1
|
Lee K, Jung Y, Vyas Y, Mills Z, McNamara L, Montgomery JM. Differential effectiveness of dietary zinc supplementation with autism-related behaviours in Shank2 knockout mice. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20230230. [PMID: 38853567 PMCID: PMC11343228 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2023.0230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
The family of SHANK proteins have been shown to be critical in regulating glutamatergic synaptic structure, function and plasticity. SHANK variants are also prevalent in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), where glutamatergic synaptopathology has been shown to occur in multiple ASD mouse models. Our previous work has shown that dietary zinc in Shank3-/- and Tbr1+/- ASD mouse models can reverse or prevent ASD behavioural and synaptic deficits. Here, we have examined whether dietary zinc can influence behavioural and synaptic function in Shank2-/- mice. Our data show that dietary zinc supplementation can reverse hyperactivity and social preference behaviour in Shank2-/- mice, but it does not alter deficits in working memory. Consistent with this, at the synaptic level, deficits in NMDA/AMPA receptor-mediated transmission are also not rescued by dietary zinc. In contrast to other ASD models examined, we observed that SHANK3 protein was highly expressed at the synapses of Shank2-/- mice and that dietary zinc returned these to wild-type levels. Overall, our data show that dietary zinc has differential effectiveness in altering ASD behaviours and synaptic function across ASD mouse models even within the Shank family. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue 'Long-term potentiation: 50 years on'.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Lee
- Department of Physiology and Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Yewon Jung
- Department of Physiology and Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Yukti Vyas
- Department of Physiology and Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Zoe Mills
- Department of Physiology and Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Laura McNamara
- Department of Physiology and Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Johanna M. Montgomery
- Department of Physiology and Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Manning A, Bender PTR, Boyd-Pratt H, Mendelson BZ, Hruska M, Anderson CT. Trans-synaptic Association of Vesicular Zinc Transporter 3 and Shank3 Supports Synapse-Specific Dendritic Spine Structure and Function in the Mouse Auditory Cortex. J Neurosci 2024; 44:e0619242024. [PMID: 38830758 PMCID: PMC11236586 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0619-24.2024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Shank3 is a synaptic scaffolding protein that assists in tethering and organizing structural proteins and glutamatergic receptors in the postsynaptic density of excitatory synapses. The localization of Shank3 at excitatory synapses and the formation of stable Shank3 complexes is regulated by the binding of zinc to the C-terminal sterile-alpha-motif (SAM) domain of Shank3. Mutations in the SAM domain of Shank3 result in altered synaptic function and morphology, and disruption of zinc in synapses that express Shank3 leads to a reduction of postsynaptic proteins important for synaptic structure and function. This suggests that zinc supports the localization of postsynaptic proteins via Shank3. Many regions of the brain are highly enriched with free zinc inside glutamatergic vesicles at presynaptic terminals. At these synapses, zinc transporter 3 (ZnT3) moves zinc into vesicles where it is co-released with glutamate. Alterations in ZnT3 are implicated in multiple neurodevelopmental disorders, and ZnT3 knock-out (KO) mice-which lack synaptic zinc-show behavioral deficits associated with autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia. Here we show that male and female ZnT3 KO mice have smaller dendritic spines and miniature excitatory postsynaptic current amplitudes than wildtype (WT) mice in the auditory cortex. Additionally, spine size deficits in ZnT3 KO mice are restricted to synapses that express Shank3. In WT mice, synapses that express both Shank3 and ZnT3 have larger spines compared to synapses that express Shank3 but not ZnT3. Together these findings suggest a mechanism whereby presynaptic ZnT3-dependent zinc supports postsynaptic structure and function via Shank3 in a synapse-specific manner.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abbey Manning
- Department of Neuroscience, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV 26506
- Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV 26506
| | - Philip T R Bender
- Department of Neuroscience, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV 26506
- Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV 26506
| | - Helen Boyd-Pratt
- Department of Neuroscience, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV 26506
- Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV 26506
- Clinical and Translational Science Institute, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV 26506
| | - Benjamin Z Mendelson
- Department of Neuroscience, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV 26506
- Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV 26506
| | - Martin Hruska
- Department of Neuroscience, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV 26506
- Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV 26506
| | - Charles T Anderson
- Department of Neuroscience, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV 26506
- Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV 26506
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Danieli PP, Hoang N, Selvanayagam T, Yang A, Breetvelt E, Tabbers M, Cohen C, Aelvoet AS, Trost B, Ward T, Semotiuk K, Durno C, Aronson M, Cohen Z, Dekker E, Vorstman J. Autistic traits in youth with familial adenomatous polyposis: A Dutch-Canadian case-control study. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2024:e32999. [PMID: 38967411 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 05/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
This study investigated the neurodevelopmental impact of pathogenic adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene variants in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), a cancer predisposition syndrome. We hypothesized that certain pathogenic APC variants result in behavioral-cognitive challenges. We compared 66 FAP patients (cases) and 34 unaffected siblings (controls) to explore associations between APC variants and behavioral and cognitive challenges. Our findings indicate that FAP patients exhibited higher Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) scores, suggesting a greater prevalence of autistic traits when compared to unaffected siblings (mean 53.8 vs. 47.4, Wilcoxon p = 0.018). The distribution of SRS scores in cases suggested a bimodal pattern, potentially linked to the location of the APC variant, with scores increasing from the 5' to 3' end of the gene (Pearson's r = 0.33, p = 0.022). While we observed a trend toward lower educational attainment in cases, this difference was not statistically significant. This study is the first to explore the connection between APC variant location and neurodevelopmental traits in FAP, expanding our understanding of the genotype-phenotype correlation. Our results emphasize the importance of clinical assessment for autistic traits in FAP patients, shedding light on the potential role of APC gene variants in these behavioral and cognitive challenges.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Polina Perlman Danieli
- Department of Psychiatry, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ny Hoang
- Department of Genetic Counselling, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Thanuja Selvanayagam
- Department of Genetic Counselling, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alvin Yang
- Department of Psychiatry, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- The Familial Gastrointestinal Cancer Registry at the Zane Cohen Centre for Digestive Diseases, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Elemi Breetvelt
- Department of Psychiatry, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Merit Tabbers
- Department of Pediatrics, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development and Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism Research Institutes, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Christine Cohen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Arthur S Aelvoet
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Brett Trost
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Thomas Ward
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- The Familial Gastrointestinal Cancer Registry at the Zane Cohen Centre for Digestive Diseases, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kara Semotiuk
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- The Familial Gastrointestinal Cancer Registry at the Zane Cohen Centre for Digestive Diseases, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Carol Durno
- The Familial Gastrointestinal Cancer Registry at the Zane Cohen Centre for Digestive Diseases, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Gastroenterology/Hepatology & Nutrition, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Melyssa Aronson
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- The Familial Gastrointestinal Cancer Registry at the Zane Cohen Centre for Digestive Diseases, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Zane Cohen
- The Familial Gastrointestinal Cancer Registry at the Zane Cohen Centre for Digestive Diseases, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Evelien Dekker
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jacob Vorstman
- Department of Psychiatry, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Developmental Psychopathology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Hoisington ZW, Gangal H, Phamluong K, Shukla C, Ehinger Y, Moffat JJ, Homanics GE, Wang J, Ron D. Prosapip1 in the dorsal hippocampus mediates synaptic protein composition, long-term potentiation, and spatial memory. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.13.597459. [PMID: 38915579 PMCID: PMC11195216 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.13.597459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
Prosapip1 is a brain-specific protein localized to the postsynaptic density, where it promotes dendritic spine maturation in primary hippocampal neurons. However, nothing is known about the role of Prosapip1 in vivo . To examine this, we utilized the Cre-loxP system to develop a Prosapip1 neuronal knockout mouse. We found that Prosapip1 controls the synaptic localization of its binding partner SPAR, along with PSD-95 and the GluN2B subunit of the NMDA receptor (NMDAR) in the dorsal hippocampus (dHP). We next sought to identify the potential contribution of Prosapip1 to the activity and function of the NMDAR and found that Prosapip1 plays an important role in NMDAR-mediated transmission and long-term potentiation (LTP) in the CA1 region of the dHP. As LTP is the cellular hallmark of learning and memory, we examined the consequences of neuronal knockout of Prosapip1 on dHP-dependent memory. We found that global or dHP-specific neuronal knockout of Prosapip1 caused a deficit in learning and memory whereas developmental, locomotor, and anxiety phenotypes were normal. Taken together, Prosapip1 in the dHP promotes the proper localization of synaptic proteins which, in turn, facilitates LTP driving recognition, social, and spatial learning and memory.
Collapse
|
5
|
Jiang J, Wilkinson B, Flores I, Hartel N, Mihaylov SR, Clementel VA, Flynn HR, Alkuraya FS, Ultanir S, Graham NA, Coba MP. Mutations in the postsynaptic density signaling hub TNIK disrupt PSD signaling in human models of neurodevelopmental disorders. Front Mol Neurosci 2024; 17:1359154. [PMID: 38638602 PMCID: PMC11024424 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2024.1359154] [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: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
A large number of synaptic proteins have been recurrently associated with complex brain disorders. One of these proteins, the Traf and Nck interacting kinase (TNIK), is a postsynaptic density (PSD) signaling hub, with many variants reported in neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD) and psychiatric disease. While rodent models of TNIK dysfunction have abnormal spontaneous synaptic activity and cognitive impairment, the role of mutations found in patients with TNIK protein deficiency and TNIK protein kinase activity during early stages of neuronal and synapse development has not been characterized. Here, using hiPSC-derived excitatory neurons, we show that TNIK mutations dysregulate neuronal activity in human immature synapses. Moreover, the lack of TNIK protein kinase activity impairs MAPK signaling and protein phosphorylation in structural components of the PSD. We show that the TNIK interactome is enriched in NDD risk factors and TNIK lack of function disrupts signaling networks and protein interactors associated with NDD that only partially overlap to mature mouse synapses, suggesting a differential role of TNIK in immature synapsis in NDD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jianzhi Jiang
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Brent Wilkinson
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Ilse Flores
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Nicolas Hartel
- Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Simeon R. Mihaylov
- Kinases and Brain Development Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Veronica A. Clementel
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Helen R. Flynn
- Proteomics Science Technology Platform, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Fowsan S. Alkuraya
- Department of Translational Genomics, Center for Genomic Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sila Ultanir
- Kinases and Brain Development Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas A. Graham
- Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Marcelo P. Coba
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Jeong JH, Lee H, Kim D, Park E, Woo J, Cho Y, Keum G, Lee A, Kang T, Kim J, Choo H, Lee S, Jeon B. Identification of an Antagonist Targeting G Protein and β-Arrestin Signaling Pathways of 5-HT 7R. ACS Chem Neurosci 2024; 15:1026-1041. [PMID: 38387042 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
In consideration of the limited number of FDA-approved drugs for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), significant efforts have been devoted to identifying novel drug candidates. Among these, 5-HT7R modulators have garnered considerable attention due to their potential in alleviating autism-like behaviors in ASD animal models. In this study, we designed and synthesized biphenyl-3-ylmethylpyrrolidines 3 and biphenyl-3-yl-dihydroimidazoles 4 as 5-HT7R modulators. Through extensive biological tests of 3 and 4 in G protein and β-arrestin signaling pathways of 5-HT7R, it was determined that 2-(2'-methoxy-[1,1'-biphenyl]-3-yl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazole 4h acted as a 5-HT7R antagonist in both signaling pathways. In in vivo study with Shank3-/- transgenic (TG) mice, the self-grooming behavior test was performed with 4h, resulting in a significant reduction in the duration of self-grooming. In addition, an immunohistochemical experiment with 4h restored reduced neurogenesis in Shank3-/- TG mice, which is confirmed by the quantification of doublecortin (DCX) positive neurons, suggesting the promising therapeutic potential of 4h.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeong Hyun Jeong
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Haeun Lee
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
- Division of Bio-Medical Science and Technology, KIST School, University of Science and Technology, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Doyoung Kim
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Eunseo Park
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
- Division of Bio-Medical Science and Technology, KIST School, University of Science and Technology, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Jiwan Woo
- Research Animal Resource Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Yakdol Cho
- Research Animal Resource Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Gyochang Keum
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
- Division of Bio-Medical Science and Technology, KIST School, University of Science and Technology, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Ansoo Lee
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
- Division of Bio-Medical Science and Technology, KIST School, University of Science and Technology, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Taek Kang
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeongjin Kim
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
- Division of Bio-Medical Science and Technology, KIST School, University of Science and Technology, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunah Choo
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
- Division of Bio-Medical Science and Technology, KIST School, University of Science and Technology, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Sanghee Lee
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Byungsun Jeon
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
- Division of Bio-Medical Science and Technology, KIST School, University of Science and Technology, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Reyes-Lizaola S, Luna-Zarate U, Tendilla-Beltrán H, Morales-Medina JC, Flores G. Structural and biochemical alterations in dendritic spines as key mechanisms for severe mental illnesses. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2024; 129:110876. [PMID: 37863171 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2023.110876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
Severe mental illnesses (SMI) collectively affect approximately 20% of the global population, as estimated by the World Health Organization (WHO). Despite having diverse etiologies, clinical symptoms, and pharmacotherapies, these diseases share a common pathophysiological characteristic: the misconnection of brain areas involved in reality perception, executive control, and cognition, including the corticolimbic system. Dendritic spines play a crucial role in excitatory neurotransmission within the central nervous system. These small structures exhibit remarkable plasticity, regulated by factors such as neurotransmitter tone, neurotrophic factors, and innate immunity-related molecules, and other mechanisms - all of which are associated with the pathophysiology of SMI. However, studying dendritic spine mechanisms in both healthy and pathological conditions in patients is fraught with technical limitations. This is where animal models related to these diseases become indispensable. They have played a pivotal role in elucidating the significance of dendritic spines in SMI. In this review, the information regarding the potential role of dendritic spines in SMI was summarized, drawing from clinical and animal model reports. Also, the implications of targeting dendritic spine-related molecules for SMI treatment were explored. Specifically, our focus is on major depressive disorder and the neurodevelopmental disorders schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder. Abundant clinical and basic research has studied the functional and structural plasticity of dendritic spines in these diseases, along with potential pharmacological targets that modulate the dynamics of these structures. These targets may be associated with the clinical efficacy of the pharmacotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Reyes-Lizaola
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, Licenciatura en Medicina, Universidad Popular del Estado de Puebla (UPAEP), Puebla, Mexico
| | - Ulises Luna-Zarate
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, Licenciatura en Medicina, Universidad de las Américas Puebla (UDLAP), Puebla, Mexico
| | - Hiram Tendilla-Beltrán
- Laboratorio de Neuropsiquiatría, Instituto de Fisiología, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla (BUAP), Puebla, Mexico
| | - Julio César Morales-Medina
- Centro de Investigación en Reproducción Animal, CINVESTAV-Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala, Tlaxcala, Mexico
| | - Gonzalo Flores
- Laboratorio de Neuropsiquiatría, Instituto de Fisiología, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla (BUAP), Puebla, Mexico.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Peall KJ, Owen MJ, Hall J. Rare genetic brain disorders with overlapping neurological and psychiatric phenotypes. Nat Rev Neurol 2024; 20:7-21. [PMID: 38001363 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-023-00896-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
Understanding rare genetic brain disorders with overlapping neurological and psychiatric phenotypes is of increasing importance given the potential for developing disease models that could help to understand more common, polygenic disorders. However, the traditional clinical boundaries between neurology and psychiatry result in frequent segregation of these disorders into distinct silos, limiting cross-specialty understanding that could facilitate clinical and biological advances. In this Review, we highlight multiple genetic brain disorders in which neurological and psychiatric phenotypes are observed, but for which in-depth, cross-spectrum clinical phenotyping is rarely undertaken. We describe the combined phenotypes observed in association with genetic variants linked to epilepsy, dystonia, autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia. We also consider common underlying mechanisms that centre on synaptic plasticity, including changes to synaptic and neuronal structure, calcium handling and the balance of excitatory and inhibitory neuronal activity. Further investigation is needed to better define and replicate these phenotypes in larger cohorts, which would help to gain greater understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms and identify common therapeutic targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn J Peall
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Innovation Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
| | - Michael J Owen
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Innovation Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
- Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Jeremy Hall
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Innovation Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Ross MM, Hernandez-Espinosa DR, Aizenman E. Neurodevelopmental Consequences of Dietary Zinc Deficiency: A Status Report. Biol Trace Elem Res 2023; 201:5616-5639. [PMID: 36964812 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-023-03630-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2023]
Abstract
Zinc is a tightly regulated trace mineral element playing critical roles in growth, immunity, neurodevelopment, and synaptic and hormonal signaling. Although severe dietary zinc deficiency is relatively uncommon in the United States, dietary zinc deficiency is a substantial public health concern in low- and middle-income countries. Zinc status may be a key determinant of neurodevelopmental processes. Indeed, limited cohort studies have shown that serum zinc is lower in people diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and depression. These observations have sparked multiple studies investigating the mechanisms underlying zinc status and neurodevelopmental outcomes. Animal models of perinatal and adult dietary zinc restriction yield distinct behavioral phenotypes reminiscent of features of ASD, ADHD, and depression, including increased anxiety and immobility, repetitive behaviors, and altered social behaviors. At the cellular and molecular level, zinc has demonstrated roles in neurogenesis, regulation of cellular redox status, transcription factor trafficking, synaptogenesis, and the regulation of synaptic architecture via the Shank family of scaffolding proteins. Although mechanistic questions remain, the current evidence suggests that zinc status is important for adequate neuronal development and may be a yet overlooked factor in the pathogenesis of several psychiatric conditions. This review aims to summarize current knowledge of the role of zinc in the neurophysiology of the perinatal period, the many cellular targets of zinc in the developing brain, and the potential consequences of alterations in zinc homeostasis in early life.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Madeline M Ross
- Department of Neurobiology and Pittsburgh Institute for Neurodegenerative Disorders, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
| | - Diego R Hernandez-Espinosa
- Department of Neurobiology and Pittsburgh Institute for Neurodegenerative Disorders, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
| | - Elias Aizenman
- Department of Neurobiology and Pittsburgh Institute for Neurodegenerative Disorders, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Davidson EA, Holingue C, Jimenez-Gomez A, Dallman JE, Moshiree B. Gastrointestinal Dysfunction in Genetically Defined Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Semin Neurol 2023; 43:645-660. [PMID: 37586397 PMCID: PMC10895389 DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1771460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Gastrointestinal symptoms are common in most forms of neurodevelopment disorders (NDDs) such as in autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The current patient-reported outcome measures with validated questionnaires used in the general population of children without NDDS cannot be used in the autistic individuals. We explore here the multifactorial pathophysiology of ASD and the role of genetics and the environment in this disease spectrum and focus instead on possible diagnostics that could provide future objective insight into the connection of the gut-brain-microbiome in this disease entity. We provide our own data from both humans and a zebrafish model of ASD called Phelan-McDermid Syndrome. We hope that this review highlights the gaps in our current knowledge on many of these profound NDDs and that it provides a future framework upon which clinicians and researchers can build and network with other interested multidisciplinary specialties.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Calliope Holingue
- Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Andres Jimenez-Gomez
- Neuroscience Center, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, Hollywood, Florida
- Department of Child Neurology, Florida Atlantic University Stiles - Nicholson Brain Institute, Jupiter, Florida
| | - Julia E. Dallman
- Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Miami, Florida
| | - Baharak Moshiree
- Atrium Health, Wake Forest Medical University, Charlotte, North Carolina
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Kareklas K, Teles MC, Dreosti E, Oliveira RF. Autism-associated gene shank3 is necessary for social contagion in zebrafish. Mol Autism 2023; 14:23. [PMID: 37391856 PMCID: PMC10311831 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-023-00555-4] [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: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Animal models enable targeting autism-associated genes, such as the shank3 gene, to assess their impact on behavioural phenotypes. However, this is often limited to simple behaviours relevant for social interaction. Social contagion is a complex phenotype forming the basis of human empathic behaviour and involves attention to the behaviour of others for recognizing and sharing their emotional or affective state. Thus, it is a form of social communication, which constitutes the most common developmental impairment across autism spectrum disorders (ASD). METHODS Here we describe the development of a zebrafish model that identifies the neurocognitive mechanisms by which shank3 mutation drives deficits in social contagion. We used a CRISPR-Cas9 technique to generate mutations to the shank3a gene, a zebrafish paralogue found to present greater orthology and functional conservation relative to the human gene. Mutants were first compared to wild types during a two-phase protocol that involves the observation of two conflicting states, distress and neutral, and the later recall and discrimination of others when no longer presenting such differences. Then, the whole-brain expression of different neuroplasticity markers was compared between genotypes and their contribution to cluster-specific phenotypic variation was assessed. RESULTS The shank3 mutation markedly reduced social contagion via deficits in attention contributing to difficulties in recognising affective states. Also, the mutation changed the expression of neuronal plasticity genes. However, only downregulated neuroligins clustered with shank3a expression under a combined synaptogenesis component that contributed specifically to variation in attention. LIMITATIONS While zebrafish are extremely useful in identifying the role of shank3 mutations to composite social behaviour, they are unlikely to represent the full complexity of socio-cognitive and communication deficits presented by human ASD pathology. Moreover, zebrafish cannot represent the scaling up of these deficits to higher-order empathic and prosocial phenotypes seen in humans. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrate a causal link between the zebrafish orthologue of an ASD-associated gene and the attentional control of affect recognition and consequent social contagion. This models autistic affect-communication pathology in zebrafish and reveals a genetic attention-deficit mechanism, addressing the ongoing debate for such mechanisms accounting for emotion recognition difficulties in autistic individuals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kyriacos Kareklas
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, R. Q.ta Grande 6, 2780-156, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Magda C Teles
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, R. Q.ta Grande 6, 2780-156, Oeiras, Portugal
- ISPA - Instituto Universitário, Rua Jardim do Tabaco 34, 1149-041, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Elena Dreosti
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Rui F Oliveira
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, R. Q.ta Grande 6, 2780-156, Oeiras, Portugal.
- ISPA - Instituto Universitário, Rua Jardim do Tabaco 34, 1149-041, Lisbon, Portugal.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Damiani F, Cornuti S, Tognini P. The gut-brain connection: Exploring the influence of the gut microbiota on neuroplasticity and neurodevelopmental disorders. Neuropharmacology 2023; 231:109491. [PMID: 36924923 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Abstract
Neuroplasticity refers to the ability of brain circuits to reorganize and change the properties of the network, resulting in alterations in brain function and behavior. It is traditionally believed that neuroplasticity is influenced by external stimuli, learning, and experience. Intriguingly, there is new evidence suggesting that endogenous signals from the body's periphery may play a role. The gut microbiota, a diverse community of microorganisms living in harmony with their host, may be able to influence plasticity through its modulation of the gut-brain axis. Interestingly, the maturation of the gut microbiota coincides with critical periods of neurodevelopment, during which neural circuits are highly plastic and potentially vulnerable. As such, dysbiosis (an imbalance in the gut microbiota composition) during early life may contribute to the disruption of normal developmental trajectories, leading to neurodevelopmental disorders. This review aims to examine the ways in which the gut microbiota can affect neuroplasticity. It will also discuss recent research linking gastrointestinal issues and bacterial dysbiosis to various neurodevelopmental disorders and their potential impact on neurological outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Sara Cornuti
- Laboratory of Biology, Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy
| | - Paola Tognini
- Laboratory of Biology, Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy; Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Burgdorf JS, Yoon S, Dos Santos M, Lammert CR, Moskal JR, Penzes P. An IGFBP2-derived peptide promotes neuroplasticity and rescues deficits in a mouse model of Phelan-McDermid syndrome. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:1101-1111. [PMID: 36481930 PMCID: PMC10084719 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01904-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
We developed an IGFBP2-mimetic peptide fragment, JB2, and showed that it promotes basal synaptic structural and functional plasticity in cultured neurons and mice. We demonstrate that JB2 directly binds to dendrites and synapses, and its biological activity involves NMDA receptor activation, gene transcription and translation, and IGF2 receptors. It is not IGF1 receptor-dependent. In neurons, JB2 induced extensive remodeling of the membrane phosphoproteome. Synapse and cytoskeletal regulation, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) risk factors, and a Shank3-associated protein network were significantly enriched among phosphorylated and dephosphorylated proteins. Haploinsufficiency of the SHANK3 gene on chromosome 22q13.3 often causes Phelan-McDermid Syndrome (PMS), a genetically defined form of autism with profound deficits in motor behavior, sensory processing, language, and cognitive function. We identified multiple disease-relevant phenotypes in a Shank3 heterozygous mouse and showed that JB2 rescued deficits in synaptic function and plasticity, learning and memory, ultrasonic vocalizations, and motor function; it also normalized neuronal excitability and seizure susceptibility. Notably, JB2 rescued deficits in the auditory evoked response latency, alpha peak frequency, and steady-state electroencephalography response, measures with direct translational value to human subjects. These data demonstrate that JB2 is a potent modulator of neuroplasticity with therapeutic potential for the treatment of PMS and ASD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey S Burgdorf
- Falk Center for Molecular Therapeutics, Department of Biomedical Engineering, McCormick School of Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60201, USA
- Gate neurosciences, Inc., Carmel, IN, 46032, USA
| | - Sehyoun Yoon
- Department of Neuroscience, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Marc Dos Santos
- Department of Neuroscience, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Catherine R Lammert
- Department of Neuroscience, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Joseph R Moskal
- Falk Center for Molecular Therapeutics, Department of Biomedical Engineering, McCormick School of Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60201, USA
- Gate neurosciences, Inc., Carmel, IN, 46032, USA
| | - Peter Penzes
- Department of Neuroscience, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
- Northwestern University, Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Dysregulated Signaling at Postsynaptic Density: A Systematic Review and Translational Appraisal for the Pathophysiology, Clinics, and Antipsychotics' Treatment of Schizophrenia. Cells 2023; 12:cells12040574. [PMID: 36831241 PMCID: PMC9954794 DOI: 10.3390/cells12040574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Emerging evidence from genomics, post-mortem, and preclinical studies point to a potential dysregulation of molecular signaling at postsynaptic density (PSD) in schizophrenia pathophysiology. The PSD that identifies the archetypal asymmetric synapse is a structure of approximately 300 nm in diameter, localized behind the neuronal membrane in the glutamatergic synapse, and constituted by more than 1000 proteins, including receptors, adaptors, kinases, and scaffold proteins. Furthermore, using FASS (fluorescence-activated synaptosome sorting) techniques, glutamatergic synaptosomes were isolated at around 70 nm, where the receptors anchored to the PSD proteins can diffuse laterally along the PSD and were stabilized by scaffold proteins in nanodomains of 50-80 nm at a distance of 20-40 nm creating "nanocolumns" within the synaptic button. In this context, PSD was envisioned as a multimodal hub integrating multiple signaling-related intracellular functions. Dysfunctions of glutamate signaling have been postulated in schizophrenia, starting from the glutamate receptor's interaction with scaffolding proteins involved in the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR). Despite the emerging role of PSD proteins in behavioral disorders, there is currently no systematic review that integrates preclinical and clinical findings addressing dysregulated PSD signaling and translational implications for antipsychotic treatment in the aberrant postsynaptic function context. Here we reviewed a critical appraisal of the role of dysregulated PSD proteins signaling in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, discussing how antipsychotics may affect PSD structures and synaptic plasticity in brain regions relevant to psychosis.
Collapse
|
15
|
Huang M, Qi Q, Xu T. Targeting Shank3 deficiency and paresthesia in autism spectrum disorder: A brief review. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1128974. [PMID: 36846568 PMCID: PMC9948097 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1128974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) includes a group of multifactorial neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by impaired social communication, social interaction, and repetitive behaviors. Several studies have shown an association between cases of ASD and mutations in the genes of SH3 and multiple ankyrin repeat domain protein 3 (SHANK3). These genes encode many cell adhesion molecules, scaffold proteins, and proteins involved in synaptic transcription, protein synthesis, and degradation. They have a profound impact on all aspects of synaptic transmission and plasticity, including synapse formation and degeneration, suggesting that the pathogenesis of ASD may be partially attributable to synaptic dysfunction. In this review, we summarize the mechanism of synapses related to Shank3 in ASD. We also discuss the molecular, cellular, and functional studies of experimental models of ASD and current autism treatment methods targeting related proteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Min Huang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sixth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China,Department of Anesthesiology, Suzhou Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Qi Qi
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sixth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China,Department of Anesthesiology, Suzhou Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Tao Xu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sixth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China,Department of Anesthesiology, Suzhou Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Suzhou, China,*Correspondence: Tao Xu,
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Sigar P, Uddin LQ, Roy D. Altered global modular organization of intrinsic functional connectivity in autism arises from atypical node-level processing. Autism Res 2023; 16:66-83. [PMID: 36333956 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by restricted interests and repetitive behaviors as well as social-communication deficits. These traits are associated with atypicality of functional brain networks. Modular organization in the brain plays a crucial role in network stability and adaptability for neurodevelopment. Previous neuroimaging research demonstrates discrepancies in studies of functional brain modular organization in ASD. These discrepancies result from the examination of mixed age groups. Furthermore, recent findings suggest that while much attention has been given to deriving atlases and measuring the connections between nodes, within node information may also be crucial in determining altered modular organization in ASD compared with typical development (TD). However, altered modular organization originating from systematic nodal changes are yet to be explored in younger children with ASD. Here, we used graph-theoretical measures to fill this knowledge gap. To this end, we utilized multicenter resting-state fMRI data collected from 5 to 10-year-old children-34 ASD and 40 TD obtained from the Autism Brain Image Data Exchange (ABIDE) I and II. We demonstrate that alterations in topological roles and modular cohesiveness are the two key properties of brain regions anchored in default mode, sensorimotor, and salience networks, and primarily relate to social and sensory deficits in children with ASD. These results demonstrate that atypical global network organization in children with ASD arises from nodal role changes, and contribute to the growing body of literature suggesting that there is interesting information within nodes providing critical markers of functional brain networks in autistic children.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Sigar
- Cognitive Brain Dynamics Lab, National Brain Research Center, Manesar, India.,Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Lucina Q Uddin
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA.,Department of Psychology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Dipanjan Roy
- Cognitive Brain Dynamics Lab, National Brain Research Center, Manesar, India.,School of AIDE, Centre for Brain Science and Applications, Karwar, India
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Ersoy N, Acikgoz B, Aksu I, Kiray A, Bagriyanik HA, Kiray M. The Effects of Prenatal and Postnatal Exposure to 50-Hz and 3 mT Electromagnetic Field on Rat Testicular Development. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2022; 59:medicina59010071. [PMID: 36676695 PMCID: PMC9867318 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59010071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Background and objectives: It has been shown that electromagnetic fields (EMFs) have negative effects on the reproductive system. The biological effects of EMF on the male reproductive system are controversial and vary depending on the frequency and exposure time. Although a limited number of studies have focused on the structural and functional effects of EMF, the effects of prenatal and postnatal EMF exposure on testes are not clear. We aimed to investigate the effects of 50-Hz, 3-mT EMF exposure (5 days/wk, 4 h/day) during pre- and postnatal periods on testis development. Materials and Methods: Pups from three groups of Sprague-Dawley pregnant rats were used: Sham, EMF-28 (EMF-exposure applied during pregnancy and until postnatal day 28), EMF-42 (EMF-exposure applied during pregnancy and until postnatal day 42). The testis tissues and blood samples of male offspring were collected on the postnatal day 42. Results: Morphometric analyses showed a decrease in seminiferous tubule diameter as a result of testicular degeneration in the EMF-42 group. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were decreased in the EMF-42 group. Lipid peroxidation levels were increased in both EMF groups, while antioxidant levels were decreased only in the EMF-28 group. We found decreased levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF1) in the EMF-42 group, and decreased levels of the SRC homology 3 (SH3) and multiple ankyrin repeat domain (SHANK3) in the EMF-28 group in the testis tissue. Conclusions: EMF exposure during pre- and postnatal periods may cause deterioration in the structure and function of testis and decrease in growing factors that would affect testicular functions in male rat pups. In addition to the oxidative stress observed in testis, decreased SHANK3, VEGF, and IGF1 protein levels suggests that these proteins may be mediators in testis affected by EMF exposure. This study shows that EMF exposure during embryonic development and adolescence can cause apoptosis and structural changes in the testis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nevin Ersoy
- Department of Histology&Embryology, Medical Faculty, Dokuz Eylul University, 35330 Izmir, Turkey
- Health Sciences Institute, Dokuz Eylul University, 35330 Izmir, Turkey
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genom Center, 35330 Izmir, Turkey
| | - Burcu Acikgoz
- Health Sciences Institute, Dokuz Eylul University, 35330 Izmir, Turkey
- Department of Physiology, Medical Faculty, Dokuz Eylul University, 35330 Izmir, Turkey
| | - Ilkay Aksu
- Department of Physiology, Medical Faculty, Dokuz Eylul University, 35330 Izmir, Turkey
| | - Amac Kiray
- Department of Anatomy, Medical Faculty, Dokuz Eylul University, 35330 Izmir, Turkey
| | - Husnu Alper Bagriyanik
- Department of Histology&Embryology, Medical Faculty, Dokuz Eylul University, 35330 Izmir, Turkey
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genom Center, 35330 Izmir, Turkey
| | - Muge Kiray
- Department of Physiology, Medical Faculty, Dokuz Eylul University, 35330 Izmir, Turkey
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Plaza-Diaz J, Radar AM, Baig AT, Leyba MF, Costabel MM, Zavala-Crichton JP, Sanchez-Martinez J, MacKenzie AE, Solis-Urra P. Physical Activity, Gut Microbiota, and Genetic Background for Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 9:1834. [PMID: 36553278 PMCID: PMC9777368 DOI: 10.3390/children9121834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
It is estimated that one in 100 children worldwide has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Children with ASD frequently suffer from gut dysbiosis and gastrointestinal issues, findings which possibly play a role in the pathogenesis and/or severity of their condition. Physical activity may have a positive effect on the composition of the intestinal microbiota of healthy adults. However, the effect of exercise both on the gastrointestinal problems and intestinal microbiota (and thus possibly on ASD) itself in affected children is unknown. In terms of understanding the physiopathology and manifestations of ASD, analysis of the gut-brain axis holds some promise. Here, we discuss the physiopathology of ASD in terms of genetics and microbiota composition, and how physical activity may be a promising non-pharmaceutical approach to improve ASD-related symptoms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julio Plaza-Diaz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, School of Pharmacy, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
- Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L1, Canada
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria IBS.GRANADA, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Granada, 18014 Granada, Spain
| | - Ana Mei Radar
- Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L1, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Aiman Tariq Baig
- Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L1, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Marcos Federico Leyba
- Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L1, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Maria Macarena Costabel
- Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada
| | | | - Javier Sanchez-Martinez
- Escuela de Kinesiología, Facultad de Salud, Universidad Santo Tomás, Viña del Mar 2520298, Chile
| | - Alex E. MacKenzie
- Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L1, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Patricio Solis-Urra
- Faculty of Education and Social Sciences, Universidad Andres Bello, Viña del Mar 2531015, Chile
- PROFITH “PROmoting FITness and Health through Physical Activity” Research Group, Sport and Health University Research Institute (iMUDS), Department of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
- Servicio de Medicina Nuclear, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, 18014 Granada, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Bansal M, Vyas Y, Aqrawe Z, Raos B, Cheah E, Montgomery J, Wu Z, Svirskis D. Patternable Gelatin Methacrylate/PEDOT/Polystyrene Sulfonate Microelectrode Coatings for Neuronal Recording. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2022; 8:3933-3943. [PMID: 35976694 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.2c00231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
This manuscript addresses the need for new soft biomaterials that can be fabricated on the surface of microelectrodes to reduce the mechanical mismatch between biological tissues and electrodes and improve the performance at the neural interface. By electrochemical polymerization of poly(3,4-dioxythiophene) (PEDOT)/polystyrene sulfonate (PSS) through a gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) hydrogel, we demonstrate the synthesis of a conducting polymer hydrogel (CPH) to meet the performance criteria of bioelectrodes. The hybrid material can be photolithographically patterned and covalently attached to gold microelectrodes, forming an interpenetrating network, as confirmed by infrared spectroscopy. The GelMA/PEDOT/PSS coatings were found to be reversibly electroactive by cyclic voltammetry and had low impedance compared to bare gold and GelMA-coated microelectrodes. The CPH coatings showed impedance at levels similar to conventional PEDOT/PSS coatings at a frequency of 1000 Hz. CPH exhibited electrochemical stability over 1000 CV cycles, and its performance was maintained over 14 days. Biocompatibility of the CPH coatings was confirmed by primary hippocampal neuronal cultures via a neuronal viability assay. The CPH-coated microelectrode arrays (MEAs) successfully recorded neuronal activity from primary hippocampal neuronal cells. The CPH GelMA/PEDOT/PSS is a highly promising coating material to enhance microelectrode performance at the neural interface.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mahima Bansal
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
| | - Yukti Vyas
- Department of Physiology and Centre for Brain Research, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
| | - Zaid Aqrawe
- Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
| | - Brad Raos
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
| | - Ernest Cheah
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
| | - Johanna Montgomery
- Department of Physiology and Centre for Brain Research, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
| | - Zimei Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
| | - Darren Svirskis
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Imam B, Rahmatinia M, Shahsavani A, Khodagholi F, Hopke PK, Bazazzpour S, Hadei M, Yarahmadi M, Abdollahifar MA, Torkmahalleh MA, Kermani M, Ilkhani S, MirBehbahani SH. Autism-like symptoms by exposure to air pollution and valproic acid-induced in male rats. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:59263-59286. [PMID: 35384534 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-19865-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to air pollution during prenatal or neonatal periods is associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) according to epidemiology studies. Furthermore, prenatal exposure to valproic acid (VPA) has also been found to be associated with an increased prevalence of ASD. To assess the association between simultaneous exposure to VPA and air pollutants, seven exposure groups of rats were included in current study (PM2.5 and gaseous pollutants exposed - high dose of VPA (PGE-high); PM2.5 and gaseous pollutants exposed - low dose of VPA (PGE-low); gaseous pollutants only exposed - high dose of VPA (GE-high); gaseous pollutants only exposed - low dose of VPA (GE-low); clean air exposed - high dose of VPA (CAE-high); clean air exposed - low dose of VPA (CAE-low) and clean air exposed (CAE)). The pollution-exposed rats were exposed to air pollutants from embryonic day (E0) to postnatal day 42 (PND42). In all the induced groups, decreased oxidative stress biomarkers, decreased oxytocin receptor (OXTR) levels, and increased the expression of interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were found. The volumes of the cerebellum, hippocampus, striatum, and prefrontal decreased in all induced groups in comparison to CAE. Additionally, increased numerical density of glial cells and decreased of numerical density of neurons were found in all induced groups. Results show that simultaneous exposure to air pollution and VPA can cause ASD-related behavioral deficits and air pollution reinforced the mechanism of inducing ASD ̉s in VPA-induced rat model of autism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bahran Imam
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Masoumeh Rahmatinia
- Student Research Committee, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abbas Shahsavani
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Air Quality and Climate Change Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Fariba Khodagholi
- Neuroscience Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Philip K Hopke
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
- Institute for a Sustainable Environment, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY, 13699, USA
| | - Shahriyar Bazazzpour
- Student Research Committee, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mostafa Hadei
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Yarahmadi
- Environmental and Occupational Health Center, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad-Amin Abdollahifar
- Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Amouei Torkmahalleh
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, School of Engineering and Digital Sciences, Nazarbayev University, Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, 010000
| | - Majid Kermani
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saba Ilkhani
- Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
Lutz AK, Bauer HF, Ioannidis V, Schön M, Boeckers TM. SHANK3 Antibody Validation: Differential Performance in Western Blotting, Immunocyto- and Immunohistochemistry. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2022; 14:890231. [PMID: 35734418 PMCID: PMC9207774 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2022.890231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
SHANK3 is a scaffolding protein implicated in autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Its function at excitatory glutamatergic synapses has been studied for the last two decades, however, tissue-specific expression patterns as well as its subcellular localization need to be studied in further detail. Especially the close sequence homology of SHANK3 to its protein family members SHANK2 and SHANK1 raises the emerging need for specific antibodies that are validated for the desired methodology. With this study, we aim to validate a set of commercial as well as homemade SHANK3 antibodies in Western Blotting, and synaptic immunocyto- and immunohistochemistry. We found that only a small subset of the antibodies included in this study meet the criteria of quality and specificity. Therefore, we aim to share our findings on SHANK3 antibody validation but also raise awareness of the necessity of antibody specificity testing in the field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Kathrin Lutz
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | | | | | - Michael Schön
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Tobias M. Boeckers
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE), Ulm, Germany
- *Correspondence: Tobias M. Boeckers,
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Pohl TT, Hörnberg H. Neuroligins in neurodevelopmental conditions: how mouse models of de novo mutations can help us link synaptic function to social behavior. Neuronal Signal 2022; 6:NS20210030. [PMID: 35601025 PMCID: PMC9093077 DOI: 10.1042/ns20210030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental conditions (or neurodevelopmental disorders, NDDs) are highly heterogeneous with overlapping characteristics and shared genetic etiology. The large symptom variability and etiological heterogeneity have made it challenging to understand the biological mechanisms underpinning NDDs. To accommodate this individual variability, one approach is to move away from diagnostic criteria and focus on distinct dimensions with relevance to multiple NDDs. This domain approach is well suited to preclinical research, where genetically modified animal models can be used to link genetic variability to neurobiological mechanisms and behavioral traits. Genetic factors associated with NDDs can be grouped functionally into common biological pathways, with one prominent functional group being genes associated with the synapse. These include the neuroligins (Nlgns), a family of postsynaptic transmembrane proteins that are key modulators of synaptic function. Here, we review how research using Nlgn mouse models has provided insight into how synaptic proteins contribute to behavioral traits associated with NDDs. We focus on how mutations in different Nlgns affect social behaviors, as differences in social interaction and communication are a common feature of most NDDs. Importantly, mice carrying distinct mutations in Nlgns share some neurobiological and behavioral phenotypes with other synaptic gene mutations. Comparing the functional implications of mutations in multiple synaptic proteins is a first step towards identifying convergent neurobiological pathways in multiple brain regions and circuits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tobias T. Pohl
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Robert-Rössle-Straße 10, Berlin 13125, Germany
| | - Hanna Hörnberg
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Robert-Rössle-Straße 10, Berlin 13125, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Sauer AK, Hagmeyer S, Grabrucker AM. Prenatal Zinc Deficient Mice as a Model for Autism Spectrum Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23116082. [PMID: 35682762 PMCID: PMC9181257 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23116082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Epidemiological studies have shown a clear association between early life zinc deficiency and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). In line with this, mouse models have revealed prenatal zinc deficiency as a profound risk factor for neurobiological and behavioral abnormalities in the offspring reminiscent of ASD behavior. From these studies, a complex pathology emerges, with alterations in the gastrointestinal and immune system and synaptic signaling in the brain, as a major consequence of prenatal zinc deficiency. The features represent a critical link in a causal chain that leads to various neuronal dysfunctions and behavioral phenotypes observed in prenatal zinc deficient (PZD) mice and probably other mouse models for ASD. Given that the complete phenotype of PZD mice may be key to understanding how non-genetic factors can modify the clinical features and severity of autistic patients and explain the observed heterogeneity, here, we summarize published data on PZD mice. We critically review the emerging evidence that prenatal zinc deficiency is at the core of several environmental risk factors associated with ASD, being mechanistically linked to ASD-associated genetic factors. In addition, we highlight future directions and outstanding questions, including potential symptomatic, disease-modifying, and preventive treatment strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ann Katrin Sauer
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Limerick, V94 T9PX Limerick, Ireland; (A.K.S.); (S.H.)
- Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, V94 T9PX Limerick, Ireland
- Health Research Institute (HRI), University of Limerick, V94 T9PX Limerick, Ireland
| | - Simone Hagmeyer
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Limerick, V94 T9PX Limerick, Ireland; (A.K.S.); (S.H.)
| | - Andreas M. Grabrucker
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Limerick, V94 T9PX Limerick, Ireland; (A.K.S.); (S.H.)
- Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, V94 T9PX Limerick, Ireland
- Health Research Institute (HRI), University of Limerick, V94 T9PX Limerick, Ireland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +353-61-237756
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Lee K, Jung Y, Vyas Y, Skelton I, Abraham WC, Hsueh YP, Montgomery JM. Dietary zinc supplementation rescues fear-based learning and synaptic function in the Tbr1 +/- mouse model of autism spectrum disorders. Mol Autism 2022; 13:13. [PMID: 35303947 PMCID: PMC8932001 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-022-00494-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by a dyad of behavioural symptoms-social and communication deficits and repetitive behaviours. Multiple aetiological genetic and environmental factors have been identified as causing or increasing the likelihood of ASD, including serum zinc deficiency. Our previous studies revealed that dietary zinc supplementation can normalise impaired social behaviours, excessive grooming, and heightened anxiety in a Shank3 mouse model of ASD, as well as the amelioration of synapse dysfunction. Here, we have examined the efficacy and breadth of dietary zinc supplementation as an effective therapeutic strategy utilising a non-Shank-related mouse model of ASD-mice with Tbr1 haploinsufficiency. METHODS We performed behavioural assays, amygdalar slice whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology, and immunohistochemistry to characterise the synaptic mechanisms underlying the ASD-associated behavioural deficits observed in Tbr1+/- mice and the therapeutic potential of dietary zinc supplementation. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Šídák's post hoc test and one-way ANOVA with Tukey's post hoc multiple comparisons were performed for statistical analysis. RESULTS Our data show that dietary zinc supplementation prevents impairments in auditory fear memory and social interaction, but not social novelty, in the Tbr1+/- mice. Tbr1 haploinsufficiency did not induce excessive grooming nor elevate anxiety in mice. At the synaptic level, dietary zinc supplementation reversed α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor (AMPAR) and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) hypofunction and normalised presynaptic function at thalamic-lateral amygdala (LA) synapses that are crucial for auditory fear memory. In addition, the zinc supplemented diet significantly restored the synaptic puncta density of the GluN1 subunit essential for functional NMDARs as well as SHANK3 expression in both the basal and lateral amygdala (BLA) of Tbr1+/- mice. LIMITATIONS The therapeutic effect of dietary zinc supplementation observed in rodent models may not reproduce the same effects in human patients. The effect of dietary zinc supplementation on synaptic function in other brain structures affected by Tbr1 haploinsufficiency including olfactory bulb and anterior commissure will also need to be examined. CONCLUSIONS Our data further the understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the effect of dietary zinc supplementation and verify the efficacy and breadth of its application as a potential treatment strategy for ASD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Lee
- Department of Physiology and Centre for Brain Research, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand
| | - Yewon Jung
- Department of Physiology and Centre for Brain Research, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand
| | - Yukti Vyas
- Department of Physiology and Centre for Brain Research, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand
- INSERM, Neurocentre Magendie, U1215, Bordeaux, France
| | - Imogen Skelton
- Department of Physiology and Centre for Brain Research, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand
| | - Wickliffe C Abraham
- Department of Psychology and Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Yi-Ping Hsueh
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, 128, Section 2, Academia Rd., Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Johanna M Montgomery
- Department of Physiology and Centre for Brain Research, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Vyas Y, Cheyne JE, Lee K, Jung Y, Cheung PY, Montgomery JM. Shankopathies in the Developing Brain in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Front Neurosci 2022; 15:775431. [PMID: 35002604 PMCID: PMC8727517 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.775431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The SHANK family of proteins play critical structural and functional roles in the postsynaptic density (PSD) at excitatory glutamatergic synapses. Through their multidomain structure they form a structural platform across the PSD for protein–protein interactions, as well as recruiting protein complexes to strengthen excitatory synaptic transmission. Mutations in SHANKs reflect their importance to synapse development and plasticity. This is evident in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a neurodevelopmental disorder resulting in behavioural changes including repetitive behaviours, lack of sociability, sensory issues, learning, and language impairments. Human genetic studies have revealed ASD mutations commonly occur in SHANKs. Rodent models expressing these mutations display ASD behavioural impairments, and a subset of these deficits are rescued by reintroduction of Shank in adult animals, suggesting that lack of SHANK during key developmental periods can lead to permanent changes in the brain’s wiring. Here we explore the differences in synaptic function and plasticity from development onward in rodent Shank ASD models. To date the most explored brain regions, relate to the behavioural changes observed, e.g., the striatum, hippocampus, sensory, and prefrontal cortex. In addition, less-studied regions including the hypothalamus, cerebellum, and peripheral nervous system are also affected. Synaptic phenotypes include weakened but also strengthened synaptic function, with NMDA receptors commonly affected, as well as changes in the balance of excitation and inhibition especially in cortical brain circuits. The effects of shankopathies in activity-dependent brain wiring is an important target for therapeutic intervention. We therefore highlight areas of research consensus and identify remaining questions and challenges.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yukti Vyas
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Juliette E Cheyne
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Kevin Lee
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Yewon Jung
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Pang Ying Cheung
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Johanna M Montgomery
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Vallés AS, Barrantes FJ. Dendritic spine membrane proteome and its alterations in autistic spectrum disorder. ADVANCES IN PROTEIN CHEMISTRY AND STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2021; 128:435-474. [PMID: 35034726 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apcsb.2021.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Dendritic spines are small protrusions stemming from the dendritic shaft that constitute the primary specialization for receiving and processing excitatory neurotransmission in brain synapses. The disruption of dendritic spine function in several neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases leads to severe information-processing deficits with impairments in neuronal connectivity and plasticity. Spine dysregulation is usually accompanied by morphological alterations to spine shape, size and/or number that may occur at early pathophysiological stages and not necessarily be reflected in clinical manifestations. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is one such group of diseases involving changes in neuronal connectivity and abnormal morphology of dendritic spines on postsynaptic neurons. These alterations at the subcellular level correlate with molecular changes in the spine proteome, with alterations in the copy number, topography, or in severe cases in the phenotype of the molecular components, predominantly of those proteins involved in spine recognition and adhesion, reflected in abnormally short lifetimes of the synapse and compensatory increases in synaptic connections. Since cholinergic neurotransmission participates in the regulation of cognitive function (attention, memory, learning processes, cognitive flexibility, social interactions) brain acetylcholine receptors are likely to play an important role in the dysfunctional synapses in ASD, either directly or indirectly via the modulatory functions exerted on other neurotransmitter receptor proteins and spine-resident proteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Sofía Vallés
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca (UNS-CONICET), Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | - Francisco J Barrantes
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (BIOMED), UCA-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Liu C, Wang Y, Deng J, Lin J, Hu C, Li Q, Xu X. Social Deficits and Repetitive Behaviors Are Improved by Early Postnatal Low-Dose VPA Intervention in a Novel shank3-Deficient Zebrafish Model. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:682054. [PMID: 34566559 PMCID: PMC8462462 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.682054] [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: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations of the SHANK3 gene are found in some autism spectrum disorder (ASD) patients, and animal models harboring SHANK3 mutations exhibit a variety of ASD-like behaviors, presenting a unique opportunity to explore the underlying neuropathological mechanisms and potential pharmacological treatments. The histone deacetylase (HDAC) valproic acid (VPA) has demonstrated neuroprotective and neuroregenerative properties, suggesting possible therapeutic utility for ASD. Therefore, SHANK3-associated ASD-like symptoms present a convenient model to evaluate the potential benefits, therapeutic window, and optimal dose of VPA. We constructed a novel shank3-deficient (shank3ab–/–) zebrafish model through CRISPR/Cas9 editing and conducted comprehensive morphological and neurobehavioral evaluations, including of core ASD-like behaviors, as well as molecular analyses of synaptic proteins expression levels. Furthermore, different VPA doses and treatment durations were examined for effects on ASD-like phenotypes. Compared to wild types (WTs), shank3ab–/– zebrafish exhibited greater developmental mortality, more frequent abnormal tail bending, pervasive developmental delay, impaired social preference, repetitive swimming behaviors, and generally reduced locomotor activity. The expression levels of synaptic proteins were also dramatically reduced in shank3ab–/– zebrafish. These ASD-like behaviors were attenuated by low-dose (5 μM) VPA administered from 4 to 8 days post-fertilization (dpf), and the effects persisted to adulthood. In addition, the observed underexpression of grm5, encoding glutamate metabotropic receptor 5, was significantly improved in VPA-treated shank3ab–/– zebrafish. We report for the first time that low-dose VPA administered after neural tube closure has lasting beneficial effects on the social deficits and repetitive behavioral patterns in shank3-deficient ASD model zebrafish. These findings provide a promising strategy for ASD clinical drug development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chunxue Liu
- Department of Child Health Care, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Wang
- Department of Child Health Care, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingxin Deng
- Department of Child Health Care, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Jia Lin
- Center for Translational Medicine, Institute of Pediatrics, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defects Prevention and Control, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Chunchun Hu
- Department of Child Health Care, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiang Li
- Center for Translational Medicine, Institute of Pediatrics, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defects Prevention and Control, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiu Xu
- Department of Child Health Care, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Agrawal M, Welshhans K. Local Translation Across Neural Development: A Focus on Radial Glial Cells, Axons, and Synaptogenesis. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:717170. [PMID: 34434089 PMCID: PMC8380849 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.717170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In the past two decades, significant progress has been made in our understanding of mRNA localization and translation at distal sites in axons and dendrites. The existing literature shows that local translation is regulated in a temporally and spatially restricted manner and is critical throughout embryonic and post-embryonic life. Here, recent key findings about mRNA localization and local translation across the various stages of neural development, including neurogenesis, axon development, and synaptogenesis, are reviewed. In the early stages of development, mRNAs are localized and locally translated in the endfeet of radial glial cells, but much is still unexplored about their functional significance. Recent in vitro and in vivo studies have provided new information about the specific mechanisms regulating local translation during axon development, including growth cone guidance and axon branching. Later in development, localization and translation of mRNAs help mediate the major structural and functional changes that occur in the axon during synaptogenesis. Clinically, changes in local translation across all stages of neural development have important implications for understanding the etiology of several neurological disorders. Herein, local translation and mechanisms regulating this process across developmental stages are compared and discussed in the context of function and dysfunction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manasi Agrawal
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH, United States
| | - Kristy Welshhans
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Dyar B, Meaddough E, Sarasua SM, Rogers C, Phelan K, Boccuto L. Genetic Findings as the Potential Basis of Personalized Pharmacotherapy in Phelan-McDermid Syndrome. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:1192. [PMID: 34440366 PMCID: PMC8392667 DOI: 10.3390/genes12081192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMS) is a genetic disorder often characterized by autism or autistic-like behavior. Most cases are associated with haploinsufficiency of the SHANK3 gene resulting from deletion of the gene at 22q13.3 or from a pathogenic variant in the gene. Treatment of PMS often targets SHANK3, yet deletion size varies from <50 kb to >9 Mb, potentially encompassing dozens of genes and disrupting regulatory elements altering gene expression, inferring the potential for multiple therapeutic targets. Repurposed drugs have been used in clinical trials investigating therapies for PMS: insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) for its effect on social and aberrant behaviors, intranasal insulin for improvements in cognitive and social ability, and lithium for reversing regression and stabilizing behavior. The pharmacogenomics of PMS is complicated by the CYP2D6 enzyme which metabolizes antidepressants and antipsychotics often used for treatment. The gene coding for CYP2D6 maps to 22q13.2 and is lost in individuals with deletions larger than 8 Mb. Because PMS has diverse neurological and medical symptoms, many concurrent medications may be prescribed, increasing the risk for adverse drug reactions. At present, there is no single best treatment for PMS. Approaches to therapy are necessarily complex and must target variable behavioral and physical symptoms of PMS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brianna Dyar
- Healthcare Genetics Program, School of Nursing, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA; (B.D.); (E.M.); (S.M.S.)
| | - Erika Meaddough
- Healthcare Genetics Program, School of Nursing, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA; (B.D.); (E.M.); (S.M.S.)
| | - Sara M. Sarasua
- Healthcare Genetics Program, School of Nursing, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA; (B.D.); (E.M.); (S.M.S.)
| | | | - Katy Phelan
- Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, Fort Myers, FL 33905, USA;
| | - Luigi Boccuto
- Healthcare Genetics Program, School of Nursing, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA; (B.D.); (E.M.); (S.M.S.)
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Larsen K. The porcine cerebellin gene family. Gene 2021; 799:145852. [PMID: 34274480 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2021.145852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Cerebellins (CBLN1-4), together with C1qTNF proteins, belong to the CBLN subfamily of C1q proteins. Cerebellin-1 (CBLN1) is active in synapse formation and functions at the parallel fiber-Purkinje cell synapses. Cerebellins form tripartite complexes with neurexins and the glutamate-receptor-related proteins GluD1 and GluD2, playing a role as trans-synaptic cell-adhesion molecules that critically contribute to both synapse formation and functioning and brain development. In this study, I present a molecular characterization of the four porcine CBLN genes. Experimental data and in silico analyses collectively describes the gene structure, chromosomal localization, and expression of CBLN1-4. Two cDNAs encoding the cerebellins CBLN1 and CBLN3 were RT-PCR cloned and sequenced. The nucleotide sequence of the CBLN1 clone contains an open reading frame of 582 nucleotides and encodes a protein of 193 amino acids. The deduced amino acid of the porcine CBLN1 protein was 99% identical to both mouse CBLN1 and to human CBLN1. The deduced CBLN1 protein contains a putative signal sequence of 21 residues, two conserved cysteine residues, and C1q domain. The nucleotide sequence of the CBLN3 cDNA clone comprises an open reading frame of 618 nucleotides and encodes a protein of 205 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence of the porcine CBLN3 protein was 88% identical to mouse CBLN3 and 94% identical to human CBLN3. The amino terminal ends of both the CBLN1 and CBLN3 proteins contain three possible N-linked glycosylation sites. The genomic organization of both porcine CBLN1 and CBLN3 is very similar to those of their human counterparts. The expression analyses demonstrated that CBLN1 and CBLN3 transcripts are predominantly expressed in the cerebellum. The sequences of the porcine precerebellin genes and cDNAs were submitted to DDBJ/EMBL/GenBank under the following accession numbers: CBLN1 gene (GenBank ID: FJ621565), CBLN1 cDNA (GenBank ID: EF577504), CBLN3 gene (GenBank ID: FJ621566), CBLN3 cDNA (GenBank ID: EF577505) and CBLN4 cDNA (GenBank ID: FJ196070).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Knud Larsen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, C.F. Møllers Allé 3, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Lai ESK, Nakayama H, Miyazaki T, Nakazawa T, Tabuchi K, Hashimoto K, Watanabe M, Kano M. An Autism-Associated Neuroligin-3 Mutation Affects Developmental Synapse Elimination in the Cerebellum. Front Neural Circuits 2021; 15:676891. [PMID: 34262438 PMCID: PMC8273702 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2021.676891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroligin is a postsynaptic cell-adhesion molecule that is involved in synapse formation and maturation by interacting with presynaptic neurexin. Mutations in neuroligin genes, including the arginine to cystein substitution at the 451st amino acid residue (R451C) of neuroligin-3 (NLGN3), have been identified in patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Functional magnetic resonance imaging and examination of post-mortem brain in ASD patients implicate alteration of cerebellar morphology and Purkinje cell (PC) loss. In the present study, we examined possible association between the R451C mutation in NLGN3 and synaptic development and function in the mouse cerebellum. In NLGN3-R451C mutant mice, the expression of NLGN3 protein in the cerebellum was reduced to about 10% of the level of wild-type mice. Elimination of redundant climbing fiber (CF) to PC synapses was impaired from postnatal day 10–15 (P10–15) in NLGN3-R451C mutant mice, but majority of PCs became mono-innervated as in wild-type mice after P16. In NLGN3-R451C mutant mice, selective strengthening of a single CF relative to the other CFs in each PC was impaired from P16, which persisted into juvenile stage. Furthermore, the inhibition to excitation (I/E) balance of synaptic inputs to PCs was elevated, and calcium transients in the soma induced by strong and weak CF inputs were reduced in NLGN3-R451C mutant mice. These results suggest that a single point mutation in NLGN3 significantly influences the synapse development and refinement in cerebellar circuitry, which might be related to the pathogenesis of ASD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Esther Suk King Lai
- Department of Neurophysiology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hisako Nakayama
- Department of Physiology, Division of Neurophysiology, School of Medicine, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Taisuke Miyazaki
- Department of Anatomy, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan.,Department of Functioning and Disability, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Takanobu Nakazawa
- Department of Bioscience, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Katsuhiko Tabuchi
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Kouichi Hashimoto
- Department of Neurophysiology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Masahiko Watanabe
- Department of Anatomy, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Masanobu Kano
- Department of Neurophysiology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.,International Research Center for Neurointelligence (IRCN), The University of Tokyo Institutes for Advanced Study, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Vyas Y, Jung Y, Lee K, Garner CC, Montgomery JM. In vitro zinc supplementation alters synaptic deficits caused by autism spectrum disorder-associated Shank2 point mutations in hippocampal neurons. Mol Brain 2021; 14:95. [PMID: 34167580 PMCID: PMC8223320 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-021-00809-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) are neurodevelopmental disorders characterised by deficits in social interactions and repetitive behaviours. ASDs have a strong genetic basis with mutations involved in the development and function of neural circuitry. Shank proteins act as master regulators of excitatory glutamatergic synapses, and Shank mutations have been identified in people with ASD. Here, we have investigated the impact of ASD-associated Shank2 single nucleotide variants (SNVs) at the synaptic level, and the potential of in vitro zinc supplementation to prevent synaptic deficits. Dissociated rat hippocampal cultures expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) tagged Shank2-Wildtype (WT), and ASD-associated Shank2 single nucleotide variants (SNVs: S557N, V717F, and L1722P), were cultured in the absence or presence of 10 μM zinc. In comparison to Shank2-WT, ASD-associated Shank2 SNVs induced significant decreases in synaptic density and reduced the frequency of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents. These structural and functional ASD-associated synaptic deficits were prevented by chronic zinc supplementation and further support zinc supplementation as a therapeutic target in ASD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yukti Vyas
- Department of Physiology and Centre for Brain Research, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Yewon Jung
- Department of Physiology and Centre for Brain Research, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Kevin Lee
- Department of Physiology and Centre for Brain Research, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Craig C Garner
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Johanna M Montgomery
- Department of Physiology and Centre for Brain Research, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Rizk M, Saker Z, Harati H, Fares Y, Bahmad HF, Nabha S. Deciphering the roles of glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) in the treatment of autism spectrum disorder and related syndromes. Mol Biol Rep 2021; 48:2669-2686. [PMID: 33650079 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-021-06237-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex and multifactorial neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by the presence of restricted interests and repetitive behaviors besides deficits in social communication. Syndromic ASD is a subset of ASD caused by underlying genetic disorders, most commonly Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) and Rett Syndrome (RTT). Various mutations and consequent malfunctions in core signaling pathways have been identified in ASD, including glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3). A growing body of evidence suggests a key role of GSK3 dysregulation in the pathogenesis of ASD and its related disorders. Here, we provide a synopsis of the implication of GSK3 in ASD, FXS, and RTT as a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of ASD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mahdi Rizk
- Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Zahraa Saker
- Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Hayat Harati
- Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Youssef Fares
- Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon.,Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Hisham F Bahmad
- Arkadi M. Rywlin M.D. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Medical Center, 4300 Alton Rd, Miami Beach, FL, 33140, USA
| | - Sanaa Nabha
- Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Reichova A, Bacova Z, Bukatova S, Kokavcova M, Meliskova V, Frimmel K, Ostatnikova D, Bakos J. Abnormal neuronal morphology and altered synaptic proteins are restored by oxytocin in autism-related SHANK3 deficient model. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2020; 518:110924. [PMID: 32619581 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2020.110924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Oxytocin has been suggested as a potential therapeutic agent in autism and other neuropsychiatric conditions. Although, the link between the deficit in "SH3 domain and ankyrin repeat containing protein 3" (SHANK3) and autism spectrum disorders is highly studied topic, developmental mechanisms are still poorly understood. In this study, we clearly confirm that SHANK3 deficiency is accompanied with abnormalities in neurite number and length, which are reversed by oxytocin treatment (1 μM, 48h) in primary hippocampal neurons. Transient silencing for the SHANK3 gene (siSHANK3) in neuron-like cell line (SH-SY5Y) revealed a significant decrease in the expression levels of Neurexins 1α, 1β, 2α and 2β. Oxytocin treatment compensated reduced levels of Synapsin I, PSD95 and Neuroligin 3 in siSHANK3 cells suggesting a marked potential of oxytocin to ameliorate defects present in conditions of SHANK3 deficiency. Further analysis of hippocampal tissue revealed that oxytocin application (0.1 μg/μl, s.c. at P2 and P3 day) affects levels of synaptic proteins and GTPases in both WT and SHANK3 deficient mice on day P5. Oxytocin stimulated the mRNA expression of RhoB and Rac1 in both WT and SHANK3 deficient mice. Our data suggest that autism relevant synaptic pathologies could be reversed by oxytocin treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Reichova
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Zuzana Bacova
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Stanislava Bukatova
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Martina Kokavcova
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Veronika Meliskova
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Karel Frimmel
- Centre of Experimental Medicine, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Daniela Ostatnikova
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Jan Bakos
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia; Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
An autism-linked missense mutation in SHANK3 reveals the modularity of Shank3 function. Mol Psychiatry 2020; 25:2534-2555. [PMID: 30610205 PMCID: PMC6609509 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-018-0324-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2018] [Revised: 10/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Genome sequencing has revealed an increasing number of genetic variations that are associated with neuropsychiatric disorders. Frequently, studies limit their focus to likely gene-disrupting mutations because they are relatively easy to interpret. Missense variants, instead, have often been undervalued. However, some missense variants can be informative for developing a more profound understanding of disease pathogenesis and ultimately targeted therapies. Here we present an example of this by studying a missense variant in a well-known autism spectrum disorder (ASD) causing gene SHANK3. We analyzed Shank3's in vivo phosphorylation profile and identified S685 as one phosphorylation site where one ASD-linked variant has been reported. Detailed analysis of this variant revealed a novel function of Shank3 in recruiting Abelson interactor 1 (ABI1) and the WAVE complex to the post-synaptic density (PSD), which is critical for synapse and dendritic spine development. This function was found to be independent of Shank3's other functions such as binding to GKAP and Homer. Introduction of this human ASD mutation into mice resulted in a small subset of phenotypes seen previously in constitutive Shank3 knockout mice, including increased allogrooming, increased social dominance, and reduced pup USV. Together, these findings demonstrate the modularity of Shank3 function in vivo. This modularity further indicates that there is more than one independent pathogenic pathway downstream of Shank3 and correcting a single downstream pathway is unlikely to be sufficient for clear clinical improvement. In addition, this study illustrates the value of deep biological analysis of select missense mutations in elucidating the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric phenotypes.
Collapse
|
36
|
Trobiani L, Meringolo M, Diamanti T, Bourne Y, Marchot P, Martella G, Dini L, Pisani A, De Jaco A, Bonsi P. The neuroligins and the synaptic pathway in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 119:37-51. [PMID: 32991906 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The genetics underlying autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is complex and heterogeneous, and de novo variants are found in genes converging in functional biological processes. Neuronal communication, including trans-synaptic signaling involving two families of cell-adhesion proteins, the presynaptic neurexins and the postsynaptic neuroligins, is one of the most recurrently affected pathways in ASD. Given the role of these proteins in determining synaptic function, abnormal synaptic plasticity and failure to establish proper synaptic contacts might represent mechanisms underlying risk of ASD. More than 30 mutations have been found in the neuroligin genes. Most of the resulting residue substitutions map in the extracellular, cholinesterase-like domain of the protein, and impair protein folding and trafficking. Conversely, the stalk and intracellular domains are less affected. Accordingly, several genetic animal models of ASD have been generated, showing behavioral and synaptic alterations. The aim of this review is to discuss the current knowledge on ASD-linked mutations in the neuroligin proteins and their effect on synaptic function, in various brain areas and circuits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Trobiani
- Dept. Biology and Biotechnology, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Meringolo
- Lab. Neurophysiology and Plasticity, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Via del Fosso di Fiorano 64, 00143 Rome, Italy; Dept. Systems Medicine, University Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Tamara Diamanti
- Dept. Biology and Biotechnology, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Yves Bourne
- Lab. "Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques", CNRS/Aix Marseille Univ, Faculté des Sciences - Campus Luminy, 163 Avenue de Luminy, 13288 Marseille cedex 09, France
| | - Pascale Marchot
- Lab. "Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques", CNRS/Aix Marseille Univ, Faculté des Sciences - Campus Luminy, 163 Avenue de Luminy, 13288 Marseille cedex 09, France
| | - Giuseppina Martella
- Lab. Neurophysiology and Plasticity, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Via del Fosso di Fiorano 64, 00143 Rome, Italy; Dept. Systems Medicine, University Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Luciana Dini
- Dept. Biology and Biotechnology, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Pisani
- Lab. Neurophysiology and Plasticity, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Via del Fosso di Fiorano 64, 00143 Rome, Italy; Dept. Systems Medicine, University Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella De Jaco
- Dept. Biology and Biotechnology, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - Paola Bonsi
- Lab. Neurophysiology and Plasticity, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Via del Fosso di Fiorano 64, 00143 Rome, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Jęśko H, Cieślik M, Gromadzka G, Adamczyk A. Dysfunctional proteins in neuropsychiatric disorders: From neurodegeneration to autism spectrum disorders. Neurochem Int 2020; 141:104853. [PMID: 32980494 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2020.104853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 09/05/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Despite fundamental differences in disease course and outcomes, neurodevelopmental (autism spectrum disorders - ASD) and neurodegenerative disorders (Alzheimer's disease - AD and Parkinson's disease - PD) present surprising, common traits in their molecular pathomechanisms. Uncontrolled oligomerization and aggregation of amyloid β (Aβ), microtubule-associated protein (MAP) tau, or α-synuclein (α-syn) contribute to synaptic impairment and the ensuing neuronal death in both AD and PD. Likewise, the pathogenesis of ASD may be attributed, at least in part, to synaptic dysfunction; attention has also been recently paid to irregularities in the metabolism and function of the Aβ precursor protein (APP), tau, or α-syn. Commonly affected elements include signaling pathways that regulate cellular metabolism and survival such as insulin/insulin-like growth factor (IGF) - PI3 kinase - Akt - mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and a number of key synaptic proteins critically involved in neuronal communication. Understanding how these shared pathomechanism elements operate in different conditions may help identify common targets and therapeutic approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Henryk Jęśko
- Department of Cellular Signalling, M. Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, 5 Pawińskiego Str., 02-106, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Magdalena Cieślik
- Department of Cellular Signalling, M. Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, 5 Pawińskiego Str., 02-106, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Grażyna Gromadzka
- Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University, Faculty of Medicine. Collegium Medicum, Wóycickiego 1/3, 01-938, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Agata Adamczyk
- Department of Cellular Signalling, M. Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, 5 Pawińskiego Str., 02-106, Warsaw, Poland.
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Scheefhals N, Catsburg LAE, Westerveld ML, Blanpied TA, Hoogenraad CC, MacGillavry HD. Shank Proteins Couple the Endocytic Zone to the Postsynaptic Density to Control Trafficking and Signaling of Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor 5. Cell Rep 2020; 29:258-269.e8. [PMID: 31597090 PMCID: PMC6815225 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.08.102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Revised: 07/25/2019] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Activation of postsynaptic metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) modulates neuronal excitability and synaptic plasticity, while deregulation of mGluR signaling has been implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders. Overstimulation of mGluRs is restricted by the rapid endocytosis of receptors after activation. However, how membrane trafficking of mGluRs at synapses is controlled remains poorly defined. We find that in hippocampal neurons, the agonist-induced receptor internalization of synaptic mGluR5 is significantly reduced in Shank knockdown neurons. This is rescued by the re-expression of wild-type Shanks, but not by mutants unable to bind Homer1b/c, Dynamin2, or Cortactin. These effects are paralleled by a reduction in synapses associated with an endocytic zone. Moreover, a mutation in SHANK2 found in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) similarly disrupts these processes. On the basis of these findings, we propose that synaptic Shank scaffolds anchor the endocytic machinery to govern the efficient trafficking of mGluR5 and to balance the surface expression of mGluRs to efficiently modulate neuronal functioning. Receptor activation triggers efficient internalization of mGluR5 in spines Shank proteins control mGluR5 trafficking and signaling Shanks link essential components of the endocytic zone to the postsynaptic density Mutation in SHANK2 found in ASD disrupt these processes
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicky Scheefhals
- Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Biophysics, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, 3584 CH Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Lisa A E Catsburg
- Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Biophysics, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, 3584 CH Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Margriet L Westerveld
- Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Biophysics, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, 3584 CH Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Thomas A Blanpied
- Department of Physiology, Program in Neuroscience, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Casper C Hoogenraad
- Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Biophysics, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, 3584 CH Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Harold D MacGillavry
- Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Biophysics, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, 3584 CH Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
A simultaneous optical and electrical in-vitro neuronal recording system to evaluate microelectrode performance. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0237709. [PMID: 32817653 PMCID: PMC7440637 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0237709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives In this paper, we aim to detail the setup of a high spatio-temporal resolution, electrical recording system utilising planar microelectrode arrays with simultaneous optical imaging suitable for evaluating microelectrode performance with a proposed ′performance factor′ metric. Methods Techniques that would facilitate low noise electrical recordings were coupled with voltage sensitive dyes and neuronal activity was recorded both electrically via a customised amplification system and optically via a high speed CMOS camera. This technique was applied to characterise microelectrode recording performance of gold and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT/PSS) coated electrodes through traditional signal to noise (SNR) calculations as well as the proposed performance factor. Results Neuronal activity was simultaneously recorded using both electrical and optical techniques and this activity was confirmed via tetrodotoxin application to inhibit action potential firing. PEDOT/PSS outperformed gold using both measurements, however, the performance factor metric estimated a 3 fold improvement in signal transduction when compared to gold, whereas SNR estimated an 8 fold improvement when compared to gold. Conclusion The design and functionality of a system to record from neurons both electrically, through microelectrode arrays, and optically via voltage sensitive dyes was successfully achieved. Significance The high spatiotemporal resolution of both electrical and optical methods will allow for an array of applications such as improved detection of subthreshold synaptic events, validation of spike sorting algorithms and a provides a robust evaluation of extracellular microelectrode performance.
Collapse
|
40
|
Qin L, Guo S, Han Y, Wang X, Zhang B. Functional mosaic organization of neuroligins in neuronal circuits. Cell Mol Life Sci 2020; 77:3117-3127. [PMID: 32077971 PMCID: PMC11104838 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-020-03478-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Complex brain circuitry with feedforward and feedback systems regulates neuronal activity, enabling neural networks to process and drive the entire spectrum of cognitive, behavioral, sensory, and motor functions. Simultaneous orchestration of distinct cells and interconnected neural circuits is underpinned by hundreds of synaptic adhesion molecules that span synaptic junctions. Dysfunction of a single molecule or molecular interaction at synapses can lead to disrupted circuit activity and brain disorders. Neuroligins, a family of cell adhesion molecules, were first identified as postsynaptic-binding partners of presynaptic neurexins and are essential for synapse specification and maturation. Here, we review recent advances in our understanding of how this family of adhesion molecules controls neuronal circuit assembly by acting in a synapse-specific manner.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liming Qin
- School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Sile Guo
- School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Ying Han
- School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Xiankun Wang
- School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Bo Zhang
- School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Amal H, Barak B, Bhat V, Gong G, Joughin BA, Wang X, Wishnok JS, Feng G, Tannenbaum SR. Shank3 mutation in a mouse model of autism leads to changes in the S-nitroso-proteome and affects key proteins involved in vesicle release and synaptic function. Mol Psychiatry 2020; 25:1835-1848. [PMID: 29988084 PMCID: PMC6614015 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-018-0113-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2017] [Revised: 05/14/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Mutation in the SHANK3 human gene leads to different neuropsychiatric diseases including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), intellectual disabilities and Phelan-McDermid syndrome. Shank3 disruption in mice leads to dysfunction of synaptic transmission, behavior, and development. Protein S-nitrosylation, the nitric oxide (NO•)-mediated posttranslational modification (PTM) of cysteine thiols (SNO), modulates the activity of proteins that regulate key signaling pathways. We tested the hypothesis that Shank3 mutation would generate downstream effects on PTM of critical proteins that lead to modification of synaptic functions. SNO-proteins in two ASD-related brain regions, cortex and striatum of young and adult InsG3680(+/+) mice (a human mutation-based Shank3 mouse model), were identified by an innovative mass spectrometric method, SNOTRAP. We found changes of the SNO-proteome in the mutant compared to WT in both ages. Pathway analysis showed enrichment of processes affected in ASD. SNO-Calcineurin in mutant led to a significant increase of phosphorylated Synapsin1 and CREB, which affect synaptic vesicle mobilization and gene transcription, respectively. A significant increase of 3-nitrotyrosine was found in the cortical regions of the adult mutant, signaling both oxidative and nitrosative stress. Neuronal NO• Synthase (nNOS) was examined for levels and localization in neurons and no significant difference was found in WT vs. mutant. S-nitrosoglutathione concentrations were higher in mutant mice compared to WT. This is the first study on NO•-related molecular changes and SNO-signaling in the brain of an ASD mouse model that allows the characterization and identification of key proteins, cellular pathways, and neurobiological mechanisms that might be affected in ASD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haitham Amal
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
| | - Boaz Barak
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | | | - Guanyu Gong
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Brian A. Joughin
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA,Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research,
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - John S. Wishnok
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Guoping Feng
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Steven R. Tannenbaum
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA,Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Breen MS, Browne A, Hoffman GE, Stathopoulos S, Brennand K, Buxbaum JD, Drapeau E. Transcriptional signatures of participant-derived neural progenitor cells and neurons implicate altered Wnt signaling in Phelan-McDermid syndrome and autism. Mol Autism 2020; 11:53. [PMID: 32560742 PMCID: PMC7304190 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-020-00355-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMS) is a rare genetic disorder with high risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), intellectual disability, and language delay, and is caused by 22q13.3 deletions or mutations in the SHANK3 gene. To date, the molecular and pathway changes resulting from SHANK3 haploinsufficiency in PMS remain poorly understood. Uncovering these mechanisms is critical for understanding pathobiology of PMS and, ultimately, for the development of new therapeutic interventions. METHODS We developed human-induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-based models of PMS by reprogramming peripheral blood samples from individuals with PMS (n = 7) and their unaffected siblings (n = 6). For each participant, up to three hiPSC clones were generated and differentiated into induced neural progenitor cells (hiPSC-NPCs; n = 39) and induced forebrain neurons (hiPSC-neurons; n = 41). Genome-wide RNA-sequencing was applied to explore transcriptional differences between PMS probands and unaffected siblings. RESULTS Transcriptome analyses identified 391 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in hiPSC-NPCs and 82 DEGs in hiPSC-neurons, when comparing cells from PMS probands and unaffected siblings (FDR < 5%). Genes under-expressed in PMS were implicated in Wnt signaling, embryonic development, and protein translation, while over-expressed genes were enriched for pre- and postsynaptic density genes, regulation of synaptic plasticity, and G-protein-gated potassium channel activity. Gene co-expression network analysis identified two modules in hiPSC-neurons that were over-expressed in PMS, implicating postsynaptic signaling and GDP binding, and both modules harbored a significant enrichment of genetic risk loci for developmental delay and intellectual disability. Finally, PMS-associated genes were integrated with other ASD hiPSC transcriptome findings and several points of convergence were identified, indicating altered Wnt signaling and extracellular matrix. LIMITATIONS Given the rarity of the condition, we could not carry out experimental validation in independent biological samples. In addition, functional and morphological phenotypes caused by loss of SHANK3 were not characterized here. CONCLUSIONS This is the largest human neural sample analyzed in PMS. Genome-wide RNA-sequencing in hiPSC-derived neural cells from individuals with PMS revealed both shared and distinct transcriptional signatures across hiPSC-NPCs and hiPSC-neurons, including many genes implicated in risk for ASD, as well as specific neurobiological pathways, including the Wnt pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael S Breen
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
- Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
- Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Andrew Browne
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | - Gabriel E Hoffman
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
- Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
- Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Sofia Stathopoulos
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | - Kristen Brennand
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
- Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
- Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Joseph D Buxbaum
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA.
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA.
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA.
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA.
- Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA.
| | - Elodie Drapeau
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Aqrawe Z, Patel N, Montgomery JM, Travas-Sejdic J, Svirskis D. Development of a Low Cost & Low Noise Amplification System For In Vitro Neuronal Recording through Microelectrode Arrays .. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2020; 2019:6055-6058. [PMID: 31947226 DOI: 10.1109/embc.2019.8857196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
In order to effectively record from electrically active cells through microelectrode arrays a low-noise amplification and data acquisition system is required. Although commercially available, these systems can be expensive and lack the freedom to customise hardware and software. In this work we present a low-cost (US$21 for the first channel + US$11 for each additional channel), low-noise amplifier coupled with an analog to digital converter from National Instruments. The amplifier was designed to (i) operate between 0 and 5 V utilising a DC battery power supply, (ii) operate within a bandwidth of 10 kHz, (iii) remove DC voltage created at the electrode/electrolyte interface with a high-pass cut-off frequency of 0.7 Hz and (iv) have a gain of 2000. Strategies to reduce environment electromagnetic interference at the amplifier front end were employed and involved a customised neural interface board connected between the microelectrode array and amplifier. The constructed amplifier achieved an intrinsic noise amplitude of 0.8 μVrms, which facilitated high quality recordings as exemplified by in vitro recordings from primary hippocampal neurons.
Collapse
|
44
|
Quinlan MA, Robson MJ, Ye R, Rose KL, Schey KL, Blakely RD. Ex vivo Quantitative Proteomic Analysis of Serotonin Transporter Interactome: Network Impact of the SERT Ala56 Coding Variant. Front Mol Neurosci 2020; 13:89. [PMID: 32581705 PMCID: PMC7295033 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2020.00089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Altered serotonin (5-HT) signaling is associated with multiple brain disorders, including major depressive disorder (MDD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The presynaptic, high-affinity 5-HT transporter (SERT) tightly regulates 5-HT clearance after release from serotonergic neurons in the brain and enteric nervous systems, among other sites. Accumulating evidence suggests that SERT is dynamically regulated in distinct activity states as a result of environmental and intracellular stimuli, with regulation perturbed by disease-associated coding variants. Our lab identified a rare, hypermorphic SERT coding substitution, Gly56Ala, in subjects with ASD, finding that the Ala56 variant stabilizes a high-affinity outward-facing conformation (SERT∗) that leads to elevated 5-HT uptake in vitro and in vivo. Hyperactive SERT Ala56 appears to preclude further activity enhancements by p38α mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and can be normalized by pharmacological p38α MAPK inhibition, consistent with SERT Ala56 mimicking, constitutively, a high-activity conformation entered into transiently by p38α MAPK activation. We hypothesize that changes in SERT-interacting proteins (SIPs) support the shift of SERT into the SERT∗ state which may be captured by comparing the composition of SERT Ala56 protein complexes with those of wildtype (WT) SERT, defining specific interactions through comparisons of protein complexes recovered using preparations from SERT–/– (knockout; KO) mice. Using quantitative proteomic-based approaches, we identify a total of 459 SIPs, that demonstrate both SERT specificity and sensitivity to the Gly56Ala substitution, with a striking bias being a loss of SIP interactions with SERT Ala56 compared to WT SERT. Among this group are previously validated SIPs, such as flotillin-1 (FLOT1) and protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), whose functions are believed to contribute to SERT microdomain localization and regulation. Interestingly, our studies nominate a number of novel SIPs implicated in ASD, including fragile X mental retardation 1 protein (FMR1) and SH3 and multiple ankyrin repeat domains protein 3 (SHANK3), of potential relevance to long-standing evidence of serotonergic contributions to ASD. Further investigation of these SIPs, and the broader networks they engage, may afford a greater understanding of ASD as well as other brain and peripheral disorders associated with perturbed 5-HT signaling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meagan A Quinlan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States.,Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States.,Department of Biomedical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL, United States
| | - Matthew J Robson
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Ran Ye
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Kristie L Rose
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Kevin L Schey
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Randy D Blakely
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States.,Brain Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL, United States
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Gąssowska-Dobrowolska M, Cieślik M, Czapski GA, Jęśko H, Frontczak-Baniewicz M, Gewartowska M, Dominiak A, Polowy R, Filipkowski RK, Babiec L, Adamczyk A. Prenatal Exposure to Valproic Acid Affects Microglia and Synaptic Ultrastructure in a Brain-Region-Specific Manner in Young-Adult Male Rats: Relevance to Autism Spectrum Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21103576. [PMID: 32443651 PMCID: PMC7279050 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21103576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Revised: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental conditions categorized as synaptopathies. Environmental risk factors contribute to ASD aetiology. In particular, prenatal exposure to the anti-epileptic drug valproic acid (VPA) may increase the risk of autism. In the present study, we investigated the effect of prenatal exposure to VPA on the synaptic morphology and expression of key synaptic proteins in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex of young-adult male offspring. To characterize the VPA-induced autism model, behavioural outcomes, microglia-related neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress were analysed. Our data showed that prenatal exposure to VPA impaired communication in neonatal rats, reduced their exploratory activity, and led to anxiety-like and repetitive behaviours in the young-adult animals. VPA-induced pathological alterations in the ultrastructures of synapses accompanied by deregulation of key pre- and postsynaptic structural and functional proteins. Moreover, VPA exposure altered the redox status and expression of proinflammatory genes in a brain region-specific manner. The disruption of synaptic structure and plasticity may be the primary insult responsible for autism-related behaviour in the offspring. The vulnerability of specific synaptic proteins to the epigenetic effects of VPA may highlight the potential mechanisms by which prenatal VPA exposure generates behavioural changes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Gąssowska-Dobrowolska
- Department of Cellular Signalling, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (M.C.); (G.A.C.); (H.J.); (L.B.)
- Correspondence: (M.G.-D.); (A.A.); Tel.: +48-22-6086420 (M.G-D.); +48-22-6086572 (A.A.)
| | - Magdalena Cieślik
- Department of Cellular Signalling, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (M.C.); (G.A.C.); (H.J.); (L.B.)
| | - Grzegorz Arkadiusz Czapski
- Department of Cellular Signalling, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (M.C.); (G.A.C.); (H.J.); (L.B.)
| | - Henryk Jęśko
- Department of Cellular Signalling, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (M.C.); (G.A.C.); (H.J.); (L.B.)
| | - Małgorzata Frontczak-Baniewicz
- Electron Microscopy Platform, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (M.F.-B.); (M.G.)
| | - Magdalena Gewartowska
- Electron Microscopy Platform, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (M.F.-B.); (M.G.)
| | - Agnieszka Dominiak
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacogenomics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1B, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Rafał Polowy
- Behavior and Metabolism Research Laboratory, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5 St, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (R.P.); (R.K.F.)
| | - Robert Kuba Filipkowski
- Behavior and Metabolism Research Laboratory, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5 St, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (R.P.); (R.K.F.)
| | - Lidia Babiec
- Department of Cellular Signalling, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (M.C.); (G.A.C.); (H.J.); (L.B.)
| | - Agata Adamczyk
- Department of Cellular Signalling, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (M.C.); (G.A.C.); (H.J.); (L.B.)
- Correspondence: (M.G.-D.); (A.A.); Tel.: +48-22-6086420 (M.G-D.); +48-22-6086572 (A.A.)
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Kovalenko IL, Galyamina AG, Smagin DA, Kudryavtseva NN. Co-expression of glutamatergic and autism-related genes in the hippocampus of male mice with disturbances of social behavior. Vavilovskii Zhurnal Genet Selektsii 2020; 24:191-199. [PMID: 33659799 PMCID: PMC7716547 DOI: 10.18699/vj20.42-o] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
В настоящее время существует представление о вовлеченности глутаматергической системы (ГГ)
в механизмы развития аутизма. В предыдущих исследованиях нами было показано, что негативный социальный опыт, приобретенный в ежедневных межсамцовых конфронтациях, приводит к нарушениям в социальном
поведении: снижению коммуникативности, нарушению социализации, появлению стереотипных форм поведения, которые могут рассматриваться как симптомы аутистического спектра. В связи с этим целью нашей работы было изучение с помощью транскриптомного анализа изменений экспрессии генов, кодирующих белки,
вовлеченные в функционирование глутаматергической системы, и генов, связанных с патологией аутизма (ГА),
в гиппокампе. В эксперименте использовали животных с нарушениями социального поведения, вызванными
повторным опытом социальных побед или поражений в ежедневных агонистических взаимодействиях. Для
формирования групп животных с контрастными типами поведения использовали модель сенсорного контакта
(хронического социального стресса). Полученные образцы мозга были секвенированы в ЗАО «Геноаналитика»
(http://genoanalytica.ru/, Россия, Москва). Транскриптомный анализ показал, что у агрессивных животных снижается экспрессия генов Shank3, Auts2, Ctnnd2, Nrxn2, для которых показано участие в развитии аутизма, а также глутаматергического гена Grm4. В то же время у животных с негативным социальным опытом экспрессия ГА Shank2,
Nlgn2, Ptcdh10, Reln, Arx возрастает. При этом ГГ (Grik3, Grm2, Grm4, Slc17a7, Slc1a4, Slc25a22), за исключением гена
Grin2a, повышают свою экспрессию. Корреляционный анализ выявил статистически значимую взаимосвязь
из-
мененной экспрессии ГГ и ГА. Полученные результаты, с одной стороны, могут служить подтверждением участия
ГГ в патофизиологии развития симптомов аутистического спектра, с другой – свидетельствовать о коэкспрессии
ГГ и ГА в гиппокампе, развивающейся под влиянием социальной среды. Так как большинство ГА, изменивших
экспрессию в настоящем исследовании, являются генами, связанными с клеточным скелетом и внеклеточным
матриксом, в частности участвующими в формировании синапсов, а ГГ, изменившие свою экспрессию, – генами,
кодирующими субъединицы рецепторов, то можно предположить, что вовлечение ГГ в патофизиологию аутизма происходит на уровне рецепторов.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- I. L. Kovalenko
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
| | - A. G. Galyamina
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
| | - D. A. Smagin
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
| | - N. N. Kudryavtseva
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Marotta R, Risoleo MC, Messina G, Parisi L, Carotenuto M, Vetri L, Roccella M. The Neurochemistry of Autism. Brain Sci 2020; 10:E163. [PMID: 32182969 PMCID: PMC7139720 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10030163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Revised: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) refers to complex neurobehavioral and neurodevelopmental conditions characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior or interests, and altered sensory processing. Environmental, immunological, genetic, and epigenetic factors are implicated in the pathophysiology of autism and provoke the occurrence of neuroanatomical and neurochemical events relatively early in the development of the central nervous system. Many neurochemical pathways are involved in determining ASD; however, how these complex networks interact and cause the onset of the core symptoms of autism remains unclear. Further studies on neurochemical alterations in autism are necessary to clarify the early neurodevelopmental variations behind the enormous heterogeneity of autism spectrum disorder, and therefore lead to new approaches for the treatment and prevention of autism. In this review, we aim to delineate the state-of-the-art main research findings about the neurochemical alterations in autism etiology, and focuses on gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate, serotonin, dopamine, N-acetyl aspartate, oxytocin and arginine-vasopressin, melatonin, vitamin D, orexin, endogenous opioids, and acetylcholine. We also aim to suggest a possible related therapeutic approach that could improve the quality of ASD interventions. Over one hundred references were collected through electronic database searching in Medline and EMBASE (Ovid), Scopus (Elsevier), ERIC (Proquest), PubMed, and the Web of Science (ISI).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Marotta
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University "Magna Graecia", Catanzaro 88100, Italy; (R.M.); (M.C.R.)
| | - Maria C. Risoleo
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University "Magna Graecia", Catanzaro 88100, Italy; (R.M.); (M.C.R.)
- Clinic of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Department of Mental Health, Physical and Preventive Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Napoli 80138, Italy;
| | - Giovanni Messina
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia 71100, Italy;
| | - Lucia Parisi
- Department of Psychology, Educational and Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Palermo 90128, Italy; (L.P.); (M.R.)
| | - Marco Carotenuto
- Clinic of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Department of Mental Health, Physical and Preventive Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Napoli 80138, Italy;
| | - Luigi Vetri
- Department of Sciences for Health Promotion and Mother and Child Care “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, Palermo 90127, Italy
| | - Michele Roccella
- Department of Psychology, Educational and Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Palermo 90128, Italy; (L.P.); (M.R.)
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Effects of PM 2.5 and gases exposure during prenatal and early-life on autism-like phenotypes in male rat offspring. Part Fibre Toxicol 2020; 17:8. [PMID: 31996222 PMCID: PMC6990481 DOI: 10.1186/s12989-020-0336-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2019] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epidemiological studies have reported associations between elevated air pollution and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). However, we hypothesized that exposure to air pollution that mimics real world scenarios, is a potential contributor to ASD. The exact etiology and molecular mechanisms underlying ASD are not well understood. Thus, we assessed whether changes in OXTR levels may be part of the mechanism linking PM2.5/gaseous pollutant exposure and ASD. The current in-vivo study investigated the effect of exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and gaseous pollutants on ASD using behavioral and molecular experiments. Four exposure groups of Wistar rats were included in this study: 1) particulate matter and gaseous pollutants exposed (PGE), 2) gaseous pollutants only exposed (GE), 3) autism-like model (ALM) with VPA induction, and 4) clean air exposed (CAE) as the control. Pregnant dams and male pups were exposed to air pollutants from embryonic day (E0) to postnatal day (PND21). RESULTS The average ± SD concentrations of air pollutants were: PM2.5: 43.8 ± 21.1 μg/m3, CO: 13.5 ± 2.5 ppm, NO2: 0.341 ± 0.100 ppm, SO2: 0.275 ± 0.07 ppm, and O3: 0.135 ± 0.01 ppm. The OXTR protein level, catalase activity (CAT), and GSH concentrations in the ALM, PGE, and GE rats were lower than those in control group (CAE). However, the decrements in the GE rats were smaller than other groups. Also in behavioral assessments, the ALM, PGE, and GE rats demonstrated a repetitive /restricted behavior and poor social interaction, but the GE rats had weaker responses compared to other groups of rats. The PGE and GE rats showed similar trends in these tests compared to the VPA rats. CONCLUSIONS This study suggested that exposure to ambient air pollution contributed to ASD and that OXTR protein may serve as part of the mechanism linking them.
Collapse
|
49
|
Larijani B, Foroughi Heravani N, Alavi-Moghadam S, Goodarzi P, Rezaei-Tavirani M, Payab M, Gholami M, Razi F, Arjmand B. Cell Therapy Targets for Autism Spectrum Disorders: Hopes, Challenges and Future Directions. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1341:107-124. [PMID: 32072476 DOI: 10.1007/5584_2020_491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders as a group of pediatric neurodevelopmental diseases is a crucial part of the worldwide disabilities which have influence in communication skills, social interactions, and ability to understand the concepts. The precise pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorders due to the abundance of involved mechanisms is unknown. Some of these involved mechanisms are related to genetic factors, chronic neuro inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, immune dysregulation, hormonal imbalance, and environmental factors. Current main treatments for autisms are behavioral, nutritional and medical therapies, however there is not definitive treatment approach. Therein, more novel therapies are still required to improve the symptoms. Several preclinical and clinical evidence were shown that stem cell therapy is a potential treatment option for autism spectrum disorders individuals. Considering the significant factors which can affect the outcome of stem cell therapeutic effects including stem cell types, route and dosage of administration, and mechanism of activity along with selecting best animal models can be very important in performing clinical trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bagher Larijani
- Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Najmeh Foroughi Heravani
- Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular-Cellular Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sepideh Alavi-Moghadam
- Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular-Cellular Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Parisa Goodarzi
- Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Moloud Payab
- Obesity and Eating Habits Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular-Cellular Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahdi Gholami
- Department of Toxicology & Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy; Toxicology and Poisoning Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farideh Razi
- Diabetes Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Siences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Babak Arjmand
- Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular-Cellular Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Metabolomics and Genomics Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular-Cellular Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Al-Ayadhi LY, Qasem HY, Alghamdi HAM, Elamin NE. Elevated Plasma X-Linked Neuroligin 4 Expression Is Associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Med Princ Pract 2020; 29:480-485. [PMID: 32155636 PMCID: PMC7511674 DOI: 10.1159/000507081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In this study, we compared plasma levels of neuroligin 4 (NLGN4) in children with autism versus matched healthy controls to examine a possible correlation between plasma NLGN4 and degree of autism severity as well as social impairment in autistic patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS 88 autistic patients aged 3-12 years and 33 age- and sex-matched controls aged 3-9 years were recruited. Plasma levels of NLGN4 were determined using a commercial enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA). The Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) and the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) were used to assess cognitive dysfunction and social impairment in autistic patients. RESULTS Plasma levels of NLGN4 were significantly higher (p = 0.001) in autistic children than in healthy controls. Despite alterations in the levels of NLGN4 in the subgroups of the autistic children, no correlation between plasma concentration of NLGN4 and cognitive problems or social impairment was observed (p> 0.05). CONCLUSION Increased plasma concentrations of NLGN4 may play a role in the pathogenesis of autism, and it could be a valuable biomarker for autism. Further studies with larger sample sizes are warranted to validate this finding and also to explore the potential links between NLGN4 and the features of autism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laila Y Al-Ayadhi
- Autism Research and Treatment Center, Faculty of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,
| | - Hanan Y Qasem
- Autism Research and Treatment Center, Faculty of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Nadra E Elamin
- Autism Research and Treatment Center, Faculty of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|