1
|
Yin H, Zhang J, Chen Y, Guo J, Li Q, Dinnyes A, Sun Q, Liu X, He G, Zhu B, Liu Y, Xu P, Xu W, Xie J. Placenta-specific CYP11A1 overexpression lead to autism-like symptom in offspring with altered steroid hormone biosynthesis in the placenta-brain axis and rescued by vitamin D intervention. Brain Behav Immun 2024; 121:13-25. [PMID: 39025414 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2024.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Revised: 07/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Alterations in steroid hormone regulation have been implicated in the etiology and progression of autism spectrum disorders (ASD), with the enzyme cytochrome P450 family 11 subfamily A member 1 (CYP11A1)-a key catalyst in cholesterol side-chain cleavage, prominently expressed in the adrenal glands, ovaries, testes, and placenta-standing at the forefront of these investigations. The potential link between aberrations in placental Cyp11a1 expression and the resultant neurodevelopmental disorders, along with the mechanisms underpinning such associations, remains inadequately delineated. In this study, we employed a placental trophoblast-specific Cyp11a1 Hipp11 (H11) knock-in murine model to dissect the phenotypic manifestations within the placenta and progeny, thereby elucidating the underlying mechanistic pathways. Behavioral analyses revealed a diminution in social interaction capabilities alongside an augmented anxiety phenotype, as evidenced by open field and elevated plus maze assessments; both phenotypes were ameliorated after vitamin D3 supplementation. Electrophysiological assays underscored the augmented inhibition of paired-pulse facilitation, indicating impaired neuroplasticity in Cyp11a1 H11-modified mice. An elevation in progesterone concentrations was noted, alongside a significant upregulation of Th1-related cytokines (IL-6 and TNFα) across the plasma, placental, and frontal cortex-a pathological state mitigable through vitamin D3 intervention. Western blotting revealed a vitamin D-mediated rectification of vitamin D receptor and PGC-1α expression dysregulations. Immunofluorescence assays revealed microglial activation in the knock-in model, which was reversible upon vitamin D3 treatment. In conclusion, Cyp11a1 overexpression in the placenta recapitulated an autism-like phenotype in murine models, and vitamin D3 administration effectively ameliorated the resultant neurobehavioral and neuroinflammatory derangements. This study substantiates the application of Cyp11a1 as a biomarker in prenatal diagnostics and posits that prenatal vitamin D3 supplementation is a viable prophylactic measure against perturbations in steroid hormone metabolism associated with ASD pathogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heng Yin
- Joint Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine (SCU-CUHK), Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; Chengdu Third People's Hospital, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Joint Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine (SCU-CUHK), Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; Chengdu Third People's Hospital, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yajun Chen
- Joint Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine (SCU-CUHK), Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Juncen Guo
- Joint Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine (SCU-CUHK), Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Qing Li
- Joint Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine (SCU-CUHK), Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Andras Dinnyes
- BioTalentum Ltd., Gödöllő, Hungary; Department of Physiology and Animal Health, Institute of Physiology and Animal Nutrition, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Gödöllő, Hungary
| | - Qun Sun
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
| | - Xinghui Liu
- Joint Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine (SCU-CUHK), Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Guolin He
- Joint Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine (SCU-CUHK), Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Bin Zhu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Center for Information in Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, China
| | - Yan Liu
- Chengdu Third People's Hospital, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Peng Xu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Center for Information in Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, China.
| | - Wenming Xu
- Joint Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine (SCU-CUHK), Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
| | - Jiang Xie
- Chengdu Third People's Hospital, Chengdu 610041, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Bui DT, Ton ANV, Nguyen CTD, Nguyen SH, Tran HK, Nguyen XT, Nguyen HT, Pham GLT, Tran DS, Harrington J, Pham HN, Pham TNV, Cao TA. Pathogenic/likely pathogenic mutations identified in Vietnamese children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder using high-resolution SNP genotyping platform. Sci Rep 2024; 14:2360. [PMID: 38287090 PMCID: PMC10825208 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52777-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Among the most prevalent neurodevelopmental disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is highly diverse showing a broad phenotypic spectrum. ASD also couples with a broad range of mutations, both de novo and inherited. In this study, we used a proprietary SNP genotyping chip to analyze the genomic DNA of 250 Vietnamese children diagnosed with ASD. Our Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) genotyping chip directly targets more than 800 thousand SNPs in the genome. Our primary focus was to identify pathogenic/likely pathogenic mutations that are potentially linked to more severe symptoms of autism. We identified and validated 23 pathogenic/likely pathogenic mutations in this initial study. The data shows that these mutations were detected in several cases spanning multiple biological pathways. Among the confirmed SNPs, mutations were identified in genes previously known to be strongly associated with ASD such as SLCO1B1, ACADSB, TCF4, HCP5, MOCOS, SRD5A2, MCCC2, DCC, and PRKN while several other mutations are known to associate with autistic traits or other neurodevelopmental disorders. Some mutations were found in multiple patients and some patients carried multiple pathogenic/likely pathogenic mutations. These findings contribute to the identification of potential targets for therapeutic solutions in what is considered a genetically heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Duyen T Bui
- Genetica Research Foundation, National Innovation Center, Hanoi, Vietnam.
- Gene Friend Way Inc, San Francisco, USA.
| | - Anh N V Ton
- Pediatric Center Hue Central Hospital, Hue City, Thua Thien Hue, Vietnam
- Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Thua Thien Hue, Vietnam
| | - Chi T D Nguyen
- Pediatric Center Hue Central Hospital, Hue City, Thua Thien Hue, Vietnam
| | - Son H Nguyen
- Pediatric Center Hue Central Hospital, Hue City, Thua Thien Hue, Vietnam
| | - Hao K Tran
- Pediatric Center Hue Central Hospital, Hue City, Thua Thien Hue, Vietnam
| | - Xuan T Nguyen
- Pediatric Center Hue Central Hospital, Hue City, Thua Thien Hue, Vietnam
| | - Hang T Nguyen
- Genetica Research Foundation, National Innovation Center, Hanoi, Vietnam
- Gene Friend Way Inc, San Francisco, USA
| | - Giang L T Pham
- Genetica Research Foundation, National Innovation Center, Hanoi, Vietnam
- Gene Friend Way Inc, San Francisco, USA
| | - Dong S Tran
- Genetica Research Foundation, National Innovation Center, Hanoi, Vietnam
- Gene Friend Way Inc, San Francisco, USA
| | - Jillian Harrington
- Genetica Research Foundation, National Innovation Center, Hanoi, Vietnam
- Gene Friend Way Inc, San Francisco, USA
| | - Hiep N Pham
- Pediatric Center Hue Central Hospital, Hue City, Thua Thien Hue, Vietnam
| | - Tuyen N V Pham
- Pediatric Center Hue Central Hospital, Hue City, Thua Thien Hue, Vietnam
| | - Tuan A Cao
- Genetica Research Foundation, National Innovation Center, Hanoi, Vietnam
- Gene Friend Way Inc, San Francisco, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Mabry S, Wilson EN, Bradshaw JL, Gardner JJ, Fadeyibi O, Vera E, Osikoya O, Cushen SC, Karamichos D, Goulopoulou S, Cunningham RL. Sex and age differences in social and cognitive function in offspring exposed to late gestational hypoxia. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2507737. [PMID: 37333114 PMCID: PMC10275064 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2507737/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Background Gestational sleep apnea affects 8-26% of pregnancies and can increase the risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in offspring. ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder associated with social dysfunction, repetitive behaviors, anxiety, and cognitive impairment. To examine the relationship between gestational sleep apnea and ASD-associated behaviors, we used a chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) protocol between gestational days (GD) 15-19 in pregnant rats to model late gestational sleep apnea. We hypothesized that late gestational CIH would produce sex- and age-specific social, mood, and cognitive impairments in offspring. Methods Timed pregnant Long-Evans rats were exposed to CIH or room air normoxia from GD 15-19. Behavioral testing of offspring occurred during either puberty or young adulthood. To examine ASD-associated phenotypes, we quantified ASD-associated behaviors (social function, repetitive behaviors, anxiety-like behaviors, and spatial memory and learning), hippocampal activity (glutamatergic NMDA receptors, dopamine transporter, monoamine oxidase-A, EGR-1, and doublecortin), and circulating hormones in offspring. Results Late gestational CIH induced sex- and age-specific differences in social, repetitive and memory functions in offspring. These effects were mostly transient and present during puberty. In female pubertal offspring, CIH impaired social function, increased repetitive behaviors, and increased circulating corticosterone levels, but did not impact memory. In contrast, CIH transiently induced spatial memory dysfunction in pubertal male offspring but did not impact social or repetitive functions. Long-term effects of gestational CIH were only observed in female offspring, wherein CIH induced social disengagement and suppression of circulating corticosterone levels in young adulthood. No effects of gestational CIH were observed on anxiety-like behaviors, hippocampal activity, circulating testosterone levels, or circulating estradiol levels, regardless of sex or age of offspring. Conclusions Our results indicate that hypoxia-associated pregnancy complications during late gestation can increase the risk for ASD-associated behavioral and physiological outcomes, such as pubertal social dysfunction, corticosterone dysregulation, and memory impairments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Steve Mabry
- UNTHSC: University of North Texas Health Science Center
| | | | | | | | | | - Edward Vera
- UNTHSC: University of North Texas Health Science Center
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|