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Yang Y, Wang Q, Wang C, Buxbaum J, Ionita-Laza I. KnockoffHybrid: A knockoff framework for hybrid analysis of trio and population designs in genome-wide association studies. Am J Hum Genet 2024; 111:1448-1461. [PMID: 38821058 PMCID: PMC11267528 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2024.05.003] [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: 09/10/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Both trio and population designs are popular study designs for identifying risk genetic variants in genome-wide association studies (GWASs). The trio design, as a family-based design, is robust to confounding due to population structure, whereas the population design is often more powerful due to larger sample sizes. Here, we propose KnockoffHybrid, a knockoff-based statistical method for hybrid analysis of both the trio and population designs. KnockoffHybrid provides a unified framework that brings together the advantages of both designs and produces powerful hybrid analysis while controlling the false discovery rate (FDR) in the presence of linkage disequilibrium and population structure. Furthermore, KnockoffHybrid has the flexibility to leverage different types of summary statistics for hybrid analyses, including expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) and GWAS summary statistics. We demonstrate in simulations that KnockoffHybrid offers power gains over non-hybrid methods for the trio and population designs with the same number of cases while controlling the FDR with complex correlation among variants and population structure among subjects. In hybrid analyses of three trio cohorts for autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) from the Autism Speaks MSSNG, Autism Sequencing Consortium, and Autism Genome Project with GWAS summary statistics from the iPSYCH project and eQTL summary statistics from the MetaBrain project, KnockoffHybrid outperforms conventional methods by replicating several known risk genes for ASDs and identifying additional associations with variants in other genes, including the PRAME family genes involved in axon guidance and which may act as common targets for human speech/language evolution and related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Yang
- Department of Biostatistics, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; School of Data Science, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| | - Qi Wang
- School of Data Science, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Chen Wang
- Department of Biostatistics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Joseph Buxbaum
- Departments of Psychiatry, Neuroscience, and Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Iuliana Ionita-Laza
- Department of Biostatistics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Statistics, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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Fernandes HDB, Oliveira BDS, Machado CA, Carvalho BC, de Brito Toscano EC, da Silva MCM, Vieira ÉLM, de Oliveira ACP, Teixeira AL, de Miranda AS, da Silva AM. Behavioral, neurochemical and neuroimmune features of RasGEF1b deficient mice. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2024; 129:110908. [PMID: 38048936 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2023.110908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Abstract
The factor RasGEF1b is a Ras guanine exchange factor involved in immune responses. Studies have also implicated RasGEF1b in the CNS development. It is still limited the understanding of the role of RasGEF1b in CNS functioning. Using RasGEF1b deficient mice (RasGEF1b-cKO), we investigated the impact of this gene deletion in behavior, cognition, brain neurochemistry and microglia morphology. We showed that RasGEF1b-cKO mice display spontaneous hyperlocomotion and anhedonia. RasGEF1b-cKO mice also exhibited compulsive-like behavior that was restored after acute treatment with the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) fluoxetine (5 mg/kg). A down-regulation of mRNA of dopamine receptor (Drd1, Drd2, Drd4 and Drd5) and serotonin receptor genes (5Htr1a, 5Htr1b and 5Htr1d) was observed in hippocampus of RasGEF1b-cKO mice. These mice also had reduction of Drd1 and Drd2 in prefrontal cortex and 5Htr1d in striatum. In addition, morphological alterations were observed in RasGEF1b deficient microglia along with decreased levels of hippocampal BDNF. We provided original evidence that the deletion of RasGEF1b leads to unique behavioral features, implicating this factor in CNS functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heliana de Barros Fernandes
- Laboratório de Genes Inflamatórios, Departamento de Morfologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Presidente Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, CEP: 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil; Laboratório de Neurobiologia, Departamento de Morfologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Presidente Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, CEP: 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
| | - Bruna da Silva Oliveira
- Laboratório de Neurobiologia, Departamento de Morfologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Presidente Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, CEP: 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Caroline Amaral Machado
- Laboratório de Neurobiologia, Departamento de Morfologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Presidente Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, CEP: 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Brener Cunha Carvalho
- Laboratório de Genes Inflamatórios, Departamento de Morfologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Presidente Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, CEP: 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Eliana Cristina de Brito Toscano
- Laboratório Integrado de Pesquisas em Patologia, Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Av. Eugênio do Nascimento, s/n°, Dom Bosco, CEP: 36038-330, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil
| | - Maria Carolina M da Silva
- Laboratório de Neurofarmacologia, Departamento de Fisiologia e Farmacologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Presidente Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, CEP: 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Érica Leandro Marciano Vieira
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Center of Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College Street, Toronto, ON M5T 1R8, Canada
| | - Antônio Carlos Pinheiro de Oliveira
- Laboratório de Neurofarmacologia, Departamento de Fisiologia e Farmacologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Presidente Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, CEP: 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Antônio Lúcio Teixeira
- Departament of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science McGovern School, Behavioral and Biomedical Sciences Building (BBSB), The University of Texas Health Science Center, 941 East Road, Houston, TX 77054, United States of America
| | - Aline Silva de Miranda
- Laboratório de Neurobiologia, Departamento de Morfologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Presidente Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, CEP: 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Aristóbolo Mendes da Silva
- Laboratório de Genes Inflamatórios, Departamento de Morfologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Presidente Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, CEP: 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
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Xu D, Zhi Y, Liu X, Guan L, Yu J, Zhang D, Zhang W, Wang Y, Tao W, Xu Z. WDR62-deficiency Causes Autism-like Behaviors Independent of Microcephaly in Mice. Neurosci Bull 2023; 39:1333-1347. [PMID: 36571716 PMCID: PMC10465473 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-022-00997-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain size abnormality is correlated with an increased frequency of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in offspring. Genetic analysis indicates that heterozygous mutations of the WD repeat domain 62 (WDR62) are associated with ASD. However, biological evidence is still lacking. Our study showed that Wdr62 knockout (KO) led to reduced brain size with impaired learning and memory, as well as ASD-like behaviors in mice. Interestingly, Wdr62 Nex-cKO mice (depletion of WDR62 in differentiated neurons) had a largely normal brain size but with aberrant social interactions and repetitive behaviors. WDR62 regulated dendritic spinogenesis and excitatory synaptic transmission in cortical pyramidal neurons. Finally, we revealed that retinoic acid gavages significantly alleviated ASD-like behaviors in mice with WDR62 haploinsufficiency, probably by complementing the expression of ASD and synapse-related genes. Our findings provide a new perspective on the relationship between the microcephaly gene WDR62 and ASD etiology that will benefit clinical diagnosis and intervention of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Xu
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350005, China.
| | - Yiqiang Zhi
- College of Biological Science and Engineering, Institute of Life Sciences, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350108, China
| | - Xinyi Liu
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- 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
| | - Le Guan
- Key Laboratory of Brain Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350108, China
| | - Jurui Yu
- College of Biological Science and Engineering, Institute of Life Sciences, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350108, China
| | - Dan Zhang
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- 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
| | - Weiya Zhang
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- 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
| | - Yaqing 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
| | - Wucheng Tao
- Key Laboratory of Brain Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350108, 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.
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Elgamal MA, Khodeer DM, Abdel-Wahab BA, Ibrahim IAA, Alzahrani AR, Moustafa YM, Ali AA, El-Sayed NM. Canagliflozin alleviates valproic acid-induced autism in rat pups: Role of PTEN/PDK/PPAR-γ signaling pathways. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1113966. [PMID: 36909191 PMCID: PMC9992196 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1113966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism is complex and multifactorial, and is one of the fastest growing neurodevelopmental disorders. Canagliflozin (Cana) is an antidiabetic drug that exhibits neuroprotective properties in various neurodegenerative syndromes. This study investigated the possible protective effect of Cana against the valproic acid (VPA)-induced model of autism. VPA was injected subcutaneously (SC) into rat pups at a dose of 300 mg/kg, twice daily on postnatal day-2 (PD-2) and PD-3, and once on PD-4 to induce an autism-like syndrome. Graded doses of Cana were administered (5 mg/kg, 7.5 mg/kg, and 10 mg/kg, P.O.) starting from the first day of VPA injections and continued for 21 days. At the end of the experiment, behavioral tests and histopathological alterations were assessed. In addition, the gene expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR γ), lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA), pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (PDK), cellular myeloctomatosis (c-Myc) with protein expression of glucose transporter-1 (GLUT-1), phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), and level of acetylcholine (ACh) were determined. Treatment with Cana significantly counteracted histopathological changes in the cerebellum tissues of the brain induced by VPA. Cana (5 mg/kg, 7.5 mg/kg, and 10 mg/kg) improved sociability and social preference, enhanced stereotypic behaviors, and decreased hyperlocomotion activity, in addition to its significant effect on the canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway via the downregulation of gene expression of LDHA (22%, 64%, and 73% in cerebellum tissues with 51%, 60%, and 75% in cerebrum tissues), PDK (27%, 50%, and 67% in cerebellum tissues with 34%, 66%, and 77% in cerebrum tissues), c-Myc (35%, 44%, and 72% in cerebellum tissues with 19%, 58%, and 79% in cerebrum tissues), protein expression of GLUT-1 (32%, 48%, and 49% in cerebellum tissues with 30%, 50%, and 54% in cerebrum tissues), and elevating gene expression of PPAR-γ (2, 3, and 4 folds in cerebellum tissues with 1.5, 3, and 9 folds in cerebrum tissues), protein expression of PTEN (2, 5, and 6 folds in cerebellum tissues with 6, 6, and 10 folds in cerebrum tissues), and increasing the ACh levels (4, 5, and 7 folds) in brain tissues. The current study confirmed the ameliorating effect of Cana against neurochemical and behavioral alterations in the VPA-induced model of autism in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariam A Elgamal
- Egypt Healthcare Authority, Comprehensive Health Insurance, Port-Said, Egypt
| | - Dina M Khodeer
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
| | - Basel A Abdel-Wahab
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Najran University, Najran, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ibrahim Abdel Aziz Ibrahim
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah R Alzahrani
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yasser M Moustafa
- Dean of Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo, Badr City, Egypt.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
| | - Azza A Ali
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy (Girls), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Norhan M El-Sayed
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
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Ji Q, Li SJ, Zhao JB, Xiong Y, Du XH, Wang CX, Lu LM, Tan JY, Zhu ZR. Genetic and neural mechanisms of sleep disorders in children with autism spectrum disorder: a review. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1079683. [PMID: 37200906 PMCID: PMC10185750 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1079683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The incidence of sleep disorders in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is very high. Sleep disorders can exacerbate the development of ASD and impose a heavy burden on families and society. The pathological mechanism of sleep disorders in autism is complex, but gene mutations and neural abnormalities may be involved. Methods In this review, we examined literature addressing the genetic and neural mechanisms of sleep disorders in children with ASD. The databases PubMed and Scopus were searched for eligible studies published between 2013 and 2023. Results Prolonged awakenings of children with ASD may be caused by the following processes. Mutations in the MECP2, VGAT and SLC6A1 genes can decrease GABA inhibition on neurons in the locus coeruleus, leading to hyperactivity of noradrenergic neurons and prolonged awakenings in children with ASD. Mutations in the HRH1, HRH2, and HRH3 genes heighten the expression of histamine receptors in the posterior hypothalamus, potentially intensifying histamine's ability to promote arousal. Mutations in the KCNQ3 and PCDH10 genes cause atypical modulation of amygdala impact on orexinergic neurons, potentially causing hyperexcitability of the hypothalamic orexin system. Mutations in the AHI1, ARHGEF10, UBE3A, and SLC6A3 genes affect dopamine synthesis, catabolism, and reuptake processes, which can elevate dopamine concentrations in the midbrain. Secondly, non-rapid eye movement sleep disorder is closely related to the lack of butyric acid, iron deficiency and dysfunction of the thalamic reticular nucleus induced by PTCHD1 gene alterations. Thirdly, mutations in the HTR2A, SLC6A4, MAOA, MAOB, TPH2, VMATs, SHANK3, and CADPS2 genes induce structural and functional abnormalities of the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) and amygdala, which may disturb REM sleep. In addition, the decrease in melatonin levels caused by ASMT, MTNR1A, and MTNR1B gene mutations, along with functional abnormalities of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons, may lead to abnormal sleep-wake rhythm transitions. Conclusion Our review revealed that the functional and structural abnormalities of sleep-wake related neural circuits induced by gene mutations are strongly correlated with sleep disorders in children with ASD. Exploring the neural mechanisms of sleep disorders and the underlying genetic pathology in children with ASD is significant for further studies of therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Ji
- Department of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
- College of Basic Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Si-Jia Li
- Department of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
- College of Basic Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jun-Bo Zhao
- Department of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
- College of Basic Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yun Xiong
- Department of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
- College of Basic Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiao-Hui Du
- Department of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chun-Xiang Wang
- Department of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Li-Ming Lu
- College of Educational Sciences, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jing-Yao Tan
- College of Educational Sciences, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhi-Ru Zhu
- Department of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
- *Correspondence: Zhi-Ru Zhu,
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Wang N, Lv L, Huang X, Shi M, Dai Y, Wei Y, Xu B, Fu C, Huang H, Shi H, Liu Y, Hu X, Qin D. Gene editing in monogenic autism spectrum disorder: animal models and gene therapies. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:1043018. [PMID: 36590912 PMCID: PMC9794862 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.1043018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disease, and its diagnosis is dependent on behavioral manifestation, such as impaired reciprocal social interactions, stereotyped repetitive behaviors, as well as restricted interests. However, ASD etiology has eluded researchers to date. In the past decades, based on strong genetic evidence including mutations in a single gene, gene editing technology has become an essential tool for exploring the pathogenetic mechanisms of ASD via constructing genetically modified animal models which validates the casual relationship between genetic risk factors and the development of ASD, thus contributing to developing ideal candidates for gene therapies. The present review discusses the progress in gene editing techniques and genetic research, animal models established by gene editing, as well as gene therapies in ASD. Future research should focus on improving the validity of animal models, and reliable DNA diagnostics and accurate prediction of the functional effects of the mutation will likely be equally crucial for the safe application of gene therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Longbao Lv
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Xiaoyi Huang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Mingqin Shi
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Youwu Dai
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Yuanyuan Wei
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Bonan Xu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Chenyang Fu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Haoyu Huang
- Department of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, Kunming Children’s Hospital, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Hongling Shi
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Third People’s Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Yun Liu
- Department of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, Kunming Children’s Hospital, Kunming, Yunnan, China,*Correspondence: Dongdong Qin Yun Liu Xintian Hu
| | - Xintian Hu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, China,*Correspondence: Dongdong Qin Yun Liu Xintian Hu
| | - Dongdong Qin
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, Yunnan, China,*Correspondence: Dongdong Qin Yun Liu Xintian Hu
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Goral RO, Harper KM, Bernstein BJ, Fry SA, Lamb PW, Moy SS, Cushman JD, Yakel JL. Loss of GABA co-transmission from cholinergic neurons impairs behaviors related to hippocampal, striatal, and medial prefrontal cortex functions. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:1067409. [PMID: 36505727 PMCID: PMC9730538 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.1067409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Altered signaling or function of acetylcholine (ACh) has been reported in various neurological diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Tourette syndrome, epilepsy among others. Many neurons that release ACh also co-transmit the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyrate (GABA) at synapses in the hippocampus, striatum, substantia nigra, and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Although ACh transmission is crucial for higher brain functions such as learning and memory, the role of co-transmitted GABA from ACh neurons in brain function remains unknown. Thus, the overarching goal of this study was to investigate how a systemic loss of GABA co-transmission from ACh neurons affected the behavioral performance of mice. Methods: To do this, we used a conditional knock-out mouse of the vesicular GABA transporter (vGAT) crossed with the ChAT-Cre driver line to selectively ablate GABA co-transmission at ACh synapses. In a comprehensive series of standardized behavioral assays, we compared Cre-negative control mice with Cre-positive vGAT knock-out mice of both sexes. Results: Loss of GABA co-transmission from ACh neurons did not disrupt the animal's sociability, motor skills or sensation. However, in the absence of GABA co-transmission, we found significant alterations in social, spatial and fear memory as well as a reduced reliance on striatum-dependent response strategies in a T-maze. In addition, male conditional knockout (CKO) mice showed increased locomotion. Discussion: Taken together, the loss of GABA co-transmission leads to deficits in higher brain functions and behaviors. Therefore, we propose that ACh/GABA co-transmission modulates neural circuitry involved in the affected behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. Oliver Goral
- Neurobiology Laboratory, Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Durham, NC, United States,Center on Compulsive Behaviors, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Kathryn M. Harper
- Department of Psychiatry and Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Briana J. Bernstein
- Neurobiology Laboratory, Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Durham, NC, United States,Department of Health and Human Services, Neurobehavioral Core, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Sydney A. Fry
- Neurobiology Laboratory, Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Durham, NC, United States,Department of Health and Human Services, Neurobehavioral Core, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Patricia W. Lamb
- Neurobiology Laboratory, Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Sheryl S. Moy
- Department of Psychiatry and Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Jesse D. Cushman
- Neurobiology Laboratory, Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Durham, NC, United States,Department of Health and Human Services, Neurobehavioral Core, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Jerrel L. Yakel
- Neurobiology Laboratory, Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Durham, NC, United States,*Correspondence: Jerrel L. Yakel
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Yang Y, Wang C, Liu L, Buxbaum J, He Z, Ionita-Laza I. KnockoffTrio: A knockoff framework for the identification of putative causal variants in genome-wide association studies with trio design. Am J Hum Genet 2022; 109:1761-1776. [PMID: 36150388 PMCID: PMC9606389 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2022.08.013] [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: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Family-based designs can eliminate confounding due to population substructure and can distinguish direct from indirect genetic effects, but these designs are underpowered due to limited sample sizes. Here, we propose KnockoffTrio, a statistical method to identify putative causal genetic variants for father-mother-child trio design built upon a recently developed knockoff framework in statistics. KnockoffTrio controls the false discovery rate (FDR) in the presence of arbitrary correlations among tests and is less conservative and thus more powerful than the conventional methods that control the family-wise error rate via Bonferroni correction. Furthermore, KnockoffTrio is not restricted to family-based association tests and can be used in conjunction with more powerful, potentially nonlinear models to improve the power of standard family-based tests. We show, using empirical simulations, that KnockoffTrio can prioritize causal variants over associations due to linkage disequilibrium and can provide protection against confounding due to population stratification. In applications to 14,200 trios from three study cohorts for autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), including AGP, SPARK, and SSC, we show that KnockoffTrio can identify multiple significant associations that are missed by conventional tests applied to the same data. In particular, we replicate known ASD association signals with variants in several genes such as MACROD2, NRXN1, PRKAR1B, CADM2, PCDH9, and DOCK4 and identify additional associations with variants in other genes including ARHGEF10, SLC28A1, ZNF589, and HINT1 at FDR 10%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Yang
- Department of Biostatistics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Biostatistics, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; School of Data Science, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Chen Wang
- Department of Biostatistics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Linxi Liu
- Department of Statistics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Joseph Buxbaum
- Departments of Psychiatry, Neuroscience, and Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Zihuai He
- Quantitative Sciences Unit, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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Dougnon G, Matsui H. Modelling Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Using Mice and Zebrafish. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147550. [PMID: 35886894 PMCID: PMC9319972 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are two debilitating neurodevelopmental disorders. The former is associated with social impairments whereas the latter is associated with inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. There is recent evidence that both disorders are somehow related and that genes may play a large role in these disorders. Despite mounting human and animal research, the neurological pathways underlying ASD and ADHD are still not well understood. Scientists investigate neurodevelopmental disorders by using animal models that have high similarities in genetics and behaviours with humans. Mice have been utilized in neuroscience research as an excellent animal model for a long time; however, the zebrafish has attracted much attention recently, with an increasingly large number of studies using this model. In this review, we first discuss ASD and ADHD aetiology from a general point of view to their characteristics and treatments. We also compare mice and zebrafish for their similarities and discuss their advantages and limitations in neuroscience. Finally, we summarize the most recent and existing research on zebrafish and mouse models of ASD and ADHD. We believe that this review will serve as a unique document providing interesting information to date about these models, thus facilitating research on ASD and ADHD.
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10
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Choi M, Ko SY, Seo JY, Kim DG, Lee H, Chung H, Son H. Autistic-like social deficits in hippocampal MeCP2 knockdown rat models are rescued by ketamine. BMB Rep 2022. [PMID: 35410641 PMCID: PMC9152577 DOI: 10.5483/bmbrep.2022.55.5.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a behavioral syndrome characterized by persistent deficits in social interaction, and repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. The gene encoding Methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) is one of a few exceptional genes of established causal effect in ASD. Although genetically engineered mice studies may shed light on how MeCP2 loss affects synaptic activity patterns across the whole brain, such studies are not considered practical in ASD patients due to the overall level of impairment, and are technically challenging in mice. For the first time, we show that hippo-campal MeCP2 knockdown produces behavioral abnormalities associated with autism-like traits in rats, providing a new strategy to investigate the efficacy of therapeutics in ASD. Ketamine, an N-Methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) blocker, has been proposed as a possible treatment for autism. Using the MeCP2 knockdown rats in conjunction with a rat model of valproic acid (VPA)-induced ASD, we examined gene expression and ASD behaviors upon ketamine treatment. We report that the core symptoms of autism in MeCP2 knockdown rats with social impairment recovered dramatically following a single treatment with ketamine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miyeon Choi
- Hanyang Biomedical Research Institute, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea
| | - Seung Yeon Ko
- Hanyang Biomedical Research Institute, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea
| | - Jee Young Seo
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea
| | - Do Gyeong Kim
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea
| | - Huiju Lee
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea
| | - Heekyoung Chung
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea
| | - Hyeon Son
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea
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11
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Xu S, Jiang M, Liu X, Sun Y, Yang L, Yang Q, Bai Z. Neural Circuits for Social Interactions: From Microcircuits to Input-Output Circuits. Front Neural Circuits 2021; 15:768294. [PMID: 34776877 PMCID: PMC8585935 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2021.768294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Social behaviors entail responses to social information and requires the perception and integration of social cues through a complex cognition process that involves attention, memory, motivation, and emotion. Neurobiological and molecular mechanisms underlying social behavior are highly conserved across species, and inter- and intra-specific variability observed in social behavior can be explained to large extent by differential activity of a conserved neural network. However, neural microcircuits and precise networks involved in social behavior remain mysterious. In this review, we summarize the microcircuits and input-output circuits on the molecular, cellular, and network levels of different social interactions, such as social exploration, social hierarchy, social memory, and social preference. This review provides a broad view of how multiple microcircuits and input-output circuits converge on the medial prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and amygdala to regulate complex social behaviors, as well as a potential novel view for better control over pathological development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sen Xu
- Shaanxi Engineering and Technological Research Center for Conversation and Utilization of Regional Biological Resources, College of Life Sciences and Research Center for Resource Peptide Drugs, Yanan University, Yanan, China
| | - Ming Jiang
- Shaanxi Engineering and Technological Research Center for Conversation and Utilization of Regional Biological Resources, College of Life Sciences and Research Center for Resource Peptide Drugs, Yanan University, Yanan, China
| | - Xia Liu
- Shaanxi Engineering and Technological Research Center for Conversation and Utilization of Regional Biological Resources, College of Life Sciences and Research Center for Resource Peptide Drugs, Yanan University, Yanan, China
| | - Yahan Sun
- Shaanxi Engineering and Technological Research Center for Conversation and Utilization of Regional Biological Resources, College of Life Sciences and Research Center for Resource Peptide Drugs, Yanan University, Yanan, China
| | - Liang Yang
- Shaanxi Engineering and Technological Research Center for Conversation and Utilization of Regional Biological Resources, College of Life Sciences and Research Center for Resource Peptide Drugs, Yanan University, Yanan, China
| | - Qinghu Yang
- Shaanxi Engineering and Technological Research Center for Conversation and Utilization of Regional Biological Resources, College of Life Sciences and Research Center for Resource Peptide Drugs, Yanan University, Yanan, China
| | - Zhantao Bai
- Shaanxi Engineering and Technological Research Center for Conversation and Utilization of Regional Biological Resources, College of Life Sciences and Research Center for Resource Peptide Drugs, Yanan University, Yanan, China
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12
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Bee S, Ringland A, Coutellier L. Social impairments in mice lacking the voltage-gated potassium channel Kv3.1. Behav Brain Res 2021; 413:113468. [PMID: 34274375 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Parvalbumin (PV)-expressing neurons have been implicated in the pathology of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Loss of PV expression and/or reduced number of PV-expressing neurons have been reported not only in genetic and environmental rodent models of ASD, but also in post-mortem analyses of brain tissues from ASD vs. healthy control human subjects. PV-expressing neurons play a pivotal role in the maintenance of the balance between excitation and inhibition within neural circuits in part because of their fast-spiking properties. Their high firing rate is mostly regulated by the voltage-gated potassium channel Kv3.1. It is yet unknown whether disturbances in the electrophysiological properties of PV-expressing neurons per se can lead to behavioral disturbances. We assessed locomotor activity, social interaction, recognition and memory, and stereotypic behaviors in Kv3.1 wild-type (WT) and knockout (KO) mice. We then used Western Blot analyses to measure the impact of Kv3.1 deficiency on markers of GABA transmission (PV and GAD67) and neural circuit activity (Egr1). Deficiency in Kv3.1 channel is sufficient to induce social deficits, hyperactivity and stereotypic behaviors. These behavioral changes were independent of changes in GAD67 levels and associated with increased levels of PV protein in the prefrontal cortex and striatum. These findings reveal that a loss of PV expression is not a necessary factor to induce an ASD-like phenotype in mice and support the need for further investigation to fully understand the contribution of PV-expressing neurons to ASD pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Bee
- Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, United States
| | - Amanda Ringland
- Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, United States
| | - Laurence Coutellier
- Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, United States; Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, United States.
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13
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Hao D, Li Y, Chen L, Wang X, Wang M, Yu Y. Inherited unbalanced translocation (4p16.3p15.32 duplication/8p23.3p23.2deletion) in the four generation pedigree with intellectual disability/developmental delay. Mol Cytogenet 2021; 14:35. [PMID: 34238319 PMCID: PMC8268195 DOI: 10.1186/s13039-021-00552-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Chromosomal copy number variants (CNVs) are an important cause of congenital malformations and mental retardation. This study reported a large Chinese pedigree (4-generation, 76 members) with mental retardation caused by chromosome microduplication/microdeletion. There were 10 affected individuals with intellectual disability (ID), developmental delay (DD), and language delay phenotypes. SNP array analysis was performed in the proband and eight patients and found all of them had a microduplication of chromosome 4p16.3p15.2 and a microdeletion of chromosome 8p23.3p23.2. The high-resolution karyotyping analysis of the proband had unbalanced karyotype [46, XY, der(8)t(4;8)(p15.2;p23.1)mat], his mother had balanced karyotype [46, XX, t(4;8) (p15.2;p23.1)], whereas his father had normal karyotype [46,XY]. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis further confirmed that the proband’s mother had a balanced translocation between the short arm terminal segment of chromosome 4 and the short arm end segment of chromosome 8, ish t(4;8)(8p + ,4q + ;4p + ,8q +). In conclusion, all the patients inherited chromosomes 8 with 4p16.3p15.2 duplication and 8p23.3p23.2 deletion from their parental balanced translocation, which might be the cause of the prevalence of intellectual disability. Meanwhile, 8p23.3p23.2 deletion, rather than 4p16.3p15.2 duplication might cause a more severe clinical syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongmei Hao
- Department of Reproductive Medicine Center, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110016, People's Republic of China.,General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Postgraduate Training Base of Jinzhou Medical University, No. 83. Wenhua Road, Shenhe District, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110016, People's Republic of China
| | - Yajuan Li
- General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Postgraduate Training Base of Jinzhou Medical University, No. 83. Wenhua Road, Shenhe District, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110016, People's Republic of China
| | - Lisha Chen
- Department of Reproductive Medicine Center, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110016, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiliang Wang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine Center, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110016, People's Republic of China
| | - Mengxing Wang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine Center, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110016, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuexin Yu
- Department of Reproductive Medicine Center, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110016, People's Republic of China. .,General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Postgraduate Training Base of Jinzhou Medical University, No. 83. Wenhua Road, Shenhe District, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110016, People's Republic of China.
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14
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Park G, Ryu C, Kim S, Jeong SJ, Koo JW, Lee YS, Kim SJ. Social isolation impairs the prefrontal-nucleus accumbens circuit subserving social recognition in mice. Cell Rep 2021; 35:109104. [PMID: 33979617 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2020] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Although medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is known to play important roles in social behaviors, how early social experiences affect the mPFC and its subcortical circuit remains unclear. We report that mice singly housed (SH) for 8 weeks after weaning show a social recognition deficit, even after 4 weeks of resocialization. In SH mice, prefrontal infralimbic (IL) neurons projecting to the shell region of nucleus accumbens (NAcSh) show decreased excitability compared with group-housed (GH) mice. NAcSh-projecting IL neurons are activated when GH mice encounter a familiar conspecific, which is not observed in SH mice. Chemogenetic inhibition of NAcSh-projecting IL neurons in normal mice impairs social recognition without affecting social preference, whereas activation of these neurons reverses social recognition deficit in SH mice. Our findings demonstrate that early social experience critically affects mPFC IL-NAcSh projection, the activation of which is required for social recognition by encoding information for social familiarity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaeun Park
- Department of Physiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
| | - Changhyeon Ryu
- Department of Physiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea; Neuroscience Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
| | - Soobin Kim
- Department of Physiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
| | - Se Jin Jeong
- Emotion, Cognition & Behavior Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu 41062, Korea
| | - Ja Wook Koo
- Emotion, Cognition & Behavior Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu 41062, Korea; Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu 42988, Korea
| | - Yong-Seok Lee
- Department of Physiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea; Neuroscience Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea.
| | - Sang Jeong Kim
- Department of Physiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea; Neuroscience Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea.
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15
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Catusi I, Garzo M, Capra AP, Briuglia S, Baldo C, Canevini MP, Cantone R, Elia F, Forzano F, Galesi O, Grosso E, Malacarne M, Peron A, Romano C, Saccani M, Larizza L, Recalcati MP. 8p23.2-pter Microdeletions: Seven New Cases Narrowing the Candidate Region and Review of the Literature. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12050652. [PMID: 33925474 PMCID: PMC8146486 DOI: 10.3390/genes12050652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
To date only five patients with 8p23.2-pter microdeletions manifesting a mild-to-moderate cognitive impairment and/or developmental delay, dysmorphisms and neurobehavioral issues were reported. The smallest microdeletion described by Wu in 2010 suggested a critical region (CR) of 2.1 Mb including several genes, out of which FBXO25, DLGAP2, CLN8, ARHGEF10 and MYOM2 are the main candidates. Here we present seven additional patients with 8p23.2-pter microdeletions, ranging from 71.79 kb to 4.55 Mb. The review of five previously reported and nine Decipher patients confirmed the association of the CR with a variable clinical phenotype characterized by intellectual disability/developmental delay, including language and speech delay and/or motor impairment, behavioral anomalies, autism spectrum disorder, dysmorphisms, microcephaly, fingers/toes anomalies and epilepsy. Genotype analysis allowed to narrow down the 8p23.3 candidate region which includes only DLGAP2, CLN8 and ARHGEF10 genes, accounting for the main signs of the broad clinical phenotype associated to 8p23.2-pter microdeletions. This region is more restricted compared to the previously proposed CR. Overall, our data favor the hypothesis that DLGAP2 is the actual strongest candidate for neurodevelopmental/behavioral phenotypes. Additional patients will be necessary to validate the pathogenic role of DLGAP2 and better define how the two contiguous genes, ARHGEF10 and CLN8, might contribute to the clinical phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Catusi
- Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Laboratory of Medical Cytogenetics and Molecular Genetics, 20145 Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Garzo
- Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Laboratory of Medical Cytogenetics and Molecular Genetics, 20145 Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Paola Capra
- Department of Biomedical, Dental, Morphological and Functional Imaging Sciences, University of Messina, 98100 Messina, Italy
| | - Silvana Briuglia
- Department of Biomedical, Dental, Morphological and Functional Imaging Sciences, University of Messina, 98100 Messina, Italy
| | - Chiara Baldo
- UOC Laboratorio di Genetica Umana, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Maria Paola Canevini
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit-Epilepsy Center, Department of Health Sciences, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, San Paolo Hospital, Università Degli Studi di Milano, 20142 Milan, Italy
| | - Rachele Cantone
- Medical Genetics Unit, Città della Salute e della Scienza University Hospital, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Flaviana Elia
- Unit of Psychology, Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, 94018 Troina, Italy
| | - Francesca Forzano
- Clinical Genetics Department, Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Ornella Galesi
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, 94018 Troina, Italy
| | - Enrico Grosso
- Medical Genetics Unit, Città della Salute e della Scienza University Hospital, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Michela Malacarne
- UOC Laboratorio di Genetica Umana, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Angela Peron
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit-Epilepsy Center, Department of Health Sciences, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, San Paolo Hospital, Università Degli Studi di Milano, 20142 Milan, Italy
- Human Pathology and Medical Genetics, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, San Paolo Hospital, 20142 Milan, Italy
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
| | - Corrado Romano
- Unit of Pediatrics and Medical Genetics, Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, 94018 Troina, Italy
| | - Monica Saccani
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit-Epilepsy Center, Department of Health Sciences, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, San Paolo Hospital, Università Degli Studi di Milano, 20142 Milan, Italy
| | - Lidia Larizza
- Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Laboratory of Medical Cytogenetics and Molecular Genetics, 20145 Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Paola Recalcati
- Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Laboratory of Medical Cytogenetics and Molecular Genetics, 20145 Milan, Italy
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16
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Wu CC, Shields JN, Akemann C, Meyer DN, Connell M, Baker BB, Pitts DK, Baker TR. The phenotypic and transcriptomic effects of developmental exposure to nanomolar levels of estrone and bisphenol A in zebrafish. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 757:143736. [PMID: 33243503 PMCID: PMC7790172 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
Estrone and BPA are two endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that are predicted to be less potent than estrogens such as 17β-estradiol and 17α-ethinylestradiol. Human exposure concentrations to estrone and BPA can be as low as nanomolar levels. However, very few toxicological studies have focused on the nanomolar-dose effects. Low level of EDCs can potentially cause non-monotonic responses. In addition, exposures at different developmental stages can lead to different health outcomes. To identify the nanomolar-dose effects of estrone and BPA, we used zebrafish modeling to study the phenotypic and transcriptomic responses after extended duration exposure from 0 to 5 days post-fertilization (dpf) and short-term exposure at days 4-5 post fertilization. We found that non-monotonic transcriptomic responses occurred after extended duration exposures at 1 nM of estrone or BPA. At this level, estrone also caused hypoactivity locomotive behavior in zebrafish. After both extended duration and short-term exposures, BPA led to more apparent phenotypic responses, i.e. skeletal abnormalities and locomotion changes, and more significant transcriptomic responses than estrone exposure. After short-term exposure, BPA at concentrations equal or above 100 nM affected locomotive behavior and changed the expression of both estrogenic and non-estrogenic genes that are linked to neurological diseases. These data provide gaps of mechanisms between neurological genes expression and associated phenotypic response due to estrone or BPA exposures. This study also provides insights for assessing the acceptable concentration of BPA and estrone in aquatic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Chen Wu
- Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Wayne State University, 6135 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | - Jeremiah N Shields
- Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Wayne State University, 6135 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | - Camille Akemann
- Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Wayne State University, 6135 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Wayne State University, 540 E Canfield, Detroit, MI 28201, USA
| | - Danielle N Meyer
- Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Wayne State University, 6135 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Wayne State University, 540 E Canfield, Detroit, MI 28201, USA
| | - Mackenzie Connell
- Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Wayne State University, 6135 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | - Bridget B Baker
- Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Wayne State University, 6135 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | - David K Pitts
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Tracie R Baker
- Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Wayne State University, 6135 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Wayne State University, 540 E Canfield, Detroit, MI 28201, USA.
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17
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Haratizadeh S, Parvan M, Mohammadi S, Shabani M, Nozari M. An overview of modeling and behavioral assessment of autism in the rodent. Int J Dev Neurosci 2021; 81:221-228. [PMID: 33570815 DOI: 10.1002/jdn.10096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 01/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) are common neurodevelopmental disorders with a growing incidence that generally present in the first 3 years of life. Behavioral symptoms, including impaired social interaction and increased repetitive or stereotypic movements, are hallmark characteristics of autism. Animal models are research tools used to study the biology of the disease and to develop new therapeutic approaches. The complexity of the etiology of autism makes it challenging to develop a comprehensive animal model that accurately mimics different clinical aspects of autism. Here, we reviewed the literature on modeling and behavioral assessment of autism in the rodent, and focused on ASD behavioral phenotypes that can be modeled in rodents. These animal models can be effective in gaining a better understanding of the pathophysiology of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Haratizadeh
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Afzalipour School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Mahdieh Parvan
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Afzalipour School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Somayeh Mohammadi
- Student Research Committee, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Mohammad Shabani
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Masoumeh Nozari
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Afzalipour School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.,Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
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18
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Tanioka D, Chikahisa S, Shimizu N, Shiuchi T, Sakai N, Nishino S, Séi H. Intracranial mast cells contribute to the control of social behavior in male mice. Behav Brain Res 2021; 403:113143. [PMID: 33516739 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Mast cells (MCs) exist intracranially and have been reported to affect higher brain functions in rodents. However, the role of MCs in the regulation of emotionality and social behavior is unclear. In the present study, using male mice, we examined the relationship between MCs and social behavior and investigated the underlying mechanisms. Wild-type male mice intraventricularly injected with a degranulator of MCs exhibited a marked increase in a three-chamber sociability test. In addition, removal of MCs in Mast cell-specific Toxin Receptor-mediated Conditional cell Knock out (Mas-TRECK) male mice showed reduced social preference levels in a three-chamber sociability test without other behavioral changes, such as anxiety-like and depression-like behavior. Mas-TRECK male mice also had reduced serotonin content and serotonin receptor expression and increased oxytocin receptor expression in the brain. These results suggested that MCs may contribute to the regulation of social behavior in male mice. This effect may be partially mediated by serotonin derived from MCs in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Tanioka
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Sachiko Chikahisa
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan.
| | - Noriyuki Shimizu
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Shiuchi
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Noriaki Sakai
- Sleep & Circadian Neurobiology Laboratory, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, United States
| | - Seiji Nishino
- Sleep & Circadian Neurobiology Laboratory, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, United States
| | - Hiroyoshi Séi
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan
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19
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Rho GTPase Regulators and Effectors in Autism Spectrum Disorders: Animal Models and Insights for Therapeutics. Cells 2020; 9:cells9040835. [PMID: 32244264 PMCID: PMC7226772 DOI: 10.3390/cells9040835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Revised: 03/22/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The Rho family GTPases are small G proteins that act as molecular switches shuttling between active and inactive forms. Rho GTPases are regulated by two classes of regulatory proteins, guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) and GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs). Rho GTPases transduce the upstream signals to downstream effectors, thus regulating diverse cellular processes, such as growth, migration, adhesion, and differentiation. In particular, Rho GTPases play essential roles in regulating neuronal morphology and function. Recent evidence suggests that dysfunction of Rho GTPase signaling contributes substantially to the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It has been found that 20 genes encoding Rho GTPase regulators and effectors are listed as ASD risk genes by Simons foundation autism research initiative (SFARI). This review summarizes the clinical evidence, protein structure, and protein expression pattern of these 20 genes. Moreover, ASD-related behavioral phenotypes in animal models of these genes are reviewed, and the therapeutic approaches that show successful treatment effects in these animal models are discussed.
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Böck J, Remmele CW, Dittrich M, Müller T, Kondova I, Persengiev S, Bontrop RE, Ade CP, Kraus TFJ, Giese A, El Hajj N, Schneider E, Haaf T. Cell Type and Species-specific Patterns in Neuronal and Non-neuronal Methylomes of Human and Chimpanzee Cortices. Cereb Cortex 2019; 28:3724-3739. [PMID: 30085031 PMCID: PMC6132288 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhy180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2018] [Accepted: 07/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic changes have likely contributed to the large size and enhanced cognitive abilities of the human brain which evolved within the last 2 million years after the human–chimpanzee split. Using reduced representation bisulfite sequencing, we have compared the methylomes of neuronal and non-neuronal cells from 3 human and 3 chimpanzee cortices. Differentially methylated regions (DMRs) with genome-wide significance were enriched in specific genomic regions. Intraspecific methylation differences between neuronal and non-neuronal cells were approximately 3 times more abundant than interspecific methylation differences between human and chimpanzee cell types. The vast majority (>90%) of human intraspecific DMRs (including DMRs in retrotransposons) were hypomethylated in neurons, compared with glia. Intraspecific DMRs were enriched in genes associated with different neuropsychiatric disorders. Interspecific DMRs were enriched in genes showing human-specific brain histone modifications. Human–chimpanzee methylation differences were much more frequent in non-neuronal cells (n. DMRs = 666) than in neurons (n. DMRs = 96). More than 95% of interspecific DMRs in glia were hypermethylated in humans. Although without an outgroup we cannot assign whether a change in methylation occurred in the human or chimpanzee lineage, our results are consistent with a wave of methylation affecting several hundred non-neuronal genes during human brain evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Böck
- Institute of Human Genetics, Julius Maximilians University Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Christian W Remmele
- Department of Bioinformatics, Julius Maximilians University Würzburg, Würzburg Germany
| | - Marcus Dittrich
- Institute of Human Genetics, Julius Maximilians University Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.,Department of Bioinformatics, Julius Maximilians University Würzburg, Würzburg Germany
| | - Tobias Müller
- Department of Bioinformatics, Julius Maximilians University Würzburg, Würzburg Germany
| | - Ivanela Kondova
- Biomedical Primate Research Center, 2288 GJ Rijswijk, The Netherlands
| | | | - Ronald E Bontrop
- Biomedical Primate Research Center, 2288 GJ Rijswijk, The Netherlands
| | - Carsten P Ade
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Julius Maximilians University Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Theo F J Kraus
- Center for Neuropathology and Prion Research, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Armin Giese
- Center for Neuropathology and Prion Research, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Nady El Hajj
- Institute of Human Genetics, Julius Maximilians University Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Eberhard Schneider
- Institute of Human Genetics, Julius Maximilians University Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Haaf
- Institute of Human Genetics, Julius Maximilians University Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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Blázquez G, Castañé A, Saavedra A, Masana M, Alberch J, Pérez-Navarro E. Social Memory and Social Patterns Alterations in the Absence of STriatal-Enriched Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase. Front Behav Neurosci 2019; 12:317. [PMID: 30760987 PMCID: PMC6362413 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2018] [Accepted: 12/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
STriatal-Enriched protein tyrosine Phosphatase (STEP) is a neural-specific protein that opposes the development of synaptic strengthening and whose levels are altered in several neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders. Since STEP is expressed in brain regions implicated in social behavior, namely the striatum, the CA2 region of the hippocampus, cortex and amygdala, here we investigated whether social memory and social patterns were altered in STEP knockout (KO) mice. Our data robustly demonstrated that STEP KO mice presented specific social memory impairment as indicated by the three-chamber sociability test, the social discrimination test, the 11-trial habituation/dishabituation social recognition test, and the novel object recognition test (NORT). This affectation was not related to deficiencies in the detection of social olfactory cues, altered sociability or anxiety levels. However, STEP KO mice showed lower exploratory activity, reduced interaction time with an intruder, less dominant behavior and higher immobility time in the tail suspension test than controls, suggesting alterations in motivation. Moreover, the extracellular levels of dopamine (DA), but not serotonin (5-HT), were increased in the dorsal striatum of STEP KO mice. Overall, our results indicate that STEP deficiency disrupts social memory and other social behaviors as well as DA homeostasis in the dorsal striatum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gloria Blázquez
- Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna Castañé
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Neurochemistry and Neuropharmacology, CSIC-Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques de Barcelona (IIBB), Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ana Saavedra
- Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mercè Masana
- Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Alberch
- Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Esther Pérez-Navarro
- Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Barcelona, Spain
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