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Janner DE, Poetini MR, Musachio EAS, Chaves NSG, Meichtry LB, Fernandes EJ, Mustafa MMD, De Carvalho AS, Gonçalves OH, Leimann FV, de Freitas RA, Prigol M, Guerra GP. Neurodevelopmental changes in Drosophila melanogaster are restored by treatment with lutein-loaded nanoparticles: Positive modulation of neurochemical and behavioral parameters. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2024; 285:109998. [PMID: 39106915 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2024.109998] [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: 06/13/2024] [Revised: 07/31/2024] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/09/2024]
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), are characterized by persistent changes in communication and social interaction, as well as restricted and stereotyped patterns of behavior. The complex etiology of these disorders possibly combines the effects of multiple genes and environmental factors. Hence, exposure to insecticides such as imidacloprid (IMI) has been used to replicate the changes observed in these disorders. Lutein is known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and is associated with neuroprotective effects. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of lutein-loaded nanoparticles, along with their mechanisms of action, on Drosophila melanogaster offspring exposed to IMI-induced damage. To simulate the neurodevelopmental disorder model, flies were exposed to a diet containing IMI for 7 days. Posteriorly, their offspring were exposed to a diet containing lutein-loaded nanoparticles for a period of 24 h, and male and female flies were subjected to behavioral and biochemical evaluations. Treatment with lutein-loaded nanoparticles reversed the parameters of hyperactivity, aggressiveness, social interaction, repetitive movements, and anxiety in the offspring of flies exposed to IMI. It also protected markers of oxidative stress and cell viability, in addition to preventing the reduction of Nrf2 and Shank3 immunoreactivity. These results demonstrate that the damage induced by exposure to IMI was restored through treatment with lutein-loaded nanoparticles, elucidating lutein's mechanisms of action as a therapeutic agent, which, after further studies, can become a co-adjuvant in the treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders, such as ASD and ADHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dieniffer Espinosa Janner
- Laboratory of Pharmacological and Toxicological Evaluations Applied to Bioactive Molecules - LaftamBio, Federal University of Pampa - Campus Itaqui, 97650-000 Itaqui, RS, Brazil; Postgraduate Program in Biochemistry, Federal University of Pampa - Campus Uruguaiana, 97508-000 Uruguaiana, RS, Brazil
| | - Márcia Rósula Poetini
- Laboratory of Pharmacological and Toxicological Evaluations Applied to Bioactive Molecules - LaftamBio, Federal University of Pampa - Campus Itaqui, 97650-000 Itaqui, RS, Brazil; Postgraduate Program in Biochemistry, Federal University of Pampa - Campus Uruguaiana, 97508-000 Uruguaiana, RS, Brazil
| | - Elize Aparecida Santos Musachio
- Laboratory of Pharmacological and Toxicological Evaluations Applied to Bioactive Molecules - LaftamBio, Federal University of Pampa - Campus Itaqui, 97650-000 Itaqui, RS, Brazil; Postgraduate Program in Biochemistry, Federal University of Pampa - Campus Uruguaiana, 97508-000 Uruguaiana, RS, Brazil
| | - Nathalie Savedra Gomes Chaves
- Laboratory of Pharmacological and Toxicological Evaluations Applied to Bioactive Molecules - LaftamBio, Federal University of Pampa - Campus Itaqui, 97650-000 Itaqui, RS, Brazil; Postgraduate Program in Biochemistry, Federal University of Pampa - Campus Uruguaiana, 97508-000 Uruguaiana, RS, Brazil
| | - Luana Barreto Meichtry
- Laboratory of Pharmacological and Toxicological Evaluations Applied to Bioactive Molecules - LaftamBio, Federal University of Pampa - Campus Itaqui, 97650-000 Itaqui, RS, Brazil; Postgraduate Program in Biochemistry, Federal University of Pampa - Campus Uruguaiana, 97508-000 Uruguaiana, RS, Brazil
| | - Eliana Jardim Fernandes
- Laboratory of Pharmacological and Toxicological Evaluations Applied to Bioactive Molecules - LaftamBio, Federal University of Pampa - Campus Itaqui, 97650-000 Itaqui, RS, Brazil; Postgraduate Program in Biochemistry, Federal University of Pampa - Campus Uruguaiana, 97508-000 Uruguaiana, RS, Brazil
| | - Mustafa Munir Dahleh Mustafa
- Laboratory of Pharmacological and Toxicological Evaluations Applied to Bioactive Molecules - LaftamBio, Federal University of Pampa - Campus Itaqui, 97650-000 Itaqui, RS, Brazil; Postgraduate Program in Biochemistry, Federal University of Pampa - Campus Uruguaiana, 97508-000 Uruguaiana, RS, Brazil
| | - Amarilis Santos De Carvalho
- Graduate Program in Food Technology, Federal Technological University of Paraná - Campus Campo Mourão, 87301-006 Campo Mourão, PR, Brazil
| | - Odinei Hess Gonçalves
- Graduate Program in Food Technology, Federal Technological University of Paraná - Campus Campo Mourão, 87301-006 Campo Mourão, PR, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Vitória Leimann
- Graduate Program in Food Technology, Federal Technological University of Paraná - Campus Campo Mourão, 87301-006 Campo Mourão, PR, Brazil
| | | | - Marina Prigol
- Laboratory of Pharmacological and Toxicological Evaluations Applied to Bioactive Molecules - LaftamBio, Federal University of Pampa - Campus Itaqui, 97650-000 Itaqui, RS, Brazil; Postgraduate Program in Biochemistry, Federal University of Pampa - Campus Uruguaiana, 97508-000 Uruguaiana, RS, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Petri Guerra
- Laboratory of Pharmacological and Toxicological Evaluations Applied to Bioactive Molecules - LaftamBio, Federal University of Pampa - Campus Itaqui, 97650-000 Itaqui, RS, Brazil; Postgraduate Program in Biochemistry, Federal University of Pampa - Campus Uruguaiana, 97508-000 Uruguaiana, RS, Brazil.
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Afzal S, Dürrast N, Hassan I, Soleimanpour E, Tsai PL, Dieterich DC, Fendt M. Probing cognitive flexibility in Shank2-deficient mice: Effects of D-cycloserine and NMDAR signaling hub dynamics. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2024; 134:111051. [PMID: 38849086 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2024.111051] [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: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have a heterogeneous etiology but are largely associated with genetic factors. Robust evidence from recent human genetic studies has linked mutations in the Shank2 gene to idiopathic ASD. Modeling these Shank2 mutations in animal models recapitulates behavioral changes, e.g. impaired social interaction and repetitive behavior of ASD patients. Shank2-deficient mice exhibit NMDA receptor (NMDAR) hypofunction and associated behavioral deficits. Of note, NMDARs are strongly implicated in cognitive flexibility. Their hypofunction, e.g. observed in schizophrenia, or their pharmacological inhibition leads to impaired cognitive flexibility. However, the association between Shank2 mutations and cognitive flexibility is poorly understood. Using Shank2-deficient mice, we explored the role of Shank2 in cognitive flexibility measured by the attentional set shifting task (ASST) and whether ASST performance in Shank2-deficient mice can be modulated by treatment with the partial NMDAR agonist D-cycloserine (DCS). Furthermore, we investigated the effects of Shank2 deficiency, ASST training, and DCS treatment on the expression level of NMDAR signaling hub components in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), including NMDAR subunits (GluN2A, GluN2B, GluN2C), phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase and serine racemase. Surprisingly, Shank2 deficiency did not affect ASST performance or alter the expression of the investigated NMDAR signaling hub components. Importantly, however, DCS significantly improved ASST performance, demonstrating that positive NMDAR modulation facilitates cognitive flexibility. Furthermore, DCS increased the expression of GluN2A in the OFC, but not that of other NMDAR signaling hub components. Our findings highlight the potential of DCS as a pharmacological intervention to improve cognitive flexibility impairments downstream of NMDAR modulation and substantiate the key role of NMDAR in cognitive flexibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samia Afzal
- Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany.
| | - Nora Dürrast
- Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Iman Hassan
- Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Elaheh Soleimanpour
- Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Pei-Ling Tsai
- Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Daniela C Dieterich
- Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany; Center of Behavioral Brain Sciences, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Markus Fendt
- Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany; Center of Behavioral Brain Sciences, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
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Wang S, Li Z, Liu X, Fan S, Wang X, Chang J, Qin L, Zhao P. Repeated postnatal sevoflurane exposure impairs social recognition in mice by disrupting GABAergic neuronal activity and development in hippocampus. Br J Anaesth 2024:S0007-0912(24)00431-8. [PMID: 39142987 DOI: 10.1016/j.bja.2024.05.047] [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: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Repeated exposure to sevoflurane during early developmental stages is a risk factor for social behavioural disorders, but the underlying neuropathological mechanisms remain unclear. As the hippocampal cornu ammonis area 2 subregion (CA2) is a critical centre for social cognitive functions, we hypothesised that sevoflurane exposure can lead to social behavioural disorders by disrupting neuronal activity in the CA2. METHODS Neonatal mice were anaesthetised with sevoflurane 3 vol% for 2 h on postnatal day (PND) 6, 8, and 10. Bulk RNA sequencing of CA2 tissue was conducted on PND 12. Social cognitive function was assessed by behavioural experiments, and in vivo CA2 neuronal activity was recorded by multi-channel electrodes on PND 60-65. RESULTS Repeated postnatal exposure to sevoflurane impaired social novelty recognition in adulthood. It also caused a decrease in the synchronisation of neuronal spiking, gamma oscillation power, and spike phase-locking between GABAergic spiking and gamma oscillations in the CA2 during social interaction. After sevoflurane exposure, we observed a reduction in the density and dendritic complexity of CA2 GABAergic neurones, and decreased expression of transcription factors critical for GABAergic neuronal development after. CONCLUSIONS Repeated postnatal exposure to sevoflurane disturbed the development of CA2 GABAergic neurones through downregulation of essential transcription factors. This resulted in impaired electrophysiological function in adult GABAergic neurones, leading to social recognition deficits. These findings reveal a potential electrophysiological mechanism underlying the long-term social recognition deficits induced by sevoflurane and highlight the crucial role of CA2 GABAergic neurones in social interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Wang
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Zijie Li
- School of Life Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Liu
- Department of Breast Surgery, Cancer Hospital of Dalian University of Technology, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Shiyue Fan
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuejiao Wang
- School of Life Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianjun Chang
- School of Life Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Ling Qin
- School of Life Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China.
| | - Ping Zhao
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China.
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Yang C, Huang YT, Yao YF, Fu JY, Long YS. Hippocampal proteome comparison of infant and adult Fmr1 deficiency mice reveals adult-related changes associated with postsynaptic density. J Proteomics 2024; 303:105202. [PMID: 38797434 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2024.105202] [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] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Deficiency in fragile X mental retardation 1 (Fmr1) leads to loss of its encoded protein FMRP and causes fragile X syndrome (FXS) by dysregulating its target gene expression in an age-related fashion. Using comparative proteomic analysis, this study identified 105 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in the hippocampus of postnatal day 7 (P7) Fmr1-/y mice and 306 DEPs of P90 Fmr1-/y mice. We found that most DEPs in P90 hippocampus were not changed in P7 hippocampus upon FMRP absence, and some P90 DEPs exhibited diverse proteophenotypes with abnormal expression of protein isoform or allele variants. Bioinformatic analyses showed that the P7 DEPs were mainly enriched in fatty acid metabolism and oxidoreductase activity and nutrient responses; whereas the P90 PEPs (especially down-regulated DEPs) were primarily enriched in postsynaptic density (PSD), neuronal projection development and synaptic plasticity. Interestingly, 25 of 30 down-regulated PSD proteins present in the most enriched protein to protein interaction network, and 6 of them (ANK3, ATP2B2, DST, GRIN1, SHANK2 and SYNGAP1) are both FMRP targets and autism candidates. Therefore, this study suggests age-dependent alterations in hippocampal proteomes upon loss of FMRP that may be associated with the pathogenesis of FXS and its related disorders. SIGNIFICANCE: It is well known that loss of FMRP resulted from Fmr1 deficiency leads to fragile X syndrome (FXS), a common neurodevelopmental disorder accompanied by intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). FMRP exhibits distinctly spatiotemporal patterns in the hippocampus between early development and adulthood, which lead to distinct dysregulations of gene expression upon loss of FMRP at the two age stages potentially linked to age-related phenotypes. Therefore, comparison of hippocampal proteomes between infancy and adulthood is valuable to provide insights into the early causations and adult-dependent consequences for FXS and ASD. Using a comparative proteomic analysis, this study identified 105 and 306 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in the hippocampi of postnatal day 7 (P7) and P90 Fmr1-/y mice, respectively. Few overlapping DEPs were identified between P7 and P90 stages, and the P7 DEPs were mainly enriched in the regulation of fatty acid metabolism and oxidoreduction, whereas the P90 DEPs were preferentially enriched in the regulation of synaptic formation and plasticity. Particularly, the up-regulated P90 proteins are primarily involved in immune responses and neurodegeneration, and the down-regulated P90 proteins are associated with postsynaptic density, neuron projection and synaptic plasticity. Our findings suggest that distinctly changed proteins in FMRP-absence hippocampus between infancy and adulthood may contribute to age-dependent pathogenesis of FXS and ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cui Yang
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510260, China
| | - Yu-Ting Huang
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510260, China
| | - Yi-Fei Yao
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510260, China
| | - Jun-Yi Fu
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510260, China.
| | - Yue-Sheng Long
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510260, China.
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5
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Kreutzmann JC, Kahl E, Fendt M. Sex-specific modulation of safety learning in Shank2-deficient mice. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2024; 132:110973. [PMID: 38369099 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2024.110973] [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: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired perceptual processing and social communication, intellectual disabilities, and repetitive behaviors. Interestingly, while not a core symptom, anxiety disorders frequently co-occur in individuals with ASD and deficits in safety learning have been described in patients with anxiety-related disorders. Because genetic factors, such as SHANK deficiency (loss-of-function mutations), have been linked to ASD, the aim of the present study was to investigate whether Shank2 deficiency interferes with associative fear and safety signal learning. To first investigate trait anxiety, male and female Shank2-deficient mice were exposed to a light-dark box test. Mice were then submitted to a combination of contextual fear conditioning and single-cue safety conditioning. The results show that Shank2 deficiency increases trait anxiety but reduces contextual fear learning. In male but not female Shank2-deficient mice, reduced single-cued safety learning was observed. This safety learning deficit was not caused by altered anxiety levels, increased locomotor activity, or reduced contextual fear since these changes were also observed in female Shank2-deficient mice. Concluding, our data indicate that the observed safety learning deficits in Shank2-deficient male mice could contribute to the emotional symptoms observed in ASD and the high comorbidity with anxiety-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith C Kreutzmann
- Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Germany.; Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Evelyn Kahl
- Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Markus Fendt
- Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Germany.; Center of Behavioral Brain Sciences, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Germany.
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6
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Lai W, Zhao Y, Chen Y, Dai Z, Chen R, Niu Y, Chen X, Chen S, Huang G, Shan Z, Zheng J, Hu Y, Chen Q, Gong S, Kang S, Guo H, Ma X, Song Y, Xia K, Wang J, Zhou L, So KF, Wang K, Qiu S, Zhang L, Chen J, Shi L. Autism patient-derived SHANK2B Y29X mutation affects the development of ALDH1A1 negative dopamine neuron. Mol Psychiatry 2024:10.1038/s41380-024-02578-6. [PMID: 38704506 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02578-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) encompasses a range of neurodevelopmental conditions. Different mutations on a single ASD gene contribute to heterogeneity of disease phenotypes, possibly due to functional diversity of generated isoforms. SHANK2, a causative gene in ASD, demonstrates this phenomenon, but there is a scarcity of tools for studying endogenous SHANK2 proteins in an isoform-specific manner. Here, we report a point mutation on SHANK2, which is found in a patient with autism, located on exon of the SHANK2B transcript variant (NM_133266.5), hereby SHANK2BY29X. This mutation results in an early stop codon and an aberrant splicing event that impacts SHANK2 transcript variants distinctly. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) carrying this mutation, from the patient or isogenic editing, fail to differentiate into functional dopamine (DA) neurons, which can be rescued by genetic correction. Available SMART-Seq single-cell data from human midbrain reveals the abundance of SHANK2B transcript in the ALDH1A1 negative DA neurons. We then show that SHANK2BY29X mutation primarily affects SHANK2B expression and ALDH1A1 negative DA neurons in vitro during early neuronal developmental stage. Mice knocked in with the identical mutation exhibit autistic-like behavior, decreased occupancy of ALDH1A1 negative DA neurons and decreased dopamine release in ventral tegmental area (VTA). Our study provides novel insights on a SHANK2 mutation derived from autism patient and highlights SHANK2B significance in ALDH1A1 negative DA neuron.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanjing Lai
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau CNS Regeneration Institute of Jinan University, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Jinan University)-Ministry of Education, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Yingying Zhao
- Center for Cell Lineage and Development, CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Joint School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Health, Hong Kong Institute of Science & Innovation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yalan Chen
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau CNS Regeneration Institute of Jinan University, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Jinan University)-Ministry of Education, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Zhenzhu Dai
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau CNS Regeneration Institute of Jinan University, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Jinan University)-Ministry of Education, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Ruhai Chen
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau CNS Regeneration Institute of Jinan University, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Jinan University)-Ministry of Education, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Yimei Niu
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau CNS Regeneration Institute of Jinan University, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Jinan University)-Ministry of Education, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Xiaoxia Chen
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau CNS Regeneration Institute of Jinan University, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Jinan University)-Ministry of Education, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Shuting Chen
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau CNS Regeneration Institute of Jinan University, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Jinan University)-Ministry of Education, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Guanqun Huang
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau CNS Regeneration Institute of Jinan University, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Jinan University)-Ministry of Education, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Ziyun Shan
- Center for Cell Lineage and Development, CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Joint School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jiajun Zheng
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau CNS Regeneration Institute of Jinan University, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Jinan University)-Ministry of Education, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Yu Hu
- Raymond G. Perelman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Qingpei Chen
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau CNS Regeneration Institute of Jinan University, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Jinan University)-Ministry of Education, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Siyi Gong
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau CNS Regeneration Institute of Jinan University, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Jinan University)-Ministry of Education, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Sai Kang
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau CNS Regeneration Institute of Jinan University, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Jinan University)-Ministry of Education, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Hui Guo
- Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
| | - Xiaokuang Ma
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, 850004, USA
| | - Youqiang Song
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Kun Xia
- Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Center for Cell Lineage and Development, CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Joint School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China
| | - Libing Zhou
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau CNS Regeneration Institute of Jinan University, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Jinan University)-Ministry of Education, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Kwok-Fai So
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau CNS Regeneration Institute of Jinan University, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Jinan University)-Ministry of Education, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Kai Wang
- Raymond G. Perelman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Shenfeng Qiu
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, 850004, USA
| | - Li Zhang
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau CNS Regeneration Institute of Jinan University, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Jinan University)-Ministry of Education, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
| | - Jiekai Chen
- Center for Cell Lineage and Development, CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Joint School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China.
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Health, Hong Kong Institute of Science & Innovation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, China.
| | - Lingling Shi
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau CNS Regeneration Institute of Jinan University, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Jinan University)-Ministry of Education, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
- Department of Psychiatry, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510632, China.
- Co-innovation Center of Neuro-regeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, 226019, China.
- Department of Neurology, Hainan General Hospital (Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University), Haikou, China.
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7
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Kang R, Kim K, Jung Y, Choi SH, Lee C, Im GH, Shin M, Ryu K, Choi S, Yang E, Shin W, Lee S, Lee S, Papadopoulos Z, Ahn JH, Koh GY, Kipnis J, Kang H, Kim H, Cho WK, Park S, Kim SG, Kim E. Loss of Katnal2 leads to ependymal ciliary hyperfunction and autism-related phenotypes in mice. PLoS Biol 2024; 22:e3002596. [PMID: 38718086 PMCID: PMC11104772 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) frequently accompany macrocephaly, which often involves hydrocephalic enlargement of brain ventricles. Katnal2 is a microtubule-regulatory protein strongly linked to ASD, but it remains unclear whether Katnal2 knockout (KO) in mice leads to microtubule- and ASD-related molecular, synaptic, brain, and behavioral phenotypes. We found that Katnal2-KO mice display ASD-like social communication deficits and age-dependent progressive ventricular enlargements. The latter involves increased length and beating frequency of motile cilia on ependymal cells lining ventricles. Katnal2-KO hippocampal neurons surrounded by enlarged lateral ventricles show progressive synaptic deficits that correlate with ASD-like transcriptomic changes involving synaptic gene down-regulation. Importantly, early postnatal Katnal2 re-expression prevents ciliary, ventricular, and behavioral phenotypes in Katnal2-KO adults, suggesting a causal relationship and a potential treatment. Therefore, Katnal2 negatively regulates ependymal ciliary function and its deletion in mice leads to ependymal ciliary hyperfunction and hydrocephalus accompanying ASD-related behavioral, synaptic, and transcriptomic changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryeonghwa Kang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Korea
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, Korea
| | - Kyungdeok Kim
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, Korea
| | - Yewon Jung
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Korea
| | - Sang-Han Choi
- Center for Neuroscience Imaging Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Suwon, Korea
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Korea
| | - Chanhee Lee
- Center for Neuroscience Imaging Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Suwon, Korea
| | - Geun Ho Im
- Center for Neuroscience Imaging Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Suwon, Korea
| | - Miram Shin
- Department of Biological Sciences, Sookmyung Women’s University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kwangmin Ryu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Korea
| | - Subin Choi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Sookmyung Women’s University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Esther Yang
- Department of Anatomy, Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Wangyong Shin
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, Korea
| | - Seungjoon Lee
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, Korea
| | - Suho Lee
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, Korea
| | - Zachary Papadopoulos
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Ji Hoon Ahn
- Center for Vascular Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, Korea
| | - Gou Young Koh
- Center for Vascular Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, Korea
| | - Jonathan Kipnis
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- Brain Immunology and Glia (BIG) Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Hyojin Kang
- Division of National Supercomputing, Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI), Daejeon, Korea
| | - Hyun Kim
- Department of Anatomy, Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Won-Ki Cho
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Korea
| | - Soochul Park
- Department of Biological Sciences, Sookmyung Women’s University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seong-Gi Kim
- Center for Neuroscience Imaging Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Suwon, Korea
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Korea
| | - Eunjoon Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Korea
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, Korea
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8
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Delhaye M, LeDue J, Robinson K, Xu Q, Zhang Q, Oku S, Zhang P, Craig AM. Adaptation of Magnified Analysis of the Proteome for Excitatory Synaptic Proteins in Varied Samples and Evaluation of Cell Type-Specific Distributions. J Neurosci 2024; 44:e1291232024. [PMID: 38360747 PMCID: PMC10993037 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1291-23.2024] [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: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Growing evidence suggests a remarkable diversity and complexity in the molecular composition of synapses, forming the basis for the brain to execute complex behaviors. Hence, there is considerable interest in visualizing the spatial distribution of such molecular diversity at individual synapses within intact brain circuits. Yet this task presents significant technical challenges. Expansion microscopy approaches have revolutionized our view of molecular anatomy. However, their use to study synapse-related questions outside of the labs developing them has been limited. Here we independently adapted a version of Magnified Analysis of the Proteome (MAP) and present a step-by-step protocol for visualizing over 40 synaptic proteins in brain circuits. Surprisingly, our findings show that the advantage of MAP over conventional immunolabeling was primarily due to improved antigen recognition and secondarily physical expansion. Furthermore, we demonstrated the versatile use of MAP in brains perfused with paraformaldehyde or fresh-fixed with formalin and in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue. These tests expand the potential applications of MAP to combinations with slice electrophysiology or clinical pathology specimens. Using male and female mice expressing YFP-ChR2 exclusively in interneurons, we revealed a distinct composition of AMPA and NMDA receptors and Shank family members at synapses on hippocampal interneurons versus on pyramidal neurons. Quantitative single synapse analyses yielded comprehensive cell type distributions of synaptic proteins and their relationships. These findings exemplify the value of the versatile adapted MAP procedure presented here as an accessible tool for the broad neuroscience community to unravel the complexity of the "synaptome" across brain circuits and disease states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathias Delhaye
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health and Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 2B5, Canada
| | - Jeffrey LeDue
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health and Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 2B5, Canada
| | - Kaylie Robinson
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health and Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 2B5, Canada
| | - Qin Xu
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106
| | - Qian Zhang
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106
| | - Shinichiro Oku
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health and Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 2B5, Canada
| | - Peng Zhang
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health and Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 2B5, Canada
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106
| | - Ann Marie Craig
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health and Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 2B5, Canada
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9
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Wang Y, Wang Y, Tang J, Li R, Jia Y, Yang H, Wei H. Impaired neural circuitry of hippocampus in Pax2 nervous system-specific knockout mice leads to restricted repetitive behaviors. CNS Neurosci Ther 2024; 30:e14482. [PMID: 37786962 PMCID: PMC11017408 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14482] [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: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Restricted repetitive behaviors (RRBs), which are associated with many different neurological and mental disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and autism, are patterns of behavior with little variation and little obvious function. Paired Box 2 (Pax2) is a transcription factor that is expressed in many systems, including the kidney and the central nervous system. The protein that is encoded by Pax2 has been implicated in the development of the nervous system and neurodevelopmental disorders. In our previous study, Pax2 heterozygous gene knockout mice (Pax2+/- mice) showed abnormally increased self-grooming and impaired learning and memory abilities. However, it remains unclear which cell type is involved in this process. In this study, we deleted Pax2 only in the nervous system to determine the regulatory mechanism of Pax2 in RRBs. METHODS In this study, Pax2 nervous system-specific knockout mice (Nestin-Pax2 mice) aged 6-8 weeks and Pax2 flox mice of the same age were recruited as the experimental group. Tamoxifen and vehicle were administered via intraperitoneal injection to induce Pax2 knockout after gene identification. Western blotting was used to detect Pax2 expression. After that, we assessed the general health of these two groups of mice. The self-grooming test, marble burying test and T-maze acquisition and reversal learning test were used to observe the lower-order and higher-order RRBs. The three-chamber test, Y-maze, and elevated plus-maze were used to assess social ability, spatial memory ability, and anxiety. Neural circuitry tracing and transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) were used to observe the abnormal neural circuitry, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and signaling pathways affected by Pax2 gene knockout in the nervous system and the putative molecular mechanism. RESULTS (1) The Nestin-Pax2 mouse model was successfully constructed, and the Nestin-Pax2 mice showed decreased expression of Pax2. (2) Nestin-Pax2 mice showed increased self-grooming behavior and impaired T-maze reversal behavior compared with Pax2 flox mice. (3) An increased number of projection fibers can be found in the mPFC projecting to the CA1 and BLA, and a reduction in IGFBP2 can be found in the hippocampus of Nestin-Pax2 mice. CONCLUSION The results demonstrated that loss of Pax2 in the nervous system leads to restricted repetitive behaviors. The mechanism may be associated with impaired neural circuitry and a reduction in IGFBP2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wang
- Department of Neurology, Shanxi Provincial People's HospitalThe Fifth Clinical Medical College of Shanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuanChina
| | - Yizhuo Wang
- Department of Neurology, Shanxi Provincial People's HospitalThe Fifth Clinical Medical College of Shanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuanChina
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Brain Disease ControlShanxi Provincial People's HospitalTaiyuanChina
| | - Jiaming Tang
- School of the Third ClinicShanxi University of Chinese MedicineTaiyuanChina
| | - Rui Li
- Department of Neurology, Shanxi Provincial People's HospitalThe Fifth Clinical Medical College of Shanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuanChina
| | - Yanan Jia
- Department of Neurology, Shanxi Provincial People's HospitalThe Fifth Clinical Medical College of Shanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuanChina
| | - Hua Yang
- Department of Neurology, Shanxi Provincial People's HospitalThe Fifth Clinical Medical College of Shanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuanChina
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Brain Disease ControlShanxi Provincial People's HospitalTaiyuanChina
| | - Hongen Wei
- Department of Neurology, Shanxi Provincial People's HospitalThe Fifth Clinical Medical College of Shanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuanChina
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Brain Disease ControlShanxi Provincial People's HospitalTaiyuanChina
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10
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Li R, Tang J, Wang Y, Wang Y, Yang H, Wei H. Metabolomics and transcriptomics analysis of prefrontal cortex in the Pax2 neuron-specific deletion mice. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2024; 128:110858. [PMID: 37660748 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2023.110858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRBs) are one of the characteristics of various neuropsychiatric disorders with complex and diverse molecular mechanisms. Repetitive self-grooming behavior is one of the manifestations of RRBs in humans and rodents. Research on the neural mechanism of repetitive self-grooming behavior is expected to reveal the underlying logic of the occurrence of RRBs. Pax2 is an important member of the paired-box transcription factor family. It is expressed in different regions of the developing central nervous system. Our previous study showed that Pax2 heterozygous gene knockout mice (Pax2+/- KO mice) exhibit significantly increased self-grooming, which suggests that the Pax2 gene is involved in the control of self-grooming behavior, but the molecular mechanism is still unclear. In this study, we further constructed the Pax2 neuron-specific deletion mice (Nestin-Pax2 mice). Targeted metabolomics and transcriptomics techniques was used to analyze. The results showed that there is an excitatory/inhibitory imbalance of the neurotransmitter system and the Arc gene was significantly up-regulated in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of Nestin-Pax2 mice. This study suggests that the potential regulatory mechanism of the increased repetitive self-grooming behavior in Pax2 gene deletion mice is that the deletion of the Pax2 gene affects the expression of Arc in the PFC, leading to impaired synaptic plasticity and excitatory/inhibitory imbalance, and participating in the occurrence of repetitive self-grooming behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Li
- Department of Neurology, Shanxi Provincial People's Hospital, the Fifth Clinical Medical College of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030012, China; Shanxi Key Laboratory of Brain Disease Control, Shanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Taiyuan 030012, China
| | - Jiaming Tang
- School of the Third Clinic, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan 030024, China
| | - Yizhuo Wang
- Department of Neurology, Shanxi Provincial People's Hospital, the Fifth Clinical Medical College of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030012, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Neurology, Shanxi Provincial People's Hospital, the Fifth Clinical Medical College of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030012, China
| | - Hua Yang
- Department of Neurology, Shanxi Provincial People's Hospital, the Fifth Clinical Medical College of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030012, China; Shanxi Key Laboratory of Brain Disease Control, Shanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Taiyuan 030012, China.
| | - Hongen Wei
- Department of Neurology, Shanxi Provincial People's Hospital, the Fifth Clinical Medical College of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030012, China; Shanxi Key Laboratory of Brain Disease Control, Shanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Taiyuan 030012, China.
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11
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Cho CH, Deyneko IV, Cordova-Martinez D, Vazquez J, Maguire AS, Diaz JR, Carbonell AU, Tindi JO, Cui MH, Fleysher R, Molholm S, Lipton ML, Branch CA, Hodgson L, Jordan BA. ANKS1B encoded AIDA-1 regulates social behaviors by controlling oligodendrocyte function. Nat Commun 2023; 14:8499. [PMID: 38129387 PMCID: PMC10739966 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43438-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Heterozygous deletions in the ANKS1B gene cause ANKS1B neurodevelopmental syndrome (ANDS), a rare genetic disease characterized by autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and speech and motor deficits. The ANKS1B gene encodes for AIDA-1, a protein that is enriched at neuronal synapses and regulates synaptic plasticity. Here we report an unexpected role for oligodendroglial deficits in ANDS pathophysiology. We show that Anks1b-deficient mouse models display deficits in oligodendrocyte maturation, myelination, and Rac1 function, and recapitulate white matter abnormalities observed in ANDS patients. Selective loss of Anks1b from the oligodendrocyte lineage, but not from neuronal populations, leads to deficits in social preference and sensory reactivity previously observed in a brain-wide Anks1b haploinsufficiency model. Furthermore, we find that clemastine, an antihistamine shown to increase oligodendrocyte precursor cell maturation and central nervous system myelination, rescues deficits in social preference in 7-month-old Anks1b-deficient mice. Our work shows that deficits in social behaviors present in ANDS may originate from abnormal Rac1 activity within oligodendrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Hoon Cho
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Human Pathobiology and OMNI Reverse Translation, Genentech, Inc., San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ilana Vasilisa Deyneko
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Dylann Cordova-Martinez
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Juan Vazquez
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Anne S Maguire
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Jenny R Diaz
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Abigail U Carbonell
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Jaafar O Tindi
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Min-Hui Cui
- Department of Radiology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Gruss Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Roman Fleysher
- Department of Radiology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Gruss Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Sophie Molholm
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Michael L Lipton
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Department of Radiology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Gruss Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Craig A Branch
- Department of Radiology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Gruss Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Louis Hodgson
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Gruss-Lipper Biophotonics Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Bryen A Jordan
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
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12
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Woelfle S, Pedro MT, Wagner J, Schön M, Boeckers TM. Expression profiles of the autism-related SHANK proteins in the human brain. BMC Biol 2023; 21:254. [PMID: 37953224 PMCID: PMC10641957 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-023-01712-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND SHANKs are major scaffolding proteins at postsynaptic densities (PSDs) in the central nervous system. Mutations in all three family members have been associated with neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Despite the pathophysiological importance of SHANK2 and SHANK3 mutations in humans, research on the expression of these proteins is mostly based on rodent model organisms. RESULTS In the present study, cellular and neuropil SHANK2 expression was analyzed by immunofluorescence (IF) staining of post mortem human brain tissue from four male individuals (19 brain regions). Mouse brains were analyzed in comparison to evaluate the degree of phylogenetic conservation. Furthermore, SHANK2 and SHANK3 isoform patterns were compared in human and mouse brain lysates. While isoform expression and subcellular distribution were largely conserved, differences in neuropil levels of SHANK2 were found by IF staining: Maximum expression was concordantly measured in the cerebellum; however, higher SHANK2 expression was detected in the human brainstem and thalamus when compared to mice. One of the lowest SHANK2 levels was found in the human amygdala, a moderately expressing region in mouse. Quantification of SHANK3 IF in mouse brains unveiled a distribution comparable to humans. CONCLUSIONS In summary, these data show that the overall expression pattern of SHANK is largely conserved in defined brain regions; however, differences do exist, which need to be considered in the translation of rodent studies. The summarized expression patterns of SHANK2 and SHANK3 should serve as a reference for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Woelfle
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Maria T Pedro
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ulm University, Campus Günzburg, Lindenallee 2, 89312, Günzburg, Germany
| | - Jan Wagner
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University and Universitäts- and Rehabilitationskliniken Ulm, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Michael Schön
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89081, Ulm, Germany.
| | - Tobias M Boeckers
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89081, Ulm, Germany.
- Deutsches Zentrum Für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen, DZNE, Ulm Site, 89081, Ulm, Germany.
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13
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Qin Y, Zhang XY, Liu Y, Ma Z, Tao S, Li Y, Peng R, Wang F, Wang J, Feng J, Qiu Z, Jin L, Wang H, Gong X. Downregulation of mGluR1-mediated signaling underlying autistic-like core symptoms in Shank1 P1812L-knock-in mice. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:329. [PMID: 37880287 PMCID: PMC10600164 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02626-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by core symptoms that consist of social deficits and repetitive behaviors. Unfortunately, no effective medication is available thus far to target the core symptoms of ASD, since the pathogenesis remains largely unknown. To investigate the pathogenesis of the core symptoms in ASD, we constructed Shank1 P1812L-knock-in (KI) mice corresponding to a recurrent ASD-related mutation, SHANK1 P1806L, to achieve construct validity and face validity. Shank1 P1812L-KI heterozygous (HET) mice presented with social deficits and repetitive behaviors without the presence of confounding comorbidities. HET mice also exhibited downregulation of metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR1) and associated signals, along with structural abnormalities in the dendritic spines and postsynaptic densities. Combined with findings from Shank1 R882H-KI mice, our study confirms that mGluR1-mediated signaling dysfunction is a pivotal mechanism underlying the core symptoms of ASD. Interestingly, Shank1 P1812L-KI homozygous (HOM) mice manifested behavioral signs of impaired long-term memory rather than autistic-like core traits; thus, their phenotype was markedly different from that of Shank1 P1812L-KI HET mice. Correspondingly, at the molecular level, Shank1 P1812L-KI HOM displayed upregulation of AMPA receptor (GluA2)-related signals. The different patterns of protein changes in HOM and HET mice may explain the differences in behaviors. Our study emphasizes the universality of mGluR1-signaling hypofunction in the pathogenesis of the core symptoms in ASD, providing a potential target for therapeutic drugs. The precise correspondence between genotype and phenotype, as shown in HOM and HET mice, indicates the importance of reproducing disease-related genotypes in mouse models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Yong Zhang
- Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Computational Neuroscience and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Ministry of Education, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanyan Liu
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
- Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui Academy of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Zehan Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuo Tao
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Li
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Rui Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fei Wang
- Early Intervention Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Functional Brain Imaging Institute of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiucun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianfeng Feng
- MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Zilong Qiu
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongyan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Xiaohong Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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14
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Zhou X, Yi W, Zhi Y, Yu J, Lu D, Luo Z, Yuan L, Chen L, Xu Z, Xu D. Stress-Activated Protein Kinase JNK Modulates Depression-like Behaviors in Mice. Mol Neurobiol 2023; 60:2367-2378. [PMID: 36650421 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03209-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Stress is considered as a major cause of depression. C-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) is a member of the stress-induced mitogen activated protein (MAP) kinase family which is often activated through phosphorylation. Clinical studies and animal experiments have found that abnormal phosphorylation/activation of JNK exists in the occurrence of various psychiatric diseases. Recently, several studies linked JNK kinase activity to depression. However, whether excessive activation of JNK activity is directly responsible for the occurrence of depression and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we constructed a conditional transgenic mouse which is specifically expressing MKK7-JNK1 (CAJNK1) in the central nervous system. CAJNK1 mice showed activation of JNK and lead to depression-like behavior in mice. Transcriptome analysis indicates reduced expression of synaptic-associated genes in CAJNK1 mice brains. Consistently, we found abnormal dendritic spine development and PSD95 downregulation in CAJNK1 hippocampal neurons. Our studies provide compelling evidence that activation of JNK as an intrinsic factor leading to depression-like behavior in mice provides direct clues for targeting the JNK activity as a potential therapeutic strategy for depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaokun Zhou
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350005, China
- College of Biological Science and Engineering, Institute of Life Sciences, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350108, China
| | - Wenxiang Yi
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350005, China
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350108, China
| | - Yiqiang Zhi
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350005, China
- College of Biological Science and Engineering, Institute of Life Sciences, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350108, China
| | - Jurui Yu
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350005, China
- College of Biological Science and Engineering, Institute of Life Sciences, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350108, China
| | - Danping Lu
- College of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Zhousong Luo
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350005, China
| | - Ling Yuan
- Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410028, China
| | - Liyu Chen
- College of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Zhiheng Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Dan Xu
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350005, China.
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Choi JE, Kaang BK. Increased social interaction in Shank2-deficient mice following acute social isolation. Mol Brain 2023; 16:35. [PMID: 37061705 PMCID: PMC10105924 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-023-01025-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is neuropsychiatric disorder with a gender specific risk. Although social impairment in ASD is one of the well characterized phenotypes, loneliness issue resides in patients with ASD and emerging reports show gender distribution in symptoms. Acute social isolation increases the motivation to socially interact in a gender-dependent manner, as only the male mice show increase in sociability following isolation. However, it remains to be explored whether the effects of loneliness in ASD differ between genders. Here, we used Shank2-deficient (Shank2-/-) mice, one of the animal models of ASD, to examine the sociability changes after acute social isolation. While only the male wild-type (WT) mice display increased sociability following 24-h isolation, both sexes of Shank2-/- mice show an increase in social interaction following isolation. These observations provide evidence that animal models of ASD have the sensitivity to acute social isolation and further show the motivation to socially interact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ja Eun Choi
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanangno, Gwanak-Gu, Seoul, 08826, South Korea
| | - Bong-Kiun Kaang
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanangno, Gwanak-Gu, Seoul, 08826, South Korea.
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Lee K, Mills Z, Cheung P, Cheyne JE, Montgomery JM. The Role of Zinc and NMDA Receptors in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 16:ph16010001. [PMID: 36678498 PMCID: PMC9866730 DOI: 10.3390/ph16010001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
NMDA-type glutamate receptors are critical for synaptic plasticity in the central nervous system. Their unique properties and age-dependent arrangement of subunit types underpin their role as a coincidence detector of pre- and postsynaptic activity during brain development and maturation. NMDAR function is highly modulated by zinc, which is co-released with glutamate and concentrates in postsynaptic spines. Both NMDARs and zinc have been strongly linked to autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), suggesting that NMDARs are an important player in the beneficial effects observed with zinc in both animal models and children with ASDs. Significant evidence is emerging that these beneficial effects occur via zinc-dependent regulation of SHANK proteins, which form the backbone of the postsynaptic density. For example, dietary zinc supplementation enhances SHANK2 or SHANK3 synaptic recruitment and rescues NMDAR deficits and hypofunction in Shank3ex13-16-/- and Tbr1+/- ASD mice. Across multiple studies, synaptic changes occur in parallel with a reversal of ASD-associated behaviours, highlighting the zinc-dependent regulation of NMDARs and glutamatergic synapses as therapeutic targets for severe forms of ASDs, either pre- or postnatally. The data from rodent models set a strong foundation for future translational studies in human cells and people affected by ASDs.
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Xue J, Qian D, Zhang B, Yang J, Li W, Bao Y, Qiu S, Fu Y, Wang S, Yuan TF, Lu W. Midbrain dopamine neurons arbiter OCD-like behavior. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2207545119. [PMID: 36343236 PMCID: PMC9674233 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2207545119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The neurobiological understanding of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) includes dysregulated frontostriatal circuitry and altered monoamine transmission. Repetitive stereotyped behavior (e.g., grooming), a featured symptom in OCD, has been proposed to be associated with perturbed dopamine (DA) signaling. However, the precise brain circuits participating in DA's control over this behavioral phenotype remain elusive. Here, we identified that DA neurons in substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) orchestrate ventromedial striatum (VMS) microcircuits as well as lateral orbitofrontal cortex (lOFC) during self-grooming behavior. SNc-VMS and SNc-lOFC dopaminergic projections modulate grooming behaviors and striatal microcircuit function differentially. Specifically, the activity of the SNc-VMS pathway promotes grooming via D1 receptors, whereas the activity of the SNc-lOFC pathway suppresses grooming via D2 receptors. SNc DA neuron activity thus controls the OCD-like behaviors via both striatal and cortical projections as dual gating. These results support both pharmacological and brain-stimulation treatments for OCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinwen Xue
- Minister of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Dandan Qian
- Minister of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Bingqian Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Jingxuan Yang
- Minister of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Wei Li
- Minister of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Yifei Bao
- Minister of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Shi Qiu
- Minister of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Yi Fu
- Minister of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Shaoli Wang
- Minister of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Institute for Translational Brain Research, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Ti-Fei Yuan
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Wei Lu
- Minister of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Institute for Translational Brain Research, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
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18
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Lee SY, Kweon H, Kang H, Kim E. Age-differential sexual dimorphism in CHD8-S62X-mutant mouse behaviors. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:1022306. [DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.1022306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are ~4-times more common in males than females, and CHD8 (a chromatin remodeler)-related ASD shows a strong male bias (~4:1), although the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Chd8-mutant mice with a C-terminal protein-truncating mutation (N2373K) display male-preponderant behavioral deficits as juveniles and adults, although whether this also applies to other Chd8 mutations remains unknown. In addition, it remains unclear whether sexually dimorphic phenotypes in Chd8-mutant mice are differentially observed in males and females across different ages. We here generated new Chd8-mutant (knock-in) mice carrying a patient-derived mutation causing an N-terminal and stronger protein truncation (Chd8+/S62X mice) and characterized the mice by behavioral analyses. Juvenile Chd8+/S62X mice displayed male-preponderant autistic-like behaviors; hypoactivity and enhanced mother-seeking/attachment behavior in males but not in females. Adult male and female Chd8+/S62X mice showed largely similar deficits in repetitive and anxiety-like behavioral domains. Therefore, the CHD8-S62X mutation induces ASD-like behaviors in juvenile male mice and adult male and female mice, pointing to an age-differential sexual dimorphism and also distinct sexual dimorphisms in different Chd8 mutations (N2373K and S62X).
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Michetti C, Falace A, Benfenati F, Fassio A. Synaptic genes and neurodevelopmental disorders: From molecular mechanisms to developmental strategies of behavioral testing. Neurobiol Dis 2022; 173:105856. [PMID: 36070836 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2022.105856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Synaptopathies are a class of neurodevelopmental disorders caused by modification in genes coding for synaptic proteins. These proteins oversee the process of neurotransmission, mainly controlling the fusion and recycling of synaptic vesicles at the presynaptic terminal, the expression and localization of receptors at the postsynapse and the coupling between the pre- and the postsynaptic compartments. Murine models, with homozygous or heterozygous deletion for several synaptic genes or knock-in for specific pathogenic mutations, have been developed. They have proved to be extremely informative for understanding synaptic physiology, as well as for clarifying the patho-mechanisms leading to developmental delay, epilepsy and motor, cognitive and social impairments that are the most common clinical manifestations of neurodevelopmental disorders. However, the onset of these disorders emerges during infancy and adolescence while the behavioral phenotyping is often conducted in adult mice, missing important information about the impact of synaptic development and maturation on the manifestation of the behavioral phenotype. Here, we review the main achievements obtained by behavioral testing in murine models of synaptopathies and propose a battery of behavioral tests to improve classification, diagnosis and efficacy of potential therapeutic treatments. Our aim is to underlie the importance of studying behavioral development and better focusing on disease onset and phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Michetti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy; Center for Synaptic Neuroscience, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa, Italy.
| | - Antonio Falace
- Pediatric Neurology, Neurogenetics and Neurobiology Unit and Laboratories, Children's Hospital A. Meyer-University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Fabio Benfenati
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa, Italy; IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Anna Fassio
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy; IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy.
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Yoo YE, Yoo T, Kang H, Kim E. Brain region and gene dosage-differential transcriptomic changes in Shank2-mutant mice. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:977305. [PMID: 36311025 PMCID: PMC9612946 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.977305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Shank2 is an abundant excitatory postsynaptic scaffolding protein that has been implicated in various neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), intellectual disability, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and schizophrenia. Shank2-mutant mice show ASD-like behavioral deficits and altered synaptic and neuronal functions, but little is known about how different brain regions and gene dosages affect the transcriptomic phenotypes of these mice. Here, we performed RNA-Seq-based transcriptomic analyses of the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and striatum in adult Shank2 heterozygous (HT)- and homozygous (HM)-mutant mice lacking exons 6–7. The prefrontal cortical, hippocampal, and striatal regions showed distinct transcriptomic patterns associated with synapse, ribosome, mitochondria, spliceosome, and extracellular matrix (ECM). The three brain regions were also distinct in the expression of ASD-related and ASD-risk genes. These differential patterns were stronger in the prefrontal cortex where the HT transcriptome displayed increased synaptic gene expression and reverse-ASD patterns whereas the HM transcriptome showed decreased synaptic gene expression and ASD-like patterns. These results suggest brain region- and gene dosage-differential transcriptomic changes in Shank2-mutant mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye-Eun Yoo
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Taesun Yoo
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Hyojin Kang
- Division of National Supercomputing, Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Eunjoon Kim
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, South Korea
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, South Korea
- *Correspondence: Eunjoon Kim,
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21
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Yun M, Kim E, Jung MW. Enhanced fear limits behavioral flexibility in Shank2-deficient mice. Mol Autism 2022; 13:40. [PMID: 36192805 PMCID: PMC9531513 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-022-00518-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A core symptom of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is repetitive and restrictive patterns of behavior. Cognitive inflexibility has been proposed as a potential basis for these symptoms of ASD. More generally, behavioral inflexibility has been proposed to underlie repetitive and restrictive behavior in ASD. Here, we investigated whether and how behavioral flexibility is compromised in a widely used animal model of ASD.
Methods We compared the behavioral performance of Shank2-knockout mice and wild-type littermates in reversal learning employing a probabilistic classical trace conditioning paradigm. A conditioned stimulus (odor) was paired with an unconditioned appetitive (water, 6 µl) or aversive (air puff) stimulus in a probabilistic manner. We also compared air puff-induced eye closure responses of Shank2-knockout and wild-type mice. Results Male, but not female, Shank2-knockout mice showed impaired reversal learning when the expected outcomes consisted of a water reward and a strong air puff. Moreover, male, but not female, Shank2-knockout mice showed stronger anticipatory eye closure responses to the air puff compared to wild-type littermates, raising the possibility that the impairment might reflect enhanced fear. In support of this contention, male Shank2-knockout mice showed intact reversal learning when the strong air puff was replaced with a mild air puff and when the expected outcomes consisted of only rewards. Limitations We examined behavioral flexibility in one behavioral task (reversal learning in a probabilistic classical trace conditioning paradigm) using one ASD mouse model (Shank2-knockout mice). Thus, future work is needed to clarify the extent to which our findings (that enhanced fear limits behavioral flexibility in ASD) can explain the behavioral inflexibility associated with ASD. Also, we examined only the relationship between fear and behavioral flexibility, leaving open the question of whether abnormalities in processes other than fear contribute to behavioral inflexibility in ASD. Finally, the neurobiological mechanisms linking Shank2-knockout and enhanced fear remain to be elucidated. Conclusions Our results indicate that enhanced fear suppresses reversal learning in the presence of an intact capability to learn cue-outcome contingency changes in Shank2-knockout mice. Our findings suggest that behavioral flexibility might be seriously limited by abnormal emotional responses in ASD. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13229-022-00518-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miru Yun
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, 34141, Korea.,Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, 34141, Korea
| | - Eunjoon Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, 34141, Korea. .,Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, 34141, Korea.
| | - Min Whan Jung
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, 34141, Korea. .,Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, 34141, Korea.
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22
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Jung S, Park M. Shank postsynaptic scaffolding proteins in autism spectrum disorder: Mouse models and their dysfunctions in behaviors, synapses, and molecules. Pharmacol Res 2022; 182:106340. [DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
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Li H, Li X, Xu Z, Lu J, Cao C, You W, Yu Z, Shen H, Chen G. Unbalanced Regulation of Sec22b and Ykt6 Blocks Autophagosome Axonal Retrograde Flux in Neuronal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury. J Neurosci 2022; 42:5641-5654. [PMID: 35654605 PMCID: PMC9295843 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2030-21.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in ischemic penumbra is accountable for poor outcome of ischemic stroke patients receiving recanalization therapy. Compelling evidence previously demonstrated a dual role of autophagy in stroke. This study aimed to understand the traits of autophagy in the ischemic penumbra and the potential mechanism that switches the dual role of autophagy. We found that autophagy induction by rapamycin and lithium carbonate performed before ischemia reduced neurologic deficits and infarction, while autophagy induction after reperfusion had the opposite effect in the male murine middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) model, both of which were eliminated in mice lacking autophagy (Atg7flox/flox; Nestin-Cre). Autophagic flux determination showed that reperfusion led to a blockage of axonal autophagosome retrograde transport in neurons, which then led to autophagic flux damage. Then, we found that I/R induced changes in the protein levels of Sec22b and Ykt6 in neurons, two autophagosome transport-related factors, in which Sec22b significantly increased and Ykt6 significantly decreased. In the absence of exogenous autophagy induction, Sec22b knock-down and Ykt6 overexpression significantly alleviated autophagic flux damage, infarction, and neurologic deficits in neurons or murine exposed to cerebral I/R in an autophagy-dependent manner. Furthermore, Sec22b knock-down and Ykt6 overexpression switched the outcome of rapamycin posttreatment from deterioration to neuroprotection. Thus, Sec22b and Ykt6 play key roles in neuronal autophagic flux, and modest regulation of Sec22b and Ykt6 may help to reverse the failure of targeting autophagy induction to improve the prognosis of ischemic stroke.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The highly polarized architecture of neurons with neurites presents challenges for material transport, such as autophagosomes, which form at the neurite tip and need to be transported to the cell soma for degradation. Here, we demonstrate that Sec22b and Ykt6 act as autophagosome porters and play an important role in maintaining the integrity of neuronal autophagic flux. Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R)-induced excess Sec22b and loss of Ykt6 in neurons lead to axonal autophagosome retrograde trafficking failure, autophagic flux damage, and finally neuronal injury. Facilitated axonal autophagosome retrograde transport by Sec22b knock-down and Ykt6 overexpression may reduce I/R-induced neuron injury and extend the therapeutic window of pharmacological autophagy induction for neuroprotection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiying Li
- Department of Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province 215006, China
| | - Xiang Li
- Department of Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province 215006, China
| | - Zhongmou Xu
- Department of Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province 215006, China
| | - Jinxin Lu
- Department of Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province 215006, China
| | - Chang Cao
- Department of Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province 215006, China
| | - Wanchun You
- Department of Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province 215006, China
| | - Zhengquan Yu
- Department of Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province 215006, China
| | - Haitao Shen
- Department of Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province 215006, China
| | - Gang Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province 215006, China
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Phenotypes, mechanisms and therapeutics: insights from bipolar disorder GWAS findings. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:2927-2939. [PMID: 35351989 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01523-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have reported substantial genomic loci significantly associated with clinical risk of bipolar disorder (BD), and studies combining techniques of genetics, neuroscience, neuroimaging, and pharmacology are believed to help tackle clinical problems (e.g., identifying novel therapeutic targets). However, translating findings of psychiatric genetics into biological mechanisms underlying BD pathogenesis remains less successful. Biological impacts of majority of BD GWAS risk loci are obscure, and the involvement of many GWAS risk genes in this illness is yet to be investigated. It is thus necessary to review the progress of applying BD GWAS risk genes in the research and intervention of the disorder. A comprehensive literature search found that a number of such risk genes had been investigated in cellular or animal models, even before they were highlighted in BD GWAS. Intriguingly, manipulation of many BD risk genes (e.g., ANK3, CACNA1C, CACNA1B, HOMER1, KCNB1, MCHR1, NCAN, SHANK2 etc.) resulted in altered murine behaviors largely restoring BD clinical manifestations, including mania-like symptoms such as hyperactivity, anxiolytic-like behavior, as well as antidepressant-like behavior, and these abnormalities could be attenuated by mood stabilizers. In addition to recapitulating phenotypic characteristics of BD, some GWAS risk genes further provided clues for the neurobiology of this illness, such as aberrant activation and functional connectivity of brain areas in the limbic system, and modulated dendritic spine morphogenesis as well as synaptic plasticity and transmission. Therefore, BD GWAS risk genes are undoubtedly pivotal resources for modeling this illness, and might be translational therapeutic targets in the future clinical management of BD. We discuss both promising prospects and cautions in utilizing the bulk of useful resources generated by GWAS studies. Systematic integrations of findings from genetic and neuroscience studies are called for to promote our understanding and intervention of BD.
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25
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Kim SR, Park Y, Li M, Kim YK, Lee S, Son SY, Lee S, Lee JS, Lee CH, Park HH, Lee JY, Hong S, Cho YC, Kim JW, Yoo HM, Cho N, Lee HS, Lee SH. Anti-inflammatory effect of Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle leaves in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated astrocytes. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2022; 286:114258. [PMID: 34271112 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2021.114258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Activated astrocytes are involved in the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. Traditionally, Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle, widely distributed in East Asia, has been used as a medicine for the treatment of fever, gastric diseases, and inflammation. Although A. altissima has been reported to play an anti-inflammatory role in peripheral tissues or cells, its role in the central nervous system (CNS) remains unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY In the present study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects and mechanism of action of A. altissima in primary astrocytes stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). MATERIALS AND METHODS A nitrite assay was used to measure nitric oxide (NO) production, and the tetrazolium salt 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was performed to determine cytotoxicity. The expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) were determined with western blotting. Reverse-transcription PCR was used to assess the expression of inflammatory cytokines. The levels of reactive oxygen species were measured using 2,7-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate. Luciferase assay and immunocytochemistry were used for assessing nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) transcription and p65 localization, respectively. Memory and social interaction were analyzed using the Y-maze and three-chamber tests, respectively. RESULTS The ethanol extract of A. altissima leaves (AAE) inhibited iNOS and COX-2 expression in LPS-stimulated astrocytes. Moreover, AAE reduced the transcription of various proinflammatory mediators, hindered NF-κB activation, and suppressed extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation without p38 activation. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry analysis revealed that AAE comprised ethyl gallate, quercetin, and kaempferol, along with luteolin, which has anti-inflammatory properties, and repressed LPS-induced nitrite levels and the nuclear translocation of p65. Finally, oral administration of AAE attenuated LPS-induced memory and social impairment in mice and repressed LPS-induced ERK and JNK activation in the cortices of mice. CONCLUSION AAE could have therapeutic uses in the treatment of neuroinflammatory diseases via suppression of astrocyte activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung Rae Kim
- Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Yongun Park
- Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Mo Li
- Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeong Kyeong Kim
- Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Sunmin Lee
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Su Young Son
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Sarah Lee
- National Institute of Biological Resources, Environmental Research Complex, 42 Hwangyeong-ro, Seo-gu, Incheon, 22755, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Seok Lee
- National Institute of Biological Resources, Environmental Research Complex, 42 Hwangyeong-ro, Seo-gu, Incheon, 22755, Republic of Korea
| | - Choong Hwan Lee
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Ho Park
- Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Yun Lee
- Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungguan Hong
- Department of Chemistry, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Chang Cho
- College of Pharmacy, Chonnam National University, 77 Yongbong-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Woong Kim
- Department of Life Science, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee Min Yoo
- Center for Bioanalysis, Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science, Daejeon, 34113, Republic of Korea
| | - Namki Cho
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun-Shik Lee
- KNU-Center for Nonlinear Dynamics, CMRI, BK21 FOUR KNU Creative BioResearch Group, School of Life Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Hoon Lee
- Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, 06974, Republic of Korea.
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A Novel Automated Approach for Improving Standardization of the Marble Burying Test Enables Quantification of Burying Bouts and Activity Characteristics. eNeuro 2022; 9:ENEURO.0446-21.2022. [PMID: 35288451 PMCID: PMC8982638 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0446-21.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The marble burying test is a commonly used paradigm to describe phenotypes in mouse models of neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders. The current methodological approach relies predominantly on reporting the number of buried marbles at the end of the test. By measuring the proxy of the behavior (buried marbles), many important characteristics regarding the temporal aspect of this assay are lost. Here, we introduce a novel, automated method to quantify mouse behavior during the marble burying test with the focus on the burying bouts and movement dynamics. Using open-source software packages, we trained a supervised machine learning algorithm (the "classifier") to distinguish burying behavior in freely moving mice. In order to confirm the classifier's accuracy and characterize burying events in high detail, we performed the marble burying test in three mouse models: Ube3am-/p+ [Angelman syndrome (AS) model], Shank2 -/- (autism model), and Sapap3 -/- [obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) model] mice. The classifier scored burying behavior accurately and consistent with the previously reported phenotype of the Ube3am-/p+ mice, which showed decreased levels of burying compared with controls. Shank2 -/- mice showed a similar pattern of decreased burying behavior, which was not found in Sapap3 -/- mice. Tracking mouse behavior throughout the test revealed hypoactivity in Ube3am-/p+ and hyperactivity in the Shank2 -/- mice, indicating that mouse activity is unrelated to burying behavior. Reducing activity with midazolam in Shank2 -/- mice did not alter the burying behavior. Together, we demonstrate that our classifier is an accurate method for the analysis of the marble burying test, providing more information than currently used methods.
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27
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Terashima H, Minatohara K, Maruoka H, Okabe S. Imaging neural circuit pathology of autism spectrum disorders: autism-associated genes, animal models and the application of in vivo two-photon imaging. Microscopy (Oxf) 2022; 71:i81-i99. [DOI: 10.1093/jmicro/dfab039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 09/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Recent advances in human genetics identified genetic variants involved in causing autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Mouse models that mimic mutations found in patients with ASD exhibit behavioral phenotypes consistent with ASD symptoms. These mouse models suggest critical biological factors of ASD etiology. Another important implication of ASD genetics is the enrichment of ASD risk genes in molecules involved in developing synapses and regulating neural circuit function. Sophisticated in vivo imaging technologies applied to ASD mouse models identify common synaptic impairments in the neocortex, with genetic-mutation-specific defects in local neural circuits. In this article, we review synapse- and circuit-level phenotypes identified by in vivo two-photon imaging in multiple mouse models of ASD and discuss the contributions of altered synapse properties and neural circuit activity to ASD pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Terashima
- Department of Cellular Neurobiology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Keiichiro Minatohara
- Department of Cellular Neurobiology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Hisato Maruoka
- Department of Cellular Neurobiology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Shigeo Okabe
- Department of Cellular Neurobiology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
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28
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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.
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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
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29
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Postsynaptic autism spectrum disorder genes and synaptic dysfunction. Neurobiol Dis 2021; 162:105564. [PMID: 34838666 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2021.105564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
This review provides an overview of the synaptic dysfunction of neuronal circuits and the ensuing behavioral alterations caused by mutations in autism spectrum disorder (ASD)-linked genes directly or indirectly affecting the postsynaptic neuronal compartment. There are plenty of ASD risk genes, that may be broadly grouped into those involved in gene expression regulation (epigenetic regulation and transcription) and genes regulating synaptic activity (neural communication and neurotransmission). Notably, the effects mediated by ASD-associated genes can vary extensively depending on the developmental time and/or subcellular site of expression. Therefore, in order to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms of disruptions in postsynaptic function, an effort to better model ASD in experimental animals is required to improve standardization and increase reproducibility within and among studies. Such an effort holds promise to provide deeper insight into the development of these disorders and to improve the translational value of preclinical studies.
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30
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Lee E, Lee S, Shin JJ, Choi W, Chung C, Lee S, Kim J, Ha S, Kim R, Yoo T, Yoo YE, Kim J, Noh YW, Rhim I, Lee SY, Kim W, Lee T, Shin H, Cho IJ, Deisseroth K, Kim SJ, Park JM, Jung MW, Paik SB, Kim E. Excitatory synapses and gap junctions cooperate to improve Pv neuronal burst firing and cortical social cognition in Shank2-mutant mice. Nat Commun 2021; 12:5116. [PMID: 34433814 PMCID: PMC8387434 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25356-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
NMDA receptor (NMDAR) and GABA neuronal dysfunctions are observed in animal models of autism spectrum disorders, but how these dysfunctions impair social cognition and behavior remains unclear. We report here that NMDARs in cortical parvalbumin (Pv)-positive interneurons cooperate with gap junctions to promote high-frequency (>80 Hz) Pv neuronal burst firing and social cognition. Shank2–/– mice, displaying improved sociability upon NMDAR activation, show impaired cortical social representation and inhibitory neuronal burst firing. Cortical Shank2–/– Pv neurons show decreased NMDAR activity, which suppresses the cooperation between NMDARs and gap junctions (GJs) for normal burst firing. Shank2–/– Pv neurons show compensatory increases in GJ activity that are not sufficient for social rescue. However, optogenetic boosting of Pv neuronal bursts, requiring GJs, rescues cortical social cognition in Shank2–/– mice, similar to the NMDAR-dependent social rescue. Therefore, NMDARs and gap junctions cooperate to promote cortical Pv neuronal bursts and social cognition. How NMDAR and GABA neuronal dysfunctions result in impaired social behaviour is unclear. Here, the authors show that NMDARs and gap junctions in cortical PV interneurons modulate burst firing, affecting social behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunee Lee
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, Korea.,Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seungjoon Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Jae Jin Shin
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Science, College of Natural Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.,Center for Cognition and Sociality, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, Korea
| | - Woochul Choi
- Program of Brain and Cognitive Engineering, Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Korea
| | - Changuk Chung
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, Korea
| | - Suho Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Jihye Kim
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, Korea
| | - Seungmin Ha
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, Korea
| | - Ryunhee Kim
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, Korea
| | - Taesun Yoo
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, Korea
| | - Ye-Eun Yoo
- Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Jisoo Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Young Woo Noh
- Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Issac Rhim
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, Korea
| | - Soo Yeon Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Woohyun Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Taekyung Lee
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, Korea
| | - Hyogeun Shin
- Center for BioMicrosystems, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, Korea
| | - Il-Joo Cho
- Center for BioMicrosystems, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, Korea
| | - Karl Deisseroth
- Department of Bioengineering, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Sang Jeong Kim
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Joo Min Park
- Center for Cognition and Sociality, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, Korea.
| | - Min Whan Jung
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, Korea. .,Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon, Korea.
| | - Se-Bum Paik
- Program of Brain and Cognitive Engineering, Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Korea.
| | - Eunjoon Kim
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, Korea. .,Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon, Korea.
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31
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Regulation of habenular G-protein gamma 8 on learning and memory via modulation of the central acetylcholine system. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:3737-3750. [PMID: 32989244 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-020-00893-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Guanine nucleotide binding protein (G protein) gamma 8 (Gng8) is a subunit of G proteins and expressed in the medial habenula (MHb) and interpeduncular nucleus (IPN). Recent studies have demonstrated that Gng8 is involved in brain development; however, the roles of Gng8 on cognitive function have not yet been addressed. In the present study, we investigated the expression of Gng8 in the brain and found that Gng8 was predominantly expressed in the MHb-IPN circuit of the mouse brain. We generated Gng8 knockout (KO) mice by CRISPR/Cas9 system in order to assess the role of Gng8 on cognitive function. Gng8 KO mice exhibited deficiency in learning and memory in passive avoidance and Morris water maze tests. In addition, Gng8 KO mice significantly reduced long-term potentiation (LTP) in the hippocampus compared to that of wild-type (WT) mice. Furthermore, we observed that levels of acetylcholine (ACh) and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in the MHb and IPN of Gng8 KO mice were significantly decreased, compared to WT mice. The administration of nAChR α4β2 agonist A85380 rescued memory impairment in the Gng8 KO mice, suggesting that Gng8 regulates cognitive function via modulation of cholinergic activity. Taken together, Gng8 is a potential therapeutic target for memory-related diseases and/or neurodevelopmental diseases.
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32
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Lee S, Kang H, Jung H, Kim E, Lee E. Gene Dosage- and Age-Dependent Differential Transcriptomic Changes in the Prefrontal Cortex of Shank2-Mutant Mice. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:683196. [PMID: 34177464 PMCID: PMC8226033 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.683196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Shank2 is an abundant postsynaptic scaffolding protein that is known to regulate excitatory synapse assembly and synaptic transmission and has been implicated in various neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Previous studies on Shank2-mutant mice provided mechanistic insights into their autistic-like phenotypes, but it remains unclear how transcriptomic patterns are changed in brain regions of the mutant mice in age- and gene dosage-dependent manners. To this end, we performed RNA-Seq analyses of the transcripts from the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of heterozygous and homozygous Shank2-mutant mice lacking exons 6 and 7 at juvenile (week 3) and adult (week 12) stages. Juvenile heterozygous Shank2-mutant mice showed upregulation of glutamate synapse-related genes, downregulation of ribosomal and mitochondrial genes, and transcriptomic changes that are opposite to those observed in ASD (anti-ASD) such as upregulation of ASD_down (downregulated in ASD), GABA neuron-related, and oligodendrocyte-related genes. Juvenile homozygous Shank2 mice showed upregulation of chromatin-related genes and transcriptomic changes that are in line with those occurring in ASD (pro-ASD) such as downregulation of ASD_down, GABA neuron-related, and oligodendrocyte-related genes. Adult heterozygous and homozygous Shank2-mutant mice both exhibited downregulation of ribosomal and mitochondrial genes and pro-ASD transcriptomic changes. Therefore, the gene dosage- and age-dependent effects of Shank2 deletions in mice include differential transcriptomic changes across distinct functional contexts, including synapses, chromatin, ribosomes, mitochondria, GABA neurons, and oligodendrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seungjoon Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Hyojin Kang
- Division of National Supercomputing, KISTI, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Hwajin Jung
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Eunjoon Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, South Korea.,Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Eunee Lee
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, South Korea.,Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
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33
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Kweon H, Jung WB, Im GH, Ryoo J, Lee JH, Do H, Choi Y, Song YH, Jung H, Park H, Qiu LR, Ellegood J, Shim HJ, Yang E, Kim H, Lerch JP, Lee SH, Chung WS, Kim D, Kim SG, Kim E. Excitatory neuronal CHD8 in the regulation of neocortical development and sensory-motor behaviors. Cell Rep 2021; 34:108780. [PMID: 33626347 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.108780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
CHD8 (chromodomain helicase DNA-binding protein 8) is a chromatin remodeler associated with autism spectrum disorders. Homozygous Chd8 deletion in mice leads to embryonic lethality, making it difficult to assess whether CHD8 regulates brain development and whether CHD8 haploinsufficiency-related macrocephaly reflects normal CHD8 functions. Here, we report that homozygous conditional knockout of Chd8 restricted to neocortical glutamatergic neurons causes apoptosis-dependent near-complete elimination of neocortical structures. These mice, however, display normal survival and hyperactivity, anxiolytic-like behavior, and increased social interaction. They also show largely normal auditory function and moderately impaired visual and motor functions but enhanced whisker-related somatosensory function. These changes accompany thalamic hyperactivity, revealed by 15.2-Tesla fMRI, and increased intrinsic excitability and decreased inhibitory synaptic transmission in thalamic ventral posterior medial (VPM) neurons involved in somatosensation. These results suggest that excitatory neuronal CHD8 critically regulates neocortical development through anti-apoptotic mechanisms, neocortical elimination distinctly affects cognitive behaviors and sensory-motor functions in mice, and Chd8 haploinsufficiency-related macrocephaly might represent compensatory responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanseul Kweon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Won Beom Jung
- Center for Neuroscience Imaging Research (CNIR), Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Suwon 16419, Korea; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Korea
| | - Geun Ho Im
- Center for Neuroscience Imaging Research (CNIR), Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Suwon 16419, Korea
| | - Jia Ryoo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Joon-Hyuk Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Hogyeong Do
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Yeonsoo Choi
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - You-Hyang Song
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Hwajin Jung
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Haram Park
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Lily R Qiu
- Mouse Imaging Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5T 3H7, Canada; Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, The University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Jacob Ellegood
- Mouse Imaging Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5T 3H7, Canada; Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, The University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Hyun-Ji Shim
- Center for Neuroscience Imaging Research (CNIR), Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Suwon 16419, Korea
| | - Esther Yang
- Department of Anatomy and Division of Brain Korea 21, Biomedical Science, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea
| | - Hyun Kim
- Department of Anatomy and Division of Brain Korea 21, Biomedical Science, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea
| | - Jason P Lerch
- Mouse Imaging Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5T 3H7, Canada; Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, The University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Seung-Hee Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Won-Suk Chung
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Daesoo Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Seong-Gi Kim
- Center for Neuroscience Imaging Research (CNIR), Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Suwon 16419, Korea; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Korea.
| | - Eunjoon Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea; Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon 34141, Korea.
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34
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Hartig R, Wolf D, Schmeisser MJ, Kelsch W. Genetic influences of autism candidate genes on circuit wiring and olfactory decoding. Cell Tissue Res 2021; 383:581-595. [PMID: 33515293 PMCID: PMC7872953 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-020-03390-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Olfaction supports a multitude of behaviors vital for social communication and interactions between conspecifics. Intact sensory processing is contingent upon proper circuit wiring. Disturbances in genetic factors controlling circuit assembly and synaptic wiring can lead to neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), where impaired social interactions and communication are core symptoms. The variability in behavioral phenotype expression is also contingent upon the role environmental factors play in defining genetic expression. Considering the prevailing clinical diagnosis of ASD, research on therapeutic targets for autism is essential. Behavioral impairments may be identified along a range of increasingly complex social tasks. Hence, the assessment of social behavior and communication is progressing towards more ethologically relevant tasks. Garnering a more accurate understanding of social processing deficits in the sensory domain may greatly contribute to the development of therapeutic targets. With that framework, studies have found a viable link between social behaviors, circuit wiring, and altered neuronal coding related to the processing of salient social stimuli. Here, the relationship between social odor processing in rodents and humans is examined in the context of health and ASD, with special consideration for how genetic expression and neuronal connectivity may regulate behavioral phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renée Hartig
- Department of Psychiatry & Psychotherapy, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg-University, 55131, Mainz, Germany.,Focus Program Translational Neurosciences (FTN), University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg-University, 55131, Mainz, Germany.,Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68159, Mannheim, Germany.,Institute for Microscopic Anatomy and Neurobiology, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg-University, 55131, Mainz, Germany
| | - David Wolf
- Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68159, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Michael J Schmeisser
- Focus Program Translational Neurosciences (FTN), University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg-University, 55131, Mainz, Germany.,Institute for Microscopic Anatomy and Neurobiology, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg-University, 55131, Mainz, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Kelsch
- Department of Psychiatry & Psychotherapy, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg-University, 55131, Mainz, Germany. .,Focus Program Translational Neurosciences (FTN), University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg-University, 55131, Mainz, Germany. .,Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68159, Mannheim, Germany.
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35
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Grabrucker S, Pagano J, Schweizer J, Urrutia-Ruiz C, Schön M, Thome K, Ehret G, Grabrucker AM, Zhang R, Hengerer B, Bockmann J, Verpelli C, Sala C, Boeckers TM. Activation of the medial preoptic area (MPOA) ameliorates loss of maternal behavior in a Shank2 mouse model for autism. EMBO J 2021; 40:e104267. [PMID: 33491217 PMCID: PMC7917557 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2019104267] [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: 12/15/2019] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Impairments in social relationships and awareness are features observed in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). However, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Shank2 is a high‐confidence ASD candidate gene and localizes primarily to postsynaptic densities (PSDs) of excitatory synapses in the central nervous system (CNS). We show here that loss of Shank2 in mice leads to a lack of social attachment and bonding behavior towards pubs independent of hormonal, cognitive, or sensitive deficits. Shank2−/− mice display functional changes in nuclei of the social attachment circuit that were most prominent in the medial preoptic area (MPOA) of the hypothalamus. Selective enhancement of MPOA activity by DREADD technology re‐established social bonding behavior in Shank2−/− mice, providing evidence that the identified circuit might be crucial for explaining how social deficits in ASD can arise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Grabrucker
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany.,Department of Biological Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Jessica Pagano
- CNR Neuroscience Institute, Milan, Italy.,Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Johanna Schweizer
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Michael Schön
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Kevin Thome
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Günter Ehret
- Institute of Neurobiology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Andreas M Grabrucker
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.,Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.,Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Rong Zhang
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health and Family Planning Commission, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | | | - Jürgen Bockmann
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Carlo Sala
- CNR Neuroscience Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Tobias M Boeckers
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany.,DZNE, Ulm Site, Ulm, Germany
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36
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Unsicker C, Cristian FB, von Hahn M, Eckstein V, Rappold GA, Berkel S. SHANK2 mutations impair apoptosis, proliferation and neurite outgrowth during early neuronal differentiation in SH-SY5Y cells. Sci Rep 2021; 11:2128. [PMID: 33483523 PMCID: PMC7822837 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-81241-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
SHANK2 mutations have been identified in individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders, including intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, we obtained SH-SY5Y cell lines with frameshift mutations on one or both SHANK2 alleles. We investigated the effects of the different SHANK2 mutations on cell morphology, cell proliferation and differentiation potential during early neuronal differentiation. All mutant cell lines showed impaired neuronal differentiation marker expression. Cells with bi-allelic SHANK2 mutations revealed diminished apoptosis and increased proliferation, as well as decreased neurite outgrowth during early neuronal differentiation. Bi-allelic SHANK2 mutations resulted in an increase in p-AKT levels, suggesting that SHANK2 mutations impair downstream signaling of tyrosine kinase receptors. Additionally, cells with bi-allelic SHANK2 mutations had lower amyloid precursor protein (APP) expression compared to controls, suggesting a molecular link between SHANK2 and APP. Together, we can show that frameshift mutations on one or both SHANK2 alleles lead to an alteration of neuronal differentiation in SH-SY5Y cells, characterized by changes in cell growth and pre- and postsynaptic protein expression. We also provide first evidence that downstream signaling of tyrosine kinase receptors and amyloid precursor protein expression are affected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Unsicker
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics, Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Flavia-Bianca Cristian
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics, Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Manja von Hahn
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics, Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Volker Eckstein
- Department of Internal Medicine V, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Gudrun A Rappold
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics, Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Simone Berkel
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics, Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
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Chen ST, Lai WJ, Zhang WJ, Chen QP, Zhou LB, So KF, Shi LL. Insulin-like growth factor 1 partially rescues early developmental defects caused by SHANK2 knockdown in human neurons. Neural Regen Res 2020; 15:2335-2343. [PMID: 32594058 PMCID: PMC7749486 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.285002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
SHANK2 is a scaffold protein that serves as a protein anchor at the postsynaptic density in neurons. Genetic variants of SHANK2 are strongly associated with synaptic dysfunction and the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorder. Recent studies indicate that early neuronal developmental defects play a role in the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder, and that insulin-like growth factor 1 has a positive effect on neurite development. To investigate the effects of SHANK2 knockdown on early neuronal development, we generated a sparse culture system using human induced pluripotent stem cells, which then differentiated into neural progenitor cells after 3-14 days in culture, and which were dissociated into single neurons. Neurons in the experimental group were infected with shSHANK2 lentivirus carrying a red fluorescent protein reporter (shSHANK2 group). Control neurons were infected with scrambled shControl lentivirus carrying a red fluorescent protein reporter (shControl group). Neuronal somata and neurites were reconstructed based on the lentiviral red fluorescent protein signal. Developmental dendritic and motility changes in VGLUT1+ glutamatergic neurons and TH+ dopaminergic neurons were then evaluated in both groups. Compared with shControl VGLUT1+ neurons, the dendritic length and arborizations of shSHANK2 VGLUT1+ neurons were shorter and fewer, while cell soma speed was higher. Furthermore, dendritic length and arborization were significantly increased after insulin-like growth factor 1 treatment of shSHANK2 neurons, while cell soma speed remained unaffected. These results suggest that insulin-like growth factor 1 can rescue morphological defects, but not the change in neuronal motility. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that SHANK2 deficiency perturbs early neuronal development, and that IGF1 can partially rescue the neuronal defects caused by SHANK2 knockdown. All experimental procedures and protocols were approved by the Laboratory Animal Ethics Committee of Jinan University, China (approval No. 20170228010) on February 28, 2017.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Ting Chen
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Ministry of Education CNS Regeneration Collaborative Joint Laboratory, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Wan-Jing Lai
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Ministry of Education CNS Regeneration Collaborative Joint Laboratory, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
- Clinical Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Wei-Jia Zhang
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Ministry of Education CNS Regeneration Collaborative Joint Laboratory, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Qing-Pei Chen
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Ministry of Education CNS Regeneration Collaborative Joint Laboratory, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Li-Bing Zhou
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Ministry of Education CNS Regeneration Collaborative Joint Laboratory, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Kwok-Fai So
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Ministry of Education CNS Regeneration Collaborative Joint Laboratory, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Ling-Ling Shi
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Ministry of Education CNS Regeneration Collaborative Joint Laboratory, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
- Department of Psychiatry, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
- Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
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38
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Zhang Y, Kang Hyae R, Lee SH, Kim Y, Ma R, Jin C, Lim JE, Kim S, Kang Y, Kang H, Kim SY, Kwon SK, Choi SY, Han K. Enhanced Prefrontal Neuronal Activity and Social Dominance Behavior in Postnatal Forebrain Excitatory Neuron-Specific Cyfip2 Knock-Out Mice. Front Mol Neurosci 2020; 13:574947. [PMID: 33192297 PMCID: PMC7658541 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2020.574947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The cytoplasmic fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1)-interacting protein 2 (CYFIP2) gene is associated with epilepsy, intellectual disability (ID), and developmental delay, suggesting its critical role in proper neuronal development and function. CYFIP2 is involved in regulating cellular actin dynamics and also interacts with RNA-binding proteins. However, the adult brain function of CYFIP2 remains unclear because investigations thus far are limited to Cyfip2 heterozygous (Cyfip2+/- ) mice owing to the perinatal lethality of Cyfip2-null mice. Therefore, we generated Cyfip2 conditional knock-out (cKO) mice with reduced CYFIP2 expression in postnatal forebrain excitatory neurons (CaMKIIα-Cre). We found that in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of adult Cyfip2 cKO mice, CYFIP2 expression was decreased in both layer 2/3 (L2/3) and layer 5 (L5) neurons, unlike the L5-specific CYFIP2 reduction observed in adult Cyfip2+/- mice. Nevertheless, filamentous actin (F-actin) levels were increased only in L5 of Cyfip2 cKO mPFC possibly because of a compensatory increase in CYFIP1, the other member of CYFIP family, in L2/3 neurons. Abnormal dendritic spines on basal, but not on apical, dendrites were consistently observed in L5 neurons of Cyfip2 cKO mPFC. Meanwhile, neuronal excitability and activity were enhanced in both L2/3 and L5 neurons of Cyfip2 cKO mPFC, suggesting that CYFIP2 functions of regulating F-actin and excitability/activity may be mediated through independent mechanisms. Unexpectedly, adult Cyfip2 cKO mice did not display locomotor hyperactivity or reduced anxiety observed in Cyfip2+/- mice. Instead, both exhibited enhanced social dominance accessed by the tube test. Together, these results provide additional insights into the functions of CYFIP2 in the adult brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinhua Zhang
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Rim Kang Hyae
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Seung-Hyun Lee
- Department of Physiology, Dental Research Institute, Seoul National University School of Dentistry, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Yoonhee Kim
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ruiying Ma
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Chunmei Jin
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ji-Eun Lim
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Seoyeon Kim
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Yeju Kang
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hyojin Kang
- Division of National Supercomputing, Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Su Yeon Kim
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea.,Center for Functional Connectomics, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Brain Science Institute, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Seok-Kyu Kwon
- Center for Functional Connectomics, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Brain Science Institute, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Se-Young Choi
- Department of Physiology, Dental Research Institute, Seoul National University School of Dentistry, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Kihoon Han
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
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Taylor SC, Ferri SL, Grewal M, Smernoff Z, Bucan M, Weiner JA, Abel T, Brodkin ES. The Role of Synaptic Cell Adhesion Molecules and Associated Scaffolding Proteins in Social Affiliative Behaviors. Biol Psychiatry 2020; 88:442-451. [PMID: 32305215 PMCID: PMC7442706 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2020.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Revised: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Social affiliative behaviors-engagement in positive (i.e., nonaggressive) social approach and reciprocal social interactions with a conspecific-comprise a construct within the National Institute of Mental Health Research Domain Criteria Social Processes Domain. These behaviors are disrupted in multiple human neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders, such as autism, schizophrenia, social phobia, and others. Human genetic studies have strongly implicated synaptic cell adhesion molecules (sCAMs) in several such disorders that involve marked reductions, or other dysregulations, of social affiliative behaviors. Here, we review the literature on the role of sCAMs in social affiliative behaviors. We integrate findings pertaining to synapse structure and morphology, neurotransmission, postsynaptic signaling pathways, and neural circuitry to propose a multilevel model that addresses the impact of a diverse group of sCAMs, including neurexins, neuroligins, protocadherins, immunoglobulin superfamily proteins, and leucine-rich repeat proteins, as well as their associated scaffolding proteins, including SHANKs and others, on social affiliative behaviors. This review finds that the disruption of sCAMs often manifests in changes in social affiliative behaviors, likely through alterations in synaptic maturity, pruning, and specificity, leading to excitation/inhibition imbalance in several key regions, namely the medial prefrontal cortex, basolateral amygdala, hippocampus, anterior cingulate cortex, and ventral tegmental area. Unraveling the complex network of interacting sCAMs in glutamatergic synapses will be an important strategy for elucidating the mechanisms of social affiliative behaviors and the alteration of these behaviors in many neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara C Taylor
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Sarah L Ferri
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Mahip Grewal
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Zoe Smernoff
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Maja Bucan
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Joshua A Weiner
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa; Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Ted Abel
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Edward S Brodkin
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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40
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Rushing A, Sommer EC, Zhao S, Po'e EK, Barkin SL. Salivary epigenetic biomarkers as predictors of emerging childhood obesity. BMC MEDICAL GENETICS 2020; 21:34. [PMID: 32059710 PMCID: PMC7023819 DOI: 10.1186/s12881-020-0968-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epigenetics could facilitate greater understanding of disparities in the emergence of childhood obesity. While blood is a common tissue used in human epigenetic studies, saliva is a promising tissue. Our prior findings in non-obese preschool-aged Hispanic children identified 17 CpG dinucleotides for which differential methylation in saliva at baseline was associated with maternal obesity status. The current study investigated to what extent baseline DNA methylation in salivary samples in these 3-5-year-old Hispanic children predicted the incidence of childhood obesity in a 3-year prospective cohort. METHODS We examined a subsample (n = 92) of Growing Right Onto Wellness (GROW) trial participants who were randomly selected at baseline, prior to randomization, based on maternal phenotype (obese or non-obese). Baseline saliva samples were collected using the Oragene DNA saliva kit. Objective data were collected on child height and weight at baseline and 36 months later. Methylation arrays were processed using standard protocol. Associations between child obesity at 36 months and baseline salivary methylation at the previously identified 17 CpG dinucleotides were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression models. RESULTS Among the n = 75 children eligible for analysis, baseline methylation of Cg1307483 (NRF1) was significantly associated with emerging childhood obesity at 36-month follow-up (OR = 2.98, p = 0.04), after adjusting for child age, gender, child baseline BMI-Z, and adult baseline BMI. This translates to a model-estimated 48% chance of child obesity at 36-month follow-up for a child at the 75th percentile of NRF1 baseline methylation versus only a 30% chance of obesity for a similar child at the 25th percentile. Consistent with other studies, a higher baseline child BMI-Z during the preschool period was associated with the emergence of obesity 3 years later, but baseline methylation of NRF1 was associated with later obesity even after adjusting for child baseline BMI-Z. CONCLUSIONS Saliva offers a non-invasive means of DNA collection and epigenetic analysis. Our proof of principle study provides sound empirical evidence supporting DNA methylation in salivary tissue as a potential predictor of subsequent childhood obesity for Hispanic children. NFR1 could be a target for further exploration of obesity in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Rushing
- Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, School of Medicine, 1901 Perdido Street, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA
| | - Evan C Sommer
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 2146 Belcourt Ave, Nashville, TN, 37232-9225, USA
| | - Shilin Zhao
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 571 Preston Research Building, 2220 Pierce Ave, Nashville, TN, 37232-6838, USA
| | - Eli K Po'e
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 2146 Belcourt Ave, Nashville, TN, 37232-9225, USA
| | - Shari L Barkin
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 2200 Children's Way, Doctor's Office Tower 8232, Nashville, TN, 37232-9225, USA.
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41
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Genome association of carcass and palatability traits from Bos indicus-Bos taurus crossbred steers within electrical stimulation status and correspondence with steer temperament 2. Palatability. Livest Sci 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2019.103897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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42
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Shin W, Kweon H, Kang R, Kim D, Kim K, Kang M, Kim SY, Hwang SN, Kim JY, Yang E, Kim H, Kim E. Scn2a Haploinsufficiency in Mice Suppresses Hippocampal Neuronal Excitability, Excitatory Synaptic Drive, and Long-Term Potentiation, and Spatial Learning and Memory. Front Mol Neurosci 2019; 12:145. [PMID: 31249508 PMCID: PMC6582764 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2019.00145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Nav1.2, a voltage-gated sodium channel subunit encoded by the Scn2a gene, has been implicated in various brain disorders, including epilepsy, autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, and schizophrenia. Nav1.2 is known to regulate the generation of action potentials in the axon initial segment and their propagation along axonal pathways. Nav1.2 also regulates synaptic integration and plasticity by promoting back-propagation of action potentials to dendrites, but whether Nav1.2 deletion in mice affects neuronal excitability, synaptic transmission, synaptic plasticity, and/or disease-related animal behaviors remains largely unclear. Here, we report that mice heterozygous for the Scn2a gene (Scn2a+/- mice) show decreased neuronal excitability and suppressed excitatory synaptic transmission in the presence of network activity in the hippocampus. In addition, Scn2a+/- mice show suppressed hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) in association with impaired spatial learning and memory, but show largely normal locomotor activity, anxiety-like behavior, social interaction, repetitive behavior, and whole-brain excitation. These results suggest that Nav1.2 regulates hippocampal neuronal excitability, excitatory synaptic drive, LTP, and spatial learning and memory in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wangyong Shin
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Hanseul Kweon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Ryeonghwa Kang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Doyoun Kim
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Kyungdeok Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Muwon Kang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Seo Yeong Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Sun Nam Hwang
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Jin Yong Kim
- Department of Anatomy and Division of Brain Korea 21, Biomedical Science, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Esther Yang
- Department of Anatomy and Division of Brain Korea 21, Biomedical Science, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hyun Kim
- Department of Anatomy and Division of Brain Korea 21, Biomedical Science, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Eunjoon Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, South Korea.,Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, South Korea
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43
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Chung C, Ha S, Kang H, Lee J, Um SM, Yan H, Yoo YE, Yoo T, Jung H, Lee D, Lee E, Lee S, Kim J, Kim R, Kwon Y, Kim W, Kim H, Duffney L, Kim D, Mah W, Won H, Mo S, Kim JY, Lim CS, Kaang BK, Boeckers TM, Chung Y, Kim H, Jiang YH, Kim E. Early Correction of N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Function Improves Autistic-like Social Behaviors in Adult Shank2 -/- Mice. Biol Psychiatry 2019; 85:534-543. [PMID: 30466882 PMCID: PMC6420362 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2018.09.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Revised: 09/20/2018] [Accepted: 09/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder involves neurodevelopmental dysregulations that lead to visible symptoms at early stages of life. Many autism spectrum disorder-related mechanisms suggested by animal studies are supported by demonstrated improvement in autistic-like phenotypes in adult animals following experimental reversal of dysregulated mechanisms. However, whether such mechanisms also act at earlier stages to cause autistic-like phenotypes is unclear. METHODS We used Shank2-/- mice carrying a mutation identified in human autism spectrum disorder (exons 6 and 7 deletion) and combined electrophysiological and behavioral analyses to see whether early pathophysiology at pup stages is different from late pathophysiology at juvenile and adult stages and whether correcting early pathophysiology can normalize late pathophysiology and abnormal behaviors in juvenile and adult mice. RESULTS Early correction of a dysregulated mechanism in young mice prevents manifestation of autistic-like social behaviors in adult mice. Shank2-/- mice, known to display N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) hypofunction and autistic-like behaviors at postweaning stages after postnatal day 21 (P21), show the opposite synaptic phenotype-NMDAR hyperfunction-at an earlier preweaning stage (∼P14). Moreover, this NMDAR hyperfunction at P14 rapidly shifts to NMDAR hypofunction after weaning (∼P24). Chronic suppression of the early NMDAR hyperfunction by the NMDAR antagonist memantine (P7-P21) prevents NMDAR hypofunction and autistic-like social behaviors from manifesting at later stages (∼P28 and P56). CONCLUSIONS Early NMDAR hyperfunction leads to late NMDAR hypofunction and autistic-like social behaviors in Shank2-/- mice, and early correction of NMDAR dysfunction has the long-lasting effect of preventing autistic-like social behaviors from developing at later stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changuk Chung
- Department of Biological Sciences, South Korea; Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, South Korea
| | - Seungmin Ha
- Department of Biological Sciences, South Korea
| | - Hyojin Kang
- Department of Convergence Technology Research, Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Jiseok Lee
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, South Korea
| | | | - Haidun Yan
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Ye-Eun Yoo
- Department of Biological Sciences, South Korea
| | - Taesun Yoo
- Department of Biological Sciences, South Korea
| | - Hwajin Jung
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, South Korea
| | - Dongwon Lee
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, South Korea
| | - Eunee Lee
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, South Korea
| | | | - Jihye Kim
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, South Korea
| | - Ryunhee Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, South Korea
| | | | - Woohyun Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, South Korea
| | - Hyosang Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, South Korea
| | - Lara Duffney
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Doyoun Kim
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, South Korea
| | - Won Mah
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Dentistry, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Hyejung Won
- Department of Neurology, Center for Autism Research and Treatment, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Seojung Mo
- Department of Anatomy and Division of Brain Korea 21, Biomedical Science, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jin Yong Kim
- Department of Anatomy and Division of Brain Korea 21, Biomedical Science, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Chae-Seok Lim
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Bong-Kiun Kaang
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Tobias M Boeckers
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Yeonseung Chung
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology, South Korea
| | - Hyun Kim
- Department of Anatomy and Division of Brain Korea 21, Biomedical Science, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Yong-Hui Jiang
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina; Department of Neurobiology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina; Cell and Molecular Biology Program, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina; Duke Institute of Brain Science, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina; Genomics and Genetics Program, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Eunjoon Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, South Korea; Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, South Korea.
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44
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Yoo T, Cho H, Lee J, Park H, Yoo YE, Yang E, Kim JY, Kim H, Kim E. GABA Neuronal Deletion of Shank3 Exons 14-16 in Mice Suppresses Striatal Excitatory Synaptic Input and Induces Social and Locomotor Abnormalities. Front Cell Neurosci 2018; 12:341. [PMID: 30356810 PMCID: PMC6189516 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2018.00341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Accepted: 09/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Shank3 is an excitatory postsynaptic scaffolding protein implicated in multiple brain disorders, including autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMS). Although previous neurobiological studies on Shank3 and Shank3-mutant mice have revealed diverse roles of Shank3 in the regulation of synaptic, neuronal and brain functions, whether Shank3 expression in specific cell types distinctly contributes to mouse phenotypes remains largely unclear. In the present study, we generated two Shank3-mutant mouse lines (exons 14–16) carrying global and GABA neuron-specific deletions and characterized their electrophysiological and behavioral phenotypes. These mouse lines show similar decreases in excitatory synaptic input onto dorsolateral striatal neurons. In addition, the abnormal social and locomotor behaviors observed in global Shank3-mutant mice are strongly mimicked by GABA neuron-specific Shank3-mutant mice, whereas the repetitive and anxiety-like behaviors are only partially mimicked. These results suggest that GABAergic Shank3 (exons 14–16) deletion has strong influences on striatal excitatory synaptic transmission and social and locomotor behaviors in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taesun Yoo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Heejin Cho
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Jiseok Lee
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Haram Park
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Ye-Eun Yoo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Esther Yang
- Department of Anatomy and Division of Brain Korea 21, Biomedical Science, College of Medicie, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jin Yong Kim
- Department of Anatomy and Division of Brain Korea 21, Biomedical Science, College of Medicie, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hyun Kim
- Department of Anatomy and Division of Brain Korea 21, Biomedical Science, College of Medicie, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Eunjoon Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, South Korea.,Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, South Korea
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45
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Ey E, Torquet N, de Chaumont F, Lévi-Strauss J, Ferhat AT, Le Sourd AM, Boeckers TM, Bourgeron T. Shank2 Mutant Mice Display Hyperactivity Insensitive to Methylphenidate and Reduced Flexibility in Social Motivation, but Normal Social Recognition. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:365. [PMID: 30337855 PMCID: PMC6180161 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Accepted: 09/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Mouse models of autism can be used to study evolutionarily conserved mechanisms underlying behavioral abnormalities in social communication and repetitive behaviors. SHANK genes code for synaptic scaffolding proteins at excitatory synapses and mutations in all SHANK genes have been associated with autism. Here, we present three behavioral aspects of the mutant mice deleted for exon 16 in Shank2. First, we treated Shank2 mutant mice with methylphenidate to rescue the hyperactivity. Our failure to do so suggests that the hyperactivity displayed by Shank2 mutant mice is not related to the one displayed by the typical mouse models of hyperactivity, and might be more closely related to manic-like behaviors. Second, by testing the effect of group housing and social isolation on social interest, we highlighted that Shank2 mutant mice lack the typical flexibility to modulate social interest, in comparison with wild-type littermates. Finally, we established a new protocol to test for social recognition in a social context. We used this protocol to show that Shank2 mutant mice were able to discriminate familiar and unknown conspecifics in free interactions. Altogether, these studies shed some light on specific aspects of the behavioral defects displayed by the Shank2 mouse model. Such information could be used to orient therapeutic strategies and to design more specific tests to characterize the complex behavior of mouse models of autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elodie Ey
- CNRS UMR 3571, Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Nicolas Torquet
- Sorbonne Université, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, Neuroscience Paris Seine - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (NPS - IBPS), Paris, France
| | | | - Julie Lévi-Strauss
- CNRS UMR 3571, Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | | | - Anne-Marie Le Sourd
- CNRS UMR 3571, Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Tobias M Boeckers
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Thomas Bourgeron
- CNRS UMR 3571, Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.,Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions, Paris, France
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46
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Eltokhi A, Rappold G, Sprengel R. Distinct Phenotypes of Shank2 Mouse Models Reflect Neuropsychiatric Spectrum Disorders of Human Patients With SHANK2 Variants. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:240. [PMID: 30072871 PMCID: PMC6060255 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The SHANK scaffolding proteins are important organizers for signaling proteins in the postsynapse of excitatory neurons. The functional significance of SHANK proteins becomes apparent by the wide spectrum of neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders associated with SHANK variants in human patients. A similar diversity of neuropsychiatric-like phenotypes is described for numerous Shank2 and Shank3 knockout (KO) mouse lines. In this review, we will focus on and discuss the experimental results obtained from different, but genetically related and therefore comparable, Shank2 mouse models. First, we will describe the distinct SHANK2 variant-mediated neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders in human patients. Then we will discuss the current knowledge of the expressed SHANK2 isoforms in the mouse, and we will describe the genetic strategies used for generating three conventional and seven conditional Shank2 mouse lines. The distinct impairments i.e., autistic-like and mania-like behavior and the alterations on the molecular, electrophysiological and behavioral levels will be compared between the different Shank2 mouse models. We will present our view as to why in these mouse models a spectrum of phenotypes can arise from similar Shank2 gene manipulations and how Shank2 mutant mice can be used and should be analyzed on the behavioral level in future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Eltokhi
- Max Planck Research Group "Molecular Neurobiology", Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Human Molecular Genetics, Institute of Human Genetics, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.,Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Gudrun Rappold
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics, Institute of Human Genetics, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rolf Sprengel
- Max Planck Research Group "Molecular Neurobiology", Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Heidelberg, Germany.,Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
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47
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Lee S, Lee E, Kim R, Kim J, Lee S, Park H, Yang E, Kim H, Kim E. Shank2 Deletion in Parvalbumin Neurons Leads to Moderate Hyperactivity, Enhanced Self-Grooming and Suppressed Seizure Susceptibility in Mice. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:209. [PMID: 29970987 PMCID: PMC6018407 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Shank2 is an abundant postsynaptic scaffolding protein implicated in neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders, including autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Deletion of Shank2 in mice has been shown to induce social deficits, repetitive behaviors, and hyperactivity, but the identity of the cell types that contribute to these phenotypes has remained unclear. Here, we report a conditional mouse line with a Shank2 deletion restricted to parvalbumin (PV)-positive neurons (Pv-Cre;Shank2fl/fl mice). These mice display moderate hyperactivity in both novel and familiar environments and enhanced self-grooming in novel, but not familiar, environments. In contrast, they showed normal levels of social interaction, anxiety-like behavior, and learning and memory. Basal brain rhythms in Pv-Cre;Shank2fl/fl mice, measured by electroencephalography, were normal, but susceptibility to pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizures was decreased. These results suggest that Shank2 deletion in PV-positive neurons leads to hyperactivity, enhanced self-grooming and suppressed brain excitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seungjoon Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Eunee Lee
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Ryunhee Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Jihye Kim
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Suho Lee
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Haram Park
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Esther Yang
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hyun Kim
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Eunjoon Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, South Korea.,Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, South Korea
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48
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Heise C, Preuss JM, Schroeder JC, Battaglia CR, Kolibius J, Schmid R, Kreutz MR, Kas MJH, Burbach JPH, Boeckers TM. Heterogeneity of Cell Surface Glutamate and GABA Receptor Expression in Shank and CNTN4 Autism Mouse Models. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:212. [PMID: 29970989 PMCID: PMC6018460 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2018] [Accepted: 05/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) refers to a large set of neurodevelopmental disorders, which have in common both repetitive behavior and abnormalities in social interactions and communication. Interestingly, most forms of ASD have a strong genetic contribution. However, the molecular underpinnings of this disorder remain elusive. The SHANK3 gene (and to a lesser degree SHANK2) which encode for the postsynaptic density (PSD) proteins SHANK3/SHANK2 and the CONTACTIN 4 gene which encodes for the neuronal glycoprotein CONTACTIN4 (CNTN4) exhibit mutated variants which are associated with ASD. Like many of the other genes associated with ASD, both SHANKs and CNTN4 affect synapse formation and function and are therefore related to the proper development and signaling capability of excitatory and inhibitory neuronal networks in the adult mammal brain. In this study, we used mutant/knock-out mice of Shank2 (Shank2−/−), Shank3 (Shank3αβ−/−), and Cntn4 (Cntn4−/−) as ASD-models to explore whether these mice share a molecular signature in glutamatergic and GABAergic synaptic transmission in ASD-related brain regions. Using a biotinylation assay and subsequent western blotting we focused our analysis on cell surface expression of several ionotropic glutamate and GABA receptor subunits: GluA1, GluA2, and GluN1 were analyzed for excitatory synaptic transmission, and the α1 subunit of the GABAA receptor was analyzed for inhibitory synaptic transmission. We found that both Shank2−/− and Shank3αβ−/− mice exhibit reduced levels of several cell surface glutamate receptors in the analyzed brain regions—especially in the striatum and thalamus—when compared to wildtype controls. Interestingly, even though Cntn4−/− mice also show reduced levels of some cell surface glutamate receptors in the cortex and hippocampus, increased levels of cell surface glutamate receptors were found in the striatum. Moreover, Cntn4−/− mice do not only show brain region-specific alterations in cell surface glutamate receptors but also a downregulation of cell surface GABA receptors in several of the analyzed brain regions. The results of this study suggest that even though mutations in defined genes can be associated with ASD this does not necessarily result in a common molecular phenotype in surface expression of glutamatergic and GABAergic receptor subunits in defined brain regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Heise
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany.,RG Neuroplasticity, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Jonathan M Preuss
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Jan C Schroeder
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Jonas Kolibius
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Rebecca Schmid
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Michael R Kreutz
- RG Neuroplasticity, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Martien J H Kas
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands.,Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - J Peter H Burbach
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Tobias M Boeckers
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
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