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1470 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10029, USA.,Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Joseph D Buxbaum
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Hess Center for Science and Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1470 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10029, USA.,Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Patrick R Hof
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Hess Center for Science and Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1470 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10029, USA. .,Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA. .,Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Merina Varghese
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Hess Center for Science and Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1470 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10029, USA. .,Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
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17
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Maternal stress in Shank3ex4-9 mice increases pup-directed care and alters brain white matter in male offspring. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0224876. [PMID: 31703095 PMCID: PMC6839842 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0224876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene-environment interactions contribute to the risk for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Among environmental factors, prenatal exposure to stress may increase the risk for ASD. To examine if there is an interaction between exposure to maternal stress and reduced dosage or loss of Shank3, wild-type (WT), heterozygous (HET) and homozygous (HOM) female mice carrying a deletion of exons four through nine of Shank3 (Shank3ex4-9) were exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) from prior to conception throughout gestation. This study examined maternal care of these dams and the white matter microstructure in the brains of their adult male offspring. Overall, our findings suggest that maternal exposure to CUMS increased pup-directed care for dams of all three genotypes. Compared to WT and HET dams, HOM dams also exhibited increased maternal care behaviors with increased time spent in the nest and reduced cage exploration, regardless of exposure to CUMS. Diffusion tensor imaging showed higher mean fractional anisotropy in the hippocampal stratum radiatum of WT and HOM male offspring from dams exposed to CUMS and HOM offspring from unexposed dams, compared to WT male offspring from unexposed dams. These data support that CUMS in Shank3-mutant dams results in subtle maternal care alterations and long-lasting changes in the white matter of the hippocampus of their offspring.
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18
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Yan J, Pan Y, Zheng X, Zhu C, Zhang Y, Shi G, Yao L, Chen Y, Xu N. Comparative Study of ROCK1 and ROCK2 in Hippocampal Spine Formation and Synaptic Function. Neurosci Bull 2019; 35:649-660. [PMID: 30826947 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-019-00351-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2018] [Accepted: 11/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Rho-associated kinases (ROCKs) are serine-threonine protein kinases that act downstream of small Rho GTPases to regulate the dynamics of the actin cytoskeleton. Two ROCK isoforms (ROCK1 and ROCK2) are expressed in the mammalian central nervous system. Although ROCK activity has been implicated in synapse formation, whether the distinct ROCK isoforms have different roles in synapse formation and function in vivo is not clear. Here, we used a genetic approach to address this long-standing question. Both Rock1+/- and Rock2+/- mice had impaired glutamatergic transmission, reduced spine density, and fewer excitatory synapses in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons. In addition, both Rock1+/- and Rock2+/- mice showed deficits in long-term potentiation at hippocampal CA1 synapses and were impaired in spatial learning and memory based on the water maze and contextual fear conditioning tests. However, the spine morphology of CA1 pyramidal neurons was altered only in Rock2+/- but not Rock1+/- mice. In this study we compared the roles of ROCK1 and ROCK2 in synapse formation and function in vivo for the first time. Our results provide a better understanding of the functions of distinct ROCK isoforms in synapse formation and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinglan Yan
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Youcan Pan
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China.,Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Xiaoyan Zheng
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Chuanan Zhu
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Guoqi Shi
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Lin Yao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Yongjun Chen
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China. .,Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
| | - Nenggui Xu
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
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19
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Varghese M, Keshav N, Jacot-Descombes S, Warda T, Wicinski B, Dickstein DL, Harony-Nicolas H, De Rubeis S, Drapeau E, Buxbaum JD, Hof PR. Autism spectrum disorder: neuropathology and animal models. Acta Neuropathol 2017; 134:537-566. [PMID: 28584888 PMCID: PMC5693718 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-017-1736-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 293] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2017] [Revised: 05/30/2017] [Accepted: 05/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has a major impact on the development and social integration of affected individuals and is the most heritable of psychiatric disorders. An increase in the incidence of ASD cases has prompted a surge in research efforts on the underlying neuropathologic processes. We present an overview of current findings in neuropathology studies of ASD using two investigational approaches, postmortem human brains and ASD animal models, and discuss the overlap, limitations, and significance of each. Postmortem examination of ASD brains has revealed global changes including disorganized gray and white matter, increased number of neurons, decreased volume of neuronal soma, and increased neuropil, the last reflecting changes in densities of dendritic spines, cerebral vasculature and glia. Both cortical and non-cortical areas show region-specific abnormalities in neuronal morphology and cytoarchitectural organization, with consistent findings reported from the prefrontal cortex, fusiform gyrus, frontoinsular cortex, cingulate cortex, hippocampus, amygdala, cerebellum and brainstem. The paucity of postmortem human studies linking neuropathology to the underlying etiology has been partly addressed using animal models to explore the impact of genetic and non-genetic factors clinically relevant for the ASD phenotype. Genetically modified models include those based on well-studied monogenic ASD genes (NLGN3, NLGN4, NRXN1, CNTNAP2, SHANK3, MECP2, FMR1, TSC1/2), emerging risk genes (CHD8, SCN2A, SYNGAP1, ARID1B, GRIN2B, DSCAM, TBR1), and copy number variants (15q11-q13 deletion, 15q13.3 microdeletion, 15q11-13 duplication, 16p11.2 deletion and duplication, 22q11.2 deletion). Models of idiopathic ASD include inbred rodent strains that mimic ASD behaviors as well as models developed by environmental interventions such as prenatal exposure to sodium valproate, maternal autoantibodies, and maternal immune activation. In addition to replicating some of the neuropathologic features seen in postmortem studies, a common finding in several animal models of ASD is altered density of dendritic spines, with the direction of the change depending on the specific genetic modification, age and brain region. Overall, postmortem neuropathologic studies with larger sample sizes representative of the various ASD risk genes and diverse clinical phenotypes are warranted to clarify putative etiopathogenic pathways further and to promote the emergence of clinically relevant diagnostic and therapeutic tools. In addition, as genetic alterations may render certain individuals more vulnerable to developing the pathological changes at the synapse underlying the behavioral manifestations of ASD, neuropathologic investigation using genetically modified animal models will help to improve our understanding of the disease mechanisms and enhance the development of targeted treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merina Varghese
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Box 1639, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Neha Keshav
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Box 1639, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Sarah Jacot-Descombes
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Box 1639, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Unit of Psychiatry, Department of Children and Teenagers, University Hospitals and School of Medicine, Geneva, CH-1205, Switzerland
| | - Tahia Warda
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Box 1639, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Bridget Wicinski
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Box 1639, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Dara L Dickstein
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Box 1639, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
| | - Hala Harony-Nicolas
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Silvia De Rubeis
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Elodie Drapeau
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Joseph D Buxbaum
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Box 1639, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Patrick R Hof
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Box 1639, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
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20
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Dhamne SC, Silverman JL, Super CE, Lammers SHT, Hameed MQ, Modi ME, Copping NA, Pride MC, Smith DG, Rotenberg A, Crawley JN, Sahin M. Replicable in vivo physiological and behavioral phenotypes of the Shank3B null mutant mouse model of autism. Mol Autism 2017. [PMID: 28638591 PMCID: PMC5472997 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-017-0142-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a clinically and biologically heterogeneous condition characterized by social, repetitive, and sensory behavioral abnormalities. No treatments are approved for the core diagnostic symptoms of ASD. To enable the earliest stages of therapeutic discovery and development for ASD, robust and reproducible behavioral phenotypes and biological markers are essential to establish in preclinical animal models. The goal of this study was to identify electroencephalographic (EEG) and behavioral phenotypes that are replicable between independent cohorts in a mouse model of ASD. The larger goal of our strategy is to empower the preclinical biomedical ASD research field by generating robust and reproducible behavioral and physiological phenotypes in animal models of ASD, for the characterization of mechanistic underpinnings of ASD-relevant phenotypes, and to ensure reliability for the discovery of novel therapeutics. Genetic disruption of the SHANK3 gene, a scaffolding protein involved in the stability of the postsynaptic density in excitatory synapses, is thought to be responsible for a relatively large number of cases of ASD. Therefore, we have thoroughly characterized the robustness of ASD-relevant behavioral phenotypes in two cohorts, and for the first time quantified translational EEG activity in Shank3B null mutant mice. METHODS In vivo physiology and behavioral assays were conducted in two independently bred and tested full cohorts of Shank3B null mutant (Shank3B KO) and wildtype littermate control (WT) mice. EEG was recorded via wireless implanted telemeters for 7 days of baseline followed by 20 min of recording following pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) challenge. Behaviors relevant to the diagnostic and associated symptoms of ASD were tested on a battery of established behavioral tests. Assays were designed to reproduce and expand on the original behavioral characterization of Shank3B KO mice. Two or more corroborative tests were conducted within each behavioral domain, including social, repetitive, cognitive, anxiety-related, sensory, and motor categories of assays. RESULTS Relative to WT mice, Shank3B KO mice displayed a dramatic resistance to PTZ seizure induction and an enhancement of gamma band oscillatory EEG activity indicative of enhanced inhibitory tone. These findings replicated in two separate cohorts. Behaviorally, Shank3B KO mice exhibited repetitive grooming, deficits in aspects of reciprocal social interactions and vocalizations, and reduced open field activity, as well as variable deficits in sensory responses, anxiety-related behaviors, learning and memory. CONCLUSIONS Robust animal models and quantitative, replicable biomarkers of neural dysfunction are needed to decrease risk and enable successful drug discovery and development for ASD and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Complementary to the replicated behavioral phenotypes of the Shank3B mutant mouse is the new identification of a robust, translational in vivo neurophysiological phenotype. Our findings provide strong evidence for robustness and replicability of key translational phenotypes in Shank3B mutant mice and support the usefulness of this mouse model of ASD for therapeutic discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sameer C Dhamne
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Translational Neuroscience Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115 USA
| | - Jill L Silverman
- MIND Institute, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95821 USA
| | - Chloe E Super
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Translational Neuroscience Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115 USA
| | - Stephen H T Lammers
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Translational Neuroscience Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115 USA
| | - Mustafa Q Hameed
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Translational Neuroscience Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115 USA
| | - Meera E Modi
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Translational Neuroscience Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115 USA
| | - Nycole A Copping
- MIND Institute, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95821 USA
| | - Michael C Pride
- MIND Institute, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95821 USA
| | - Daniel G Smith
- Autism Speaks, Inc., Boston, MA USA.,Present address: BlackThorn Therapeutics, Inc., Cambridge, MA USA
| | - Alexander Rotenberg
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Translational Neuroscience Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115 USA
| | - Jacqueline N Crawley
- MIND Institute, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95821 USA
| | - Mustafa Sahin
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Translational Neuroscience Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115 USA
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21
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Foss-Feig JH, Adkinson BD, Ji JL, Yang G, Srihari VH, McPartland JC, Krystal JH, Murray JD, Anticevic A. Searching for Cross-Diagnostic Convergence: Neural Mechanisms Governing Excitation and Inhibition Balance in Schizophrenia and Autism Spectrum Disorders. Biol Psychiatry 2017; 81:848-861. [PMID: 28434615 PMCID: PMC5436134 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2017.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 163] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2016] [Revised: 02/06/2017] [Accepted: 03/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Recent theoretical accounts have proposed excitation and inhibition (E/I) imbalance as a possible mechanistic, network-level hypothesis underlying neural and behavioral dysfunction across neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia (SCZ). These two disorders share some overlap in their clinical presentation as well as convergence in their underlying genes and neurobiology. However, there are also clear points of dissociation in terms of phenotypes and putatively affected neural circuitry. We highlight emerging work from the clinical neuroscience literature examining neural correlates of E/I imbalance across children and adults with ASD and adults with both chronic and early-course SCZ. We discuss findings from diverse neuroimaging studies across distinct modalities, conducted with electroencephalography, magnetoencephalography, proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and functional magnetic resonance imaging, including effects observed both during task and at rest. Throughout this review, we discuss points of convergence and divergence in the ASD and SCZ literature, with a focus on disruptions in neural E/I balance. We also consider these findings in relation to predictions generated by theoretical neuroscience, particularly computational models predicting E/I imbalance across disorders. Finally, we discuss how human noninvasive neuroimaging can benefit from pharmacological challenge studies to reveal mechanisms in ASD and SCZ. Collectively, we attempt to shed light on shared and divergent neuroimaging effects across disorders with the goal of informing future research examining the mechanisms underlying the E/I imbalance hypothesis across neurodevelopmental disorders. We posit that such translational efforts are vital to facilitate development of neurobiologically informed treatment strategies across neuropsychiatric conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer H Foss-Feig
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, New York; Seaver Autism Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, New York; Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.
| | - Brendan D Adkinson
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Jie Lisa Ji
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut; Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Genevieve Yang
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut; Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Vinod H Srihari
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - James C McPartland
- Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut; Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - John H Krystal
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut; Division of Neurocognition, Neurocomputation, & Neurogenetics (N3), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut; Department of Neurobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut; Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut; Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - John D Murray
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut; Division of Neurocognition, Neurocomputation, & Neurogenetics (N3), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut; Department of Neurobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Alan Anticevic
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut; Division of Neurocognition, Neurocomputation, & Neurogenetics (N3), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut; Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut; Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
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22
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Bentea E, Moore C, Deneyer L, Verbruggen L, Churchill MJ, Hood RL, Meshul CK, Massie A. Plastic changes at corticostriatal synapses predict improved motor function in a partial lesion model of Parkinson’s disease. Brain Res Bull 2017; 130:257-267. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2017.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2016] [Accepted: 02/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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23
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Chen A, Hubbert KD, Foroudi PF, Lu VF, Janušonis S. Serotonin 5-HT 4 receptors modulate the development of glutamatergic input to the dorsal raphe nucleus. Neurosci Lett 2017; 640:111-116. [PMID: 28108396 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2017.01.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2016] [Revised: 12/19/2016] [Accepted: 01/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) is a major serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT)-producing region in the central nervous system. It receives glutamatergic inputs from several brain regions, which are reciprocally modulated by serotonergic signals. We investigated whether serotonin 5-HT4 receptors (5-HT4Rs) play a role in the development of glutamatergic control of the DRN, with an emphasis on cortical inputs. Double-label immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy were used to quantify vesicular glutamate transporter 1 (vGluT1)-immunoreactive terminals in the DRN of mice with a null-mutation in the 5-HT4R gene. We found no significant change in the overall density of vGluT1-positive terminals in homozygous and heterozygous mice, but heterozygous mice had a significantly higher density of vGluT1-positive terminals contacting serotonergic neurons. These results suggest that altered 5-HT4R expression may affect the development of cortical glutamatergic control of the DRN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Chen
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9660, USA
| | - Katherine D Hubbert
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9660, USA
| | - Pasha F Foroudi
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9660, USA
| | - Vivian F Lu
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9660, USA
| | - Skirmantas Janušonis
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9660, USA.
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24
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Masataka N. Implications of the idea of neurodiversity for understanding the origins of developmental disorders. Phys Life Rev 2016; 20:85-108. [PMID: 27876343 DOI: 10.1016/j.plrev.2016.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2016] [Accepted: 11/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Neurodiversity, a term initially used mostly by civil and human rights movements since the 1990s, refers to the notion that cognitive as well as emotional properties characteristic of developmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are not necessarily deficits, but fall within normal behavioural variations exhibited by humans. The purpose of the present article is to examine the relevance of this notion to scientific research on ASD. On the assumption that one crucial survival advantage of intelligent activity is vigilance toward dangers in the external world, and such vigilance must work in the social domain as well as in the non-social domain, the author argues that the pattern of operation of an individual person's mind can be categorized according to the domain toward which that individual is more oriented. Individuals with ASD, overall, do not rely upon their social relationships but rather are predisposed to process perceived non-social objects in more depth, which manifests itself as hyper-sensation and hyper-attention to detail. It can be assumed that underconnectivity among cortical areas and subcortical areas underlies such mental operation neurologically. One of the main predictions based on this assumption is that all facets of psychological function are susceptible to disruption in ASD. Indeed, it has traditionally been thought that there are such general deficits in this disorder. However, contrary to the prevalent belief that people with ASD lack empathy, in fact people with ASD are capable of empathizing with the minds of others if those others are people with ASD. Thus, the neurological underconnectivity in ASD certainly leads some processing of information in the mind to work with less coordination, but has in fact contributed to providing Homo sapiens with behavioural variants. Finally, the clinical implications of the advantages of viewing ASD as a variation in neurodiversity are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nobuo Masataka
- Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, Inuyama, Japan.
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25
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Vester A, Caudle WM. The Synapse as a Central Target for Neurodevelopmental Susceptibility to Pesticides. TOXICS 2016; 4:toxics4030018. [PMID: 29051423 PMCID: PMC5606656 DOI: 10.3390/toxics4030018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2016] [Revised: 08/07/2016] [Accepted: 08/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The developmental period of the nervous system is carefully orchestrated and highly vulnerable to alterations. One crucial factor of a properly-functioning nervous system is the synapse, as synaptic signaling is critical for the formation and maturation of neural circuits. Studies show that genetic and environmental impacts can affect diverse components of synaptic function. Importantly, synaptic dysfunction is known to be associated with neurologic and psychiatric disorders, as well as more subtle cognitive, psychomotor, and sensory defects. Given the importance of the synapse in numerous domains, we wanted to delineate the effects of pesticide exposure on synaptic function. In this review, we summarize current epidemiologic and molecular studies that demonstrate organochlorine, organophosphate, and pyrethroid pesticide exposures target the developing synapse. We postulate that the synapse plays a central role in synaptic vulnerability to pesticide exposure during neurodevelopment, and the synapse is a worthy candidate for investigating more subtle effects of chronic pesticide exposure in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aimee Vester
- Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
| | - W Michael Caudle
- Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
- Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
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26
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Copping NA, Berg EL, Foley GM, Schaffler MD, Onaga BL, Buscher N, Silverman JL, Yang M. Touchscreen learning deficits and normal social approach behavior in the Shank3B model of Phelan-McDermid Syndrome and autism. Neuroscience 2016; 345:155-165. [PMID: 27189882 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2016.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2015] [Revised: 05/02/2016] [Accepted: 05/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
SHANK3 is a synaptic scaffolding protein localized in the postsynaptic density and has a crucial role in synaptogenesis and neural physiology. Deletions and point mutations in SHANK3 cause Phelan-McDermid Syndrome (PMS), and have also been implicated in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual disabilities, leading to the hypothesis that reduced SHANK3 expression impairs basic brain functions that are important for social communication and cognition. Several mouse models of Shank3 deletions have been generated, varying in the specific domain deleted. Here we report impairments in cognitive function in mice heterozygous for exon 13-16 (coding for the PDZ domain) deletion. The touchscreen pairwise discrimination task was chosen by virtue of its: (a) conceptual and technical similarities to the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) and NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery used for testing cognitive functions in humans, (b) minimal demand on motor abilities, and (c) capability to measure many aspects of learning and memory and complex cognitive functions, including cognitive flexibility. The similarity between our mouse tasks and human cognitive assays means a high translational validity in future intervention studies using preclinical models. Our study revealed that Shank3B heterozygous mice (+/-) were slower to reach criterion in the pairwise visual discrimination task, and exhibited trends toward making more errors (first trial errors) and more correction errors than wildtype mice (+/+). Open field activity was normal in +/-, ruling out hypo- or hyperactivity as potential confounds in the touchscreen test. Sociability in the three chamber test was also normal in both +/+ and +/-. These results indicate a deficit in discrimination learning in the Shank3B model of PMS and ASD, suggesting that this mouse model is a useful preclinical tool for studying neurobiological mechanisms behind cognitive impairments in PMS and ASD. The current findings are the starting point for our future research in which we will investigate multiple domains of cognition and explore pharmacological interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nycole A Copping
- MIND Institute, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, United States
| | - Elizabeth L Berg
- MIND Institute, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, United States
| | - Gillian M Foley
- MIND Institute, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, United States
| | - Melanie D Schaffler
- MIND Institute, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, United States
| | - Beth L Onaga
- MIND Institute, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, United States
| | - Nathalie Buscher
- MIND Institute, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, United States
| | - Jill L Silverman
- MIND Institute, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, United States
| | - Mu Yang
- MIND Institute, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, United States.
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27
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Yi F, Danko T, Botelho SC, Patzke C, Pak C, Wernig M, Südhof TC. Autism-associated SHANK3 haploinsufficiency causes Ih channelopathy in human neurons. Science 2016; 352:aaf2669. [PMID: 26966193 DOI: 10.1126/science.aaf2669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 213] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2016] [Accepted: 02/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Heterozygous SHANK3 mutations are associated with idiopathic autism and Phelan-McDermid syndrome. SHANK3 is a ubiquitously expressed scaffolding protein that is enriched in postsynaptic excitatory synapses. Here, we used engineered conditional mutations in human neurons and found that heterozygous and homozygous SHANK3 mutations severely and specifically impaired hyperpolarization-activated cation (Ih) channels. SHANK3 mutations caused alterations in neuronal morphology and synaptic connectivity; chronic pharmacological blockage of Ih channels reproduced these phenotypes, suggesting that they may be secondary to Ih-channel impairment. Moreover, mouse Shank3-deficient neurons also exhibited severe decreases in Ih currents. SHANK3 protein interacted with hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channel proteins (HCN proteins) that form Ih channels, indicating that SHANK3 functions to organize HCN channels. Our data suggest that SHANK3 mutations predispose to autism, at least partially, by inducing an Ih channelopathy that may be amenable to pharmacological intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Yi
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Tamas Danko
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Salome Calado Botelho
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Christopher Patzke
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - ChangHui Pak
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Marius Wernig
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Thomas C Südhof
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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