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Verhaeg M, Adamzek K, van de Vijver D, Putker K, Engelbeen S, Wijnbergen D, Overzier M, Suidgeest E, van der Weerd L, Aartsma‐Rus A, van Putten M. Learning, memory and blood-brain barrier pathology in Duchenne muscular dystrophy mice lacking Dp427, or Dp427 and Dp140. GENES, BRAIN, AND BEHAVIOR 2024; 23:e12895. [PMID: 38837620 PMCID: PMC11151035 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a severe neuromuscular disorder that is caused by mutations in the DMD gene, resulting in a disruption of dystrophin production. Next to dystrophin expression in the muscle, different isoforms of the protein are also expressed in the brain and lack of these isoforms leads to cognitive and behavioral deficits in patients. It remains unclear how the loss of the shorter dystrophin isoform Dp140 affects these processes. Using a variety of behavioral tests, we found that mdx and mdx4cv mice (which lack Dp427 or Dp427 + Dp140, respectively) exhibit similar deficits in working memory, movement patterns and blood-brain barrier integrity. Neither model showed deficits in spatial learning and memory, learning flexibility, anxiety or spontaneous behavior, nor did we observe differences in aquaporin 4 and glial fibrillary acidic protein. These results indicate that in contrast to Dp427, Dp140 does not play a crucial role in processes of learning, memory and spontaneous behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minou Verhaeg
- Department of Human GeneticsLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Kevin Adamzek
- Department of Human GeneticsLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Davy van de Vijver
- Department of Human GeneticsLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Kayleigh Putker
- Department of Human GeneticsLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Sarah Engelbeen
- Department of Human GeneticsLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Daphne Wijnbergen
- Department of Human GeneticsLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Maurice Overzier
- Department of Human GeneticsLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Ernst Suidgeest
- C.J. Gorter MRI Center, Department of RadiologyLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Louise van der Weerd
- Department of Human GeneticsLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
- C.J. Gorter MRI Center, Department of RadiologyLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | | | - Maaike van Putten
- Department of Human GeneticsLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
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2
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Arreguin AJ, Shao Z, Colognato H. Dmd mdx mice have defective oligodendrogenesis, delayed myelin compaction and persistent hypomyelination. Dis Model Mech 2024; 17:dmm050115. [PMID: 38721692 PMCID: PMC11095635 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.050115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is caused by mutations in the DMD gene, resulting in the loss of dystrophin, a large cytosolic protein that links the cytoskeleton to extracellular matrix receptors in skeletal muscle. Aside from progressive muscle damage, many patients with DMD also have neurological deficits of unknown etiology. To investigate potential mechanisms for DMD neurological deficits, we assessed postnatal oligodendrogenesis and myelination in the Dmdmdx mouse model. In the ventricular-subventricular zone (V-SVZ) stem cell niche, we found that oligodendrocyte progenitor cell (OPC) production was deficient, with reduced OPC densities and proliferation, despite a normal stem cell niche organization. In the Dmdmdx corpus callosum, a large white matter tract adjacent to the V-SVZ, we also observed reduced OPC proliferation and fewer oligodendrocytes. Transmission electron microscopy further revealed significantly thinner myelin, an increased number of abnormal myelin structures and delayed myelin compaction, with hypomyelination persisting into adulthood. Our findings reveal alterations in oligodendrocyte development and myelination that support the hypothesis that changes in diffusion tensor imaging seen in patients with DMD reflect developmental changes in myelin architecture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea J. Arreguin
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP), Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-8651, USA
| | - Zijian Shao
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Holly Colognato
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
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García I, Martínez O, López-Paz JF, García M, Espinosa-Blanco P, Rodríguez AA, Pallarès-Sastre M, Ruiz de Lazcano A, Amayra I. Social cognition in DMD and BMD dystrophinopathies: A cross-sectional preliminary study. Clin Neuropsychol 2024; 38:219-234. [PMID: 37081823 DOI: 10.1080/13854046.2023.2202332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
Objective: The dystrophinopathies called Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies (DMD/BMD) are rare, progressive, incurable, and life-limiting paediatric-onset neuromuscular diseases. These diseases have long been associated with specific neuropsychological deficits. However, the performance of these patients in the social cognition domain has not been properly investigated. Thus, the main objective of this study was to compare the performance on social cognition between DMD/BMD patients and healthy age-matched boys. Method: This cross-sectional study included 20 DMD/BMD children and adolescents and 20 healthy controls. The protocol included the Social Perception Domain of the NEPSY-II, the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test - Child and Happé's Strange Stories test. General intelligence was controlled to eliminate the possible influence of covariables. All the assessments were performed remotely. Results: Most social cognition tasks were worse in patients with DMD/BMD than in matched healthy controls. These differences remained even after controlling for the general intelligence variable, with the exception of Total Disgust Errors (F = 1.462, p = .234, η2p= .038) and Verbal task (F = 1.820, p = .185, η2p= .047) scores from the NEPSY-II. Conclusions: This is the first study to demonstrate that the neuropsychological domain of social cognition is impaired in DMD/BMD patients, independent of the level of general intelligence. Screening assessments in DMD/BMD patients should be promoted to allow social cognition difficulties to be detected at an early stage to enhance patients' quality of life and social development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irune García
- Neuro-e-Motion Research Team, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Deusto, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Oscar Martínez
- Neuro-e-Motion Research Team, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Deusto, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Juan Francisco López-Paz
- Neuro-e-Motion Research Team, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Deusto, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Maitane García
- Neuro-e-Motion Research Team, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Deusto, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Patricia Espinosa-Blanco
- Neuro-e-Motion Research Team, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Deusto, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Alicia Aurora Rodríguez
- Neuro-e-Motion Research Team, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Deusto, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Mercè Pallarès-Sastre
- Neuro-e-Motion Research Team, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Deusto, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Aitana Ruiz de Lazcano
- Neuro-e-Motion Research Team, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Deusto, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Imanol Amayra
- Neuro-e-Motion Research Team, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Deusto, Bilbao, Spain
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González-Arias C, Sánchez-Ruiz A, Esparza J, Sánchez-Puelles C, Arancibia L, Ramírez-Franco J, Gobbo D, Kirchhoff F, Perea G. Dysfunctional serotonergic neuron-astrocyte signaling in depressive-like states. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:3856-3873. [PMID: 37773446 PMCID: PMC10730416 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02269-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
Astrocytes play crucial roles in brain homeostasis and are regulatory elements of neuronal and synaptic physiology. Astrocytic alterations have been found in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) patients; however, the consequences of astrocyte Ca2+ signaling in MDD are poorly understood. Here, we found that corticosterone-treated juvenile mice (Cort-mice) showed altered astrocytic Ca2+ dynamics in mPFC both in resting conditions and during social interactions, in line with altered mice behavior. Additionally, Cort-mice displayed reduced serotonin (5-HT)-mediated Ca2+ signaling in mPFC astrocytes, and aberrant 5-HT-driven synaptic plasticity in layer 2/3 mPFC neurons. Downregulation of astrocyte Ca2+ signaling in naïve animals mimicked the synaptic deficits found in Cort-mice. Remarkably, boosting astrocyte Ca2+ signaling with Gq-DREADDS restored to the control levels mood and cognitive abilities in Cort-mice. This study highlights the important role of astrocyte Ca2+ signaling for homeostatic control of brain circuits and behavior, but also reveals its potential therapeutic value for depressive-like states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Candela González-Arias
- Cajal Institute, CSIC, 28002, Madrid, Spain
- PhD Program in Neuroscience, Autonoma de Madrid University-Cajal Institute, Madrid, 28029, Spain
| | - Andrea Sánchez-Ruiz
- Cajal Institute, CSIC, 28002, Madrid, Spain
- PhD Program in Neuroscience, Autonoma de Madrid University-Cajal Institute, Madrid, 28029, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Jorge Ramírez-Franco
- Institut de Neurosciences de la Timone, Aix-Marseille Université (AMU) & CNRS, UMR7289, 13005, Marseille, France
| | - Davide Gobbo
- Molecular Physiology, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine, University of Saarland, 66421, Homburg, Germany
| | - Frank Kirchhoff
- Molecular Physiology, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine, University of Saarland, 66421, Homburg, Germany
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Maresh K, Papageorgiou A, Ridout D, Harrison NA, Mandy W, Skuse D, Muntoni F. Startle responses in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: a novel biomarker of brain dystrophin deficiency. Brain 2023; 146:252-265. [PMID: 35136951 PMCID: PMC9825594 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awac048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is characterized by loss of dystrophin in muscle, however patients also have variable degree of intellectual disability and neurobehavioural co-morbidities. In contrast to muscle, in which a single full-length dystrophin isoform (Dp427) is produced, multiple isoforms are produced in the brain, and their deficiency accounts for the variability of CNS manifestations, with increased risk of comorbidities in patients carrying mutations affecting the 3' end of the gene, which disrupt expression of shorter Dp140 and Dp71 isoforms. A mouse model (mdx mouse) lacks Dp427 in muscle and CNS and exhibits exaggerated startle responses to threat, linked to the deficiency of dystrophin in limbic structures such as the amygdala, which normalize with postnatal brain dystrophin-restoration therapies. A pathological startle response is not a recognized feature of DMD, and its characterization has implications for improved clinical management and translational research. To investigate startle responses in DMD, we used a novel fear-conditioning task in an observational study of 56 males aged 7-12 years (31 affected boys, mean age 9.7 ± 1.8 years; 25 controls, mean age 9.6 ± 1.4 years). Trials of two neutral visual stimuli were presented to participants: one 'safe' cue presented alone; one 'threat' cue paired with an aversive noise to enable conditioning of physiological startle responses (skin conductance response and heart rate). Retention of conditioned physiological responses was subsequently tested by presenting both cues without the aversive noise in an 'Extinction' phase. Primary outcomes were the initial unconditioned skin conductance and change in heart rate responses to the aversive 'threat' and acquisition and retention of conditioned responses after conditioning. Secondary and exploratory outcomes were neuropsychological measures and genotype associations. The mean unconditioned skin conductance response was greater in the DMD group than controls [mean difference 3.0 µS (1.0, 5.1); P = 0.004], associated with a significant threat-induced bradycardia only in the patient group [mean difference -8.7 bpm (-16.9, -0.51); P = 0.04]. Participants with DMD found the task more aversive than controls, with increased early termination rates during the Extinction phase (26% of DMD group versus 0% of controls; P = 0.007). This study provides the first evidence that boys with DMD show similar increased unconditioned startle responses to threat to the mdx mouse, which in the mouse respond to brain dystrophin restoration. Our study provides new insights into the neurobiology underlying the complex neuropsychiatric co-morbidities in DMD and defines an objective measure of this CNS phenotype, which will be valuable for future CNS-targeted dystrophin-restoration studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate Maresh
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London WC1N 1EH, UK
- Queen Square Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, University College London, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Andriani Papageorgiou
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Deborah Ridout
- Population, Policy and Practice Research and Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London WC1N 1EH, UK
- NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Neil A Harrison
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF14 4XN, UK
| | - William Mandy
- Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - David Skuse
- Department of Behavioural and Brain Sciences, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Francesco Muntoni
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London WC1N 1EH, UK
- Queen Square Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, University College London, London WC1N 3BG, UK
- NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London WC1N 1EH, UK
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6
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Tong C, Avilés L, Rayor LS, Mikheyev AS, Linksvayer TA. Genomic signatures of recent convergent transitions to social life in spiders. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6967. [PMID: 36414623 PMCID: PMC9681848 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34446-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The transition from solitary to social life is a major phenotypic innovation, but its genetic underpinnings are largely unknown. To identify genomic changes associated with this transition, we compare the genomes of 22 spider species representing eight recent and independent origins of sociality. Hundreds of genes tend to experience shifts in selection during the repeated transition to social life. These genes are associated with several key functions, such as neurogenesis, behavior, and metabolism, and include genes that previously have been implicated in animal social behavior and human behavioral disorders. In addition, social species have elevated genome-wide rates of molecular evolution associated with relaxed selection caused by reduced effective population size. Altogether, our study provides unprecedented insights into the genomic signatures of social evolution and the specific genetic changes that repeatedly underpin the evolution of sociality. Our study also highlights the heretofore unappreciated potential of transcriptomics using ethanol-preserved specimens for comparative genomics and phylotranscriptomics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Tong
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA. .,Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA.
| | - Leticia Avilés
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Linda S Rayor
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Alexander S Mikheyev
- Evolutionary Genomics Group, Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, 0200, Australia
| | - Timothy A Linksvayer
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA. .,Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA.
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7
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Barboni MTS, Joachimsthaler A, Roux MJ, Nagy ZZ, Ventura DF, Rendon A, Kremers J, Vaillend C. Retinal dystrophins and the retinopathy of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Prog Retin Eye Res 2022:101137. [DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2022.101137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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8
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Mai L, Inada H, Kimura R, Kanno K, Matsuda T, Tachibana RO, Tucci V, Komaki F, Hiroi N, Osumi N. Advanced paternal age diversifies individual trajectories of vocalization patterns in neonatal mice. iScience 2022; 25:104834. [PMID: 36039363 PMCID: PMC9418688 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Infant crying is a communicative behavior impaired in neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). Because advanced paternal age is a risk factor for NDDs, we performed computational approaches to evaluate how paternal age affected vocal communication and body weight development in C57BL/6 mouse offspring from young and aged fathers. Analyses of ultrasonic vocalization (USV) consisting of syllables showed that advanced paternal age reduced the number and duration of syllables, altered the syllable composition, and caused lower body weight gain in pups. Pups born to young fathers had convergent vocal characteristics with a rich repertoire, whereas those born to aged fathers exhibited more divergent vocal patterns with limited repertoire. Additional analyses revealed that some pups from aged fathers displayed atypical USV trajectories. Thus, our study indicates that advanced paternal age has a significant effect on offspring's vocal development. Our computational analyses are effective in characterizing altered individual diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingling Mai
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Inada
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Japan.,Laboratory of Health and Sports Sciences, Division of Biomedical Engineering for Health and Welfare, Tohoku University Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
| | - Ryuichi Kimura
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Japan.,Department of Drug Discovery Medicine, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Kouta Kanno
- Faculty of Law, Economics and Humanities, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
| | - Takeru Matsuda
- Statistical Mathematics Unit, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Wako 351-0198, Japan
| | - Ryosuke O Tachibana
- Department of Life Science, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan
| | - Valter Tucci
- Genetics and Epigenetics of Behavior (GEB) Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova 16163, Italy
| | - Fumiyasu Komaki
- Department of Mathematical Informatics, Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan.,Mathematical Informatics Collaboration Unit, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Wako 351-0198, Japan
| | - Noboru Hiroi
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio 78229, USA.,Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio 78229, USA.,Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio 78229, USA
| | - Noriko Osumi
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
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Ferrero A, Rossi M. Cognitive profile and neuropsychiatric disorders in Becker muscular dystrophy: A systematic review of literature. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 137:104648. [PMID: 35367224 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Brain co-morbidities in DMD are well-documented, less is known about the cognitive, behavioral and psychosocial functioning of patients with BMD. METHODS The systematic review was carried out on two databases (Pubmed and Scopus) according to the PRISMA guidelines. We included all research articles specific to BMD written after 1995. RESULTS Studies examining neuropsychological and neurobehavioral functioning in BMD are few and have several methods limitations. BMD population is characterized by high rates of cognitive impairment, with specific involvement of different cognitive areas. Unlike DMD, verbal skills are better preserved. Neurodevelopmental and emotional/behavioral disorders have great importance in BMD, due to their high prevalence. Lack of Dp140 or Dp71 can cause intellectual disability, these isoforms are probably responsible for the other brain-related comorbidities as well. DISCUSSION The results suggest that cognitive and neuropsychiatric comorbid symptoms may affect a significant proportion of BMD patients therefore it is important to mental health and neuropsychological screening. Finding tools for an adequate assessment is a priority in order to include brain outcome measures in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Ferrero
- Department of Brain and Behavioural Sciences, Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
| | - Marta Rossi
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
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Brain Dp140 alters glutamatergic transmission and social behaviour in the mdx52 mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Prog Neurobiol 2022; 216:102288. [PMID: 35654209 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2022.102288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a muscle disorder caused by DMD mutations and is characterized by neurobehavioural comorbidities due to dystrophin deficiency in the brain. The lack of Dp140, a dystrophin short isoform, is clinically associated with intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), but its postnatal functional role is not well understood. To investigate synaptic function in the presence or absence of brain Dp140, we utilized two DMD mouse models, mdx23 and mdx52 mice, in which Dp140 is preserved or lacking, respectively. ASD-like behaviours were observed in pups and 8-week-old mdx52 mice lacking Dp140. Paired-pulse ratio of excitatory postsynaptic currents, glutamatergic vesicle number in basolateral amygdala neurons, and glutamatergic transmission in medial prefrontal cortex-basolateral amygdala projections were significantly reduced in mdx52 mice compared to those in wild-type and mdx23 mice. ASD-like behaviour and electrophysiological findings in mdx52 mice were ameliorated by restoration of Dp140 following intra-cerebroventricular injection of antisense oligonucleotide drug-induced exon 53 skipping or intra-basolateral amygdala administration of Dp140 mRNA-based drug. Our results implicate Dp140 in ASD-like behaviour via altered glutamatergic transmission in the basolateral amygdala of mdx52 mice.
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11
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Stefano MED, Ferretti V, Mozzetta C. Synaptic alterations as a neurodevelopmental trait of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Neurobiol Dis 2022; 168:105718. [PMID: 35390481 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2022.105718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Dystrophinopaties, e.g., Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), Becker muscular dystrophy and X-linked dilated cardiomyopathy are inherited neuromuscular diseases, characterized by progressive muscular degeneration, which however associate with a significant impact on general system physiology. The more severe is the pathology and its diversified manifestations, the heavier are its effects on organs, systems, and tissues other than muscles (skeletal, cardiac and smooth muscles). All dystrophinopaties are characterized by mutations in a single gene located on the X chromosome encoding dystrophin (Dp427) and its shorter isoforms, but DMD is the most devasting: muscular degenerations manifests within the first 4 years of life, progressively affecting motility and other muscular functions, and leads to a fatal outcome between the 20s and 40s. To date, after years of studies on both DMD patients and animal models of the disease, it has been clearly demonstrated that a significant percentage of DMD patients are also afflicted by cognitive, neurological, and autonomic disorders, of varying degree of severity. The anatomical correlates underlying neural functional damages are established during embryonic development and the early stages of postnatal life, when brain circuits, sensory and motor connections are still maturing. The impact of the absence of Dp427 on the development, differentiation, and consolidation of specific cerebral circuits (hippocampus, cerebellum, prefrontal cortex, amygdala) is significant, and amplified by the frequent lack of one or more of its lower molecular mass isoforms. The most relevant aspect, which characterizes DMD-associated neurological disorders, is based on morpho-functional alterations of selective synaptic connections within the affected brain areas. This pathological feature correlates neurological conditions of DMD to other severe neurological disorders, such as schizophrenia, epilepsy and autistic spectrum disorders, among others. This review discusses the organization and the role of the dystrophin-dystroglycan complex in muscles and neurons, focusing on the neurological aspect of DMD and on the most relevant morphological and functional synaptic alterations, in both central and autonomic nervous systems, described in the pathology and its animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Egle De Stefano
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; Center for Research in Neurobiology Daniel Bovet, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - Valentina Ferretti
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; Center for Research in Neurobiology Daniel Bovet, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Mozzetta
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology (IBPM), National Research Council (CNR) of Italy c/o Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
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12
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Simone M, Margari L, Pompamea F, De Giacomo A, Gabellone A, Marzulli L, Palumbi R. Autism Spectrum Disorder and Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: A Clinical Case on the Potential Role of the Dystrophin in Autism Neurobiology. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10194370. [PMID: 34640386 PMCID: PMC8509154 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10194370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
A diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder is reported in up to 19% of dystrophinopathies. However, over the last ten years, only a few papers have been published on this topic. Therefore, further studies are required to analyze this association in depth and ultimately to understand the role of the brain dystrophin isoform in the pathogenesis of ASD and other neurodevelopmental disorders. In this paper, we report a clinical case of a patient affected by ASD and Duchenne muscular dystrophy, who carries a large deletion of the dystrophin gene. Then we present a brief overview of the literature about similar cases and about the potential role of the dystrophin protein in the neurobiology of autism spectrum disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Simone
- Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology Department, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy; (M.S.); (F.P.); (A.G.); (L.M.)
| | - Lucia Margari
- Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology Department, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy; (M.S.); (F.P.); (A.G.); (L.M.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Francesco Pompamea
- Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology Department, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy; (M.S.); (F.P.); (A.G.); (L.M.)
| | - Andrea De Giacomo
- Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences, and Sensory Organs Department, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.D.G.); (R.P.)
| | - Alessandra Gabellone
- Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology Department, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy; (M.S.); (F.P.); (A.G.); (L.M.)
| | - Lucia Marzulli
- Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology Department, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy; (M.S.); (F.P.); (A.G.); (L.M.)
| | - Roberto Palumbi
- Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences, and Sensory Organs Department, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.D.G.); (R.P.)
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13
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Yang X, Guo D, Li K, Shi L. Altered postnatal developmental patterns of ultrasonic vocalizations in Dock4 knockout mice. Behav Brain Res 2021; 406:113232. [PMID: 33705839 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Ultrasonic vocalization (USV) characterization is useful for evaluating communication in mouse models of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Here, by categorizing USVs into 12 types using a comprehensive classification method, we obtained the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of USV repertoire emitted by ASD-related Dock4 knockout (KO) mice and their wild-type (WT) littermates during social isolation over early postnatal development. Notably, USVs emitted by WT pups exhibited a developmental switch from a pattern with more multiple-note calls, which have more complex acoustic structure, lower pitch and larger volume, into one with more single-note calls, which have simpler acoustic structure, higher pitch and smaller volume. Comparing with WT pups, USVs emitted by Dock4 KO pups had larger volume and consisted of more multiple-note calls with higher pitch in later developmental stage. These findings collectively reveal a developmental pattern of USV in normal mice and identified a set of alterations in Dock4 KO pups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoman Yang
- JNU-HKUST Joint Laboratory for Neuroscience and Innovative Drug Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Daji Guo
- JNU-HKUST Joint Laboratory for Neuroscience and Innovative Drug Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, China; The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, China; Clinical Neuroscience Institute of Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Keshen Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, China; Clinical Neuroscience Institute of Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Lei Shi
- JNU-HKUST Joint Laboratory for Neuroscience and Innovative Drug Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, China.
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14
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Engelbeen S, Aartsma-Rus A, Koopmans B, Loos M, van Putten M. Assessment of Behavioral Characteristics With Procedures of Minimal Human Interference in the mdx Mouse Model for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Front Behav Neurosci 2021; 14:629043. [PMID: 33551769 PMCID: PMC7855581 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2020.629043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe, progressive neuromuscular disorder caused by mutations in the DMD gene resulting in loss of functional dystrophin protein. The muscle dystrophin isoform is essential to protect muscles from contraction-induced damage. However, most dystrophin isoforms are expressed in the brain. In addition to progressive muscle weakness, many DMD patients therefore also exhibit intellectual and behavioral abnormalities. The most commonly used mouse model for DMD, the mdx mouse, lacks only the full-length dystrophin isoforms and has been extensively characterized for muscle pathology. In this study, we assessed behavioral effects of a lack of full-length dystrophins on spontaneous behavior, discrimination and reversal learning, anxiety, and short-term spatial memory and compared performance between male and female mdx mice. In contrast to our previous study using only female mdx mice, we could not reproduce the earlier observed reversal learning deficit. However, we did notice small differences in the number of visits made during the Y-maze and dark-light box. Results indicate that it is advisable to establish standard operating procedures specific to behavioral testing in mdx mice to allow the detection of the subtle phenotypic differences and to eliminate inter and intra laboratory variance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Engelbeen
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | | | | | - Maarten Loos
- Sylics (Synaptologics B.V.), Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Maaike van Putten
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
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15
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Caruso A, Ricceri L, Scattoni ML. Ultrasonic vocalizations as a fundamental tool for early and adult behavioral phenotyping of Autism Spectrum Disorder rodent models. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 116:31-43. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2020] [Revised: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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16
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Persiconi I, Cosmi F, Guadagno NA, Lupo G, De Stefano ME. Dystrophin Is Required for the Proper Timing in Retinal Histogenesis: A Thorough Investigation on the mdx Mouse Model of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:760. [PMID: 32982660 PMCID: PMC7487415 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.00760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a lethal X-linked muscular disease caused by defective expression of the cytoskeletal protein dystrophin (Dp427). Selected autonomic and central neurons, including retinal neurons, express Dp427 and/or dystrophin shorter isoforms. Because of this, DMD patients may also experience different forms of cognitive impairment, neurological and autonomic disorders, and specific visual defects. DMD-related damages to the nervous system are established during development, suggesting a role for all dystrophin isoforms in neural circuit development and differentiation; however, to date, their function in retinogenesis has never been investigated. In this large-scale study, we analyzed whether the lack of Dp427 affects late retinogenesis in the mdx mouse, the most well studied animal model of DMD. Retinal gene expression and layer maturation, as well as neural cell proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation, were evaluated in E18 and/or P0, P5, P10, and adult mice. In mdx mice, expression of Capn3, Id3 (E18-P5), and Dtnb (P5) genes, encoding proteins involved in different aspects of retina development and synaptogenesis (e.g., Calpain 3, DNA-binding protein inhibitor-3, and β-dystrobrevin, respectively), was transiently reduced compared to age-matched wild type mice. Concomitantly, a difference in the time required for the retinal ganglion cell layer to reach appropriate thickness was observed (P0–P5). Immunolabeling for specific cell markers also evidenced a significant dysregulation in the number of GABAergic amacrine cells (P5–P10), a transient decrease in the area immunopositive for the Vesicular Glutamate Transporter 1 (VGluT1) during ribbon synapse maturation (P10) and a reduction in the number of calretinin+ retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) (adults). Finally, the number of proliferating retinal progenitor cells (P5–P10) and apoptotic cells (P10) was reduced. These results support the hypothesis of a role for Dp427 during late retinogenesis different from those proposed in consolidated neural circuits. In particular, Dp427 may be involved in shaping specific steps of retina differentiation. Notably, although most of the above described quantitative alterations recover over time, the number of calretinin+ RGCs is reduced only in the mature retina. This suggests that alterations subtler than the timing of retinal maturation may occur, a hypothesis that demands further in-depth functional studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Persiconi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Francesca Cosmi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppe Lupo
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Egle De Stefano
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Center for Research in Neurobiology "Daniel Bovet", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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17
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Naidoo M, Anthony K. Dystrophin Dp71 and the Neuropathophysiology of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Mol Neurobiol 2020; 57:1748-1767. [PMID: 31836945 PMCID: PMC7060961 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-019-01845-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is caused by frameshift mutations in the DMD gene that prevent the body-wide translation of its protein product, dystrophin. Besides a severe muscle phenotype, cognitive impairment and neuropsychiatric symptoms are prevalent. Dystrophin protein 71 (Dp71) is the major DMD gene product expressed in the brain and mutations affecting its expression are associated with the DMD neuropsychiatric syndrome. As with dystrophin in muscle, Dp71 localises to dystrophin-associated protein complexes in the brain. However, unlike in skeletal muscle; in the brain, Dp71 is alternatively spliced to produce many isoforms with differential subcellular localisations and diverse cellular functions. These include neuronal differentiation, adhesion, cell division and excitatory synapse organisation as well as nuclear functions such as nuclear scaffolding and DNA repair. In this review, we first describe brain involvement in DMD and the abnormalities observed in the DMD brain. We then review the gene expression, RNA processing and functions of Dp71. We review genotype-phenotype correlations and discuss emerging cellular/tissue evidence for the involvement of Dp71 in the neuropathophysiology of DMD. The literature suggests changes observed in the DMD brain are neurodevelopmental in origin and that their risk and severity is associated with a cumulative loss of distal DMD gene products such as Dp71. The high risk of neuropsychiatric syndromes in Duchenne patients warrants early intervention to achieve the best possible quality of life. Unravelling the function and pathophysiological significance of dystrophin in the brain has become a high research priority to inform the development of brain-targeting treatments for Duchenne.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Naidoo
- Centre for Physical Activity and Life Sciences, Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology, University of Northampton, University Drive, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN1 5PH, UK
| | - Karen Anthony
- Centre for Physical Activity and Life Sciences, Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology, University of Northampton, University Drive, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN1 5PH, UK.
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18
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Stay TL, Miterko LN, Arancillo M, Lin T, Sillitoe RV. In vivo cerebellar circuit function is disrupted in an mdx mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Dis Model Mech 2019; 13:dmm040840. [PMID: 31704708 PMCID: PMC6906634 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.040840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a debilitating and ultimately lethal disease involving progressive muscle degeneration and neurological dysfunction. DMD is caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene, which result in extremely low or total loss of dystrophin protein expression. In the brain, dystrophin is heavily localized to cerebellar Purkinje cells, which control motor and non-motor functions. In vitro experiments in mouse Purkinje cells revealed that loss of dystrophin leads to low firing rates and high spiking variability. However, it is still unclear how the loss of dystrophin affects cerebellar function in the intact brain. Here, we used in vivo electrophysiology to record Purkinje cells and cerebellar nuclear neurons in awake and anesthetized female mdx (also known as Dmd) mice. Purkinje cell simple spike firing rate is significantly lower in mdx mice compared to controls. Although simple spike firing regularity is not affected, complex spike regularity is increased in mdx mutants. Mean firing rate in cerebellar nuclear neurons is not altered in mdx mice, but their local firing pattern is irregular. Based on the relatively well-preserved cytoarchitecture in the mdx cerebellum, our data suggest that faulty signals across the circuit between Purkinje cells and cerebellar nuclei drive the abnormal firing activity. The in vivo requirements of dystrophin during cerebellar circuit communication could help explain the motor and cognitive anomalies seen in individuals with DMD.This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trace L Stay
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute of Texas Children's Hospital, 1250 Moursund Street, Suite 1325, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Lauren N Miterko
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute of Texas Children's Hospital, 1250 Moursund Street, Suite 1325, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Marife Arancillo
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute of Texas Children's Hospital, 1250 Moursund Street, Suite 1325, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Tao Lin
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute of Texas Children's Hospital, 1250 Moursund Street, Suite 1325, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Roy V Sillitoe
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute of Texas Children's Hospital, 1250 Moursund Street, Suite 1325, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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19
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Martucci LL, Amar M, Chaussenot R, Benet G, Bauer O, de Zélicourt A, Nosjean A, Launay JM, Callebert J, Sebrié C, Galione A, Edeline JM, de la Porte S, Fossier P, Granon S, Vaillend C, Cancela JM. A multiscale analysis in CD38 -/- mice unveils major prefrontal cortex dysfunctions. FASEB J 2019; 33:5823-5835. [PMID: 30844310 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201800489r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by early onset of behavioral and cognitive alterations. Low plasma levels of oxytocin (OT) have also been found in ASD patients; recently, a critical role for the enzyme CD38 in the regulation of OT release was demonstrated. CD38 is important in regulating several Ca2+-dependent pathways, but beyond its role in regulating OT secretion, it is not known whether a deficit in CD38 expression leads to functional modifications of the prefrontal cortex (PFC), a structure involved in social behavior. Here, we report that CD38-/- male mice show an abnormal cortex development, an excitation-inhibition balance shifted toward a higher excitation, and impaired synaptic plasticity in the PFC such as those observed in various mouse models of ASD. We also show that a lack of CD38 alters social behavior and emotional responses. Finally, examining neuromodulators known to control behavioral flexibility, we found elevated monoamine levels in the PFC of CD38-/- adult mice. Overall, our study unveiled major changes in PFC physiologic mechanisms and provides new evidence that the CD38-/- mouse could be a relevant model to study pathophysiological brain mechanisms of mental disorders such as ASD.-Martucci, L. L., Amar, M., Chaussenot, R., Benet, G., Bauer, O., de Zélicourt, A., Nosjean, A., Launay, J.-M., Callebert, J., Sebrié, C., Galione, A., Edeline, J.-M., de la Porte, S., Fossier, P., Granon, S., Vaillend, C., Cancela, J.-M., A multiscale analysis in CD38-/- mice unveils major prefrontal cortex dysfunctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lora L Martucci
- Neuroscience Paris-Saclay Institute (Neuro-PSI), Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 9197, Paris-Sud University, Paris-Saclay University, Orsay, France.,INSERM Unité 1179, Handicap Neuromusculaire: Physiologie, Biothérapie et Pharmacologie Appliquées, Unité de Formation et de Recherche (UFR) des Sciences de la Santé Simone Veil, Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ), Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France
| | - Muriel Amar
- Neuroscience Paris-Saclay Institute (Neuro-PSI), Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 9197, Paris-Sud University, Paris-Saclay University, Orsay, France
| | - Remi Chaussenot
- Neuroscience Paris-Saclay Institute (Neuro-PSI), Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 9197, Paris-Sud University, Paris-Saclay University, Orsay, France
| | - Gabriel Benet
- Neuroscience Paris-Saclay Institute (Neuro-PSI), Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 9197, Paris-Sud University, Paris-Saclay University, Orsay, France
| | - Oscar Bauer
- Neuroscience Paris-Saclay Institute (Neuro-PSI), Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 9197, Paris-Sud University, Paris-Saclay University, Orsay, France.,Génétique Humaine et Fonctions Cognitives, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 3571, Gènes, Synapses et Cognition, CNRS, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Antoine de Zélicourt
- Neuroscience Paris-Saclay Institute (Neuro-PSI), Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 9197, Paris-Sud University, Paris-Saclay University, Orsay, France.,INSERM Unité 1179, Handicap Neuromusculaire: Physiologie, Biothérapie et Pharmacologie Appliquées, Unité de Formation et de Recherche (UFR) des Sciences de la Santé Simone Veil, Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ), Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France
| | - Anne Nosjean
- Neuroscience Paris-Saclay Institute (Neuro-PSI), Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 9197, Paris-Sud University, Paris-Saclay University, Orsay, France
| | | | | | - Catherine Sebrié
- Imagerie par Résonance Magnétique Médicale et Multimodalité (IR4M) Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 8081, Paris-Sud University, Paris-Saclay University, CNRS, Orsay, France
| | - Antony Galione
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Jean-Marc Edeline
- Neuroscience Paris-Saclay Institute (Neuro-PSI), Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 9197, Paris-Sud University, Paris-Saclay University, Orsay, France
| | - Sabine de la Porte
- INSERM Unité 1179, Handicap Neuromusculaire: Physiologie, Biothérapie et Pharmacologie Appliquées, Unité de Formation et de Recherche (UFR) des Sciences de la Santé Simone Veil, Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ), Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France
| | - Philippe Fossier
- Neuroscience Paris-Saclay Institute (Neuro-PSI), Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 9197, Paris-Sud University, Paris-Saclay University, Orsay, France
| | - Sylvie Granon
- Neuroscience Paris-Saclay Institute (Neuro-PSI), Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 9197, Paris-Sud University, Paris-Saclay University, Orsay, France
| | - Cyrille Vaillend
- Neuroscience Paris-Saclay Institute (Neuro-PSI), Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 9197, Paris-Sud University, Paris-Saclay University, Orsay, France
| | - José-Manuel Cancela
- Neuroscience Paris-Saclay Institute (Neuro-PSI), Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 9197, Paris-Sud University, Paris-Saclay University, Orsay, France
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20
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Identifying Genomic Variations in Monozygotic Twins Discordant for Autism Spectrum Disorder Using Whole-Genome Sequencing. MOLECULAR THERAPY-NUCLEIC ACIDS 2018; 14:204-211. [PMID: 30623854 PMCID: PMC6325071 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2018.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2018] [Revised: 09/08/2018] [Accepted: 11/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) presents a set of childhood neurodevelopmental disorders with impairments in social communication and restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped patterns of behavior. Here, based on the whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data of three monozygotic twins discordant for ASD, we explored multiple patient-specific genetic variations and prioritized a list of ASD risk genes. Our results identified DVMT (discordant variation in monozygotic twin) observed in at least two twin pairs, including 14,310 SNPs, 2,425 indels, and 16,735 CNVs, referring to a total of 2,174 genes, and 37 of these were covered by all three types of variations. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis of biological processes for 2,174 genes showed that the majority of these genes were related to neurodevelopmental processes. In addition, functional network analysis showed that there was a strong functional relevance between 37 genes covered by all three types of variations. In conclusion, for the first time, we conducted a comprehensive scan of genomic differences between monozygotic twins discordant for ASD, providing researchers with in-depth directions. It may also provide effective strategies for clinical treatment of individuals affected by ASD.
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21
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Examining the Reversibility of Long-Term Behavioral Disruptions in Progeny of Maternal SSRI Exposure. eNeuro 2018; 5:eN-NWR-0120-18. [PMID: 30073191 PMCID: PMC6071194 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0120-18.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Revised: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 06/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Serotonergic dysregulation is implicated in numerous psychiatric disorders. Serotonin plays widespread trophic roles during neurodevelopment; thus perturbations to this system during development may increase risk for neurodevelopmental disorders. Epidemiological studies have examined association between selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) treatment during pregnancy and increased autism spectrum disorder (ASD) risk in offspring. It is unclear from these studies whether ASD susceptibility is purely related to maternal psychiatric diagnosis, or if treatment poses additional risk. We sought to determine whether maternal SSRI treatment alone or in combination with genetically vulnerable background was sufficient to induce offspring behavior disruptions relevant to ASD. We exposed C57BL/6J or Celf6+/- mouse dams to fluoxetine (FLX) during different periods of gestation and lactation and characterized offspring on tasks assessing social communicative interaction and repetitive behavior patterns including sensory sensitivities. We demonstrate robust reductions in pup ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) and alterations in social hierarchy behaviors, as well as perseverative behaviors and tactile hypersensitivity. Celf6 mutant mice demonstrate social communicative deficits and perseverative behaviors, without further interaction with FLX. FLX re-exposure in adulthood ameliorates the tactile hypersensitivity yet exacerbates the dominance phenotype. This suggests acute deficiencies in serotonin levels likely underlie the abnormal responses to sensory stimuli, while the social alterations are instead due to altered development of social circuits. These findings indicate maternal FLX treatment, independent of maternal stress, can induce behavioral disruptions in mammalian offspring, thus contributing to our understanding of the developmental role of the serotonin system and the possible risks to offspring of SSRI treatment during pregnancy.
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22
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Kogelman B, Khmelinskii A, Verhaart I, van Vliet L, Bink DI, Aartsma-Rus A, van Putten M, van der Weerd L. Influence of full-length dystrophin on brain volumes in mouse models of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0194636. [PMID: 29601589 PMCID: PMC5877835 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0194636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2017] [Accepted: 03/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) affects besides muscle also the brain, resulting in memory and behavioral problems. The consequences of dystrophinopathy on gross macroscopic alterations are unclear. To elucidate the effect of full-length dystrophin expression on brain morphology, we used high-resolution post-mortem MRI in mouse models that either express 0% (mdx), 100% (BL10) or a low amount of full-length dystrophin (mdx-XistΔhs). While absence or low amounts of full-length dystrophin did not significantly affect whole brain volume and skull morphology, we found differences in volume of individual brain structures. The results are in line with observations in humans, where whole brain volume was found to be reduced only in patients lacking both full-length dystrophin and the shorter isoform Dp140.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bauke Kogelman
- Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Artem Khmelinskii
- Division of Image Processing, Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Percuros B.V., Enschede, the Netherlands
| | - Ingrid Verhaart
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Laura van Vliet
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Diewertje I. Bink
- Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Pathology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Annemieke Aartsma-Rus
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Maaike van Putten
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Louise van der Weerd
- Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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23
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Scattoni ML, Michetti C, Ricceri L. Rodent Vocalization Studies in Animal Models of the Autism Spectrum Disorder. HANDBOOK OF ULTRASONIC VOCALIZATION - A WINDOW INTO THE EMOTIONAL BRAIN 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-809600-0.00042-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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Relizani K, Griffith G, Echevarría L, Zarrouki F, Facchinetti P, Vaillend C, Leumann C, Garcia L, Goyenvalle A. Efficacy and Safety Profile of Tricyclo-DNA Antisense Oligonucleotides in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Mouse Model. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2017; 8:144-157. [PMID: 28918017 PMCID: PMC5498286 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2017.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2017] [Revised: 06/16/2017] [Accepted: 06/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Antisense oligonucleotides (AONs) hold promise for therapeutic splice-switching correction in many genetic diseases. However, despite advances in AON chemistry and design, systemic use of AONs is limited due to poor tissue uptake and sufficient therapeutic efficacy is still difficult to achieve. A novel class of AONs made of tricyclo-DNA (tcDNA) is considered very promising for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a neuromuscular disease typically caused by frameshifting deletions or nonsense mutations in the gene-encoding dystrophin and characterized by progressive muscle weakness, cardiomyopathy, and respiratory failure in addition to cognitive impairment. Herein, we report the efficacy and toxicology profile of a 13-mer tcDNA in mdx mice. We show that systemic delivery of 13-mer tcDNA allows restoration of dystrophin in skeletal muscles and to a lower extent in the brain, leading to muscle function improvement and correction of behavioral features linked to the emotional/cognitive deficiency. More importantly, tcDNA treatment was generally limited to minimal glomerular changes and few cell necroses in proximal tubules, with only slight variation in serum and urinary kidney toxicity biomarker levels. These results demonstrate an encouraging safety profile for tcDNA, albeit typical of phosphorothiate AONs, and confirm its therapeutic potential for the systemic treatment of DMD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karima Relizani
- Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin en Yvelines, U1179 INSERM, UFR des Sciences de la Santé, 78180 Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France; SQY Therapeutics, UFR des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin en Yvelines, 78180 Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France
| | - Graziella Griffith
- Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin en Yvelines, U1179 INSERM, UFR des Sciences de la Santé, 78180 Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France; SQY Therapeutics, UFR des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin en Yvelines, 78180 Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France
| | - Lucía Echevarría
- Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin en Yvelines, U1179 INSERM, UFR des Sciences de la Santé, 78180 Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France
| | - Faouzi Zarrouki
- Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin en Yvelines, U1179 INSERM, UFR des Sciences de la Santé, 78180 Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France; Neuro-PSI, UMR 9197, Université Paris Sud, CNRS, Université Paris Saclay, 91405 Orsay, France
| | - Patricia Facchinetti
- Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin en Yvelines, U1179 INSERM, UFR des Sciences de la Santé, 78180 Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France
| | - Cyrille Vaillend
- Neuro-PSI, UMR 9197, Université Paris Sud, CNRS, Université Paris Saclay, 91405 Orsay, France
| | - Christian Leumann
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Luis Garcia
- Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin en Yvelines, U1179 INSERM, UFR des Sciences de la Santé, 78180 Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France.
| | - Aurélie Goyenvalle
- Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin en Yvelines, U1179 INSERM, UFR des Sciences de la Santé, 78180 Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France.
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25
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Alexander MS, Gasperini MJ, Tsai PT, Gibbs DE, Spinazzola JM, Marshall JL, Feyder MJ, Pletcher MT, Chekler ELP, Morris CA, Sahin M, Harms JF, Schmidt CJ, Kleiman RJ, Kunkel LM. Reversal of neurobehavioral social deficits in dystrophic mice using inhibitors of phosphodiesterases PDE5A and PDE9A. Transl Psychiatry 2016; 6:e901. [PMID: 27676442 PMCID: PMC5048211 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2016.174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2016] [Accepted: 07/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is caused by mutations in the DYSTROPHIN gene. Although primarily associated with muscle wasting, a significant portion of patients (approximately 25%) are also diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. We describe social behavioral deficits in dystrophin-deficient mice and present evidence of cerebellar deficits in cGMP production. We demonstrate therapeutic potential for selective inhibitors of the cGMP-specific PDE5A and PDE9A enzymes to restore social behaviors in dystrophin-deficient mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- M S Alexander
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Departments of Pediatrics and Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- The Stem Cell Program, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - M J Gasperini
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - P T Tsai
- The F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Translational Neuroscience Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - D E Gibbs
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - J M Spinazzola
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Departments of Pediatrics and Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - J L Marshall
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - M J Feyder
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - M T Pletcher
- Rare Disease Research Unit, Pfizer, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - E L P Chekler
- Rare Disease Research Unit, Pfizer, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - C A Morris
- Rare Disease Research Unit, Pfizer, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - M Sahin
- The F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Translational Neuroscience Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - J F Harms
- Neuroscience Research Unit, Pfizer Global Research and Development, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - C J Schmidt
- Neuroscience Research Unit, Pfizer Global Research and Development, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - R J Kleiman
- The F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Translational Neuroscience Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - L M Kunkel
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Departments of Pediatrics and Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- The Stem Cell Program, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- The Manton Center for Orphan Diseases, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
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26
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Dwyer CA, Esko JD. Glycan susceptibility factors in autism spectrum disorders. Mol Aspects Med 2016; 51:104-14. [PMID: 27418189 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2016.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2016] [Accepted: 07/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Idiopathic autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are neurodevelopmental disorders with unknown etiology. An estimated 1:68 children in the U.S. are diagnosed with ASDs, making these disorders a substantial public health issue. Recent advances in genome sequencing have identified numerous genetic variants across the ASD patient population. Many genetic variants identified occur in genes that encode glycosylated extracellular proteins (proteoglycans or glycoproteins) or enzymes involved in glycosylation (glycosyltransferases and sulfotransferases). It remains unknown whether "glycogene" variants cause changes in glycosylation and whether they contribute to the etiology and pathogenesis of ASDs. Insights into glycan susceptibility factors are provided by studies in the normal brain and congenital disorders of glycosylation, which are often accompanied by ASD-like behaviors. The purpose of this review is to present evidence that supports a contribution of extracellular glycans and glycoconjugates to the etiology and pathogenesis of idiopathic ASDs and other types of pervasive neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chrissa A Dwyer
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Glycobiology Research and Training Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Jeffrey D Esko
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Glycobiology Research and Training Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
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