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Gardner Z, Holbrook O, Tian Y, Odamah K, Man HY. The role of glia in the dysregulation of neuronal spinogenesis in Ube3a-dependent ASD. Exp Neurol 2024; 376:114756. [PMID: 38508482 PMCID: PMC11058030 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2024.114756] [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: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Overexpression of the Ube3a gene and the resulting increase in Ube3a protein are linked to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the cellular and molecular processes underlying Ube3a-dependent ASD remain unclear. Using both male and female mice, we find that neurons in the somatosensory cortex of the Ube3a 2× Tg ASD mouse model display reduced dendritic spine density and increased immature filopodia density. Importantly, the increased gene dosage of Ube3a in astrocytes alone is sufficient to confer alterations in neurons as immature dendritic protrusions, as observed in primary hippocampal neuron cultures. We show that Ube3a overexpression in astrocytes leads to a loss of astrocyte-derived spinogenic protein, thrombospondin-2 (TSP2), due to a suppression of TSP2 gene transcription. By neonatal intraventricular injection of astrocyte-specific virus, we demonstrate that Ube3a overexpression in astrocytes in vivo results in a reduction in dendritic spine maturation in prelimbic cortical neurons, accompanied with autistic-like behaviors in mice. These findings reveal an astrocytic dominance in initiating ASD pathobiology at the neuronal and behavior levels. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Increased gene dosage of Ube3a is tied to autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), yet cellular and molecular alterations underlying autistic phenotypes remain unclear. We show that Ube3a overexpression leads to impaired dendritic spine maturation, resulting in reduced spine density and increased filopodia density. We find that dysregulation of spine development is not neuron autonomous, rather, it is mediated by an astrocytic mechanism. Increased gene dosage of Ube3a in astrocytes leads to reduced production of the spinogenic glycoprotein thrombospondin-2 (TSP2), leading to abnormalities in spines. Astrocyte-specific Ube3a overexpression in the brain in vivo confers dysregulated spine maturation concomitant with autistic-like behaviors in mice. These findings indicate the importance of astrocytes in aberrant neurodevelopment and brain function in Ube3a-depdendent ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary Gardner
- Department of Biology, Boston University, 5 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215, United States of America
| | - Otto Holbrook
- Department of Biology, Boston University, 5 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215, United States of America
| | - Yuan Tian
- Department of Biology, Boston University, 5 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215, United States of America
| | - KathrynAnn Odamah
- Department of Biology, Boston University, 5 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215, United States of America
| | - Heng-Ye Man
- Department of Biology, Boston University, 5 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215, United States of America; Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics, Boston University School of Medicine, 72 East Concord St., L-603, Boston, MA 02118, United States of America; Center for Systems Neuroscience, Boston University, 610 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215, United States of America.
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Tian Y, Qiao H, Zhu LQ, Man HY. Sexually dimorphic phenotypes and the role of androgen receptors in UBE3A-dependent autism spectrum disorder. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.02.592248. [PMID: 38746146 PMCID: PMC11092617 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.02.592248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are characterized by social, communication, and behavioral challenges. UBE3A is one of the most common ASD genes. ASDs display a remarkable sex difference with a 4:1 male to female prevalence ratio; however, the underlying mechanism remains largely unknown. Using the UBE3A-overexpressing mouse model for ASD, we studied sex differences at behavioral, genetic, and molecular levels. We found that male mice with extra copies of Ube3A exhibited greater impairments in social interaction, repetitive self-grooming behavior, memory, and pain sensitivity, whereas female mice with UBE3A overexpression displayed greater olfactory defects. Social communication was impaired in both sexes, with males making more calls and females preferring complex syllables. At the molecular level, androgen receptor (AR) levels were reduced in both sexes due to enhanced degradation mediated by UBE3A. However, AR reduction significantly dysregulated AR target genes only in male, not female, UBE3A-overexpressing mice. Importantly, restoring AR levels in the brain effectively normalized the expression of AR target genes, and rescued the deficits in social preference, grooming behavior, and memory in male UBE3A-overexpressing mice, without affecting females. These findings suggest that AR and its signaling cascade play an essential role in mediating the sexually dimorphic changes in UBE3A-dependent ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Tian
- Department of Biology, Boston University, 5 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Hui Qiao
- Department of Biology, Boston University, 5 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Ling-Qiang Zhu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Heng-Ye Man
- Department of Biology, Boston University, 5 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics, Boston University School of Medicine, 72 East Concord St., Boston, MA 02118, USA
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Boston University, 610 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215, USA
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3
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Li YX, Tan ZN, Li XH, Ma B, Adu Nti F, Lv XQ, Tian ZJ, Yan R, Man HY, Ma XM. Increased gene dosage of RFWD2 causes autistic-like behaviors and aberrant synaptic formation and function in mice. Mol Psychiatry 2024:10.1038/s41380-024-02515-7. [PMID: 38503925 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02515-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social interactions, communication deficits and repetitive behaviors. A study of autistic human subjects has identified RFWD2 as a susceptibility gene for autism, and autistic patients have 3 copies of the RFWD2 gene. The role of RFWD2 as an E3 ligase in neuronal functions, and its contribution to the pathophysiology of ASD, remain unknown. We generated RFWD2 knockin mice to model the human autistic condition of high gene dosage of RFWD2. We found that heterozygous knockin (Rfwd2+/-) male mice exhibited the core symptoms of autism. Rfwd2+/- male mice showed deficits in social interaction and communication, increased repetitive and anxiety-like behavior, and spatial memory deficits, whereas Rfwd2+/- female mice showed subtle deficits in social communication and spatial memory but were normal in anxiety-like, repetitive, and social behaviors. These autistic-like behaviors in males were accompanied by a reduction in dendritic spine density and abnormal synaptic function on layer II/III pyramidal neurons in the prelimbic area of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), as well as decreased expression of synaptic proteins. Impaired social behaviors in Rfwd2+/- male mice were rescued by the expression of ETV5, one of the major substrates of RFWD2, in the mPFC. These findings indicate an important role of RFWD2 in the pathogenesis of autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Xia Li
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhi-Nei Tan
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xu-Hui Li
- Center for Neuron and Disease, Frontier Institutes of Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Boyu Ma
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Frank Adu Nti
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiao-Qiang Lv
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhen-Jun Tian
- Institute of Sports Biology, College of Physical Education, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Riqiang Yan
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Heng-Ye Man
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Xin-Ming Ma
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT, USA.
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Ye ZL, Yan HJ, Guo QH, Zhang SQ, Luo S, Lian YJ, Ma YQ, Lu XG, Liu XR, Shen NX, Gao LD, Chen Z, Shi YW. NEXMIF variants are associated with epilepsy with or without intellectual disability. Seizure 2024; 116:93-99. [PMID: 37643945 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2023.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Variants in NEXMIF had been reported associated with intellectual disability (ID) without epilepsy or developmental epileptic encephalopathy (DEE). It is unkown whether NEXMIF variants are associated with epilepsy without ID. This study aims to explore the phenotypic spectrum of NEXMIF and the genotype-phenotype correlations. MATERIALS AND METHODS Trio-based whole-exome sequencing was performed in patients with epilepsy. Previously reported NEXMIF variants were systematically reviewed to analyze the genotype-phenotype correlations. RESULTS Six variants were identified in seven unrelated cases with epilepsy, including two de novo null variants and four hemizygous missense variants. The two de novo variants were absent in all populations of gnomAD and four hemizygous missense variants were absent in male controls of gnomAD. The two patients with de novo null variants exhibited severe developmental epileptic encephalopathy. While, the patients with hemizygous missense variants had mild focal epilepsy with favorable outcome. Analysis of previously reported cases revealed that males with missense variants presented significantly higher percentage of normal intellectual development and later onset age of seizure than those with null variants, indicating a genotype-phenotype correlation. CONCLUSION This study suggested that NEXMIF variants were potentially associated with pure epilepsy with or without intellectual disability. The spectrum of epileptic phenotypes ranged from the mild epilepsy to severe developmental epileptic encephalopathy, where the epileptic phenotypes variability are potentially associated with patients' gender and variant type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Long Ye
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, China
| | - Hong-Jun Yan
- Epilepsy Center, Guangdong 999 Brain Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qing-Hui Guo
- Department of Pediatrics, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Shu-Qian Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Sheng Luo
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, China
| | - Ya-Jun Lian
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yun-Qing Ma
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xin-Guo Lu
- Epilepsy Center and Department of Neurology, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiao-Rong Liu
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, China
| | - Nan-Xiang Shen
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, China
| | - Liang-Di Gao
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, China
| | - Zheng Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yi-Wu Shi
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, China.
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Tian Y, Yu F, Yun E, Lin JW, Man HY. mRNA nuclear retention reduces AMPAR expression and promotes autistic behavior in UBE3A-overexpressing mice. EMBO Rep 2024; 25:1282-1309. [PMID: 38316900 PMCID: PMC10933332 DOI: 10.1038/s44319-024-00073-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
UBE3A is a common genetic factor in ASD etiology, and transgenic mice overexpressing UBE3A exhibit typical autistic-like behaviors. Because AMPA receptors (AMPARs) mediate most of the excitatory synaptic transmission in the brain, and synaptic dysregulation is considered one of the primary cellular mechanisms in ASD pathology, we investigate here the involvement of AMPARs in UBE3A-dependent ASD. We show that expression of the AMPAR GluA1 subunit is decreased in UBE3A-overexpressing mice, and that AMPAR-mediated neuronal activity is reduced. GluA1 mRNA is trapped in the nucleus of UBE3A-overexpressing neurons, suppressing GluA1 protein synthesis. Also, SARNP, an mRNA nuclear export protein, is downregulated in UBE3A-overexpressing neurons, causing GluA1 mRNA nuclear retention. Restoring SARNP levels not only rescues GluA1 mRNA localization and protein expression, but also normalizes neuronal activity and autistic behaviors in mice overexpressing UBE3A. These findings indicate that SARNP plays a crucial role in the cellular and behavioral phenotypes of UBE3A-induced ASD by regulating nuclear mRNA trafficking and protein translation of a key AMPAR subunit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Tian
- Department of Biology, Boston University, 5 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Feiyuan Yu
- Department of Biology, Boston University, 5 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Eunice Yun
- Department of Biology, Boston University, 5 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Jen-Wei Lin
- Department of Biology, Boston University, 5 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Heng-Ye Man
- Department of Biology, Boston University, 5 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics, Boston University School of Medicine, 72 East Concord Street, Boston, MA, 02118, USA.
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Boston University, 610 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
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Ishikawa M, Yamamoto Y, Wulaer B, Kunisawa K, Fujigaki H, Ando T, Kimura H, Kushima I, Arioka Y, Torii Y, Mouri A, Ozaki N, Nabeshima T, Saito K. Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 2 deficiency associates with autism-like behavior via dopaminergic neuronal dysfunction. FEBS J 2024; 291:945-964. [PMID: 38037233 DOI: 10.1111/febs.17019] [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: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 2 (IDO2) is an enzyme of the tryptophan-kynurenine pathway that is constitutively expressed in the brain. To provide insight into the physiological role of IDO2 in the brain, behavioral and neurochemical analyses in IDO2 knockout (KO) mice were performed. IDO2 KO mice showed stereotyped behavior, restricted interest and social deficits, traits that are associated with behavioral endophenotypes of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). IDO2 was colocalized immunohistochemically with tyrosine-hydroxylase-positive cells in dopaminergic neurons. In the striatum and amygdala of IDO2 KO mice, decreased dopamine turnover was associated with increased α-synuclein level. Correspondingly, levels of downstream dopamine D1 receptor signaling molecules such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor and c-Fos positive proteins were decreased. Furthermore, decreased abundance of ramified-type microglia resulted in increased dendritic spine density in the striatum of IDO2 KO mice. Both chemogenetic activation of dopaminergic neurons and treatment with methylphenidate, a dopamine reuptake inhibitor, ameliorated the ASD-like behavior of IDO2 KO mice. Sequencing analysis of exon regions in IDO2 from 309 ASD samples identified a rare canonical splice site variant in one ASD case. These results suggest that the IDO2 gene is, at least in part, a factor closely related to the development of psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaki Ishikawa
- Department of Advanced Diagnostic System Development, Fujita Health University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Yasuko Yamamoto
- Department of Advanced Diagnostic System Development, Fujita Health University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Bolati Wulaer
- Department of Advanced Diagnostic System Development, Fujita Health University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Toyoake, Japan
- Laboratory of Health and Medical Science Innovation, Fujita Health University Graduate School of Health Science, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Kazuo Kunisawa
- Department of Regulatory Science for Evaluation & Development of Pharmaceuticals & Devices, Fujita Health University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Hidetsugu Fujigaki
- Department of Advanced Diagnostic System Development, Fujita Health University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Ando
- Department of Advanced Diagnostic System Development, Fujita Health University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Hiroki Kimura
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Itaru Kushima
- Medical Genomics Center, Nagoya University Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yuko Arioka
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Youta Torii
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Akihiro Mouri
- Department of Regulatory Science for Evaluation & Development of Pharmaceuticals & Devices, Fujita Health University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Toyoake, Japan
- Japanese Drug Organization of Appropriate Use and Research, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Norio Ozaki
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Toshitaka Nabeshima
- Laboratory of Health and Medical Science Innovation, Fujita Health University Graduate School of Health Science, Toyoake, Japan
- Japanese Drug Organization of Appropriate Use and Research, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Kuniaki Saito
- Department of Advanced Diagnostic System Development, Fujita Health University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Toyoake, Japan
- Japanese Drug Organization of Appropriate Use and Research, Nagoya, Japan
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O'Connor M, Qiao H, Odamah K, Cerdeira PC, Man HY. Heterozygous Nexmif female mice demonstrate mosaic NEXMIF expression, autism-like behaviors, and abnormalities in dendritic arborization and synaptogenesis. Heliyon 2024; 10:e24703. [PMID: 38322873 PMCID: PMC10844029 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with a strong genetic basis. ASDs are commonly characterized by impairments in language, restrictive and repetitive behaviors, and deficits in social interactions. Although ASD is a highly heterogeneous disease with many different genes implicated in its etiology, many ASD-associated genes converge on common cellular defects, such as aberrant neuronal morphology and synapse dysregulation. Our previous work revealed that, in mice, complete loss of the ASD-associated X-linked gene NEXMIF results in a reduction in dendritic complexity, a decrease in spine and synapse density, altered synaptic transmission, and ASD-like behaviors. Interestingly, human females of NEXMIF haploinsufficiency have recently been reported to demonstrate autistic features; however, the cellular and molecular basis for this haploinsufficiency-caused ASD remains unclear. Here we report that in the brains of Nexmif± female mice, NEXMIF shows a mosaic pattern in its expression in neurons. Heterozygous female mice demonstrate behavioral impairments similar to those of knockout male mice. In the mosaic mixture of neurons from Nexmif± mice, cells that lack NEXMIF have impairments in dendritic arborization and spine development. Remarkably, the NEXMIF-expressing neurons from Nexmif± mice also demonstrate similar defects in dendritic growth and spine formation. These findings establish a novel mouse model of NEXMIF haploinsufficiency and provide new insights into the pathogenesis of NEXMIF-dependent ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret O'Connor
- Department of Biology, Boston University, 5 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Hui Qiao
- Department of Biology, Boston University, 5 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - KathrynAnn Odamah
- Department of Biology, Boston University, 5 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | | | - Heng-Ye Man
- Department of Biology, Boston University, 5 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics, Boston University School of Medicine, 72 East Concord St., Boston, MA 02118, USA
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Boston University, 610 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215, USA
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8
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Mount RA, Athif M, O’Connor M, Saligrama A, Tseng HA, Sridhar S, Zhou C, Bortz E, San Antonio E, Kramer MA, Man HY, Han X. The autism spectrum disorder risk gene NEXMIF over-synchronizes hippocampal CA1 network and alters neuronal coding. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1277501. [PMID: 37965217 PMCID: PMC10641898 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1277501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) risk genes disrupt neural network dynamics that ultimately lead to abnormal behavior. To understand how ASD-risk genes influence neural circuit computation during behavior, we analyzed the hippocampal network by performing large-scale cellular calcium imaging from hundreds of individual CA1 neurons simultaneously in transgenic mice with total knockout of the X-linked ASD-risk gene NEXMIF (neurite extension and migration factor). As NEXMIF knockout in mice led to profound learning and memory deficits, we examined the CA1 network during voluntary locomotion, a fundamental component of spatial memory. We found that NEXMIF knockout does not alter the overall excitability of individual neurons but exaggerates movement-related neuronal responses. To quantify network functional connectivity changes, we applied closeness centrality analysis from graph theory to our large-scale calcium imaging datasets, in addition to using the conventional pairwise correlation analysis. Closeness centrality analysis considers both the number of connections and the connection strength between neurons within a network. We found that in wild-type mice the CA1 network desynchronizes during locomotion, consistent with increased network information coding during active behavior. Upon NEXMIF knockout, CA1 network is over-synchronized regardless of behavioral state and fails to desynchronize during locomotion, highlighting how perturbations in ASD-implicated genes create abnormal network synchronization that could contribute to ASD-related behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca A. Mount
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Mohamed Athif
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
| | | | - Amith Saligrama
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
- Commonwealth School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Hua-an Tseng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Sudiksha Sridhar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Chengqian Zhou
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Emma Bortz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Erynne San Antonio
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Mark A. Kramer
- Department of Mathematics, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Heng-Ye Man
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Xue Han
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
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9
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Zhong L, Liu C, Lin L. Infantile spasms caused by NEXMIF mutation: A case report and literature review. APPLIED NEUROPSYCHOLOGY. CHILD 2023; 12:380-385. [PMID: 37313861 DOI: 10.1080/21622965.2023.2220459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infantile spasms are rare epileptic syndromes associated with neurodevelopment and genes. The NEXMIF gene, identified as KIDLIA, KIAA2022 or Xpn, is a gene of unknown biological identity located on the q13.2 X chromosome. CASE DESCRIPTION We presented a 4-month-old infant with a diagnosis of infantile spasms with NEXMIF mutation. Clinical manifestations include psychomotor retardation, loss of consciousness, and seizures. After oral therapy with vigabatrin, sodium valproate, and levetiracetam, the syndrome was alleviated and no recurrence was observed during one month of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS A loss-of-function mutation in the NEXMIF gene has been reported. There are few reports on this mutation worldwide. This study provides a new idea for the clinical treatment of infantile spasms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liuming Zhong
- Department of Internal Medicine-Pediatrics, Meizhou People's Hospital, Meizhou, China
| | - Caihui Liu
- Department of Internal Medicine-Pediatrics, Meizhou People's Hospital, Meizhou, China
| | - Liang Lin
- Department of Internal Medicine-Pediatrics, Meizhou People's Hospital, Meizhou, China
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Li X, Hao S, Zou S, Tu X, Kong W, Jiang T, Chen JG. Cortex-restricted deletion of Foxp1 impairs barrel formation and induces aberrant tactile responses in a mouse model of autism. Mol Autism 2023; 14:34. [PMID: 37691105 PMCID: PMC10494400 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-023-00567-0] [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: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many children and young people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) display touch defensiveness or avoidance (hypersensitivity), or engage in sensory seeking by touching people or objects (hyposensitivity). Abnormal sensory responses have also been noticed in mice lacking ASD-associated genes. Tactile sensory information is normally processed by the somatosensory system that travels along the thalamus to the primary somatosensory cortex. The neurobiology behind tactile sensory abnormalities, however, is not fully understood. METHODS We employed cortex-specific Foxp1 knockout (Foxp1-cKO) mice as a model of autism in this study. Tactile sensory deficits were measured by the adhesive removal test. The mice's behavior and neural activity were further evaluated by the whisker nuisance test and c-Fos immunofluorescence, respectively. We also studied the dendritic spines and barrel formation in the primary somatosensory cortex by Golgi staining and immunofluorescence. RESULTS Foxp1-cKO mice had a deferred response to the tactile environment. However, the mice exhibited avoidance behavior and hyper-reaction following repeated whisker stimulation, similar to a fight-or-flight response. In contrast to the wild-type, c-Fos was activated in the basolateral amygdala but not in layer IV of the primary somatosensory cortex of the cKO mice. Moreover, Foxp1 deficiency in cortical neurons altered the dendrite development, reduced the number of dendritic spines, and disrupted barrel formation in the somatosensory cortex, suggesting impaired somatosensory processing may underlie the aberrant tactile responses. LIMITATIONS It is still unclear how the defective thalamocortical connection gives rise to the hyper-reactive response. Future experiments with electrophysiological recording are needed to analyze the role of thalamo-cortical-amygdala circuits in the disinhibiting amygdala and enhanced fearful responses in the mouse model of autism. CONCLUSIONS Foxp1-cKO mice have tactile sensory deficits while exhibit hyper-reactivity, which may represent fearful and emotional responses controlled by the amygdala. This study presents anatomical evidence for reduced thalamocortical connectivity in a genetic mouse model of ASD and demonstrates that the cerebral cortex can be the origin of atypical sensory behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Li
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, 270 Xueyuan Road, Wenzhou, 325027, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, People's Republic of China
| | - Shishuai Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, 270 Xueyuan Road, Wenzhou, 325027, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, People's Republic of China
| | - Shimin Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, 270 Xueyuan Road, Wenzhou, 325027, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaomeng Tu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, 270 Xueyuan Road, Wenzhou, 325027, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, People's Republic of China
| | - Weixi Kong
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, 270 Xueyuan Road, Wenzhou, 325027, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, People's Republic of China
| | - Tian Jiang
- Research Center for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Wenling Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenling, 317500, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie-Guang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, 270 Xueyuan Road, Wenzhou, 325027, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, People's Republic of China.
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11
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Xi K, Cai SQ, Yan HF, Tian Y, Cai J, Yang XM, Wang JM, Xing GG. CSMD3 Deficiency Leads to Motor Impairments and Autism-Like Behaviors via Dysfunction of Cerebellar Purkinje Cells in Mice. J Neurosci 2023; 43:3949-3969. [PMID: 37037606 PMCID: PMC10219040 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1835-22.2023] [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: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with highly heritable heterogeneity. Mutations of CUB and sushi multiple domains 3 (CSMD3) gene have been reported in individuals with ASD. However, the underlying mechanisms of CSMD3 for the onset of ASD remain unexplored. Here, using male CSMD3 knock-out (CSMD3 -/-) mice, we found that genetic deletion of CSMD3 produced core autistic-like symptoms (social interaction deficits, restricted interests, and repetitive and stereotyped behaviors) and motor dysfunction in mice, indicating that the CSMD3 gene can be considered as a candidate for ASD. Moreover, we discovered that the ablation of CSMD3 in mice led to abnormal cerebellar Purkinje cell (PC) morphology in Crus I/II lobules, including aberrant developmental dendritogenesis and spinogenesis of PCs. Furthermore, combining in vivo fiber photometry calcium imaging and ex vivo electrophysiological recordings, we showed that the CSMD3 -/- mice exhibited an increased neuronal activity (calcium fluorescence signals) in PCs of Crus I/II lobules in response to movement activity, as well as an enhanced intrinsic excitability of PCs and an increase of excitatory rather than inhibitory synaptic input to the PCs, and an impaired long-term depression at the parallel fiber-PC synapse. These results suggest that CSMD3 plays an important role in the development of cerebellar PCs. Loss of CSMD3 causes abnormal PC morphology and dysfunction in the cerebellum, which may underlie the pathogenesis of motor deficits and core autistic-like symptoms in CSMD3 -/- mice. Our findings provide novel insight into the pathophysiological mechanisms by which CSMD3 mutations cause impairments in cerebellar function that may contribute to ASD.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with highly heritable heterogeneity. Advances in genomic analysis have contributed to numerous candidate genes for the risk of ASD. Recently, a novel giant gene CSMD3 encoding a protein with CUB and sushi multiple domains (CSMDs) has been identified as a candidate gene for ASD. However, the underlying mechanisms of CSMD3 for the onset of ASD remain largely unknown. Here, we unravel that loss of CSMD3 results in abnormal morphology, increased intrinsic excitabilities, and impaired synaptic plasticity in cerebellar PCs, subsequently leading to motor deficits and ASD-like behaviors in mice. These results provide novel insight into the pathophysiological mechanisms by which CSMD3 mutations cause impairments in cerebellar function that may contribute to ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Xi
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Peking University, Beijing 100191, People's Republic of China
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, People's Republic of China
- Health Science Center, Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education of China and National Health Commission of China, Beijing 100191, People's Republic of China
| | - Si-Qing Cai
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Peking University, Beijing 100191, People's Republic of China
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, People's Republic of China
- Health Science Center, Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education of China and National Health Commission of China, Beijing 100191, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui-Fang Yan
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, People's Republic of China
| | - Yue Tian
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Peking University, Beijing 100191, People's Republic of China
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, People's Republic of China
- Health Science Center, Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education of China and National Health Commission of China, Beijing 100191, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Cai
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Peking University, Beijing 100191, People's Republic of China
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, People's Republic of China
- Health Science Center, Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education of China and National Health Commission of China, Beijing 100191, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Mei Yang
- Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing-Min Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, People's Republic of China
| | - Guo-Gang Xing
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Peking University, Beijing 100191, People's Republic of China
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, People's Republic of China
- Health Science Center, Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education of China and National Health Commission of China, Beijing 100191, People's Republic of China
- Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Henan 453002, People's Republic of China
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12
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Wang J, Zhu X, Dai L, Wang Z, Guan X, Tan X, Li J, Zhang M, Bai Y, Guo H. Supt16 haploinsufficiency causes neurodevelopment disorder by disrupting MAPK pathway in neural stem cells. Hum Mol Genet 2023; 32:860-872. [PMID: 36226587 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddac240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chromatin regulators constitute a fundamental means of transcription regulation, which have been implicated in neurodevelopment and neurodevelopment disorders (NDDs). Supt16, one of candidate genes for NDDs, encodes the large subunit of facilitates chromatin transcription. However, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, Supt16+/- mice was generated, modeling the neurodevelopment disorder. Abnormal cognitive and social behavior was observed in the Supt16 +/- mice. Simultaneously, the number of neurocytes in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus is decreased, which might be resulted from the impairment of mouse neural stem cells (mNSCs) in the SVZ. Supt16 haploinsufficiency affects the proliferation and apoptosis of mNSCs. As the RNA-seq and chromatic immunoprecipitation sequencing assays showed, Supt16 haploinsufficiency disrupts the stemness of mNSCs by inhibiting MAPK signal pathway. Thus, this study demonstrates a critical role of Supt16 gene in the proliferation and apoptosis of mNSCs and provides a novel insight in the pathogenesis of NDDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junwen Wang
- Department of Medical Genetics, College of Basic Medical Science, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing 400038, PR China
| | - Xintong Zhu
- Department of Medical Genetics, College of Basic Medical Science, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing 400038, PR China
| | - Limeng Dai
- Department of Medical Genetics, College of Basic Medical Science, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing 400038, PR China
| | - Ziyi Wang
- Department of Medical Genetics, College of Basic Medical Science, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing 400038, PR China
| | - Xingying Guan
- Department of Medical Genetics, College of Basic Medical Science, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing 400038, PR China
| | - Xiaoyin Tan
- Department of Medical Genetics, College of Basic Medical Science, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing 400038, PR China
| | - Jia Li
- Department of Medical Genetics, College of Basic Medical Science, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing 400038, PR China
| | - Mao Zhang
- Department of Medical Genetics, College of Basic Medical Science, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing 400038, PR China
| | - Yun Bai
- Department of Medical Genetics, College of Basic Medical Science, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing 400038, PR China
| | - Hong Guo
- Department of Medical Genetics, College of Basic Medical Science, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing 400038, PR China
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13
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Zhang W, Huang J, Gao F, You Q, Ding L, Gong J, Zhang M, Ma R, Zheng S, Sun X, Zhang Y. Lactobacillus reuteri normalizes altered fear memory in male Cntnap4 knockout mice. EBioMedicine 2022; 86:104323. [PMID: 36395738 PMCID: PMC9672961 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2022.104323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a common neurodevelopmental disease, characterized by deficits in social communication, restricted and repetitive behaviours, and impaired fear memory processing. Severe gastrointestinal dysfunction and altered gut microbiome have been reported in ASD patients and animal models. Contactin associated protein-like 4 (CNTNAP4) has been suggested to be a novel risk gene, though its role in ASD remains unelucidated. METHODS Cntnap4-/- mice were generated to explore its role in ASD-related behavioural abnormalities. Electrophysiological recording was employed to examine GABAergic transmission in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) and prefrontal cortex. RNA-sequencing was performed to assess underlying mechanisms. 16S rDNA analysis was performed to explore changes in faecal microbial composition. Male Cntnap4-/- mice were fed with Lactobacillus reuteri (L. reuteri) or faecal microbiota to evaluate the effects of microbiota supplementation on the impaired fear conditioning mediated by Cntnap4 deficiency. FINDINGS Male Cntnap4-/- mice manifested deficiency in social behaviours and tone-cue fear conditioning. Notably, reduced GABAergic transmission and GABA receptor expression were found in the BLA but not the prefrontal cortex. In addition, gut Lactobacillus were less abundant in male Cntnap4-/- mice, and L. reuteri treatment or faecal microbiota transplantation rescued abnormal tone-cued fear memory and improved local GABAergic transmission in the BLA of male Cntnap4-/- mice. INTERPRETATION Cntnap4 shapes GABAergic transmission of amygdala and fear conditioning, and microbial intervention represents a promising therapy in ASD intervention. FUNDING National Natural Science Foundation of China, Science and Technology Planning Project of Guangzhou, Guangzhou Medical University, and China Postdoctoral Science Foundation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenlong Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Jie Huang
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, China
| | - Feng Gao
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, China
| | - Qianglong You
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, China
| | - Liuyan Ding
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Junwei Gong
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, China
| | - Mengran Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, China
| | - Runfang Ma
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, China
| | - Shaohui Zheng
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, China
| | - Xiangdong Sun
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, China
| | - Yunlong Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, China.
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14
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Stekelenburg C, Blouin JL, Santoni F, Zaghloul N, O'Hare EA, Dusaulcy R, Maechler P, Schwitzgebel VM. Loss of Nexmif results in the expression of phenotypic variability and loss of genomic integrity. Sci Rep 2022; 12:13815. [PMID: 35970867 PMCID: PMC9378738 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-17845-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
We identified two NEXMIF variants in two unrelated individuals with non-autoimmune diabetes and autistic traits, and investigated the expression of Nexmif in mouse and human pancreas and its function in pancreatic beta cells in vitro and in vivo. In insulin-secreting INS-1E cells, Nexmif expression increased strongly in response to oxidative stress. CRISPR Cas9-generated Nexmif knockout mice exhibited a reduced number of proliferating beta cells in pancreatic islets. RNA sequencing of pancreatic islets showed that the downregulated genes in Nexmif mutant islets are involved in stress response and the deposition of epigenetic marks. They include H3f3b, encoding histone H3.3, which is associated with the regulation of beta-cell proliferation and maintains genomic integrity by silencing transposable elements, particularly LINE1 elements. LINE1 activity has been associated with autism and neurodevelopmental disorders in which patients share characteristics with NEXMIF patients, and can cause genomic instability and genetic variation through retrotransposition. Nexmif knockout mice exhibited various other phenotypes. Mortality and phenotypic abnormalities increased in each generation in both Nexmif mutant and non-mutant littermates. In Nexmif mutant mice, LINE1 element expression was upregulated in the pancreas, brain, and testis, possibly inducing genomic instability in Nexmif mutant mice and causing phenotypic variability in their progeny.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Stekelenburg
- Pediatric Endocrine and Diabetes Unit, Division of Development and Growth, Department of Pediatrics, Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospitals of Geneva, Children's University Hospital, 6, Rue Willy Donze, 1205, Geneva, Switzerland.,Faculty Diabetes Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Louis Blouin
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Laboratory, University Hospitals of Geneva, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland.,Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Federico Santoni
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Norann Zaghloul
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Elisabeth A O'Hare
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Rodolphe Dusaulcy
- Pediatric Endocrine and Diabetes Unit, Division of Development and Growth, Department of Pediatrics, Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospitals of Geneva, Children's University Hospital, 6, Rue Willy Donze, 1205, Geneva, Switzerland.,Faculty Diabetes Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Pierre Maechler
- Faculty Diabetes Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, University of Geneva Medical Center, 1206, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Valerie M Schwitzgebel
- Pediatric Endocrine and Diabetes Unit, Division of Development and Growth, Department of Pediatrics, Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospitals of Geneva, Children's University Hospital, 6, Rue Willy Donze, 1205, Geneva, Switzerland. .,Faculty Diabetes Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
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15
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Huo Y, Lu W, Tian Y, Hou Q, Man HY. Prkn knockout mice show autistic-like behaviors and aberrant synapse formation. iScience 2022; 25:104573. [PMID: 35789851 PMCID: PMC9249611 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with high genetic heterogeneity, affecting one in 44 children in the United States. Recent genomic sequencing studies from autistic human individuals indicate that PARK2, a gene that has long been considered in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease, is involved in ASD. Here, we report that Prkn knockout (KO) mice demonstrate autistic-like behaviors including impaired social interaction, elevated repetitive behaviors, and deficits in communication. In addition, Prkn KO mice show reduced neuronal activity in the context of sociability in the prelimbic cortex. Cell morphological examination of layer 5 prelimbic cortical neurons shows a reduction in dendritic arborization and spine number. Furthermore, biochemistry and immunocytochemistry analyses reveal alterations in synapse density and the molecular composition of synapses. These findings indicate that Prkn is implicated in brain development and suggest the potential use of the Prkn KO mouse as a model for autism research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuda Huo
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Wen Lu
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Yuan Tian
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Qingming Hou
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Heng-Ye Man
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
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16
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Dougnon G, Matsui H. Modelling Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Using Mice and Zebrafish. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147550. [PMID: 35886894 PMCID: PMC9319972 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are two debilitating neurodevelopmental disorders. The former is associated with social impairments whereas the latter is associated with inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. There is recent evidence that both disorders are somehow related and that genes may play a large role in these disorders. Despite mounting human and animal research, the neurological pathways underlying ASD and ADHD are still not well understood. Scientists investigate neurodevelopmental disorders by using animal models that have high similarities in genetics and behaviours with humans. Mice have been utilized in neuroscience research as an excellent animal model for a long time; however, the zebrafish has attracted much attention recently, with an increasingly large number of studies using this model. In this review, we first discuss ASD and ADHD aetiology from a general point of view to their characteristics and treatments. We also compare mice and zebrafish for their similarities and discuss their advantages and limitations in neuroscience. Finally, we summarize the most recent and existing research on zebrafish and mouse models of ASD and ADHD. We believe that this review will serve as a unique document providing interesting information to date about these models, thus facilitating research on ASD and ADHD.
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17
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Qiao H, Tian Y, Huo Y, Man HY. Role of the DUB enzyme USP7 in dendritic arborization, neuronal migration, and autistic-like behaviors in mice. iScience 2022; 25:104595. [PMID: 35800757 PMCID: PMC9253496 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Duplication and haploinsufficiency of the USP7 gene are implicated in autism spectrum disorders (ASD), but the role for USP7 in neurodevelopment and contribution to ASD pathogenesis remain unknown. We find that in primary neurons, overexpression of USP7 increases dendritic branch number and total dendritic length, whereas knockdown leads to opposite alterations. Besides, USP7 deubiquitinates the X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP). The USP7-induced increase in XIAP suppresses caspase 3 activity, leading to a reduction in tubulin cleavage and suppression of dendritic pruning. When USP7 is introduced into the brains of prenatal mice via in utero electroporation (IUE), it results in abnormal migration of newborn neurons and increased dendritic arborization. Importantly, intraventricular brain injection of AAV-USP7 in P0 mice leads to autistic-like phenotypes including aberrant social interactions, repetitive behaviors, as well as changes in somatosensory sensitivity. These findings provide new insights in USP7-related neurobiological functions and its implication in ASD. Overexpression of USP7 increases dendritic arborization USP7 targets XIAP for deubiquitination and regulates XIAP proteostasis in neurons USP7 regulates dendritic remodeling via the XIAP-caspase 3-tubulin pathway Prenatal overexpression of USP7 in mice leads to autistic-like behaviors
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18
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Zheng YQ, Suo GH, Liu D, Li HY, Wu YJ, Ni H. Nexmifa Regulates Axon Morphogenesis in Motor Neurons in Zebrafish. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:848257. [PMID: 35431796 PMCID: PMC9009263 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.848257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Nexmif is mainly expressed in the central nervous system (CNS) and plays important roles in cell migration, cell to cell and cell-matrix adhesion, and maintains normal synaptic formation and function. Nevertheless, it is unclear how nexmif is linked to motor neuron morphogenesis. Here, we provided in situ hybridization evidence that nexmifa (zebrafish paralog) was localized to the brain and spinal cord and acted as a vital regulator of motor neuron morphogenesis. Nexmifa deficiency in zebrafish larvae generated abnormal primary motor neuron (PMN) development, including truncated Cap axons and decreased branches in Cap axons. Importantly, RNA-sequencing showed that nexmifa-depleted zebrafish embryos caused considerable CNS related gene expression alterations. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were mainly involved in axon guidance and several synaptic pathways, including glutamatergic, GABAergic, dopaminergic, cholinergic, and serotonergic synapse pathways, according to Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway annotation. In particular, when compared with other pathways, DEGs were highest (84) in the axon guidance pathway, according to Organismal Systems. Efna5b, bmpr2b, and sema6ba were decreased markedly in nexmifa-depleted zebrafish embryos. Moreover, both overexpression of efna5b mRNA and sema6ba mRNA could partially rescued motor neurons morphogenesis. These observations supported nexmifa as regulating axon morphogenesis of motor neurons in zebrafish. Taken together, nexmifa elicited crucial roles during motor neuron development by regulating the morphology of neuronal axons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-qin Zheng
- Division of Brain Science, Institute of Pediatric Research, Children’s Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Gui-hai Suo
- Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Dong Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Hai-ying Li
- Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - You-jia Wu
- Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
- You-jia Wu,
| | - Hong Ni
- Division of Brain Science, Institute of Pediatric Research, Children’s Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Hong Ni,
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Zhang X, Mei D, Li Y, You M, Wang D, Yao D, Xu Y, Zhai L, Wang Y. Arsenic exposure via drinking water during pregnancy and lactation induces autism-like behaviors in male offspring mice. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 290:133338. [PMID: 34929279 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.133338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to arsenic (As), an environmental toxicant, causes damages to the central nervous system (CNS) structure and function. Emerging epidemiological studies support that exposure to As, especially during the critical periods of the CNS development, may act as an environmental risk factor of autism spectrum disorders (ASD), which is characterized by behavioral changes, including abnormal social behaviors, restricted interests and repetitive behaviors. However, direct evidence supporting the cause-effect relationship between As exposure and the risk of ASD is still missing. Thus, we aimed to investigate whether As exposure during pregnancy and lactation led to autism-like behaviors in offspring mice in the present study. We established a mice model of exposure to As via drinking water during pregnancy and lactation and conducted a battery of behavioral tests to evaluate social behaviors, repetitive behaviors, anxiety behaviors and learning and memory ability in offspring mice. We found that perinatal exposure to As caused autism-like behaviors in male offspring, which demonstrated by abnormal social behaviors and repetitive behaviors. Anxiety-like behaviors, and learning and memory impairments, known as concomitant behavioral phenotypes in mice with autism-like behaviors, were also observed. Decreases of synaptic density, especially in cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum, are extensively observed in both ASD patients and animal models of ASD. Thus, immunofluorescence staining and western blotting were used to observe the expression of PSD-95 and SYP, well-known markers for presynaptic and postsynaptic membranes, to assess the synaptic density in offspring cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum. We found perinatal exposure to As decreased the expression of PSD-95 and SYP in these brain regions. This indicated that perinatal exposure to As caused decreases of synaptic density, a typical autism-like cellular alteration in brains, which may contribute to autism-like behaviors in offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Zhang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Dongmeng Mei
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Yongfang Li
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Mingdan You
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Ministry of Education, School of Public Heath, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Da Wang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Dianqi Yao
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Yuanyuan Xu
- Program of Environmental Toxicology, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China; Key Laboratory of Liaoning Province on Toxic and Biological Effects of Arsenic, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Lingling Zhai
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
| | - Yi Wang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China; Key Laboratory of Liaoning Province on Toxic and Biological Effects of Arsenic, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
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20
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Chen S, Deng X, Xiong J, Chen B, He F, Yang L, Yang L, Peng J, Yin F. NEXMIF mutations in intellectual disability and epilepsy: A report of 2 cases and literature review. ZHONG NAN DA XUE XUE BAO. YI XUE BAN = JOURNAL OF CENTRAL SOUTH UNIVERSITY. MEDICAL SCIENCES 2022; 47:265-270. [PMID: 35545418 PMCID: PMC10930526 DOI: 10.11817/j.issn.1672-7347.2022.210070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
More than 100 genes located on the X chromosome have been found to be associated with X-linked intellectual disability (XLID) to date, and NEXMIF is a pathogenic gene for XLID. In addition to intellectual disability, patients with NEXMIF gene mutation can also have other neurological symptoms, such as epilepsy, abnormal behavior, and hypotonia, as well as abnormalities of other systems. Two children with intellectual disability and epilepsy caused by NEXMIF gene mutation were treated in the Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University from March 8, 2017 to June 20, 2020. Patient 1, a 7 years and 8 months old girl, visited our department because of the delayed psychomotor development. Physical examination revealed strabismus (right eye), hyperactivity, and loss of concentration. Intelligence test showed a developmental quotient of 43.6. Electroencephalogram showed abnormal discharge, and cranial imaging appeared normal. Whole exome sequencing revealed a de novo heterozygous mutation, c.2189delC (p.S730Lfs*17) in the NEXMIF gene (NM_001008537). During the follow-up period, the patient developed epileptic seizures, mainly manifested as generalized and absent seizures. She took the medicine of levetiracetam and lamotrigine, and the seizures were under control. Patient 2, a 6-months old boy, visited our department due to developmental regression and seizures. He showed poor reactions to light and sound, and was not able to raise head without aid. Hypotonia was also noticed. The electroencephalogram showed intermittent hyperarrhythmia, and spasms were monitored. He was given topiramate and adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH). Whole exome sequencing detected a de novo c.592C>T (Q198X) mutation in NEXMIF gene. During the follow-up period, the seizures were reduced with vigabatrin. He had no obvious progress in the psychomotor development, and presented strabismus. There were 91 cases reported abroad, 1 case reported in China, and 2 patients were included in this study. A total of 85 variants in NEXMIF gene were found, involving 83 variants reported in PubMed and HGMD, and the 2 new variants presented in our patients. The patients with variants in NEXMIF gene all had mild to severe intellectual disability. Behavioral abnormalities, epilepsy, hypotonia, and other neurological symptoms are frequently presented. The phenotype of male partially overlaps with that of female. Male patients often have more severe intellectual disability, impaired language, and autistic features, while female patients often have refractory epilepsy. Most of the variants reported so far were loss-of-function resulted in the reduced protein expression of NEXMIF. The degree of NEXMIF loss appears to correlate with the severity of the phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shimeng Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University; Research Center of Children Intellectual Disability of Hunan Province, Changsha 410008, China.
| | - Xiaolu Deng
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University; Research Center of Children Intellectual Disability of Hunan Province, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Juan Xiong
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University; Research Center of Children Intellectual Disability of Hunan Province, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Baiyu Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University; Research Center of Children Intellectual Disability of Hunan Province, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Fang He
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University; Research Center of Children Intellectual Disability of Hunan Province, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Lifen Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University; Research Center of Children Intellectual Disability of Hunan Province, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Li Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University; Research Center of Children Intellectual Disability of Hunan Province, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Jing Peng
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University; Research Center of Children Intellectual Disability of Hunan Province, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Fei Yin
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University; Research Center of Children Intellectual Disability of Hunan Province, Changsha 410008, China.
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21
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Wang X, Guo Z, Mei D, Zhang Y, Zhao S, Hu S, Luo S, Wang Q, Gao C. The GluN2B-Trp373 NMDA Receptor Variant is Associated with Autism-, Epilepsy-Related Phenotypes and Reduces NMDA Receptor Currents in Rats. Neurochem Res 2022; 47:1588-1597. [PMID: 35181828 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-022-03554-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition with core clinical features of abnormal communication, social interactions, atypical intelligence, and a higher risk of epilepsy. Prior work has suggested that de novo heterozygous mutations in the GRIN2B gene that encodes the GluN2B subunit of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptors are likely linked to ASD. However, whether GLuN2B-Trp373 mutation derived from autistic individuals causes ASD-like behavioral aberrations in rats remains to be determined. Here, through in utero electroporation and in vivo studies, we conducted a battery of tests to examine ASD-associated behaviors, cognitive impairments, and susceptibility to pentylenetetrazol-induced seizures. Whole-cell patch recording was utilized to determine whether the GluN2B-Trp373 mutation influences GluN2B-containing NMDA receptor currents in rats. Results show that, behaviorally, GLuN2B-Trp373 mutant rats exhibited core behavioral manifestations of ASD, such as social interaction deficits, increases in stereotyped behaviors and anxiety stereotyped/repetitive, impaired spatial memory, and enhanced risk of pentylenetetrazol-induced seizures, consistent with many of the hallmarks of low-functioning ASD in humans. Functionally, the GluN2B-Trp373 mutation results in reduced GluN2B surface protein expression together with decreased hippocampal NMDA receptor currents. Collectively, our findings highlight that GluN2B-Trp373 mutations can drive the manifestation of ASD-associated symptoms via the suppression of NMDA receptor currents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaona Wang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Children's Genetics and Metabolic Diseases, Henan Neurodevelopment Engineering Research Center for Children, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, 33 Longhu Outer Circle Dong Road, Zhengzhou, 450018, Henan, China.
| | - Zhiyue Guo
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Daoqi Mei
- Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yaodong Zhang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Children's Genetics and Metabolic Diseases, Henan Neurodevelopment Engineering Research Center for Children, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, 33 Longhu Outer Circle Dong Road, Zhengzhou, 450018, Henan, China
| | - Shuai Zhao
- Henan Key Laboratory of Children's Genetics and Metabolic Diseases, Henan Neurodevelopment Engineering Research Center for Children, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, 33 Longhu Outer Circle Dong Road, Zhengzhou, 450018, Henan, China
| | - Shunan Hu
- Henan Key Laboratory of Children's Genetics and Metabolic Diseases, Henan Neurodevelopment Engineering Research Center for Children, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, 33 Longhu Outer Circle Dong Road, Zhengzhou, 450018, Henan, China
| | - Shuying Luo
- Henan Key Laboratory of Children's Genetics and Metabolic Diseases, Henan Neurodevelopment Engineering Research Center for Children, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, 33 Longhu Outer Circle Dong Road, Zhengzhou, 450018, Henan, China
| | - Qi Wang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Dongqing Road, Guiyang, 550025, Guizhou, China.
| | - Chao Gao
- Department of Rehabilitation, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
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22
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Sex-Dependent Social and Repetitive Behavior and Neurochemical Profile in Mouse Model of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Metabolites 2022; 12:metabo12010071. [PMID: 35050193 PMCID: PMC8778172 DOI: 10.3390/metabo12010071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by deficits in social interaction, impaired communication, and repetitive behaviors. ASD presents a 3:1 ratio of diagnosed boys and girls, raising the question regarding sexual dimorphic mechanisms underlying ASD symptoms, and their molecular basis. Here, we performed in vivo proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in juvenile male and female Tsc2+/- mice (an established genetic animal model of ASD). Moreover, behavior and ultrasonic vocalizations during social and repetitive tasks were analyzed. We found significant sexual dimorphisms in the levels of metabolites in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Further, we observed that female mutant animals had a differential social behavior and presented an increase in repetitive behavior. Importantly, while mutant females displayed a more simplified communication during social tasks, mutant males exhibited a similar less complex vocal repertoire but during repetitive tasks. These results hint toward sex-dependent alterations in molecular and metabolic pathways, which can lead to the sexual dimorphic behaviors and communication observed in social and repetitive environments.
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23
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Cioclu MC, Coppola A, Tondelli M, Vaudano AE, Giovannini G, Krithika S, Iacomino M, Zara F, Sisodiya SM, Meletti S. Cortical and Subcortical Network Dysfunction in a Female Patient With NEXMIF Encephalopathy. Front Neurol 2021; 12:722664. [PMID: 34566868 PMCID: PMC8459922 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.722664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEE) are the most severe group of epilepsies. Recently, NEXMIF mutations have been shown to cause a DEE in females, characterized by myoclonic–atonic epilepsy and recurrent nonconvulsive status. Here we used advanced neuroimaging techniques in a patient with a novel NEXMIF de novo mutation presenting with recurrent absence status with eyelid myoclonia, to reveal brain structural and functional changes that can bring the clinical phenotype to alteration within specific brain networks. Indeed, the alterations found in the patient involved the visual pericalcarine cortex and the middle frontal gyrus, regions that have been demonstrated to be a core feature in epilepsy phenotypes with visual sensitivity and eyelid myoclonia with absences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Cristina Cioclu
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic, and Neural Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Antonietta Coppola
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Manuela Tondelli
- Neurology Unit, OCB Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | | | - Giada Giovannini
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic, and Neural Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.,Neurology Unit, OCB Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria di Modena, Modena, Italy.,PhD Program in Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - S Krithika
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom.,The Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy, Chalfont-St-Peter, Bucks, United Kingdom.,School of Life Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Michele Iacomino
- Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Giannina Gaslini Institute, Genova, Italy
| | - Federico Zara
- Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Giannina Gaslini Institute, Genova, Italy.,Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, Faculty of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy
| | - Sanjay M Sisodiya
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom.,The Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy, Chalfont-St-Peter, Bucks, United Kingdom
| | - Stefano Meletti
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic, and Neural Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.,Neurology Unit, OCB Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria di Modena, Modena, Italy
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24
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Wang X, Gao C, Zhang Y, Hu S, Qiao Y, Zhao Z, Gou L, Song J, Wang Q. Overexpression of mGluR7 in the Prefrontal Cortex Attenuates Autistic Behaviors in Mice. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:689611. [PMID: 34335187 PMCID: PMC8319395 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.689611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated with a range of abnormalities pertaining to socialization, communication, repetitive behaviors, and restricted interests. Owing to its complexity, the etiology of ASD remains incompletely understood. The presynaptic G protein-coupled glutamate receptor metabotropic glutamate receptor 7 (mGluR7) is known to be essential for synaptic transmission and is also tightly linked with ASD incidence. Herein, we report that prefrontal cortex (PFC) mGluR7 protein levels were decreased in C57BL/6J mice exposed to valproic acid (VPA) and BTBR T+ Itpr3tf/J mice. The overexpression of mGluR7 in the PFC of these mice using a lentiviral vector was sufficient to reduce the severity of ASD-like behavioral patterns such that animals exhibited decreases in abnormal social interactions and communication, anxiety-like, and stereotyped/repetitive behaviors. Intriguingly, patch-clamp recordings revealed that the overexpression of mGluR7 suppressed neuronal excitability by inhibiting action potential discharge frequencies, together with enhanced action potential threshold and increased rheobase. These data offer a scientific basis for the additional study of mGluR7 as a promising therapeutic target in ASD and related neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaona Wang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical College, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Chao Gao
- Department of Rehabilitation, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yaodong Zhang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical College, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Shunan Hu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical College, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Yidan Qiao
- Department of Pathology, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhengqin Zhao
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical College, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Lingshan Gou
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Xuzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Xuzhou, China
| | - Jijun Song
- Henan Infectious Disease Hospital, The Sixth People's Hospital of Zhengzhou, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Qi Wang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Guizhou Medical University, Guizhou, China
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25
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Mayo S, Gómez-Manjón I, Fernández-Martínez FJ, Camacho A, Martínez F, Benito-León J. Candidate Genes for Eyelid Myoclonia with Absences, Review of the Literature. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22115609. [PMID: 34070602 PMCID: PMC8199219 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Eyelid myoclonia with absences (EMA), also known as Jeavons syndrome (JS) is a childhood onset epileptic syndrome with manifestations involving a clinical triad of absence seizures with eyelid myoclonia (EM), photosensitivity (PS), and seizures or electroencephalogram (EEG) paroxysms induced by eye closure. Although a genetic contribution to this syndrome is likely and some genetic alterations have been defined in several cases, the genes responsible for have not been identified. In this review, patients diagnosed with EMA (or EMA-like phenotype) with a genetic diagnosis are summarized. Based on this, four genes could be associated to this syndrome (SYNGAP1, KIA02022/NEXMIF, RORB, and CHD2). Moreover, although there is not enough evidence yet to consider them as candidate for EMA, three more genes present also different alterations in some patients with clinical diagnosis of the disease (SLC2A1, NAA10, and KCNB1). Therefore, a possible relationship of these genes with the disease is discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Mayo
- Genetics and Inheritance Research Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), 28041 Madrid, Spain; (I.G.-M.); (F.J.F.-M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-91-779-2603
| | - Irene Gómez-Manjón
- Genetics and Inheritance Research Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), 28041 Madrid, Spain; (I.G.-M.); (F.J.F.-M.)
- Department of Genetics, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, 28041 Madrid, Spain
| | - Fco. Javier Fernández-Martínez
- Genetics and Inheritance Research Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), 28041 Madrid, Spain; (I.G.-M.); (F.J.F.-M.)
- Department of Genetics, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, 28041 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Camacho
- Department of Neurology, Division of Pediatric Neurology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28041 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Francisco Martínez
- Traslational Research in Genetics, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe (IIS La Fe), 46026 Valencia, Spain;
- Genetics Unit, Hospital Universitario y Politecnico La Fe, 46026 Valencia, Spain
| | - Julián Benito-León
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, 28041 Madrid, Spain;
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 28031 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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26
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Poot M. Precision Medicine: from Molecular Diagnoses to Treatment Opportunities in Medical Genetics. Mol Syndromol 2021; 12:65-68. [PMID: 34012375 PMCID: PMC8114084 DOI: 10.1159/000515363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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27
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Yang X, Guo D, Li K, Shi L. Altered postnatal developmental patterns of ultrasonic vocalizations in Dock4 knockout mice. Behav Brain Res 2021; 406:113232. [PMID: 33705839 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Ultrasonic vocalization (USV) characterization is useful for evaluating communication in mouse models of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Here, by categorizing USVs into 12 types using a comprehensive classification method, we obtained the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of USV repertoire emitted by ASD-related Dock4 knockout (KO) mice and their wild-type (WT) littermates during social isolation over early postnatal development. Notably, USVs emitted by WT pups exhibited a developmental switch from a pattern with more multiple-note calls, which have more complex acoustic structure, lower pitch and larger volume, into one with more single-note calls, which have simpler acoustic structure, higher pitch and smaller volume. Comparing with WT pups, USVs emitted by Dock4 KO pups had larger volume and consisted of more multiple-note calls with higher pitch in later developmental stage. These findings collectively reveal a developmental pattern of USV in normal mice and identified a set of alterations in Dock4 KO pups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoman Yang
- JNU-HKUST Joint Laboratory for Neuroscience and Innovative Drug Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Daji Guo
- JNU-HKUST Joint Laboratory for Neuroscience and Innovative Drug Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, China; The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, China; Clinical Neuroscience Institute of Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Keshen Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, China; Clinical Neuroscience Institute of Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Lei Shi
- JNU-HKUST Joint Laboratory for Neuroscience and Innovative Drug Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, China.
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28
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Basilico B, Morandell J, Novarino G. Molecular mechanisms for targeted ASD treatments. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2020; 65:126-137. [PMID: 32659636 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2020.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The possibility to generate construct valid animal models enabled the development and testing of therapeutic strategies targeting the core features of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). At the same time, these studies highlighted the necessity of identifying sensitive developmental time windows for successful therapeutic interventions. Animal and human studies also uncovered the possibility to stratify the variety of ASDs in molecularly distinct subgroups, potentially facilitating effective treatment design. Here, we focus on the molecular pathways emerging as commonly affected by mutations in diverse ASD-risk genes, on their role during critical windows of brain development and the potential treatments targeting these biological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jasmin Morandell
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria, Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Gaia Novarino
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria, Klosterneuburg, Austria.
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29
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Stamberger H, Hammer TB, Gardella E, Vlaskamp DRM, Bertelsen B, Mandelstam S, de Lange I, Zhang J, Myers CT, Fenger C, Afawi Z, Almanza Fuerte EP, Andrade DM, Balcik Y, Ben Zeev B, Bennett MF, Berkovic SF, Isidor B, Bouman A, Brilstra E, Busk ØL, Cairns A, Caumes R, Chatron N, Dale RC, de Geus C, Edery P, Gill D, Granild-Jensen JB, Gunderson L, Gunning B, Heimer G, Helle JR, Hildebrand MS, Hollingsworth G, Kharytonov V, Klee EW, Koeleman BPC, Koolen DA, Korff C, Küry S, Lesca G, Lev D, Leventer RJ, Mackay MT, Macke EL, McEntagart M, Mohammad SS, Monin P, Montomoli M, Morava E, Moutton S, Muir AM, Parrini E, Procopis P, Ranza E, Reed L, Reif PS, Rosenow F, Rossi M, Sadleir LG, Sadoway T, Schelhaas HJ, Schneider AL, Shah K, Shalev R, Sisodiya SM, Smol T, Stumpel CTRM, Stuurman K, Symonds JD, Mau-Them FT, Verbeek N, Verhoeven JS, Wallace G, Yosovich K, Zarate YA, Zerem A, Zuberi SM, Guerrini R, Mefford HC, Patel C, Zhang YH, Møller RS, Scheffer IE. NEXMIF encephalopathy: an X-linked disorder with male and female phenotypic patterns. Genet Med 2020; 23:363-373. [PMID: 33144681 DOI: 10.1038/s41436-020-00988-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Pathogenic variants in the X-linked gene NEXMIF (previously KIAA2022) are associated with intellectual disability (ID), autism spectrum disorder, and epilepsy. We aimed to delineate the female and male phenotypic spectrum of NEXMIF encephalopathy. METHODS Through an international collaboration, we analyzed the phenotypes and genotypes of 87 patients with NEXMIF encephalopathy. RESULTS Sixty-three females and 24 males (46 new patients) with NEXMIF encephalopathy were studied, with 30 novel variants. Phenotypic features included developmental delay/ID in 86/87 (99%), seizures in 71/86 (83%) and multiple comorbidities. Generalized seizures predominated including myoclonic seizures and absence seizures (both 46/70, 66%), absence with eyelid myoclonia (17/70, 24%), and atonic seizures (30/70, 43%). Males had more severe developmental impairment; females had epilepsy more frequently, and varied from unaffected to severely affected. All NEXMIF pathogenic variants led to a premature stop codon or were deleterious structural variants. Most arose de novo, although X-linked segregation occurred for both sexes. Somatic mosaicism occurred in two males and a family with suspected parental mosaicism. CONCLUSION NEXMIF encephalopathy is an X-linked, generalized developmental and epileptic encephalopathy characterized by myoclonic-atonic epilepsy overlapping with eyelid myoclonia with absence. Some patients have developmental encephalopathy without epilepsy. Males have more severe developmental impairment. NEXMIF encephalopathy arises due to loss-of-function variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Stamberger
- Epilepsy Research Centre, Department of Medicine, Austin Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Applied and Translational Neurogenomics group, Center for Molecular Neurology, VIB, and Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Antwerp, University of Antwerp, Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - Trine B Hammer
- Department of Epilepsy Genetics, Danish Epilepsy Centre Filadelfia, Dianalund, Denmark.,Clinical Genetic Department, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Elena Gardella
- Department of Epilepsy Genetics, Danish Epilepsy Centre Filadelfia, Dianalund, Denmark.,Institute for Regional Health Services Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Danique R M Vlaskamp
- Epilepsy Research Centre, Department of Medicine, Austin Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Neurology, Groningen, the Netherlands.,University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Genetics, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Birgitte Bertelsen
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Simone Mandelstam
- Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Radiology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Iris de Lange
- Department of Genetics, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Candace T Myers
- Division of Genetic Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Christina Fenger
- Department of Epilepsy Genetics, Danish Epilepsy Centre Filadelfia, Dianalund, Denmark
| | - Zaid Afawi
- Tel Aviv University Medical School, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Edith P Almanza Fuerte
- Division of Genetic Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Danielle M Andrade
- Division of Neurology, Toronto Western Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Yunus Balcik
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Center of Neurology and Neurosurgery, University Hospital Frankfurt, and Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Bruria Ben Zeev
- Edmond and Lily Safra Children's Hospital, Pediatric Neurology Unit, Tel-Hashomer, Israel.,Tel Aviv University, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Mark F Bennett
- Epilepsy Research Centre, Department of Medicine, Austin Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Samuel F Berkovic
- Epilepsy Research Centre, Department of Medicine, Austin Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Arjan Bouman
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eva Brilstra
- Department of Genetics, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Øyvind L Busk
- Section for Medical Genetics, Telemark Hospital, Skien, Norway
| | - Anita Cairns
- Department of Neurosciences, Queensland Children's Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Roseline Caumes
- Service de Neuropédiatrie, Pôle de Médecine et Spécialités Médicales, CHRU de Lille, Lille, France
| | - Nicolas Chatron
- Lyon University Hospitals, Departments of Genetics, Lyon, France
| | - Russell C Dale
- T.Y. Nelson Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Christa de Geus
- University Medical Centre Groningen, Department of Genetics, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Patrick Edery
- Lyon University Hospitals, Departments of Genetics, Lyon, France.,INSERM U1028, CNRS UMR5292, Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon, GENDEV Team, Bron, France
| | - Deepak Gill
- T.Y. Nelson Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Lauren Gunderson
- Department of Clinical Genomics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | - Gali Heimer
- Edmond and Lily Safra Children's Hospital, Pediatric Neurology Unit, Tel-Hashomer, Israel.,Tel Aviv University, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Johan R Helle
- Section for Medical Genetics, Telemark Hospital, Skien, Norway
| | - Michael S Hildebrand
- Epilepsy Research Centre, Department of Medicine, Austin Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Georgie Hollingsworth
- Epilepsy Research Centre, Department of Medicine, Austin Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Eric W Klee
- Department of Clinical Genomics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.,Center for Individualized Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Bobby P C Koeleman
- Department of Genetics, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - David A Koolen
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Christian Korff
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Sébastien Küry
- Service de génétique médicale, CHU Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Gaetan Lesca
- Lyon University Hospitals, Departments of Genetics, Lyon, France
| | - Dorit Lev
- Tel Aviv University, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Institute of Medical Genetics, Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel
| | - Richard J Leventer
- Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Mark T Mackay
- Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Erica L Macke
- Center for Individualized Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Meriel McEntagart
- Medical Genetics, St George's University Hospitals NHS FT, Cranmer Tce, London, United Kingdom
| | - Shekeeb S Mohammad
- T.Y. Nelson Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Pauline Monin
- Lyon University Hospitals, Departments of Genetics, Lyon, France
| | - Martino Montomoli
- Department of Neuroscience, Pharmacology and Child Health, Children's Hospital A. Meyer and University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Eva Morava
- Department of Clinical Genomics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.,Center for Individualized Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Sebastien Moutton
- CPDPN, Pôle mère enfant, Maison de Santé Protestante Bordeaux Bagatelle, Talence, France.,INSERM UMR1231 GAD, FHU-TRANSLAD, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
| | - Alison M Muir
- Division of Genetic Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Elena Parrini
- Department of Neuroscience, Pharmacology and Child Health, Children's Hospital A. Meyer and University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Peter Procopis
- T.Y. Nelson Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Emmanuelle Ranza
- Medigenome, Swiss Institute of Genomic Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Laura Reed
- Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Philipp S Reif
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Center of Neurology and Neurosurgery, University Hospital Frankfurt, and Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Felix Rosenow
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Center of Neurology and Neurosurgery, University Hospital Frankfurt, and Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Massimiliano Rossi
- Lyon University Hospitals, Departments of Genetics, Lyon, France.,INSERM U1028, CNRS UMR5292, Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon, GENDEV Team, Bron, France
| | - Lynette G Sadleir
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Otago Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Tara Sadoway
- Division of Neurology, Toronto Western Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Amy L Schneider
- Epilepsy Research Centre, Department of Medicine, Austin Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Ruth Shalev
- Neuropaediatric Unit, Shaare Zedek Medical Centre, Hebrew University School of Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Sanjay M Sisodiya
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom and Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy, Bucks, UK
| | - Thomas Smol
- Institut de Génétique Médicale, Hopital Jeanne de Flandre, Lille University Hospital, Lille, France
| | - Connie T R M Stumpel
- Department of Clinical Genetics and GROW-School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Kyra Stuurman
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Joseph D Symonds
- Paediatric Neurosciences Research Group, Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow, UK.,College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Frederic Tran Mau-Them
- UF Innovation en diagnostic genomique des maladies rares, CHU Dijon Bourgogne, Dijon, France.,INSERM UMR1231 GAD, Dijon, France
| | - Nienke Verbeek
- Department of Genetics, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Judith S Verhoeven
- Academic Center for Epileptology, Kempenhaege, Department of Neurology, Heeze, The Netherlands
| | - Geoffrey Wallace
- Department of Neurosciences, Queensland Children's Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Keren Yosovich
- Molecular Genetics Lab, Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel
| | - Yuri A Zarate
- Section of Genetics and Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Arkansas Children's Hospital, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Ayelet Zerem
- Tel Aviv University, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv, Israel.,White Matter Disease Care, Pediatric Neurology Unit, Dana-Dwak Children's Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Sameer M Zuberi
- Paediatric Neurosciences Research Group, Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow, UK.,College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Renzo Guerrini
- Department of Neuroscience, Pharmacology and Child Health, Children's Hospital A. Meyer and University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Heather C Mefford
- Division of Genetic Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Chirag Patel
- Genetic Health Queensland, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Yue-Hua Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Rikke S Møller
- Department of Epilepsy Genetics, Danish Epilepsy Centre Filadelfia, Dianalund, Denmark.,Institute for Regional Health Services Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Ingrid E Scheffer
- Epilepsy Research Centre, Department of Medicine, Austin Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. .,Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. .,Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. .,Department of Pediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. .,Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
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30
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Panda PK, Sharawat IK, Joshi K, Dawman L, Bolia R. Clinical spectrum of KIAA2022/NEXMIF pathogenic variants in males and females: Report of three patients from Indian kindred with a review of published patients. Brain Dev 2020; 42:646-654. [PMID: 32600841 DOI: 10.1016/j.braindev.2020.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the last two decades, with the advent of whole-exome and whole-genome sequencing, supplemented with linkage analysis, more than 150 genes responsible for X-linked intellectual disability have been identified. Some genes like NEXMIF remain an enigmatic entity, as often the carrier females show wide phenotypic diversity ranging from completely asymptomatic to severe intellectual disability and drug-resistant epilepsy. METHODS We report three patients with pathogenic NEXMIF variants from an Indian family. All of them had language predominant developmental delay and later progressed to moderate intellectual disability with autistic features. We also reviewed the previously published reports of patients with pathogenic NEXMIF variants. RESULTS Together with the presented cases, 45 cases (24 symptomatic females) were identified from 15 relevant research items for analysis. Males have demonstrated a more severe intellectual disability and increasingly delayed walking age, autistic features, central hypotonia, and gastroesophageal reflux. In contrast, females have shown a predominant presentation with drug-resistant epilepsy and mild to moderate intellectual impairment. Notably, the affected females demonstrate a higher incidence of myoclonic, absence, and atonic seizures. The majority of the variants reported are nonsense or frameshift mutations, causing loss of function of the NEXMIF gene, while a considerable proportion possesses chromosomal translocations, microdeletions, and duplications. CONCLUSIONS NEXMIF gene mutations should be suspected in all cases of X-linked ID and autism cases in males or even in refractory epilepsy cases in females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prateek Kumar Panda
- Pediatric Neurology Division, Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand 249203, India
| | - Indar Kumar Sharawat
- Pediatric Neurology Division, Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand 249203, India.
| | - Kriti Joshi
- Department of Endocrinology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand 249203, India
| | - Lesa Dawman
- Department of Pediatrics, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh 160012, India
| | - Rishi Bolia
- Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand 249203, India
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31
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Ma X, Huang M, Zheng M, Dai C, Song Q, Zhang Q, Li Q, Gu X, Chen H, Jiang G, Yu Y, Liu X, Li S, Wang G, Chen H, Lu L, Gao X. ADSCs-derived extracellular vesicles alleviate neuronal damage, promote neurogenesis and rescue memory loss in mice with Alzheimer's disease. J Control Release 2020; 327:688-702. [PMID: 32931898 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2020.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Despite the various mechanisms that involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), neuronal damage and synaptic dysfunction are the key events leading to cognition impairment. Therefore, neuroprotection and neurogenesis would provide essential alternatives to the rescue of AD cognitive function. Here we demonstrated that extracellular vesicles secreted from adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs-derived EVs, abbreviated as EVs) entered the brain quickly and efficiently following intranasal administration, and majorly accumulated in neurons within the central nervous system (CNS). Proteomics analysis showed that EVs contained multiple proteins possessing neuroprotective and neurogenesis activities, and neuronal RNA sequencing showed genes enrichment in neuroprotection and neurogenesis following the treatment with EVs. As a result, EVs exerted powerful neuroprotective effect on Aβ1-42 oligomer or glutamate-induced neuronal toxicity, effectively ameliorated neurologic damage in the whole brain areas, remarkably increased newborn neurons and powerfully rescued memory deficits in APP/PS1 transgenic mice. EVs also reduced Aβ deposition and decreased microglia activation although in a less extent. Collectively, here we provide direct evidence that ADSCs-derived EVs may potentially serve as an alternative for AD therapy through alleviating neuronal damage and promoting neurogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Ma
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Universities Collaborative Innovation Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Meng Huang
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Universities Collaborative Innovation Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Mengna Zheng
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Universities Collaborative Innovation Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Chengxiang Dai
- Cellular Biomedicine Group, Inc., Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Qingxiang Song
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Universities Collaborative Innovation Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Universities Collaborative Innovation Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Qian Li
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China; Shanghai Research Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Xiao Gu
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Universities Collaborative Innovation Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Huan Chen
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Universities Collaborative Innovation Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Gan Jiang
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Universities Collaborative Innovation Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Ye Yu
- Department of Rheumatology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 145 Middle Shan Dong Road, Shanghai 200001, China
| | - Xuesong Liu
- Department of Rheumatology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 145 Middle Shan Dong Road, Shanghai 200001, China
| | - Suke Li
- Cellular Biomedicine Group, Inc., Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Gang Wang
- Department of Neurology, Ruijin Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Hongzhuan Chen
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Universities Collaborative Innovation Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China; Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Biomedical Research, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Liangjing Lu
- Department of Rheumatology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 145 Middle Shan Dong Road, Shanghai 200001, China.
| | - Xiaoling Gao
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Universities Collaborative Innovation Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China.
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32
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Ogasawara M, Nakagawa E, Takeshita E, Hamanaka K, Miyatake S, Matsumoto N, Sasaki M. Clonazepam as an Effective Treatment for Epilepsy in a Female Patient with NEXMIF Mutation: Case Report. Mol Syndromol 2020; 11:232-237. [PMID: 33224018 DOI: 10.1159/000510172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The NEXMIF (KIAA2022) gene is located in the X chromosome, and hemizygous mutations in NEXMIF cause X-linked intellectual disability in male patients. Female patients with heterozygous mutations in NEXMIF also show similar, but milder, intellectual disability. Most female patients demonstrate intractable epilepsy compared with male patients, and the treatment strategy for epilepsy is still uncertain. Thus far, 24 female patients with NEXMIF mutations have been reported. Of these 24 patients, 20 also have epilepsy. Until now, epilepsy has been controlled in only 2 of these female patients. We report a female patient with a heterozygous de novo mutation, NM_001008537.2:c.1123del (p.Glu375Argfs*21), in NEXMIF. The patient showed mild intellectual disability, facial dysmorphism, obesity, generalized tonic-clonic seizures, and nonconvulsive status epilepticus. Sodium valproate was effective but caused secondary amenorrhea. We successfully treated her epilepsy with clonazepam without side effects, indicating that clonazepam might be a good choice to treat epilepsy in patients with NEXMIF mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masashi Ogasawara
- Department of Child Neurology, National Center Hospital, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Neuromuscular Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Genome Medicine Development, Medical Genome Center, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan
| | - Eiji Nakagawa
- Department of Child Neurology, National Center Hospital, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Eri Takeshita
- Department of Child Neurology, National Center Hospital, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kohei Hamanaka
- Department of Human Genetics, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Satoko Miyatake
- Department of Human Genetics, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Naomichi Matsumoto
- Department of Human Genetics, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Masayuki Sasaki
- Department of Child Neurology, National Center Hospital, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
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