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Annevelink CE, Westra J, Sala-Vila A, Harris WS, Tintle NL, Shearer GC. A Genome-Wide Interaction Study of Erythrocyte ω-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Species and Memory in the Framingham Heart Study Offspring Cohort. J Nutr 2024; 154:1640-1651. [PMID: 38141771 DOI: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2023.12.035] [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: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cognitive decline, and more specifically Alzheimer's disease, continues to increase in prevalence globally, with few, if any, adequate preventative approaches. Several tests of cognition are utilized in the diagnosis of cognitive decline that assess executive function, short- and long-term memory, cognitive flexibility, and speech and motor control. Recent studies have separately investigated the genetic component of both cognitive health, using these measures, and circulating fatty acids. OBJECTIVES We aimed to examine the potential moderating effect of main species of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on an individual's genetically conferred risk of cognitive decline. METHODS The Offspring cohort from the Framingham Heart Study was cross-sectionally analyzed in this genome-wide interaction study (GWIS). Our sample included all individuals with red blood cell ω-3 PUFA, genetic, cognitive testing (via Trail Making Tests [TMTs]), and covariate data (N = 1620). We used linear mixed effects models to predict each of the 3 cognitive measures (TMT A, TMT B, and TMT D) by each ω-3 PUFA, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (0, 1, or 2 minor alleles), ω-3 PUFA by SNP interaction term, and adjusting for sex, age, education, APOE ε4 genotype status, and kinship (relatedness). RESULTS Our analysis identified 31 unique SNPs from 24 genes reaching an exploratory significance threshold of 1×10-5. Fourteen of the 24 genes have been previously associated with the brain/cognition, and 5 genes have been previously associated with circulating lipids. Importantly, 8 of the genes we identified, DAB1, SORCS2, SERINC5, OSBPL3, CPA6, DLG2, MUC19, and RGMA, have been associated with both cognition and circulating lipids. We identified 22 unique SNPs for which individuals with the minor alleles benefit substantially from increased ω-3 fatty acid concentrations and 9 unique SNPs for which the common homozygote benefits. CONCLUSIONS In this GWIS of ω-3 PUFA species on cognitive outcomes, we identified 8 unique genes with plausible biology suggesting individuals with specific polymorphisms may have greater potential to benefit from increased ω-3 PUFA intake. Additional replication in prospective settings with more diverse samples is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen E Annevelink
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Jason Westra
- Fatty Acid Research Institute (FARI), Sioux Falls, SD, United States
| | - Aleix Sala-Vila
- Fatty Acid Research Institute (FARI), Sioux Falls, SD, United States; Cardiovascular Risk and Nutrition, Hospital del Mar Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - William S Harris
- Fatty Acid Research Institute (FARI), Sioux Falls, SD, United States; Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Sioux Falls, SD, United States
| | - Nathan L Tintle
- Fatty Acid Research Institute (FARI), Sioux Falls, SD, United States; Department of Population Health Nursing Science, College of Nursing, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Gregory C Shearer
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States.
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Choi EJ, Vandewouw MM, Taylor MJ, Stevenson RA, Arnold PD, Brian J, Crosbie J, Kelley E, Liu X, Jones J, Lai MC, Schachar RJ, Lerch JP, Anagnostou E. Dorsal Striatal Functional Connectivity and Repetitive Behavior Dimensions in Children and Youths With Neurodevelopmental Disorders. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY. COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2024; 9:387-397. [PMID: 38000717 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2023.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Impairing repetitive behaviors are one of the core diagnostic symptoms in autism spectrum disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder, but they also manifest in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Although the dorsal striatal circuit has been implicated in repetitive behaviors, extensive heterogeneity in and cross-diagnostic manifestations of these behaviors have suggested phenotypic and likely neurobiological heterogeneity across neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). METHODS Intrinsic dorsal striatal functional connectivity was examined in 3 NDDs (autism spectrum disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) and typically developing control participants in a large single-cohort sample (N = 412). To learn how diagnostic labels and overlapping behaviors manifest in dorsal striatal functional connectivity measured with functional magnetic resonance imaging, the main and interaction effects of diagnosis and behavior were examined in 8 models (2 seed functional connectivity [caudate and putamen] × 4 sub-behavioral domains [sameness/ritualistic, self-injury, stereotypy, and compulsions]). RESULTS The obsessive-compulsive disorder group demonstrated distinctive patterns in visual and visuomotor coordination regions compared with the other diagnostic groups. Lower-order repetitive behaviors (self-injury and stereotypy) manifesting across all participants were implicated in regions involved in motor and cognitive control, although the findings did not survive effects of multiple comparisons, suggesting heterogeneity in these behavioral domains. An interaction between self-injurious behavior and an attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder diagnosis were observed on caudate-cerebellum functional connectivity. CONCLUSIONS These findings confirmed high heterogeneity and overlapping behavioral manifestations in NDDs and their complex underlying neural mechanisms. A call for diagnosis-free symptom measures that can capture not only observable symptoms and severity across NDDs but also the underlying functions and motivations of such behaviors across diagnoses is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun Jung Choi
- Autism Research Centre, Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Neurosciences & Mental Health, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Marlee M Vandewouw
- Autism Research Centre, Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Neurosciences & Mental Health, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Diagnostic Imaging, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Margot J Taylor
- Neurosciences & Mental Health, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Diagnostic Imaging, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Departments of Psychology and Medical Imaging, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ryan A Stevenson
- Department of Psychology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Brain and Mind Institute, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Paul D Arnold
- Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research & Education, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jessica Brian
- Autism Research Centre, Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jennifer Crosbie
- Neurosciences & Mental Health, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Elizabeth Kelley
- Department of Psychology and Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queens' University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Xudong Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jessica Jones
- Department of Psychiatry, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Meng-Chuan Lai
- Neurosciences & Mental Health, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; The Margaret and Wallace McCain Centre for Child, Youth & Family Mental Health, Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre, and Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Department of Psychiatry, National Taiwan University Hospital and College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Russell J Schachar
- Neurosciences & Mental Health, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jason P Lerch
- Mouse Imaging Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Evdokia Anagnostou
- Autism Research Centre, Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Neurosciences & Mental Health, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Chen Y, Karaca E, Robin NH, Goodloe D, Al-Beshri A, Dean SJ, Hurst ACE, Carroll AJ, Mikhail FM. DLG2 intragenic exonic deletions reinforce the link to neurodevelopmental disorders and suggest a potential association with congenital anomalies and dysmorphism. Genet Med 2024; 26:101010. [PMID: 37860969 DOI: 10.1016/j.gim.2023.101010] [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: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Multiple studies suggest an association between DLG2 and neurodevelopmental disorders and indicate the haploinsufficiency of this gene; however, few cases have been thoroughly described. We performed additional studies to confirm this clinical association and DLG2 haploinsufficiency. METHODS Chromosomal microarray analysis was performed on 11,107 patients at the Cytogenetics Laboratory at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. The Database of Genomic Variants-Gold Standard Variants and the Genome Aggregation Database were selected for the association analysis. Fifty-nine patients from the literature and DECIPHER, all having DLG2 intragenic deletions, were included for comprehensive analysis of the distribution of these deletions. RESULTS A total of 13 patients with DLG2 intragenic deletions, from 10 families in our cohort, were identified. Nine of 10 probands presented with clinical features of neurodevelopmental disorders. Congenital anomalies and dysmorphism were common in our cohort of patients. Association analysis showed that the frequency of DLG2 deletions in our cohort is significantly higher than those in the Database of Genomic Variants-Gold Standard Variants and the Genome Aggregation Database. Most of DLG2 intragenic deletions identified in 69 unrelated patients from our cohort, the literature, and DECIPHER map to the 5' region of the gene, with a hotspot centered around HPin7, exon 8, and HPin8. CONCLUSION Our findings reinforce the link between DLG2 intragenic deletions and neurodevelopmental disorders, strongly support the haploinsufficiency of this gene, and indicate that these deletions might also have an association with congenital anomalies and dysmorphism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunjia Chen
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - Ender Karaca
- Department of Pathology, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX; Texas A&M School of Medicine, Dallas, TX
| | - Nathaniel H Robin
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - Dana Goodloe
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - Ali Al-Beshri
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - S Joy Dean
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - Anna C E Hurst
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - Andrew J Carroll
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - Fady M Mikhail
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL.
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Mu K, Fu J, Gai J, Ravichandran H, Zheng L, Sun WC. Genetic alterations in the neuronal development genes are associated with changes of the tumor immune microenvironment in pancreatic cancer. ANNALS OF PANCREATIC CANCER 2023; 6:10.21037/apc-23-13. [PMID: 38495381 PMCID: PMC10942730 DOI: 10.21037/apc-23-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Background Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has a poor prognosis and is highly metastatic. Our prior studies have demonstrated the critical role of axon guidance pathway genes in PDAC and the connection between neuronal development and the tumor microenvironment. A recent study newly identified 20 neuronal development genes [disks large homolog 2 (DLG2), neuron-glial-related cell adhesion molecule (NRCAM), neurexin3 (NRXN3), mitogen-activated protein kinase 10 (MAPK10), platelet-derived growth factor D (PDGFD), protein kinase C epsilon (PRKCE), potassium calcium-activated channel subfamily M alpha 1 (KCNMA1), polycystic kidney and hepatic disease 1 (PKHD1), neural cell adhesion molecule 1 (NCAM1), neuregulin-1 (NRG1), zinc finger protein 667 (ZNF667), cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), acyl-CoA medium-chain synthetase-3 (ACSM3), complement 6 (C6), protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type M (PTPRM), hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF1A), adenylyl cyclase 5 (ADCY5), adherens junctions-associated protein 1 (AJAP1), neurobeachin (NBEA), sodium voltage-gated channel alpha subunit 9 (SCN9A)] that are associated with perineural invasion and poor prognosis of PDAC. The relationship between genetic alterations in these 20 genes and tumor immune microenvironment (TME) has not previously been investigated. Methods We hence applied the sequential multiplex immunohistochemistry results of biopsy specimens from 63 PDAC patients to investigate this relationship. Results We found that, except for PTPRM and NBEA, genetic alterations involving these 20 genes are associated with significant changes in the densities of major immune cell subtypes. Except for AJAP1, the copy number loss involving this panel of neuronal development genes is significantly associated with changes in immune cell infiltrates. In contrast, the copy number gain in fewer genes, including NRXN3, ZNF667, ACSM3, C6, ADCY5, SCN9A, and PRKCE, is significantly associated with changes in immune cell infiltrates. Conclusions Our study suggested that neuronal development genes play a role in modulating TME in a pancreatic cancer setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaiyi Mu
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Pancreatic Cancer Precision Medicine Center of Excellence Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Juan Fu
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Pancreatic Cancer Precision Medicine Center of Excellence Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jessica Gai
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Pancreatic Cancer Precision Medicine Center of Excellence Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Harshitha Ravichandran
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Pancreatic Cancer Precision Medicine Center of Excellence Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Lei Zheng
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Pancreatic Cancer Precision Medicine Center of Excellence Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Wei-Chih Sun
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Pancreatic Cancer Precision Medicine Center of Excellence Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Dunn PJ, Lea RA, Maksemous N, Smith RA, Sutherland HG, Haupt LM, Griffiths LR. Exonic mutations in cell-cell adhesion may contribute to CADASIL-related CSVD pathology. Hum Genet 2023; 142:1361-1373. [PMID: 37422595 PMCID: PMC10449969 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-023-02584-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is a condition caused by mutations in NOTCH3 and results in a phenotype characterised by recurrent strokes, vascular dementia and migraines. Whilst a genetic basis for the disease is known, the molecular mechanisms underpinning the pathology of CADASIL are still yet to be determined. Studies conducted at the Genomics Research Centre (GRC) have also identified that only 15-23% of individuals clinically suspected of CADASIL have mutations in NOTCH3. Based on this, whole exome sequencing was used to identify novel genetic variants for CADASIL-like cerebral small-vessel disease (CSVD). Analysis of functionally important variants in 50 individuals was investigated using overrepresentation tests in Gene ontology software to identify biological processes that are potentially affected in this group of patients. Further investigation of the genes in these processes was completed using the TRAPD software to identify if there is an increased number (burden) of mutations that are associated with CADASIL-like pathology. Results from this study identified that cell-cell adhesion genes were positively overrepresented in the PANTHER GO-slim database. TRAPD burden testing identified n = 15 genes that had a higher number of rare (MAF < 0.001) and predicted functionally relevant (SIFT < 0.05, PolyPhen > 0.8) mutations compared to the gnomAD v2.1.1 exome control dataset. Furthermore, these results identified ARVCF, GPR17, PTPRS, and CELSR1 as novel candidate genes in CADASIL-related pathology. This study identified a novel process that may be playing a role in the vascular damage related to CADASIL-related CSVD and implicated n = 15 genes in playing a role in the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul J Dunn
- Genomics Research Centre, Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), 60 Musk Ave, Kelvin Grove, QLD, 4059, Australia
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, 15 University Drive, Robina, Gold Coast, QLD, 4226, Australia
| | - Rodney A Lea
- Genomics Research Centre, Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), 60 Musk Ave, Kelvin Grove, QLD, 4059, Australia
| | - Neven Maksemous
- Genomics Research Centre, Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), 60 Musk Ave, Kelvin Grove, QLD, 4059, Australia
| | - Robert A Smith
- Genomics Research Centre, Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), 60 Musk Ave, Kelvin Grove, QLD, 4059, Australia
| | - Heidi G Sutherland
- Genomics Research Centre, Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), 60 Musk Ave, Kelvin Grove, QLD, 4059, Australia
| | - Larisa M Haupt
- Genomics Research Centre, Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), 60 Musk Ave, Kelvin Grove, QLD, 4059, Australia
- ARC Training Centre for Cell and Tissue Engineering Technologies, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Australia
- Max Planck Queensland Centre for the Materials Sciences of Extracellular Matrices, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Lyn R Griffiths
- Genomics Research Centre, Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), 60 Musk Ave, Kelvin Grove, QLD, 4059, Australia.
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Veneruso I, Ranieri A, Falcone N, Tripodi L, Scarano C, La Monica I, Pastore L, Lombardo B, D’Argenio V. The Potential Usefulness of the Expanded Carrier Screening to Identify Hereditary Genetic Diseases: A Case Report from Real-World Data. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1651. [PMID: 37628702 PMCID: PMC10454493 DOI: 10.3390/genes14081651] [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: 07/08/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Expanded carrier screening (ECS) means a comprehensive genetic analysis to evaluate an individual's carrier status. ECS is becoming more frequently used, thanks to the availability of techniques such as next generation sequencing (NGS) and array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH), allowing for extensive genome-scale analyses. Here, we report the case of a couple who underwent ECS for a case of autism spectrum disorder in the male partner family. aCGH and whole-exome sequencing (WES) were performed in the couple. aCGH analysis identified in the female partner two deletions involving genes associated to behavioral and neurodevelopment disorders. No clinically relevant alterations were identified in the husband. Interestingly, WES analysis identified in the male partner a pathogenic variant in the LPL gene that is emerging as a novel candidate gene for autism. This case shows that ECS may be useful in clinical contexts, especially when both the partners are analyzed before conception, thus allowing the estimation of their risk to transmit an inherited condition. On the other side, there are several concerns related to possible incidental findings and difficult-to-interpret results. Once these limits are defined by the establishment of specific guidelines, ECS may have a greater diffusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iolanda Veneruso
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore, via G. Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, Federico II University, via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Annaluisa Ranieri
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore, via G. Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy
| | - Noemi Falcone
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore, via G. Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, Federico II University, via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Lorella Tripodi
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore, via G. Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, Federico II University, via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Carmela Scarano
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore, via G. Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, Federico II University, via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Ilaria La Monica
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore, via G. Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy
| | - Lucio Pastore
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore, via G. Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, Federico II University, via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Barbara Lombardo
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore, via G. Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, Federico II University, via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Valeria D’Argenio
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore, via G. Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy
- Department of Human Sciences and Quality of Life Promotion, San Raffaele Open University, via di Val Cannuta 247, 00166 Rome, Italy
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Selection Signatures in Italian Livestock Guardian and Herding Shepherd Dogs. Vet Sci 2022; 10:vetsci10010003. [PMID: 36669004 PMCID: PMC9862740 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10010003] [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: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Livestock guardian (LGD) and herding shepherd (HSD) dogs have distinct morphological and behavioural characteristics, long selected by farmers and breeders, to accomplish different tasks. This study aimed to find the genomic regions that best differentiate and characterise Italian LGD and HSD. Genomic data of 158 dogs of four LGD and five HSD breeds, obtained with the 170K canine SNPchip, were collected. The two groups were compared using FST and XP-EHH analyses, identifying regions containing 29 genes. Moreover, 16 islands of runs of homozygosity were found in LGD, and 15 in HSD; 4 of them were partially shared. Among the genes found that better differentiated HSD and LGD, several were associated with dog domestication and behavioural aspects; particularly, MSRB3 and LLPH were linked to herding behaviour in previous studies. Others, DYSK, MAP2K5, and RYR, were related to body size and muscle development. Prick ears prevailed in sampled HSD, and drop ears in LGD; this explains the identification of WIF1 and MSRB3 genes. Unexpectedly, a number of genes were also associated with eye development and functionality. These results shed further light on the differences that human selection introduced in dogs aimed at different duties, even in a limited geographic area such as Italy.
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Kong X, Liang H, Zhou K, Wang H, Li D, Zhang S, Sun N, Gong M, Zhou Y, Zhang Q. Deciphering the Heterogeneity of the Internal Environment of Hippocampal Neurons during Maturation by Raman Spectroscopy. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:30571-30581. [PMID: 36061692 PMCID: PMC9435027 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c04188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Hippocampal neurons are sensitive to changes in the internal environment and play a significant role in controlling learning, memory, and emotions. A remarkable characteristic of the aging brain is its ability to shift from a state of normal inflammation to excessive inflammation. Various cognitive abilities of the elderly may suffer from serious harm due to the change in the neural environment. Hippocampal neurons may have various subsets involved in controlling their internal environment at different stages of development. Developmental differences may eventually result from complex changes in the dynamic neuronal system brought on by metabolic changes. In this study, we used an in vitro hippocampal neuron model cultured in C57BL/6J mice in conjugation with Raman spectroscopy to examine the relative alterations in potential biomarkers, such as levels of metabolites in the internal environment of hippocampal neurons at various developmental stages. The various differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of hippocampal neurons at various developmental stages were simultaneously screened using bioinformatics, and the biological functions as well as the various regulatory pathways of DEGs were preliminarily analyzed, providing an essential reference for investigating novel therapeutic approaches for diseases that cause cognitive impairment, such as Alzheimer's disease. A stable hippocampal neuron model was established using the GIBCO C57BL/6J hippocampal neuron cell line as a donor and in vitro hippocampal neuron culture technology. The Raman peak intensities of culture supernatants from the experimental groups incubated for 0, 7, and 14 days in vitro(DIV) were examined. The GEO database was used to screen for different DEGs associated with various developmental stages. The data was then analyzed using a statistical method called orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA). The levels of ketogenic and glycogenic amino acids (such as tryptophan, phenylalanine, and tyrosine), lipid intake rate, glucose utilization rate, and nucleic acid expression in the internal environment of hippocampal neurons were significantly different in the 14 DIV group compared to the 0 DIV and 7 DIV groups (P < 0.01). The top 10 DEGs with neuronal maturation were screened, and the results were compared to the OPLS-DA model's analysis of the differential peaks. It was found that different genes involved in maturation can directly relate to changes in the body's levels of ketogenic and glycogenic amino acids (P < 0.01). The altered expression of the maturation-related genes epidermal growth factor receptor, protein tyrosine kinase 2-beta, discs large MAGUK scaffold protein 2, and Ras protein-specific guanine nucleotide releasing factor 1 may be connected to the altered uptake of ketogenic and glycogenic amino acids and nucleic acids in the internal environment of neurons at different developmental stages. The levels of ketogenic, glycogenic amino acids, and lipid intake increased while glucose utilization decreased, which may be related to mature neurons' metabolism and energy use. The decline in nucleic acid consumption could be connected to synaptic failure. The Raman spectroscopy fingerprint results of relevant biomarkers in conjugation with multivariable analysis and biological action targets suggested by differential genes interpret the heterogeneity of the internal environment of mature hippocampal neurons in the process of maturation, open a new idea for exploring the dynamic mechanism of the exchange energy metabolism of information molecules in the internal environment of hippocampal neurons, and provide a new method for studying this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodong Kong
- Department
of Geriatrics, Tianjin Medical University
General Hospital, Tianjin Geriatrics Institute, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Haoyue Liang
- State
Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research
Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital,
Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China
| | - Kexuan Zhou
- Department
of Geriatrics, Tianjin Medical University
General Hospital, Tianjin Geriatrics Institute, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Haoyu Wang
- State
Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research
Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital,
Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China
| | - Dai Li
- Department
of Geriatrics, Tianjin Medical University
General Hospital, Tianjin Geriatrics Institute, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Shishuang Zhang
- Department
of Geriatrics, Tianjin Medical University
General Hospital, Tianjin Geriatrics Institute, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Ning Sun
- Department
of Geriatrics, Tianjin Medical University
General Hospital, Tianjin Geriatrics Institute, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Min Gong
- Department
of Pharmacy, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Yuan Zhou
- State
Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research
Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital,
Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China
| | - Qiang Zhang
- Department
of Geriatrics, Tianjin Medical University
General Hospital, Tianjin Geriatrics Institute, Tianjin 300052, China
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9
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Ma L, Wang R, Feng S, Yang X, Li J, Zhang Z, Zhan H, Wang Y, Xia Z, Wang CC, Kang L. Genomic insight into the population history and biological adaptations of high-altitude Tibetan highlanders in Nagqu. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.930840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tibetan, one of the largest indigenous populations living in the high-altitude region of the Tibetan Plateau (TP), has developed a suite of physiological adaptation strategies to cope with the extreme highland environment in TP. Here, we reported genome-wide SNP data from 48 Kham-speaking Nagqu Tibetans and analyzed it with published data from 1,067 individuals in 167 modern and ancient populations to characterize the detailed Tibetan subgroup history and population substructure. Overall, the patterns of allele sharing and haplotype sharing suggested (1) the relatively genetic homogeny between the studied Nagqu Tibetans and ancient Nepalese as well as present-day core Tibetans from Lhasa, Nagqu, and Shigatse; and (2) the close relationship between our studied Kham-speaking Nagqu Tibetans and Kham-speaking Chamdo Tibetans. The fitted qpAdm models showed that the studied Nagqu Tibetans could be fitted as having the main ancestry from late Neolithic upper Yellow River millet farmers and deeply diverged lineages from Southern East Asians (represented by Upper Paleolithic Guangxi_Longlin and Laos_Hoabinhian), and a non-neglectable western Steppe herder-related ancestry (∼3%). We further scanned the candidate genomic regions of natural selection for our newly generated Nagqu Tibetans and the published core Tibetans via FST, iHS, and XP-EHH tests. The genes overlapping with these regions were associated with essential human biological functions such as immune response, enzyme activity, signal transduction, skin development, and energy metabolism. Together, our results shed light on the admixture and evolutionary history of Nagqu Tibetan populations.
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10
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Yoo T, Joshi S, Prajapati S, Cho YS, Kim J, Park PH, Bae YC, Kim E, Kim SY. A Deficiency of the Psychiatric Risk Gene DLG2/PSD-93 Causes Excitatory Synaptic Deficits in the Dorsolateral Striatum. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:938590. [PMID: 35966008 PMCID: PMC9370999 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.938590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic variations resulting in the loss of function of the discs large homologs (DLG2)/postsynaptic density protein-93 (PSD-93) gene have been implicated in the increased risk for schizophrenia, intellectual disability, and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Previously, we have reported that mice lacking exon 14 of the Dlg2 gene (Dlg2–/– mice) display autistic-like behaviors, including social deficits and increased repetitive behaviors, as well as suppressed spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents in the striatum. However, the neural substrate underpinning such aberrant synaptic network activity remains unclear. Here, we found that the corticostriatal synaptic transmission was significantly impaired in Dlg2–/– mice, which did not seem attributed to defects in presynaptic releases of cortical neurons, but to the reduced number of functional synapses in the striatum, as manifested in the suppressed frequency of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents in spiny projection neurons (SPNs). Using transmission electron microscopy, we found that both the density of postsynaptic densities and the fraction of perforated synapses were significantly decreased in the Dlg2–/– dorsolateral striatum. The density of dendritic spines was significantly reduced in striatal SPNs, but notably, not in the cortical pyramidal neurons of Dlg2–/– mice. Furthermore, a DLG2/PSD-93 deficiency resulted in the compensatory increases of DLG4/PSD-95 and decreases in the expression of TrkA in the striatum, but not particularly in the cortex. These results suggest that striatal dysfunction might play a role in the pathology of psychiatric disorders that are associated with a disruption of the Dlg2 gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taesun Yoo
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Shambhu Joshi
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, South Korea
| | | | - Yi Sul Cho
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Dentistry, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Jinkyeong Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Pil-Hoon Park
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, South Korea
| | - Yong Chul Bae
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Dentistry, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Eunjoon Kim
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, South Korea
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Soo Young Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, South Korea
- *Correspondence: Soo Young Kim,
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11
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Differential Methylation Profile in Fragile X Syndrome-Prone Offspring Mice after in Utero Exposure to Lactobacillus Reuteri. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13081300. [PMID: 35893036 PMCID: PMC9331364 DOI: 10.3390/genes13081300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Environmental factors such as diet, gut microbiota, and infections have proven to have a significant role in epigenetic modifications. It is known that epigenetic modifications may cause behavioral and neuronal changes observed in neurodevelopmental disabilities, including fragile X syndrome (FXS) and autism (ASD). Probiotics are live microorganisms that provide health benefits when consumed, and in some cases are shown to decrease the chance of developing neurological disorders. Here, we examined the epigenetic outcomes in offspring mice after feeding of a probiotic organism, Lactobacillus reuteri (L. reuteri), to pregnant mother animals. In this study, we tested a cohort of Western diet-fed descendant mice exhibiting a high frequency of behavioral features and lower FMRP protein expression similar to what is observed in FXS in humans (described in a companion manuscript in this same GENES special topic issue). By investigating 17,735 CpG sites spanning the whole mouse genome, we characterized the epigenetic profile in two cohorts of mice descended from mothers treated and non-treated with L. reuteri to determine the effect of prenatal probiotic exposure on the prevention of FXS-like symptoms. We found several genes involved in different neurological pathways being differentially methylated (p ≤ 0.05) between the cohorts. Among the key functions, synaptogenesis, neurogenesis, synaptic modulation, synaptic transmission, reelin signaling pathway, promotion of specification and maturation of neurons, and long-term potentiation were observed. The results of this study are relevant as they could lead to a better understanding of the pathways involved in these disorders, to novel therapeutics approaches, and to the identification of potential biomarkers for early detection of these conditions.
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12
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Griesius S, O'Donnell C, Waldron S, Thomas KL, Dwyer DM, Wilkinson LS, Hall J, Robinson ESJ, Mellor JR. Reduced expression of the psychiatric risk gene DLG2 (PSD93) impairs hippocampal synaptic integration and plasticity. Neuropsychopharmacology 2022; 47:1367-1378. [PMID: 35115661 PMCID: PMC9117295 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-022-01277-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Copy number variants indicating loss of function in the DLG2 gene have been associated with markedly increased risk for schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder, and intellectual disability. DLG2 encodes the postsynaptic scaffolding protein DLG2 (PSD93) that interacts with NMDA receptors, potassium channels, and cytoskeletal regulators but the net impact of these interactions on synaptic plasticity, likely underpinning cognitive impairments associated with these conditions, remains unclear. Here, hippocampal CA1 neuronal excitability and synaptic function were investigated in a novel clinically relevant heterozygous Dlg2+/- rat model using ex vivo patch-clamp electrophysiology, pharmacology, and computational modelling. Dlg2+/- rats had reduced supra-linear dendritic integration of synaptic inputs resulting in impaired associative long-term potentiation. This impairment was not caused by a change in synaptic input since NMDA receptor-mediated synaptic currents were, conversely, increased and AMPA receptor-mediated currents were unaffected. Instead, the impairment in associative long-term potentiation resulted from an increase in potassium channel function leading to a decrease in input resistance, which reduced supra-linear dendritic integration. Enhancement of dendritic excitability by blockade of potassium channels or activation of muscarinic M1 receptors with selective allosteric agonist 77-LH-28-1 reduced the threshold for dendritic integration and 77-LH-28-1 rescued the associative long-term potentiation impairment in the Dlg2+/- rats. These findings demonstrate a biological phenotype that can be reversed by compound classes used clinically, such as muscarinic M1 receptor agonists, and is therefore a potential target for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simonas Griesius
- Centre for Synaptic Plasticity, School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, University Walk, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Cian O'Donnell
- Computational Neuroscience Unit, School of Computer Science, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and Engineering Mathematics, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1UB, UK
| | - Sophie Waldron
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK
- School of Psychology, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Kerrie L Thomas
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK
- School of Medicine, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Dominic M Dwyer
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK
- School of Psychology, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Lawrence S Wilkinson
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK
- School of Psychology, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Jeremy Hall
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK
- School of Medicine, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Emma S J Robinson
- Centre for Synaptic Plasticity, School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, University Walk, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Jack R Mellor
- Centre for Synaptic Plasticity, School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, University Walk, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK.
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13
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Bertini V, Milone R, Cristofani P, Cambi F, Bosetti C, Barbieri F, Bertelloni S, Cioni G, Valetto A, Battini R. Enhancing DLG2 Implications in Neuropsychiatric Disorders: Analysis of a Cohort of Eight Patients with 11q14.1 Imbalances. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13050859. [PMID: 35627244 PMCID: PMC9140951 DOI: 10.3390/genes13050859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are considered synaptopathies, as they are due to anomalies in neuronal connectivity during development. DLG2 is a gene involved insynaptic function; the phenotypic effect of itsalterations in NDDs has been underestimated since few cases have been thoroughly described.We report on eight patients with 11q14.1 imbalances involving DLG2, underlining its potential effects on clinical presentation and its contribution to NDD comorbidity by accurate neuropsychiatric data collection. DLG2 is a very large gene in 11q14.1, extending over 2.172 Mb, with alternative splicing that gives rise to numerous isoforms differentially expressed in brain tissues. A thorough bioinformatic analysis of the altered transcripts was conducted for each patient. The different expression profiles of the isoforms of this gene and their influence on the excitatory–inhibitory balance in crucial brain structures could contribute to the phenotypic variability related to DLG2 alterations. Further studies on patients would be helpful to enrich clinical and neurodevelopmental findings and elucidate the molecular mechanisms subtended to NDDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Bertini
- Cytogenetic Unit, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliero-Univeristaria Pisana, Via Roma 57, 56100 Pisa, Italy; (V.B.); (F.C.)
| | - Roberta Milone
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, 56125 Pisa, Italy; (R.M.); (P.C.); (C.B.); (G.C.); (R.B.)
| | - Paola Cristofani
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, 56125 Pisa, Italy; (R.M.); (P.C.); (C.B.); (G.C.); (R.B.)
| | - Francesca Cambi
- Cytogenetic Unit, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliero-Univeristaria Pisana, Via Roma 57, 56100 Pisa, Italy; (V.B.); (F.C.)
| | - Chiara Bosetti
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, 56125 Pisa, Italy; (R.M.); (P.C.); (C.B.); (G.C.); (R.B.)
| | - Filippo Barbieri
- Mental Health Department, ASL Toscana Nordovest, 56100 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Silvano Bertelloni
- Pediatric Endocrinology, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Pediatrics, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Via Roma 57, 56100 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Giovanni Cioni
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, 56125 Pisa, Italy; (R.M.); (P.C.); (C.B.); (G.C.); (R.B.)
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy
| | - Angelo Valetto
- Cytogenetic Unit, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliero-Univeristaria Pisana, Via Roma 57, 56100 Pisa, Italy; (V.B.); (F.C.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Roberta Battini
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, 56125 Pisa, Italy; (R.M.); (P.C.); (C.B.); (G.C.); (R.B.)
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy
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14
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Tian J, Gao X, Yang L. Repetitive Restricted Behaviors in Autism Spectrum Disorder: From Mechanism to Development of Therapeutics. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:780407. [PMID: 35310097 PMCID: PMC8924045 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.780407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social communication, social interaction, and repetitive restricted behaviors (RRBs). It is usually detected in early childhood. RRBs are behavioral patterns characterized by repetition, inflexibility, invariance, inappropriateness, and frequent lack of obvious function or specific purpose. To date, the classification of RRBs is contentious. Understanding the potential mechanisms of RRBs in children with ASD, such as neural connectivity disorders and abnormal immune functions, will contribute to finding new therapeutic targets. Although behavioral intervention remains the most effective and safe strategy for RRBs treatment, some promising drugs and new treatment options (e.g., supplementary and cell therapy) have shown positive effects on RRBs in recent studies. In this review, we summarize the latest advances of RRBs from mechanistic to therapeutic approaches and propose potential future directions in research on RRBs.
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15
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Butler MG, Moreno-De-Luca D, Persico AM. Actionable Genomics in Clinical Practice: Paradigmatic Case Reports of Clinical and Therapeutic Strategies Based upon Genetic Testing. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13020323. [PMID: 35205368 PMCID: PMC8872067 DOI: 10.3390/genes13020323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2021] [Revised: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In clinical settings, the information provided by genetic testing can explain the triggers and processes underlying clinical presentations, such as neurodevelopmental disorders, in up to one third of affected individuals. However, translating this knowledge into better and more personalized clinical management to many appears a distant target. This article presents three paradigmatic cases to exemplify how this translational effort can, at least in some instances, be undertaken today with very positive results: (a) a young girl carrying a chr. 16p11.2 duplication can be screened using targeted exams and undertake therapeutic/preventive interventions related to her genetic diagnosis; (b) a 13-year-old boy with intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder carries a chr. 11q14.1 deletion, partly spanning the DLG2 gene important for synaptic function, and gained over 20 I.Q. points ostensibly due to carbolithium, prescribed in the absence of affective symptoms, exclusively following the pathophysiology pointed out by the genetic results; (c) a 58-year-old woman carries a COL3A1 gene variant responsible for the vascular form of Ehler–Danlos syndrome with colon rupture. Detection of this variant in six members of her extended family allows for better clinical management of the proband and targeted genetic counselling for family members at risk of this connective tissue disorder. The unprecedented flow of genetic information available today through new technologies, if interpreted in the light of current knowledge in clinical diagnosis and care of those with connective tissue disorders and neurodevelopmental disturbances, in biology and in neuropsychopharmacology, can promote better clinical and pharmacological treatment, disease surveillance, and management provided and incorporated into the clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merlin G. Butler
- Departments of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences and Pediatrics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA;
| | - Daniel Moreno-De-Luca
- Genomic Psychiatry Consultation Service, Verrecchia Clinic for Children with Autism and Developmental Disabilities, Bradley Hospital, East Providence, RI 02915, USA;
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI 02903, USA
| | - Antonio M. Persico
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, I-41125 Modena, Italy
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Program, Modena University Hospital, I-41125 Modena, Italy
- Correspondence:
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16
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Gao WJ, Mack NR. From Hyposociability to Hypersociability-The Effects of PSD-95 Deficiency on the Dysfunctional Development of Social Behavior. Front Behav Neurosci 2021; 15:618397. [PMID: 33584217 PMCID: PMC7876227 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.618397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Abnormal social behavior, including both hypo- and hypersociability, is often observed in neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorders. However, the mechanisms associated with these two distinct social behavior abnormalities remain unknown. Postsynaptic density protein-95 (PSD-95) is a highly abundant scaffolding protein in the excitatory synapses and an essential regulator of synaptic maturation by binding to NMDA and AMPA receptors. The DLG4 gene encodes PSD-95, and it is a risk gene for hypersocial behavior. Interestingly, PSD-95 knockout mice exhibit hyposociability during adolescence but hypersociability in adulthood. The adolescent hyposociability is accompanied with an NMDAR hyperfunction in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), an essential part of the social brain for control of sociability. The maturation of mPFC development is delayed until young adults. However, how PSD-95 deficiency affects the functional maturation of mPFC and its connection with other social brain regions remains uncharacterized. It is especially unknown how PSD-95 knockout drives the switch of social behavior from hypo- to hyper-sociability during adolescent-to-adult development. We propose an NMDAR-dependent developmental switch of hypo- to hyper-sociability. PSD-95 deficiency disrupts NMDAR-mediated synaptic connectivity of mPFC and social brain during development in an age- and pathway-specific manner. By utilizing the PSD-95 deficiency mouse, the mechanisms contributing to both hypo- and hyper-sociability can be studied in the same model. This will allow us to assess both local and long-range connectivity of mPFC and examine how they are involved in the distinct impairments in social behavior and how changes in these connections may mature over time.
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17
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K369I Tau Mice Demonstrate a Shift Towards Striatal Neuron Burst Firing and Goal-directed Behaviour. Neuroscience 2020; 449:46-62. [PMID: 32949670 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.09.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Pathological forms of the microtubule-associated protein tau are involved in a large group of neurodegenerative diseases named tauopathies, including frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD-tau). K369I mutant tau transgenic mice (K3 mice) recapitulate neural and behavioural symptoms of FTLD, including tau aggregates in the cortex, alterations to nigrostriatum, memory deficits and parkinsonism. The aim of this study was to further characterise the K3 mouse model by examining functional alterations to the striatum. Whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology was used to investigate the properties of striatal neurons in K3 mice and wildtype controls. Additionally, striatal-based instrumental learning tasks were conducted to assess goal-directed versus habitual behaviours (i.e., by examining sensitivity to outcome devaluation and progressive ratios). The K3 model demonstrated significant alterations in the discharge properties of striatal neurons relative to wildtype mice, which manifested as a shift in neuronal output towards a burst firing state. K3 mice acquired goal-directed responding faster than control mice and were goal-directed at test unlike wildtype mice, which is likely to indicate reduced capacity to develop habitual behaviour. The observed pattern of behaviour in K3 mice is suggestive of deficits in dorsal lateral striatal function and this was supported by our electrophysiological findings. Thus, both the electrophysiological and behavioural alterations indicate that K3 mice have early deficits in striatal function. This finding adds to the growing literature which indicate that the striatum is impacted in tau-related neuropathies such as FTLD, and further suggests that the K3 model is a unique mouse model for investigating FTLD especially with striatal involvement.
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