1
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Sato M, Nakai N, Fujima S, Choe KY, Takumi T. Social circuits and their dysfunction in autism spectrum disorder. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:3194-3206. [PMID: 37612363 PMCID: PMC10618103 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02201-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
Social behaviors, how individuals act cooperatively and competitively with conspecifics, are widely seen across species. Rodents display various social behaviors, and many different behavioral paradigms have been used for investigating their neural circuit bases. Social behavior is highly vulnerable to brain network dysfunction caused by neurological and neuropsychiatric conditions such as autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Studying mouse models of ASD provides a promising avenue toward elucidating mechanisms of abnormal social behavior and potential therapeutic targets for treatment. In this review, we outline recent progress and key findings on neural circuit mechanisms underlying social behavior, with particular emphasis on rodent studies that monitor and manipulate the activity of specific circuits using modern systems neuroscience approaches. Social behavior is mediated by a distributed brain-wide network among major cortical (e.g., medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), anterior cingulate cortex, and insular cortex (IC)) and subcortical (e.g., nucleus accumbens, basolateral amygdala (BLA), and ventral tegmental area) structures, influenced by multiple neuromodulatory systems (e.g., oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin). We particularly draw special attention to IC as a unique cortical area that mediates multisensory integration, encoding of ongoing social interaction, social decision-making, emotion, and empathy. Additionally, a synthesis of studies investigating ASD mouse models demonstrates that dysfunctions in mPFC-BLA circuitry and neuromodulation are prominent. Pharmacological rescues by local or systemic (e.g., oral) administration of various drugs have provided valuable clues for developing new therapeutic agents for ASD. Future efforts and technological advances will push forward the next frontiers in this field, such as the elucidation of brain-wide network activity and inter-brain neural dynamics during real and virtual social interactions, and the establishment of circuit-based therapy for disorders affecting social functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaaki Sato
- Department of Neuropharmacology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Kita, Sapporo, 060-8638, Japan
| | - Nobuhiro Nakai
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Kobe University School of Medicine, Chuo, Kobe, 650-0017, Japan
| | - Shuhei Fujima
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Kobe University School of Medicine, Chuo, Kobe, 650-0017, Japan
| | - Katrina Y Choe
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Toru Takumi
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Kobe University School of Medicine, Chuo, Kobe, 650-0017, Japan.
- RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Chuo, Kobe, 650-0047, Japan.
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2
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Nakai N, Sato M, Yamashita O, Sekine Y, Fu X, Nakai J, Zalesky A, Takumi T. Virtual reality-based real-time imaging reveals abnormal cortical dynamics during behavioral transitions in a mouse model of autism. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112258. [PMID: 36990094 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Functional connectivity (FC) can provide insight into cortical circuit dysfunction in neuropsychiatric disorders. However, dynamic changes in FC related to locomotion with sensory feedback remain to be elucidated. To investigate FC dynamics in locomoting mice, we develop mesoscopic Ca2+ imaging with a virtual reality (VR) environment. We find rapid reorganization of cortical FC in response to changing behavioral states. By using machine learning classification, behavioral states are accurately decoded. We then use our VR-based imaging system to study cortical FC in a mouse model of autism and find that locomotion states are associated with altered FC dynamics. Furthermore, we identify FC patterns involving the motor area as the most distinguishing features of the autism mice from wild-type mice during behavioral transitions, which might correlate with motor clumsiness in individuals with autism. Our VR-based real-time imaging system provides crucial information to understand FC dynamics linked to behavioral abnormality of neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nobuhiro Nakai
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan; Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Kobe University School of Medicine, Chuo, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
| | - Masaaki Sato
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan; Department of Neuropharmacology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Kita, Sapporo 060-8638, Japan.
| | - Okito Yamashita
- RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project, Chuo, Tokyo 103-0027, Japan; Department of Computational Brain Imaging, ATR Neural Information Analysis Laboratories, Seika, Kyoto 619-0288, Japan
| | - Yukiko Sekine
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Xiaochen Fu
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Junichi Nakai
- Division of Oral Physiology, Department of Disease Management Dentistry, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, Aoba, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
| | - Andrew Zalesky
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre and Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Toru Takumi
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan; Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Kobe University School of Medicine, Chuo, Kobe 650-0017, Japan; RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Chuo, Kobe 650-0047, Japan.
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3
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Chen CY, Seward CH, Song Y, Inamdar M, Leddy AM, Zhang H, Yoo J, Kao WC, Pawlowski H, Stubbs LJ. Galnt17 loss-of-function leads to developmental delay and abnormal coordination, activity, and social interactions with cerebellar vermis pathology. Dev Biol 2022; 490:155-171. [PMID: 36002036 PMCID: PMC10671221 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2022.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
GALNT17 encodes a N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase (GalNAc-T) protein specifically involved in mucin-type O-linked glycosylation of target proteins, a process important for cell adhesion, cell signaling, neurotransmitter activity, neurite outgrowth, and neurite sensing. GALNT17, also known as WBSCR17, is located at the edge of the Williams-Beuren Syndrome (WBS) critical region and adjacent to the AUTS2 locus, genomic regions associated with neurodevelopmental phenotypes that are thought to be co-regulated. Although previous data have implicated Galnt17 in neurodevelopment, the in vivo functions of this gene have not been investigated. In this study, we have analyzed behavioral, brain pathology, and molecular phenotypes exhibited by Galnt17 knockout (Galnt17-/-) mice. We show that Galnt17-/- mutants exhibit developmental neuropathology within the cerebellar vermis, along with abnormal activity, coordination, and social interaction deficits. Transcriptomic and protein analysis revealed reductions in both mucin type O-glycosylation and heparan sulfate synthesis in the developing mutant cerebellum along with disruption of pathways central to neuron differentiation, axon pathfinding, and synaptic signaling, consistent with the mutant neuropathology. These brain and behavioral phenotypes and molecular data confirm a specific role for Galnt17 in brain development and suggest new clues to factors that could contribute to phenotypes in certain WBS and AUTS2 syndrome patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Ying Chen
- Pacific Northwest Research Institute, Seattle, WA, 98122, USA; Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology and School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61802, USA.
| | - Christopher H Seward
- Pacific Northwest Research Institute, Seattle, WA, 98122, USA; Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology and School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61802, USA
| | - Yunshu Song
- Pacific Northwest Research Institute, Seattle, WA, 98122, USA; Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology and School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61802, USA
| | - Manasi Inamdar
- Pacific Northwest Research Institute, Seattle, WA, 98122, USA
| | - Analise M Leddy
- Pacific Northwest Research Institute, Seattle, WA, 98122, USA
| | - Huimin Zhang
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology and School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61802, USA
| | - Jennifer Yoo
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology and School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61802, USA
| | - Wei-Chun Kao
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology and School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61802, USA
| | - Hanna Pawlowski
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology and School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61802, USA
| | - Lisa J Stubbs
- Pacific Northwest Research Institute, Seattle, WA, 98122, USA; Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology and School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61802, USA.
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4
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The prevention of home-cage grid climbing affects muscle strength in mice. Sci Rep 2022; 12:15263. [PMID: 36088409 PMCID: PMC9464241 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-19713-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractExperimenters and treatment methods are the major contributors to data variability in behavioral neuroscience. However, home cage characteristics are likely associated with data variability. Mice housed in breeding cages spontaneously exhibit behavioral patterns such as biting into the wire grid and climbing on the grid lid. We aimed to clarify the effect of covering the stainless steel wire grid lid in commonly used home cage with Plexiglas to prevent climbing on muscle strength in mice. Furthermore, we investigated the effects of climbing prevention on activity and anxiety-like behavior, and the impact of climbing prevention during the postnatal development period and adulthood on muscle strength. Muscle strength, anxiety-like behavior, and locomotor activity were assessed by a battery of tests (wire hang, suspension, grip strength, rotarod, elevated-plus maze, and open field tests). Mice prevented from climbing the wire grid during postnatal development displayed lower muscle strength than those able to climb. Moreover, mice prevented from climbing for 3 weeks following maturity had weakened muscles. The muscle strength was decreased with 3 weeks of climbing prevention in even 1-year-old mice. In summary, the stainless steel wire grid in the home cage contributed to the development and maintenance of muscle strength in mice.
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5
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Genetic mutation of TRPV2 induces anxiety by decreasing GABA-B R2 expression in hippocampus. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2022; 620:135-142. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.06.079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Chung C, Shin W, Kim E. Early and Late Corrections in Mouse Models of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Biol Psychiatry 2022; 91:934-944. [PMID: 34556257 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2021.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social and repetitive symptoms. A key feature of ASD is early-life manifestations of symptoms, indicative of early pathophysiological mechanisms. In mouse models of ASD, increasing evidence indicates that there are early pathophysiological mechanisms that can be corrected early to prevent phenotypic defects in adults, overcoming the disadvantage of the short-lasting effects that characterize adult-initiated treatments. In addition, the results from gene restorations indicate that ASD-related phenotypes can be rescued in some cases even after the brain has fully matured. These results suggest that we need to consider both temporal and mechanistic aspects in studies of ASD models and carefully compare genetic and nongenetic corrections. Here, we summarize the early and late corrections in mouse models of ASD by genetic and pharmacological interventions and discuss how to better integrate these results to ensure efficient and long-lasting corrections for eventual clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changuk Chung
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, South Korea; Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Wangyong Shin
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Eunjoon Kim
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, South Korea; Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, South Korea.
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7
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Tsurugizawa T. Translational Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Autism Spectrum Disorder From the Mouse Model to Human. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:872036. [PMID: 35585926 PMCID: PMC9108701 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.872036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous syndrome characterized by behavioral features such as impaired social communication, repetitive behavior patterns, and a lack of interest in novel objects. A multimodal neuroimaging using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with ASD shows highly heterogeneous abnormalities in function and structure in the brain associated with specific behavioral features. To elucidate the mechanism of ASD, several ASD mouse models have been generated, by focusing on some of the ASD risk genes. A specific behavioral feature of an ASD mouse model is caused by an altered gene expression or a modification of a gene product. Using these mouse models, a high field preclinical MRI enables us to non-invasively investigate the neuronal mechanism of the altered brain function associated with the behavior and ASD risk genes. Thus, MRI is a promising translational approach to bridge the gap between mice and humans. This review presents the evidence for multimodal MRI, including functional MRI (fMRI), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and volumetric analysis, in ASD mouse models and in patients with ASD and discusses the future directions for the translational study of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomokazu Tsurugizawa
- Human Informatics and Interaction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Japan
- Faculty of Engineering, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
- *Correspondence: Tomokazu Tsurugizawa,
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8
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Kawaguchi Y, Tomonaga M, Adachi I. No evidence of spatial representation of age, but "own-age bias" like face processing found in chimpanzees. Anim Cogn 2021; 25:415-424. [PMID: 34601661 PMCID: PMC8940789 DOI: 10.1007/s10071-021-01564-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies have revealed that non-human primates can differentiate the age category of faces. However, the knowledge about age recognition in non-human primates is very limited and whether non-human primates can process facial age information in a similar way to humans is unknown. As humans have an association between time and space (e.g., a person in an earlier life stage to the left and a person in a later life stage to the right), we investigated whether chimpanzees spatially represent conspecifics’ adult and infant faces. Chimpanzees were tested using an identical matching-to-sample task with conspecific adult and infant face stimuli. Two comparison images were presented vertically (Experiment 1) or horizontally (Experiment 2). We analyzed whether the response time was influenced by the position and age category of the target stimuli, but there was no evidence of correspondence between space and adult/infant faces. Thus, evidence of the spatial representation of the age category was not found. However, we did find that the response time was consistently faster when they discriminated between adult faces than when they discriminated between infant faces in both experiments. This result is in line with a series of human face studies that suggest the existence of an “own-age bias.” As far as we know, this is the first report of asymmetric face processing efficiency between infant and adult faces in non-human primates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuri Kawaguchi
- Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria. .,Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Tokyo, Japan. .,Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, Inuyama, Japan.
| | | | - Ikuma Adachi
- Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, Inuyama, Japan
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Tamada K, Fukumoto K, Toya T, Nakai N, Awasthi JR, Tanaka S, Okabe S, Spitz F, Saitow F, Suzuki H, Takumi T. Genetic dissection identifies Necdin as a driver gene in a mouse model of paternal 15q duplications. Nat Commun 2021; 12:4056. [PMID: 34210967 PMCID: PMC8249516 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24359-3] [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: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternally inherited duplication of chromosome 15q11-q13 (Dup15q) is a pathogenic copy number variation (CNV) associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Recently, paternally derived duplication has also been shown to contribute to the development of ASD. The molecular mechanism underlying paternal Dup15q remains unclear. Here, we conduct genetic and overexpression-based screening and identify Necdin (Ndn) as a driver gene for paternal Dup15q resulting in the development of ASD-like phenotypes in mice. An excess amount of Ndn results in enhanced spine formation and density as well as hyperexcitability of cortical pyramidal neurons. We generate 15q dupΔNdn mice with a normalized copy number of Ndn by excising its one copy from Dup15q mice using a CRISPR-Cas9 system. 15q dupΔNdn mice do not show ASD-like phenotypes and show dendritic spine dynamics and cortical excitatory-inhibitory balance similar to wild type animals. Our study provides an insight into the role of Ndn in paternal 15q duplication and a mouse model of paternal Dup15q syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kota Tamada
- grid.474690.8RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama, Japan ,grid.257022.00000 0000 8711 3200Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima University, Minami, Hiroshima, Japan ,grid.31432.370000 0001 1092 3077Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Kobe University School of Medicine, Chuo, Kobe, Japan
| | - Keita Fukumoto
- grid.474690.8RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama, Japan ,grid.257022.00000 0000 8711 3200Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima University, Minami, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Toya
- grid.474690.8RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama, Japan ,grid.26091.3c0000 0004 1936 9959Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Keio University, Minato, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Nobuhiro Nakai
- grid.474690.8RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama, Japan ,grid.257022.00000 0000 8711 3200Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima University, Minami, Hiroshima, Japan ,grid.31432.370000 0001 1092 3077Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Kobe University School of Medicine, Chuo, Kobe, Japan
| | - Janak R. Awasthi
- grid.474690.8RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama, Japan ,grid.263023.60000 0001 0703 3735Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Sakura, Saitama, Japan
| | - Shinji Tanaka
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XDepartment of Cellular Neurobiology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shigeo Okabe
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XDepartment of Cellular Neurobiology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - François Spitz
- grid.170205.10000 0004 1936 7822Department of Human Genetics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Fumihito Saitow
- grid.410821.e0000 0001 2173 8328Department of Pharmacology, Garduate School of Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hidenori Suzuki
- grid.410821.e0000 0001 2173 8328Department of Pharmacology, Garduate School of Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toru Takumi
- grid.474690.8RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama, Japan ,grid.257022.00000 0000 8711 3200Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima University, Minami, Hiroshima, Japan ,grid.31432.370000 0001 1092 3077Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Kobe University School of Medicine, Chuo, Kobe, Japan ,grid.263023.60000 0001 0703 3735Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Sakura, Saitama, Japan
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10
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Simmons DH, Titley HK, Hansel C, Mason P. Behavioral Tests for Mouse Models of Autism: An Argument for the Inclusion of Cerebellum-Controlled Motor Behaviors. Neuroscience 2021; 462:303-319. [PMID: 32417339 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Mouse models of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have been interrogated using a variety of behavioral tests in order to understand the symptoms of ASD. However, the hallmark behaviors that are classically affected in ASD - deficits in social interaction and communication as well as the occurrence of repetitive behaviors - do not have direct murine equivalents. Thus, it is critical to identify the caveats that come with modeling a human disorder in mice. The most commonly used behavioral tests represent complex cognitive processes based on largely unknown brain circuitry. Motor impairments provide an alternative, scientifically rigorous approach to understanding ASD symptoms. Difficulties with motor coordination and learning - seen in both patients and mice - point to an involvement of the cerebellum in ASD pathology. This brain area supports types of motor learning that are conserved throughout vertebrate evolution, allowing for direct comparisons of functional abnormalities between humans with autism and ASD mouse models. Studying simple motor behaviors provides researchers with clearly interpretable results. We describe and evaluate methods used on mouse behavioral assays designed to test for social, communicative, perseverative, anxious, nociceptive, and motor learning abnormalities. We comment on the effectiveness and validity of each test based on how much information its results give, as well as its relevance to ASD, and will argue for an inclusion of cerebellum-supported motor behaviors in the phenotypic description of ASD mouse models. LAY SUMMARY: Mouse models of Autism Spectrum Disorder help us gain insight about ASD symptoms in human patients. However, there are many differences between mice and humans, which makes interpreting behaviors challenging. Here, we discuss a battery of behavioral tests for specific mouse behaviors to explore whether each test does indeed evaluate the intended measure, and whether these tests are useful in learning about ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana H Simmons
- Department of Neurobiology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Heather K Titley
- Department of Neurobiology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Christian Hansel
- Department of Neurobiology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Peggy Mason
- Department of Neurobiology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
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Hori T, Ikuta S, Hattori S, Takao K, Miyakawa T, Koike C. Mice with mutations in Trpm1, a gene in the locus of 15q13.3 microdeletion syndrome, display pronounced hyperactivity and decreased anxiety-like behavior. Mol Brain 2021; 14:61. [PMID: 33785025 PMCID: PMC8008678 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-021-00749-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The 15q13.3 microdeletion syndrome is a genetic disorder characterized by a wide spectrum of psychiatric disorders that is caused by the deletion of a region containing 7 genes on chromosome 15 (MTMR10, FAN1, TRPM1, MIR211, KLF13, OTUD7A, and CHRNA7). The contribution of each gene in this syndrome has been studied using mutant mouse models, but no single mouse model recapitulates the whole spectrum of human 15q13.3 microdeletion syndrome. The behavior of Trpm1-/- mice has not been investigated in relation to 15q13.3 microdeletion syndrome due to the visual impairment in these mice, which may confound the results of behavioral tests involving vision. We were able to perform a comprehensive behavioral test battery using Trpm1 null mutant mice to investigate the role of Trpm1, which is thought to be expressed solely in the retina, in the central nervous system and to examine the relationship between TRPM1 and 15q13.3 microdeletion syndrome. Our data demonstrate that Trpm1-/- mice exhibit abnormal behaviors that may explain some phenotypes of 15q13.3 microdeletion syndrome, including reduced anxiety-like behavior, abnormal social interaction, attenuated fear memory, and the most prominent phenotype of Trpm1 mutant mice, hyperactivity. While the ON visual transduction pathway is impaired in Trpm1-/- mice, we did not detect compensatory high sensitivities for other sensory modalities. The pathway for visual impairment is the same between Trpm1-/- mice and mGluR6-/- mice, but hyperlocomotor activity has not been reported in mGluR6-/- mice. These data suggest that the phenotype of Trpm1-/- mice extends beyond that expected from visual impairment alone. Here, we provide the first evidence associating TRPM1 with impairment of cognitive function similar to that observed in phenotypes of 15q13.3 microdeletion syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tesshu Hori
- Graduate School of Pharmacy, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Shiga, Japan
- Laboratory for Systems Neuroscience and Developmental Biology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Shiga, Japan
| | - Shohei Ikuta
- Laboratory for Systems Neuroscience and Developmental Biology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Shiga, Japan
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Shiga, Japan
| | - Satoko Hattori
- Institute for Comprehensive Medical Science, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Aichi, Japan
| | - Keizo Takao
- Department of Behavioral Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama, Toyama, Japan
- Research Center for Idling Brain Science, University of Toyama, Toyama, Toyama, Japan
- Center for Genetic Analysis of Behavior, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Miyakawa
- Department of Behavioral Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Chieko Koike
- Graduate School of Pharmacy, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Shiga, Japan.
- Laboratory for Systems Neuroscience and Developmental Biology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Shiga, Japan.
- Center for Systems Vision Science, Research Organization of Science and Technology, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Shiga, Japan.
- Ritsumeikan Global Innovation Research Organization (R-GIRO), Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Shiga, Japan.
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Kawamoto A, Kajiume A, Yoshida H, Toshima T, Kobayashi M. Individual Differences in Autistic Traits are Associated with Serotonin Transporter Gene Polymorphism Through Medial Prefrontal Function: A Study Using NIRS. Neuroscience 2021; 458:43-53. [PMID: 33460729 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2021.01.007] [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: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 01/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heritable neurodevelopmental disorder that can vary considerably in severity. Autistic traits are distributed continuously across populations, even in sub-clinical individuals. Serotonin transporter-gene polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) has been studied as a candidate genetic factor related to ASD, however results have been inconsistent. 5-HTTLPR is implicated in the function of medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), a region associated with the social abnormalities found in ASD. Here we hypothesize that autistic traits are affected by the 5-HTTLPR genotype indirectly through mPFC mediation. Using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), we first examined mPFC activation in people with ASD when they performed a facial affect-labeling task. Compared with a typical development group, the ASD group showed significantly lower mPFC activation during the task. Using the same task paradigm, we next investigated the relationship between autistic traits and 5-HTTLPR in sub-clinical participants, and whether associations were mediated by mPFC function. Correlation analyses indicated that participants with a large number of 5-HTTLPR L-alleles had high-level autistic traits related to social skills and low right mPFC activation. We also observed a significant negative correlation between autistic traits related to social skills and right mPFC activation. Structural equation analysis suggested a significant indirect effect of 5-HTTLPR on Autism-Spectrum Quotients, with right mPFC activation acting as a mediator. These results suggest that the diverse autistic traits related to social skills seen in the general population are associated with the 5-HTTLPR genotype, and that this association is mediated by right mPFC function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akiko Kawamoto
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Biomedical & Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 734-8551, Japan.
| | - Aiko Kajiume
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Biomedical & Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 734-8551, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Yoshida
- Faculty of Contemporary Culture, Hijiyama University, 4-1-1 Ushitashinmachi, Higashi-ku, Hiroshima 732-8509, Japan
| | - Tamotsu Toshima
- Department of Psychology, Graduate School of Education, Hiroshima University, 1-7-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8521, Japan
| | - Masao Kobayashi
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Biomedical & Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 734-8551, Japan
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An Unbiased Drug Screen for Seizure Suppressors in Duplication 15q Syndrome Reveals 5-HT 1A and Dopamine Pathway Activation as Potential Therapies. Biol Psychiatry 2020; 88:698-709. [PMID: 32507391 PMCID: PMC7554174 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2020.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Revised: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Duplication 15q (Dup15q) syndrome is a rare neurogenetic disorder characterized by autism and pharmacoresistant epilepsy. Most individuals with isodicentric duplications have been on multiple medications to control seizures. We recently developed a model of Dup15q in Drosophila by elevating levels of fly Dube3a in glial cells using repo-GAL4, not neurons. In contrast to other Dup15q models, these flies develop seizures that worsen with age. METHODS We screened repo>Dube3a flies for approved compounds that can suppress seizures. Flies 3 to 5 days old were exposed to compounds in the fly food during development. Flies were tested using a bang sensitivity assay for seizure recovery time. At least 40 animals were tested per experiment, with separate testing for male and female flies. Studies of K+ content in glial cells of the fly brain were also performed using a fluorescent K+ indicator. RESULTS We identified 17 of 1280 compounds in the Prestwick Chemical Library that could suppress seizures. Eight compounds were validated in secondary screening. Four of these compounds regulated either serotonergic or dopaminergic signaling, and subsequent experiments confirmed that seizure suppression occurred primarily through stimulation of serotonin receptor 5-HT1A. Additional studies of K+ levels showed that Dube3a regulation of the Na+/K+ exchanger ATPα (adenosine triphosphatase α) in glia may be modulated by serotonin/dopamine signaling, causing seizure suppression. CONCLUSIONS Based on these pharmacological and genetic studies, we present an argument for the use of 5-HT1A agonists in the treatment of Dup15q epilepsy.
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14
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Implications of germline copy-number variations in psychiatric disorders: review of large-scale genetic studies. J Hum Genet 2020; 66:25-37. [PMID: 32958875 DOI: 10.1038/s10038-020-00838-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Copy number variants (CNVs), defined as genome sequences of ≥50 bp that differ in copy number from that in a reference genome, are a common form of structural variation. Germline CNVs account for some of the missing heritability that single nucleotide polymorphisms could not account for. Recent technological advances have had a huge impact on CNV research. Microarray technology enables relatively low-cost, high-throughput, genome-wide measurements, and short-read sequencing technology enables the detection of short CNVs that cannot be detected by microarrays. As a result, large-scale genetic studies have been able to identify a variety of common and rare germline CNVs and their associations with diseases. Rare germline CNVs have been reported to be associated with neuropsychiatric disorders. In this review, we focused on germline CNVs and briefly described their functional characteristics, formation mechanisms, detection methods, related databases, and the latest findings. Finally, we introduced recent large-scale genetic studies to assess associations of CNVs with diseases, especially psychiatric disorders, and discussed the use of CNV-based animal models to investigate the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying these disorders. The development and implementation of improved detection methods, such as long-read single-molecule sequencing, are expected to provide additional insight into the molecular basis of psychiatric disorders and other complex diseases, thus facilitating basic and clinical research on CNVs.
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15
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Saitow F, Takumi T, Suzuki H. Upregulated 5-HT 1A receptor-mediated currents in the prefrontal cortex layer 5 neurons in the 15q11-13 duplication mouse model of autism. Mol Brain 2020; 13:115. [PMID: 32831117 PMCID: PMC7444243 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-020-00655-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Serotonin (5-HT) is a well-known modulator of behavioral, physiological, and emotional functions of the forebrain region. We recently discovered alterations of serotonergic synaptic modulations in both, the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and the somatosensory cortex, in the 15q dup mouse model of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). To further understand the roles of the 5-HT system implicated in developmental disorders such as ASD, comparison with model animals exhibiting different phenotypes may be useful. In this study, we investigated the relationship between sociability and the magnitude of 5-HT1A receptor (5-HT1AR) activation-induced outward currents from layer 5 pyramidal neurons in the PFC, because a mouse model of Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS; another developmental disorder exhibiting low innate anxiety and high sociability) reportedly showed larger 5-HT-induced currents. To investigate whether the 5-HT1AR activation-induced outward currents are involved in the endophenotype determination of social behavior, we examined 15q dup mice with a phenotype opposite to WBS. We found 5-HT elicited significantly larger outward currents in 15q dup mice than in WT controls, regardless of sociability. In contrast, baclofen-induced GABAB receptor-mediated outward currents were not significantly different between genotypes, although GABAB receptor was coupled to Gi/o as well as 5-HT1A. Further, we found the larger 5-HT1AR-mediated currents in 15q dup mice did not affect the magnitude of inhibitory action of NMDA receptor functions. Taken together, our results provide a potential physiological hallmark for developmental disorders that may involve the imbalance of the neuronal circuity in the PFC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fumihito Saitow
- Department of Pharmacology, Nippon Medical School, 1-1-5 Sendagi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8602, Japan.
| | - Toru Takumi
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan.,Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Kobe University School of Medicine, Chuo, Kobe, 650-0017, Japan
| | - Hidenori Suzuki
- Department of Pharmacology, Nippon Medical School, 1-1-5 Sendagi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8602, Japan
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16
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O'Reilly KC, Anacker AMJ, Rogers TD, Forsberg CG, Wang J, Zhang B, Blakely RD, Veenstra-VanderWeele J. A social encounter drives gene expression changes linked to neuronal function, brain development, and related disorders in mice expressing the serotonin transporter Ala56 variant. Neurosci Lett 2020; 730:135027. [PMID: 32437898 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2020.135027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Multiple lines of evidence implicate the serotonin (5-HT) system in social function, including biomarker findings in autism spectrum disorder. In mice, knock-in of a rare Gly56Ala substitution in the serotonin transporter (SERT) causes elevated whole blood 5-HT levels, increased 5-HT clearance in the brain, and altered social and repetitive behavior. To further examine the molecular impact of this variant on social response, SERT Ala56 mutant mice and wildtype littermate controls were exposed to a social or non-social stimulus. We examined the differential activation of the prefrontal cortex, lateral amygdala, and medial amygdala, to social stimuli through RNA sequencing. Differentially expressed genes were enriched in axonal guidance signaling pathways, networks related to nervous system development and function, neurological and psychiatric disorders, and behavior. These identified pathways and networks may shed light on the molecular cascades underlying the impact of altered SERT function on social behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kally C O'Reilly
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Dr, Unit 78, New York, NY 10032, United States.
| | - Allison M J Anacker
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Dr, Unit 78, New York, NY 10032, United States.
| | - Tiffany D Rogers
- Middle Tennessee State University, Department of Psychology, 355 Jones Hall, 624 Old Main Circle, Murfreesboro, TN 37132, United States; Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, United States.
| | - C Gunnar Forsberg
- Department of Radiology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, United States; Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, United States.
| | - Jing Wang
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, United States; Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, United States; Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, United States.
| | - Bing Zhang
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, United States; Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, United States; Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, United States.
| | - Randy D Blakely
- Brain Institute and Department of Biomedical Science, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL 33458, United States; Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, United States.
| | - Jeremy Veenstra-VanderWeele
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Dr, Unit 78, New York, NY 10032, United States; Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, United States.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Recent advances in genetic technologies allowed researchers to identify large numbers of candidate risk genes associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Both strongly penetrant rare variants and the accumulation of common variants with much weaker penetrance contribute to the cause of ASD. To identify the highly confident candidate genes, software and resources have been applied, and functional evaluation of the variants has provided further insights for ASD pathophysiology. These studies ultimately identify the molecular and circuit alteration underlying the behavioral abnormalities in ASD. In this review, we introduce the recent genetic and genomic findings and functional approaches for ASD variants providing a deeper understanding of the etiology of ASD. RECENT FINDINGS Integrated meta-analysis that recruited a larger number of ASD cases has helped to prioritize ASD candidate genes or genetic loci into highly confidence candidate genes for further investigation. Not only coding but also noncoding variants have been recently implicated to confer the risk of ASD. Functional approaches of genes or variants revealed the disruption of specific molecular pathways. Further studies combining ASD genetics and genomics with recent techniques in engineered mouse models show molecular and circuit mechanisms underlying the behavioral deficits in ASD. SUMMARY Advances in ASD genetics and the following functional studies provide significant insights into ASD pathophysiology at molecular and circuit levels.
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18
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Ueno H, Takahashi Y, Suemitsu S, Murakami S, Kitamura N, Wani K, Matsumoto Y, Okamoto M, Ishihara T. Effects of repetitive gentle handling of male C57BL/6NCrl mice on comparative behavioural test results. Sci Rep 2020; 10:3509. [PMID: 32103098 PMCID: PMC7044437 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-60530-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Mice are the most commonly used laboratory animals for studying diseases, behaviour, and pharmacology. Behavioural experiment battery aids in evaluating abnormal behaviour in mice. During behavioural experiments, mice frequently experience human contact. However, the effects of repeated handling on mice behaviour remains unclear. To minimise mice stress, methods of moving mice using transparent tunnels or cups have been recommended but are impractical in behavioural tests. To investigate these effects, we used a behavioural test battery to assess differences between mice accustomed to the experimenter’s handling versus control mice. Repeatedly handled mice gained slightly more weight than control mice. In behavioural tests, repeatedly handled mice showed improved spatial cognition in the Y-maze test and reduced anxiety-like behaviour in the elevated plus-maze test. However, there was no change in anxiety-like behaviour in the light/dark transition test or open-field test. Grip strength, rotarod, sociability, tail suspension, Porsolt forced swim, and passive avoidance tests revealed no significant differences between repeatedly handled and control mice. Our findings demonstrated that mice repeatedly handled by the experimenter before behavioural tests showed reduced anxiety about high altitudes and improved spatial cognition, suggesting that repeated contact can affect the results of some behavioural tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Ueno
- Department of Medical Technology, Kawasaki University of Medical Welfare, Okayama, 701-0193, Japan.
| | - Yu Takahashi
- Department of Psychiatry, Kawasaki Medical School, Okayama, 701-0192, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Suemitsu
- Department of Psychiatry, Kawasaki Medical School, Okayama, 701-0192, Japan
| | - Shinji Murakami
- Department of Psychiatry, Kawasaki Medical School, Okayama, 701-0192, Japan
| | - Naoya Kitamura
- Department of Psychiatry, Kawasaki Medical School, Okayama, 701-0192, Japan
| | - Kenta Wani
- Department of Psychiatry, Kawasaki Medical School, Okayama, 701-0192, Japan
| | - Yosuke Matsumoto
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama, 700-8558, Japan
| | - Motoi Okamoto
- Department of Medical Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama, 700-8558, Japan
| | - Takeshi Ishihara
- Department of Psychiatry, Kawasaki Medical School, Okayama, 701-0192, Japan
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Tsurugizawa T, Tamada K, Ono N, Karakawa S, Kodama Y, Debacker C, Hata J, Okano H, Kitamura A, Zalesky A, Takumi T. Awake functional MRI detects neural circuit dysfunction in a mouse model of autism. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:eaav4520. [PMID: 32076634 PMCID: PMC7002125 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aav4520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2018] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
MRI has potential as a translational approach from rodents to humans. However, given that mouse functional MRI (fMRI) uses anesthetics for suppression of motion, it has been difficult to directly compare the result of fMRI in "unconsciousness" disease model mice with that in "consciousness" patients. We develop awake fMRI to investigate brain function in 15q dup mice, a copy number variation model of autism. Compared to wild-type mice, we find that 15q dup is associated with whole-brain functional hypoconnectivity and diminished fMRI responses to odors of stranger mice. Ex vivo diffusion MRI reveals widespread anomalies in white matter ultrastructure in 15q dup mice, suggesting a putative anatomical substrate for these functional hypoconnectivity. We show that d-cycloserine (DCS) treatment partially normalizes these anormalies in the frontal cortex of 15q dup mice and rescues some social behaviors. Our results demonstrate the utility of awake rodent fMRI and provide a rationale for further investigation of DCS therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomokazu Tsurugizawa
- NeuroSpin, Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives, CEA Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette 91191, France
- Corresponding author. (T.Ts.); (T.Ta.)
| | - Kota Tamada
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Nobukazu Ono
- Institute for Innovation, Ajinomoto Co. Inc., Kawasaki 210-8681, Japan
| | - Sachise Karakawa
- Institute for Innovation, Ajinomoto Co. Inc., Kawasaki 210-8681, Japan
| | - Yuko Kodama
- Institute for Innovation, Ajinomoto Co. Inc., Kawasaki 210-8681, Japan
| | - Clement Debacker
- NeuroSpin, Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives, CEA Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette 91191, France
| | - Junichi Hata
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
- Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-8585, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Okano
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
- Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-8585, Japan
| | - Akihiko Kitamura
- Institute for Innovation, Ajinomoto Co. Inc., Kawasaki 210-8681, Japan
| | - Andrew Zalesky
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre and Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Toru Takumi
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Kobe University School of Medicine, Chuo, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
- Corresponding author. (T.Ts.); (T.Ta.)
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20
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Saitow F, Takumi T, Suzuki H. Change in serotonergic modulation contributes to the synaptic imbalance of neuronal circuit at the prefrontal cortex in the 15q11-13 duplication mouse model of autism. Neuropharmacology 2019; 165:107931. [PMID: 31901366 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2019.107931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Revised: 12/25/2019] [Accepted: 12/30/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The prefrontal cortex (PFC) has been extensively studied in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in an attempt to understand the deficits in executive and other higher brain functions related to sociability and emotion. Disruption of the excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) balance of cortical circuits is thought to underlie the pathophysiology of ASD. Recently, we showed that 15q dup mice (a model for ASD with human chromosome 15q11-13 paternal duplication) exhibit disruption of the E/I balance in layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons of the somatosensory cortex due to a decrease in the number of inhibitory synapses. However, whether there is a pathological abnormality in E/I balance in the PFC of 15q dup mice remains unknown. In this study, we found that 15q dup facilitates the activity-induced LTP of glutamate synapses onto layer 5 pyramidal neurons by shifting the E/I balance to an excitatory state, which this was associated with differences in synaptic glutamatergic and GABAergic inputs onto GABAergic fast-spiking interneurons (FSINs). Furthermore, we found that FSIN excitability was well-modulated and regulated by the constitutive activation of 5-HT2 receptors in PFC microcircuits. These results provide new insights into the cellular mechanisms underlying maintenance of optimal E/I balance in the PFC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fumihito Saitow
- Department of Pharmacology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, 113-8602, Japan.
| | - Toru Takumi
- RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Hidenori Suzuki
- Department of Pharmacology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, 113-8602, Japan
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21
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Septyaningtrias DE, Lin CW, Ouchida R, Nakai N, Suda W, Hattori M, Morita H, Honda K, Tamada K, Takumi T. Altered microbiota composition reflects enhanced communication in 15q11-13 CNV mice. Neurosci Res 2019; 161:59-67. [PMID: 31863791 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2019.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Revised: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex and heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder. In addition to the core symptoms of ASD, many patients with ASD also show comorbid gut dysbiosis, which may lead to various gastrointestinal (GI) problems. Intriguingly, there is evidence that gut microbiota communicate with the central nervous system to modulate behavioral output through the gut-brain axis. To investigate how the microbiota composition is changed in ASD and to identify which microbes are involved in autistic behaviors, we performed a 16S rRNA gene-based metagenomics analysis in an ASD mouse model. Here, we focused on a model with human 15q11-13 duplication (15q dup), the most frequent chromosomal aberration or copy number variation found in ASD. Species diversity of the microbiome was significantly decreased in 15q dup mice. A combination of antibiotics treatment and behavioral analysis showed that neomycin improved social communication in 15q dup mice. Furthermore, comparison of the microbiota composition of mice treated with different antibiotics enabled us to identify beneficial operational taxonomic units (OTUs) for ultrasonic vocalization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dian Eurike Septyaningtrias
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan; Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Minami, Hiroshima, 734-8553, Japan
| | - Chia-Wen Lin
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Rika Ouchida
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Nobuhiro Nakai
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Wataru Suda
- RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Tsurumi, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Masahira Hattori
- RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Tsurumi, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Hidetoshi Morita
- Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University, Kita, Okayama, 700-8530, Japan
| | - Kenya Honda
- RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Tsurumi, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Kota Tamada
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Toru Takumi
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan; Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Minami, Hiroshima, 734-8553, Japan; RIKEN Center for Science and Technology Hub, Medical Sciences Innovation Hub Program (MIH), Japan; Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Chuo, Kobe, 650-0017, Japan.
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22
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Nishino T, Tamada K, Maeda A, Abe T, Kiyonari H, Funahashi Y, Kaibuchi K, Takumi T, Konishi H. Behavioral analysis in mice deficient for GAREM2 (Grb2-associated regulator of Erk/MAPK subtype2) that is a subtype of highly expressing in the brain. Mol Brain 2019; 12:94. [PMID: 31718706 PMCID: PMC6852768 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-019-0512-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2019] [Accepted: 10/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Grb2-associated regulator of Erk/MAPK (GAREM), is an adaptor protein related to the several cell growth factor receptor-signaling. The GAREM family has two subtypes, GAREM1 and GAREM2, both encoded in the human and mouse genome. Recent genome-wide research identified GAREM2 as a candidate of neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we use knockout (KO) mice to show the role of GAREM2, that is highly expressed in the brain. According to the comprehensive behavioral battery, they exhibited less anxiety both in elevated plus maze and open field tests, mildly increased social approaching behavior in the reciprocal social interaction test, and longer latency to immobility in the tail suspension test as compared to wild-type (WT). Additionally, the extension of neurites in the primary cultured neurons was suppressed in ones derived from GAREM2 KO mice. Furthermore, we also identified Intersectin, as a binding partner of GAREM2 in this study. Intersectin is also a multi-domain adaptor protein that regulates endocytosis and cell signaling, which can potentially alter the subcellular localization of GAREM2. The important molecules, such as the neurotrophin receptor and Erk family, that are involved in the signaling pathway of the neural cell growth in the mouse brain, have been reported to participate in emotional behavior. As GAREM plays a role in the cellular growth factor receptor signaling pathway, GAREM2 may have a common role related to the transduction of Erk signaling in the higher brain functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tasuku Nishino
- The Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, Prefectural University of Hiroshima, 5562 Nanatsuka, Shobara, Hiroshima, 727-0023, Japan
| | - Kota Tamada
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Akane Maeda
- The Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, Prefectural University of Hiroshima, 5562 Nanatsuka, Shobara, Hiroshima, 727-0023, Japan
| | - Takaya Abe
- Laboratory for Animal Resources and Genetic Engineering, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 2-2-3 Minatojima Minami-machi, Chuou-ku, Kobe, 650-0047, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kiyonari
- Laboratory for Animal Resources and Genetic Engineering, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 2-2-3 Minatojima Minami-machi, Chuou-ku, Kobe, 650-0047, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Funahashi
- Department of Cell Pharmacology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, 466-8550, Japan
| | - Kozo Kaibuchi
- Department of Cell Pharmacology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, 466-8550, Japan
| | - Toru Takumi
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan.,Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Chuo, Kobe, 650-0017, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Konishi
- The Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, Prefectural University of Hiroshima, 5562 Nanatsuka, Shobara, Hiroshima, 727-0023, Japan.
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23
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Fricano-Kugler C, Gordon A, Shin G, Gao K, Nguyen J, Berg J, Starks M, Geschwind DH. CYFIP1 overexpression increases fear response in mice but does not affect social or repetitive behavioral phenotypes. Mol Autism 2019; 10:25. [PMID: 31198525 PMCID: PMC6555997 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-019-0278-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background CYFIP1, a protein that interacts with FMRP and regulates protein synthesis and actin dynamics, is overexpressed in Dup15q syndrome as well as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). While CYFIP1 heterozygosity has been rigorously studied due to its loss in 15q11.2 deletion, Prader-Willi and Angelman syndrome, the effects of CYFIP1 overexpression, as is observed in patients with CYFIP1 duplication, are less well understood. Methods We developed and validated a mouse model of human CYFIP1 overexpression (CYFIP1 OE) using qPCR and western blot analysis. We performed a large battery of behavior testing on these mice, including ultrasonic vocalizations, three-chamber social assay, home-cage behavior, Y-maze, elevated plus maze, open field test, Morris water maze, fear conditioning, prepulse inhibition, and the hot plate assay. We also performed RNA sequencing and analysis on the basolateral amygdala. Results Extensive behavioral testing in CYFIP1 OE mice reveals no changes in the core behaviors related to ASD: social interactions and repetitive behaviors. However, we did observe mild learning deficits and an exaggerated fear response. Using RNA sequencing of the basolateral amygdala, a region associated with fear response, we observed changes in pathways related to cytoskeletal regulation, oligodendrocytes, and myelination. We also identified GABA-A subunit composition changes in basolateral amygdala neurons, which are essential components of the neural fear conditioning circuit. Conclusion Overall, this research identifies the behavioral and molecular consequences of CYFIP1 overexpression and how they contribute to the variable phenotype seen in Dup15q syndrome and in ASD patients with excess CYFIP1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Fricano-Kugler
- Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
| | - Aaron Gordon
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA USA
| | - Grace Shin
- Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
| | - Kun Gao
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA USA
| | - Jade Nguyen
- Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
| | - Jamee Berg
- Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
| | - Mary Starks
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA USA
| | - Daniel H. Geschwind
- Program in Neurobehavioral Genetics, Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
- Center for Autism Research and Treatment, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
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Takumi T, Tamada K, Hatanaka F, Nakai N, Bolton PF. Behavioral neuroscience of autism. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2019; 110:60-76. [PMID: 31059731 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2018] [Revised: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 04/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder. Several genetic causes of ASD have been identified and this has enabled researchers to construct mouse models. Mouse behavioral tests reveal impaired social interaction and communication, as well as increased repetitive behavior and behavioral inflexibility in these mice, which correspond to core behavioral deficits observed in individuals with ASD. However, the connection between these behavioral abnormalities and the underlying dysregulation in neuronal circuits and synaptic function is poorly understood. Moreover, different components of the ASD phenotype may be linked to dysfunction in different brain regions, making it even more challenging to chart the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in ASD. Here we summarize the research on mouse models of ASD and their contribution to understanding pathophysiological mechanisms. Specifically, we emphasize abnormal serotonin production and regulation, as well as the disruption in circadian rhythms and sleep that are observed in a subset of ASD, and propose that spatiotemporal disturbances in brainstem development may be a primary cause of ASD that propagates towards the cerebral cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toru Takumi
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan.
| | - Kota Tamada
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | | | - Nobuhiro Nakai
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Patrick F Bolton
- Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK
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25
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Ueno H, Suemitsu S, Murakami S, Kitamura N, Wani K, Matsumoto Y, Okamoto M, Ishihara T. Region-specific reduction of parvalbumin neurons and behavioral changes in adult mice following single exposure to cranial irradiation. Int J Radiat Biol 2019; 95:611-625. [PMID: 30601685 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2019.1564081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Ionizing irradiation has several long-term effects including progressive cognitive impairment. Cognitive deterioration generally appears to be caused by abnormalities in the hippocampal dentate gyrus, with abnormal function of parvalbumin-expressing interneurons (PV neurons) in the cerebral cortex. PV neurons are vulnerable to oxidative stress, which can be caused by ionizing irradiation. We speculated that selective impairment of specific brain regions due to ionizing irradiation may alter the degree of cognitive impairment. METHODS We irradiated mature mouse brains with 20 Gy-ionizing irradiation. Subsequently, we analyzed behavioral abnormalities and changes in the number of PV neurons. RESULTS PV neuron density was significantly lower in some cortical regions of irradiated mice than in control mice. Within 1 week of irradiation, both body weight and temperature of irradiated mice decreased. In the forced swim test, irradiated mice spent significantly less time immobile than did control mice. However, irradiated mice did not display any abnormalities in the elevated plus maze test, Y-maze test, tail suspension test, and social interaction test between 3 to 6 days after irradiation. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that high-dose irradiation is less likely to cause brain dysfunction in the subacute phase. Moreover, the vulnerability of PV neurons appears to be brain-region specific.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Ueno
- a Department of Medical Technology , Kawasaki University of Medical Welfare , Okayama , Japan.,b Department of Medical Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences , Okayama University , Okayama , Japan
| | - Shunsuke Suemitsu
- c Department of Psychiatry , Kawasaki Medical School , Kurashiki , Japan
| | - Shinji Murakami
- c Department of Psychiatry , Kawasaki Medical School , Kurashiki , Japan
| | - Naoya Kitamura
- c Department of Psychiatry , Kawasaki Medical School , Kurashiki , Japan
| | - Kenta Wani
- c Department of Psychiatry , Kawasaki Medical School , Kurashiki , Japan
| | - Yosuke Matsumoto
- d Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences , Okayama University , Okayama , Japan
| | - Motoi Okamoto
- b Department of Medical Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences , Okayama University , Okayama , Japan
| | - Takeshi Ishihara
- c Department of Psychiatry , Kawasaki Medical School , Kurashiki , Japan
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26
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Park SM, Plachez C, Huang S. Sex-Dependent Motor Deficit and Increased Anxiety-Like States in Mice Lacking Autism-Associated Gene Slit3. Front Behav Neurosci 2018; 12:261. [PMID: 30483073 PMCID: PMC6243047 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Altered neuronal connectivity has been implicated in the pathophysiology of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). SLIT/ROBO signaling plays an important role in developmental processes of neuronal connectivity, including axon guidance, neuronal migration, and axonal and dendritic branching. Genetic evidence supports that SLIT3, one of the genes encoding SLITs, is associated with ASD. Yet the causal link between SLIT3 mutation and autism symptoms has not been examined. Here we assessed ASD-associated behaviors in Slit3 knockout (KO) mice. Our data showed that Slit3-KO mice exhibited reduced marble burying behaviors but normal social behaviors. In addition, Slit3-KO mice displayed hypolocomotion in the open field test and impaired motor coordination in the rotarod test. Anxiety-like behaviors were mainly observed in female KO mice assessed by three types of behavioral tests, namely, the open field test, elevated plus maze test, and light/dark box test. No differences were observed between KO and wildtype mice in recognition memory in the novel object recognition test or depression-like behavior in the tail suspension test. Taken together, loss of Slit3 may result in disrupted neural circuits related to motor function and increased anxiety-like states, which are co-occurring symptoms in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su Mi Park
- Laboratory of Neural Circuits & Behavior, Program in Neuroscience, Hussman Institute for Autism, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Céline Plachez
- Autism & Brain Development Laboratory, Program in Neuroscience, Hussman Institute for Autism, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Shiyong Huang
- Laboratory of Neural Circuits & Behavior, Program in Neuroscience, Hussman Institute for Autism, Baltimore, MD, United States
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27
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Kaitsuka T, Kiyonari H, Shiraishi A, Tomizawa K, Matsushita M. Deletion of Long Isoform of Eukaryotic Elongation Factor 1Bδ Leads to Audiogenic Seizures and Aversive Stimulus-Induced Long-Lasting Activity Suppression in Mice. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:358. [PMID: 30333725 PMCID: PMC6176097 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Accepted: 09/11/2018] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Alternative splicing enables a gene to give rise to diverse protein products. The Eef1d gene produces two isoforms: a short isoform that encodes translation elongation factor 1Bδ (eEF1Bδ1), and a long isoform that encodes the heat shock-responsive transcription factor eEF1BδL. Previously, we found that eEF1BδL was a splice variant that was specific to the brain and testis, and the protein encoded is thought to have a function in the central nervous system. In this study, we generated knockout (KO) mice of C57BL/6J background that selectively lacked a specific exon in Eef1d for the long isoform. These KO mice lacked eEF1BδL, but not eEF1Bδ1, in the brain. Although the KO mice showed normal anxiety-related and learning behavior in behavioral tests, some showed severe seizures in response to loud sounds (90 dBA), an audiogenic seizures (AGS) response. Furthermore, after the KO mice had been subjected to the fear conditioning test, they showed remarkably decreased locomotor activity in their home cage and in the open-field and elevated plus-maze tests. After the fear conditioning test, a significant decrease in brain weight, atrophy of the hippocampus and midbrain, and reduced cortical layer thickness were observed in the KO mice. We also found a compensatory increase in the eEF1Bδ1 level and elevated protein synthesis with the induction of endoplasmic reticulum stress markers in these mice. Our results suggest that eEF1BδL has an important role in normal brain function especially when exposed to external stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taku Kaitsuka
- Department of Molecular Physiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kiyonari
- Animal Resource Development Unit, RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies, Kobe, Japan.,Genetic Engineering Team, RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies, Kobe, Japan
| | - Aki Shiraishi
- Animal Resource Development Unit, RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies, Kobe, Japan
| | - Kazuhito Tomizawa
- Department of Molecular Physiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Masayuki Matsushita
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan
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28
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Nagano M, Takumi T, Suzuki H. Critical roles of serotonin-oxytocin interaction during the neonatal period in social behavior in 15q dup mice with autistic traits. Sci Rep 2018; 8:13675. [PMID: 30209293 PMCID: PMC6135829 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-32042-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2018] [Accepted: 08/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Disturbance of neurotransmitters and neuromodulators is thought to underlie the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Studies of 15q dup mouse models of ASD with human 15q11–13 duplication have revealed that restoring serotonin (5-HT) levels can partially reverse ASD-related symptoms in adults. However, it remains unclear how serotonin contributes to the behavioral symptoms of ASD. In contrast, oxytocin (OXT) has been found to involve social and affiliative behaviors. In this study, we examined whether serotonin-OXT interaction during the early postnatal period plays a critical role in the restoration of social abnormality in 15q dup mice. OXT or the 5-HT1A receptor agonist 8OH-DPAT treatment from postnatal day 7 (PD7) to PD21 ameliorated social abnormality in the three-chamber social interaction test in adult 15q dup mice. The effect of 8OH-DPAT was inhibited by blockade of OXT receptors in 15q dup mice. Thus, serotonin-OXT interaction via 5-HT1A receptors plays a critical role in the normal development of social behavior in 15q dup mice. Therefore, targeting serotonin-OXT interaction may provide a novel therapeutic strategy for treatment of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masatoshi Nagano
- Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Nippon Medical School, 1-1-5 Sendagi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toru Takumi
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan.,Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology (CREST), Japan Science and Technology Agency, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hidenori Suzuki
- Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Nippon Medical School, 1-1-5 Sendagi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan. .,Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology (CREST), Japan Science and Technology Agency, Tokyo, Japan.
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29
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Arioka Y, Kushima I, Mori D, Ozaki N. Three lines of induced pluripotent stem cells derived from a 15q11.2-q13.1 duplication syndrome patient. Stem Cell Res 2018; 31:240-243. [PMID: 30144654 DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2018.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2018] [Revised: 08/03/2018] [Accepted: 08/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Duplications at the 15q11.2-q13.1 region are associated with psychiatric disorders such as developmental delay and autism spectrum disorder. However, the specific influence of these duplications on human neuronal cells remains unclear. Here we generated induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from a patient with 15q11.2-q13.1 duplication syndrome. The generated iPSCs carried 15q11.2-q13.1 duplication and showed typical iPSC morphology and pluripotency marker expression, and the capacity to differentiate into three germ layers. These iPSC lines will contribute to further understanding the pathology of 15q11.2-q13.1 duplication syndrome and help develop drugs to treat psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuko Arioka
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan; Center for Advanced Medicine and Clinical Research, Nagoya University Hospital, Nagoya, Japan; Institute for Advanced Research, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan.
| | - Itaru Kushima
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan; Institute for Advanced Research, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Daisuke Mori
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan; Brain and Mind Research Center, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Norio Ozaki
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
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30
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Bhandari R, Paliwal JK, Kuhad A. Naringenin and its nanocarriers as potential phytotherapy for autism spectrum disorders. J Funct Foods 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2018.05.065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
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31
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Ueno H, Suemitsu S, Murakami S, Kitamura N, Wani K, Matsumoto Y, Okamoto M, Aoki S, Ishihara T. Juvenile stress induces behavioral change and affects perineuronal net formation in juvenile mice. BMC Neurosci 2018; 19:41. [PMID: 30012101 PMCID: PMC6048828 DOI: 10.1186/s12868-018-0442-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2018] [Accepted: 07/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Many neuropsychiatric disorders develop in early life. Although the mechanisms involved have not been elucidated, it is possible that functional abnormalities of parvalbumin-positive interneurons (PV neurons) are present. Several previous studies have shown that juvenile stress is implicated in the development of neuropsychiatric disorders. We aimed to clarify the effects of juvenile stress on behavior and on the central nervous system. We investigated behavioral abnormalities of chronically-stressed mice during juvenilehood and the effect of juvenile stress on PV neurons and WFA-positive perineuronal nets (PNNs), which are associated with vulnerability and plasticity in the mouse brain. Results Due to juvenile stress, mice showed neurodevelopmental disorder-like behavior. Juvenile stressed mice did not show depressive-like behaviors, but on the contrary, they showed increased activity and decreased anxiety-like behavior. In the central nervous system of juvenile stressed mice, the fluorescence intensity of WFA-positive PNNs decreased, which may signify increased vulnerability. Conclusion This study suggested that juvenile stressed mice showed behavioral abnormalities, resembling those seen in neuropsychiatric disorders, and increased brain vulnerability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Ueno
- Department of Medical Technology, Kawasaki University of Medical Welfare, 288, Matsushima, Kurashiki, Okayama, 701-0193, Japan. .,Department of Medical Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama, 700-8558, Japan.
| | - Shunsuke Suemitsu
- Department of Psychiatry, Kawasaki Medical School, Kurashiki, 701-0192, Japan
| | - Shinji Murakami
- Department of Psychiatry, Kawasaki Medical School, Kurashiki, 701-0192, Japan
| | - Naoya Kitamura
- Department of Psychiatry, Kawasaki Medical School, Kurashiki, 701-0192, Japan
| | - Kenta Wani
- Department of Psychiatry, Kawasaki Medical School, Kurashiki, 701-0192, Japan
| | - Yosuke Matsumoto
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama, 700-8558, Japan
| | - Motoi Okamoto
- Department of Medical Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama, 700-8558, Japan
| | - Shozo Aoki
- Department of Psychiatry, Kawasaki Medical School, Kurashiki, 701-0192, Japan
| | - Takeshi Ishihara
- Department of Psychiatry, Kawasaki Medical School, Kurashiki, 701-0192, Japan
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32
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Examining the Reversibility of Long-Term Behavioral Disruptions in Progeny of Maternal SSRI Exposure. eNeuro 2018; 5:eN-NWR-0120-18. [PMID: 30073191 PMCID: PMC6071194 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0120-18.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Revised: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 06/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Serotonergic dysregulation is implicated in numerous psychiatric disorders. Serotonin plays widespread trophic roles during neurodevelopment; thus perturbations to this system during development may increase risk for neurodevelopmental disorders. Epidemiological studies have examined association between selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) treatment during pregnancy and increased autism spectrum disorder (ASD) risk in offspring. It is unclear from these studies whether ASD susceptibility is purely related to maternal psychiatric diagnosis, or if treatment poses additional risk. We sought to determine whether maternal SSRI treatment alone or in combination with genetically vulnerable background was sufficient to induce offspring behavior disruptions relevant to ASD. We exposed C57BL/6J or Celf6+/- mouse dams to fluoxetine (FLX) during different periods of gestation and lactation and characterized offspring on tasks assessing social communicative interaction and repetitive behavior patterns including sensory sensitivities. We demonstrate robust reductions in pup ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) and alterations in social hierarchy behaviors, as well as perseverative behaviors and tactile hypersensitivity. Celf6 mutant mice demonstrate social communicative deficits and perseverative behaviors, without further interaction with FLX. FLX re-exposure in adulthood ameliorates the tactile hypersensitivity yet exacerbates the dominance phenotype. This suggests acute deficiencies in serotonin levels likely underlie the abnormal responses to sensory stimuli, while the social alterations are instead due to altered development of social circuits. These findings indicate maternal FLX treatment, independent of maternal stress, can induce behavioral disruptions in mammalian offspring, thus contributing to our understanding of the developmental role of the serotonin system and the possible risks to offspring of SSRI treatment during pregnancy.
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Nakai N, Takumi T, Nakai J, Sato M. Common Defects of Spine Dynamics and Circuit Function in Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Systematic Review of Findings From in Vivo Optical Imaging of Mouse Models. Front Neurosci 2018; 12:412. [PMID: 29970983 PMCID: PMC6018076 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2018.00412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2018] [Accepted: 05/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In vivo optical imaging is a powerful tool for revealing brain structure and function at both the circuit and cellular levels. Here, we provide a systematic review of findings obtained from in vivo imaging studies of mouse models of neurodevelopmental disorders, including the monogenic disorders fragile X syndrome, Rett syndrome, and Angelman syndrome, which are caused by genetic abnormalities of FMR1, MECP2, and UBE3A, as well as disorders caused by copy number variations (15q11-13 duplication and 22q11.2 deletion) and BTBR mice as an inbred strain model of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Most studies visualize the structural and functional responsiveness of cerebral cortical neurons to sensory stimuli and the developmental and experience-dependent changes in these responses as a model of brain functions affected by these disorders. The optical imaging techniques include two-photon microscopy of fluorescently labeled dendritic spines or neurons loaded with fluorescent calcium indicators and macroscopic imaging of cortical activity using calcium indicators, voltage-sensitive dyes or intrinsic optical signals. Studies have revealed alterations in the density, stability, and turnover of dendritic spines, aberrant cortical sensory responses, impaired inhibitory function, and concomitant failure of circuit maturation as common causes for neurological deficits. Mechanistic hypotheses derived from in vivo imaging also provide new directions for therapeutic interventions. For instance, it was recently demonstrated that early postnatal administration of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) restores impaired cortical inhibitory function and ameliorates the aberrant social behaviors in a mouse model of ASD. We discuss the potential use of SSRIs for treating ASDs in light of these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Junichi Nakai
- RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Wako, Japan
- RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project, Tokyo, Japan
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Saitama, Japan
- Brain and Body System Science Institute, Saitama University, Saitama, Japan
| | - Masaaki Sato
- RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Wako, Japan
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Saitama, Japan
- Brain and Body System Science Institute, Saitama University, Saitama, Japan
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34
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Hiroi N. Critical reappraisal of mechanistic links of copy number variants to dimensional constructs of neuropsychiatric disorders in mouse models. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2018; 72:301-321. [PMID: 29369447 PMCID: PMC5935536 DOI: 10.1111/pcn.12641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2017] [Revised: 12/27/2017] [Accepted: 01/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Copy number variants are deletions and duplications of a few thousand to million base pairs and are associated with extraordinarily high levels of autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, intellectual disability, or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. The unprecedented levels of robust and reproducible penetrance of copy number variants make them one of the most promising and reliable entry points to delve into the mechanistic bases of many mental disorders. However, the precise mechanistic bases of these associations still remain elusive in humans due to the many genes encoded in each copy number variant and the diverse associated phenotypic features. Genetically engineered mice have provided a technical means to ascertain precise genetic mechanisms of association between copy number variants and dimensional aspects of mental illnesses. Molecular, cellular, and neuronal phenotypes can be detected as potential mechanistic substrates for various behavioral constructs of mental illnesses. However, mouse models come with many technical pitfalls. Genetic background is not well controlled in many mouse models, leading to rather obvious interpretative issues. Dose alterations of many copy number variants and single genes within copy number variants result in some molecular, cellular, and neuronal phenotypes without a behavioral phenotype or with a behavioral phenotype opposite to what is seen in humans. In this review, I discuss technical and interpretative pitfalls of mouse models of copy number variants and highlight well-controlled studies to suggest potential neuronal mechanisms of dimensional aspects of mental illnesses. Mouse models of copy number variants represent toeholds to achieve a better understanding of the mechanistic bases of dimensions of neuropsychiatric disorders and thus for development of mechanism-based therapeutic options in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noboru Hiroi
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, USA.,Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, USA
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35
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Molecular hypotheses to explain the shared pathways and underlying pathobiological causes in catatonia and in catatonic presentations in neuropsychiatric disorders. Med Hypotheses 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2018.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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36
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Takumi T, Tamada K. CNV biology in neurodevelopmental disorders. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2018; 48:183-192. [PMID: 29331932 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2017.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2017] [Revised: 11/27/2017] [Accepted: 12/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Copy number variants (CNVs), characterized in recent years by cutting-edge technology, add complexity to our knowledge of the human genome. CNVs contribute not only to human diversity but also to different kinds of diseases including neurodevelopmental delay, autism spectrum disorder and neuropsychiatric diseases. Interestingly, many pathogenic CNVs are shared among these diseases. Studies suggest that pathophysiology of disease may not be simply attributed to a single driver gene within a CNV but also that multifactorial effects may be important. Gene expression and the resulting phenotypes may also be affected by epigenetic alteration and chromosomal structural changes. Combined with human genetics and systems biology, integrative research by multi-dimensional approaches using animal and cell models of CNVs are expected to further understanding of pathophysiological mechanisms of neurodevelopmental disorders and neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toru Takumi
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan.
| | - Kota Tamada
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
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37
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Nomura J, Kannan G, Takumi T. Rodent models of genetic and chromosomal variations in psychiatric disorders. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2017; 71:508-517. [PMID: 28317218 DOI: 10.1111/pcn.12524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2016] [Revised: 03/02/2017] [Accepted: 03/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Elucidating the molecular basis of complex human psychiatric disorders is challenging due to the multitude of factors that underpin these disorders. Genetic and chromosomal changes are two factors that have been suggested to be involved in psychiatric disorders. Indeed, numerous risk loci have been identified in autism spectrum disorders, schizophrenia, and related psychiatric disorders. Here, we introduce genetic animal models that disturb excitatory-inhibitory balance in the brain and animal models mirroring human chromosomal abnormalities, both of which may be implicated in autism spectrum disorder pathophysiology. In addition, we discuss recent unique translational research using rodent models, such as Cntnap2 knockout mouse, Mecp2 mutant mouse, Pick1 knockout mouse, and neonatal ventral hippocampal lesion rat. By using these models, several types of drugs are administered during the developmental period to see the effect on psychotic symptoms and neural activities in adults. The accumulating evidence from recent animal studies provides an informative intervention strategy as a translational research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Nomura
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Saitama, Japan
| | - Geetha Kannan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
| | - Toru Takumi
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Saitama, Japan
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38
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Umemura M, Ogura T, Matsuzaki A, Nakano H, Takao K, Miyakawa T, Takahashi Y. Comprehensive Behavioral Analysis of Activating Transcription Factor 5-Deficient Mice. Front Behav Neurosci 2017; 11:125. [PMID: 28744205 PMCID: PMC5504141 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2017.00125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2017] [Accepted: 06/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Activating transcription factor 5 (ATF5) is a member of the CREB/ATF family of basic leucine zipper transcription factors. We previously reported that ATF5-deficient (ATF5-/-) mice demonstrated abnormal olfactory bulb development due to impaired interneuron supply. Furthermore, ATF5-/- mice were less aggressive than ATF5+/+ mice. Although ATF5 is widely expressed in the brain, and involved in the regulation of proliferation and development of neurons, the physiological role of ATF5 in the higher brain remains unknown. Our objective was to investigate the physiological role of ATF5 in the higher brain. We performed a comprehensive behavioral analysis using ATF5-/- mice and wild type littermates. ATF5-/- mice exhibited abnormal locomotor activity in the open field test. They also exhibited abnormal anxiety-like behavior in the light/dark transition test and open field test. Furthermore, ATF5-/- mice displayed reduced social interaction in the Crawley’s social interaction test and increased pain sensitivity in the hot plate test compared with wild type. Finally, behavioral flexibility was reduced in the T-maze test in ATF5-/- mice compared with wild type. In addition, we demonstrated that ATF5-/- mice display disturbances of monoamine neurotransmitter levels in several brain regions. These results indicate that ATF5 deficiency elicits abnormal behaviors and the disturbance of monoamine neurotransmitter levels in the brain. The behavioral abnormalities of ATF5-/- mice may be due to the disturbance of monoamine levels. Taken together, these findings suggest that ATF5-/- mice may be a unique animal model of some psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariko Umemura
- Laboratory of Environmental Molecular Physiology, School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life SciencesHachioji, Japan
| | - Tae Ogura
- Laboratory of Environmental Molecular Physiology, School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life SciencesHachioji, Japan
| | - Ayako Matsuzaki
- Laboratory of Environmental Molecular Physiology, School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life SciencesHachioji, Japan
| | - Haruo Nakano
- Laboratory of Environmental Molecular Physiology, School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life SciencesHachioji, Japan
| | - Keizo Takao
- Section of Behavior Patterns, Center for Genetic Analysis of Behavior, National Institute for Physiological SciencesOkazaki, Japan.,Life Science Research Center, University of ToyamaToyama, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Miyakawa
- Section of Behavior Patterns, Center for Genetic Analysis of Behavior, National Institute for Physiological SciencesOkazaki, Japan.,Division of Systems Medical Science, Institute for Comprehensive Medical Science, Fujita Health UniversityToyoake, Japan
| | - Yuji Takahashi
- Laboratory of Environmental Molecular Physiology, School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life SciencesHachioji, Japan
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39
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Pisansky MT, Young AE, O'Connor MB, Gottesman II, Bagchi A, Gewirtz JC. Mice lacking the chromodomain helicase DNA-binding 5 chromatin remodeler display autism-like characteristics. Transl Psychiatry 2017; 7:e1152. [PMID: 28608855 PMCID: PMC5537637 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2017.111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2017] [Accepted: 04/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Although autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) share a core set of nosological features, they exhibit substantial genetic heterogeneity. A parsimonious hypothesis posits that dysregulated epigenetic mechanisms represent common pathways in the etiology of ASDs. To investigate this hypothesis, we generated a novel mouse model resulting from brain-specific deletion of chromodomain helicase DNA-binding 5 (Chd5), a chromatin remodeling protein known to regulate neuronal differentiation and a member of a gene family strongly implicated in ASDs. RNA sequencing of Chd5-/- mouse forebrain tissue revealed a preponderance of changes in expression of genes important in cellular development and signaling, sociocommunicative behavior and ASDs. Pyramidal neurons cultured from Chd5-/- cortex displayed alterations in dendritic morphology. Paralleling ASD nosology, Chd5-/- mice exhibited abnormal sociocommunicative behavior and a strong preference for familiarity. Chd5-/- mice further showed deficits in responding to the distress of a conspecific, a mouse homolog of empathy. Thus, dysregulated chromatin remodeling produces a pattern of transcriptional, neuronal and behavioral effects consistent with the presentation of ASDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- M T Pisansky
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience University of Minnesota —Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - A E Young
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota —Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - M B O'Connor
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota —Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - I I Gottesman
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota —Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - A Bagchi
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota —Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - J C Gewirtz
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota —Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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40
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Nakai N, Nagano M, Saitow F, Watanabe Y, Kawamura Y, Kawamoto A, Tamada K, Mizuma H, Onoe H, Watanabe Y, Monai H, Hirase H, Nakatani J, Inagaki H, Kawada T, Miyazaki T, Watanabe M, Sato Y, Okabe S, Kitamura K, Kano M, Hashimoto K, Suzuki H, Takumi T. Serotonin rebalances cortical tuning and behavior linked to autism symptoms in 15q11-13 CNV mice. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2017; 3:e1603001. [PMID: 28691086 PMCID: PMC5479676 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.1603001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2016] [Accepted: 04/26/2017] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Serotonin is a critical modulator of cortical function, and its metabolism is defective in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) brain. How serotonin metabolism regulates cortical physiology and contributes to the pathological and behavioral symptoms of ASD remains unknown. We show that normal serotonin levels are essential for the maintenance of neocortical excitation/inhibition balance, correct sensory stimulus tuning, and social behavior. Conversely, low serotonin levels in 15q dup mice (a model for ASD with the human 15q11-13 duplication) result in impairment of the same phenotypes. Restoration of normal serotonin levels in 15q dup mice revealed the reversibility of a subset of ASD-related symptoms in the adult. These findings suggest that serotonin may have therapeutic potential for discrete ASD symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nobuhiro Nakai
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima University, Minami, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan
- Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Masatoshi Nagano
- Graduate School of Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-8602, Japan
| | - Fumihito Saitow
- Graduate School of Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-8602, Japan
| | - Yasuhito Watanabe
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima University, Minami, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan
- Department of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital and German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
- Corresponding author. (T.T.); (H.S.); (Yasuhito Watanabe)
| | - Yoshinobu Kawamura
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima University, Minami, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan
| | - Akiko Kawamoto
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima University, Minami, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan
| | - Kota Tamada
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima University, Minami, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Mizuma
- RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies, Chuo, Kobe 650-0047, Japan
| | - Hirotaka Onoe
- RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies, Chuo, Kobe 650-0047, Japan
| | | | - Hiromu Monai
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Hajime Hirase
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Jin Nakatani
- Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Shiga 520-2192, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Inagaki
- Graduate School of Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-8602, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Kawada
- Graduate School of Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-8602, Japan
| | - Taisuke Miyazaki
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Kita, Sapporo 060-8638, Japan
| | - Masahiko Watanabe
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Kita, Sapporo 060-8638, Japan
| | - Yuka Sato
- Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-8654, Japan
| | - Shigeo Okabe
- Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-8654, Japan
| | - Kazuo Kitamura
- Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-8654, Japan
| | - Masanobu Kano
- Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-8654, Japan
| | - Kouichi Hashimoto
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima University, Minami, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan
| | - Hidenori Suzuki
- Graduate School of Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-8602, Japan
- Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology (CREST), Japan Science and Technology Agency, Tokyo, Japan
- Corresponding author. (T.T.); (H.S.); (Yasuhito Watanabe)
| | - Toru Takumi
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima University, Minami, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan
- Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology (CREST), Japan Science and Technology Agency, Tokyo, Japan
- Corresponding author. (T.T.); (H.S.); (Yasuhito Watanabe)
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Abstract
Although serotonin neurotransmission has been implicated in several neurodevelopmental and psychological disorders, the factors that drive dysfunction of the serotonin system are poorly understood. Current research regarding the serotonin system revolves around its dysfunction in neuropsychiatric disorders, but there is no database collating genetic mutations that result in serotonin abnormalities. To bridge this gap, we developed a list of genes in mice that, when perturbed, result in altered levels of serotonin either in brain or blood. Due to the intrinsic limitations of search, the current list should be considered a preliminary subset of all relevant cases. Nevertheless, it offered an opportunity to gain insight into what types of genes have the potential to impact serotonin by using gene ontology (GO). This analysis found that genes associated with monoamine metabolism were more often associated with increases in brain serotonin than decreases. Speculatively, this could be because several pathways (and therefore many genes) are responsible for the clearance and metabolism of serotonin whereas only one pathway (and therefore fewer genes) is directly involved in the synthesis of serotonin. Another contributor could be cross talk between monoamine systems such as dopamine. In contrast, genes that were associated with decreases in brain serotonin were more likely linked to a developmental process. Sensitivity of serotonin neurons to developmental perturbations could be due to their complicated neuroanatomy or possibly they may be negatively regulated by dysfunction of their innervation targets. Thus, these observations suggest hypotheses regarding the mechanisms underlying the vulnerability of brain serotonin neurotransmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard C. Tenpenny
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain
Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital and Department of Anesthesia,
Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood
Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Kathryn G. Commons
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain
Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital and Department of Anesthesia,
Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood
Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
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42
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Wu G, Liu XX, Lu NN, Liu QB, Tian Y, Ye WF, Jiang GJ, Tao RR, Han F, Lu YM. Endothelial ErbB4 deficit induces alterations in exploratory behavior and brain energy metabolism in mice. CNS Neurosci Ther 2017; 23:510-517. [PMID: 28421673 DOI: 10.1111/cns.12695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2017] [Revised: 03/12/2017] [Accepted: 03/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS The receptor tyrosine kinase ErbB4 is present throughout the primate brain and has a distinct functional profile. In this study, we investigate the potential role of endothelial ErbB4 receptor signaling in the brain. RESULTS Here, we show that the endothelial cell-specific deletion of ErbB4 induces decreased exploratory behavior in adult mice. However, the water maze task for spatial memory and the memory reconsolidation test reveal no changes; additionally, we observe no impairment in CaMKII phosphorylation in Cdh5Cre;ErbB4f/f mice, which indicates that the endothelial ErbB4 deficit leads to decreased exploratory activity rather than direct memory deficits. Furthermore, decreased brain metabolism, which was measured using micro-positron emission tomography, is observed in the Cdh5Cre;ErbB4f/f mice. Consistently, the immunoblot data demonstrate the downregulation of brain Glut1, phospho-ULK1 (Ser555), and TIGAR in the endothelial ErbB4 conditional knockout mice. Collectively, our findings suggest that endothelial ErbB4 plays a critical role in regulating brain function, at least in part, through maintaining normal brain energy homeostasis. CONCLUSIONS Targeting ErbB4 or the modulation of endothelial ErbB4 signaling may represent a rational pharmacological approach to treat neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Wu
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,School of Medicine, Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiu-Xiu Liu
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,School of Medicine, Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Nan-Nan Lu
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qi-Bing Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Hainan Medical College, Haikou, China
| | - Yun Tian
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wei-Feng Ye
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Guo-Jun Jiang
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Xiaoshan Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Rong-Rong Tao
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Feng Han
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ying-Mei Lu
- School of Medicine, Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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43
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Kishimoto K, Nomura J, Ellegood J, Fukumoto K, Lerch JP, Moreno-De-Luca D, Bourgeron T, Tamada K, Takumi T. Behavioral and neuroanatomical analyses in a genetic mouse model of 2q13 duplication. Genes Cells 2017; 22:436-451. [PMID: 28370817 DOI: 10.1111/gtc.12487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2017] [Accepted: 02/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Duplications of human chromosome 2q13 have been reported in patients with neurodevelopmental disorder including autism spectrum disorder. Nephronophthisis-1 (NPHP1) was identified as a causative gene in the minimal deletion on chromosome 2q13 for familial juvenile type 1 nephronophthisis and Joubert syndrome, an autosomal recessive neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by a cerebellar and brain stem malformation, hypotonia, developmental delay, ataxia, and sometimes associated with cognitive impairment. NPHP1 encodes a ciliary protein, nephrocystin-1, which is expressed in the brain, yet its function in the brain remains largely unknown. In this study, we generated bacterial artificial chromosome-based transgenic mice, called 2q13 dup, that recapitulate human chromosome 2q13 duplication and contain one extra copy of the Nphp1 transgene. To analyze any behavioral alterations in 2q13 dup mice, we conducted a battery of behavioral tests. Although 2q13 dup mice show no significant differences in social behavior, they show deficits in spontaneous alternation behavior and fear memory. We also carried out magnetic resonance imaging to confirm whether copy number gain in this locus affects the neuroanatomy. There was a trend toward a decrease in the cerebellar paraflocculus of 2q13 dup mice. This is the first report of a genetic mouse model for human 2q13 duplication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiko Kishimoto
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute (BSI), Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan.,Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima University, Minami, Hiroshima, 734-8553, Japan
| | - Jun Nomura
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute (BSI), Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Jacob Ellegood
- Mouse Imaging Centre (MICe), Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, M5T 3H7, Canada
| | - Keita Fukumoto
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute (BSI), Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan.,Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima University, Minami, Hiroshima, 734-8553, Japan
| | - Jason P Lerch
- Mouse Imaging Centre (MICe), Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, M5T 3H7, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A1, Canada
| | - Daniel Moreno-De-Luca
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02908, USA
| | | | - Kota Tamada
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute (BSI), Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Toru Takumi
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute (BSI), Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan.,Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima University, Minami, Hiroshima, 734-8553, Japan
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44
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Wang M, Li H, Takumi T, Qiu Z, Xu X, Yu X, Bian WJ. Distinct Defects in Spine Formation or Pruning in Two Gene Duplication Mouse Models of Autism. Neurosci Bull 2017; 33:143-152. [PMID: 28258509 PMCID: PMC5360848 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-017-0111-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2017] [Accepted: 02/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) encompasses a complex set of developmental neurological disorders, characterized by deficits in social communication and excessive repetitive behaviors. In recent years, ASD is increasingly being considered as a disease of the synapse. One main type of genetic aberration leading to ASD is gene duplication, and several mouse models have been generated mimicking these mutations. Here, we studied the effects of MECP2 duplication and human chromosome 15q11-13 duplication on synaptic development and neural circuit wiring in the mouse sensory cortices. We showed that mice carrying MECP2 duplication had specific defects in spine pruning, while the 15q11-13 duplication mouse model had impaired spine formation. Our results demonstrate that spine pathology varies significantly between autism models and that distinct aspects of neural circuit development may be targeted in different ASD mutations. Our results further underscore the importance of gene dosage in normal development and function of the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miao Wang
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Huiping Li
- Department of Child Healthcare, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, 201102, China
| | - Toru Takumi
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Zilong Qiu
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Xiu Xu
- Department of Child Healthcare, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, 201102, China.
| | - Xiang Yu
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China. .,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China. .,School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China.
| | - Wen-Jie Bian
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China. .,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
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45
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Ishimoto T, Ninomiya K, Inoue R, Koike M, Uchiyama Y, Mori H. Mice lacking BCAS1, a novel myelin-associated protein, display hypomyelination, schizophrenia-like abnormal behaviors, and upregulation of inflammatory genes in the brain. Glia 2017; 65:727-739. [PMID: 28230289 DOI: 10.1002/glia.23129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2016] [Revised: 01/30/2017] [Accepted: 02/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The abnormal expression and function of myelin-related proteins contribute to nervous system dysfunction associated with neuropsychiatric disorders; however, the underlying mechanism of this remains unclear. We found here that breast carcinoma amplified sequence 1 (BCAS1), a basic protein abundant in the brain, was expressed specifically in oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells, and that its expression level was decreased by demyelination. This suggests that BCAS1 is a novel myelin-associated protein. BCAS1 knockout mice displayed schizophrenia-like behavioral abnormalities and a tendency toward reduced anxiety-like behaviors. Moreover, we found that the loss of BCAS1 specifically induced hypomyelination and the expression of inflammation-related genes in the brain. These observations provide a novel insight into the functional link between oligodendrocytes and inflammation and/or abnormal behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetsuya Ishimoto
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Kensuke Ninomiya
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan
| | - Ran Inoue
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Masato Koike
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan
| | - Yasuo Uchiyama
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan
| | - Hisashi Mori
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
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46
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Bhandari R, Kuhad A. Resveratrol suppresses neuroinflammation in the experimental paradigm of autism spectrum disorders. Neurochem Int 2017; 103:8-23. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2016.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2016] [Revised: 11/27/2016] [Accepted: 12/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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47
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Flaherty EK, Brennand KJ. Using hiPSCs to model neuropsychiatric copy number variations (CNVs) has potential to reveal underlying disease mechanisms. Brain Res 2017; 1655:283-293. [PMID: 26581337 PMCID: PMC4865445 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2015.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2015] [Revised: 10/16/2015] [Accepted: 11/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a neuropsychological disorder with a strong heritable component; genetic risk for schizophrenia is conferred by both common variants of relatively small effect and rare variants with high penetrance. Genetically engineered mouse models can recapitulate rare variants, displaying some behavioral defects associated with schizophrenia; however, these mouse models cannot recapitulate the full genetic architecture underlying the disorder. Patient-derived human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) present an alternative approach for studying rare variants, in the context of all other risk alleles. Genome editing technologies, such as CRISPR-Cas9, enable the generation of isogenic hiPSC lines with which to examine the functional contribution of single variants within any genetic background. Studies of these rare variants using hiPSCs have the potential to identify commonly disrupted pathways in schizophrenia and allow for the identification of new therapeutic targets. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled SI:StemsCellsinPsychiatry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin K Flaherty
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Department of Psychiatry, 1425 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10029, United States
| | - Kristen J Brennand
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Department of Psychiatry, 1425 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10029, United States.
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48
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Young MJ, Geiszler PC, Pardon MC. A novel role for the immunophilin FKBP52 in motor coordination. Behav Brain Res 2016; 313:97-110. [PMID: 27418439 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2016.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2016] [Revised: 07/09/2016] [Accepted: 07/10/2016] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
FKBP52 is a ubiquitously distributed immunophilin that has been associated with wide-ranging functions in cell signalling as well as hormonal and stress responses. Amongst other pathways, it acts via complex-formation with corticosteroid receptors and has consequently been associated with stress- and age- related neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Reduced levels of FKBP52 have been linked to tau dysfunction and amyloid beta toxicity in AD. However, FKBP52's role in cognition and neurodegenerative disorder-like phenotypes remain to be elucidated. The present study aimed therefore at investigating the cognitive and behavioural effects of reduced FKBP52 levels of genetically modified mice during ageing. Female and male FKBP52(+/+), FKBP52(+/-) and FKBP52(-/-) mice were compared at two-, ten-, twelve-, fifteen- and eighteen-months-of-age in a series of behavioural tests covering specie-specific behaviour, motor activity and coordination, fear-, spatial and recognition memory as well as curiosity and emotionality. Whilst cognitively unimpaired, FKBP52(+/-) mice performed worse on an accelerating rotating rod than FKBP52(+/+) littermates across all age-groups suggesting that FKBP52 is involved in processes controlling motor coordination. This deficit did not exacerbate with age but did worsen with repeated testing; pointing towards a role for FKBP52 in learning of tasks requiring motor coordination abilities. This study contributes to the knowledge base of FKBP52's implication in neurodegenerative diseases by demonstrating that FKBP52 by itself does not directly affect cognition and may therefore rather play an indirect, modulatory role in the functional pathology of AD, whereas it directly affects motor coordination, an early sign of neurodegenerative damages to the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Young
- University of Nottingham Medical School, School of Life Sciences, Neuroscience group, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH United Kingdom
| | - Philippine C Geiszler
- University of Nottingham Medical School, School of Life Sciences, Neuroscience group, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH United Kingdom
| | - Marie-Christine Pardon
- University of Nottingham Medical School, School of Life Sciences, Neuroscience group, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH United Kingdom.
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Geiszler PC, Barron MR, Pardon MC. Impaired burrowing is the most prominent behavioral deficit of aging htau mice. Neuroscience 2016; 329:98-111. [PMID: 27167086 PMCID: PMC4915442 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2016.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2016] [Revised: 05/03/2016] [Accepted: 05/03/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
htau mice exhibit robust deficits in food burrowing. Behavioral differences between htau and mtau−/− are age-dependent. Before 6 months of age, the htau phenotype is stronger than the mtau−/− phenotype. With aging, the htau phenotype is milder than the mtau−/− phenotype.
htau mice are deficient of murine tau but express all six human tau isoforms, leading to gradual tau misprocessing and aggregation in brain areas relevant to Alzheimer’s disease. While histopathological changes in htau mice have been researched in the past, we focused here on functional consequences of human tau accumulation. htau mice and their background controls – murine tau knock-out (mtau−/−) and C57Bl/6J mice – underwent a comprehensive trial battery to investigate species-specific behavior, locomotor activity, emotional responses, exploratory traits, spatial and recognition memory as well as acquisition, retention and extinction of contextual fear at two, four, six, nine and twelve months of age. In htau mice, tau pathology was already present at two months of age, whereas deficits in food burrowing and spatial working memory were first noted at four months of age. At later stages the presence of human tau on a mtau−/− background appeared to guard cognitive performance; as mtau−/− but not htau mice differed from C57Bl/6J mice in the food burrowing, spontaneous alternation and object discrimination tasks. Aging mtau−/− mice also exhibited increased body mass and locomotor activity. These data highlight that reduced food-burrowing performance was the most robust aspect of the htau phenotype with aging. htau and mtau−/− deficits in food burrowing pointed at the necessity of intact tau systems for daily life activities. While some htau and mtau−/− deficits overlap, age differences between the two genotypes may reflect distinct functional effects and compared to C57Bl/6J mice, the htau phenotype appeared stronger than the mtau−/− phenotype at young ages but milder with aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippine Camilla Geiszler
- Neuroscience Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, United Kingdom.
| | - Matthew Richard Barron
- Neuroscience Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, United Kingdom.
| | - Marie-Christine Pardon
- Neuroscience Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, United Kingdom.
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Perez JD, Rubinstein ND, Dulac C. New Perspectives on Genomic Imprinting, an Essential and Multifaceted Mode of Epigenetic Control in the Developing and Adult Brain. Annu Rev Neurosci 2016; 39:347-84. [PMID: 27145912 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-neuro-061010-113708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Mammalian evolution entailed multiple innovations in gene regulation, including the emergence of genomic imprinting, an epigenetic regulation leading to the preferential expression of a gene from its maternal or paternal allele. Genomic imprinting is highly prevalent in the brain, yet, until recently, its central roles in neural processes have not been fully appreciated. Here, we provide a comprehensive survey of adult and developmental brain functions influenced by imprinted genes, from neural development and wiring to synaptic function and plasticity, energy balance, social behaviors, emotions, and cognition. We further review the widespread identification of parental biases alongside monoallelic expression in brain tissues, discuss their potential roles in dosage regulation of key neural pathways, and suggest possible mechanisms underlying the dynamic regulation of imprinting in the brain. This review should help provide a better understanding of the significance of genomic imprinting in the normal and pathological brain of mammals including humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julio D Perez
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138;
| | - Nimrod D Rubinstein
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138;
| | - Catherine Dulac
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138;
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