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Alvino FG, Gini S, Minetti A, Pagani M, Sastre-Yagüe D, Barsotti N, De Guzman E, Schleifer C, Stuefer A, Kushan L, Montani C, Galbusera A, Papaleo F, Lombardo MV, Pasqualetti M, Bearden CE, Gozzi A. Synaptic-dependent developmental dysconnectivity in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.29.587339. [PMID: 38585897 PMCID: PMC10996624 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.29.587339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Chromosome 22q11.2 deletion is among the strongest known genetic risk factors for neuropsychiatric disorders, including autism and schizophrenia. Brain imaging studies have reported disrupted large-scale functional connectivity in people with 22q11 deletion syndrome (22q11DS). However, the significance and biological determinants of these functional alterations remain unclear. Here, we use a cross-species design to investigate the developmental trajectory and neural underpinnings of brain dysconnectivity in 22q11DS. We find that LgDel mice, an established mouse model of 22q11DS, exhibit age-specific patterns of functional MRI (fMRI) dysconnectivity, with widespread fMRI hyper-connectivity in juvenile mice reverting to focal hippocampal hypoconnectivity over puberty. These fMRI connectivity alterations are mirrored by co-occurring developmental alterations in dendritic spine density, and are both transiently normalized by developmental GSK3β inhibition, suggesting a synaptic origin for this phenomenon. Notably, analogous hyper- to hypoconnectivity reconfiguration occurs also in human 22q11DS, where it affects hippocampal and cortical regions spatially enriched for synaptic genes that interact with GSK3β, and autism-relevant transcripts. Functional dysconnectivity in somatomotor components of this network is predictive of age-dependent social alterations in 22q11.2 deletion carriers. Taken together, these findings suggest that synaptic-related mechanisms underlie developmentally mediated functional dysconnectivity in 22q11DS.
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Affiliation(s)
- F G Alvino
- Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems @UniTn, Rovereto, Italy
| | - S Gini
- Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems @UniTn, Rovereto, Italy
- Center for Mind and Brain Sciences, University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy
| | - A Minetti
- Department of Biology, Unit of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - M Pagani
- Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems @UniTn, Rovereto, Italy
- IMT School for Advanced Studies, Lucca, Italy
| | - D Sastre-Yagüe
- Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems @UniTn, Rovereto, Italy
- Center for Mind and Brain Sciences, University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy
| | - N Barsotti
- Centro per l'Integrazione della Strumentazione Scientifica dell'Universita di Pisa (CISUP), Pisa, Italy
| | - E De Guzman
- Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems @UniTn, Rovereto, Italy
| | - C Schleifer
- Departments of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences and Psychology, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - A Stuefer
- Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems @UniTn, Rovereto, Italy
- Center for Mind and Brain Sciences, University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy
| | - L Kushan
- Departments of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences and Psychology, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - C Montani
- Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems @UniTn, Rovereto, Italy
| | - A Galbusera
- Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems @UniTn, Rovereto, Italy
| | - F Papaleo
- Genetics of Cognition Laboratory, Neuroscience area, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy
| | - M V Lombardo
- Laboratory for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rovereto, Italy
| | - M Pasqualetti
- Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems @UniTn, Rovereto, Italy
- Centro per l'Integrazione della Strumentazione Scientifica dell'Universita di Pisa (CISUP), Pisa, Italy
| | - C E Bearden
- Departments of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences and Psychology, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - A Gozzi
- Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems @UniTn, Rovereto, Italy
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Onwordi EC, Whitehurst T, Shatalina E, Mansur A, Arumuham A, Osugo M, Marques TR, Jauhar S, Gupta S, Mehrotra R, Rabiner EA, Gunn RN, Natesan S, Howes OD. Synaptic Terminal Density Early in the Course of Schizophrenia: An In Vivo UCB-J Positron Emission Tomographic Imaging Study of SV2A. Biol Psychiatry 2024; 95:639-646. [PMID: 37330164 PMCID: PMC10923626 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2023.05.022] [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: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The synaptic hypothesis is an influential theory of the pathoetiology of schizophrenia (SCZ), which is supported by the finding that there is lower uptake of the synaptic terminal density marker [11C]UCB-J in patients with chronic SCZ than in control participants. However, it is unclear whether these differences are present early in the illness. To address this, we investigated [11C]UCB-J volume of distribution (VT) in antipsychotic-naïve/free patients with SCZ who were recruited from first-episode services compared with healthy volunteers. METHODS Forty-two volunteers (SCZ n = 21, healthy volunteers n = 21) underwent [11C]UCB-J positron emission tomography to index [11C]UCB-J VT and distribution volume ratio in the anterior cingulate, frontal, and dorsolateral prefrontal cortices; the temporal, parietal and occipital lobes; and the hippocampus, thalamus, and amygdala. Symptom severity was assessed in the SCZ group using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. RESULTS We found no significant effects of group on [11C]UCB-J VT or distribution volume ratio in most regions of interest (effect sizes from d = 0.0-0.7, p > .05), with two exceptions: we found lower distribution volume ratio in the temporal lobe (d = 0.7, uncorrected p < .05) and lower VT/fp in the anterior cingulate cortex in patients (d = 0.7, uncorrected p < .05). The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale total score was negatively associated with [11C]UCB-J VT in the hippocampus in the SCZ group (r = -0.48, p = .03). CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate that large differences in synaptic terminal density are not present early in SCZ, although there may be more subtle effects. When taken together with previous evidence of lower [11C]UCB-J VT in patients with chronic illness, this may indicate synaptic density changes during the course of SCZ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellis Chika Onwordi
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom; Psychiatric Imaging Group, Medical Research Council, London Institute of Medical Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital, London, United Kingdom; Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom; Centre for Psychiatry and Mental Health, Wolfson Institute of Population Health, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Thomas Whitehurst
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom; Psychiatric Imaging Group, Medical Research Council, London Institute of Medical Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital, London, United Kingdom; Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ekaterina Shatalina
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom; Psychiatric Imaging Group, Medical Research Council, London Institute of Medical Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital, London, United Kingdom; Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ayla Mansur
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, The Commonwealth Building, Hammersmith Hospital, London, United Kingdom; Invicro, Burlington Danes Building, London, United Kingdom
| | - Atheeshaan Arumuham
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom; Psychiatric Imaging Group, Medical Research Council, London Institute of Medical Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital, London, United Kingdom; Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Martin Osugo
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom; Psychiatric Imaging Group, Medical Research Council, London Institute of Medical Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital, London, United Kingdom; Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tiago Reis Marques
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom; Psychiatric Imaging Group, Medical Research Council, London Institute of Medical Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital, London, United Kingdom; Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sameer Jauhar
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Susham Gupta
- Early Detection and Early Intervention, East London National Health Service Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ravi Mehrotra
- Early Intervention in Psychosis Team, West Middlesex University Hospital, West London National Health Service Trust, Isleworth, London, United Kingdom
| | - Eugenii A Rabiner
- Invicro, Burlington Danes Building, London, United Kingdom; Centre for Neuroimaging Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Roger N Gunn
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, The Commonwealth Building, Hammersmith Hospital, London, United Kingdom; Invicro, Burlington Danes Building, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sridhar Natesan
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom; Psychiatric Imaging Group, Medical Research Council, London Institute of Medical Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital, London, United Kingdom; Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Oliver D Howes
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom; Psychiatric Imaging Group, Medical Research Council, London Institute of Medical Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital, London, United Kingdom; Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.
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Vincent B, Maitra S. BACE1-dependent metabolism of neuregulin 1: Bridging the gap in explaining the occurrence of schizophrenia-like symptoms in Alzheimer's disease with psychosis? Ageing Res Rev 2023; 89:101988. [PMID: 37331479 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.101988] [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: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disease mainly characterized by cortico-neuronal atrophy, impaired memory and other cognitive declines. On the other hand, schizophrenia is a neuro-developmental disorder with an overtly active central nervous system pruning system resulting into abrupt connections with common symptoms including disorganised thoughts, hallucination and delusion. Nevertheless, the fronto-temporal anomaly presents itself as a common denominator for the two pathologies. There is even a strong presumption of increased risk of developing co-morbid dementia for schizophrenic individuals and psychosis for Alzheimer's disease patients, overall leading to a further deteriorated quality of life. However, convincing proofs of how these two disorders, although very distant from each other when considering their aetiology, develop coexisting symptoms is yet to be resolved. At the molecular level, the two primarily neuronal proteins β-amyloid precursor protein and neuregulin 1 have been considered in this relevant context, although the conclusions are for the moment only hypotheses. In order to propose a model for explaining the psychotic schizophrenia-like symptoms that sometimes accompany AD-associated dementia, this review projects out on the similar sensitivity shared by these two proteins regarding their metabolism by the β-site APP cleaving enzyme 1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Vincent
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Laboratory of Excellence DistALZ, Université Côte d'Azur, INSERM, CNRS, Sophia-Antipolis, 06560 Valbonne, France.
| | - Subhamita Maitra
- Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, Umeå 90736, Sweden
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Howes OD, Onwordi EC. The synaptic hypothesis of schizophrenia version III: a master mechanism. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:1843-1856. [PMID: 37041418 PMCID: PMC10575788 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02043-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
The synaptic hypothesis of schizophrenia has been highly influential. However, new approaches mean there has been a step-change in the evidence available, and some tenets of earlier versions are not supported by recent findings. Here, we review normal synaptic development and evidence from structural and functional imaging and post-mortem studies that this is abnormal in people at risk and with schizophrenia. We then consider the mechanism that could underlie synaptic changes and update the hypothesis. Genome-wide association studies have identified a number of schizophrenia risk variants converging on pathways regulating synaptic elimination, formation and plasticity, including complement factors and microglial-mediated synaptic pruning. Induced pluripotent stem cell studies have demonstrated that patient-derived neurons show pre- and post-synaptic deficits, synaptic signalling alterations, and elevated, complement-dependent elimination of synaptic structures compared to control-derived lines. Preclinical data show that environmental risk factors linked to schizophrenia, such as stress and immune activation, can lead to synapse loss. Longitudinal MRI studies in patients, including in the prodrome, show divergent trajectories in grey matter volume and cortical thickness compared to controls, and PET imaging shows in vivo evidence for lower synaptic density in patients with schizophrenia. Based on this evidence, we propose version III of the synaptic hypothesis. This is a multi-hit model, whereby genetic and/or environmental risk factors render synapses vulnerable to excessive glia-mediated elimination triggered by stress during later neurodevelopment. We propose the loss of synapses disrupts pyramidal neuron function in the cortex to contribute to negative and cognitive symptoms and disinhibits projections to mesostriatal regions to contribute to dopamine overactivity and psychosis. It accounts for the typical onset of schizophrenia in adolescence/early adulthood, its major risk factors, and symptoms, and identifies potential synaptic, microglial and immune targets for treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver D Howes
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Sciences (ICS), Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK.
- Psychiatric Imaging Group, Medical Research Council, London Institute of Medical Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital, London, W12 0NN, UK.
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK.
| | - Ellis Chika Onwordi
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Sciences (ICS), Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK.
- Psychiatric Imaging Group, Medical Research Council, London Institute of Medical Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital, London, W12 0NN, UK.
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK.
- Centre for Psychiatry and Mental Health, Wolfson Institute of Population Health, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 2AB, UK.
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5
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Mittli D, Tukacs V, Ravasz L, Csősz É, Kozma T, Kardos J, Juhász G, Kékesi KA. LPS-induced acute neuroinflammation, involving interleukin-1 beta signaling, leads to proteomic, cellular, and network-level changes in the prefrontal cortex of mice. Brain Behav Immun Health 2023; 28:100594. [PMID: 36713475 PMCID: PMC9880243 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2023.100594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroinflammation induced by peripheral infections leads to various neuropsychiatric symptoms both in humans and laboratory animals, e.g., to the manifestation of sickness behavior that resembles some features of clinical depression. However, in addition to depression-like behavior, there are other symptoms of acute systemic inflammation that can be associated with the impairment of prefrontal cortex (PFC)-regulated cognitive functions. Thus, we investigated the electrophysiological and proteomic alterations of the PFC using brain slices and the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) model of acute peripheral infection in male mice. Based on the gene expression differences of the coreceptor (Il1rap) of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) between neuron types in our previous single-cell sequencing dataset, we first compared the electrophysiological effects of IL-1β on PFC pyramidal cells and interneurons. We found that pyramidal cells are more responsive to IL-1β, as could be presumed from our transcriptomic data. To examine the possible circuit-level correlates of the cellular changes, frontal electroencephalographic (EEG) activity and fronto-occipital functional connectivity were analyzed in LPS-treated mice and significant changes were found in the fronto-occipital EEG correlation and coherence in the delta and high-gamma frequency bands. The upregulation of the prefrontal IL-1 system (IL-1β and its receptor) after LPS treatment was revealed by immunoassays simultaneously with the observed EEG changes. Furthermore, we investigated the LPS-induced alterations of the synaptic proteome in the PFC using 2-D differential gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry and found 48 altered proteins mainly related to cellular signaling, cytoskeletal organization, and carbohydrate/energy metabolism. Thus, our results indicate remarkable electrophysiological and molecular changes in the PFC related to acute systemic inflammation that may explain some of the concomitant behavioral and physiological symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dániel Mittli
- ELTE NAP Neuroimmunology Research Group, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- Laboratory of Proteomics, Institute of Biology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Institute of Biology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Vanda Tukacs
- ELTE NAP Neuroimmunology Research Group, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- Laboratory of Proteomics, Institute of Biology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Lilla Ravasz
- Laboratory of Proteomics, Institute of Biology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- CRU Hungary Ltd., Göd, Hungary
| | - Éva Csősz
- Proteomics Core Facility, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | | | - József Kardos
- ELTE NAP Neuroimmunology Research Group, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gábor Juhász
- ELTE NAP Neuroimmunology Research Group, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- Laboratory of Proteomics, Institute of Biology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- CRU Hungary Ltd., Göd, Hungary
- InnoScience Ltd., Mátranovák, Hungary
| | - Katalin Adrienna Kékesi
- ELTE NAP Neuroimmunology Research Group, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- Laboratory of Proteomics, Institute of Biology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Institute of Biology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- InnoScience Ltd., Mátranovák, Hungary
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Synaptic plasticity in Schizophrenia pathophysiology. IBRO Neurosci Rep 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ibneur.2023.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
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Zhang K, Liao P, Wen J, Hu Z. Synaptic plasticity in schizophrenia pathophysiology. IBRO Neurosci Rep 2022; 13:478-487. [PMID: 36590092 PMCID: PMC9795311 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibneur.2022.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a severe neuropsychiatric syndrome with psychotic behavioral abnormalities and marked cognitive deficits. It is widely accepted that genetic and environmental factors contribute to the onset of schizophrenia. However, the etiology and pathology of the disease remain largely unexplored. Recently, the synaptopathology and the dysregulated synaptic plasticity and function have emerging as intriguing and prominent biological mechanisms of schizophrenia pathogenesis. Synaptic plasticity is the ability of neurons to change the strength of their connections in response to internal or external stimuli, which is essential for brain development and function, learning and memory, and vast majority of behavior responses relevant to psychiatric diseases including schizophrenia. Here, we reviewed molecular and cellular mechanisms of the multiple forms synaptic plasticity, and the functional regulations of schizophrenia-risk factors including disease susceptible genes and environmental alterations on synaptic plasticity and animal behavior. Recent genome-wide association studies have provided fruitful findings of hundreds of risk gene variances associated with schizophrenia, thus further clarifying the role of these disease-risk genes in synaptic transmission and plasticity will be beneficial to advance our understanding of schizophrenia pathology, as well as the molecular mechanism of synaptic plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kexuan Zhang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Molecular Precision Medicine, Department of Critical Care Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, PR China,Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, PR China
| | - Panlin Liao
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Molecular Precision Medicine, Department of Critical Care Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, PR China,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, PR China
| | - Jin Wen
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Molecular Precision Medicine, Department of Critical Care Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, PR China,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, PR China
| | - Zhonghua Hu
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Molecular Precision Medicine, Department of Critical Care Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, PR China,Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, PR China,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, PR China,Hunan Provincial Clinical Research Center for Critical Care Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, PR China,Hunan Key Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, PR China,Key Laboratory of Hunan Province in Neurodegenerative Disorders, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, PR China,Correspondence to: Institute of Molecular Precision Medicine and Hunan Key Laboratory of Molecular Precision Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Rd, Changsha, Hunan, PR China.
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In-depth investigations of the molecular basis underlying sex differences among middle-aged and elderly schizophrenia populations. Psychiatr Genet 2022; 32:178-187. [PMID: 36125368 DOI: 10.1097/ypg.0000000000000322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Sex can influence almost all aspects of schizophrenia. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying sex differences in schizophrenia remain poorly understood. In this project, the dataset GSE107638 containing neuronal RNA-seq data and age/sex information of individuals with or without schizophrenia were retrieved. Schizophrenia samples were divided into young male (M-1), young female (F-1), middle-aged and elderly male (M-2) and middle-aged and elderly female (F-2) groups. Next, green/yellow/turquoise modules related to the M-2 trait and turquoise module correlated with the F-2 trait were identified by weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA) analysis (soft thresholding power: 13; min module size: 200). Crucial genes in the M-2 green, M-2 turquoise and F-2 turquoise modules were identified by WGCNA, gene significance/module membership, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis. Moreover, 2067 and 934 differentially expressed genes (|log2 fold-change| ≥0.58 and P-value < 0.05) in M-2 and F-2 schizophrenia subgroups versus same-age and same-sex counterparts were identified, respectively. Additionally, 82 core genes in the M-2 turquoise module and 4 hub genes in the F-2 turquoise module were differentially expressed in M-2 and F-2 schizophrenia subgroups versus their counterparts, respectively. Among the 82 hub genes, 15 genes were found to be correlated with neuronal development by the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis. Also, 2 potential PPI networks related to neuronal development were identified. Taken together, multiple potential hub genes and 2 potential neurobiological networks related to schizophrenia sex differences and disease progression were identified among middle-aged and elderly schizophrenia populations.
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Omeiza NA, Bakre AG, Abdulrahim HA, Isibor H, Ezurike PU, Sowunmi AA, Ben-Azu B, Aderibigbe AO. Pretreatment with Carpolobia lutea ethanol extract prevents schizophrenia-like behavior in mice models of psychosis. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2022; 295:115432. [PMID: 35659625 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2022.115432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2022] [Revised: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Carpolobia lutea decoction is widely used as a phytotherapeutic against central nervous system-related disorders including insomnia, migraine headache, and mental illness in West and Central Tropical Africa. AIM This study was designed to investigate the antipsychotic activity of Carpolobia lutea (EECL) in mice models of psychosis. METHODS Male Swiss mice (n = 5/group) were given EECL (100, 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg), haloperidol (1 mg/kg), clozapine (5 mg/kg) and vehicle (10 mL/kg) orally before amphetamine (5 mg/kg)-induced hyperlocomotion and stereotypy, apomorphine (2 mg/kg)-induced stereotypy, or ketamine (10, 30, and 100 mg/kg)-induced hyperlocomotion, enhancement of immobility and cognitive impairment. RESULTS EECL (200, 400, and 800 mg/kg) prevented amphetamine- and apomorphine-induced stereotypies, as well as reduced hyperlocomotion induced by amphetamine and ketamine, all of which are predictors of positive symptoms. Regardless of the dose administered, EECL prevented the index of negative symptoms induced by ketamine. Furthermore, higher doses of EECL (400 and 800 mg/kg) also prevented ketamine-induced cognitive impairment, a behavioral phenotype of cognitive symptoms. CONCLUSION Pretreatment with EECL demonstrated antipsychotic activity in mice, preventing amphetamine-, apomorphine-, and ketamine-induced schizophrenia-like symptoms, with 800 mg/kg being the most effective dose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noah A Omeiza
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Neuropharmacology Unit, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
| | - Adewale G Bakre
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Neuropharmacology Unit, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Halimat A Abdulrahim
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
| | - Happy Isibor
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Neuropharmacology Unit, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Precious U Ezurike
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Neuropharmacology Unit, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Abimbola A Sowunmi
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Neuropharmacology Unit, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Benneth Ben-Azu
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria
| | - Adegbuyi O Aderibigbe
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Neuropharmacology Unit, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
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10
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Chen Y, Li S, Zhang T, Yang F, Lu B. Corticosterone antagonist or TrkB agonist attenuates schizophrenia-like behavior in a mouse model combining Bdnf-e6 deficiency and developmental stress. iScience 2022; 25:104609. [PMID: 35789832 PMCID: PMC9250029 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Yanhui Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Shangjin Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Tianyi Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Feng Yang
- China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100084, China
- Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100070, China
| | - Bai Lu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100070, China
- Corresponding author
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11
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What Can We Learn from Animal Models to Study Schizophrenia? ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1400:15-33. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-97182-3_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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12
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Zhang CY, Xiao X, Zhang Z, Hu Z, Li M. An alternative splicing hypothesis for neuropathology of schizophrenia: evidence from studies on historical candidate genes and multi-omics data. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:95-112. [PMID: 33686213 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01037-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Alternative splicing of schizophrenia risk genes, such as DRD2, GRM3, and DISC1, has been extensively described. Nevertheless, the alternative splicing characteristics of the growing number of schizophrenia risk genes identified through genetic analyses remain relatively opaque. Recently, transcriptomic analyses in human brains based on short-read RNA-sequencing have discovered many "local splicing" events (e.g., exon skipping junctions) associated with genetic risk of schizophrenia, and further molecular characterizations have identified novel spliced isoforms, such as AS3MTd2d3 and ZNF804AE3E4. In addition, long-read sequencing analyses of schizophrenia risk genes (e.g., CACNA1C and NRXN1) have revealed multiple previously unannotated brain-abundant isoforms with therapeutic potentials, and functional analyses of KCNH2-3.1 and Ube3a1 have provided examples for investigating such spliced isoforms in vitro and in vivo. These findings suggest that alternative splicing may be an essential molecular mechanism underlying genetic risk of schizophrenia, however, the incomplete annotations of human brain transcriptomes might have limited our understanding of schizophrenia pathogenesis, and further efforts to elucidate these transcriptional characteristics are urgently needed to gain insights into the illness-correlated brain physiology and pathology as well as to translate genetic discoveries into novel therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chu-Yi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, China.,Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Xiao Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, China.,KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Zhuohua Zhang
- Institute of Molecular Precision Medicine and Hunan Key Laboratory of Molecular Precision Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Center for Medical Genetics and Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zhonghua Hu
- Institute of Molecular Precision Medicine and Hunan Key Laboratory of Molecular Precision Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China. .,Center for Medical Genetics and Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China. .,Department of Critical Care Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China. .,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China. .,Hunan Key Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China. .,Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital and Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China. .,National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders, Changsha, Hunan, China.
| | - Ming Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, China. .,Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, China. .,KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, China.
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13
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Wang P, Li M, Zhao A, Ma J. Application of animal experimental models in the research of schizophrenia. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2021; 186:209-227. [PMID: 34155806 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a relatively common but serious mental illness that results in a heavy burden to patients, their families, and society. The disease can be triggered by multiple factors, while the specific pathogenesis remains unclear. The development of effective therapeutic drugs for schizophrenia relies on a comprehensive understanding of the basic biology and pathophysiology of the disease. Therefore, effective animal experimental models play a vital role in the study of schizophrenia. Based on different molecular mechanisms and modeling methods, the currently used experimental animal experimental models of schizophrenia can be divided into four categories that can better simulate the clinical symptoms and the interplay between susceptible genes and the environment: neurodevelopmental, drug-induced, genetic-engineering, and genetic-environmental interaction of animal experimental models. Each of these categories contains multiple subtypes, which has its own advantages and disadvantages and therefore requires careful selection in a research application. The emergence and utilization of these models are promising in the prediction of the risk of schizophrenia at the molecular level, which will shed light on effective and targeted treatment at the genetic level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengjie Wang
- Medical Research Center, Xi'an No.3 Hospital, the Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,Department of Electron Microscope, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Manling Li
- School of Basic Medicine, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Gui Yang, Guizhou, China
| | - Aizhen Zhao
- Medical Research Center, Xi'an No.3 Hospital, the Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jie Ma
- Medical Research Center, Xi'an No.3 Hospital, the Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,Department of Electron Microscope, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
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14
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Chen P, Jing H, Xiong M, Zhang Q, Lin D, Ren D, Wang S, Yin D, Chen Y, Zhou T, Li B, Fei E, Pan BX. Spine impairment in mice high-expressing neuregulin 1 due to LIMK1 activation. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:403. [PMID: 33854034 PMCID: PMC8047019 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-03687-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The genes encoding for neuregulin1 (NRG1), a growth factor, and its receptor ErbB4 are both risk factors of major depression disorder and schizophrenia (SZ). They have been implicated in neural development and synaptic plasticity. However, exactly how NRG1 variations lead to SZ remains unclear. Indeed, NRG1 levels are increased in postmortem brain tissues of patients with brain disorders. Here, we studied the effects of high-level NRG1 on dendritic spine development and function. We showed that spine density in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus was reduced in mice (ctoNrg1) that overexpressed NRG1 in neurons. The frequency of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) was reduced in both brain regions of ctoNrg1 mice. High expression of NRG1 activated LIMK1 and increased cofilin phosphorylation in postsynaptic densities. Spine reduction was attenuated by inhibiting LIMK1 or blocking the NRG1–LIMK1 interaction, or by restoring NRG1 protein level. These results indicate that a normal NRG1 protein level is necessary for spine homeostasis and suggest a pathophysiological mechanism of abnormal spines in relevant brain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China.,Institute of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Hongyang Jing
- School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China.,Institute of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Mingtao Xiong
- Institute of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Dong Lin
- School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China.,Institute of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Dongyan Ren
- School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China.,Institute of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Shunqi Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China.,Institute of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Dongmin Yin
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, Ministry of Education and Shanghai, School of Life Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Yongjun Chen
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Tian Zhou
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Baoming Li
- Institute of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Erkang Fei
- School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China. .,Institute of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China.
| | - Bing-Xing Pan
- School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China. .,Institute of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China.
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15
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Palumbo S, Paterson C, Yang F, Hood VL, Law AJ. PKBβ/AKT2 deficiency impacts brain mTOR signaling, prefrontal cortical physiology, hippocampal plasticity and select murine behaviors. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:411-428. [PMID: 33328589 PMCID: PMC7854513 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-020-00964-4] [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: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 10/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The serine/threonine protein kinase v-AKT homologs (AKTs), are implicated in typical and atypical neurodevelopment. Akt isoforms Akt1, Akt2, and Akt3 have been extensively studied outside the brain where their actions have been found to be complementary, non-overlapping and often divergent. While the neurological functions of Akt1 and Akt3 isoforms have been investigated, the role for Akt2 remains underinvestigated. Neurobehavioral, electrophysiological, morphological and biochemical assessment of Akt2 heterozygous and knockout genetic deletion in mouse, reveals a novel role for Akt2 in axonal development, dendritic patterning and cell-intrinsic and neural circuit physiology of the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Akt2 loss-of-function increased anxiety-like phenotypes, impaired fear conditioned learning, social behaviors and discrimination memory. Reduced sensitivity to amphetamine was observed, supporting a role for Akt2 in regulating dopaminergic tone. Biochemical analyses revealed dysregulated brain mTOR and GSK3β signaling, consistent with observed learning and memory impairments. Rescue of cognitive impairments was achieved through pharmacological enhancement of PI3K/AKT signaling and PIK3CD inhibition. Together these data highlight a novel role for Akt2 in neurodevelopment, learning and memory and show that Akt2 is a critical and non-redundant regulator of mTOR activity in brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Palumbo
- Clinical Brain Disorders Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health Intramural Program, Bethesda MD 20892.,Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy (current)
| | - Clare Paterson
- Clinical Brain Disorders Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health Intramural Program, Bethesda MD 20892.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado, School of Medicine. Aurora, CO 80045
| | - Feng Yang
- Clinical Brain Disorders Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health Intramural Program, Bethesda MD 20892.,Division of Neurodegenerative Diseases and Translational Sciences Tiantan Hospital & Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection. Capital Medical University, Beijing, China (current)
| | - Veronica L. Hood
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado, School of Medicine. Aurora, CO 80045
| | - Amanda J. Law
- Clinical Brain Disorders Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health Intramural Program, Bethesda MD 20892.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado, School of Medicine. Aurora, CO 80045.,To whom correspondence should be addressed:
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16
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Overexpression of neuregulin 1 in GABAergic interneurons results in reversible cortical disinhibition. Nat Commun 2021; 12:278. [PMID: 33436636 PMCID: PMC7804852 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-20552-y] [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: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cortical disinhibition is a common feature of several neuropsychiatric diseases such as schizophrenia, autism and intellectual disabilities. However, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. To mimic increased expression of Nrg1, a schizophrenia susceptibility gene in GABAergic interneurons from patients with schizophrenia, we generated gtoNrg1 mice with overexpression of Nrg1 in GABAergic interneurons. gtoNrg1 mice showed cortical disinhibition at the cellular, synaptic, neural network and behavioral levels. We revealed that the intracellular domain of NRG1 interacts with the cytoplasmic loop 1 of Nav1.1, a sodium channel critical for the excitability of GABAergic interneurons, and inhibits Nav currents. Intriguingly, activation of GABAergic interneurons or restoring NRG1 expression in adulthood could rescue the hyperactivity and impaired social novelty in gtoNrg1 mice. These results identify mechanisms underlying cortical disinhibition related to schizophrenia and raise the possibility that restoration of NRG1 signaling and GABAergic function is beneficial in certain neuropsychiatric disorders. The molecular and cellular mechanisms of cortical disinhibition as a common feature of many psychiatric diseases are not fully understood. The authors identify an interaction between NRG1 and Nav1.1 sodium channel as a mechanism of how NRG1 modulates the excitability of GABAergic interneurons.
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17
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De Simone R, Butera A, Armida M, Pezzola A, Boirivant M, Potenza RL, Ricceri L. Beneficial Effects of Fingolimod on Social Interaction, CNS and Peripheral Immune Response in the BTBR Mouse Model of Autism. Neuroscience 2020; 435:22-32. [PMID: 32229233 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.03.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 03/01/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by social communication deficits and repetitive/stereotyped behaviours. We evaluated the effects of a chronic treatment with the immunomodulator drug Fingolimod (FTY720 - a non-selective Sphingosine 1-Phosphate Receptor ligand) in an ASD model, the BTBR T+tf/J (BTBR) mouse strain. In adult BTBR males, chronic FTY720 treatment (4 weeks) increased social and vocal response during a male-female interaction and hippocampal expression of BDNF and Neuregulin 1, two trophic factors reduced in BTBR when compared to control C57 mice. FTY720 also re-established the expression of IL-1β and MnSOD in the hippocampus, whereas it did not modify IL-6 mRNA content. In addition to its central effect, FTY720 modulated the activation state of peripheral macrophages in the BTBR model, both in basal conditions and after stimulation with an immune challenge. Furthermore, IL-6 mRNA colonic content of BTBR mice, reduced when compared with C57 mice, was normalized by chronic treatment with FTY720. Our study, while indicating FTY720 as a tool to attenuate relevant alterations of the BTBR neurobehavioural phenotype, emphasizes the importance of gut mucosal immune evaluation as an additional target that deserve to be investigated in preclinical studies of anti-inflammatory therapeutic approaches in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta De Simone
- National Centre for Drug Research and Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessia Butera
- National Centre for Drug Research and Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Monica Armida
- National Centre for Drug Research and Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Pezzola
- National Centre for Drug Research and Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Monica Boirivant
- National Centre for Drug Research and Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Rosa Luisa Potenza
- National Centre for Drug Research and Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
| | - Laura Ricceri
- Centre for Behavioural Science and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
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18
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Paterson C, Cumming B, Law AJ. Temporal Dynamics of the Neuregulin-ErbB Network in the Murine Prefrontal Cortex across the Lifespan. Cereb Cortex 2020; 30:3325-3339. [PMID: 31897479 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhz312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuregulin-ErbB signaling is essential for numerous functions in the developing, adult, and aging brain, particularly in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Mouse models with disrupted Nrg and/or ErbB genes are relevant to psychiatric, developmental, and age-related disorders, displaying a range of abnormalities stemming from cortical circuitry impairment. Many of these models display nonoverlapping phenotypes dependent upon the gene target and timing of perturbation, suggesting that cortical expression of the Nrg-ErbB network undergoes temporal regulation across the lifespan. Here, we report a comprehensive temporal expression mapping study of the Nrg-ErbB signaling network in the mouse PFC across postnatal development through aging. We find that Nrg and ErbB genes display distinct expression profiles; moreover, splice isoforms of these genes are differentially expressed across the murine lifespan. We additionally find a developmental switch in ErbB4 splice isoform expression potentially mediated through coregulation of the lncRNA Miat expression. Our results are the first to comprehensively and quantitatively map the expression patterns of the Nrg-ErbB network in the mouse PFC across the postnatal lifespan and may help disentangle the pathway's involvement in normal cortical sequences of events across the lifespan, as well as shedding light on the pathophysiological mechanisms of abnormal Nrg-ErbB signaling in neurological disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare Paterson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado, School of Medicine Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Brooke Cumming
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado, School of Medicine Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Amanda J Law
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado, School of Medicine Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.,Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, School of Medicine Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, School of Medicine Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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19
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Hood VL, Berger R, Freedman R, Law AJ. Transcription of PIK3CD in human brain and schizophrenia: regulation by proinflammatory cytokines. Hum Mol Genet 2020; 28:3188-3198. [PMID: 31211828 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddz144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2019] [Revised: 05/23/2019] [Accepted: 06/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
PIK3CD encodes the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) catalytic subunit, p110δ, a lipid kinase linked to neurodevelopmental disorders, including schizophrenia (SZ). PIK3CD is regulated at the transcript level through alternate use of 5' untranslated exons (UTRs), promoters, and proinflammatory cytokines. Increases in global PIK3CD expression and downregulation by neuroleptics are observed in SZ, and preclinical efficacy of a p110δ-selective inhibitor is seen in rodent models of risk. Here, we cloned PIK3CD alternative transcripts in human brain and evaluated temporal- and tissue-specific expression. We quantified PIK3CD transcripts in B-lymphoblastoid cells from patients with SZ and examined 5' UTR transcriptional regulation by tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) and interleukin-1β (IL1β) in patient-derived fibroblasts. We report that PIK3CD transcripts are differentially expressed in human brain in a developmental-specific manner. Transcripts encoding 5' UTRs -2A and alternative exon -1 (Alt1), P37 and AS1 and AS2 were increased in SZ. Alt1, P37, and AS2 were also preferentially expressed in fetal brain, and all transcripts were regulated by TNFα and IL1β. Our findings provide novel insight into the complexity of PIK3CD regulation in human brain, implicate PIK3CD in human neurodevelopment, and identify isoform-specific disruption in SZ.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Amanda J Law
- Department of Psychiatry.,Department of Medicine.,Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
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20
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Hood VL, Paterson C, Law AJ. PI3Kinase-p110δ Overexpression Impairs Dendritic Morphogenesis and Increases Dendritic Spine Density. Front Mol Neurosci 2020; 13:29. [PMID: 32180704 PMCID: PMC7059765 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2020.00029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Activity and expression of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) catalytic isoform, PIK3CD/p110δ, is increased in schizophrenia, autism, and intellectual delay and pro-cognitive preclinical efficacy of p110δ-inhibition has been demonstrated in pharmacological, genetic, and developmental rodent models of psychiatric disorders. Although PI3K signaling has been implicated in the development and function of neurons and glia; isoform-specific roles of the individual PI3Ks are less clear and the biological effects of increased p110δ on neuronal development are unknown. Since the pathobiological direction of p110δ changes in neurodevelopmental disorders are increased expression and activity, we hypothesized that overexpression of p110δ would impact measures of neuronal development and maturation relevant to connectivity and synaptic transmission. p110δ overexpression in primary rat hippocampal cultures significantly reduced dendritic morphogenesis and arborization and increased immature and mature dendritic spine densities, without impacting cell viability, soma size, or axon length. Together, our novel findings demonstrate the importance of homeostatic regulation of the p110δ isoform for normative neuronal development and highlight a potential pathophysiological mechanism of association to disorders of neurodevelopment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica L Hood
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Clare Paterson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Amanda J Law
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States.,Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States.,Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
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21
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Howell KR, Law AJ. Neurodevelopmental concepts of schizophrenia in the genome-wide association era: AKT/mTOR signaling as a pathological mediator of genetic and environmental programming during development. Schizophr Res 2020; 217:95-104. [PMID: 31522868 PMCID: PMC7065975 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2019.08.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Revised: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 08/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Normative brain development is contingent on the complex interplay between genes and environment. Schizophrenia (SCZ) is considered a highly polygenic, neurodevelopmental disorder associated with impaired neural circuit development, neurocognitive function and variations in neurotransmitter signaling systems, including dopamine. Significant evidence, accumulated over the last 30 years indicates a role for the in utero environment in SCZ pathophysiology. Emerging data suggests that changes in placental programming and function may mediate the link between genetic risk, early life complications (ELC) and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes, with risk highlighted in key developmental drivers that converge on AKT/mTOR signaling. In this article we overview select risk genes identified through recent genome-wide association studies of SCZ including AKT3, miR-137, DRD2, and AKT1 itself. We propose that through convergence on AKT/mTOR signaling, these genes are critical factors directing both placentation and neurodevelopment, influencing risk for SCZ through dysregulation of placental function, metabolism and early brain development. We discuss association of risk genes in the context of their known roles in neurodevelopment, placental expression and their possible mechanistic links to SCZ in the broad context of the 'developmental origins of adult disease' construct. Understanding how common genetic variation impacts early fetal programming may advance our knowledge of disease etiology and identify early critical developmental windows for prevention and intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Amanda J. Law
- Corresponding Author: Amanda J. Law, PhD, Professor of Psychiatry, Medicine and Cell and Developmental Biology, Nancy L. Gary Endowed Chair in Children’s Mental Disorders Research, University of Colorado, School of Medicine, , Phone: 303-724-4418, Fax: 303-724-4425, 12700 E. 19th Ave., MS 8619, Aurora, CO 80045
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22
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Koszła O, Targowska-Duda KM, Kędzierska E, Kaczor AA. In Vitro and In Vivo Models for the Investigation of Potential Drugs Against Schizophrenia. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10010160. [PMID: 31963851 PMCID: PMC7022578 DOI: 10.3390/biom10010160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Revised: 01/12/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia (SZ) is a complex psychiatric disorder characterized by positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms, and is not satisfactorily treated by current antipsychotics. Progress in understanding the basic pathomechanism of the disease has been hampered by the lack of appropriate models. In order to develop modern drugs against SZ, efficient methods to study them in in vitro and in vivo models of this disease are required. In this review a short presentation of current hypotheses and concepts of SZ is followed by a description of current progress in the field of SZ experimental models. A critical discussion of advantages and limitations of in vitro models and pharmacological, genetic, and neurodevelopmental in vivo models for positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms of the disease is provided. In particular, this review concerns the important issue of how cellular and animal systems can help to meet the challenges of modeling the disease, which fully manifests only in humans, as experimental studies of SZ in humans are limited. Next, it is emphasized that novel clinical candidates should be evaluated in animal models for treatment-resistant SZ. In conclusion, the plurality of available in vitro and in vivo models is a consequence of the complex nature of SZ, and there are extensive possibilities for their integration. Future development of more efficient antipsychotics reflecting the pleiotropy of symptoms in SZ requires the incorporation of various models into one uniting model of the multifactorial disorder and use of this model for the evaluation of new drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliwia Koszła
- Department of Synthesis and Chemical Technology of Pharmaceutical Substances, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, 4A Chodźki St., PL-20093 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Katarzyna M. Targowska-Duda
- Department of Biopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, 4A Chodźki St., PL-20093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Ewa Kędzierska
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, 4A Chodźki St., PL-20093 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Agnieszka A. Kaczor
- Department of Synthesis and Chemical Technology of Pharmaceutical Substances, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, 4A Chodźki St., PL-20093 Lublin, Poland;
- School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland
- Correspondence:
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23
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Alsabban AH, Morikawa M, Tanaka Y, Takei Y, Hirokawa N. Kinesin Kif3b mutation reduces NMDAR subunit NR2A trafficking and causes schizophrenia-like phenotypes in mice. EMBO J 2020; 39:e101090. [PMID: 31746486 PMCID: PMC6939202 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2018101090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2018] [Revised: 10/19/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The transport of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) is crucial for neuronal plasticity and synapse formation. Here, we show that KIF3B, a member of the kinesin superfamily proteins (KIFs), supports the transport of vesicles simultaneously containing NMDAR subunit 2A (NR2A) and the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) complex. Kif3b+/- neurons exhibited a reduction in dendritic levels of both NR2A and NR2B due to the impaired transport of NR2A and increased degradation of NR2B. In Kif3b+/- hippocampal slices, electrophysiological NMDAR response was found decreased and synaptic plasticity was disrupted, which corresponded to a common feature of schizophrenia (SCZ). The histological features of Kif3b+/- mouse brain also mimicked SCZ features, and Kif3b+/- mice exhibited behavioral defects in prepulse inhibition (PPI), social interest, and cognitive flexibility. Indeed, a mutation of KIF3B was specifically identified in human SCZ patients, which was revealed to be functionally defective in a rescue experiment. Therefore, we propose that KIF3B transports NR2A/APC complex and that its dysfunction is responsible for SCZ pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashwaq Hassan Alsabban
- Department of Cell Biology and AnatomyGraduate School of MedicineThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
- Department of Biological ScienceFaculty of SciencesKing Abdulaziz UniversityJeddahSaudi Arabia
- Unit of Neurological DisordersDepartment of Genetic MedicineFaculty of MedicinePrincess Al‐Jawhara Center of Excellence in Research of Hereditary Disorders (PACER.HD)King Abdulaziz UniversityJeddahSaudi Arabia
| | - Momo Morikawa
- Department of Cell Biology and AnatomyGraduate School of MedicineThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
| | - Yosuke Tanaka
- Department of Cell Biology and AnatomyGraduate School of MedicineThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
| | - Yosuke Takei
- Department of Cell Biology and AnatomyGraduate School of MedicineThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
- Department of Anatomy and NeuroscienceFaculty of MedicineUniversity of TsukubaTsukubaIbarakiJapan
| | - Nobutaka Hirokawa
- Department of Cell Biology and AnatomyGraduate School of MedicineThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
- Center of Excellence in Genome Medicine ResearchKing Abdulaziz UniversityJeddahSaudi Arabia
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24
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Ju J, Liu L, Zhang Y, Zhou Q. Effect of age onset on schizophrenia-like phenotypes and underlying mechanisms in model mice. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2019; 89:465-474. [PMID: 30025793 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2018.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Revised: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 07/15/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
In humans, schizophrenia with onset in adolescence or adult has distinct features. To understand whether schizophrenia with either adolescence- or adult-onset have distinct phenotypes and cellular mechanisms in schizophrenia model mice, we altered Nrg1 signaling during either adolescence or adult mice via injection of anti-Nrg1 antibodies. We found that in either early-onset schizophrenia (EOS)- or late-onset schizophrenia (LOS)-like mice, certain behavior phenotypes are shared including hyperlocomotion, impaired working memory and impaired fear conditioning. Anxiety appears to be largely unaffected. In vitro electrophysiology in brain slices showed altered excitation/inhibition balance in EOS-like mice towards enhanced synaptic excitation, but intrinsic excitability of the fast-spiking GABAergic neurons was elevated in the LOS-like mice. Thus, although schizophrenia-like main phenotypes appear to be preserved in both age onset model mice, there are distinct differences in cellular mechanisms between them. We suggest that these differences are important for more precise diagnosis and more effective treatment of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Ju
- School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Luping Liu
- School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yujie Zhang
- School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Qiang Zhou
- School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, China.
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25
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Gross C, Banerjee A, Tiwari D, Longo F, White AR, Allen AG, Schroeder-Carter LM, Krzeski JC, Elsayed NA, Puckett R, Klann E, Rivero RA, Gourley SL, Bassell GJ. Isoform-selective phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibition ameliorates a broad range of fragile X syndrome-associated deficits in a mouse model. Neuropsychopharmacology 2019; 44:324-333. [PMID: 30061744 PMCID: PMC6300538 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-018-0150-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2018] [Revised: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 07/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Defects in the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway are shared characteristics in several brain disorders, including the inherited intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder, fragile X syndrome (FXS). PI3K signaling therefore could serve as a therapeutic target for FXS and other brain disorders. However, broad inhibition of such a central signal transduction pathway involved in essential cellular functions may produce deleterious side effects. Pharmacological strategies that selectively correct the overactive components of the PI3K pathway while leaving other parts of the pathway intact may overcome these challenges. Here, we provide the first evidence that disease mechanism-based PI3K isoform-specific inhibition may be a viable treatment option for FXS. FXS is caused by loss of the fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP), which translationally represses specific messenger RNAs, including the PI3K catalytic isoform p110β. FMRP deficiency increases p110β protein levels and activity in FXS mouse models and in cells from subjects with FXS. Here, we show that a novel, brain-permeable p110β-specific inhibitor, GSK2702926A, ameliorates FXS-associated phenotypes on molecular, cellular, behavioral, and cognitive levels in two different FMRP-deficient mouse models. Rescued phenotypes included increased PI3K downstream signaling, protein synthesis rates, and dendritic spine density, as well as impaired social interaction and higher-order cognition. Several p110β-selective inhibitors, for example, a molecule from the same chemotype as GSK2702926A, are currently being evaluated in clinical trials to treat cancer. Our results suggest that repurposing p110β inhibitors to treat cognitive and behavioral defects may be a promising disease-modifying strategy for FXS and other brain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Gross
- Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA. .,Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA.
| | - Anwesha Banerjee
- 0000 0001 0941 6502grid.189967.8Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322 USA
| | - Durgesh Tiwari
- 0000 0000 9025 8099grid.239573.9Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229 USA
| | - Francesco Longo
- 0000 0004 1936 8753grid.137628.9Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY 10003 USA
| | - Angela R. White
- 0000 0000 9025 8099grid.239573.9Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229 USA
| | - A. G. Allen
- 0000 0001 0941 6502grid.189967.8Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322 USA ,0000 0001 0941 6502grid.189967.8Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322 USA
| | - Lindsay M. Schroeder-Carter
- 0000 0000 9025 8099grid.239573.9Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229 USA
| | - Joseph C. Krzeski
- 0000 0000 9025 8099grid.239573.9Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229 USA
| | - Nada A. Elsayed
- 0000 0000 9025 8099grid.239573.9Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229 USA
| | - Rosemary Puckett
- 0000 0004 1936 8753grid.137628.9Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY 10003 USA
| | - Eric Klann
- 0000 0004 1936 8753grid.137628.9Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY 10003 USA
| | - Ralph A. Rivero
- 0000 0004 0393 4335grid.418019.5GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, PA 19426 USA
| | - Shannon L. Gourley
- 0000 0001 0941 6502grid.189967.8Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322 USA ,0000 0001 0941 6502grid.189967.8Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322 USA ,0000 0001 0941 6502grid.189967.8Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30329 USA
| | - Gary J. Bassell
- 0000 0001 0941 6502grid.189967.8Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322 USA ,0000 0001 0941 6502grid.189967.8Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322 USA
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26
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Kimoto S, Makinodan M, Kishimoto T. Neurobiology and treatment of social cognition in schizophrenia: Bridging the bed-bench gap. Neurobiol Dis 2018; 131:104315. [PMID: 30391541 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2018.10.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2018] [Revised: 10/01/2018] [Accepted: 10/31/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Social cognition refers to the psychological processes involved in the perception, encoding, storage, retrieval, and regulation of information about others and ourselves. This process is essential for survival and reproduction in complex social environments. Recent evidence suggests that impairments in social cognition frequently occur in schizophrenia, mainly contributing to poor functional outcomes, including the inability to engage in meaningful work and maintain satisfying interpersonal relationships. With the ambiguous definition of social cognition, the neurobiology underlying impaired social cognition remains unknown, and the effectiveness of currently available intervention strategies in schizophrenia remain limited. Considering the advances and challenges of translational research for schizophrenia, social cognition has been considered a high-priority domain for treatment development. Here, we describe the current state of the framework, clinical concerns, and intervention approaches for social cognition in schizophrenia. Next, we introduce translatable rodent models associated with schizophrenia that allow the evaluation of different components of social behaviors, providing deeper insights into the neural substrates of social cognition in schizophrenia. Our review presents a valuable perspective that indicates the necessity of building bridges between basic and clinical science researchers for the development of novel therapeutic approaches in impaired social cognition in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sohei Kimoto
- Department of Psychiatry, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, Kashihara, Japan.
| | - Manabu Makinodan
- Department of Psychiatry, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, Kashihara, Japan
| | - Toshifumi Kishimoto
- Department of Psychiatry, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, Kashihara, Japan
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27
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Altered hippocampal gene expression and structure in transgenic mice overexpressing neuregulin 1 (Nrg1) type I. Transl Psychiatry 2018; 8:229. [PMID: 30348978 PMCID: PMC6197224 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-018-0288-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2018] [Revised: 08/24/2018] [Accepted: 09/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Transgenic mice overexpressing the type I isoform of neuregulin 1 (Nrg1; NRG1) have alterations in hippocampal gamma oscillations and an age-emergent deficit in hippocampus-dependent spatial working memory. Here, we examined the molecular and morphological correlates of these findings. Microarrays showed over 100 hippocampal transcripts differentially expressed in Nrg1tg-type I mice, with enrichment of genes related to neuromodulation and, in older mice, of genes involved in inflammation and immunity. Nrg1tg-type I mice had an enlarged hippocampus with a widened dentate gyrus. The results show that Nrg1 type I impacts on hippocampal gene expression and structure in a multifaceted and partly age-related way, complementing the evidence implicating Nrg1 signaling in aspects of hippocampal function. The findings are also relevant to the possible role of NRG1 signaling in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia or other disorders affecting this brain region.
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28
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Crocker CE, Tibbo PG. Confused Connections? Targeting White Matter to Address Treatment Resistant Schizophrenia. Front Pharmacol 2018; 9:1172. [PMID: 30405407 PMCID: PMC6201564 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.01172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2018] [Accepted: 09/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite development of comprehensive approaches to treat schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders and improve outcomes, there remains a proportion (approximately one-third) of patients who are treatment resistant and will not have remission of psychotic symptoms despite adequate trials of pharmacotherapy. This level of treatment response is stable across all stages of the spectrum of psychotic disorders, including early phase psychosis and chronic schizophrenia. Our current pharmacotherapies are beneficial in decreasing positive symptomology in most cases, however, with little to no impact on negative or cognitive symptoms. Not all individuals with treatment resistant psychosis unfortunately, even benefit from the potential pharmacological reductions in positive symptoms. The existing pharmacotherapy for psychosis is targeted at neurotransmitter receptors. The current first and second generation antipsychotic medications all act on dopamine type 2 receptors with the second generation drugs also interacting significantly with serotonin type 1 and 2 receptors, and with varying pharmacodynamic profiles overall. This focus on developing dopaminergic/serotonergic antipsychotics, while beneficial, has not reduced the proportion of patients experiencing treatment resistance to date. Another pharmacological approach is imperative to address treatment resistance both for response overall and for negative symptoms in particular. There is research suggesting that changes in white matter integrity occur in schizophrenia and these may be more associated with cognition and even negative symptomology. Here we review the evidence that white matter abnormalities in the brain may be contributing to the symptomology of psychotic disorders. Additionally, we propose that white matter may be a viable pharmacological target for pharmacoresistant schizophrenia and discuss current treatments in development for schizophrenia that target white matter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Candice E Crocker
- Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.,Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Nova Scotia Health Authority, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Philip G Tibbo
- Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
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29
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Waddington JL, O'Tuathaigh CM. Modelling the neuromotor abnormalities of psychotic illness: Putative mechanisms and systems dysfunction. Schizophr Res 2018; 200:12-19. [PMID: 28867516 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2017.08.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2017] [Revised: 08/11/2017] [Accepted: 08/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Limitations in access to antipsychotic-naïve patients and in the incisiveness of studies that can be conducted on them, together with the inevitability of subsequent antipsychotic treatment, indicate an enduring role for animal models that can inform on the pathobiology of neuromotor abnormalities in schizophrenia and related psychotic illness. This review focusses particularly on genetically modified mouse models that involve genes associated with risk for schizophrenia and with mechanisms implicated in the neuromotor abnormalities evident in psychotic patients, as well as developmental models that seek to mirror the trajectory, phenomenology and putative pathophysiology of psychotic illness. Such abnormalities are inconsistent and subtle in mice mutant for some schizophrenia risk genes but more evident for others. The phenotype of dopaminergic and glutamatergic mutants indicates the involvement of these mechanisms, informs on the roles of specific receptor subtypes, and implicates the interplay of cortical and subcortical processes. Developmental models suggest a criticality in the timing of early adversity for diversity in the relative emergence of psychological symptoms vis-à-vis neuromotor abnormalities in the overall psychosis phenotype. These findings elaborate current concepts of dysfunction in a neuronal network linking the cerebral cortex, basal ganglia, thalamus and cerebellum. Both findings in model systems and clinical evidence converge in indicating that any distinction between 'psychomotor' and 'neuromotor' abnormality is artificial and arbitrary due to a unitary origin in developmentally determined systems/network dysfunction that underlies the lifetime trajectory of psychotic illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- John L Waddington
- Molecular & Cellular Therapeutics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Translational Research and Therapy for Neuro-Psychiatric-Diseases, Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
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30
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Wang H, Xu J, Lazarovici P, Quirion R, Zheng W. cAMP Response Element-Binding Protein (CREB): A Possible Signaling Molecule Link in the Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:255. [PMID: 30214393 PMCID: PMC6125665 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 246] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 07/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Dopamine is a brain neurotransmitter involved in the pathology of schizophrenia. The dopamine hypothesis states that, in schizophrenia, dopaminergic signal transduction is hyperactive. The cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) is an intracellular protein that regulates the expression of genes that are important in dopaminergic neurons. Dopamine affects the phosphorylation of CREB via G protein-coupled receptors. Neurotrophins, such as brain derived growth factor (BDNF), are critical regulators during neurodevelopment and synaptic plasticity. The CREB is one of the major regulators of neurotrophin responses since phosphorylated CREB binds to a specific sequence in the promoter of BDNF and regulates its transcription. Moreover, susceptibility genes associated with schizophrenia also target and stimulate the activity of CREB. Abnormalities of CREB expression is observed in the brain of individuals suffering from schizophrenia, and two variants (-933T to C and -413G to A) were found only in schizophrenic patients. The CREB was also involved in the therapy of animal models of schizophrenia. Collectively, these findings suggest a link between CREB and the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. This review provides an overview of CREB structure, expression, and biological functions in the brain and its interaction with dopamine signaling, neurotrophins, and susceptibility genes for schizophrenia. Animal models in which CREB function is modulated, by either overexpression of the protein or knocked down through gene deletion/mutation, implicating CREB in schizophrenia and antipsychotic drugs efficacy are also discussed. Targeting research and drug development on CREB could potentially accelerate the development of novel medications against schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haitao Wang
- Department of Neuropharmacology and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiangping Xu
- Department of Neuropharmacology and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Philip Lazarovici
- School of Pharmacy Institute for Drug Research, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Remi Quirion
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Wenhua Zheng
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, China
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31
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Levels of peripheral Neuregulin 1 are increased in non-medicated autism spectrum disorder patients. J Clin Neurosci 2018; 57:43-45. [PMID: 30150060 DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2018.08.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Though schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are separate diseases, they have some common clinical manifestations and common pathogenic mechanisms. Numerous genes are associated with these conditions. Among these genes, Neuregulin-1 forms a risk for schizophrenia and some studies have shown polymorphism of this gene accompanies schizophrenia. NRG1 has a wide variety of functions, including neuronal migration, axon guidance, synaptic transmission, oligodendroglial maturation, and neurite outgrowth. To date, NRG1 levels have not been researched in ASD patients and considering the neurodevelopmental effects of NRG1, this study aimed to research the peripheral NRG1 levels in ASD patients. The study compared 32 ASD patients and 32 healthy controls. Serum NRG-1 levels were measured with ELISA. In ASD patients (mean ± SD, 10.80 ± 4.78 ng/ml), the NRG1 levels were found to be statistically significantly high compared to the health control group (mean ± SD, 6.92 ± 4.91 ng/ml) (p = 0.004). According to the results we obtained, NRG1 was shown to play a possible role in ASD pathogenesis. There is a need for advanced studies on the possible role of NRG1 in ASD patients. This study is significant as it is the first study to measure peripheral NRG1 in ASD patients.
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32
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Zhou L, Fisher ML, Cole RD, Gould TJ, Parikh V, Ortinski PI, Turner JR. Neuregulin 3 Signaling Mediates Nicotine-Dependent Synaptic Plasticity in the Orbitofrontal Cortex and Cognition. Neuropsychopharmacology 2018; 43:1343-1354. [PMID: 29114105 PMCID: PMC5916355 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2017.278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2017] [Revised: 10/02/2017] [Accepted: 10/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Neuregulin 3 (NRG3) and ErbB4 have been linked to nicotine addiction; however, the neuronal mechanisms and behavioral consequences of NRG3-ErbB4 sensitivity to nicotine remain elusive. Recent literature suggests that relapse to smoking is due to a lack of impulsive control, which is thought to be due to altered functioning within the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC). Therefore, we examined circuitry changes within this structure following nicotine application. We report that nicotine controls synaptic plasticity in the OFC through NRG3/ErbB4-dependent regulation of GABAergic inhibition. We observed that both nicotine and NRG3 facilitated the conversion of long-term potentiation into long-term depression at cortical layer 3/5 synapses. Induction of long-term depression by nicotine relied on nicotinic receptor activation and key regulators of NRG3 signaling: (1) release of intracellular calcium, (2) activation of the BACE1 beta-secretase, and (3) ErbB4 receptor activation. Nicotine-induced synaptic plasticity was also associated with accumulation of intracellular GABA and was completely blocked by GABAA/GABAB antagonists. To test whether these mechanisms underlie OFC-dependent behavior, we evaluated the effects of nicotine in the go/no-go task. Nicotine-impaired stimulus discrimination in this task was rescued by pharmacologic disruption of the NRG3 receptor, ErbB4. Altogether, our data indicate that nicotine-induced synaptic plasticity in the OFC and cognitive changes depend on NRG3-ErbB4 signaling. We propose that nicotine activation of this pathway may contribute to nicotine addiction, particularly in individuals with genetic variation in NRG3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luyi Zhou
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Neuroscience, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Miranda L Fisher
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Robert D Cole
- Department of Psychology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Thomas J Gould
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Vinay Parikh
- Department of Psychology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Pavel I Ortinski
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Neuroscience, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Jill R Turner
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
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33
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Guo Y, Duan Z, Jia Y, Ren C, Lv J, Guo P, Zhao W, Wang B, Zhang S, Li Y, Li Z. HER4 isoform CYT2 and its ligand NRG1III are expressed at high levels in human colorectal cancer. Oncol Lett 2018; 15:6629-6635. [PMID: 29616125 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2018.8124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2017] [Accepted: 12/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The present study aimed to evaluate the expression of human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER4) isoforms and their ligand neuregulin 1 (NRG1) isoforms in human primary colorectal cancer (CRC). The mRNA expression of HER4 isoforms JM-a, JM-b, CYT1 and CYT2, and their ligand isoforms NRG1 I, II and III in CRC tissues and adjacent normal tissues were quantified by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis. Univariate analysis and logistic regression analysis were performed to analyze the association between HER4 and NRG1 expression and lymph node metastasis in CRC. The expression levels of CYT1 (P=0.002), CYT2 (P=0.002) and NRG1 type III (P<0.001) were significantly higher in the CRC tissues than in the adjacent normal tissues. The expression of CYT2 was correlated with tumor stage (P=0.018), lymph node status (P=0.015) and tumor-node-metastasis (P=0.038) in CRC. The expression of NRG1III was correlated with lymph node metastasis, and the expression of CYT2 was associated with the expression of NRG1III (r=0.691, P<0.01). The logistic regression analysis indicated that expression of CYT2 >50 was a risk factor for lymph node metastasis in CRC. In conclusion the expression levels of CYT1, CYT2 and NRG1III were upregulated in CRC. An expression of CYT-2 >50 was identified as a risk factor for lymph node metastasis in CRC. Therefore, CY-2 and NRG1III may be involved in the progression of CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Guo
- Second Department of Surgery, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050035, P.R. China.,Fifth Department of Oncology, The First Hospital of Shijiazhuang, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050011, P.R. China
| | - Zhihui Duan
- Second Department of Surgery, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050035, P.R. China.,Department of Endoscopy, Xingtai General Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Xingtai, Hebei 054001, P.R. China
| | - Yitao Jia
- Third Department of Oncology, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050051, P.R. China
| | - Chaoying Ren
- Third Department of Oncology, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050051, P.R. China
| | - Jian Lv
- Second Department of Surgery, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050035, P.R. China
| | - Peng Guo
- Department of Orthopedics, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050035, P.R. China
| | - Wujie Zhao
- Third Department of Oncology, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050051, P.R. China
| | - Bin Wang
- Third Department of Oncology, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050051, P.R. China
| | - Suqiao Zhang
- Third Department of Oncology, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050051, P.R. China
| | - Yaxing Li
- Third Department of Oncology, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050051, P.R. China
| | - Zhongxin Li
- Second Department of Surgery, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050035, P.R. China
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Karbownik MS, Gunerka P, Turowski P, Wieczorek M, Kowalczyk E, Łężak W, Pietras T. Activation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase delta by antipsychotic drugs: Preliminary results. Pharmacol Rep 2018; 70:346-349. [PMID: 29477044 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharep.2017.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2017] [Revised: 08/29/2017] [Accepted: 09/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Catalytic subunit delta of phosphoinositide 3-kinase, p110δ, encoded by the PIK3CD gene, was recently proposed as a target for pharmacological treatment of schizophrenia. Current antipsychotic drugs were found to decrease the mRNA expression of PIK3CD, but the mechanism of this process is not known. The aim of the study was to elucidate the mechanism by which antipsychotic drugs affect the mRNA expression of PIK3CD. METHODS The direct effect of haloperidol, clozapine, olanzapine, quetiapine and amisulpride on p110δ enzymatic activity was tested with a kinase assay, and the results were referenced against data on the mRNA expression of PIK3CD. RESULTS Haloperidol, clozapine, olanzapine and quetiapine, but not amisulpride, at the concentration of 20-80 μM, were found to significantly increase enzymatic activity of p110δ by up to two times in a dose-dependent manner. Linear regression analysis revealed that more than 40% of the variance in antipsychotic drugs-induced changes in the expression of PIK3CD mRNA was explained only by changes in antipsychotic drug-regulated p110δ enzymatic activity (p = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS Antipsychotic drugs differentially increase the enzymatic activity of p110δ. This effect is associated with that of mRNA expression of the PIK3CD gene. Drug-enzyme interaction may explain the effect of antipsychotic drugs on the expression of PIK3CD mRNA, however, further studies are needed to investigate this hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paweł Gunerka
- Research and Development Centre, Celon Pharma, Łomianki, Poland
| | - Paweł Turowski
- Research and Development Centre, Celon Pharma, Łomianki, Poland
| | | | - Edward Kowalczyk
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical University of Lodz, Łódź, Poland
| | - Wojciech Łężak
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical University of Lodz, Łódź, Poland
| | - Tadeusz Pietras
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Lodz, Łódź, Poland
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Ledonne A, Mango D, Latagliata EC, Chiacchierini G, Nobili A, Nisticò R, D'Amelio M, Puglisi-Allegra S, Mercuri NB. Neuregulin 1/ErbB signalling modulates hippocampal mGluRI-dependent LTD and object recognition memory. Pharmacol Res 2018; 130:12-24. [PMID: 29427771 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2018.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2017] [Revised: 01/19/2018] [Accepted: 02/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The neurotrophic factors neuregulins (NRGs) and their receptors, ErbB tyrosine kinases, regulate neurotransmission, synaptic plasticity and cognitive functions and their alterations have been associated to different neuropsychiatric disorders. Group 1 metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRI)-dependent mechanisms are also altered in animal models of neuropsychiatric diseases, especially mGluRI-induced glutamatergic long-term depression (mGluRI-LTD), a form of synaptic plasticity critically involved in learning and memory. Despite this evidence, a potential link between NRGs/ErbB signalling and mGluRI-LTD has never been considered. Here, we aimed to test the hypothesis that NRGs/ErbB signalling regulates mGluRI functions in the hippocampus, thus controlling CA1 pyramidal neurons excitability and synaptic plasticity as well as mGluRI-dependent behaviors. We investigated the functional interaction between NRG1/ErbB signalling and mGluRI in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons, by analyzing the effect of a pharmacological modulation of NRG1/ErbB signalling on the excitation of pyramidal neurons and on the LTD at CA3-CA1 synapses induced by an mGluRI agonist. Furthermore, we verified the involvement of ErbB signalling in mGluRI-dependent learning processes, by evaluating the consequence of an intrahippocampal in vivo injection of a pan-ErbB inhibitor in the object recognition test in mice, a learning task dependent on hippocampal mGluRI. We found that NRG1 potentiates mGluRI-dependent functions on pyramidal neurons excitability and synaptic plasticity at CA3-CA1 synapses. Further, endogenous ErbB signalling per se regulates, through mGluRI, neuronal excitability and LTD in CA1 pyramidal neurons, since ErbB inhibition reduces mGluRI-induced neuronal excitation and mGluRI-LTD. In vivo intrahippocampal injection of the ErbB inhibitor, PD158780, impairs mGluRI-LTD at CA3-CA1 synapses and affects the exploratory behavior in the object recognition test. Thus, our results identify a key role for NRG1/ErbB signalling in the regulation of hippocampal mGluRI-dependent synaptic and cognitive functions, whose alteration might contribute to the pathogenesis of different brain diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ada Ledonne
- Department of Experimental Neuroscience, Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy.
| | - Dalila Mango
- Pharmacology of Synaptic Disease Lab, European Brain Research Institute, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Giulia Chiacchierini
- Department of Psychology and "Daniel Bovet" Center, University "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - Annalisa Nobili
- Department of Experimental Neuroscience, Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy; Department of Medicine, University Campus-Biomedico, Rome, Italy
| | - Robert Nisticò
- Pharmacology of Synaptic Disease Lab, European Brain Research Institute, Rome, Italy; Department of Biology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Marcello D'Amelio
- Department of Experimental Neuroscience, Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy; Department of Medicine, University Campus-Biomedico, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Puglisi-Allegra
- Department of Experimental Neuroscience, Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy; Department of Psychology and "Daniel Bovet" Center, University "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola Biagio Mercuri
- Department of Experimental Neuroscience, Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy; Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
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36
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Reble E, Dineen A, Barr CL. The contribution of alternative splicing to genetic risk for psychiatric disorders. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2017; 17:e12430. [PMID: 29052934 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2017] [Revised: 09/25/2017] [Accepted: 10/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
A genetic contribution to psychiatric disorders has clearly been established and genome-wide association studies now provide the location of risk genes and genetic variants associated with risk. However, the mechanism by which these genes and variants contribute to psychiatric disorders is mostly undetermined. This is in part because non-synonymous protein coding changes cannot explain the majority of variants associated with complex genetic traits. Based on this, it is predicted that these variants are causing gene expression changes, including changes to alternative splicing. Genetic changes influencing alternative splicing have been identified as risk factors in Mendelian disorders; however, currently there is a paucity of research on the role of alternative splicing in complex traits. This stems partly from the difficulty of predicting the role of genetic variation in splicing. Alterations to canonical splice site sequences, nucleotides adjacent to splice junctions, and exonic and intronic splicing regulatory sequences can influence splice site choice. Recent studies have identified global changes in alternatively spliced transcripts in brain tissues, some of which correlate with altered levels of splicing trans factors. Disease-associated variants have also been found to affect cis-acting splicing regulatory sequences and alter the ratio of alternatively spliced transcripts. These findings are reviewed here, as well as the current datasets and resources available to study alternative splicing in psychiatric disorders. Identifying and understanding risk variants that cause alternative splicing is critical to understanding the mechanisms of risk as well as to pave the way for new therapeutic options.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Reble
- Genetics and Development Division, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - A Dineen
- Genetics and Development Division, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - C L Barr
- Genetics and Development Division, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Zhu X, Dong J, Han B, Huang R, Zhang A, Xia Z, Chang H, Chao J, Yao H. Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase Contributes to PTZ Kindling-Induced Cognitive Impairment and Depressive-Like Behavior. Front Behav Neurosci 2017; 11:203. [PMID: 29093670 PMCID: PMC5651248 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2017.00203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2017] [Accepted: 10/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disease which is usually associated with psychiatric comorbidities. Depsression and cognition impairment are considered to be the most common psychiatric comorbidities in epilepsy patients. However, the specific contribution of epilepsy made to these psychiatric comorbidities remains largely unknown. Here we use pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) kindling, a chronic epilepsy model, to identify neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) as a signaling molecule triggering PTZ kindling-induced cognitive impairment and depressive-like behavior. Furthermore, we identified that both hippocampal MAPK and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways were activated in response to PTZ kindling, and the increased MAPK and PI3K/AKT signaling activation was paralleled by increased level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the hippocampus. However, the PTZ kindling-induced MAPK, PI3K/AKT signaling activities and the ROS level were attenuated by nNOS gene deficiency, suggesting that nNOS may act through ROS-mediated MAPK and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways to trigger cognition deficit and depressive-like behavior in PTZ-kindled mice. Our findings thus define a specific mechanism for chronic epilepsy-induced cognitive impairment and depressive-like behavior, and identify a potential therapeutic target for psychiatric comorbidities in chronic epilepsy patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinjian Zhu
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jingde Dong
- Department of Geriatric Neurology, Nanjing Brain Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Bing Han
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Rongrong Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Aifeng Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhengrong Xia
- Analysis and Test Center of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Huanhuan Chang
- Nanjing Biomedical Research Institute of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jie Chao
- Department of Physiology, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Honghong Yao
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, China
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38
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Carr GV, Maltese F, Sibley DR, Weinberger DR, Papaleo F. The Dopamine D5 Receptor Is Involved in Working Memory. Front Pharmacol 2017; 8:666. [PMID: 29056909 PMCID: PMC5635435 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2017.00666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Pharmacological studies indicate that dopamine D1-like receptors (D1 and D5) are critically involved in cognitive function. However, the lack of pharmacological ligands selective for either the D1 or D5 receptors has made it difficult to determine the unique contributions of the D1-like family members. To circumvent these pharmacological limitations, we used D5 receptor homozygous (-/-) and heterozygous (+/-) knockout mice, to identify the specific role of this receptor in higher order cognitive functions. We identified a novel role for D5 receptors in the regulation of spatial working memory and temporal order memory function. The D5 mutant mice acquired a discrete paired-trial variable-delay T-maze task at normal rates. However, both [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] mice exhibited impaired performance compared to [Formula: see text] littermates when a higher burden on working memory faculties was imposed. In a temporal order object recognition task, [Formula: see text] exhibited significant memory deficits. No D5-dependent differences in locomotor functions and interest in exploring objects were evident. Molecular biomarkers of dopaminergic functions within the prefrontal cortex (PFC) revealed a selective gene-dose effect on Akt phosphorylation at Ser473 with increased levels in [Formula: see text] knockout mice. A trend toward reduced levels in CaMKKbeta brain-specific band (64 kDa) in [Formula: see text] compared to [Formula: see text] was also evident. These findings highlight a previously unidentified role for D5 receptors in working memory function and associated molecular signatures within the PFC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory V Carr
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Clinical Brain Disorders Branch, Genes, Cognition and Psychosis Program, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Federica Maltese
- Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy
| | - David R Sibley
- Molecular Neuropharmacology Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Daniel R Weinberger
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Clinical Brain Disorders Branch, Genes, Cognition and Psychosis Program, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States.,Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Neurology, and Neuroscience, The McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Francesco Papaleo
- Clinical Brain Disorders Branch, Genes, Cognition and Psychosis Program, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States.,Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy
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39
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Zhang Z, Huang J, Shen Y, Li R. BACE1-Dependent Neuregulin-1 Signaling: An Implication for Schizophrenia. Front Mol Neurosci 2017; 10:302. [PMID: 28993723 PMCID: PMC5622153 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2017.00302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2017] [Accepted: 09/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a chronic psychiatric disorder with a lifetime prevalence of about 1% in the general population. Recent studies have shown that Neuregulin-1 (Nrg1) is a candidate gene for schizophrenia. At least 15 alternative splicing of NRG1 isoforms all contain an extracellular epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like domain, which is sufficient for Nrg1 biological activity including the formation of myelin sheaths and the regulation of synaptic plasticity. It is known that Nrg1 can be cleaved by β-secretase (BACE1) and the resulting N-terminal fragment (Nrg1-ntf) binds to receptor tyrosine kinase ErbB4, which activates Nrg1/ErbB4 signaling. While changes in Nrg1 expression levels in schizophrenia still remain controversial, understanding the BACE1-cleaved Nrg1-ntf and Nrg1/ErbB4 signaling in schizophrenia neuropathogenesis is essential and important. In this review paper, we included three major parts: (1) Nrg1 structure and cleavage pattern by BACE1; (2) BACE1-dependent Nrg1 cleavage associated with schizophrenia in human studies; and (3) Animal studies of Nrg1 and BACE1 mutations with behavioral observations. Our review will provide a better understanding of Nrg1 in schizophrenia and a potential strategy for using BACE1 cleavage of Nrg1 as a unique biomarker for diagnosis, as well as a new therapeutic target, of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengrong Zhang
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical UniversityBeijing, China
| | - Jing Huang
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical UniversityBeijing, China
| | - Yong Shen
- Neurodegenerative Disorder Research Center, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of ChinaHefei, China.,Center for Therapeutic Strategies for Brain Disorders, Roskamp Institute, SarasotaFL, United States.,Center for Hormone Advanced Science and Education, Roskamp Institute, SarasotaFL, United States
| | - Rena Li
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical UniversityBeijing, China.,Center for Therapeutic Strategies for Brain Disorders, Roskamp Institute, SarasotaFL, United States.,Center for Hormone Advanced Science and Education, Roskamp Institute, SarasotaFL, United States.,Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical UniversityBeijing, China
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40
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41
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Gupta R, Qaiser B, He L, Hiekkalinna TS, Zheutlin AB, Therman S, Ollikainen M, Ripatti S, Perola M, Salomaa V, Milani L, Cannon TD, Madden PAF, Korhonen T, Kaprio J, Loukola A. Neuregulin signaling pathway in smoking behavior. Transl Psychiatry 2017; 7:e1212. [PMID: 28892072 PMCID: PMC5611747 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2017.183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2016] [Revised: 06/26/2017] [Accepted: 07/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding molecular processes that link comorbid traits such as addictions and mental disorders can provide novel therapeutic targets. Neuregulin signaling pathway (NSP) has previously been implicated in schizophrenia, a neurodevelopmental disorder with high comorbidity to smoking. Using a Finnish twin family sample, we have previously detected association between nicotine dependence and ERBB4 (a neuregulin receptor), and linkage for smoking initiation at the ERBB4 locus on 2q33. Further, Neuregulin3 has recently been shown to associate with nicotine withdrawal in a behavioral mouse model. In this study, we scrutinized association and linkage between 15 036 common, low frequency and rare genetic variants in 10 NSP genes and phenotypes encompassing smoking and alcohol use. Using the Finnish twin family sample (N=1998 from 740 families), we detected 66 variants (representing 23 LD blocks) significantly associated (false discovery rate P<0.05) with smoking initiation, nicotine dependence and nicotine withdrawal. We comprehensively annotated the associated variants using expression (eQTL) and methylation quantitative trait loci (meQTL) analyses in a Finnish population sample. Among the 66 variants, we identified 25 eQTLs (in NRG1 and ERBB4), 22 meQTLs (in NRG3, ERBB4 and PSENEN), a missense variant in NRG1 (rs113317778) and a splicing disruption variant in ERBB4 (rs13385826). Majority of the QTLs in blood were replicated in silico using publicly available databases, with additional QTLs observed in brain. In conclusion, our results support the involvement of NSP in smoking behavior but not in alcohol use and abuse, and disclose functional potential for 56 of the 66 associated single-nucleotide polymorphism.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Gupta
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - B Qaiser
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - L He
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - T S Hiekkalinna
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - A B Zheutlin
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - S Therman
- National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - M Ollikainen
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - S Ripatti
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - M Perola
- National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - V Salomaa
- National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - L Milani
- Estonian Genome Center, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - T D Cannon
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - P A F Madden
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - T Korhonen
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - J Kaprio
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - A Loukola
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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42
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O'Tuathaigh CMP, Moran PM, Zhen XC, Waddington JL. Translating advances in the molecular basis of schizophrenia into novel cognitive treatment strategies. Br J Pharmacol 2017; 174:3173-3190. [PMID: 28667666 DOI: 10.1111/bph.13938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2017] [Revised: 06/07/2017] [Accepted: 06/12/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The presence and severity of cognitive symptoms, including working memory, executive dysfunction and attentional impairment, contributes materially to functional impairment in schizophrenia. Cognitive symptoms have proved to be resistant to both first- and second-generation antipsychotic drugs. Efforts to develop a consensus set of cognitive domains that are both disrupted in schizophrenia and are amenable to cross-species validation (e.g. the National Institute of Mental Health Cognitive Neuroscience Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia and Research Domain Criteria initiatives) are an important step towards standardization of outcome measures that can be used in preclinical testing of new drugs. While causative genetic mutations have not been identified, new technologies have identified novel genes as well as hitherto candidate genes previously implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and/or mechanisms of antipsychotic efficacy. This review comprises a selective summary of these developments, particularly phenotypic data arising from preclinical genetic models for cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia, with the aim of indicating potential new directions for pro-cognitive therapeutics. Linked Articles This article is part of a themed section on Pharmacology of Cognition: a Panacea for Neuropsychiatric Disease? To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v174.19/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colm M P O'Tuathaigh
- School of Medicine, University College Cork, Brookfield Health Sciences Complex, Cork, Ireland
| | - Paula M Moran
- School of Psychology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Xuechu C Zhen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Translational Research & Therapy for Neuropsychiatric Disorders and Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - John L Waddington
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Translational Research & Therapy for Neuropsychiatric Disorders and Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China.,Molecular and Cellular Therapeutics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin 2, Ireland
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43
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PKBγ/AKT3 loss-of-function causes learning and memory deficits and deregulation of AKT/mTORC2 signaling: Relevance for schizophrenia. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0175993. [PMID: 28467426 PMCID: PMC5414975 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0175993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2016] [Accepted: 04/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Psychiatric genetic studies have identified genome-wide significant loci for schizophrenia. The AKT3/1q44 locus is a principal risk region and gene-network analyses identify AKT3 polymorphisms as a constituent of several neurobiological pathways relevant to psychiatric risk; the neurobiological mechanisms remain unknown. AKT3 shows prenatal enrichment during human neocortical development and recurrent copy number variations involving the 1q43-44 locus are associated with cortical malformations and intellectual disability, implicating an essential role in early brain development. Here, we investigated the role of AKT3 as it relates to aspects of learning and memory and behavioral function, relevant to schizophrenia and cognitive disability, utilizing a novel murine model of Akt3 genetic deficiency. Akt3 heterozygous (Akt3-/+) or null mice (Akt3-/-) were assessed in a comprehensive test battery. Brain biochemical studies were conducted to assess the impact of Akt3 deficiency on cortical Akt/mTOR signaling. Akt3-/+ and Akt3-/- mice exhibited selective deficits of temporal order discrimination and spatial memory, tasks critically dependent on intact prefrontal-hippocampal circuitry, but showed normal prepulse inhibition, fear conditioned learning, memory for novel objects and social function. Akt3 loss-of-function, reduced brain size and dramatically impaired cortical Akt Ser473 activation in an allele-dose dependent manner. Such changes were observed in the absence of altered Akt1 or Akt2 protein expression. Concomitant reduction of the mTORC2 complex proteins, Rictor and Sin1 identifies a potential mechanism. Our findings provide novel insight into the neurodevelopmental role of Akt3, identify a non-redundant role for Akt3 in the development of prefrontal cortical-mediated cognitive function and show that Akt3 is potentially the dominant regulator of AKT/mTOR signaling in brain.
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Paterson C, Wang Y, Hyde TM, Weinberger DR, Kleinman JE, Law AJ. Temporal, Diagnostic, and Tissue-Specific Regulation of NRG3 Isoform Expression in Human Brain Development and Affective Disorders. Am J Psychiatry 2017; 174:256-265. [PMID: 27771971 PMCID: PMC5892449 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2016.16060721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Genes implicated in schizophrenia are enriched in networks differentially regulated during human CNS development. Neuregulin 3 (NRG3), a brain-enriched neurotrophin, undergoes alternative splicing and is implicated in several neurological disorders with developmental origins. Isoform-specific increases in NRG3 are observed in schizophrenia and associated with rs10748842, a NRG3 risk polymorphism, suggesting NRG3 transcriptional dysregulation as a molecular mechanism of risk. The authors quantitatively mapped the temporal trajectories of NRG3 isoforms (classes I-IV) in the neocortex throughout the human lifespan, examined whether tissue-specific regulation of NRG3 occurs in humans, and determined if abnormalities in NRG3 transcriptomics occur in mood disorders and are genetically determined. METHOD NRG3 isoform classes I-IV were quantified using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction in human postmortem dorsolateral prefrontal cortex from 286 nonpsychiatric control individuals, from gestational week 14 to 85 years old, and individuals diagnosed with either bipolar disorder (N=34) or major depressive disorder (N=69). Tissue-specific mapping was investigated in several human tissues. rs10748842 was genotyped in individuals with mood disorders, and association with NRG3 isoform expression examined. RESULTS NRG3 classes displayed individually specific expression trajectories across human neocortical development and aging; classes I, II, and IV were significantly associated with developmental stage. NRG3 class I was increased in bipolar and major depressive disorder, consistent with observations in schizophrenia. NRG3 class II was increased in bipolar disorder, and class III was increased in major depression. The rs10748842 risk genotype predicted elevated class II and III expression, consistent with previous reports in the brain, with tissue-specific analyses suggesting that classes II and III are brain-specific isoforms of NRG3. CONCLUSIONS Mapping the temporal expression of genes during human brain development provides vital insight into gene function and identifies critical sensitive periods whereby genetic factors may influence risk for psychiatric disease. Here the authors provide comprehensive insight into the transcriptional landscape of the psychiatric risk gene, NRG3, in human neocortical development and expand on previous findings in schizophrenia to identify increased expression of developmentally and genetically regulated isoforms in the brain of patients with mood disorders. Principally, the finding that NRG3 classes II and III are brain-specific isoforms predicted by rs10748842 risk genotype and are increased in mood disorders further implicates a molecular mechanism of psychiatric risk at the NRG3 locus and identifies a potential developmental role for NRG3 in bipolar disorder and major depression. These observations encourage investigation of the neurobiology of NRG3 isoforms and highlight inhibition of NRG3 signaling as a potential target for psychiatric treatment development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare Paterson
- From the Department of Psychiatry and the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora; the Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore; and the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, the Department of Neurology, the Department of Neuroscience, and the McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore
| | - Yanhong Wang
- From the Department of Psychiatry and the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora; the Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore; and the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, the Department of Neurology, the Department of Neuroscience, and the McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore
| | - Thomas M. Hyde
- From the Department of Psychiatry and the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora; the Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore; and the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, the Department of Neurology, the Department of Neuroscience, and the McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore
| | - Daniel R. Weinberger
- From the Department of Psychiatry and the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora; the Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore; and the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, the Department of Neurology, the Department of Neuroscience, and the McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore
| | - Joel E. Kleinman
- From the Department of Psychiatry and the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora; the Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore; and the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, the Department of Neurology, the Department of Neuroscience, and the McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore
| | - Amanda J. Law
- From the Department of Psychiatry and the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora; the Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore; and the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, the Department of Neurology, the Department of Neuroscience, and the McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore
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Neuregulin-1 mutant mice indicate motor and sensory deficits, indeed few references for schizophrenia endophenotype model. Behav Brain Res 2017; 322:177-185. [PMID: 28089851 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2017.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2016] [Revised: 01/05/2017] [Accepted: 01/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Neuregulins (Nrg) are a gene family that binds to tyrosine kinase receptors of the ErbB family. The protein of Nrg1 is to be involved in heart formation, migration of neurons, axonal pathfinding and synaptic function. A relation between Nrg1 and schizophrenia is assumed. Chronic impairment in schizophrenia is characterized by different positive and negative symptoms. Detectable markers of this disease in human and in animal models are activity, social behavior and sensory processing. In this study we compared heterozygous Nrg1 mutant mice in behavior and quantification of dopaminergic and serotoninergic neurons with wild type-like littermates. In the Nrg1 mutant mice the epidermal growth factor-like domain is replaced by the neomycin resistance gene. We found significant differences in locomotor and pain perception behavior. No differences were found in specific schizophrenia social interaction and prepulse inhibition behavior. The number of dopaminergic and serotoninergic neurons did not differ in the investigated regions ventral tegmental area, substantia nigra, periaqueductal grey and raphe nuclei. In conclusion, this analyzed Nrg1 mutant mice model did not serve as a complete schizophrenia model. Particular aspects of schizophrenia disease in locomotor and sensory behavior deficits could represent in this Nrg1 mutant mice. Beside several different models could Nrg1 deficiency represent an endophenotype of schizophrenia disease.
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Wang D, Lin Q, Su S, Liu K, Wu Y, Hai J. URB597 improves cognitive impairment induced by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion by inhibiting mTOR-dependent autophagy. Neuroscience 2016; 344:293-304. [PMID: 28042028 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2016.12.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2016] [Revised: 12/16/2016] [Accepted: 12/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH) is associated with various ischemic cerebrovascular diseases that are characterized by cognitive impairment. The role of autophagy in cognitive dysfunction under conditions of CCH is poorly understood. To address this issue, the present study investigated the effect of the fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitor URB597 on autophagy and cognition in a CCH model as well as the underlying mechanisms. Cognitive function was evaluated with the Morris water maze and by assessing long-term potentiation (LTP). The expression of autophagy-related proteins and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway components was evaluated by immunofluorescence and western blot analyses, and ultrastructural changes were examined by transmission electron microscopy (EM). URB597 improved cognitive impairment by inhibiting CCH-induced autophagy, which was associated with mTOR signaling. Moreover, the ultrastructural deterioration resulting from CCH was improved by chronic treatment with URB597. These findings indicate that URB597 modulates autophagy in an mTOR-dependent manner, and mitigates neuronal damage and cognitive deterioration caused by CCH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dapeng Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tong Ji Hospital, Tong Ji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Qi Lin
- Department of Pharmacy, Institutes of Medical Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Shaohua Su
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tong Ji Hospital, Tong Ji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Kejia Liu
- Department of Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry for Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis, Institutes of Medical Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Yifang Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tong Ji Hospital, Tong Ji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Jian Hai
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tong Ji Hospital, Tong Ji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, China.
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47
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Gross C. Defective phosphoinositide metabolism in autism. J Neurosci Res 2016; 95:1161-1173. [PMID: 27376697 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.23797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2016] [Revised: 05/26/2016] [Accepted: 06/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Phosphoinositides are essential components of lipid membranes and crucial regulators of many cellular functions, including signal transduction, vesicle trafficking, membrane receptor localization and activity, and determination of membrane identity. These functions depend on the dynamic and highly regulated metabolism of phosphoinositides and require finely balanced activity of specific phosphoinositide kinases and phosphatases. There is increasing evidence from genetic and functional studies that these enzymes are often dysregulated or mutated in autism spectrum disorders; in particular, phosphoinositide 3-kinases and their regulatory subunits appear to be affected frequently. Examples of autism spectrum disorders with defective phosphoinositide metabolism are fragile X syndrome and autism disorders associated with mutations in the phosphoinositide 3-phosphatase tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN), but recent genetic analyses also suggest that select nonsyndromic, idiopathic forms of autism may have altered activity of phosphoinositide kinases and phosphatases. Isoform-specific inhibitors for some of the phosphoinositide kinases have already been developed for cancer research and treatment, and a few are being evaluated for use in humans. Altogether, this offers exciting opportunities to explore altered phosphoinositide metabolism as a therapeutic target in individuals with certain forms of autism. This review summarizes genetic and functional studies identifying defects in phosphoinositide metabolism in autism and related disorders, describes published preclinical work targeting phosphoinositide 3-kinases in neurological diseases, and discusses the opportunities and challenges ahead to translate these findings from animal models and human cells into clinical application in humans. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Gross
- Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
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