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Zabegalov KN, Costa FV, Kolesnikova TO, de Abreu MS, Petersen EV, Yenkoyan KB, Kalueff AV. Can we gain translational insights into the functional roles of cerebral cortex from acortical rodent and naturally acortical zebrafish models? Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2024; 132:110964. [PMID: 38354895 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2024.110964] [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: 11/12/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Cerebral cortex is found only in mammals and is particularly prominent and developed in humans. Various rodent models with fully or partially ablated cortex are commonly used to probe the role of cortex in brain functions and its multiple subcortical projections, including pallium, thalamus and the limbic system. Various rodent models are traditionally used to study the role of cortex in brain functions. A small teleost fish, the zebrafish (Danio rerio), has gained popularity in neuroscience research, and albeit (like other fishes) lacking cortex, its brain performs well some key functions (e.g., memory, consciousness and motivation) with complex, context-specific and well-defined behaviors. Can rodent and zebrafish models help generate insights into the role of cortex in brain functions, and dissect its cortex-specific (vs. non-cortical) functions? To address this conceptual question, here we evaluate brain functionality in intact vs. decorticated rodents and further compare it in the zebrafish, a naturally occurring acortical species. Overall, comparing cortical and acortical rodent models with naturally acortical zebrafish reveals both distinct and overlapping contributions of neocortex and 'precortical' zebrafish telencephalic regions to higher brain functions. Albeit morphologically different, mammalian neocortex and fish pallium may possess more functional similarities than it is presently recognized, calling for further integrative research utilizing both cortical and decorticated/acortical vertebrate model organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantin N Zabegalov
- Neurobiology Program, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi, Russia; National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan; Life Improvement by Future Technologies (LIFT) Center, LLC, Moscow, Russia
| | - Fabiano V Costa
- Neurobiology Program, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi, Russia
| | | | | | | | - Konstantin B Yenkoyan
- Neuroscience Laboratory, COBRAIN Center, Yerevan State Medical University named after M. Heratsi, Yerevan, Armenia; Department of Biochemistry, Yerevan State Medical University named after M. Heratsi, Yerevan, Armenia.
| | - Allan V Kalueff
- Neurobiology Program, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi, Russia; Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia; Institute of Experimental Medicine, Almazov National Medical Research Centre, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, St. Petersburg, Russia.
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Müller TE, Dos Santos MM, Ferreira SA, Claro MT, de Macedo GT, Fontana BD, Barbosa NV. Negative impacts of social isolation on behavior and neuronal functions are recovered after short-term social reintroduction in zebrafish. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2024; 134:111038. [PMID: 38810717 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2024.111038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Recently, social isolation measures were crucial to prevent the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. However, the lack of social interactions affected the population mental health and may have long-term consequences on behavior and brain functions. Here, we evaluated the behavioral, physiological, and molecular effects of a social isolation (SI) in adult zebrafish, and whether the animals recover such changes after their reintroduction to the social environment. Fish were submitted to 12 days of SI, and then reintroduced to social context (SR). Behavioral analyses to evaluate locomotion, anxiety-like and social-related behaviors were performed after SI protocol, and 3 and 6 days after SR. Cortisol and transcript levels from genes involved in neuronal homeostasis (c-fos, egr, bdnf), and serotonergic (5-HT) and dopaminergic (DA) neurotransmission (thp, th) were also measured. SI altered social behaviors in zebrafish such as aggression, social preference, and shoaling. Fish submitted to SI also presented changes in the transcript levels of genes related to neural activity, and 5-HT/DA signaling. Interestingly, most of the behavioral and molecular changes induced by SI were not found again 6 days after SR. Thus, we highlight that SR of zebrafish to their conspecifics played a positive role in social behaviors and in the expression of genes involved in different neuronal signaling pathways that were altered after 12 days of SI. This study brings unprecedented data on the effects of SR in the recovery from SI neurobehavioral alterations, and reinforces the role of zebrafish as a translational model for understanding the neurobiological mechanisms adjacent to SI and resocialization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Talise E Müller
- Laboratory of Toxicological Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center of Natural and Exact Sciences, Federal University of Santa Maria. 1000 Roraima Avenue, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil.; Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Toxicological Biochemistry, Federal University of Santa Maria. 1000 Roraima Avenue, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil..
| | - Matheus M Dos Santos
- Laboratory of Toxicological Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center of Natural and Exact Sciences, Federal University of Santa Maria. 1000 Roraima Avenue, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil.; Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Toxicological Biochemistry, Federal University of Santa Maria. 1000 Roraima Avenue, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Sabrina A Ferreira
- Laboratory of Toxicological Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center of Natural and Exact Sciences, Federal University of Santa Maria. 1000 Roraima Avenue, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil.; Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Toxicological Biochemistry, Federal University of Santa Maria. 1000 Roraima Avenue, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Mariana T Claro
- Laboratory of Toxicological Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center of Natural and Exact Sciences, Federal University of Santa Maria. 1000 Roraima Avenue, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil.; Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Toxicological Biochemistry, Federal University of Santa Maria. 1000 Roraima Avenue, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Gabriel T de Macedo
- Laboratory of Toxicological Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center of Natural and Exact Sciences, Federal University of Santa Maria. 1000 Roraima Avenue, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil.; Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Toxicological Biochemistry, Federal University of Santa Maria. 1000 Roraima Avenue, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Barbara D Fontana
- Department of Biological Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | - Nilda V Barbosa
- Laboratory of Toxicological Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center of Natural and Exact Sciences, Federal University of Santa Maria. 1000 Roraima Avenue, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil.; Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Toxicological Biochemistry, Federal University of Santa Maria. 1000 Roraima Avenue, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil..
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Wang M, Luo J, Dai L, Feng M, Cao X, Zhang J, Wan Y, Yang X, Wang Y. Foxp2 deficiency impairs reproduction by modulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in zebrafish†. Biol Reprod 2024; 110:908-923. [PMID: 38288660 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioae019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
FOXP2 was initially characterized as a transcription factor linked to speech and language disorders. Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals that Foxp2 is enriched in the gonadotrope cluster of the pituitary gland and colocalized with the hormones LHB and FSHB in chickens and mice, implying that FOXP2 might be associated with reproduction in vertebrates. Herein, we investigated the roles of foxp2 in reproduction in a Foxp2-deficient zebrafish model. The results indicated that the loss of Foxp2 inhibits courtship behavior in adult male zebrafish. Notably, Foxp2 deficiency disrupts gonad development, leading to retardation of follicle development and a decrease in oocytes in females at the full-growth stage, among other phenotypes. The transcriptome analysis (RNA-seq) also revealed that differentially expressed genes clustered into the estrogen signaling and ovarian steroidogenesis-related signaling pathways. In addition, we found that Foxp2 deficiency could modulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, especially the regulation of lhb and fshb expression, in zebrafish. In contrast, the injection of human chorionic gonadotropin, a specific LH agonist, partially rescues Foxp2-impaired reproduction in zebrafish, suggesting that Foxp2 plays an important role in the regulation of reproduction via the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in zebrafish. Thus, our findings reveal a new role for Foxp2 in the regulation of reproduction in vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya Wang
- Key Laboratory of Bioresources and Eco-environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Juanjuan Luo
- Key Laboratory of Bioresources and Eco-environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Lu Dai
- Key Laboratory of Bioresources and Eco-environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Meilan Feng
- Key Laboratory of Bioresources and Eco-environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaoqian Cao
- Key Laboratory of Bioresources and Eco-environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiannan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Bioresources and Eco-environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yiping Wan
- Key Laboratory of Bioresources and Eco-environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaojun Yang
- Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Yajun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Bioresources and Eco-environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Muscò A, Martini D, Digregorio M, Broccoli V, Andreazzoli M. Shedding a Light on Dark Genes: A Comparative Expression Study of PRR12 Orthologues during Zebrafish Development. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:492. [PMID: 38674426 PMCID: PMC11050278 DOI: 10.3390/genes15040492] [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: 03/16/2024] [Revised: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Haploinsufficiency of the PRR12 gene is implicated in a human neuro-ocular syndrome. Although identified as a nuclear protein highly expressed in the embryonic mouse brain, PRR12 molecular function remains elusive. This study explores the spatio-temporal expression of zebrafish PRR12 co-orthologs, prr12a and prr12b, as a first step to elucidate their function. In silico analysis reveals high evolutionary conservation in the DNA-interacting domains for both orthologs, with significant syntenic conservation observed for the prr12b locus. In situ hybridization and RT-qPCR analyses on zebrafish embryos and larvae reveal distinct expression patterns: prr12a is expressed early in zygotic development, mainly in the central nervous system, while prr12b expression initiates during gastrulation, localizing later to dopaminergic telencephalic and diencephalic cell clusters. Both transcripts are enriched in the ganglion cell and inner neural layers of the 72 hpf retina, with prr12b widely distributed in the ciliary marginal zone. In the adult brain, prr12a and prr12b are found in the cerebellum, amygdala and ventral telencephalon, which represent the main areas affected in autistic patients. Overall, this study suggests PRR12's potential involvement in eye and brain development, laying the groundwork for further investigations into PRR12-related neurobehavioral disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Muscò
- Cell and Developmental Biology Unit, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy (D.M.)
| | - Davide Martini
- Cell and Developmental Biology Unit, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy (D.M.)
| | - Matteo Digregorio
- Cell and Developmental Biology Unit, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy (D.M.)
| | - Vania Broccoli
- Stem Cell and Neurogenesis Unit, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
- CNR Institute of Neuroscience, 20132 Milan, Italy
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Kim TY, Roychaudhury A, Kim HT, Choi TI, Baek ST, Thyme SB, Kim CH. Impairments of cerebellar structure and function in a zebrafish KO of neuropsychiatric risk gene znf536. Transl Psychiatry 2024; 14:82. [PMID: 38331943 PMCID: PMC10853220 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-024-02806-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Genetic variants in ZNF536 contribute to the risk for neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, autism, and others. The role of this putative transcriptional repressor in brain development and function is, however, largely unknown. We generated znf536 knockout (KO) zebrafish and studied their behavior, brain anatomy, and brain function. Larval KO zebrafish showed a reduced ability to compete for food, resulting in decreased total body length and size. This phenotype can be rescued by segregating the homozygous KO larvae from their wild-type and heterozygous siblings, enabling studies of adult homozygous KO animals. In adult KO zebrafish, we observed significant reductions in anxiety-like behavior and social interaction. These znf536 KO zebrafish have decreased cerebellar volume, corresponding to decreased populations of specific neuronal cells, especially in the valvular cerebelli (Va). Finally, using a Tg[mbp:mgfp] line, we identified a previously undetected myelin structure located bilaterally within the Va, which also displayed a reduction in volume and disorganization in KO zebrafish. These findings indicate an important role for ZNF536 in brain development and implicate the cerebellum in the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tae-Yoon Kim
- Department of Biology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 34134, South Korea
| | | | - Hyun-Taek Kim
- Soonchunhyang Institute of Medi-bio Science (SIMS), Soonchunhyang University, Cheonan, 31151, South Korea
| | - Tae-Ik Choi
- Department of Biology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 34134, South Korea
| | - Seung Tae Baek
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, South Korea
| | - Summer B Thyme
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
| | - Cheol-Hee Kim
- Department of Biology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 34134, South Korea.
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Matsushima T, Izumi T, Vallortigara G. The domestic chick as an animal model of autism spectrum disorder: building adaptive social perceptions through prenatally formed predispositions. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1279947. [PMID: 38356650 PMCID: PMC10864568 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1279947] [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: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Equipped with an early social predisposition immediately post-birth, humans typically form associations with mothers and other family members through exposure learning, canalized by a prenatally formed predisposition of visual preference to biological motion, face configuration, and other cues of animacy. If impaired, reduced preferences can lead to social interaction impairments such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) via misguided canalization. Despite being taxonomically distant, domestic chicks could also follow a homologous developmental trajectory toward adaptive socialization through imprinting, which is guided via predisposed preferences similar to those of humans, thereby suggesting that chicks are a valid animal model of ASD. In addition to the phenotypic similarities in predisposition with human newborns, accumulating evidence on the responsible molecular mechanisms suggests the construct validity of the chick model. Considering the recent progress in the evo-devo studies in vertebrates, we reviewed the advantages and limitations of the chick model of developmental mental diseases in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshiya Matsushima
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science, Health Science University of Hokkaido, Tobetsu, Japan
- Centre for Mind/Brain Sciences, University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy
| | - Takeshi Izumi
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science, Health Science University of Hokkaido, Tobetsu, Japan
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Sun Y, Wang X, Zhou S, Zhou Y, Hua J, Guo Y, Wang Y, Zhang W, Yang L, Zhou B. Evaluation and Mechanistic Study of Transgenerational Neurotoxicity in Zebrafish upon Life Cycle Exposure to Decabromodiphenyl Ethane (DBDPE). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:16811-16822. [PMID: 37880149 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c04578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
The novel brominated flame retardant decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE) has become a ubiquitous emerging pollutant in the environment, which may evoke imperceptible effects in humans or wild animals. Hence in this study, zebrafish embryos were exposed to DBDPE (0, 0.1, 1, and 10 nM) until sexual maturity (F0), and F1 and F2 generations were cultured without further exposure to study the multi- and transgenerational toxicity and underlying mechanism. The growth showed sex-different changing profiles across three generations, and the social behavior confirmed transgenerational neurotoxicity in adult zebrafish upon life cycle exposure to DBDPE. Furthermore, maternal transfer of DBDPE was not detected, whereas parental transfer of neurotransmitters to zygotes was specifically disturbed in F1 and F2 offspring. A lack of changes in the F1 generation and opposite changing trends in the F0 and F2 generations were observed in a series of indicators for DNA damage, DNA methylation, and gene transcription. Taken together, life cycle exposure to DBDPE at environmentally relevant concentrations could induce transgenerational neurotoxicity in zebrafish. Our findings also highlighted potential impacts on wild gregarious fish, which would face higher risks from predators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumiao Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiaochen Wang
- Ecology and Environment Monitoring and Scientific Research Center, Ecology and Environment Administration of Yangtze River Basin, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Wuhan 430010, China
| | - Shanqi Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Risk Assessment and Control on Chemical Process, School of Resource and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yuxi Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jianghuan Hua
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Yongyong Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Yan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Risk Assessment and Control on Chemical Process, School of Resource and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Lihua Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Bingsheng Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
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Maslov GO, Zabegalov KN, Demin KA, Kolesnikova TO, Kositsyn YM, de Abreu MS, Petersen EV, Kalueff AV. Towards experimental models of delirium utilizing zebrafish. Behav Brain Res 2023; 453:114607. [PMID: 37524203 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114607] [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: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
Delirium is an acute neuropsychiatric condition characterized by impaired behavior and cognition. Although the syndrome has been known for millennia, its CNS mechanisms and risk factors remain poorly understood. Experimental animal models, especially rodent-based, are commonly used to probe various pathogenetic aspects of delirium. Complementing rodents, the zebrafish (Danio rerio) emerges as a promising novel model organism to study delirium. Zebrafish demonstrate high genetic and physiological homology to mammals, easy maintenance, robust behaviors in various sensitive behavioral tests, and the potential to screen for pharmacological agents relevant to delirium. Here, we critically discuss recent developments in the field, and emphasize the developing utility of zebrafish models for translational studies of delirium and deliriant drugs. Overall, the zebrafish represents a valuable and promising aquatic model species whose use may help understand delirium etiology, as well as develop novel therapies for this severely debilitating disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gleb O Maslov
- Neurobiology Program, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi, Russia; Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, Russia
| | | | - Konstantin A Demin
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, Almazov National Medical Research Centre, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, St. Petersburg, Russia; Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Tatiana O Kolesnikova
- Neurobiology Program, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi, Russia; Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Yuriy M Kositsyn
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Murilo S de Abreu
- Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology and Neurobiology, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Moscow, Russia.
| | - Elena V Petersen
- Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology and Neurobiology, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Allan V Kalueff
- Neurobiology Program, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi, Russia; Institute of Experimental Medicine, Almazov National Medical Research Centre, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, St. Petersburg, Russia; Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia; Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, Russia; Laboratory of Preclinical Bioscreening, Granov Russian Research Center of Radiology and Surgical Technologies, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, Pesochny, Russia; Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, Russia.
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Kareklas K, Teles MC, Nunes AR, Oliveira RF. Social zebrafish: Danio rerio as an emerging model in social neuroendocrinology. J Neuroendocrinol 2023; 35:e13280. [PMID: 37165563 DOI: 10.1111/jne.13280] [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: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
The fitness benefits of social life depend on the ability of animals to affiliate with others and form groups, on dominance hierarchies within groups that determine resource distribution, and on cognitive capacities for recognition, learning and information transfer. The evolution of these phenotypes is coupled with that of neuroendocrine mechanisms, but the causal link between the two remains underexplored. Growing evidence from our research group and others demonstrates that the tools available in zebrafish, Danio rerio, can markedly facilitate progress in this field. Here, we review this evidence and provide a synthesis of the state-of-the-art in this model system. We discuss the involvement of generalized motivation and cognitive components, neuroplasticity and functional connectivity across social decision-making brain areas, and how these are modulated chiefly by the oxytocin-vasopressin neuroendocrine system, but also by reward-pathway monoamine signaling and the effects of sex-hormones and stress physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Magda C Teles
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Oeiras, Portugal
- ISPA-Instituto Universitário, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Rui F Oliveira
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Oeiras, Portugal
- ISPA-Instituto Universitário, Lisbon, Portugal
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Dai X, Pradhan A, Liu J, Liu R, Zhai G, Zhou L, Dai J, Shao F, Yuan Z, Wang Z, Yin Z. Zebrafish gonad mutant models reveal neuroendocrine mechanisms of brain sexual dimorphism and male mating behaviors of different brain regions. Biol Sex Differ 2023; 14:53. [PMID: 37605245 PMCID: PMC10440941 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-023-00534-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sexually dimorphic mating behaviors differ between sexes and involve gonadal hormones and possibly sexually dimorphic gene expression in the brain. However, the associations among the brain, gonad, and sexual behavior in teleosts are still unclear. Here, we utilized germ cells-free tdrd12 knockout (KO) zebrafish, and steroid synthesis enzyme cyp17a1-deficient zebrafish to investigate the differences and interplays in the brain-gonad-behavior axis, and the molecular control of brain dimorphism and male mating behaviors. METHODS Tdrd12+/-; cyp17a1+/- double heterozygous parents were crossed to obtain tdrd12-/-; cyp17a1+/+ (tdrd12 KO), tdrd12+/+; cyp17a1-/- (cyp17a1 KO), and tdrd12-/-; cyp17a1-/- (double KO) homozygous progenies. Comparative analysis of mating behaviors were evaluated using Viewpoint zebrafish tracking software and sexual traits were thoroughly characterized based on anatomical and histological experiments in these KOs and wild types. The steroid hormone levels (testosterone, 11-ketotestosterone and 17β-estradiol) in the brains, gonads, and serum were measured using ELISA kits. To achieve a higher resolution view of the differences in region-specific expression patterns of the brain, the brains of these KOs, and control male and female fish were dissected into three regions: the forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain for transcriptomic analysis. RESULTS Qualitative analysis of mating behaviors demonstrated that tdrd12-/- fish behaved in the same manner as wild-type males to trigger oviposition behavior, while cyp17a1-/- and double knockout (KO) fish did not exhibit these behaviors. Based on the observation of sex characteristics, mating behaviors and hormone levels in these mutants, we found that the maintenance of secondary sex characteristics and male mating behavior did not depend on the presence of germ cells; rather, they depended mainly on the 11-ketotestosterone and testosterone levels secreted into the brain-gonad regulatory axis. RNA-seq analysis of different brain regions revealed that the brain transcript profile of tdrd12-/- fish was similar to that of wild-type males, especially in the forebrain and midbrain. However, the brain transcript profiles of cyp17a1-/- and double KO fish were distinct from those of wild-type males and were partially biased towards the expression pattern of the female brain. Our results revealed important candidate genes and signaling pathways, such as synaptic signaling/neurotransmission, MAPK signaling, and steroid hormone pathways, that shape brain dimorphism and modulate male mating behavior in zebrafish. CONCLUSIONS Our results provide comprehensive analyses and new insights regarding the endogenous interactions in the brain-gonad-behavior axis. Moreover, this study revealed the crucial candidate genes and neural signaling pathways of different brain regions that are involved in modulating brain dimorphism and male mating behavior in zebrafish, which would significantly light up the understanding the neuroendocrine and molecular mechanisms modulating brain dimorphism and male mating behavior in zebrafish and other teleost fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyan Dai
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Ajay Pradhan
- Biology, The Life Science Center, School of Science and Technology, Örebrorebro University, 70182, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Jiao Liu
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Ruolan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Gang Zhai
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Linyan Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Jiyan Dai
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Feng Shao
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Zhiyong Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Zhijian Wang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
| | - Zhan Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China.
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11
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Pluimer BR, Harrison DL, Boonyavairoje C, Prinssen EP, Rogers-Evans M, Peterson RT, Thyme SB, Nath AK. Behavioral analysis through the lifespan of disc1 mutant zebrafish identifies defects in sensorimotor transformation. iScience 2023; 26:107099. [PMID: 37416451 PMCID: PMC10320522 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
DISC1 is a genetic risk factor for multiple psychiatric disorders. Compared to the dozens of murine Disc1 models, there is a paucity of zebrafish disc1 models-an organism amenable to high-throughput experimentation. We conducted the longitudinal neurobehavioral analysis of disc1 mutant zebrafish across key stages of life. During early developmental stages, disc1 mutants exhibited abrogated behavioral responses to sensory stimuli across multiple testing platforms. Moreover, during exposure to an acoustic sensory stimulus, loss of disc1 resulted in the abnormal activation of neurons in the pallium, cerebellum, and tectum-anatomical sites involved in the integration of sensory perception and motor control. In adulthood, disc1 mutants exhibited sexually dimorphic reduction in anxiogenic behavior in novel paradigms. Together, these findings implicate disc1 in sensorimotor processes and the genesis of anxiogenic behaviors, which could be exploited for the development of novel treatments in addition to investigating the biology of sensorimotor transformation in the context of disc1 deletion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brock R. Pluimer
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Devin L. Harrison
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Chanon Boonyavairoje
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Eric P. Prinssen
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Mark Rogers-Evans
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Randall T. Peterson
- Deparment of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Summer B. Thyme
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Anjali K. Nath
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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12
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Parvez S, Brandt ZJ, Peterson RT. Large-scale F0 CRISPR screens in vivo using MIC-Drop. Nat Protoc 2023; 18:1841-1865. [PMID: 37069311 PMCID: PMC10419324 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-023-00821-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023]
Abstract
The zebrafish is a powerful model system for studying animal development, for modeling genetic diseases, and for large-scale in vivo functional genetics. Because of its ease of use and its high efficiency in targeted gene perturbation, CRISPR-Cas9 has recently gained prominence as the tool of choice for genetic manipulation in zebrafish. However, scaling up the technique for high-throughput in vivo functional genetics has been a challenge. We recently developed a method, Multiplexed Intermixed CRISPR Droplets (MIC-Drop), that makes large-scale CRISPR screening in zebrafish possible. Here, we outline the step-by-step protocol for performing functional genetic screens in zebrafish by using MIC-Drop. MIC-Drop uses multiplexed single-guide RNAs to generate biallelic mutations in injected zebrafish embryos, allowing genetic screens to be performed in F0 animals. Combining microfluidics and DNA barcoding enables simultaneous targeting of tens to hundreds of genes from a single injection needle, while also enabling retrospective and rapid identification of the genotype responsible for an observed phenotype. The primary target audiences for MIC-Drop are developmental biologists, zebrafish geneticists, and researchers interested in performing in vivo functional genetic screens in a vertebrate model system. MIC-Drop will also prove useful in the hands of chemical biologists seeking to identify targets of small molecules that cause phenotypic changes in zebrafish. By using MIC-Drop, a typical screen of 100 genes can be conducted within 2-3 weeks by a single user.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saba Parvez
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Zachary J Brandt
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Randall T Peterson
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
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13
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Nayak SPRR, Boopathi S, Priya PS, Pasupuleti M, Pachaiappan R, Almutairi BO, Arokiyaraj S, Arockiaraj J. Luteolin, a promising quorum quencher mitigates virulence factors production in Pseudomonas aeruginosa - In vitro and in vivo approach. Microb Pathog 2023; 180:106123. [PMID: 37088400 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2023.106123] [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: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) is an opportunistic pathogen that causes healthcare-associated infection and high mortality in immunocompromised patients. It produces several virulence factors through quorum sensing (QS) mechanisms that is essential for subverting host immune system. Even front-line antibiotics are unable to control PA pathogenicity due to the emergence of antibiotic resistance. Luteolin is a naturally derived compound that has proven to be the effective drug to annihilate pathogens through quorum quenching mechanism. In this study, the protective effect of luteolin against the PA-mediated inflammation was demonstrated using zebrafish model. Luteolin protects zebrafish from PA infection and increases their survival rate. It was found that PA-mediated ROS, lipid peroxidation, and apoptosis were also significantly reduced in luteolin-treated zebrafish larvae. Open field test (OFT) reveals that luteolin rescued PA-infected zebrafish from retarded swimming behavior. Furthermore, luteolin increases SOD and CAT levels and decreases LDH and NO levels in PA-infected zebrafish compare to control group. Histological and gene expression analysis reveals that luteolin protects PA-infected zebrafish by decreasing gut inflammation and altering the expression of inflammatory (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) and antioxidant markers (iNOS, SOD, CAT). Thus, luteolin was found to have dual effect in protecting PA-infected zebrafish by decreasing virulence factors production in PA and stimulating host immune system. This is the first study demonstrating the protective effect of luteolin using animal model. Hence, luteolin could be used as a future therapeutic drug to control multi-drug resistant PA.
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Affiliation(s)
- S P Ramya Ranjan Nayak
- Toxicology and Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Humanities, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, 603203, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Seenivasan Boopathi
- Toxicology and Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Humanities, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, 603203, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - P Snega Priya
- Toxicology and Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Humanities, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, 603203, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Mukesh Pasupuleti
- Division of Molecular Immunology & Microbiology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI), Sector 10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow, 226 031, Uttar Pradesh, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201 002, India
| | - Raman Pachaiappan
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, 603203, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Bader O Almutairi
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Selvaraj Arokiyaraj
- Department of Food Science & Biotechnology, Sejong University, Seoul, 05006, South Korea
| | - Jesu Arockiaraj
- Toxicology and Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Humanities, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, 603203, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu, India.
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14
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Liu H, Fu R, Zhang Y, Mao L, Zhu L, Zhang L, Liu X, Jiang H. Integrate transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis reveals the underlying mechanisms of behavioral disorders in zebrafish (Danio rerio) induced by imidacloprid. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 870:161541. [PMID: 36731560 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.161541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 12/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Imidacloprid, a widely used neonicotinoid insecticide, poses a significant threat to aquatic ecosystems. Behavior is a functional indicator of the net sensory, motor, and integrative processes of the nervous system and is presumed to be more sensitive in detecting toxicity. In the present study, we investigated the behavioral effects of imidacloprid at the level of environmental concentrations (1, 10 and 100 μg/L) for a constant exposure to zebrafish adults, and performed the integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis to analyze the molecular mechanism underlying behavioral effects of imidacloprid. Our results show that imidacloprid exposure significantly induce behavioral disruptions characterized by anxiety, depression, and reduced physiological function including exploratory, decision, social interaction and locomotor activity. Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis indicate that the disruption of circadian rhythm, metabolic imbalance of arginine and proline, and neurotransmitter disorder are the underlying molecular mechanisms of behavioral impairment induced by imidacloprid. The "gene-metabolite-disease" network consisted by 11 metabolites and 15 genes is associated human disease Alzheimer's disease (AD) and schizophrenia. Our results confirm the behavioral impairment induced by imidacloprid at environmental concentrations for constant exposure. The identified genes and metabolites can be used not only to illustrate the underlying mechanisms, but also can be developed as biomarkers in determining the ecological risk of imidacloprid to aquatic organisms even Homo sapiens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongli Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Ruiqiang Fu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yanning Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Liangang Mao
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Lizhen Zhu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Lan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Xingang Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Hongyun Jiang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
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15
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Esancy K, Conceicao LL, Curtright A, Tran T, Condon L, Lecamp B, Dhaka A. A novel small molecule, AS1, reverses the negative hedonic valence of noxious stimuli. BMC Biol 2023; 21:69. [PMID: 37013580 PMCID: PMC10071644 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-023-01573-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pain is the primary reason people seek medical care, with chronic pain affecting ~ 20% of people in the USA. However, many existing analgesics are ineffective in treating chronic pain, while others (e.g., opioids) have undesirable side effects. Here, we describe the screening of a small molecule library using a thermal place aversion assay in larval zebrafish to identify compounds that alter aversion to noxious thermal stimuli and could thus serve as potential analgesics. RESULTS From our behavioral screen, we discovered a small molecule, Analgesic Screen 1 (AS1), which surprisingly elicited attraction to noxious painful heat. When we further explored the effects of this compound using other behavioral place preference assays, we found that AS1 was similarly able to reverse the negative hedonic valence of other painful (chemical) and non-painful (dark) aversive stimuli without being inherently rewarding. Interestingly, targeting molecular pathways canonically associated with analgesia did not replicate the effects of AS1. A neuronal imaging assay revealed that clusters of dopaminergic neurons, as well as forebrain regions located in the teleost equivalent of the basal ganglia, were highly upregulated in the specific context of AS1 and aversive heat. Through a combination of behavioral assays and pharmacological manipulation of dopamine circuitry, we determined that AS1 acts via D1 dopamine receptor pathways to elicit this attraction to noxious stimuli. CONCLUSIONS Together, our results suggest that AS1 relieves an aversion-imposed "brake" on dopamine release, and that this unique mechanism may provide valuable insight into the development of new valence-targeting analgesic drugs, as well as medications for other valence-related neurological conditions, such as anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
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Affiliation(s)
- Kali Esancy
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Lais L Conceicao
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Andrew Curtright
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Thanh Tran
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Logan Condon
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Bryce Lecamp
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Ajay Dhaka
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, USA.
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Washington, Seattle, USA.
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16
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Zebrafish, a biological model for pharmaceutical research for the management of anxiety. Mol Biol Rep 2023; 50:3863-3872. [PMID: 36757551 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-08263-1] [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: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a valuable animal model rapidly becoming more commonly used in pharmaceutical studies. Due to its low-cost maintenance and high breeding potential, the zebrafish is a suitable substitute for most adult rodents (mice and rats) in neuroscience research. It is widely used in various anxiety models. This species has been used to develop a conceptual framework for anxiety behavior studies with broad applications in the laboratory, including the study of herbal and chemical drugs. This review discusses the latest studies of anxiety-related behavior in the zebrafish model.
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17
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Understanding CNS Effects of Antimicrobial Drugs Using Zebrafish Models. Vet Sci 2023; 10:vetsci10020096. [PMID: 36851400 PMCID: PMC9964482 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10020096] [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: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial drugs represent a diverse group of widely utilized antibiotic, antifungal, antiparasitic and antiviral agents. Their growing use and clinical importance necessitate our improved understanding of physiological effects of antimicrobial drugs, including their potential effects on the central nervous system (CNS), at molecular, cellular, and behavioral levels. In addition, antimicrobial drugs can alter the composition of gut microbiota, and hence affect the gut-microbiota-brain axis, further modulating brain and behavioral processes. Complementing rodent studies, the zebrafish (Danio rerio) emerges as a powerful model system for screening various antimicrobial drugs, including probing their putative CNS effects. Here, we critically discuss recent evidence on the effects of antimicrobial drugs on brain and behavior in zebrafish, and outline future related lines of research using this aquatic model organism.
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18
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Geng Y, Yates C, Peterson RT. Social behavioral profiling by unsupervised deep learning reveals a stimulative effect of dopamine D3 agonists on zebrafish sociality. CELL REPORTS METHODS 2023; 3:100381. [PMID: 36814839 PMCID: PMC9939379 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmeth.2022.100381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
It has been a major challenge to systematically evaluate and compare how pharmacological perturbations influence social behavioral outcomes. Although some pharmacological agents are known to alter social behavior, precise description and quantification of such effects have proven difficult. We developed a scalable social behavioral assay for zebrafish named ZeChat based on unsupervised deep learning to characterize sociality at high resolution. High-dimensional and dynamic social behavioral phenotypes are automatically classified using this method. By screening a neuroactive compound library, we found that different classes of chemicals evoke distinct patterns of social behavioral fingerprints. By examining these patterns, we discovered that dopamine D3 agonists possess a social stimulative effect on zebrafish. The D3 agonists pramipexole, piribedil, and 7-hydroxy-DPAT-HBr rescued social deficits in a valproic-acid-induced zebrafish autism model. The ZeChat platform provides a promising approach for dissecting the pharmacology of social behavior and discovering novel social-modulatory compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijie Geng
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Christopher Yates
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Randall T. Peterson
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
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19
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Geng Y, Zhang T, Alonzo IG, Godar SC, Yates C, Pluimer BR, Harrison DL, Nath AK, Yeh JRJ, Drummond IA, Bortolato M, Peterson RT. Top2a promotes the development of social behavior via PRC2 and H3K27me3. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabm7069. [PMID: 36417527 PMCID: PMC9683714 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abm7069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Little is understood about the embryonic development of sociality. We screened 1120 known drugs and found that embryonic inhibition of topoisomerase IIα (Top2a) resulted in lasting social deficits in zebrafish. In mice, prenatal Top2 inhibition caused defects in social interaction and communication, which are behaviors that relate to core symptoms of autism. Mutation of Top2a in zebrafish caused down-regulation of a set of genes highly enriched for genes associated with autism in humans. Both the Top2a-regulated and autism-associated gene sets have binding sites for polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), a regulatory complex responsible for H3K27 trimethylation (H3K27me3). Moreover, both gene sets are highly enriched for H3K27me3. Inhibition of the PRC2 component Ezh2 rescued social deficits caused by Top2 inhibition. Therefore, Top2a is a key component of an evolutionarily conserved pathway that promotes the development of social behavior through PRC2 and H3K27me3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijie Geng
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Tejia Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Ivy G. Alonzo
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Sean C. Godar
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Christopher Yates
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Brock R. Pluimer
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Devin L. Harrison
- The Graduate Program in Biophysical Sciences, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Anjali K. Nath
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
- Metabolism Program, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Jing-Ruey Joanna Yeh
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Iain A. Drummond
- Davis Center for Aging and Regeneration, MDI Biological Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA
| | - Marco Bortolato
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Randall T. Peterson
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
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20
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Bruckner JJ, Stednitz SJ, Grice MZ, Zaidan D, Massaquoi MS, Larsch J, Tallafuss A, Guillemin K, Washbourne P, Eisen JS. The microbiota promotes social behavior by modulating microglial remodeling of forebrain neurons. PLoS Biol 2022; 20:e3001838. [PMID: 36318534 PMCID: PMC9624426 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Host-associated microbiotas guide the trajectory of developmental programs, and altered microbiota composition is linked to neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism spectrum disorder. Recent work suggests that microbiotas modulate behavioral phenotypes associated with these disorders. We discovered that the zebrafish microbiota is required for normal social behavior and reveal a molecular pathway linking the microbiota, microglial remodeling of neural circuits, and social behavior in this experimentally tractable model vertebrate. Examining neuronal correlates of behavior, we found that the microbiota restrains neurite complexity and targeting of forebrain neurons required for normal social behavior and is necessary for localization of forebrain microglia, brain-resident phagocytes that remodel neuronal arbors. The microbiota also influences microglial molecular functions, including promoting expression of the complement signaling pathway and the synaptic remodeling factor c1q. Several distinct bacterial taxa are individually sufficient for normal microglial and neuronal phenotypes, suggesting that host neuroimmune development is sensitive to a feature common among many bacteria. Our results demonstrate that the microbiota influences zebrafish social behavior by stimulating microglial remodeling of forebrain circuits during early neurodevelopment and suggest pathways for new interventions in multiple neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph J. Bruckner
- Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Biology, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Sarah J. Stednitz
- Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Biology, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Max Z. Grice
- Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Biology, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Dana Zaidan
- Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Biology, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Michelle S. Massaquoi
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Johannes Larsch
- Department Genes-Circuits-Behavior, Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Alexandra Tallafuss
- Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Biology, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Karen Guillemin
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, United States of America
- Humans and the Microbiome Program, CIFAR, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Philip Washbourne
- Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Biology, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Judith S. Eisen
- Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Biology, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, United States of America
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21
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Jarosova R, Niyangoda SS, Hettiarachchi P, Johnson MA. Impaired Dopamine Release and Latent Learning in Alzheimer's Disease Model Zebrafish. ACS Chem Neurosci 2022; 13:2924-2931. [PMID: 36113115 PMCID: PMC10127145 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.2c00484] [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] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive, fatal, neurodegenerative disorder for which only treatments of limited efficacy are available. Despite early mentions of dementia in the ancient literature and the first patient diagnosed in 1906, the underlying causes of AD are not well understood. This study examined the possible role of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that is involved in cognitive and motor function, in AD. We treated adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) with okadaic acid (OKA) to model AD and assessed the resulting behavioral and neurochemical changes. We then employed a latent learning paradigm to assess cognitive and motor function followed by neurochemical analysis with fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) at carbon fiber microelectrodes to measure the electrically stimulated dopamine release. The behavioral assay showed that OKA treatment caused fish to have lower motivation to reach the goal chamber, resulting in impeded learning and decreased locomotor activity compared to controls. Our voltammetric measurements revealed that the peak dopamine overflow in OKA-treated fish was about one-third of that measured in controls. These findings highlight the profound neurochemical changes that may occur in AD. Furthermore, they demonstrate that applying the latent learning paradigm and FSCV to zebrafish is a promising tool for future neurochemical studies and may be useful for screening drugs for the treatment of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romana Jarosova
- Department of Chemistry and R.N. Adams Institute for Bioanalytical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, UNESCO Laboratory of Environmental Electrochemistry, Charles University, Prague 2, Czech Republic 12843
| | - Sayuri S. Niyangoda
- Department of Chemistry and R.N. Adams Institute for Bioanalytical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045
| | - Piyanka Hettiarachchi
- Department of Chemistry and R.N. Adams Institute for Bioanalytical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045
| | - Michael A. Johnson
- Department of Chemistry and R.N. Adams Institute for Bioanalytical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045
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22
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Santos D, Luzio A, Félix L, Cabecinha E, Bellas J, Monteiro SM. Microplastics and copper induce apoptosis, alter neurocircuits, and cause behavioral changes in zebrafish (Danio rerio) brain. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2022; 242:113926. [PMID: 35930835 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.113926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The knowledge regarding the neurological and behavioral toxic effects associated with microplastics (MPs) and heavy metals exposure is still scarce. The present study aimed to evaluate the potential chronic (30 days) toxic effects of MPs (2 mg/L) and copper (Cu, 25 µg/L), alone or combined, in the zebrafish (Danio rerio) brain antioxidant system, cell proliferation/death, cholinergic-, serotonergic- and dopaminergic pathways and, consequently, in locomotor, anxiety, and social behaviors. Our findings showed that MPs and Cu exposure modulated the antioxidant system of zebrafish brain, with superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione reductase (GR) having higher activity in the Cu25 +MPs group, but glutathione peroxidase (GPx) being inhibited in MPs, Cu25 and Cu25 +MPs. Moreover, an increase in acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity was observed in all exposed groups. When considering neurogenesis genes, a downregulation of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (pcna) was noticed in zebrafish exposed to the mixture treatment, while for dopaminergic system-related genes (th and slc6a3) an upregulation was observed in MPs, Cu25 and Cu25 +MPs groups. An increase in apoptosis-related genes expression (casp8, casp9 and casp3) was observed in the MPs exposed group. Changes in zebrafish behavior, particularly in mean speed, total distance moved, inactivity in the aquaria, and social/shoaling behavior was also observed in the MPs and Cu exposed groups. Overall, our results highlight the multiplicity of toxic effects of MPs, alone or combined with Cu, in zebrafish brain, namely apoptosis and alterations in adult neurogenesis, neurocircuits and, consequently, behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dércia Santos
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, CITAB and Inov4Agro, Institute for Innovation, Capacity Building and Sustainability of Agri-food Production, Quinta de Prados, Vila Real 5000-801, Portugal; University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Quinta de Prados, Vila Real 5000-801, Portugal.
| | - Ana Luzio
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, CITAB and Inov4Agro, Institute for Innovation, Capacity Building and Sustainability of Agri-food Production, Quinta de Prados, Vila Real 5000-801, Portugal; University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Quinta de Prados, Vila Real 5000-801, Portugal
| | - Luís Félix
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, CITAB and Inov4Agro, Institute for Innovation, Capacity Building and Sustainability of Agri-food Production, Quinta de Prados, Vila Real 5000-801, Portugal; University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Quinta de Prados, Vila Real 5000-801, Portugal
| | - Edna Cabecinha
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, CITAB and Inov4Agro, Institute for Innovation, Capacity Building and Sustainability of Agri-food Production, Quinta de Prados, Vila Real 5000-801, Portugal; University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Quinta de Prados, Vila Real 5000-801, Portugal
| | - Juan Bellas
- Centro Oceanográfico de Vigo, Instituto Español de Oceanografía, IEO-CSIC, Subida a Radio Faro 50, Vigo 36390, Spain
| | - Sandra M Monteiro
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, CITAB and Inov4Agro, Institute for Innovation, Capacity Building and Sustainability of Agri-food Production, Quinta de Prados, Vila Real 5000-801, Portugal; University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Quinta de Prados, Vila Real 5000-801, Portugal
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A Mini-Review Regarding the Modalities to Study Neurodevelopmental Disorders-Like Impairments in Zebrafish—Focussing on Neurobehavioural and Psychological Responses. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12091147. [PMID: 36138883 PMCID: PMC9496774 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12091147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are complex disorders which can be associated with many comorbidities and exhibit multifactorial-dependent phenotypes. An important characteristic is represented by the early onset of the symptoms, during childhood or young adulthood, with a great impact on the socio-cognitive functioning of the affected individuals. Thus, the aim of our review is to describe and to argue the necessity of early developmental stages zebrafish models, focusing on NDDs, especially autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and also on schizophrenia. The utility of the animal models in NDDs or schizophrenia research remains quite controversial. Relevant discussions can be opened regarding the specific characteristics of the animal models and the relationship with the etiologies, physiopathology, and development of these disorders. The zebrafish models behaviors displayed as early as during the pre-hatching embryo stage (locomotor activity prone to repetitive behavior), and post-hatching embryo stage, such as memory, perception, affective-like, and social behaviors can be relevant in ASD and schizophrenia research. The neurophysiological processes impaired in both ASD and schizophrenia are generally highly conserved across all vertebrates. However, the relatively late individual development and conscious social behavior exhibited later in the larval stage are some of the most important limitations of these model animal species.
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Kawabe M, Nishida T, Horita C, Ikeda A, Takahashi R, Inui A, Shiozaki K. Ninjinyoeito improves social behavior disorder in neuropeptide Y deficient zebrafish. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:905711. [PMID: 36034826 PMCID: PMC9411948 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.905711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sociability is an essential component of the linkage structure in human and other vertebrate communication. Low sociability is defined as a poor social approach, including social withdrawal and apathy, and is implicated in a variety of psychiatric disorders. Ninjinyoeito (NYT), a traditional Japanese herbal medicine, has been used in the medical field. This study aimed to determine the effect of NYT on low sociality in NPY-KO zebrafish. NPY-KO zebrafish were fed a 3% NYT-supplemented diet for 4 days and subjected to behavioral tests. In the mirror test, NPY-KO zebrafish fed a control diet showed avoidance behavior toward their mirror counterparts. In contrast, the treatment of NPY-KO zebrafish with NYT significantly increased their interaction with their counterparts in the mirror. In addition, a 3-chambers test was conducted to confirm the effect of NYT on the low sociality of NPY-KO zebrafish. NPY-KO zebrafish fed the control diet showed less interaction with fish chambers, while NYT treatment increased the interaction. Phosphorylation of ERK, a marker of neuronal activity, was significantly reduced in the whole brain of NYT-fed NPY-KO zebrafish, compared to the control diet. NYT treatment significantly suppressed hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-related genes (gr, pomc, and crh) and sympathetic-adrenal-medullary-related genes (th1, th2, and cck) in NPY-KO zebrafish. NYT administration significantly reduced mRNA levels of gad1b compared to the control diet, suggesting the involvement of GABAergic neurons in NYT-induced improvement of low sociability. Furthermore, the expression of CREB was suppressed when NPY-KO zebrafish were fed NYT. Next, we attempted to identify the effective herb responsible for the NYT-induced improvement of low sociability. NPY-KO zebrafish were fed an experimental diet containing the target herb for 4 days, and its effect on sociability was evaluated using the 3-chambers test. Results showed that Cinnamon Bark and Polygala Root treatments significantly increased time spent in the fish tank area compared to the control diet, while the other 10 herbs did not. We confirmed that these two herbs suppressed the activity of HPA-, SAM-, and GABAergic neurons, as well as NYT-treated zebrafish, accompanied by downregulation of CREB signaling. This study suggests the potential use of NYT as a drug for sociability disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Momoko Kawabe
- Course of Biological Science and Technology, The United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Takumi Nishida
- Department of Food Life Sciences, Faculty of Fisheries, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Chihoko Horita
- Department of Food Life Sciences, Faculty of Fisheries, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Asami Ikeda
- Course of Biological Science and Technology, The United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Ryuji Takahashi
- Kampo Research Laboratories, Kracie Pharma Ltd., Toyama, Japan
| | - Akio Inui
- Pharmacological Department of Herbal Medicine, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Shiozaki
- Course of Biological Science and Technology, The United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
- Department of Food Life Sciences, Faculty of Fisheries, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
- *Correspondence: Kazuhiro Shiozaki,
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Deng J, Wang Y, Hu M, Lin J, Li Q, Liu C, Xu X. Deleterious Variation in BR Serine/Threonine Kinase 2 Classified a Subtype of Autism. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:904935. [PMID: 35754711 PMCID: PMC9231588 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.904935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, deleterious variants in the BR serine/threonine kinase 2 (BRSK2) gene have been reported in patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), suggesting that BRSK2 is a new high-confidence ASD risk gene, which presents an opportunity to understand the underlying neuropathological mechanisms of ASD. In this study, we performed clinical and neurobehavioral evaluations of a proband with a de novo non-sense variant in BRSK2 (p.R222X) with other reported BRSK2 mutant patients. To validate BRSK2 as an ASD risk gene, we generated a novel brsk2b-deficient zebrafish line through CRISPR/Cas9 and characterized its morphological and neurobehavioral features as well as performed molecular analysis of neurogenesis-related markers. The proband displayed typical ASD behaviors and language and motor delay, which were similar to other published BRSK2 mutant patients. Morphologically, brsk2b–/– larvae exhibited a higher embryonic mortality and rate of pericardium edema, severe developmental delay, and depigmentation as well as growth retardation in the early developmental stage. Behaviorally, brsk2b–/– zebrafish displayed significantly decreased activity in open field tests and enhanced anxiety levels in light/dark tests and thigmotaxis analysis. Specifically, brsk2b–/– zebrafish showed a prominent reduction of social interaction with peers and disrupted social cohesion among homogeneous groups. Molecularly, the mRNA expression levels of homer1b (a postsynaptic density scaffolding protein), and mbpa, mpz, and plp1b (molecular markers of oligodendrocytes and myelination) were increased in the brain tissues of adult brsk2b–/– zebrafish, while the expression level of isl1a, a marker of motor neurons, was decreased. Taken together, for the first time, we established a novel brsk2b-deficient zebrafish model that showed prominent ASD-like behaviors. In addition, the disturbed mRNA expression levels of neurogenesis-related markers implied that the processes of postsynaptic signaling as well as oligodendrocytes and myelination may be involved. This discovery may suggest a path for further research to identify the underlying neuropathological mechanisms between BRSK2 and ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingxin Deng
- Division of Child Health Care, National Children' Medical Center, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Wang
- Division of Child Health Care, National Children' Medical Center, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Meixin Hu
- Division of Child Health Care, National Children' Medical Center, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jia Lin
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defect Prevention and Control, NHC Key Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases, Translational Medical Center for Development and Disease, National Children's Medical Center, Institute of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiang Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defect Prevention and Control, NHC Key Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases, Translational Medical Center for Development and Disease, National Children's Medical Center, Institute of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chunxue Liu
- Division of Child Health Care, National Children' Medical Center, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiu Xu
- Division of Child Health Care, National Children' Medical Center, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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26
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Tan JXM, Ang RJW, Wee CL. Larval Zebrafish as a Model for Mechanistic Discovery in Mental Health. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:900213. [PMID: 35813062 PMCID: PMC9263853 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.900213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal models are essential for the discovery of mechanisms and treatments for neuropsychiatric disorders. However, complex mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety are difficult to fully recapitulate in these models. Borrowing from the field of psychiatric genetics, we reiterate the framework of 'endophenotypes' - biological or behavioral markers with cellular, molecular or genetic underpinnings - to reduce complex disorders into measurable behaviors that can be compared across organisms. Zebrafish are popular disease models due to the conserved genetic, physiological and anatomical pathways between zebrafish and humans. Adult zebrafish, which display more sophisticated behaviors and cognition, have long been used to model psychiatric disorders. However, larvae (up to 1 month old) are more numerous and also optically transparent, and hence are particularly suited for high-throughput screening and brain-wide neural circuit imaging. A number of behavioral assays have been developed to quantify neuropsychiatric phenomena in larval zebrafish. Here, we will review these assays and the current knowledge regarding the underlying mechanisms of their behavioral readouts. We will also discuss the existing evidence linking larval zebrafish behavior to specific human behavioral traits and how the endophenotype framework can be applied. Importantly, many of the endophenotypes we review do not solely define a diseased state but could manifest as a spectrum across the general population. As such, we make the case for larval zebrafish as a promising model for extending our understanding of population mental health, and for identifying novel therapeutics and interventions with broad impact.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Caroline Lei Wee
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
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27
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Lei L, Zhu B, Qiao K, Zhou Y, Chen X, Men J, Yang L, Wang Q, Han J, Zhou B. New evidence for neurobehavioral toxicity of deltamethrin at environmentally relevant levels in zebrafish. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 822:153623. [PMID: 35124052 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Deltamethrin, a widely used type II pyrethroid insecticide, was reported with neurotoxicity to aquatic organisms, such as fish. However, the effects and potential mechanisms on the central nervous system remain largely unknown, especially under environmental concentrations. Therefore, we exposed adult female zebrafish to environmentally relevant levels of deltamethrin (30, 100, and 333 ng/L) for 21 days to assess neurobehavioral changes related to the central nervous system and explore the modes of action. Behavioral assays revealed significant increases in the swimming speeds, residence time near other fish and the shoaling cohesion in exposed fish. Transcriptomic results enriched the disrupted neural functions involving the glutamatergic and dopaminergic synapses in the brain. The qRT-PCR confirmed the upregulation of the factors for promoting the glutamate release. The measurement of neurotransmitters showed significantly increased content of the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate in the brain. Taken together, deltamethrin exposure increased the glutamate level and promoted the release of such an excitatory neurotransmitter between the glutamatergic synapses in the brain, which eventually led to hyperactivity of social behaviors in adult zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Lei
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Biran Zhu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan 430065, China
| | - Kun Qiao
- Institute of Pesticide and Environmental Toxicology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yuxi Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiangping Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Jun Men
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Lihua Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Qidong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Jian Han
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China.
| | - Bingsheng Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
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28
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Henríquez Martínez A, Ávila LC, Pulido MA, Ardila YA, Akle V, Bloch NI. Age-Dependent Effects of Chronic Stress on Zebrafish Behavior and Regeneration. Front Physiol 2022; 13:856778. [PMID: 35574490 PMCID: PMC9106366 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.856778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Stress can have a significant impact on many aspects of an organism’s physiology and behavior. However, the relationship between stress and regeneration, and how this relationship changes with age remains poorly understood. Here, we subjected young and old zebrafish to a chronic stress protocol and evaluated the impact of stress exposure on multiple measures of zebrafish behavior, specifically thigmotaxis (open field test) and scototaxis (light/dark preference test), and on regeneration ability after partial tail amputation. We found evidence that young and older adult fish are differentially impacted by stress. Only young fish showed a significant change in anxiety-like behaviors after being exposed to chronic stress, while their regeneration ability was not affected by the stress protocol. On the other hand, older fish regenerated their caudal fin significantly slower compared to young fish, but their behavior remained unaffected after being exposed to stress. We further investigated the expression of two candidate genes (nlgn1 and sam2) expressed in the central nervous system, and known to be associated with stress and anxiety-like behavior. The expression of stress-related gene candidate sam2 increased in the brain of older individuals exposed to stress. Our results suggest there is a close relationship between chronic stress, regeneration, and behavior in zebrafish (Danio rerio), and that the impact of stress is age-dependent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angie Henríquez Martínez
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
- School of Medicine, University of Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Laura C. Ávila
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
- School of Medicine, University of Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - María A. Pulido
- School of Medicine, University of Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | - Veronica Akle
- School of Medicine, University of Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Natasha I. Bloch
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
- *Correspondence: Natasha I. Bloch,
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29
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Deficiency of nde1 in zebrafish induces brain inflammatory responses and autism-like behavior. iScience 2022; 25:103876. [PMID: 35243238 PMCID: PMC8861649 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.103876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The cytoskeletal protein NDE1 plays an important role in chromosome segregation, neural precursor differentiation, and neuronal migration. Clinical studies have shown that NDE1 deficiency is associated with several neuropsychiatric disorders including autism. Here, we generated nde1 homologous deficiency zebrafish (nde1−/−) to elucidate the cellular molecular mechanisms behind it. nde1−/− exhibit increased neurological apoptotic responses at early infancy, enlarged ventricles, and shrank valvula cerebelli in adult brain tissue. Behavioral analysis revealed that nde1−/− displayed autism-like behavior traits such as increased locomotor activity and repetitive stereotype behaviors and impaired social and kin recognition behaviors. Furthermore, nde1 mRNA injection rescued apoptosis in early development, and minocycline treatment rescued impaired social behavior and overactive motor activity by inhibiting inflammatory cytokines. In this study, we revealed that nde1 homozygous deletion leads to abnormal neurological development with autism-related behavioral phenotypes and that inflammatory responses in the brain are an important molecular basis behind it. nde1−/− zebrafish display autism-like behavior features nde1 deficiency results in immune responses in the brain Minocycline treatment inhibits immune responses in the adult nde1−/− brain Minocycline rescued the impaired social behavior and locomotor activity
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30
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Wang B, Zhu J, Wang A, Wang J, Wu Y, Yao W. Early detection of cyanide, organophosphate and rodenticide pollution based on locomotor activity of zebrafish larvae. PeerJ 2022; 9:e12703. [PMID: 35036170 PMCID: PMC8710045 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyanide, organophosphate and rodenticides are highly toxic substances widely used in agriculture and industry. These toxicants are neuro- and organotoxic to mammals at low concentrations, thus early detection of these chemicals in the aqueous environment is of utmost importance. Here, we employed the behavioral toxicity test with wildtype zebrafish larvae to determine sublethal concentrations of the above mentioned common environmental pollutants. After optimizing the test with cyanide, nine rodenticides and an organophosphate were successfully tested. The compounds dose-dependently initially (0-60-min exposure) stimulated locomotor activity of larvae but induced toxicity and reduced swimming during 60-120-min exposure. IC50 values calculated based on swimming distance after 2-h exposure, were between 0.1 and 10 mg/L for both first-generation and second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides. Three behavioral characteristics, including total distance travelled, sinuosity and burst count, were quantitatively analyzed and compared by hierarchical clustering of the effects measured by each three parameters. The toxicity results for all three behavioral endpoints were consistent, suggesting that the directly measured parameter of cumulative swimming distance could be used as a promising biomarker for the aquatic contamination. The optimized method herein showed the potential for utilization as part of a monitoring system and an ideal tool for the risk assessment of drinking water in the military and public safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binjie Wang
- The Department of Criminal Science and Technology, Zhejiang Police College, Key Laboratory of Drug Prevention and Control Technology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, People's Republic of China
| | - Junhao Zhu
- The Department of Criminal Science and Technology, Zhejiang Police College, Key Laboratory of Drug Prevention and Control Technology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, People's Republic of China
| | - Anli Wang
- The Department of Criminal Science and Technology, Zhejiang Police College, Key Laboratory of Drug Prevention and Control Technology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, People's Republic of China.,College of Biosystems Engineering and Food Science, Zhejiang University, National Engineering Laboratory of Intelligent Food Technology and Equipment, Zhejiang Key Laboratory for Agro-Food Processing, Fuli Institute of Food Science, College of Biosystems Engineering and Food Science, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiye Wang
- The Department of Criminal Science and Technology, Zhejiang Police College, Key Laboratory of Drug Prevention and Control Technology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuanzhao Wu
- The Department of Criminal Science and Technology, Zhejiang Police College, Key Laboratory of Drug Prevention and Control Technology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, People's Republic of China
| | - Weixuan Yao
- The Department of Criminal Science and Technology, Zhejiang Police College, Key Laboratory of Drug Prevention and Control Technology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, People's Republic of China
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31
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Lin WJ. The Dawn of a New Era in Drug Discovery? Drug Screening and the Increasing Biological Complexity of Testing Models. Chem Res Toxicol 2022; 35:5-6. [PMID: 34918914 PMCID: PMC9532213 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.1c00331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Whole-organism phenotype screening and complex in vitro model technology increase the likelihood in identifying successful lead compounds and lower drug attrition rates at later and more expensive stages of the drug discovery process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Jen Lin
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States
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32
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Tayanloo-Beik A, Hamidpour SK, Abedi M, Shojaei H, Tavirani MR, Namazi N, Larijani B, Arjmand B. Zebrafish Modeling of Autism Spectrum Disorders, Current Status and Future Prospective. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:911770. [PMID: 35911241 PMCID: PMC9329562 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.911770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) refers to a complicated range of childhood neurodevelopmental disorders which can occur via genetic or non-genetic factors. Clinically, ASD is associated with problems in relationships, social interactions, and behaviors that pose many challenges for children with ASD and their families. Due to the complexity, heterogeneity, and association of symptoms with some neuropsychiatric disorders such as ADHD, anxiety, and sleep disorders, clinical trials have not yielded reliable results and there still remain challenges in drug discovery and development pipeline for ASD patients. One of the main steps in promoting lead compounds to the suitable drug for commercialization is preclinical animal testing, in which the efficacy and toxicity of candidate drugs are examined in vivo. In recent years, zebrafish have been able to attract the attention of many researchers in the field of neurological disorders such as ASD due to their outstanding features. The presence of orthologous genes for ASD modeling, the anatomical similarities of parts of the brain, and similar neurotransmitter systems between zebrafish and humans are some of the main reasons why scientists draw attention to zebrafish as a prominent animal model in preclinical studies to discover highly effective treatment approaches for the ASD through genetic and non-genetic modeling methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akram Tayanloo-Beik
- Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular-Cellular Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shayesteh Kokabi Hamidpour
- Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular-Cellular Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mina Abedi
- Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular-Cellular Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamide Shojaei
- Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular-Cellular Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Nazli Namazi
- Diabetes Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bagher Larijani
- Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Babak Arjmand
- Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular-Cellular Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Abstract
Zebrafish behavioral assays are commonly used to identify and study environmental stressors that elicit adverse effects on neurobehavior. Behavioral assay platforms are available for multiple life stages (embryonic, juvenile, and adults) and are robust in detecting stressor-induced acute effects on neurodevelopment as well as long term deficits in sensory mechanisms, social behavior, learning, memory, and neurodegenerative diseases. Within this chapter, we present an overview of zebrafish behavioral assays that are commonly used to study environmental neurotoxicants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subham Dasgupta
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Sinnhuber Aquatic Research Laboratory, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Michael T Simonich
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Sinnhuber Aquatic Research Laboratory, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Robyn L Tanguay
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Sinnhuber Aquatic Research Laboratory, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA.
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Li SW, Williams ZM, Báez-Mendoza R. Investigating the Neurobiology of Abnormal Social Behaviors. Front Neural Circuits 2021; 15:769314. [PMID: 34916912 PMCID: PMC8670406 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2021.769314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- S William Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Ziv M Williams
- Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.,Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Boston, MA, United States.,Program in Neuroscience, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Raymundo Báez-Mendoza
- Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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Microbiota-brain interactions: Moving toward mechanisms in model organisms. Neuron 2021; 109:3930-3953. [PMID: 34653349 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2021.09.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Changes in the microbiota are associated with alterations in nervous system structure-function and behavior and have been implicated in the etiology of neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. Most of these studies have centered on mammalian models due to their phylogenetic proximity to humans. Indeed, the germ-free mouse has been a particularly useful model organism for investigating microbiota-brain interactions. However, microbiota-brain axis research on simpler genetic model organisms with a vast and diverse scientific toolkit (zebrafish, Drosophila melanogaster, and Caenorhabditis elegans) is now also coming of age. In this review, we summarize the current state of microbiota-brain axis research in rodents and humans, and then we elaborate and discuss recent research on the neurobiological and behavioral effects of the microbiota in the model systems of fish, flies, and worms. We propose that a cross-species, holistic and mechanistic approach to unravel the microbiota-brain communication is an essential step toward rational microbiota-based therapeutics to combat brain disorders.
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Ericsson AC, Busi SB, Davis DJ, Nabli H, Eckhoff DC, Dorfmeyer RA, Turner G, Oswalt PS, Crim MJ, Bryda EC. Molecular and culture-based assessment of the microbiome in a zebrafish (Danio rerio) housing system during set-up and equilibration. Anim Microbiome 2021; 3:55. [PMID: 34353374 PMCID: PMC8340428 DOI: 10.1186/s42523-021-00116-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Zebrafish used in research settings are often housed in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) which rely on the system microbiome, typically enriched in a biofiltration substrate, to remove the harmful ammonia generated by fish via oxidation. Commercial RAS must be allowed to equilibrate following installation, before fish can be introduced. There is little information available regarding the bacterial community structure in commercial zebrafish housing systems, or the time-point at which the system or biofilter reaches a microbiological equilibrium in RAS in general. METHODS A zebrafish housing system was monitored at multiple different system sites including tank water in six different tanks, pre- and post-particulate filter water, the fluidized bed biofilter substrate, post-carbon filter water, and water leaving the ultra-violet (UV) disinfection unit and entering the tanks. All of these samples were collected in quadruplicate, from prior to population of the system with zebrafish through 18 weeks post-population, and analyzed using both 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and culture using multiple agars and annotation of isolates via matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. Sequencing data were analyzed using traditional methods, network analyses of longitudinal data, and integration of culture and sequence data. RESULTS The water microbiome, dominated by Cutibacterium and Staphylococcus spp., reached a relatively stable richness and composition by approximately three to four weeks post-population, but continued to evolve in composition throughout the study duration. The microbiomes of the fluidized bed biofilter and water leaving the UV disinfection unit were distinct from water at all other sites. Core taxa detected using molecular methods comprised 36 amplicon sequence variants, 15 of which represented Proteobacteria including multiple members of the families Burkholderiaceae and Sphingomonadaceae. Culture-based screening yielded 36 distinct isolates, and showed moderate agreement with sequencing data. CONCLUSIONS The microbiome of commercial RAS used for research zebrafish reaches a relatively stable state by four weeks post-population and would be expected to be suitable for experimental use following that time-point.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron C. Ericsson
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO USA
- University of Missouri Metagenomics Center, Columbia, MO USA
| | - Susheel B. Busi
- Systems Ecology Group, Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Daniel J. Davis
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO USA
- Animal Modeling Core, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO USA
| | - Henda Nabli
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO USA
| | | | - Rebecca A. Dorfmeyer
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO USA
- University of Missouri Metagenomics Center, Columbia, MO USA
| | - Giedre Turner
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO USA
- University of Missouri Metagenomics Center, Columbia, MO USA
| | - Payton S. Oswalt
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO USA
| | | | - Elizabeth C. Bryda
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO USA
- Animal Modeling Core, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO USA
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Lachowicz J, Niedziałek K, Rostkowska E, Szopa A, Świąder K, Szponar J, Serefko A. Zebrafish as an Animal Model for Testing Agents with Antidepressant Potential. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11080792. [PMID: 34440536 PMCID: PMC8401799 DOI: 10.3390/life11080792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2021] [Revised: 08/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Depression is a serious mental disease that, according to statistics, affects 320 million people worldwide. Additionally, a current situation related to the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a significant deterioration of mental health in people around the world. So far, rodents have been treated as basic animal models used in studies on this disease, but in recent years, Danio rerio has emerged as a new organism that might serve well in preclinical experiments. Zebrafish have a lot of advantages, such as a quick reproductive cycle, transparent body during the early developmental stages, high genetic and physiological homology to humans, and low costs of maintenance. Here, we discuss the potential of the zebrafish model to be used in behavioral studies focused on testing agents with antidepressant potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Lachowicz
- Student’s Scientific Circle at Laboratory of Preclinical Testing, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 1, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (J.L.); (K.N.)
| | - Karolina Niedziałek
- Student’s Scientific Circle at Laboratory of Preclinical Testing, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 1, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (J.L.); (K.N.)
| | | | - Aleksandra Szopa
- Laboratory of Preclinical Testing, Chair and Department of Applied and Social Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 1, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
- Correspondence: (A.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Katarzyna Świąder
- Chair and Department of Applied and Social Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 1, 20-093 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Jarosław Szponar
- Clinical Department of Toxicology and Cardiology, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 1, 20-093 Lublin, Poland;
- Toxicology Clinic, Stefan Wyszyński Regional Specialist Hospital in Lublin, Al. Kraśnicka 100, 20-718 Lublin, Poland
| | - Anna Serefko
- Laboratory of Preclinical Testing, Chair and Department of Applied and Social Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 1, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
- Correspondence: (A.S.); (A.S.)
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Kabelik D, Julien AR, Ramirez D, O'Connell LA. Social boldness correlates with brain gene expression in male green anoles. Horm Behav 2021; 133:105007. [PMID: 34102460 PMCID: PMC8277760 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2021.105007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 05/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Within populations, some individuals tend to exhibit a bold or shy social behavior phenotype relative to the mean. The neural underpinnings of these differing phenotypes - also described as syndromes, personalities, and coping styles - is an area of ongoing investigation. Although a social decision-making network has been described across vertebrate taxa, most studies examining activity within this network do so in relation to exhibited differences in behavioral expression. Our study instead focuses on constitutive gene expression in bold and shy individuals by isolating baseline gene expression profiles that influence social boldness predisposition, rather than those reflecting the results of social interaction and behavioral execution. We performed this study on male green anole lizards (Anolis carolinensis), an established model organism for behavioral research, which provides a crucial comparison group to investigations of birds and mammals. After identifying subjects as bold or shy through repeated reproductive and agonistic behavior testing, we used RNA sequencing to compare gene expression profiles between these groups within various forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain regions. The ventromedial hypothalamus had the largest group differences in gene expression, with bold males having increased expression of neuroendocrine and neurotransmitter receptor and calcium channel genes compared to shy males. Conversely, shy males express more integrin alpha-10 in the majority of examined regions. There were no significant group differences in physiology or hormone levels. Our results highlight the ventromedial hypothalamus as an important center of behavioral differences across individuals and provide novel candidates for investigations into the regulation of individual variation in social behavior phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Kabelik
- Department of Biology & Program in Neuroscience, Rhodes College, Memphis, TN 38112, USA.
| | - Allison R Julien
- Department of Biology & Program in Neuroscience, Rhodes College, Memphis, TN 38112, USA
| | - Dave Ramirez
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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Weitekamp CA, Hofmann HA. Effects of air pollution exposure on social behavior: a synthesis and call for research. Environ Health 2021; 20:72. [PMID: 34187479 PMCID: PMC8243425 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-021-00761-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a growing literature from both epidemiologic and experimental animal studies suggesting that exposure to air pollution can lead to neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders. Here, we suggest that effects of air pollutant exposure on the brain may be even broader, with the potential to affect social decision-making in general. METHODS We discuss how the neurobiological substrates of social behavior are vulnerable to air pollution, then briefly present studies that examine the effects of air pollutant exposure on social behavior-related outcomes. RESULTS Few experimental studies have investigated the effects of air pollution on social behavior and those that have focus on standard laboratory tests in rodent model systems. Nonetheless, there is sufficient evidence to support a critical need for more research. CONCLUSION For future research, we suggest a comparative approach that utilizes diverse model systems to probe the effects of air pollution on a wider range of social behaviors, brain regions, and neurochemical pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chelsea A. Weitekamp
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Durham, NC USA
| | - Hans A. Hofmann
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas At Austin, Austin, TX USA
- Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas At Austin, Austin, TX USA
- Institute for Neuroscience, The University of Texas At Austin, Austin, TX USA
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Chen J, Li J, Jiang H, Yu J, Wang H, Wang N, Chen S, Mo W, Wang P, Tanguay RL, Dong Q, Huang C. Developmental co-exposure of TBBPA and titanium dioxide nanoparticle induced behavioral deficits in larval zebrafish. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2021; 215:112176. [PMID: 33780780 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.112176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2020] [Revised: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Both tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) and titanium dioxide nanoparticle (TiO2 NP) have widespread commercial applications, resulting in their ubiquitous co-presence in the environment and biota. Although environmental chemicals exist as mixtures, toxicity studies are nearly always conducted with single chemicals. Few studies explore potential interactions of different chemical mixtures. In this study, we employ the sensitive developing nerve system in zebrafish to assess the neurotoxicity of TBBPA/TiO2 NP mixtures. Specifically, zebrafish embryos were exposed to solvent control (0.1% DMSO), 2 μM TBBPA, 0.1 mg/L TiO2 NP, and their mixture from 8 to 120 h post fertilization (hpf), and motor/social behavioral assessments were conducted on embryos/larvae at different developmental stages. Our results showed that TBBPA/TiO2 NP single or co-exposures increased spontaneous movement, decreased touch response and swim speed, and affected social behaviors of light/dark preference, shoaling, mirror attack and social contact. In particular, many of these phenotypes were manifested with higher magnitude of changes from the mixture exposure. These behavioral deficits were also accompanied with increased cell death in olfactory region and neuromasts in the lateral line system, increased ROS in gallbladder, pancreas, liver, and intestine, as well as increased lipid peroxidation and decreased ATP levels in whole larval tissue homogenates. Further, genes coding for key cell apoptosis marker and antioxidant enzyme were significantly upregulated by these two chemicals, in particular to their mixture. Interestingly, the co-presence of TBBPA also increased the mean particle size of TiO2 NP in the exposure solutions and the TiO2 NP content in larval tissue. Together, our analysis suggests that TBBPA/TiO2 NP induced behavioral changes may be due to physical accumulation of these two chemicals in the target organs, and TiO2 NP may serve as carriers for increased accumulation of TBBPA. To conclude, we demonstrated that TBBPA/TiO2 NP together cause increased bioaccumulation of TiO2, and heightened responses in behavior, cell apoptosis and oxidative stress. Our findings also highlight the importance of toxicity assessment using chemical mixtures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiangfei Chen
- Institute of Environmental Safety and Human Health, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, PR China.
| | - Jiani Li
- Institute of Environmental Safety and Human Health, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, PR China
| | - Hao Jiang
- Institute of Environmental Safety and Human Health, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, PR China
| | - Jiajian Yu
- Institute of Environmental Safety and Human Health, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, PR China
| | - Hongzhu Wang
- Institute of Environmental Safety and Human Health, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, PR China
| | - Nengzhuang Wang
- Institute of Environmental Safety and Human Health, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, PR China
| | - Shan Chen
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, PR China
| | - Wen Mo
- Zhejiang Rehabilitation Medical Center, Hangzhou 310051, PR China
| | - Ping Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, PR China
| | - Robyn L Tanguay
- Sinnhuber Aquatic Research Laboratory, Department of Environmental & Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, 28645 East Highway 34, Corvallis, OR 97333, United States
| | - Qiaoxiang Dong
- Institute of Environmental Safety and Human Health, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, PR China; The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, PR China
| | - Changjiang Huang
- Institute of Environmental Safety and Human Health, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, PR China.
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Zebrafish, an In Vivo Platform to Screen Drugs and Proteins for Biomedical Use. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14060500. [PMID: 34073947 PMCID: PMC8225009 DOI: 10.3390/ph14060500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The nearly simultaneous convergence of human genetics and advanced molecular technologies has led to an improved understanding of human diseases. At the same time, the demand for drug screening and gene function identification has also increased, albeit time- and labor-intensive. However, bridging the gap between in vitro evidence from cell lines and in vivo evidence, the lower vertebrate zebrafish possesses many advantages over higher vertebrates, such as low maintenance, high fecundity, light-induced spawning, transparent embryos, short generation interval, rapid embryonic development, fully sequenced genome, and some phenotypes similar to human diseases. Such merits have popularized the zebrafish as a model system for biomedical and pharmaceutical studies, including drug screening. Here, we reviewed the various ways in which zebrafish serve as an in vivo platform to perform drug and protein screening in the fields of rare human diseases, social behavior and cancer studies. Since zebrafish mutations faithfully phenocopy many human disorders, many compounds identified from zebrafish screening systems have advanced to early clinical trials, such as those for Adenoid cystic carcinoma, Dravet syndrome and Diamond-Blackfan anemia. We also reviewed and described how zebrafish are used to carry out environmental pollutant detection and assessment of nanoparticle biosafety and QT prolongation.
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Knudsen TB, Fitzpatrick SC, De Abrew KN, Birnbaum LS, Chappelle A, Daston GP, Dolinoy DC, Elder A, Euling S, Faustman EM, Fedinick KP, Franzosa JA, Haggard DE, Haws L, Kleinstreuer NC, Buck Louis GM, Mendrick DL, Rudel R, Saili KS, Schug TT, Tanguay RL, Turley AE, Wetmore BA, White KW, Zurlinden TJ. FutureTox IV Workshop Summary: Predictive Toxicology for Healthy Children. Toxicol Sci 2021; 180:198-211. [PMID: 33555348 PMCID: PMC8041457 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfab013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
FutureTox IV, a Society of Toxicology Contemporary Concepts in Toxicology workshop, was held in November 2018. Building upon FutureTox I, II, and III, this conference focused on the latest science and technology for in vitro profiling and in silico modeling as it relates to predictive developmental and reproductive toxicity (DART). Publicly available high-throughput screening data sets are now available for broad in vitro profiling of bioactivities across large inventories of chemicals. Coupling this vast amount of mechanistic data with a deeper understanding of molecular embryology and post-natal development lays the groundwork for using new approach methodologies (NAMs) to evaluate chemical toxicity, drug efficacy, and safety assessment for embryo-fetal development. NAM is a term recently adopted in reference to any technology, methodology, approach, or combination thereof that can be used to provide information on chemical hazard and risk assessment to avoid the use of intact animals (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency [EPA], Strategic plan to promote the development and implementation of alternative test methods within the tsca program, 2018, https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2018-06/documents/epa_alt_strat_plan_6-20-18_clean_final.pdf). There are challenges to implementing NAMs to evaluate chemicals for developmental toxicity compared with adult toxicity. This forum article reviews the 2018 workshop activities, highlighting challenges and opportunities for applying NAMs for adverse pregnancy outcomes (eg, preterm labor, malformations, low birth weight) as well as disorders manifesting postnatally (eg, neurodevelopmental impairment, breast cancer, cardiovascular disease, fertility). DART is an important concern for different regulatory statutes and test guidelines. Leveraging advancements in such approaches and the accompanying efficiencies to detecting potential hazards to human development are the unifying concepts toward implementing NAMs in DART testing. Although use of NAMs for higher level regulatory decision making is still on the horizon, the conference highlighted novel testing platforms and computational models that cover multiple levels of biological organization, with the unique temporal dynamics of embryonic development, and novel approaches for estimating toxicokinetic parameters essential in supporting in vitro to in vivo extrapolation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas B Knudsen
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, ORD, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | | | | | - Linda S Birnbaum
- National Institute of Environmental Health Science, NIH, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Anne Chappelle
- Chappelle Toxicology Consulting, LLC, Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | | | - Alison Elder
- University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Susan Euling
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Children’s Health Protection, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | | | | | - Jill A Franzosa
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, ORD, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Derik E Haggard
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, ORD, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE);, Texas, USA
| | | | | | | | - Donna L Mendrick
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration, NCTR, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Katerine S Saili
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, ORD, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Thaddeus T Schug
- National Institute of Environmental Health Science, NIH, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | | | | | - Barbara A Wetmore
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, ORD, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Kimberly W White
- American Chemistry Council, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Todd J Zurlinden
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, ORD, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
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Goode C, Voeun M, Ncube D, Eisen J, Washbourne P, Tallafuss A. Late onset of Synaptotagmin 2a expression at synapses relevant to social behavior. J Comp Neurol 2021; 529:2176-2188. [PMID: 33491202 DOI: 10.1002/cne.25084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
As they form, synapses go through various stages of maturation and refinement. These steps are linked to significant changes in synaptic function, potentially resulting in emergence and maturation of behavioral outputs. Synaptotagmins are calcium-sensing proteins of the synaptic vesicle exocytosis machinery, and changes in Synaptotagmin proteins at synapses have significant effects on vesicle release and synaptic function. Here, we examined the distribution of the synaptic vesicle protein Synaptotagmin 2a (Syt2a) during development of the zebrafish nervous system. Syt2a is widely distributed throughout the midbrain and hindbrain early during larval development but very weakly expressed in the forebrain. Later in development, Syt2a expression levels in the forebrain increase, particularly in regions associated with social behavior, and most intriguingly, around the time social behavior becomes apparent. We provide evidence that Syt2a localizes to synapses onto neurons implicated in social behavior in the ventral forebrain and show that Syt2a is colocalized with tyrosine hydroxylase, a biosynthetic enzyme in the dopamine pathway. Our results suggest a developmentally important role for Syt2a in maturing synapses in the forebrain, coinciding with the emergence of social behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Collette Goode
- Institute of Neuroscience, University of Oregon, Eugene, USA
| | - Mae Voeun
- Institute of Neuroscience, University of Oregon, Eugene, USA
| | - Denver Ncube
- Institute of Neuroscience, University of Oregon, Eugene, USA
| | - Judith Eisen
- Institute of Neuroscience, University of Oregon, Eugene, USA
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Ogi A, Licitra R, Naef V, Marchese M, Fronte B, Gazzano A, Santorelli FM. Social Preference Tests in Zebrafish: A Systematic Review. Front Vet Sci 2021; 7:590057. [PMID: 33553276 PMCID: PMC7862119 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.590057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of animal models in biology research continues to be necessary for the development of new technologies and medicines, and therefore crucial for enhancing human and animal health. In this context, the need to ensure the compliance of research with the principles Replacement, Reduction and Refinement (the 3 Rs), which underpin the ethical and human approach to husbandry and experimental design, has become a central issue. The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is becoming a widely used model in the field of behavioral neuroscience. In particular, studying zebrafish social preference, by observing how an individual fish interacts with conspecifics, may offer insights into several neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders. The main aim of this review is to summarize principal factors affecting zebrafish behavior during social preference tests. We identified three categories of social research using zebrafish: studies carried out in untreated wild-type zebrafish, in pharmacologically treated wild-type zebrafish, and in genetically engineered fish. We suggest guidelines for standardizing social preference testing in the zebrafish model. The main advances gleaned from zebrafish social behavior testing are discussed, together with the relevance of this method to scientific research, including the study of behavioral disorders in humans. The authors stress the importance of adopting an ethical approach that considers the welfare of animals involved in experimental procedures. Ensuring a high standard of animal welfare is not only good for the animals, but also enhances the quality of our science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asahi Ogi
- Neurobiology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Rosario Licitra
- Neurobiology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| | - Valentina Naef
- Neurobiology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| | - Maria Marchese
- Neurobiology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Angelo Gazzano
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Filippo M Santorelli
- Neurobiology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
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Joo W, Vivian MD, Graham BJ, Soucy ER, Thyme SB. A Customizable Low-Cost System for Massively Parallel Zebrafish Behavioral Phenotyping. Front Behav Neurosci 2021; 14:606900. [PMID: 33536882 PMCID: PMC7847893 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2020.606900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
High-throughput behavioral phenotyping is critical to genetic or chemical screening approaches. Zebrafish larvae are amenable to high-throughput behavioral screening because of their rapid development, small size, and conserved vertebrate brain architecture. Existing commercial behavioral phenotyping systems are expensive and not easily modified for new assays. Here, we describe a modular, highly adaptable, and low-cost system. Along with detailed assembly and operation instructions, we provide data acquisition software and a robust, parallel analysis pipeline. We validate our approach by analyzing stimulus response profiles in larval zebrafish, confirming prepulse inhibition phenotypes of two previously isolated mutants, and highlighting best practices for growing larvae prior to behavioral testing. Our new design thus allows rapid construction and streamlined operation of many large-scale behavioral setups with minimal resources and fabrication expertise, with broad applications to other aquatic organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Joo
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Michael D. Vivian
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Brett J. Graham
- Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Edward R. Soucy
- Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Summer B. Thyme
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
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46
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Sivakrishnan S, Anbiah SV. Animals Used in Experimental Pharmacology and 3 Rs. PHARMACOPHORE 2021. [DOI: 10.51847/mixpbfzddp] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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47
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Martorell-Ribera J, Venuto MT, Otten W, Brunner RM, Goldammer T, Rebl A, Gimsa U. Time-Dependent Effects of Acute Handling on the Brain Monoamine System of the Salmonid Coregonus maraena. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:591738. [PMID: 33343287 PMCID: PMC7746803 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.591738] [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: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The immediate stress response involves the activation of the monoaminergic neurotransmitter systems including serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline in particular areas of the fish brain. We chose maraena whitefish as a stress-sensitive salmonid species to investigate the influence of acute and chronic handling on the neurochemistry of monoamines in the brain. Plasma cortisol was quantified to assess the activation of the stress axis. In addition, we analyzed the expression of 37 genes related to the monoamine system to identify genes that could be used as markers of neurophysiological stress effects. Brain neurochemistry responded to a single handling (1 min netting and chasing) with increased serotonergic activity 3 h post-challenge. This was accompanied by a modulated expression of monoaminergic receptor genes in the hindbrain and a significant increase of plasma cortisol. The initial response was compensated by an increased monoamine synthesis at 24 h post-challenge, combined with the modulated expression of serotonin-receptor genes and plasma cortisol concentrations returning to control levels. After 10 days of repeated handling (1 min per day), we detected a slightly increased noradrenaline synthesis and a down-regulated expression of dopamine-receptor genes without effect on plasma cortisol levels. In conclusion, the changes in serotonergic neurochemistry and selected gene-expression profiles, together with the initial plasma cortisol variation, indicate an acute response and a subsequent recovery phase with signs of habituation after 10 days of daily exposure to handling. Based on the basal expression patterns of particular genes and their significant regulation upon handling conditions, we suggest a group of genes as potential biomarkers that indicate handling stress on the brain monoamine systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joan Martorell-Ribera
- Fish Genetics Unit, Institute of Genome Biology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Dummerstorf, Germany.,Psychophysiology Unit, Institute of Behavioural Physiology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - Marzia Tindara Venuto
- Glycobiology Group, Institute of Reproductive Biology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - Winfried Otten
- Psychophysiology Unit, Institute of Behavioural Physiology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - Ronald M Brunner
- Fish Genetics Unit, Institute of Genome Biology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - Tom Goldammer
- Fish Genetics Unit, Institute of Genome Biology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - Alexander Rebl
- Fish Genetics Unit, Institute of Genome Biology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - Ulrike Gimsa
- Psychophysiology Unit, Institute of Behavioural Physiology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Dummerstorf, Germany
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48
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Facciol A, Gerlai R. Zebrafish Shoaling, Its Behavioral and Neurobiological Mechanisms, and Its Alteration by Embryonic Alcohol Exposure: A Review. Front Behav Neurosci 2020; 14:572175. [PMID: 33100980 PMCID: PMC7546311 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2020.572175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Social cognition and social behaviors are complex phenomena that involve numerous brain areas and underlying neurobiological mechanisms. Embryonic alcohol exposure may lead to the development of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), a disorder that manifests with varying symptoms including abnormal social behavior and other cognitive deficits. Animal models have been utilized to mimic aspects of the disease and to study potential underlying mechanisms. The zebrafish is a relative newcomer in this field but has been suggested as an optimal compromise between system complexity and practical simplicity for modeling FASD. Importantly, due to external fertilization and development of the embryo outside the mother and subsequent lack of parental care, this species allows precise control of the timing and dose of alcohol delivery during embryonic development. Furthermore, the zebrafish is a highly social species and thus may be particularly appropriate for the analysis of embryonic alcohol-induced alterations in this context. Here, we provide a succinct review focusing on shoaling, a prominent form of social behavior, in zebrafish. We summarize what is known about its behavioral mechanisms and underlying neurobiological processes, and how it is altered by exposure to ethanol during embryonic development. Lastly, we briefly consider possible future directions of research that would help us better understand the relationship between the behavioral expression and molecular basis of embryonic ethanol-induced social deficits in fish and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Facciol
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Robert Gerlai
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada
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de Abreu MS, C V V Giacomini A, Genario R, Fontana BD, Parker MO, Marcon L, Scolari N, Bueno B, Demin KA, Galstyan D, Kolesnikova TO, Amstislavskaya TG, Zabegalov KN, Strekalova T, Kalueff AV. Zebrafish models of impulsivity and impulse control disorders. Eur J Neurosci 2020; 52:4233-4248. [PMID: 32619029 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Revised: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Impulse control disorders (ICDs) are characterized by generalized difficulty controlling emotions and behaviors. ICDs are a broad group of the central nervous system (CNS) disorders including conduct disorder, intermittent explosive, oppositional-defiant disorder, antisocial personality disorder, kleptomania, pyromania and other illnesses. Although they all share a common feature (aberrant impulsivity), their pathobiology is complex and poorly understood. There are also currently no ICD-specific therapies to treat these illnesses. Animal models are a valuable tool for studying ICD pathobiology and potential therapies. The zebrafish (Danio rerio) has become a useful model organism to study CNS disorders due to high genetic and physiological homology to mammals, and sensitivity to various pharmacological and genetic manipulations. Here, we summarize experimental models of impulsivity and ICD in zebrafish and highlight their growing translational significance. We also emphasize the need for further development of zebrafish ICD models to improve our understanding of their pathogenesis and to search for novel therapeutic treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murilo S de Abreu
- Bioscience Institute, University of Passo Fundo, Passo Fundo, Brazil.,The International Zebrafish Neuroscience Research Consortium (ZNRC), Slidell, LA, USA
| | - Ana C V V Giacomini
- Bioscience Institute, University of Passo Fundo, Passo Fundo, Brazil.,Postgraduate Program in Environmental Sciences, University of Passo Fundo, Passo Fundo, Brazil
| | - Rafael Genario
- Bioscience Institute, University of Passo Fundo, Passo Fundo, Brazil
| | - Barbara D Fontana
- Brain and Behaviour Laboratory, School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Portsmouth, UK
| | - Matthew O Parker
- Brain and Behaviour Laboratory, School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Portsmouth, UK
| | - Leticia Marcon
- Bioscience Institute, University of Passo Fundo, Passo Fundo, Brazil
| | - Naiara Scolari
- Bioscience Institute, University of Passo Fundo, Passo Fundo, Brazil
| | - Barbara Bueno
- Bioscience Institute, University of Passo Fundo, Passo Fundo, Brazil
| | - Konstantin A Demin
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, Almazov National Medical Research Center, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, St. Petersburg, Russia.,Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - David Galstyan
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Tatyana O Kolesnikova
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, Almazov National Medical Research Center, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | | | | | - Tatyana Strekalova
- Laboratory of Psychiatric Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia.,School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Center of Mental Health, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.,Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, University of Würzburg, Moscow, Russia
| | - Allan V Kalueff
- School of Pharmacy, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.,Laboratory of Petrochemistry, Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, Russia
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50
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Campbell PD, Granato M. Zebrafish as a tool to study schizophrenia-associated copy number variants. Dis Model Mech 2020; 13:dmm043877. [PMID: 32433025 PMCID: PMC7197721 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.043877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia remains one of the most debilitating human neurodevelopmental disorders, with few effective treatments and striking consequences felt by individuals, communities and society as a whole. As such, there remains a critical need for further investigation into the mechanistic underpinnings of schizophrenia so that novel therapeutic targets can be identified. Because schizophrenia is a highly heritable disorder, genetic risk factors remain an attractive avenue for this research. Given their clear molecular genetic consequences, recurrent microdeletions and duplications, or copy number variants (CNVs), represent one of the most tractable genetic entry points to elucidating these mechanisms. To date, eight CNVs have been shown to significantly increase the risk of schizophrenia. Although rodent models of these CNVs that exhibit behavioral phenotypes have been generated, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely elusive. Over the past decades, the zebrafish has emerged as a powerful vertebrate model that has led to fundamental discoveries in developmental neurobiology and behavioral genetics. Here, we review the attributes that make zebrafish exceptionally well suited to investigating individual and combinatorial gene contributions to CNV-mediated brain dysfunction in schizophrenia. With highly conserved genetics and neural substrates, an ever-expanding molecular genetic and imaging toolkit, and ability to perform high-throughput and high-content genetic and pharmacologic screens, zebrafish is poised to generate deep insights into the molecular genetic mechanisms of schizophrenia-associated neurodevelopmental and behavioral deficits, and to facilitate the identification of therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip D Campbell
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Michael Granato
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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