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Chen H, Ferguson CJ, Mitchell DC, Titus A, Paulo JA, Hwang A, Lin TH, Yano H, Gu W, Song SK, Yuede CM, Gygi SP, Bonni A, Kim AH. The Hao-Fountain syndrome protein USP7 regulates neuronal connectivity in the brain via a novel p53-independent ubiquitin signaling pathway. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.10.24.563880. [PMID: 37961719 PMCID: PMC10634808 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.24.563880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Precise control of protein ubiquitination is essential for brain development, and hence, disruption of ubiquitin signaling networks can lead to neurological disorders. Mutations of the deubiquitinase USP7 cause the Hao-Fountain syndrome (HAFOUS), characterized by developmental delay, intellectual disability, autism, and aggressive behavior. Here, we report that conditional deletion of USP7 in excitatory neurons in the mouse forebrain triggers diverse phenotypes including sensorimotor deficits, learning and memory impairment, and aggressive behavior, resembling clinical features of HAFOUS. USP7 deletion induces neuronal apoptosis in a manner dependent of the tumor suppressor p53. However, most behavioral abnormalities in USP7 conditional mice persist despite p53 loss. Strikingly, USP7 deletion in the brain perturbs the synaptic proteome and dendritic spine morphogenesis independently of p53. Integrated proteomics analysis reveals that the neuronal USP7 interactome is enriched for proteins implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders and specifically identifies the RNA splicing factor Ppil4 as a novel neuronal substrate of USP7. Knockdown of Ppil4 in cortical neurons impairs dendritic spine morphogenesis, phenocopying the effect of USP7 loss on dendritic spines. These findings reveal a novel USP7-Ppil4 ubiquitin signaling link that regulates neuronal connectivity in the developing brain, with implications for our understanding of the pathogenesis of HAFOUS and other neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Hou J, Chen Y, Cai Z, Heo GS, Yuede CM, Wang Z, Lin K, Saadi F, Trsan T, Nguyen AT, Constantopoulos E, Larsen RA, Zhu Y, Wagner ND, McLaughlin N, Kuang XC, Barrow AD, Li D, Zhou Y, Wang S, Gilfillan S, Gross ML, Brioschi S, Liu Y, Holtzman DM, Colonna M. Antibody-mediated targeting of human microglial leukocyte Ig-like receptor B4 attenuates amyloid pathology in a mouse model. Sci Transl Med 2024; 16:eadj9052. [PMID: 38569016 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adj9052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Microglia help limit the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD) by constraining amyloid-β (Aβ) pathology, effected through a balance of activating and inhibitory intracellular signals delivered by distinct cell surface receptors. Human leukocyte Ig-like receptor B4 (LILRB4) is an inhibitory receptor of the immunoglobulin (Ig) superfamily that is expressed on myeloid cells and recognizes apolipoprotein E (ApoE) among other ligands. Here, we find that LILRB4 is highly expressed in the microglia of patients with AD. Using mice that accumulate Aβ and carry a transgene encompassing a portion of the LILR region that includes LILRB4, we corroborated abundant LILRB4 expression in microglia wrapping around Aβ plaques. Systemic treatment of these mice with an anti-human LILRB4 monoclonal antibody (mAb) reduced Aβ load, mitigated some Aβ-related behavioral abnormalities, enhanced microglia activity, and attenuated expression of interferon-induced genes. In vitro binding experiments established that human LILRB4 binds both human and mouse ApoE and that anti-human LILRB4 mAb blocks such interaction. In silico modeling, biochemical, and mutagenesis analyses identified a loop between the two extracellular Ig domains of LILRB4 required for interaction with mouse ApoE and further indicated that anti-LILRB4 mAb may block LILRB4-mApoE by directly binding this loop. Thus, targeting LILRB4 may be a potential therapeutic avenue for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinchao Hou
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Yun Chen
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Neurology, Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Zhangying Cai
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Gyu Seong Heo
- Department of Radiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Carla M Yuede
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Zuoxu Wang
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Kent Lin
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Fareeha Saadi
- Department of Neurology, Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Tihana Trsan
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Aivi T Nguyen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Eleni Constantopoulos
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Rachel A Larsen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Yiyang Zhu
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Nicole D Wagner
- Department of Chemistry, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Nolan McLaughlin
- Department of Chemistry, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Xinyi Cynthia Kuang
- Department of Chemistry, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Alexander D Barrow
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Parkville, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Dian Li
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Yingyue Zhou
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Shoutang Wang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong, China
| | - Susan Gilfillan
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Michael L Gross
- Department of Chemistry, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Simone Brioschi
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Yongjian Liu
- Department of Radiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - David M Holtzman
- Department of Neurology, Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Marco Colonna
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
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Giri T, Maloney SE, Giri S, Goo YA, Song JH, Son M, Tycksen E, Conyers SB, Bice A, Ge X, Garbow JR, Quirk JD, Bauer AQ, Palanisamy A. Oxytocin-induced birth causes sex-specific behavioral and brain connectivity changes in developing rat offspring. iScience 2024; 27:108960. [PMID: 38327784 PMCID: PMC10847747 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.108960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite six decades of the use of exogenous oxytocin for management of labor, little is known about its effects on the developing brain. Motivated by controversial reports suggesting a link between oxytocin use during labor and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), we employed our recently validated rat model for labor induction with oxytocin to address this important concern. Using a combination of molecular biological, behavioral, and neuroimaging assays, we show that induced birth with oxytocin leads to sex-specific disruption of oxytocinergic signaling in the developing brain, decreased communicative ability of pups, reduced empathy-like behaviors especially in male offspring, and widespread sex-dependent changes in functional cortical connectivity. Contrary to our hypothesis, social behavior, typically impaired in ASDs, was largely preserved. Collectively, our foundational studies provide nuanced insights into the neurodevelopmental impact of birth induction with oxytocin and set the stage for mechanistic investigations in animal models and prospective longitudinal clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tusar Giri
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Susan E. Maloney
- Department of Psychiatry, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Saswat Giri
- Graduate Student, School of Public Health and Social Justice, St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Young Ah Goo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Mass Spectrometry Technology Access Center (MTAC), McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jong Hee Song
- Mass Spectrometry Technology Access Center (MTAC), McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Minsoo Son
- Mass Spectrometry Technology Access Center (MTAC), McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Eric Tycksen
- Genome Technology Access Center (GTAC), McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Sara B. Conyers
- Department of Psychiatry, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Annie Bice
- Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Xia Ge
- Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Joel R. Garbow
- Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - James D. Quirk
- Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Adam Q. Bauer
- Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Arvind Palanisamy
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
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4
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Chen Y, Song S, Parhizkar S, Lord J, Zhu Y, Strickland MR, Wang C, Park J, Travis Tabor G, Jiang H, Li K, Davis AA, Yuede CM, Colonna M, Ulrich JD, Holtzman DM. APOE3ch alters microglial response and suppresses Aβ-induced tau seeding and spread. Cell 2024; 187:428-445.e20. [PMID: 38086389 PMCID: PMC10842861 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.11.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
A recent case report described an individual who was a homozygous carrier of the APOE3 Christchurch (APOE3ch) mutation and resistant to autosomal dominant Alzheimer's Disease (AD) caused by a PSEN1-E280A mutation. Whether APOE3ch contributed to the protective effect remains unclear. We generated a humanized APOE3ch knock-in mouse and crossed it to an amyloid-β (Aβ) plaque-depositing model. We injected AD-tau brain extract to investigate tau seeding and spreading in the presence or absence of amyloid. Similar to the case report, APOE3ch expression resulted in peripheral dyslipidemia and a marked reduction in plaque-associated tau pathology. Additionally, we observed decreased amyloid response and enhanced microglial response around plaques. We also demonstrate increased myeloid cell phagocytosis and degradation of tau aggregates linked to weaker APOE3ch binding to heparin sulfate proteoglycans. APOE3ch influences the microglial response to Aβ plaques, which suppresses Aβ-induced tau seeding and spreading. The results reveal new possibilities to target Aβ-induced tauopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Chen
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Sihui Song
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Samira Parhizkar
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Knight Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Jennifer Lord
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Yiyang Zhu
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Michael R. Strickland
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Chanung Wang
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Jiyu Park
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - G. Travis Tabor
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Hong Jiang
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Knight Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Kevin Li
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Albert A. Davis
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Carla M. Yuede
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Knight Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Marco Colonna
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Jason D. Ulrich
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Knight Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - David M. Holtzman
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Knight Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
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5
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Chen X, Firulyova M, Manis M, Herz J, Smirnov I, Aladyeva E, Wang C, Bao X, Finn MB, Hu H, Shchukina I, Kim MW, Yuede CM, Kipnis J, Artyomov MN, Ulrich JD, Holtzman DM. Microglia-mediated T cell infiltration drives neurodegeneration in tauopathy. Nature 2023; 615:668-677. [PMID: 36890231 PMCID: PMC10258627 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-05788-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 163] [Impact Index Per Article: 163.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023]
Abstract
Extracellular deposition of amyloid-β as neuritic plaques and intracellular accumulation of hyperphosphorylated, aggregated tau as neurofibrillary tangles are two of the characteristic hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease1,2. The regional progression of brain atrophy in Alzheimer's disease highly correlates with tau accumulation but not amyloid deposition3-5, and the mechanisms of tau-mediated neurodegeneration remain elusive. Innate immune responses represent a common pathway for the initiation and progression of some neurodegenerative diseases. So far, little is known about the extent or role of the adaptive immune response and its interaction with the innate immune response in the presence of amyloid-β or tau pathology6. Here we systematically compared the immunological milieux in the brain of mice with amyloid deposition or tau aggregation and neurodegeneration. We found that mice with tauopathy but not those with amyloid deposition developed a unique innate and adaptive immune response and that depletion of microglia or T cells blocked tau-mediated neurodegeneration. Numbers of T cells, especially those of cytotoxic T cells, were markedly increased in areas with tau pathology in mice with tauopathy and in the Alzheimer's disease brain. T cell numbers correlated with the extent of neuronal loss, and the cells dynamically transformed their cellular characteristics from activated to exhausted states along with unique TCR clonal expansion. Inhibition of interferon-γ and PDCD1 signalling both significantly ameliorated brain atrophy. Our results thus reveal a tauopathy- and neurodegeneration-related immune hub involving activated microglia and T cell responses, which could serve as therapeutic targets for preventing neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease and primary tauopathies.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Mice
- Alzheimer Disease/immunology
- Alzheimer Disease/metabolism
- Alzheimer Disease/pathology
- Amyloid beta-Peptides/immunology
- Amyloid beta-Peptides/metabolism
- Brain/immunology
- Brain/metabolism
- Brain/pathology
- Microglia/immunology
- Microglia/metabolism
- Neurofibrillary Tangles/immunology
- Neurofibrillary Tangles/metabolism
- Neurofibrillary Tangles/pathology
- tau Proteins/immunology
- tau Proteins/metabolism
- Tauopathies/immunology
- Tauopathies/metabolism
- Tauopathies/pathology
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- T-Lymphocytes/pathology
- Plaque, Amyloid/immunology
- Plaque, Amyloid/metabolism
- Plaque, Amyloid/pathology
- T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic/metabolism
- T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic/pathology
- Clone Cells/immunology
- Clone Cells/metabolism
- Clone Cells/pathology
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/immunology
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/metabolism
- Immunity, Innate
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoying Chen
- Department of Neurology, Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Maria Firulyova
- Almazov National Medical Research Centre, St Petersburg, Russia
| | - Melissa Manis
- Department of Neurology, Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jasmin Herz
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
- Center for Brain Immunology and Glia (BIG), Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Igor Smirnov
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
- Center for Brain Immunology and Glia (BIG), Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Ekaterina Aladyeva
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Chanung Wang
- Department of Neurology, Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Xin Bao
- Department of Neurology, Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Mary Beth Finn
- Department of Neurology, Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Hao Hu
- Department of Neurology, Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Irina Shchukina
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Min Woo Kim
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
- Center for Brain Immunology and Glia (BIG), Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Carla M Yuede
- Department of Neurology, Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jonathan Kipnis
- Department of Neurology, Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
- Center for Brain Immunology and Glia (BIG), Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Maxim N Artyomov
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jason D Ulrich
- Department of Neurology, Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - David M Holtzman
- Department of Neurology, Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA.
- Center for Brain Immunology and Glia (BIG), Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA.
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Brazill JM, Shin D, Magee K, Majumdar A, Shen IR, Cavalli V, Scheller EL. Knockout of TSC2 in Nav1.8+ neurons predisposes to the onset of normal weight obesity. Mol Metab 2023; 68:101664. [PMID: 36586433 PMCID: PMC9841058 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2022.101664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Obesity and nutrient oversupply increase mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling in multiple cell types and organs, contributing to the onset of insulin resistance and complications of metabolic disease. However, it remains unclear when and where mTOR activation mediates these effects, limiting options for therapeutic intervention. The objective of this study was to isolate the role of constitutive mTOR activation in Nav1.8-expressing peripheral neurons in the onset of diet-induced obesity, bone loss, and metabolic disease. METHODS In humans, loss of function mutations in tuberous sclerosis complex 2 (TSC2) lead to maximal constitutive activation of mTOR. To mirror this in mice, we bred Nav1.8-Cre with TSC2fl/fl animals to conditionally delete TSC2 in Nav1.8-expressing neurons. Male and female mice were studied from 4- to 34-weeks of age and a subset of animals were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 24-weeks. Assays of metabolism, body composition, bone morphology, and behavior were performed. RESULTS By lineage tracing, Nav1.8-Cre targeted peripheral sensory neurons, a subpopulation of postganglionic sympathetics, and several regions of the brain. Conditional knockout of TSC2 in Nav1.8-expressing neurons (Nav1.8-TSC2KO) selectively upregulated neuronal mTORC1 signaling. Male, but not female, Nav1.8-TSC2KO mice had a 4-10% decrease in body size at baseline. When challenged with HFD, both male and female Nav1.8-TSC2KO mice resisted diet-induced gains in body mass. However, this did not protect against HFD-induced metabolic dysfunction and bone loss. In addition, despite not gaining weight, Nav1.8-TSC2KO mice fed HFD still developed high body fat, a unique phenotype previously referred to as 'normal weight obesity'. Nav1.8-TSC2KO mice also had signs of chronic itch, mild increases in anxiety-like behavior, and sex-specific alterations in HFD-induced fat distribution that led to enhanced visceral obesity in males and preferential deposition of subcutaneous fat in females. CONCLUSIONS Knockout of TSC2 in Nav1.8+ neurons increases itch- and anxiety-like behaviors and substantially modifies fat storage and metabolic responses to HFD. Though this prevents HFD-induced weight gain, it masks depot-specific fat expansion and persistent detrimental effects on metabolic health and peripheral organs such as bone, mimicking the 'normal weight obesity' phenotype that is of growing concern. This supports a mechanism by which increased neuronal mTOR signaling can predispose to altered adipose tissue distribution, adipose tissue expansion, impaired peripheral metabolism, and detrimental changes to skeletal health with HFD - despite resistance to weight gain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer M Brazill
- Department of Medicine, Division of Bone and Mineral Diseases, Washington University, Saint Louis, MO, USA.
| | - David Shin
- Department of Medicine, Division of Bone and Mineral Diseases, Washington University, Saint Louis, MO, USA.
| | - Kristann Magee
- Department of Medicine, Division of Bone and Mineral Diseases, Washington University, Saint Louis, MO, USA.
| | - Anurag Majumdar
- Department of Medicine, Division of Bone and Mineral Diseases, Washington University, Saint Louis, MO, USA.
| | - Ivana R Shen
- Department of Medicine, Division of Bone and Mineral Diseases, Washington University, Saint Louis, MO, USA.
| | - Valeria Cavalli
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University, Saint Louis, MO, USA; Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA; Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA.
| | - Erica L Scheller
- Department of Medicine, Division of Bone and Mineral Diseases, Washington University, Saint Louis, MO, USA; Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA; Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University, Saint Louis, MO, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University, Saint Louis, MO, USA.
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7
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Wang S, Sudan R, Peng V, Zhou Y, Du S, Yuede CM, Lei T, Hou J, Cai Z, Cella M, Nguyen K, Poliani PL, Beatty WL, Chen Y, Cao S, Lin K, Rodrigues C, Ellebedy AH, Gilfillan S, Brown GD, Holtzman DM, Brioschi S, Colonna M. TREM2 drives microglia response to amyloid-β via SYK-dependent and -independent pathways. Cell 2022; 185:4153-4169.e19. [PMID: 36306735 PMCID: PMC9625082 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2022.09.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 59.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Genetic studies have highlighted microglia as pivotal in orchestrating Alzheimer's disease (AD). Microglia that adhere to Aβ plaques acquire a transcriptional signature, "disease-associated microglia" (DAM), which largely emanates from the TREM2-DAP12 receptor complex that transmits intracellular signals through the protein tyrosine kinase SYK. The human TREM2R47H variant associated with high AD risk fails to activate microglia via SYK. We found that SYK-deficient microglia cannot encase Aβ plaques, accelerating brain pathology and behavioral deficits. SYK deficiency impaired the PI3K-AKT-GSK-3β-mTOR pathway, incapacitating anabolic support required for attaining the DAM profile. However, SYK-deficient microglia proliferated and advanced to an Apoe-expressing prodromal stage of DAM; this pathway relied on the adapter DAP10, which also binds TREM2. Thus, microglial responses to Aβ involve non-redundant SYK- and DAP10-pathways. Systemic administration of an antibody against CLEC7A, a receptor that directly activates SYK, rescued microglia activation in mice expressing the TREM2R47H allele, unveiling new options for AD immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoutang Wang
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Raki Sudan
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Vincent Peng
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Yingyue Zhou
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Siling Du
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Carla M Yuede
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Tingting Lei
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Jinchao Hou
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Zhangying Cai
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Marina Cella
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Khai Nguyen
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Pietro L Poliani
- Pathology Unit, Molecular and Translational Medicine Department, University of Brescia, Brescia 25123, Italy
| | - Wandy L Beatty
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Yun Chen
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Neurology, Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Siyan Cao
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Kent Lin
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Cecilia Rodrigues
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Ali H Ellebedy
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Susan Gilfillan
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Gordon D Brown
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QD, UK
| | - David M Holtzman
- Department of Neurology, Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Simone Brioschi
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Marco Colonna
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
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8
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Ferguson CJ, Urso O, Bodrug T, Gassaway BM, Watson ER, Prabu JR, Lara-Gonzalez P, Martinez-Chacin RC, Wu DY, Brigatti KW, Puffenberger EG, Taylor CM, Haas-Givler B, Jinks RN, Strauss KA, Desai A, Gabel HW, Gygi SP, Schulman BA, Brown NG, Bonni A. APC7 mediates ubiquitin signaling in constitutive heterochromatin in the developing mammalian brain. Mol Cell 2022; 82:90-105.e13. [PMID: 34942119 PMCID: PMC8741739 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2021.11.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental cognitive disorders provide insights into mechanisms of human brain development. Here, we report an intellectual disability syndrome caused by the loss of APC7, a core component of the E3 ubiquitin ligase anaphase promoting complex (APC). In mechanistic studies, we uncover a critical role for APC7 during the recruitment and ubiquitination of APC substrates. In proteomics analyses of the brain from mice harboring the patient-specific APC7 mutation, we identify the chromatin-associated protein Ki-67 as an APC7-dependent substrate of the APC in neurons. Conditional knockout of the APC coactivator protein Cdh1, but not Cdc20, leads to the accumulation of Ki-67 protein in neurons in vivo, suggesting that APC7 is required for the function of Cdh1-APC in the brain. Deregulated neuronal Ki-67 upon APC7 loss localizes predominantly to constitutive heterochromatin. Our findings define an essential function for APC7 and Cdh1-APC in neuronal heterochromatin regulation, with implications for understanding human brain development and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cole J Ferguson
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Pathology & Immunology, Neuropathology Division, Physician-Scientist Training Program, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Olivia Urso
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Tatyana Bodrug
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | | | | | | | - Pablo Lara-Gonzalez
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Raquel C Martinez-Chacin
- Department of Pharmacology and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Dennis Y Wu
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | | | | | - Cora M Taylor
- Geisinger Autism & Developmental Medicine Institute, Lewisburg, PA 17837, USA
| | - Barbara Haas-Givler
- Geisinger Autism & Developmental Medicine Institute, Lewisburg, PA 17837, USA
| | - Robert N Jinks
- Department of Biology, Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, PA 17603, USA
| | | | - Arshad Desai
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Harrison W Gabel
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Steven P Gygi
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02138, USA
| | | | - Nicholas G Brown
- Department of Pharmacology and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Azad Bonni
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
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9
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Houpt AC, Schwartz SE, Coover RA. Assessing Psychiatric Comorbidity and Pharmacologic Treatment Patterns Among Patients With Neurofibromatosis Type 1. Cureus 2021; 13:e20244. [PMID: 35004058 PMCID: PMC8735883 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.20244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and objective Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) is a genetic disorder that is accompanied by psychiatric comorbidities such as depression, anxiety, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in more than half of the patients. However, there are limited data describing optimal treatment strategies for these conditions. This study aimed to address that gap in understanding and explore the neurobiological basis of psychiatric comorbidities in NF1. Materials and methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted among NF1 patients with a comorbid diagnosis of depression, anxiety, and/or ADHD. These disease states were chosen based on their relatively high reported prevalence in NF1 and shared pathophysiological mechanisms via monoaminergic dysfunction. Information regarding demographics, psychotherapeutic medication use, and clinical outcomes was gathered from electronic medical records. Relationships between patient- and medication-related factors and outcome measures were assessed using statistical analysis. Results The study population (n = 82) consisted of NF1 patients with a comorbid diagnosis of depression (76.8%), anxiety (53.7%), and/or ADHD (23.2%). The use of second-generation antipsychotic agent augmentation therapy or hydroxyzine monotherapy was associated with significantly more behavioral health (BH)-related emergency department (ED) visits, admissions, and inpatient days in the study population. Conversely, the use of bupropion augmentation therapy, buspirone augmentation therapy, and stimulants was associated with improved clinical outcomes, though these results were not statistically significant. Conclusions Based on our findings in this real-world study setting, patients with NF1 and psychiatric comorbidities appear to experience significant benefits from medications that enhance dopaminergic neurotransmission (e.g., bupropion, stimulants) when compared to drugs that oppose it (e.g., second-generation antipsychotics).
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10
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Wang S, Mustafa M, Yuede CM, Salazar SV, Kong P, Long H, Ward M, Siddiqui O, Paul R, Gilfillan S, Ibrahim A, Rhinn H, Tassi I, Rosenthal A, Schwabe T, Colonna M. Anti-human TREM2 induces microglia proliferation and reduces pathology in an Alzheimer's disease model. J Exp Med 2021; 217:151887. [PMID: 32579671 PMCID: PMC7478730 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20200785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 212] [Impact Index Per Article: 70.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
TREM2 is a receptor for lipids expressed in microglia. The R47H variant of human TREM2 impairs ligand binding and increases Alzheimer’s disease (AD) risk. In mouse models of amyloid β (Aβ) accumulation, defective TREM2 function affects microglial response to Aβ plaques, exacerbating tissue damage, whereas TREM2 overexpression attenuates pathology. Thus, AD may benefit from TREM2 activation. Here, we examined the impact of an anti-human TREM2 agonistic mAb, AL002c, in a mouse AD model expressing either the common variant (CV) or the R47H variant of TREM2. Single-cell RNA-seq of microglia after acute systemic administration of AL002c showed induction of proliferation in both CV- and R47H-transgenic mice. Prolonged administration of AL002c reduced filamentous plaques and neurite dystrophy, impacted behavior, and tempered microglial inflammatory response. We further showed that a variant of AL002c is safe and well tolerated in a first-in-human phase I clinical trial and engages TREM2 based on cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers. We conclude that AL002 is a promising candidate for AD therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoutang Wang
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO
| | | | - Carla M Yuede
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO
| | | | | | - Hua Long
- Alector LLC, South San Francisco, CA
| | | | | | | | - Susan Gilfillan
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Marco Colonna
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO
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11
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Yuede CM, Wallace CE, Davis TA, Gardiner WD, Hettinger JC, Edwards HM, Hendrix RD, Doherty BM, Yuede KM, Burstein ES, Cirrito JR. Pimavanserin, a 5HT 2A receptor inverse agonist, rapidly suppresses Aβ production and related pathology in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. J Neurochem 2021; 156:658-673. [PMID: 33278025 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide aggregation into soluble oligomers and insoluble plaques is a precipitating event in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Given that synaptic activity can regulate Aβ generation, we postulated that 5HT2A -Rs may regulate Aβ as well. We treated APP/PS1 transgenic mice with the selective 5HT2A inverse agonists M100907 or Pimavanserin systemically and measured brain interstitial fluid (ISF) Aβ levels in real-time using in vivo microdialysis. Both compounds reduced ISF Aβ levels by almost 50% within hours, but had no effect on Aβ levels in 5HT2A -R knock-out mice. The Aβ-lowering effects of Pimavanserin were blocked by extracellular-regulated kinase (ERK) and NMDA receptor inhibitors. Chronic administration of Pimavanserin by subcutaneous osmotic pump to aged APP/PS1 mice significantly reduced CSF Aβ levels and Aβ pathology and improved cognitive function in these mice. Pimavanserin is FDA-approved to treat Parkinson's disease psychosis, and also has been shown to reduce psychosis in a variety of other dementia subtypes including Alzheimer's disease. These data demonstrate that Pimavanserin may have disease-modifying benefits in addition to its efficacy against neuropsychiatric symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Read the Editorial Highlight for this article on page 560.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla M Yuede
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Clare E Wallace
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Todd A Davis
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Woodrow D Gardiner
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jane C Hettinger
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Hannah M Edwards
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Rachel D Hendrix
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Brookelyn M Doherty
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Kayla M Yuede
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | | | - John R Cirrito
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
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12
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Sutton LP, Muntean BS, Ostrovskaya O, Zucca S, Dao M, Orlandi C, Song C, Xie K, Martemyanov KA. NF1-cAMP signaling dissociates cell type-specific contributions of striatal medium spiny neurons to reward valuation and motor control. PLoS Biol 2019; 17:e3000477. [PMID: 31600280 PMCID: PMC6805008 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2019] [Revised: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The striatum plays a fundamental role in motor learning and reward-related behaviors that are synergistically shaped by populations of D1 dopamine receptor (D1R)- and D2 dopamine receptor (D2R)-expressing medium spiny neurons (MSNs). How various neurotransmitter inputs converging on common intracellular pathways are parsed out to regulate distinct behavioral outcomes in a neuron-specific manner is poorly understood. Here, we reveal that distinct contributions of D1R-MSNs and D2R-MSNs towards reward and motor behaviors are delineated by the multifaceted signaling protein neurofibromin 1 (NF1). Using genetic mouse models, we show that NF1 in D1R-MSN modulates opioid reward, whereas loss of NF1 in D2R-MSNs delays motor learning by impeding the formation and consolidation of repetitive motor sequences. We found that motor learning deficits upon NF1 loss were associated with the disruption in dopamine signaling to cAMP in D2R-MSN. Restoration of cAMP levels pharmacologically or chemogenetically rescued the motor learning deficits seen upon NF1 loss in D2R-MSN. Our findings illustrate that multiplex signaling capabilities of MSNs are deployed at the level of intracellular pathways to achieve cell-specific control over behavioral outcomes. A mouse genetic study reveals that the multifaceted signaling protein neurofibromin (known for its role in the human genetic disease neurofibromatosis type 1) plays a key role in differential routing of motor and reward signals in populations of striatal medium spiny neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurie P. Sutton
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida, United States of America
| | - Brian S. Muntean
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida, United States of America
| | - Olga Ostrovskaya
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida, United States of America
| | - Stefano Zucca
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida, United States of America
| | - Maria Dao
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida, United States of America
| | - Cesare Orlandi
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida, United States of America
| | - Chenghui Song
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida, United States of America
| | - Keqiang Xie
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida, United States of America
| | - Kirill A. Martemyanov
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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13
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Robinson JE, Coughlin GM, Hori AM, Cho JR, Mackey ED, Turan Z, Patriarchi T, Tian L, Gradinaru V. Optical dopamine monitoring with dLight1 reveals mesolimbic phenotypes in a mouse model of neurofibromatosis type 1. eLife 2019; 8:e48983. [PMID: 31545171 PMCID: PMC6819083 DOI: 10.7554/elife.48983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is an autosomal dominant disorder whose neurodevelopmental symptoms include impaired executive function, attention, and spatial learning and could be due to perturbed mesolimbic dopaminergic circuitry. However, these circuits have never been directly assayed in vivo. We employed the genetically encoded optical dopamine sensor dLight1 to monitor dopaminergic neurotransmission in the ventral striatum of NF1 mice during motivated behavior. Additionally, we developed novel systemic AAV vectors to facilitate morphological reconstruction of dopaminergic populations in cleared tissue. We found that NF1 mice exhibit reduced spontaneous dopaminergic neurotransmission that was associated with excitation/inhibition imbalance in the ventral tegmental area and abnormal neuronal morphology. NF1 mice also had more robust dopaminergic and behavioral responses to salient visual stimuli, which were independent of learning, and rescued by optogenetic inhibition of non-dopaminergic neurons in the VTA. Overall, these studies provide a first in vivo characterization of dopaminergic circuit function in the context of NF1 and reveal novel pathophysiological mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Elliott Robinson
- Division of Biology and Biological EngineeringCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadenaUnited States
| | - Gerard M Coughlin
- Division of Biology and Biological EngineeringCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadenaUnited States
| | - Acacia M Hori
- Division of Biology and Biological EngineeringCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadenaUnited States
| | - Jounhong Ryan Cho
- Division of Biology and Biological EngineeringCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadenaUnited States
| | - Elisha D Mackey
- Division of Biology and Biological EngineeringCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadenaUnited States
| | - Zeynep Turan
- Division of Biology and Biological EngineeringCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadenaUnited States
| | - Tommaso Patriarchi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular MedicineUniversity of California, DavisDavisUnited States
| | - Lin Tian
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular MedicineUniversity of California, DavisDavisUnited States
| | - Viviana Gradinaru
- Division of Biology and Biological EngineeringCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadenaUnited States
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14
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Leonzino M, Ponzoni L, Braida D, Gigliucci V, Busnelli M, Ceresini I, Duque-Wilckens N, Nishimori K, Trainor BC, Sala M, Chini B. Impaired approach to novelty and striatal alterations in the oxytocin receptor deficient mouse model of autism. Horm Behav 2019; 114:104543. [PMID: 31220463 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2019.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Revised: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 06/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Long-standing studies established a role for the oxytocin system in social behavior, social reward, pair bonding and affiliation. Oxytocin receptors, implicated in pathological conditions affecting the social sphere such as autism spectrum disorders, can also modulate cognitive processes, an aspect generally overlooked. Here we examined the effect of acute (pharmacological) or genetic (Oxtr-/-) inactivation of oxytocin receptor-mediated signaling, in male mice, in several cognitive tests. In the novel object recognition test, both oxytocin receptor antagonist treated wild type animals and Oxtr-/- mice lacked the typical preference for novelty. Oxtr-/- mice even preferred the familiar object; moreover, their performance in the Morris water maze did not differ from wild types, suggesting that oxytocin receptor inactivation did not disrupt learning. Because the preference for novel objects could be rescued in Oxtr-/- mice with longer habituation periods, we propose that the loss of novelty preferences following Oxtr inactivation is due to altered processing of novel contextual information. Finally, we observed an increased expression of excitatory synaptic markers in the striatum of Oxtr-/- mice and a greater arborization and higher number of spines/neuron in the dorsolateral area of this structure, which drives habit formation. Our data also indicate a specific reshaping of dorsolateral striatal spines in Oxtr-/- mice after exposure to a novel environment, which might subtend their altered approach to novelty, and support previous work pointing at this structure as an important substrate for autistic behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Leonzino
- CNR, Institute of Neuroscience, Milan, Italy; Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Luisa Ponzoni
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Daniela Braida
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Marta Busnelli
- CNR, Institute of Neuroscience, Milan, Italy; Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Natalia Duque-Wilckens
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Department of Physiology/Neuroscience, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Katsuhiko Nishimori
- Department of Obesity and Internal Inflammation, Department of Bioregulation and Pharmacological Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Brian C Trainor
- Psychology Department, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Mariaelvina Sala
- CNR, Institute of Neuroscience, Milan, Italy; Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Bice Chini
- CNR, Institute of Neuroscience, Milan, Italy; Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
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15
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Dard L, Bellance N, Lacombe D, Rossignol R. RAS signalling in energy metabolism and rare human diseases. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOENERGETICS 2018; 1859:845-867. [PMID: 29750912 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2018.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2018] [Revised: 04/12/2018] [Accepted: 05/03/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The RAS pathway is a highly conserved cascade of protein-protein interactions and phosphorylation that is at the heart of signalling networks that govern proliferation, differentiation and cell survival. Recent findings indicate that the RAS pathway plays a role in the regulation of energy metabolism via the control of mitochondrial form and function but little is known on the participation of this effect in RAS-related rare human genetic diseases. Germline mutations that hyperactivate the RAS pathway have been discovered and linked to human developmental disorders that are known as RASopathies. Individuals with RASopathies, which are estimated to affect approximately 1/1000 human birth, share many overlapping characteristics, including cardiac malformations, short stature, neurocognitive impairment, craniofacial dysmorphy, cutaneous, musculoskeletal, and ocular abnormalities, hypotonia and a predisposition to developing cancer. Since the identification of the first RASopathy, type 1 neurofibromatosis (NF1), which is caused by the inactivation of neurofibromin 1, several other syndromes have been associated with mutations in the core components of the RAS-MAPK pathway. These syndromes include Noonan syndrome (NS), Noonan syndrome with multiple lentigines (NSML), which was formerly called LEOPARD syndrome, Costello syndrome (CS), cardio-facio-cutaneous syndrome (CFC), Legius syndrome (LS) and capillary malformation-arteriovenous malformation syndrome (CM-AVM). Here, we review current knowledge about the bioenergetics of the RASopathies and discuss the molecular control of energy homeostasis and mitochondrial physiology by the RAS pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Dard
- Bordeaux University, 33000 Bordeaux, France; INSERM U1211, 33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - N Bellance
- Bordeaux University, 33000 Bordeaux, France; INSERM U1211, 33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - D Lacombe
- Bordeaux University, 33000 Bordeaux, France; INSERM U1211, 33000 Bordeaux, France; CHU de Bordeaux, Service de Génétique Médicale, F-33076 Bordeaux, France
| | - R Rossignol
- Bordeaux University, 33000 Bordeaux, France; INSERM U1211, 33000 Bordeaux, France; CELLOMET, CGFB-146 Rue Léo Saignat, Bordeaux, France.
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16
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Cao ZP, Dai D, Wei PJ, Han YY, Guan YQ, Li HH, Liu WX, Xiao P, Li CH. Effects of cordycepin on spontaneous alternation behavior and adenosine receptors expression in hippocampus. Physiol Behav 2017; 184:135-142. [PMID: 29174913 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2017.11.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2017] [Revised: 10/18/2017] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Cordycepin, an adenosine analogue, has been reported to improve cognitive function. Important roles on learning and memory of adenosine and its receptors, such as adenosine A1 and A2A receptors (A1R and A2AR), also have been shown. Therefore, we assume that the improvement of learning and memory induced by cordycepin is likely related to hippocampal adenosine content and adenosine receptor density. Here we investigated the effects of cordycepin on the short-term spatial memory by using a spontaneous alternation behavior (SAB) test in Y-maze, and then examined hippocampal adenosine content and A1R and A2AR densities. We found that orally administrated cordycepin (at dosages of 5 and 10mg/kg twice daily for three weeks) significantly increased the percent of relative alternation of mice in SAB but not altered body weight, hippocampus weight and hippocampal adenosine content. Furthermore, cordycepin decreased A2AR density in hippocampal subareas; however, cordycepin only reduced the A1R density in DG but not CA1 or CA3 region. Our results suggest that cordycepin exerts a nootropic role possibly through modulating A2AR density of hippocampus, which further support the concept that it is mostly A2AR rather than A1R to control the adaptive processes of memory performance. These findings would be helpful to provide a new window into the pharmacological properties of cordycepin for cognitive promotion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Ping Cao
- School of Life Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Dan Dai
- School of Life Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Peng-Ju Wei
- School of Life Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Yuan-Yuan Han
- School of Life Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Yan-Qing Guan
- School of Life Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Han-Hang Li
- School of Life Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Wen-Xiao Liu
- School of Life Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Peng Xiao
- School of Life Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Chu-Hua Li
- School of Life Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China; Brain Science Institute, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China.
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17
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Maloney SE, Chandler KC, Anastasaki C, Rieger MA, Gutmann DH, Dougherty JD. Characterization of early communicative behavior in mouse models of neurofibromatosis type 1. Autism Res 2017; 11:44-58. [PMID: 28842941 DOI: 10.1002/aur.1853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2017] [Revised: 06/26/2017] [Accepted: 07/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a monogenic neurodevelopmental disease caused by germline loss-of-function mutations in the NF1 tumor suppressor gene. Cognitive impairments are observed in approximately 80% of children with this disease, with 45-60% exhibiting autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptomatology. In light of the high comorbidity rate between ASD and NF1, we assessed early communicative behavior by maternal-separation induced pup ultrasonic vocalizations (USV) and developmental milestones in two distinct Nf1 genetically engineered models, one modeling clinical germline heterozygous loss of Nf1 function (Nf1+/- mice), and a second with somatic biallelic Nf1 inactivation in neuroglial progenitor cells (Nf1GFAP CKO mice). We observed altered USV production in both models: Nf1+/- mice exhibited both increased USVs across development and alterations in aspects of pitch, while Nf1GFAP CKO mice demonstrated a decrease in USVs. Developmental milestones, such as weight, pinnae detachment, and eye opening, were not disrupted in either model, indicating the USV deficits were not due to gross developmental delay, and likely reflected more specific alterations in USV circuitry. In this respect, increased whole-brain serotonin was observed in Nf1+/- mice, but whole-brain levels of dopamine and its metabolites were unchanged at the age of peak USV disruption, and USV alterations did not correlate with overall level of neurofibromin loss. The early communicative phenotypes reported herein should motivate further studies into the risks mediated by haploinsufficiency and biallelic deletion of Nf1 across a full battery of ASD-relevant behavioral phenotypes, and a targeted analysis of underlying circuitry disruptions. Autism Res 2018, 11: 44-58. © 2017 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. LAY SUMMARY Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a common neurogenetic disorder caused by mutation of the NF1 gene, in which 80% of affected children exhibit cognitive and behavioral issues. Based on emerging evidence that NF1 may be an autism predisposition gene, we examined autism spectrum disorder (ASD)-relevant early communicative behavior in Nf1 mouse models and observed alterations in both models. The changes in early communicative behavior in Nf1 mutant mice should motivate further studies into the causative factors and potential treatments for ASD arising in the context of NF1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan E Maloney
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri.,Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Krystal C Chandler
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri.,Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Corina Anastasaki
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Michael A Rieger
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri.,Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - David H Gutmann
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Joseph D Dougherty
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri
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18
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Bluschke A, von der Hagen M, Papenhagen K, Roessner V, Beste C. Response inhibition in Attention deficit disorder and neurofibromatosis type 1 - clinically similar, neurophysiologically different. Sci Rep 2017; 7:43929. [PMID: 28262833 PMCID: PMC5338250 DOI: 10.1038/srep43929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2016] [Accepted: 02/01/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
There are large overlaps in cognitive deficits occurring in attention deficit disorder (ADD) and neurodevelopmental disorders like neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). This overlap is mostly based on clinical measures and not on in-depth analyses of neuronal mechanisms. However, the consideration of such neuronal underpinnings is crucial when aiming to integrate measures that can lead to a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms. Inhibitory control deficits, for example, are a hallmark in ADD, but it is unclear how far there are similar deficits in NF1. We thus compared adolescent ADD and NF1 patients to healthy controls in a Go/Nogo task using behavioural and neurophysiological measures. Clinical measures of ADD-symptoms were not different between ADD and NF1. Only patients with ADD showed increased Nogo errors and reductions in components reflecting response inhibition (i.e. Nogo-P3). Early perceptual processes (P1) were changed in ADD and NF1. Clinically, patients with ADD and NF1 thus show strong similarities. This is not the case in regard to underlying cognitive control processes. This shows that in-depth analyses of neurophysiological processes are needed to determine whether the overlap between ADD and NF1 is as strong as assumed and to develop appropriate treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annet Bluschke
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine to the TU Dresden, Germany
| | - Maja von der Hagen
- Abteilung Neuropädiatrie, Medizinische Fakultät Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany
| | - Katharina Papenhagen
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine to the TU Dresden, Germany
| | - Veit Roessner
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine to the TU Dresden, Germany
| | - Christian Beste
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine to the TU Dresden, Germany.,Experimental Neurobiology, National Institute of Mental Health, Czech Republic, Germany
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19
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Bluschke A, von der Hagen M, Papenhagen K, Roessner V, Beste C. Conflict processing in juvenile patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and healthy controls - Two pathways to success. NEUROIMAGE-CLINICAL 2017; 14:499-505. [PMID: 28289600 PMCID: PMC5338893 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2017.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2017] [Revised: 02/10/2017] [Accepted: 02/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) is a monogenetic autosomal-dominant disorder with a broad spectrum of clinical symptoms and is commonly associated with cognitive deficits. Patients with NF1 frequently exhibit cognitive impairments like attention problems, working memory deficits and dysfunctional inhibitory control. The latter is also relevant for the resolution of cognitive conflicts. However, it is unclear how conflict monitoring processes are modulated in NF1. To examine this question in more detail, we used a system neurophysiological approach combining high-density ERP recordings with source localisation analyses in juvenile patients with NF1 and controls during a flanker task. Behaviourally, patients with NF1 perform significantly slower than controls. Specifically on trials with incompatible flanker-target pairings, however, the patients with NF1 made significantly fewer errors than healthy controls. Yet, importantly, this overall successful conflict resolution was reached via two different routes in the two groups. The healthy controls seem to arrive at a successful conflict monitoring performance through a developing conflict recognition via the N2 accompanied by a selectively enhanced N450 activation in the case of perceived flanker-target conflicts. The presumed dopamine deficiency in the patients with NF1 seems to result in a reduced ability to process conflicts via the N2. However, NF1 patients show an increased N450 irrespective of cognitive conflict. Activation differences in the orbitofrontal cortex (BA11) and anterior cingulate cortex (BA24) underlie these modulations. Taken together, juvenile patients with NF1 and juvenile healthy controls seem to accomplish conflict monitoring via two different cognitive neurophysiological pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annet Bluschke
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine to the TU Dresden, Germany
| | - Maja von der Hagen
- Abteilung Neuropädiatrie, Medizinische Fakultät Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany
| | - Katharina Papenhagen
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine to the TU Dresden, Germany
| | - Veit Roessner
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine to the TU Dresden, Germany
| | - Christian Beste
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine to the TU Dresden, Germany; Experimental Neurobiology, National Institute of Mental Health, Czech Republic, Germany
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20
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Jindal GA, Goyal Y, Burdine RD, Rauen KA, Shvartsman SY. RASopathies: unraveling mechanisms with animal models. Dis Model Mech 2016. [PMID: 26203125 PMCID: PMC4527292 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.020339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
RASopathies are developmental disorders caused by germline mutations in the Ras-MAPK pathway, and are characterized by a broad spectrum of functional and morphological abnormalities. The high incidence of these disorders (∼1/1000 births) motivates the development of systematic approaches for their efficient diagnosis and potential treatment. Recent advances in genome sequencing have greatly facilitated the genotyping and discovery of mutations in affected individuals, but establishing the causal relationships between molecules and disease phenotypes is non-trivial and presents both technical and conceptual challenges. Here, we discuss how these challenges could be addressed using genetically modified model organisms that have been instrumental in delineating the Ras-MAPK pathway and its roles during development. Focusing on studies in mice, zebrafish and Drosophila, we provide an up-to-date review of animal models of RASopathies at the molecular and functional level. We also discuss how increasingly sophisticated techniques of genetic engineering can be used to rigorously connect changes in specific components of the Ras-MAPK pathway with observed functional and morphological phenotypes. Establishing these connections is essential for advancing our understanding of RASopathies and for devising rational strategies for their management and treatment. Summary: Developmental disorders caused by germline mutations in the Ras-MAPK pathway are called RASopathies. Studies with animal models, including mice, zebrafish and Drosophila, continue to enhance our understanding of these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Granton A Jindal
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Yogesh Goyal
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Rebecca D Burdine
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Katherine A Rauen
- Department of Pediatrics, MIND Institute, Division of Genomic Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Stanislav Y Shvartsman
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
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21
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Barnes TD, Wozniak D, Gutierrez J, Han TU, Drayna D, Holy TE. A Mutation Associated with Stuttering Alters Mouse Pup Ultrasonic Vocalizations. Curr Biol 2016; 26:S0960-9822(16)30179-8. [PMID: 27151663 PMCID: PMC5063665 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2016.02.068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2015] [Revised: 02/18/2016] [Accepted: 02/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
A promising approach to understanding the mechanistic basis of speech is to study disorders that affect speech without compromising other cognitive or motor functions. Stuttering, also known as stammering, has been linked to mutations in the lysosomal enzyme-targeting pathway, but how this remarkably specific speech deficit arises from mutations in a family of general "cellular housekeeping" genes is unknown. To address this question, we asked whether a missense mutation associated with human stuttering causes vocal or other abnormalities in mice. We compared vocalizations from mice engineered to carry a mutation in the Gnptab (N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphotransferase subunits alpha/beta) gene with wild-type littermates. We found significant differences in the vocalizations of pups with the human Gnptab stuttering mutation compared to littermate controls. Specifically, we found that mice with the mutation emitted fewer vocalizations per unit time and had longer pauses between vocalizations and that the entropy of the temporal sequence was significantly reduced. Furthermore, Gnptab missense mice were similar to wild-type mice on an extensive battery of non-vocal behaviors. We then used the same language-agnostic metrics for auditory signal analysis of human speech. We analyzed speech from people who stutter with mutations in this pathway and compared it to control speech and found abnormalities similar to those found in the mouse vocalizations. These data show that mutations in the lysosomal enzyme-targeting pathway produce highly specific effects in mouse pup vocalizations and establish the mouse as an attractive model for studying this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terra D. Barnes
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, Campus Box 8108, 660 S. Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110-1093
| | - David Wozniak
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, Campus Box 8108, 660 S. Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110-1093 and the Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research
| | - Joanne Gutierrez
- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Tae-Un Han
- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Dennis Drayna
- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Timothy E. Holy
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, Campus Box 8108, 660 S. Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110-1093
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22
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van der Vaart T, Rietman AB, Plasschaert E, Legius E, Elgersma Y, Moll HA. Behavioral and cognitive outcomes for clinical trials in children with neurofibromatosis type 1. Neurology 2015; 86:154-60. [PMID: 26519538 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000002118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2015] [Accepted: 09/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the appropriateness of cognitive and behavioral outcome measures in clinical trials in neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) by analyzing the degree of deficits compared to reference groups, test-retest reliability, and how scores correlate between outcome measures. METHODS Data were analyzed from the Simvastatin for cognitive deficits and behavioral problems in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1-SIMCODA) trial, a randomized placebo-controlled trial of simvastatin for cognitive deficits and behavioral problems in children with NF1. Outcome measures were compared with age-specific reference groups to identify domains of dysfunction. Pearson r was computed for before and after measurements within the placebo group to assess test-retest reliability. Principal component analysis was used to identify the internal structure in the outcome data. RESULTS Strongest mean score deviations from the reference groups were observed for full-scale intelligence (-1.1 SD), Rey Complex Figure Test delayed recall (-2.0 SD), attention problems (-1.2 SD), and social problems (-1.1 SD). Long-term test-retest reliability were excellent for Wechsler scales (r > 0.88), but poor to moderate for other neuropsychological tests (r range 0.52-0.81) and Child Behavioral Checklist subscales (r range 0.40-0.79). The correlation structure revealed 2 strong components in the outcome measures behavior and cognition, with no correlation between these components. Scores on psychosocial quality of life correlate strongly with behavioral problems and less with cognitive deficits. CONCLUSIONS Children with NF1 show distinct deficits in multiple domains. Many outcome measures showed weak test-retest correlations over the 1-year trial period. Cognitive and behavioral outcomes are complementary. This analysis demonstrates the need to include reliable outcome measures on a variety of cognitive and behavioral domains in clinical trials for NF1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thijs van der Vaart
- From the Departments of Neuroscience (T.v.d.V., Y.E.), Pediatrics (T.v.d.V., H.A.M.), and Neurology (A.B.R.), and ENCORE-Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders (T.v.d.V., A.B.R., Y.E., H.A.M.), Erasmus MC: University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; the Department of Human Genetics (E.P., E.L.), Catholic University Leuven; and the Centre for Human Genetics at University Hospital Leuven (E.P., E.L.), Belgium
| | - André B Rietman
- From the Departments of Neuroscience (T.v.d.V., Y.E.), Pediatrics (T.v.d.V., H.A.M.), and Neurology (A.B.R.), and ENCORE-Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders (T.v.d.V., A.B.R., Y.E., H.A.M.), Erasmus MC: University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; the Department of Human Genetics (E.P., E.L.), Catholic University Leuven; and the Centre for Human Genetics at University Hospital Leuven (E.P., E.L.), Belgium
| | - Ellen Plasschaert
- From the Departments of Neuroscience (T.v.d.V., Y.E.), Pediatrics (T.v.d.V., H.A.M.), and Neurology (A.B.R.), and ENCORE-Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders (T.v.d.V., A.B.R., Y.E., H.A.M.), Erasmus MC: University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; the Department of Human Genetics (E.P., E.L.), Catholic University Leuven; and the Centre for Human Genetics at University Hospital Leuven (E.P., E.L.), Belgium
| | - Eric Legius
- From the Departments of Neuroscience (T.v.d.V., Y.E.), Pediatrics (T.v.d.V., H.A.M.), and Neurology (A.B.R.), and ENCORE-Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders (T.v.d.V., A.B.R., Y.E., H.A.M.), Erasmus MC: University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; the Department of Human Genetics (E.P., E.L.), Catholic University Leuven; and the Centre for Human Genetics at University Hospital Leuven (E.P., E.L.), Belgium
| | - Ype Elgersma
- From the Departments of Neuroscience (T.v.d.V., Y.E.), Pediatrics (T.v.d.V., H.A.M.), and Neurology (A.B.R.), and ENCORE-Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders (T.v.d.V., A.B.R., Y.E., H.A.M.), Erasmus MC: University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; the Department of Human Genetics (E.P., E.L.), Catholic University Leuven; and the Centre for Human Genetics at University Hospital Leuven (E.P., E.L.), Belgium
| | - Henriëtte A Moll
- From the Departments of Neuroscience (T.v.d.V., Y.E.), Pediatrics (T.v.d.V., H.A.M.), and Neurology (A.B.R.), and ENCORE-Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders (T.v.d.V., A.B.R., Y.E., H.A.M.), Erasmus MC: University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; the Department of Human Genetics (E.P., E.L.), Catholic University Leuven; and the Centre for Human Genetics at University Hospital Leuven (E.P., E.L.), Belgium.
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