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Zhao H, Mao X, Zhu C, Zou X, Peng F, Yang W, Li B, Li G, Ge T, Cui R. GABAergic System Dysfunction in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 9:781327. [PMID: 35198562 PMCID: PMC8858939 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.781327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) refers to a series of neurodevelopmental diseases characterized by two hallmark symptoms, social communication deficits and repetitive behaviors. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is one of the most important inhibitory neurotransmitters in the central nervous system (CNS). GABAergic inhibitory neurotransmission is critical for the regulation of brain rhythm and spontaneous neuronal activities during neurodevelopment. Genetic evidence has identified some variations of genes associated with the GABA system, indicating an abnormal excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) neurotransmission ratio implicated in the pathogenesis of ASD. However, the specific molecular mechanism by which GABA and GABAergic synaptic transmission affect ASD remains unclear. Transgenic technology enables translating genetic variations into rodent models to further investigate the structural and functional synaptic dysregulation related to ASD. In this review, we summarized evidence from human neuroimaging, postmortem, and genetic and pharmacological studies, and put emphasis on the GABAergic synaptic dysregulation and consequent E/I imbalance. We attempt to illuminate the pathophysiological role of structural and functional synaptic dysregulation in ASD and provide insights for future investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Ranji Cui
- *Correspondence: Tongtong Ge, ; Ranji Cui,
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2
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Mouro FM, Miranda-Lourenço C, Sebastião AM, Diógenes MJ. From Cannabinoids and Neurosteroids to Statins and the Ketogenic Diet: New Therapeutic Avenues in Rett Syndrome? Front Neurosci 2019; 13:680. [PMID: 31333401 PMCID: PMC6614559 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT) is an X-linked neurodevelopmental disorder caused mainly by mutations in the MECP2 gene, being one of the leading causes of mental disability in females. Mutations in the MECP2 gene are responsible for 95% of the diagnosed RTT cases and the mechanisms through which these mutations relate with symptomatology are still elusive. Children with RTT present a period of apparent normal development followed by a rapid regression in speech and behavior and a progressive deterioration of motor abilities. Epilepsy is one of the most common symptoms in RTT, occurring in 60 to 80% of RTT cases, being associated with worsening of other symptoms. At this point, no cure for RTT is available and there is a pressing need for the discovery of new drug candidates to treat its severe symptoms. However, despite being a rare disease, in the last decade research in RTT has grown exponentially. New and exciting evidence has been gathered and the etiopathogenesis of this complex, severe and untreatable disease is slowly being unfolded. Advances in gene editing techniques have prompted cure-oriented research in RTT. Nonetheless, at this point, finding a cure is a distant reality, highlighting the importance of further investigating the basic pathological mechanisms of this disease. In this review, we focus our attention in some of the newest evidence on RTT clinical and preclinical research, evaluating their impact in RTT symptomatology control, and pinpointing possible directions for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Melo Mouro
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Catarina Miranda-Lourenço
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ana Maria Sebastião
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Maria José Diógenes
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
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3
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Landucci E, Brindisi M, Bianciardi L, Catania LM, Daga S, Croci S, Frullanti E, Fallerini C, Butini S, Brogi S, Furini S, Melani R, Molinaro A, Lorenzetti FC, Imperatore V, Amabile S, Mariani J, Mari F, Ariani F, Pizzorusso T, Pinto AM, Vaccarino FM, Renieri A, Campiani G, Meloni I. iPSC-derived neurons profiling reveals GABAergic circuit disruption and acetylated α-tubulin defect which improves after iHDAC6 treatment in Rett syndrome. Exp Cell Res 2018; 368:225-235. [PMID: 29730163 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2018.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2017] [Revised: 04/30/2018] [Accepted: 05/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Mutations in MECP2 gene have been identified in more than 95% of patients with classic Rett syndrome, one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in females. Taking advantage of the breakthrough technology of genetic reprogramming, we investigated transcriptome changes in neurons differentiated from induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) derived from patients with different mutations. Profiling by RNA-seq in terminally differentiated neurons revealed a prominent GABAergic circuit disruption along with a perturbation of cytoskeleton dynamics. In particular, in mutated neurons we identified a significant decrease of acetylated α-tubulin which can be reverted by treatment with selective inhibitors of HDAC6, the main α-tubulin deacetylase. These findings contribute to shed light on Rett pathogenic mechanisms and provide hints for the treatment of Rett-associated epileptic behavior as well as for the definition of new therapeutic strategies for Rett syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Landucci
- Medical Genetics, University of Siena, Strada delle Scotte 4, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Margherita Brindisi
- NatSynDrugs, Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, DoE 2018-2022 University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Laura Bianciardi
- Medical Genetics, University of Siena, Strada delle Scotte 4, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Lorenza M Catania
- Medical Genetics, University of Siena, Strada delle Scotte 4, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Sergio Daga
- Medical Genetics, University of Siena, Strada delle Scotte 4, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Susanna Croci
- Medical Genetics, University of Siena, Strada delle Scotte 4, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Elisa Frullanti
- Medical Genetics, University of Siena, Strada delle Scotte 4, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Chiara Fallerini
- Medical Genetics, University of Siena, Strada delle Scotte 4, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Stefania Butini
- NatSynDrugs, Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, DoE 2018-2022 University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Simone Brogi
- NatSynDrugs, Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, DoE 2018-2022 University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Simone Furini
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Strada delle Scotte 4, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Riccardo Melani
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council (CNR), Via Giuseppe Moruzzi, 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Angelo Molinaro
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council (CNR), Via Giuseppe Moruzzi, 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy; Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health NEUROFARBA, University of Florence, Viale Gaetano Pieraccini, 6, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | | | - Valentina Imperatore
- Medical Genetics, University of Siena, Strada delle Scotte 4, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Sonia Amabile
- Medical Genetics, University of Siena, Strada delle Scotte 4, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Jessica Mariani
- Yale University, Child Study Center, 230 South Frontage Rd, New Haven, CT 06520, United States
| | - Francesca Mari
- Medical Genetics, University of Siena, Strada delle Scotte 4, 53100, Siena, Italy; Genetica Medica, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, Viale Mario Bracci 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Francesca Ariani
- Medical Genetics, University of Siena, Strada delle Scotte 4, 53100, Siena, Italy; Genetica Medica, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, Viale Mario Bracci 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Tommaso Pizzorusso
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council (CNR), Via Giuseppe Moruzzi, 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy; Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health NEUROFARBA, University of Florence, Viale Gaetano Pieraccini, 6, 50139 Florence, Italy; BIO@SNS lab, Scuola Normale Superiore, Piazza dei Cavalieri, 7, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Pinto
- Medical Genetics, University of Siena, Strada delle Scotte 4, 53100, Siena, Italy; Genetica Medica, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, Viale Mario Bracci 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Flora M Vaccarino
- Yale University, Child Study Center, 230 South Frontage Rd, New Haven, CT 06520, United States
| | - Alessandra Renieri
- Medical Genetics, University of Siena, Strada delle Scotte 4, 53100, Siena, Italy; Genetica Medica, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, Viale Mario Bracci 2, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Campiani
- NatSynDrugs, Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, DoE 2018-2022 University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Ilaria Meloni
- Medical Genetics, University of Siena, Strada delle Scotte 4, 53100, Siena, Italy
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Zhong W, Johnson CM, Cui N, Oginsky MF, Wu Y, Jiang C. Effects of early-life exposure to THIP on brainstem neuronal excitability in the Mecp2-null mouse model of Rett syndrome before and after drug withdrawal. Physiol Rep 2017; 5:5/2/e13110. [PMID: 28108647 PMCID: PMC5269412 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.13110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2016] [Revised: 12/08/2016] [Accepted: 12/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT) is mostly caused by mutations of the X‐linked MECP2 gene. Although the causal neuronal mechanisms are still unclear, accumulating experimental evidence obtained from Mecp2−/Y mice suggests that imbalanced excitation/inhibition in central neurons plays a major role. Several approaches may help to rebalance the excitation/inhibition, including agonists of GABAA receptors (GABAAR). Indeed, our previous studies have shown that early‐life exposure of Mecp2‐null mice to the extrasynaptic GABAAR agonist THIP alleviates several RTT‐like symptoms including breathing disorders, motor dysfunction, social behaviors, and lifespan. However, how the chronic THIP affects the Mecp2−/Y mice at the cellular level remains elusive. Here, we show that the THIP exposure in early lives markedly alleviated hyperexcitability of two types of brainstem neurons in Mecp2−/Y mice. In neurons of the locus coeruleus (LC), known to be involved in breathing regulation, the hyperexcitability showed clear age‐dependence, which was associated with age‐dependent deterioration of the RTT‐like breathing irregularities. Both the neuronal hyperexcitability and the breathing disorders were relieved with early THIP treatment. In neurons of the mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus (Me5), both the neuronal hyperexcitability and the changes in intrinsic membrane properties were alleviated with the THIP treatment in Mecp2‐null mice. The effects of THIP on both LC and Me5 neuronal excitability remained 1 week after withdrawal. Persistent alleviation of breathing abnormalities in Mecp2−/Y mice was also observed a week after THIP withdrawal. These results suggest that early‐life exposure to THIP, a potential therapeutic medicine, appears capable of controlling neuronal hyperexcitability in Mecp2−/Y mice, which occurs in the absence of THIP in the recording solution, lasts at least 1 week after withdrawal, and may contribute to the RTT‐like symptom mitigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei Zhong
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | | | - Ningren Cui
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Max F Oginsky
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Yang Wu
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Chun Jiang
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia
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