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Yuan YX, Liu Y, Zhang J, Bing YH, Chen CY, Li GG, Chu CP, Yin MJ, Qiu DL. Gestational valproic acid exposure enhances facial stimulation-evoked cerebellar mossy fiber-granule cell transmission via GluN2A subunit-containing NMDA receptor in offspring mice. Transl Psychiatry 2024; 14:272. [PMID: 38961057 PMCID: PMC11222518 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-024-02990-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Valproic acid (VPA) is one of the most effective antiepileptic drugs, and exposing animals to VPA during gestation has been used as a model for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Numerous studies have shown that impaired synaptic transmission in the cerebellar cortical circuits is one of the reasons for the social deficits and repetitive behavior seen in ASD. In this study, we investigated the effect of VPA exposure during pregnancy on tactile stimulation-evoked cerebellar mossy fiber-granule cell (MF-GC) synaptic transmission in mice anesthetized with urethane. Three-chamber testing showed that mice exposed to VPA mice exhibited a significant reduction in social interaction compared with the control group. In vivo electrophysiological recordings revealed that a pair of air-puff stimulation on ipsilateral whisker pad evoked MF-GC synaptic transmission, N1, and N2. The evoked MF-GC synaptic responses in VPA-exposed mice exhibited a significant increase in the area under the curve (AUC) of N1 and the amplitude and AUC of N2 compared with untreated mice. Cerebellar surface application of the selective N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor blocker D-APV significantly inhibited facial stimulation-evoked MF-GC synaptic transmission. In the presence of D-APV, there were no significant differences between the AUC of N1 and the amplitude and AUC of N2 in the VPA-exposed mice and those of the untreated mice. Notably, blockade of the GluN2A subunit-containing, but not the GluN2B subunit-containing, NMDA receptor, significantly inhibited MF-GC synaptic transmission and decreased the AUC of N1 and the amplitude and AUC of N2 in VPA-exposed mice to levels similar to those seen in untreated mice. In addition, the GluN2A subunit-containing NMDA receptor was expressed at higher levels in the GC layer of VPA-treated mice than in control mice. These results indicate that gestational VPA exposure in mice produces ASD-like behaviors, accompanied by increased cerebellar MF-GC synaptic transmission and an increase in GluN2A subunit-containing NMDA receptor expression in the offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Xue Yuan
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, College of Medicine, Yanbian University, Yanji City, 133002, Jilin, China
- Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of Yanbian University, Yanji City, 133000, Jilin, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Institute of Brain Science, Jilin Medical University, Jilin City, 132013, Jilin, China
- Department of Physiology, College of Basic Medicine, Jilin Medical University, Jilin City, 132013, Jilin, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, College of Medicine, Yanbian University, Yanji City, 133002, Jilin, China
- Institute of Brain Science, Jilin Medical University, Jilin City, 132013, Jilin, China
| | - Yan-Hua Bing
- Functional Experiment Center, College of Medicine, Yanbian University, Yanji City, 133000, Jilin, China
| | - Chao-Yue Chen
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, College of Medicine, Yanbian University, Yanji City, 133002, Jilin, China
- Institute of Brain Science, Jilin Medical University, Jilin City, 132013, Jilin, China
| | - Guang-Gao Li
- Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of Yanbian University, Yanji City, 133000, Jilin, China
| | - Chun-Ping Chu
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, College of Medicine, Yanbian University, Yanji City, 133002, Jilin, China
- Institute of Brain Science, Jilin Medical University, Jilin City, 132013, Jilin, China
- Department of Physiology, College of Basic Medicine, Jilin Medical University, Jilin City, 132013, Jilin, China
| | - Ming-Ji Yin
- Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Hospital of Yanbian University, Yanji City, 133000, Jilin, China.
| | - De-Lai Qiu
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, College of Medicine, Yanbian University, Yanji City, 133002, Jilin, China.
- Institute of Brain Science, Jilin Medical University, Jilin City, 132013, Jilin, China.
- Department of Physiology, College of Basic Medicine, Jilin Medical University, Jilin City, 132013, Jilin, China.
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Adiguzel E, Bozkurt NM, Unal G. Independent and combined effects of astaxanthin and omega-3 on behavioral deficits and molecular changes in a prenatal valproic acid model of autism in rats. Nutr Neurosci 2024; 27:590-606. [PMID: 37534957 DOI: 10.1080/1028415x.2023.2239575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
Objectives: Autism is a devastating neurodevelopmental disorder and recent studies showed that omega-3 or astaxanthin might reduce autistic symptoms due to their anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, we investigated the effects of omega-3 and astaxanthin on the VPA-induced autism model of rats.Material and Methods: Female Wistar albino pups (n = 40) were grouped as control, autistic, astaxanthin (2 mg/kg), omega-3 (200 mg/kg), and astaxanthin (2 mg/kg)+omega-3 (200 mg/kg). All groups except the control were prenatally exposed to VPA. Astaxanthin and omega-3 were orally administered from the postnatal day 41 to 68 and behavioral tests were performed between day 69 and 73. The rats were decapitated 24 h after the behavioral tests and hippocampal and prefrontal cytokines and 5-HT levels were analyzed by ELISA.Results: VPA rats have increased grooming behavior while decreased sociability (SI), social preference index (SPI), discrimination index (DI), and prepulse inhibition (PPI) compared to control. Additionally, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ levels increased while IL-10 and 5-HT levels decreased in both brain regions. Astaxanthin treatment raised SI, SPI, DI, PPI, and prefrontal IL-10 levels. It also raised 5-HT levels and decreased IL-6 levels in both brain regions. Omega-3 and astaxanthin + omega-3 increased the SI, SPI, DI, and PPI and decreased grooming behavior. Moreover, they increased IL-10 and 5-HT levels whereas decreased IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-γ levels in both brain regions.Conclusions: Our results showed that VPA administration mimicked the behavioral and molecular changes of autism in rats. Single and combined administration of astaxanthin and omega-3 improved the autistic-like behavioral and molecular changes in the VPA model of rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emre Adiguzel
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Karamanoğlu Mehmetbey University, Karaman, Türkiye
| | - Nuh Mehmet Bozkurt
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Türkiye
- Experimental Research and Application Center (DEKAM), Brain Research Unit, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Türkiye
- e-Neuro Lab, Drug Application and Research Center (ERFARMA), Erciyes University, Kayseri, Türkiye
| | - Gokhan Unal
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Türkiye
- Experimental Research and Application Center (DEKAM), Brain Research Unit, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Türkiye
- e-Neuro Lab, Drug Application and Research Center (ERFARMA), Erciyes University, Kayseri, Türkiye
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Fonteneau M, Brugoux A, Jaccaz D, Donello JE, Banerjee P, Le Merrer J, Becker JA. The NMDA receptor modulator zelquistinel durably relieves behavioral deficits in three mouse models of autism spectrum disorder. Neuropharmacology 2024; 248:109889. [PMID: 38401792 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2024.109889] [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: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are complex neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by deficient social communication and interaction together with restricted, stereotyped behaviors. Currently approved treatments relieve comorbidities rather than core symptoms. Since excitation/inhibition balance and synaptic plasticity are disrupted in ASD, molecules targeting excitatory synaptic transmission appear as highly promising candidates to treat this pathology. Among glutamatergic receptors, the NMDA receptor has received particular attention through the last decade to develop novel allosteric modulators. Here, we show that positive NMDA receptor modulation by zelquistinel, a spirocyclic β-lactam platform chemical, relieves core symptoms in two genetic and one environmental mouse models of ASD. A single oral dose of zelquistinel rescued, in a dose-response manner, social deficits and stereotypic behavior in Shank3Δex13-16-/- mice while chronic intraperitoneal administration promoted a long-lasting relief of such autistic-like features in these mice. Subchronic oral mid-dose zelquistinel treatment demonstrated durable effects in Shank3Δex13-16-/-, Fmr1-/- and in utero valproate-exposed mice. Carry-over effects were best maintained in the Fmr1 null mouse model, with social parameters being still fully recovered two weeks after treatment withdrawal. Among recently developed NMDA receptor subunit modulators, zelquistinel displays a promising therapeutic potential to relieve core symptoms in ASD patients, with oral bioavailability and long-lasting effects boding well for clinical applications. Efficacy in three mouse models with different etiologies supports high translational value. Further, this compound represents an innovative pharmacological tool to investigate plasticity mechanisms underlying behavioral deficits in animal models of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Agathe Brugoux
- UMR 1253, IBrain, Université de Tours, Inserm, CNRS, Tours, France; Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, INRAE UMR 0085, CNRS UMR 7247, IFCE, Université de Tours, Inserm, Nouzilly, France
| | - Déborah Jaccaz
- Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, INRAE UMR 0085, CNRS UMR 7247, IFCE, Université de Tours, Inserm, Nouzilly, France; Unité Expérimentale de Physiologie Animale de l'Orfrasière, INRAE UE 0028, Nouzilly, France
| | | | | | - Julie Le Merrer
- UMR 1253, IBrain, Université de Tours, Inserm, CNRS, Tours, France; Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, INRAE UMR 0085, CNRS UMR 7247, IFCE, Université de Tours, Inserm, Nouzilly, France
| | - Jérôme Aj Becker
- UMR 1253, IBrain, Université de Tours, Inserm, CNRS, Tours, France; Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, INRAE UMR 0085, CNRS UMR 7247, IFCE, Université de Tours, Inserm, Nouzilly, France
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Zarate-Lopez D, Torres-Chávez AL, Gálvez-Contreras AY, Gonzalez-Perez O. Three Decades of Valproate: A Current Model for Studying Autism Spectrum Disorder. Curr Neuropharmacol 2024; 22:260-289. [PMID: 37873949 PMCID: PMC10788883 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x22666231003121513] [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: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with increased prevalence and incidence in recent decades. Its etiology remains largely unclear, but it seems to involve a strong genetic component and environmental factors that, in turn, induce epigenetic changes during embryonic and postnatal brain development. In recent decades, clinical studies have shown that inutero exposure to valproic acid (VPA), a commonly prescribed antiepileptic drug, is an environmental factor associated with an increased risk of ASD. Subsequently, prenatal VPA exposure in rodents has been established as a reliable translational model to study the pathophysiology of ASD, which has helped demonstrate neurobiological changes in rodents, non-human primates, and brain organoids from human pluripotent stem cells. This evidence supports the notion that prenatal VPA exposure is a valid and current model to replicate an idiopathic ASD-like disorder in experimental animals. This review summarizes and describes the current features reported with this animal model of autism and the main neurobiological findings and correlates that help elucidate the pathophysiology of ASD. Finally, we discuss the general framework of the VPA model in comparison to other environmental and genetic ASD models.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Zarate-Lopez
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, School of Psychology, University of Colima, Colima 28040, México
- Physiological Science Ph.D. Program, School of Medicine, University of Colima, Colima 28040, Mexico
| | - Ana Laura Torres-Chávez
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, School of Psychology, University of Colima, Colima 28040, México
- Physiological Science Ph.D. Program, School of Medicine, University of Colima, Colima 28040, Mexico
| | - Alma Yadira Gálvez-Contreras
- Department of Neuroscience, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44340, México
| | - Oscar Gonzalez-Perez
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, School of Psychology, University of Colima, Colima 28040, México
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D'Antoni S, Schiavi S, Buzzelli V, Giuffrida S, Feo A, Ascone F, Busceti CL, Nicoletti F, Trezza V, Catania MV. Group I and group II metabotropic glutamate receptors are upregulated in the synapses of infant rats prenatally exposed to valproic acid. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2023; 240:2617-2629. [PMID: 37707611 PMCID: PMC10640443 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-023-06457-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction and restricted/stereotyped behavior. Prenatal exposure to valproic acid (VPA) is associated with an increased risk of developing ASD in humans and autistic-like behaviors in rodents. Increasing evidence indicates that dysfunctions of glutamate receptors at synapses are associated with ASD. In the VPA rat model, an involvement of glutamate receptors in autism-like phenotypes has been suggested; however, few studies were carried out on metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors. OBJECTIVES We examined the protein expression levels of group I (mGlu1 and mGlu5) and group II (mGlu2/3) mGlu receptors in rats prenatally exposed to VPA and evaluated the effect of mGlu receptor modulation on an early autism-like phenotype in these animals. METHODS We used western blotting analysis on synaptosomes obtained from forebrain of control and VPA rats at different ages (postnatal day P13, 35, 90) and carried out ultrasonic vocalization (USV) emission test in infant control and VPA rats. RESULTS The expression levels of all these receptors were significantly increased in infant VPA rats. No changes were detected in adolescent and adult rats. An acute treatment with the preferential mGlu2/3 antagonist, LY341495, attenuated the impairment in the USV emission in VPA rats. No effect was observed after a treatment with the mGlu5 selective antagonist, MTEP. CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrate that the expression of group I and group II mGlu receptors is upregulated at synapses of infant VPA rats and suggest that mGlu2/3 receptor modulation may have a therapeutic potential in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona D'Antoni
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (IRIB-CNR), Catania, Italy
| | - Sara Schiavi
- Department of Science, Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, University "Roma Tre", Rome, Italy
| | - Valeria Buzzelli
- Department of Science, Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, University "Roma Tre", Rome, Italy
| | - Samuele Giuffrida
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (IRIB-CNR), Catania, Italy
| | - Alessandro Feo
- Department of Science, Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, University "Roma Tre", Rome, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Ascone
- Department of Science, Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, University "Roma Tre", Rome, Italy
| | | | - Ferdinando Nicoletti
- IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Viviana Trezza
- Department of Science, Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, University "Roma Tre", Rome, Italy
- Neuroendocrinology, Metabolism and Neuropharmacology Unit, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Vincenza Catania
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (IRIB-CNR), Catania, Italy.
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Huang L, Mut-Arbona P, Varga B, Török B, Brunner J, Arszovszki A, Iring A, Kisfali M, Vizi ES, Sperlágh B. P2X7 purinergic receptor modulates dentate gyrus excitatory neurotransmission and alleviates schizophrenia-like symptoms in mouse. iScience 2023; 26:107560. [PMID: 37649698 PMCID: PMC10462828 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
ATP-gated P2X7 receptors (P2X7Rs) play a crucial role in brain disorders. However, how they affect normal and pathological synaptic transmission is still largely unclear. Here, by using whole-cell patch-clamp technique to record AMPA- and NMDA receptor-mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents (s/mEPSCs) in dentate gyrus granule cells (DG GCs), we revealed a modulation by P2X7Rs of presynaptic sites, especially originated from entorhinal cortex (EC)-GC path but not the mossy cell (MC)-GC path. The involvement of P2X7Rs was confirmed using a pharmacological approach. Additionally, the acute activation of P2X7Rs directly elevated calcium influx from EC-GC terminals. In postnatal phencyclidine (PCP)-induced mouse model of schizophrenia, we observed that P2X7R deficiency restored the EC-GC synapse alteration and alleviated PCP-induced symptoms. To summarize, P2X7Rs participate in the modulation of GC excitatory neurotransmission in the DG via EC-GC pathway, contributing to pathological alterations of neuronal functions leading to neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lumei Huang
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, 1083 Budapest, Hungary
- János Szentágothai Doctoral School, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Paula Mut-Arbona
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, 1083 Budapest, Hungary
- János Szentágothai Doctoral School, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Bernadett Varga
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, 1083 Budapest, Hungary
- János Szentágothai Doctoral School, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Bibiana Török
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, 1083 Budapest, Hungary
| | - János Brunner
- Laboratory of Cellular Neuropharmacology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, 1083 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Antonia Arszovszki
- Laboratory of Cellular Neuropharmacology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, 1083 Budapest, Hungary
| | - András Iring
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, 1083 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Máté Kisfali
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, 1083 Budapest, Hungary
| | - E. Sylvester Vizi
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, 1083 Budapest, Hungary
- János Szentágothai Doctoral School, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Beáta Sperlágh
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, 1083 Budapest, Hungary
- János Szentágothai Doctoral School, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary
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Carbonell AU, Freire-Cobo C, Deyneko IV, Dobariya S, Erdjument-Bromage H, Clipperton-Allen AE, Page DT, Neubert TA, Jordan BA. Comparing synaptic proteomes across five mouse models for autism reveals converging molecular similarities including deficits in oxidative phosphorylation and Rho GTPase signaling. Front Aging Neurosci 2023; 15:1152562. [PMID: 37255534 PMCID: PMC10225639 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1152562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Specific and effective treatments for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are lacking due to a poor understanding of disease mechanisms. Here we test the idea that similarities between diverse ASD mouse models are caused by deficits in common molecular pathways at neuronal synapses. To do this, we leverage the availability of multiple genetic models of ASD that exhibit shared synaptic and behavioral deficits and use quantitative mass spectrometry with isobaric tandem mass tagging (TMT) to compare their hippocampal synaptic proteomes. Comparative analyses of mouse models for Fragile X syndrome (Fmr1 knockout), cortical dysplasia focal epilepsy syndrome (Cntnap2 knockout), PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome (Pten haploinsufficiency), ANKS1B syndrome (Anks1b haploinsufficiency), and idiopathic autism (BTBR+) revealed several common altered cellular and molecular pathways at the synapse, including changes in oxidative phosphorylation, and Rho family small GTPase signaling. Functional validation of one of these aberrant pathways, Rac1 signaling, confirms that the ANKS1B model displays altered Rac1 activity counter to that observed in other models, as predicted by the bioinformatic analyses. Overall similarity analyses reveal clusters of synaptic profiles, which may form the basis for molecular subtypes that explain genetic heterogeneity in ASD despite a common clinical diagnosis. Our results suggest that ASD-linked susceptibility genes ultimately converge on common signaling pathways regulating synaptic function and propose that these points of convergence are key to understanding the pathogenesis of this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail U. Carbonell
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Carmen Freire-Cobo
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Ilana V. Deyneko
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Saunil Dobariya
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Hediye Erdjument-Bromage
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Amy E. Clipperton-Allen
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute Florida, Jupiter, FL, United States
| | - Damon T. Page
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute Florida, Jupiter, FL, United States
| | - Thomas A. Neubert
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Bryen A. Jordan
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
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Lee K, Mills Z, Cheung P, Cheyne JE, Montgomery JM. The Role of Zinc and NMDA Receptors in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 16:ph16010001. [PMID: 36678498 PMCID: PMC9866730 DOI: 10.3390/ph16010001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
NMDA-type glutamate receptors are critical for synaptic plasticity in the central nervous system. Their unique properties and age-dependent arrangement of subunit types underpin their role as a coincidence detector of pre- and postsynaptic activity during brain development and maturation. NMDAR function is highly modulated by zinc, which is co-released with glutamate and concentrates in postsynaptic spines. Both NMDARs and zinc have been strongly linked to autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), suggesting that NMDARs are an important player in the beneficial effects observed with zinc in both animal models and children with ASDs. Significant evidence is emerging that these beneficial effects occur via zinc-dependent regulation of SHANK proteins, which form the backbone of the postsynaptic density. For example, dietary zinc supplementation enhances SHANK2 or SHANK3 synaptic recruitment and rescues NMDAR deficits and hypofunction in Shank3ex13-16-/- and Tbr1+/- ASD mice. Across multiple studies, synaptic changes occur in parallel with a reversal of ASD-associated behaviours, highlighting the zinc-dependent regulation of NMDARs and glutamatergic synapses as therapeutic targets for severe forms of ASDs, either pre- or postnatally. The data from rodent models set a strong foundation for future translational studies in human cells and people affected by ASDs.
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Granerud G, Elvsåshagen T, Arntzen E, Juhasz K, Emilsen NM, Sønderby IE, Nærland T, Malt EA. A family study of symbolic learning and synaptic plasticity in autism spectrum disorder. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 16:950922. [PMID: 36504626 PMCID: PMC9730282 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.950922] [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: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The current study presents a male with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and a 3q29 deletion, and three healthy first-degree relatives. Our magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) dataset included a healthy control subset. We describe a comprehensive multimodal approach, including equivalence class formation, neurocognitive testing, MRI, and electroencephalography (EEG)-based cortical plasticity, which can provide new insights into socio-communicative and learning impairments and neural underpinnings in ASD. On neurocognitive testing, the proband showed reduced processing speed, attending behavior, and executive function. He required more training trials in equivalence class training compared with family members and exhibited impaired priming of words compared with priming with images. The proband had smaller intracranial volume and surface area and a larger visual evoked potential (VEP) C1 amplitude than family members and intact long-term potentiation (LTP)-like visual cortex plasticity. Together, these results suggest that 3q29 deletion-related ASD is associated with impaired problem-solving strategies in complex socio-communicative and learning tasks, smaller intracranial and surface area, altered VEP amplitude, and normal LTP-like visual cortex plasticity. Further studies are needed to clarify whether this multimodal approach can be used to identify ASD subgroups with distinct neurobiological alterations and to uncover mechanisms underlying socio-communicative and learning impairments. Lay Summary: We studied learning, brain activity, and brain structure in a person with autism and a genetic aberration, and his close relatives. Compared with relatives, the person with autism required more training for learning, and visual learning was better than verbal learning. This person had some changes in the activity of the visual cortex, and the size and the surface area of the brain were reduced. Knowledge about learning and brain mechanisms is valuable for the development of training programs for individuals with autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guro Granerud
- Department of Adult Habilitation, Akershus University Hospital, Oslo, Norway,Department of Behavioral Science, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway,KG Jebsen Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway,*Correspondence: Guro Granerud
| | - Torbjørn Elvsåshagen
- Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway,Department of Neurology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway,Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Erik Arntzen
- Department of Behavioral Science, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway
| | - Katalin Juhasz
- Department of Adult Habilitation, Akershus University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Nina Merete Emilsen
- Department of Adult Habilitation, Akershus University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ida Elken Sønderby
- KG Jebsen Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway,Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway,Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Terje Nærland
- KG Jebsen Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway,NevSom Department of Rare Disorders and Disabilities, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Eva Albertsen Malt
- Department of Adult Habilitation, Akershus University Hospital, Oslo, Norway,Institute of Clinical Medicine, Campus Ahus, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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Podgorac J, Sekulić S, Petković B, Stojadinović G, Martać L, Pešić V. The influence of continuous prenatal exposure to valproic acid on physical, nociceptive, emotional and psychomotor responses during adolescence in mice: Dose-related effects within sexes. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:982811. [PMID: 36248030 PMCID: PMC9557044 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.982811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Clinical findings show that the use of valproic acid (VPA) during pregnancy increases the risk of birth defects and autism spectrum disorder in offspring. Although there is a consensus that monitoring of potential long-term outcomes of VPA exposure is needed, especially in undiagnosed individuals, preclinical studies addressing this issue are rare. The present study examined the effects of continuous intrauterine exposure to a wide dose range of VPA (50, 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg/day) on the physical and behavioral response in peripubertal mice as a rodent model of adolescence. Body weight and the hot plate test [on postnatal days (PND) 25 and 32], the elevated plus-maze test (on PND35), and the open field test (on PND40) served to examine physical growth, the supraspinal reflex response to a painful thermal stimulus and conditional learning, anxiety-like/risk-assessment behavior, as well as novelty-induced psychomotor activity, respectively. VPA exposure produced the following responses: (i) a negative effect on body weight, except for the dose of 100 mg/kg/day in both sexes; (ii) an increase in the percentage of animals that responded to the thermal stimulus above the defined cut-off time interval and the response latency in both sexes; (iii) dose-specific changes within sexes in behavior provoked by a novel anxiogenic environment, i.e., in females less anxiety-like/risk-assessment behavior in response to the lowest exposure dose, and in males more pronounced anxiety-like/risk-assessment behavior after exposure to the highest dose and 100 mg/kg/day; (iv) dose-specific changes within sexes in novelty-induced psychomotor activity, i.e., in females a decrease in stereotypy-like activity along with an increase in rearing, and in males a decrease in stereotypy-like activity only. These findings show that continuous intrauterine exposure to VPA produces maladaptive functioning in different behavioral domains in adolescence and that the consequences are delicate to assess as they are dose-related within sexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelena Podgorac
- Department of Neurophysiology, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković” – National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Slobodan Sekulić
- Faculty of Medicine Novi Sad, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
- Department of Neurology, Clinical Center of Vojvodina, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Branka Petković
- Department of Neurophysiology, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković” – National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Gordana Stojadinović
- Department of Neurophysiology, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković” – National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Ljiljana Martać
- Department of Neurophysiology, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković” – National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Vesna Pešić
- Department of Neurobiology, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković” – National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
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Mohammadkhani R, Ghahremani R, Salehi I, Safari S, Karimi SA, Zarei M. Impairment in social interaction and hippocampal long-term potentiation at perforant pathway-dentate gyrus synapses in a prenatal valproic acid-induced rat model of autism. Brain Commun 2022; 4:fcac221. [PMID: 36092302 PMCID: PMC9453432 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcac221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
It is well established that prenatal valproic acid exposure in rats leads to autism-like behaviours and social deficits. Long-term potentiation changes in the brain have been proposed as a potential mechanism in the development of autistic behaviour. However, there are controversies regarding the effect of in utero valproic acid exposure on long-term potentiation. This study examined the social interaction and long-term potentiation induction in perforant pathway-dentate gyrus synapses in male offspring of a rat model of autism induced by prenatal exposure to valproic acid. On Embryonic Day 12.5, the pregnant dams received an injection of 500 mg/kg valproic acid (intraperitoneal) to produce the autism model. The sociability test was performed between Postnatal Days 37 and 40. The offsprings were urethane-anaesthetized and placed into a stereotaxic apparatus for surgery, electrode implantation and field potential recording on Postnatal Days 45–55. In the dentate gyrus region, excitatory postsynaptic potential slope and population spike amplitude were measured. Valproic acid-exposed offspring showed significantly impaired social interaction. The birth weight in valproic acid-exposed rats was significantly lower than in control rats. The ability of dentate gyrus synapses to induce long-term potentiation was hampered by valproic acid exposure. The decreasing excitatory postsynaptic potential slope and population spike amplitude of long-term potentiation provide evidence in favour of this notion. It is widely supposed that the hippocampus plays a central role in the process of learning and memory as well as social interaction and social memory. Therefore, deficiencies in hippocampal synaptic plasticity may be responsible, at least in part, for the social interaction deficits in valproic acid-exposed rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reihaneh Mohammadkhani
- Neurophysiology Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences , Hamadan 65178/518 , Iran
| | - Reza Ghahremani
- Neurophysiology Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences , Hamadan 65178/518 , Iran
- Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Birjand , Birjand 9717434765 , Iran
| | - Iraj Salehi
- Neurophysiology Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences , Hamadan 65178/518 , Iran
| | - Samaneh Safari
- Neurophysiology Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences , Hamadan 65178/518 , Iran
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Science and Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences , Hamadan 65178/518 , Iran
| | - Seyed Asaad Karimi
- Neurophysiology Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences , Hamadan 65178/518 , Iran
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Science and Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences , Hamadan 65178/518 , Iran
| | - Mohammad Zarei
- Neurophysiology Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences , Hamadan 65178/518 , Iran
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Taheri F, Esmaeilpour K, Sepehri G, Sheibani V, Ur Rehman N, Maneshian M. Histamine H3 receptor antagonist, ciproxifan, alleviates cognition and synaptic plasticity alterations in a valproic acid-induced animal model of autism. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2022; 239:2673-2693. [PMID: 35538250 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-022-06155-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social communication and cognitive behaviors. Histamine H3 receptor (H3R) antagonists are considered as therapeutic factors for treating cognitive impairments. OBJECTIVES The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of the H3R antagonist, ciproxifan (CPX), on cognition impairment especially, spatial learning memory, and synaptic plasticity in the CA1 region of the hippocampus in autistic rats. METHODS Pregnant rats were injected with either valproic acid (VPA) (600 mg/kg, i.p.) or saline on an embryonic day 12.5 (E12.5). The effects of the H3R antagonist, ciproxifan (CPX) (1, 3 mg/kg, i.p.), were investigated on learning and memory in VPA-exposed rat pups and saline-exposed rat pups using Morris water maze (MWM) and social interaction tasks. The H2R antagonist, famotidine (FAM) (10, 20, 40 mg/kg, i.p.), was used to determine whether brain histaminergic neurotransmission exerted its procognitive effects through the H2R. In addition, synaptic reinforcement was evaluated by in vivo field potential recording. RESULTS The results showed that VPA-exposed rat pups had significantly lower sociability and social memory performance compared to the saline rats. VPA-exposed rat pups exhibited learning and memory impairments in the MWM task. In addition, VPA caused suppression of long-term potentiation (LTP) in the CA1 area of the hippocampus. Our results demonstrated that CPX 3 mg/kg improved VPA-induced cognitive impairments and FAM 20 mg/kg attenuated cognitive behaviors as well as electrophysiological properties. CONCLUSIONS CPX 3 mg/kg improved VPA-induced impairments of LTP as well as learning and memory deficits through H2R.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farahnaz Taheri
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Khadijeh Esmaeilpour
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
- Physics and Astronomy Department, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Gholamreza Sepehri
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
| | - Vahid Sheibani
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Naeem Ur Rehman
- Department of Pharmacy, COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad Campus, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Marzieh Maneshian
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
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Chu MC, Wu HF, Lee CW, Chung YJ, Chi H, Chen PS, Lin HC. Generational synaptic functions of GABA A receptor β3 subunit deteriorations in an animal model of social deficit. J Biomed Sci 2022; 29:51. [PMID: 35821032 PMCID: PMC9277936 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-022-00835-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Disruption of normal brain development is implicated in numerous psychiatric disorders with neurodevelopmental origins, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Widespread abnormalities in brain structure and functions caused by dysregulations of neurodevelopmental processes has been recently shown to exert adverse effects across generations. An imbalance between excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) transmission is the putative hypothesis of ASD pathogenesis, supporting by the specific implications of inhibitory γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic system in autistic individuals and animal models of ASD. However, the contribution of GABAergic system in the neuropathophysiology across generations of ASD is still unknown. Here, we uncover profound alterations in the expression and function of GABAA receptors (GABAARs) in the amygdala across generations of the VPA-induced animal model of ASD. METHODS The F2 generation was produced by mating an F1 VPA-induced male offspring with naïve females after a single injection of VPA on embryonic day (E12.5) in F0. Autism-like behaviors were assessed by animal behavior tests. Expression and functional properties of GABAARs and related proteins were examined by using western blotting and electrophysiological techniques. RESULTS Social deficit, repetitive behavior, and emotional comorbidities were demonstrated across two generations of the VPA-induced offspring. Decreased synaptic GABAAR and gephyrin levels, and inhibitory transmission were found in the amygdala from two generations of the VPA-induced offspring with greater reductions in the F2 generation. Weaker association of gephyrin with GABAAR was shown in the F2 generation than the F1 generation. Moreover, dysregulated NMDA-induced enhancements of gephyrin and GABAAR at the synapse in the VPA-induced offspring was worsened in the F2 generation than the F1 generation. Elevated glutamatergic modifications were additionally shown across generations of the VPA-induced offspring without generation difference. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, these findings revealed the E/I synaptic abnormalities in the amygdala from two generations of the VPA-induced offspring with GABAergic deteriorations in the F2 generation, suggesting a potential therapeutic role of the GABAergic system to generational pathophysiology of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Chia Chu
- grid.260539.b0000 0001 2059 7017Department and Institute of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Tainan, 112 Taiwan
| | - Han-Fang Wu
- grid.260539.b0000 0001 2059 7017Department and Institute of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Tainan, 112 Taiwan
| | - Chi-Wei Lee
- grid.260539.b0000 0001 2059 7017Department and Institute of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Tainan, 112 Taiwan
| | - Yueh-Jung Chung
- grid.260539.b0000 0001 2059 7017Department and Institute of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Tainan, 112 Taiwan
| | - Hsiang Chi
- grid.260539.b0000 0001 2059 7017Department and Institute of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Tainan, 112 Taiwan
| | - Po See Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 704, Taiwan. .,Institute of Behavioral Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 704, Taiwan.
| | - Hui-Ching Lin
- Department and Institute of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 112, Taiwan. .,Ph.D. Program for Neural Regenerative Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University and National Health Research Institutes, Taipei, 110, Taiwan. .,Brain Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 112, Taiwan.
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14
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Mehra S, Ul Ahsan A, Seth E, Chopra M. Critical Evaluation of Valproic Acid-Induced Rodent Models of Autism: Current and Future Perspectives. J Mol Neurosci 2022; 72:1259-1273. [DOI: 10.1007/s12031-022-02033-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Saad AK, Akour A, Mahboob A, AbuRuz S, Sadek B. Role of Brain Modulators in Neurodevelopment: Focus on Autism Spectrum Disorder and Associated Comorbidities. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:612. [PMID: 35631438 PMCID: PMC9144645 DOI: 10.3390/ph15050612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and associated neurodevelopmental disorders share similar pathogenesis and clinical features. Pathophysiological changes in these diseases are rooted in early neuronal stem cells in the uterus. Several genetic and environmental factors potentially perturb neurogenesis and synaptogenesis processes causing incomplete or altered maturation of the brain that precedes the symptomology later in life. In this review, the impact of several endogenous neuromodulators and pharmacological agents on the foetus during pregnancy, manifested on numerous aspects of neurodevelopment is discussed. Within this context, some possible insults that may alter these modulators and therefore alter their role in neurodevelopment are high-lighted. Sometimes, a particular insult could influence several neuromodulator systems as is supported by recent research in the field of ASD and associated disorders. Dopaminergic hy-pothesis prevailed on the table for discussion of the pathogenesis of schizophrenia (SCH), atten-tion-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and ASD for a long time. However, recent cumulative evidence suggests otherwise. Indeed, the neuromodulators that are dysregulated in ASD and comorbid disorders are as diverse as the causes and symptoms of this disease. Additionally, these neuromodulators have roles in brain development, further complicating their involvement in comorbidity. This review will survey the current understanding of the neuromodulating systems to serve the pharmacological field during pregnancy and to minimize drug-related insults in pa-tients with ASD and associated comorbidity disorders, e.g., SCH or ADHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali K. Saad
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 17666, United Arab Emirates; (A.K.S.); (A.A.); (S.A.)
- Zayed Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 17666, United Arab Emirates
| | - Amal Akour
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 17666, United Arab Emirates; (A.K.S.); (A.A.); (S.A.)
- Zayed Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 17666, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Biopharmaceutics and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, The University of Jordan, Amman P.O. Box 11942, Jordan
| | - Abdulla Mahboob
- Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates;
| | - Salahdein AbuRuz
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 17666, United Arab Emirates; (A.K.S.); (A.A.); (S.A.)
- Zayed Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 17666, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Biopharmaceutics and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, The University of Jordan, Amman P.O. Box 11942, Jordan
| | - Bassem Sadek
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 17666, United Arab Emirates; (A.K.S.); (A.A.); (S.A.)
- Zayed Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 17666, United Arab Emirates
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Guily P, Lassalle O, Chavis P, Manzoni OJ. Sex-specific divergent maturational trajectories in the postnatal rat basolateral amygdala. iScience 2022; 25:103815. [PMID: 35198880 PMCID: PMC8841815 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.103815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
In rodents and humans, the basolateral amygdala (BLA), essential for emotional behaviors, is profoundly reorganized during adolescence. We compared in both sexes the morphology, neuronal, and synaptic properties of BLA neurons in rats at puberty and adulthood. BLA neurons were more excitable in males than in females at adulthood. At pubescence, male action potentials were smaller and shorter than females’ while fast afterhyperpolarizations were larger in males. During postnatal maturation, spine length increased and decreased in females and males, respectively, while there was a reduction in spine head size in females. Excitatory synaptic properties, estimated from stimuli-response relationships, spontaneous post-synaptic currents, and AMPA/NMDA ratio also displayed sex-specific maturational differences. Finally, the developmental courses of long-term potentiation and depression were sexually dimorphic. These data reveal divergent maturational trajectories in the BLA of male and female rats and suggest sex-specific substrates to the BLA linked behaviors at adolescence and adulthood. The BLA is immature at puberty and its development toward adulthood is sex-specific At adulthood, neuronal excitability is lower in females than in males The maturation of spine morphology is more pronounced in females The developmental courses of LTP and LTD are sexually divergent
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Guily
- INMED, INSERM U1249 Parc Scientifique de Luminy - BP 13 - 13273 Marseille Cedex 09 France
- Cannalab Cannabinoids Neuroscience Research International Associated Laboratory, INSERM-Aix-Marseille University/Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Olivier Lassalle
- INMED, INSERM U1249 Parc Scientifique de Luminy - BP 13 - 13273 Marseille Cedex 09 France
- Cannalab Cannabinoids Neuroscience Research International Associated Laboratory, INSERM-Aix-Marseille University/Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Pascale Chavis
- INMED, INSERM U1249 Parc Scientifique de Luminy - BP 13 - 13273 Marseille Cedex 09 France
- Cannalab Cannabinoids Neuroscience Research International Associated Laboratory, INSERM-Aix-Marseille University/Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Olivier J. Manzoni
- INMED, INSERM U1249 Parc Scientifique de Luminy - BP 13 - 13273 Marseille Cedex 09 France
- Cannalab Cannabinoids Neuroscience Research International Associated Laboratory, INSERM-Aix-Marseille University/Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
- Corresponding author
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Fereshetyan K, Chavushyan V, Danielyan M, Yenkoyan K. Assessment of behavioral, morphological and electrophysiological changes in prenatal and postnatal valproate induced rat models of autism spectrum disorder. Sci Rep 2021; 11:23471. [PMID: 34873263 PMCID: PMC8648736 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-02994-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are neurodevelopmental disorders, that are characterized by core symptoms, such as alterations of social communication and restrictive or repetitive behavior. The etiology and pathophysiology of disease is still unknown, however, there is a strong interaction between genetic and environmental factors. An intriguing point in autism research is identification the vulnerable time periods of brain development that lack compensatory homeostatic corrections. Valproic acid (VPA) is an antiepileptic drug with a pronounced teratogenic effect associated with a high risk of ASD, and its administration to rats during the gestation is used for autism modeling. It has been hypothesized that valproate induced damage and functional alterations of autism target structures may occur and evolve during early postnatal life. Here, we used prenatal and postnatal administrations of VPA to investigate the main behavioral features which are associated with autism spectrum disorders core symptoms were tested in early juvenile and adult rats. Neuroanatomical lesion of autism target structures and electrophysiological studies in specific neural circuits. Our results showed that prenatal and early postnatal administration of valproate led to the behavioral alterations that were similar to ASD. Postnatally treated group showed tendency to normalize in adulthood. We found pronounced structural changes in the brain target regions of prenatally VPA-treated groups, and an absence of abnormalities in postnatally VPA-treated groups, which confirmed the different severity of VPA across different stages of brain development. The results of this study clearly show time dependent effect of VPA on neurodevelopment, which might be explained by temporal differences of brain regions' development process. Presumably, postnatal administration of valproate leads to the dysfunction of synaptic networks that is recovered during the lifespan, due to the brain plasticity and compensatory ability of circuit refinement. Therefore, investigations of compensatory homeostatic mechanisms activated after VPA administration and directed to eliminate the defects in postnatal brain, may elucidate strategies to improve the course of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarine Fereshetyan
- grid.427559.80000 0004 0418 5743Neuroscience Laboratory, Cobrain Center, Yerevan State Medical University named after M. Heratsi, 2 Koryun Str., 0025 Yerevan, Armenia ,grid.427559.80000 0004 0418 5743Department of Biochemistry, Yerevan State Medical University named after M. Heratsi, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Vergine Chavushyan
- grid.427559.80000 0004 0418 5743Neuroscience Laboratory, Cobrain Center, Yerevan State Medical University named after M. Heratsi, 2 Koryun Str., 0025 Yerevan, Armenia ,grid.501896.3Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Relations, L. A. Orbeli Institute of Physiology NAS, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Margarita Danielyan
- grid.427559.80000 0004 0418 5743Neuroscience Laboratory, Cobrain Center, Yerevan State Medical University named after M. Heratsi, 2 Koryun Str., 0025 Yerevan, Armenia ,grid.501896.3Laboratory of Histochemistry and Electromicroscopy, L. A. Orbeli Institute of Physiology NAS, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Konstantin Yenkoyan
- Neuroscience Laboratory, Cobrain Center, Yerevan State Medical University named after M. Heratsi, 2 Koryun Str., 0025, Yerevan, Armenia. .,Department of Biochemistry, Yerevan State Medical University named after M. Heratsi, Yerevan, Armenia.
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18
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Khodaverdi M, Rahdar M, Davoudi S, Hajisoltani R, Tavassoli Z, Ghasemi Z, Amini AE, Hosseinmardi N, Behzadi G, Janahmadi M. 5-HT7 receptor activation rescues impaired synaptic plasticity in an autistic-like rat model induced by prenatal VPA exposure. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2021; 183:107462. [PMID: 34015444 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2021.107462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a severe life-long neuropsychiatric disorder. Alterations and imbalance of several neurochemical systems may be involved in ASD pathophysiology, of them, serotonergic neurotransmission dysfunction and deficiency may underlie behavioral abnormalities associated with ASD. However, the functional importance of serotonergic receptors, particularly 5HT7 receptors in ASD pathology remains poorly defined. Serotonin receptor subtype 7 (5-HT7R) plays a direct regulatory role in the development and also for the mature function of the brain, therefore, further studies are necessary to elucidate the role of these receptors in the etiology of autism. To address this issue, we combined here behavioral, electrophysiological methods to further characterize the contribution of 5-HT7Rs in the prenatal valproic acid (VPA) exposure-induced impairment in synaptic plasticity and their impact on the associated behavioral changes. This may help to unravel the underlying cellular mechanisms involved in ASD and can lead to new treatment and/or prevention therapies based on the role of the serotonergic system for autism. Findings revealed that compared to control, autistic-like offspring showed increased anxiety-like behavior, reduced social interaction, decreased locomotor activity, and impaired identification of the novel object. However, administration of 5-HT7Rs agonist, LP-211, for 7 consecutive days before testing from postnatal day 21 to 27 reversed all behavioral deficits induced by prenatal exposure to VPA in offspring. Also, both short-term depression and long-term potentiation were impaired in the autistic-like pups, but activation of 5-HT7Rs rescued the LTP impairment in the autistic-like group so that there was no significant difference between the two groups. Blockade of 5-HT7Rs caused LTP impairment following HFS in the autistic-like group. Besides, there was a significant difference in LTD induction following SB-269970 application between the control and the autistic-like groups measured at first 10 min following TPS. Moreover, both the number and the size of retrograde fast blue-labelled neurons in the raphe nuclei were reduced. Overall, these results provide for the first time, as far as we know, functional evidence for the restorative role of 5-HT7Rs activation against prenatal VPA exposure induced behavioral deficits and hippocampal synaptic plasticity impairment. Therefore, these receptors could be a potential and promising pharmacotherapy target for the treatment of autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Khodaverdi
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Neuroscience Research Center, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mona Rahdar
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shima Davoudi
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Razieh Hajisoltani
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zohreh Tavassoli
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Ghasemi
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Canada
| | - Aeen Ebrahim Amini
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Canada; Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Narges Hosseinmardi
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Gila Behzadi
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahyar Janahmadi
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Neuroscience Research Center, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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19
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Emerging mechanisms of valproic acid-induced neurotoxic events in autism and its implications for pharmacological treatment. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 137:111322. [PMID: 33761592 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a sort of mental disorder marked by deficits in cognitive and communication abilities. To date no effective cure for this pernicious disease has been available. Valproic acid (VPA) is a broad-spectrum, antiepileptic drug, and it is also a potent teratogen. Epidemiological studies have shown that children exposed to VPA are at higher risk for ASD during the first trimester of their gestational development. Several animal and human studies have demonstrated important behavioral impairments and morphological changes in the brain following VPA treatment. However, the mechanism of VPA exposure-induced ASD remains unclear. Several factors are involved in the pathological phase of ASD, including aberrant excitation/inhibition of synaptic transmission, neuroinflammation, diminished neurogenesis, oxidative stress, etc. In this review, we aim to outline the current knowledge of the critical pathophysiological mechanisms underlying VPA exposure-induced ASD. This review will give insight toward understanding the complex nature of VPA-induced neuronal toxicity and exploring a new path toward the development of novel pharmacological treatment against ASD.
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20
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Lenart J, Augustyniak J, Lazarewicz JW, Zieminska E. Altered expression of glutamatergic and GABAergic genes in the valproic acid-induced rat model of autism: A screening test. Toxicology 2020; 440:152500. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2020.152500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Revised: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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21
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Wu HF, Lu TY, Chu MC, Chen PS, Lee CW, Lin HC. Targeting the inhibition of fatty acid amide hydrolase ameliorate the endocannabinoid-mediated synaptic dysfunction in a valproic acid-induced rat model of Autism. Neuropharmacology 2020; 162:107736. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2019.107736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Revised: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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22
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Saitow F, Takumi T, Suzuki H. Change in serotonergic modulation contributes to the synaptic imbalance of neuronal circuit at the prefrontal cortex in the 15q11-13 duplication mouse model of autism. Neuropharmacology 2019; 165:107931. [PMID: 31901366 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2019.107931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Revised: 12/25/2019] [Accepted: 12/30/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The prefrontal cortex (PFC) has been extensively studied in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in an attempt to understand the deficits in executive and other higher brain functions related to sociability and emotion. Disruption of the excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) balance of cortical circuits is thought to underlie the pathophysiology of ASD. Recently, we showed that 15q dup mice (a model for ASD with human chromosome 15q11-13 paternal duplication) exhibit disruption of the E/I balance in layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons of the somatosensory cortex due to a decrease in the number of inhibitory synapses. However, whether there is a pathological abnormality in E/I balance in the PFC of 15q dup mice remains unknown. In this study, we found that 15q dup facilitates the activity-induced LTP of glutamate synapses onto layer 5 pyramidal neurons by shifting the E/I balance to an excitatory state, which this was associated with differences in synaptic glutamatergic and GABAergic inputs onto GABAergic fast-spiking interneurons (FSINs). Furthermore, we found that FSIN excitability was well-modulated and regulated by the constitutive activation of 5-HT2 receptors in PFC microcircuits. These results provide new insights into the cellular mechanisms underlying maintenance of optimal E/I balance in the PFC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fumihito Saitow
- Department of Pharmacology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, 113-8602, Japan.
| | - Toru Takumi
- RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Hidenori Suzuki
- Department of Pharmacology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, 113-8602, Japan
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23
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Consequences of prenatal exposure to valproic acid in the socially monogamous prairie voles. Sci Rep 2019; 9:2453. [PMID: 30792426 PMCID: PMC6385222 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-39014-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental risk factors contribute to autism spectrum disorders (ASD) etiology. In particular, prenatal exposure to the highly teratogenic anticonvulsant valproic acid (VPA) significantly increases ASD prevalence. Although significant discoveries on the embryopathology of VPA have been reported, its effects on the ability to form enduring social attachment—characteristic of ASD but uncommonly displayed by rats and mice—remains unknown. We aimed to examine the effects of prenatal VPA exposure in the social, monogamous prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster). Compared to prenatal vehicle-exposed controls, prenatal VPA-exposed prairie voles had lower body weight throughout postnatal development, engaged in fewer social affiliative behaviors in a familial context, exhibited less social interactions with novel conspecifics, and showed enhanced anxiety-like behavior. Along these behavioral deficits, prenatal VPA exposure downregulated prefrontal cortex vasopressin receptor (V1aR) and methyl CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2) mRNA expression, but did not alter spine density in adults. Remarkably, adult social bonding behaviors, such as partner preference formation and selective aggression, were not disrupted by prenatal VPA exposure. Collectively, these studies suggest that, in this animal model, VPA alters only certain behavioral domains such as sex-naive anxiety and affiliative behaviors, but does not alter other domains such as social bonding with opposite sex individuals.
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24
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Kuo HY, Liu FC. Molecular Pathology and Pharmacological Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder-Like Phenotypes Using Rodent Models. Front Cell Neurosci 2018; 12:422. [PMID: 30524240 PMCID: PMC6262306 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2018.00422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2018] [Accepted: 10/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder with a high prevalence rate. The core symptoms of ASD patients are impaired social communication and repetitive behavior. Genetic and environmental factors contribute to pathophysiology of ASD. Regarding environmental risk factors, it is known that valproic acid (VPA) exposure during pregnancy increases the chance of ASD among offspring. Over a decade of animal model studies have shown that maternal treatment with VPA in rodents recapitulates ASD-like pathophysiology at a molecular, cellular and behavioral level. Here, we review the prevailing theories of ASD pathogenesis, including excitatory/inhibitory imbalance, neurotransmitter dysfunction, dysfunction of mTOR and endocannabinoid signaling pathways, neuroinflammation and epigenetic alterations that have been associated with ASD. We also describe the evidence linking neuropathological changes to ASD-like behavioral abnormalities in maternal VPA-treated rodents. In addition to obtaining an understanding of the neuropathological mechanisms, the VPA-induced ASD-like animal models also serve as a good platform for testing pharmacological reagents that might be use treating ASD. We therefore have summarized the various pharmacological studies that have targeted the classical neurotransmitter systems, the endocannabinoids, the Wnt signal pathway and neuroinflammation. These approaches have been shown to often be able to ameliorate the ASD-like phenotypes induced by maternal VPA treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsiao-Ying Kuo
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Fu-Chin Liu
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Brain Research Center, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
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25
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Wu HF, Chen YJ, Chu MC, Hsu YT, Lu TY, Chen IT, Chen PS, Lin HC. Deep Brain Stimulation Modified Autism-Like Deficits via the Serotonin System in a Valproic Acid-Induced Rat Model. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19092840. [PMID: 30235871 PMCID: PMC6164279 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19092840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2018] [Revised: 09/13/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is known to be a promising treatment for resistant depression, which acts via the serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) system in the infralimbic prefrontal cortex (ILPFC). Previous study revealed that dysfunction of brain 5-HT homeostasis is related to a valproate (VPA)-induced rat autism spectrum disorder (ASD) model. Whether ILPFC DBS rescues deficits in VPA-induced offspring through the 5-HT system is not known. Using VPA-induced offspring, we therefore explored the effect of DBS in autistic phenotypes and further investigated the underlying mechanism. Using combined behavioral and molecular approaches, we observed that applying DBS and 5-HT1A receptor agonist treatment with 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) reversed sociability deficits, anxiety and hyperactivity in the VPA-exposed offspring. We then administered the selective 5-HT1A receptor antagonist N-[2-[4-(2-Methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl]-N-2-pyridinylcyclohexanecarboxamide maleate (WAY 100635), following which the effect of DBS in terms of improving autistic behaviors was blocked in the VPA-exposed offspring. Furthermore, we found that both 8-OH-DPAT and DBS treatment rescued autistic behaviors by decreasing the expressions of NR2B subunit of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) and the β₃ subunit of γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptors (GABAAR) in the PFC region. These results provided the first evidence of characteristic behavioral changes in VPA-induced offspring caused by DBS via the 5-HT system in the ILPFC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han-Fang Wu
- Department and Institute of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan.
| | - Yi-Ju Chen
- Department and Institute of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan.
| | - Ming-Chia Chu
- Department and Institute of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan.
| | - Ya-Ting Hsu
- Department and Institute of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan.
| | - Ting-Yi Lu
- Department and Institute of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan.
| | - I-Tuan Chen
- Department and Institute of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan.
| | - Po See Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan.
- Addiction Research Center, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan.
| | - Hui-Ching Lin
- Department and Institute of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan.
- Brain Research Center, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan.
- Ph.D. Program for Neural Regenerative Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan.
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26
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Bara A, Manduca A, Bernabeu A, Borsoi M, Serviado M, Lassalle O, Murphy M, Wager-Miller J, Mackie K, Pelissier-Alicot AL, Trezza V, Manzoni OJ. Sex-dependent effects of in utero cannabinoid exposure on cortical function. eLife 2018; 7:e36234. [PMID: 30201092 PMCID: PMC6162091 DOI: 10.7554/elife.36234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2018] [Accepted: 08/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cannabinoids can cross the placenta, thus may interfere with fetal endocannabinoid signaling during neurodevelopment, causing long-lasting deficits. Despite increasing reports of cannabis consumption during pregnancy, the protracted consequences of prenatal cannabinoid exposure (PCE) remain incompletely understood. Here, we report sex-specific differences in behavioral and neuronal deficits in the adult progeny of rat dams exposed to low doses of cannabinoids during gestation. In males, PCE reduced social interaction, ablated endocannabinoid long-term depression (LTD) and heightened excitability of prefrontal cortex pyramidal neurons, while females were spared. Group 1 mGluR and endocannabinoid signaling regulate emotional behavior and synaptic plasticity. Notably, sex-differences following PCE included levels of mGluR1/5 and TRPV1R mRNA. Finally, positive allosteric modulation of mGlu5 and enhancement of anandamide levels restored LTD and social interaction in PCE adult males. Together, these results highlight marked sexual differences in the effects of PCE and introduce strategies for reversing detrimental effects of PCE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anissa Bara
- Aix Marseille University, INSERM, INMEDMarseilleFrance
- Cannalab, Cannabinoids Neuroscience Research International Associated LaboratoryIndiana UniversityIndianaUnited States
| | - Antonia Manduca
- Aix Marseille University, INSERM, INMEDMarseilleFrance
- Cannalab, Cannabinoids Neuroscience Research International Associated LaboratoryIndiana UniversityIndianaUnited States
- Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, Department of ScienceUniversity Roma TreRomeItaly
| | - Axel Bernabeu
- Aix Marseille University, INSERM, INMEDMarseilleFrance
- Cannalab, Cannabinoids Neuroscience Research International Associated LaboratoryIndiana UniversityIndianaUnited States
- APHMCHU Conception, Service de PsychiatrieMarseilleFrance
| | - Milene Borsoi
- Aix Marseille University, INSERM, INMEDMarseilleFrance
- Cannalab, Cannabinoids Neuroscience Research International Associated LaboratoryIndiana UniversityIndianaUnited States
| | - Michela Serviado
- Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, Department of ScienceUniversity Roma TreRomeItaly
| | - Olivier Lassalle
- Aix Marseille University, INSERM, INMEDMarseilleFrance
- Cannalab, Cannabinoids Neuroscience Research International Associated LaboratoryIndiana UniversityIndianaUnited States
| | - Michelle Murphy
- Cannalab, Cannabinoids Neuroscience Research International Associated LaboratoryIndiana UniversityIndianaUnited States
- Department of Psychological and Brain SciencesIndiana UniversityBloomingtonUnited States
- Gill CentreIndiana UniversityBloomingtonUnited States
| | - Jim Wager-Miller
- Cannalab, Cannabinoids Neuroscience Research International Associated LaboratoryIndiana UniversityIndianaUnited States
- Department of Psychological and Brain SciencesIndiana UniversityBloomingtonUnited States
- Gill CentreIndiana UniversityBloomingtonUnited States
| | - Ken Mackie
- Cannalab, Cannabinoids Neuroscience Research International Associated LaboratoryIndiana UniversityIndianaUnited States
- Department of Psychological and Brain SciencesIndiana UniversityBloomingtonUnited States
- Gill CentreIndiana UniversityBloomingtonUnited States
| | - Anne-Laure Pelissier-Alicot
- Aix Marseille University, INSERM, INMEDMarseilleFrance
- Cannalab, Cannabinoids Neuroscience Research International Associated LaboratoryIndiana UniversityIndianaUnited States
- APHMCHU Conception, Service de PsychiatrieMarseilleFrance
- APHMCHU Timone Adultes, Service de Médecine LégaleMarseilleFrance
| | - Viviana Trezza
- Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, Department of ScienceUniversity Roma TreRomeItaly
| | - Olivier J Manzoni
- Aix Marseille University, INSERM, INMEDMarseilleFrance
- Cannalab, Cannabinoids Neuroscience Research International Associated LaboratoryIndiana UniversityIndianaUnited States
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27
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Guo Q, Yin X, Qiao M, Jia Y, Chen D, Shao J, Lebaron TW, Gao Y, Shi H, Jia B. Hydrogen-Rich Water Ameliorates Autistic-Like Behavioral Abnormalities in Valproic Acid-Treated Adolescent Mice Offspring. Front Behav Neurosci 2018; 12:170. [PMID: 30127728 PMCID: PMC6087877 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2018] [Accepted: 07/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects, recent research has demonstrated that molecular hydrogen can serve as a new medical approach for depression, anxiety and traumatic brain injury. However, its potential effects on neurodevelopmental diseases, such as autism are still elusive. The present study aims to investigate the potential effects of hydrogen-rich water (HRW) administration on valproic acid (VPA)-induced autistic-like behavioral deficits, and the associated underlying mechanism in adolescent mice offspring. Pregnant ICR mice were randomly divided into five groups (n = 6). One group was injected with saline (NAV group) and provided hydrogen-free water. The other four groups were injected with VPA (600 mg/kg, intraperitoneally, i.p.) on pregnant day (PND) 12.5. One group was provided with hydrogen-free water (VEH group) and the other three groups were provided HRW at different segments, postnatal day 1 (PND 1) to PND 21 (PHV group), PND 13 to PND 21 (PVS group) or from PND 13 to postnatal day 42 (PVL group). Behavioral tests, including open field, novelty suppressed feeding (NSF), hot plate, social interaction (SI) and contextual fear memory tests were conducted between postnatal day 35–42. We found that HRW administration significantly reversed the autistic-like behaviors induced by maternal VPA exposure in the adolescent offspring of both male and female adolescent offspring. Furthermore, HRW administration significantly reversed the alternation of serum levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), but without any effects on the BDNF levels in maternal VPA-exposed mice offspring. These data suggest the need for additional research on HRW as a potential preventive strategy for autism and related disorders. Lay Summary: Maternal VPA injection induces autistic-like behavioral deficits in adolescent mice offspring. HRW administration ameliorates autistic-like behavioral deficits. HRW administration reverses the alternation of serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α induced by VPA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingjun Guo
- Department of Surgery, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Xi Yin
- Department of Functional Region of Diagnosis, Hebei Medical University Fourth Hospital, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Meng Qiao
- College of Basic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yujiao Jia
- College of Basic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Dandan Chen
- College of Basic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Juan Shao
- Department of Senile Disease, The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | | | - Yuan Gao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.,Neuroscience Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Haishui Shi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.,Neuroscience Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.,Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Department of Forensic Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, Hebei Medicial University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Bin Jia
- Neuroscience Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.,Lingshui General Hospital, Lingshui, China
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28
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Thomas RH. Valproate: life-saving, life-changing. Clin Med (Lond) 2018; 18. [PMID: 29700085 PMCID: PMC6334031 DOI: 10.7861/clinmedicine.18-2s-s1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Antiepileptic medications, and valproate principally, are commonly prescribed teratogens. There is significant concern that we are not doing enough to educate clinicians and potential parents about the risks of valproate in pregnancy. There is clear advice from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and the International League Against Epilepsy about the risks of valproate exposure in utero Reviews and guidelines that are focused on fetal risk, however, fall short in being able to fully replicate the complexity of a real clinical decision. Valproate is certainly life-changing if your child is one of the 10% with a major malformation or 30-40% with a neurodevelopmental disorder, but valproate is also potentially life-saving in the context of ensuring the best possible seizure control for some mothers with epilepsy. There are significant knowledge gaps regarding the risks to mothers who elect to take another drug, or to mother and baby if she comes off medication entirely. We also should be doing more to reduce rates of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP), which is recognised as a key target when evaluating all maternal deaths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhys H Thomas
- ARoyal Victoria Infirmary and intermediate clinical lecturer, Newcastle University, Newcastle, UK,Address for correspondence: Dr Rhys Thomas, Institute of Neuroscience, Henry Wellcome Building, The Medical School, Framlington Place, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK.
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29
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Abstract
Antiepileptic medications, and valproate principally, are commonly prescribed teratogens. There is significant concern that we are not doing enough to educate clinicians and potential parents about the risks of valproate in pregnancy. There is clear advice from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and the International League Against Epilepsy about the risks of valproate exposure in utero Reviews and guidelines that are focused on fetal risk, however, fall short in being able to fully replicate the complexity of a real clinical decision. Valproate is certainly life-changing if your child is one of the 10% with a major malformation or 30-40% with a neurodevelopmental disorder, but valproate is also potentially life-saving in the context of ensuring the best possible seizure control for some mothers with epilepsy. There are significant knowledge gaps regarding the risks to mothers who elect to take another drug, or to mother and baby if she comes off medication entirely. We also should be doing more to reduce rates of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP), which is recognised as a key target when evaluating all maternal deaths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhys H Thomas
- Royal Victoria Infirmary and intermediate clinical lecturer, Newcastle University, Newcastle, UK
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30
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The Endocannabinoid System and Autism Spectrum Disorders: Insights from Animal Models. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18091916. [PMID: 28880200 PMCID: PMC5618565 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18091916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Revised: 08/22/2017] [Accepted: 09/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) defines a group of neurodevelopmental disorders whose symptoms include impaired communication and social interaction with restricted or repetitive motor movements, frequently associated with general cognitive deficits. Although it is among the most severe chronic childhood disorders in terms of prevalence, morbidity, and impact to the society, no effective treatment for ASD is yet available, possibly because its neurobiological basis is not clearly understood hence specific drugs have not yet been developed. The endocannabinoid (EC) system represents a major neuromodulatory system involved in the regulation of emotional responses, behavioral reactivity to context, and social interaction. Furthermore, the EC system is also affected in conditions often present in subsets of patients diagnosed with ASD, such as seizures, anxiety, intellectual disabilities, and sleep pattern disturbances. Despite the indirect evidence suggestive of an involvement of the EC system in ASD, only a few studies have specifically addressed the role of the EC system in the context of ASD. This review describes the available data on the investigation of the presence of alterations of the EC system as well as the effects of its pharmacological manipulations in animal models of ASD-like behaviors.
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31
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Loohuis NFMO, Martens GJM, van Bokhoven H, Kaplan BB, Homberg JR, Aschrafi A. Altered expression of circadian rhythm and extracellular matrix genes in the medial prefrontal cortex of a valproic acid rat model of autism. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2017; 77:128-132. [PMID: 28408291 PMCID: PMC5502527 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2017.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2016] [Revised: 03/19/2017] [Accepted: 04/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a highly heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental disorders caused by complex interplay between various genes and environmental factors during embryonic development. Changes at the molecular, cellular and neuroanatomical levels are especially evident in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of ASD patients and are particularly contributing to social impairments. In the present study we tested the hypothesis that altered neuronal development and plasticity, as seen in the mPFC of ASD individuals, may result from aberrant expression of functionally connected genes. Towards this end, we combined transcriptome sequencing and computational gene ontology analysis to identify the molecular networks impaired in the mPFC of a valproic acid (VPA) rat model of autism. This investigation identified two subsets of genes differentially expressed in the mPFC of VPA rats: one group of genes being functionally involved in the regulation of the circadian rhythm, while the second group encompasses a set of differentially expressed collagen genes acting within the extracellular matrix. Ultimately, our integrated transcriptome analysis identified a distinct subset of altered gene networks in the mPFC of VPA rats, contributing to our understanding of autism at the molecular level, thus providing novel insight into the genetic alterations associated with this neurodevelopmental disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikkie FM Olde Loohuis
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Gerard JM Martens
- Department of Molecular Animal Physiology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Hans van Bokhoven
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Barry B Kaplan
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, USA
| | - Judith R Homberg
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Armaz Aschrafi
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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32
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Du L, Zhao G, Duan Z, Li F. Behavioral improvements in a valproic acid rat model of autism following vitamin D supplementation. Psychiatry Res 2017; 253:28-32. [PMID: 28324861 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2017.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2016] [Revised: 03/01/2017] [Accepted: 03/03/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The aim was to identify the effects of early vitamin D supplementation on autism-like behaviors (ASD) induced by valproic acid (VPA, an anti-convulsant and a mood stabilizer) in rats. 10 male Wistar rat pups with prenatal exposure to saline were in control group, and 20 Pups with prenatal exposure to VPA were divided into ASD-N (0.9% saline treated) and ASD-D group (vitamin D 80,000 IU/kg treated) on postnatal day 12. Self-grooming, olfactory habituation/dishabituation, and social interaction tests were conducted to assess social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D3) was measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Results showed that compared with the control group, the ASD-N group exhibited increased self-grooming, and decreased pinning and serum 25(OH)D3. Furthermore, the repetitive behavior of the ASD-N group exhibited a negative linear relationship with serum 25(OH)D3 on PND 42. In conclusion, early vitamin D supplementation in infant rat with ASD induced by VPA significantly improved development and behavior of rats related with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Du
- Department of Pathogenobiology, Key Laboratory for Bionics Engineering, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Science, Jilin University, Changchun, China; Jilin Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Guolian Zhao
- Department of Pathogenobiology, Key Laboratory for Bionics Engineering, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Science, Jilin University, Changchun, China; Jilin Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Zipeng Duan
- Department of Pathogenobiology, Key Laboratory for Bionics Engineering, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Science, Jilin University, Changchun, China; Jilin Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Fan Li
- Department of Pathogenobiology, Key Laboratory for Bionics Engineering, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Science, Jilin University, Changchun, China; Jilin Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Jilin University, Changchun, China.
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Gobshtis N, Tfilin M, Wolfson M, Fraifeld VE, Turgeman G. Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells reverses behavioural deficits and impaired neurogenesis caused by prenatal exposure to valproic acid. Oncotarget 2017; 8:17443-17452. [PMID: 28407680 PMCID: PMC5392261 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.15245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2016] [Accepted: 01/24/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental impairment can affect lifelong brain functions such as cognitive and social behaviour, and may contribute to aging-related changes of these functions. In the present study, we hypothesized that bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) administration may repair neurodevelopmental behavioural deficits by modulating adult hippocampal neurogenesis. Indeed, postnatal intracerebral transplantation of MSC has restored cognitive and social behaviour in mice prenatally exposed to valproic acid (VPA). MSC transplantation also restored post-developmental hippocampal neurogenesis, which was impaired in VPA-exposed mice displaying delayed differentiation and maturation of newly formed neurons in the granular cell layer of the dentate gyrus. Importantly, a statistically significant correlation was found between neuronal differentiation scores and behavioural scores, suggesting a mechanistic relation between the two. We thus conclude that post-developmental MSC administration can overcome prenatal neurodevelopmental deficits and restore cognitive and social behaviours via modulation of hippocampal adult neurogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolai Gobshtis
- Departments of Pre-Medical Studies & Molecular Biology, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Center for Multidisciplinary Research on Aging, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israe
| | - Matanel Tfilin
- Departments of Pre-Medical Studies & Molecular Biology, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel
| | - Marina Wolfson
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Center for Multidisciplinary Research on Aging, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israe
| | - Vadim E. Fraifeld
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Center for Multidisciplinary Research on Aging, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israe
| | - Gadi Turgeman
- Departments of Pre-Medical Studies & Molecular Biology, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel
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34
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Chau DKF, Choi AYT, Yang W, Leung WN, Chan CW. Downregulation of glutamatergic and GABAergic proteins in valproric acid associated social impairment during adolescence in mice. Behav Brain Res 2016; 316:255-260. [PMID: 27614006 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2016.09.003] [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: 07/26/2016] [Revised: 08/26/2016] [Accepted: 09/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The etiology of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) remains controversial. Deficits in social communication are one of the key criteria for ASD diagnosis. Valproic acid (VPA), which is an anti-epileptic and anti-depressive drug, is one of the teratogens to cause ASD onset. Moreover, synaptic dysfunction is suggested as one of the major causative factor in VPA-induced ASD in vitro and in vivo studies. Herein, this study aimed to determine the excitatory/inhibitory synaptic mRNA and protein expression in VPA-induced autistic mice. Pregnant BALB/c mice were injected peritoneally with a single dose of 600mg/kg VPA on embryonic day (E) 12.5. Social impairment was verified by three chamber sociability tests on postnatal days (PND) 28, 35, 42 and 49. Cortical synaptic mRNA and protein expressions were examined on PND 50. The excitatory synaptic proteins NR2A, NR2B, NR2C were significantly down-regulated by 80.0% (p<0.01), 51.5% (p<0.05) and 81.5% (p<0.05) respectively. Furthermore, the NMDAR expression regulatory protein BDNF was also found to be significantly downregulated by 76.8% (p<0.05). GAD65, GAD67, GABRA1, GABRA5, GABRB2 from the GABAergic inhibitory synaptic pathway were significantly downregulated by 21.3% (p<0.05), 77.0% (p<0.05), 53.9% (p<0.05), 56.9% (p<0.05) and 55.2% (p<0.01) respectively in the cortex of VPA-induced mice. Taken together, our results suggested that synaptic dysfunction might be involved in the social impairments in VPA-induced ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davor Kin-Fan Chau
- School of Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Angus Yiu-Ting Choi
- School of Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Wen Yang
- School of Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Wing Nang Leung
- School of Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Chun Wai Chan
- School of Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong.
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35
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Kim KC, Gonzales EL, Lázaro MT, Choi CS, Bahn GH, Yoo HJ, Shin CY. Clinical and Neurobiological Relevance of Current Animal Models of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Biomol Ther (Seoul) 2016; 24:207-43. [PMID: 27133257 PMCID: PMC4859786 DOI: 10.4062/biomolther.2016.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2016] [Accepted: 04/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social and communication impairments, as well as repetitive and restrictive behaviors. The phenotypic heterogeneity of ASD has made it overwhelmingly difficult to determine the exact etiology and pathophysiology underlying the core symptoms, which are often accompanied by comorbidities such as hyperactivity, seizures, and sensorimotor abnormalities. To our benefit, the advent of animal models has allowed us to assess and test diverse risk factors of ASD, both genetic and environmental, and measure their contribution to the manifestation of autistic symptoms. At a broader scale, rodent models have helped consolidate molecular pathways and unify the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying each one of the various etiologies. This approach will potentially enable the stratification of ASD into clinical, molecular, and neurophenotypic subgroups, further proving their translational utility. It is henceforth paramount to establish a common ground of mechanistic theories from complementing results in preclinical research. In this review, we cluster the ASD animal models into lesion and genetic models and further classify them based on the corresponding environmental, epigenetic and genetic factors. Finally, we summarize the symptoms and neuropathological highlights for each model and make critical comparisons that elucidate their clinical and neurobiological relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ki Chan Kim
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.,Center for Neuroscience Research, SMART Institute of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Edson Luck Gonzales
- Center for Neuroscience Research, SMART Institute of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea.,School of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - María T Lázaro
- Program in Neurogenetics, Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Chang Soon Choi
- Center for Neuroscience Research, SMART Institute of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea.,School of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Geon Ho Bahn
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, School of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee Jeong Yoo
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Seoul National University Bungdang Hospital, Seongnam 13620, Republic of Korea
| | - Chan Young Shin
- Center for Neuroscience Research, SMART Institute of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea.,School of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
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36
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Pei Y, Peng J, Behl M, Sipes NS, Shockley KR, Rao MS, Tice RR, Zeng X. Comparative neurotoxicity screening in human iPSC-derived neural stem cells, neurons and astrocytes. Brain Res 2016; 1638:57-73. [PMID: 26254731 PMCID: PMC5032144 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2015.07.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2015] [Revised: 07/24/2015] [Accepted: 07/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) and their differentiated derivatives offer a unique source of human primary cells for toxicity screens. Here, we report on the comparative cytotoxicity of 80 compounds (neurotoxicants, developmental neurotoxicants, and environmental compounds) in iPSC as well as isogenic iPSC-derived neural stem cells (NSC), neurons, and astrocytes. All compounds were tested over a 24-h period at 10 and 100 μM, in duplicate, with cytotoxicity measured using the MTT assay. Of the 80 compounds tested, 50 induced significant cytotoxicity in at least one cell type; per cell type, 32, 38, 46, and 41 induced significant cytotoxicity in iPSC, NSC, neurons, and astrocytes, respectively. Four compounds (valinomycin, 3,3',5,5'-tetrabromobisphenol, deltamethrin, and triphenyl phosphate) were cytotoxic in all four cell types. Retesting these compounds at 1, 10, and 100 μM using the same exposure protocol yielded consistent results as compared with the primary screen. Using rotenone, we extended the testing to seven additional iPSC lines of both genders; no substantial difference in the extent of cytotoxicity was detected among the cell lines. Finally, the cytotoxicity assay was simplified by measuring luciferase activity using lineage-specific luciferase reporter iPSC lines which were generated from the parental iPSC line. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled SI: PSC and the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Pei
- XCell Science Inc., Novato, CA, USA
| | - Jun Peng
- Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, CA, USA
| | - Mamta Behl
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC 27713, USA
| | - Nisha S Sipes
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC 27713, USA
| | - Keith R Shockley
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC 27713, USA
| | | | - Raymond R Tice
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC 27713, USA
| | - Xianmin Zeng
- XCell Science Inc., Novato, CA, USA; Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, CA, USA.
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37
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Yang EJ, Ahn S, Lee K, Mahmood U, Kim HS. Early Behavioral Abnormalities and Perinatal Alterations of PTEN/AKT Pathway in Valproic Acid Autism Model Mice. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0153298. [PMID: 27071011 PMCID: PMC4829151 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0153298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2015] [Accepted: 03/28/2016] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Exposure to valproic acid (VPA) during pregnancy has been linked with increased incidence of autism, and has repeatedly been demonstrated as a useful autism mouse model. We examined the early behavioral and anatomical changes as well as molecular changes in mice prenatally exposed to VPA (VPA mice). In this study, we first showed that VPA mice showed developmental delays as assessed with self-righting, eye opening tests and impaired social recognition. In addition, we provide the first evidence that primary cultured neurons from VPA-treated embryos present an increase in dendritic spines, compared with those from control mice. Mutations in phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) gene are also known to be associated with autism, and mice with PTEN knockout show autistic characteristics. Protein expression of PTEN was decreased and the ratio of p-AKT/AKT was increased in the cerebral cortex and the hippocampus, and a distinctive anatomical change in the CA1 region of the hippocampus was observed. Taken together, our study suggests that prenatal exposure to VPA induces developmental delays and neuroanatomical changes via the reduction of PTEN level and these changes were detectable in the early days of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun-Jeong Yang
- Department of Pharmacology and Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sangzin Ahn
- Department of Pharmacology and Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Pharmacology, Inje Univeirsity College of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Kihwan Lee
- Department of Pharmacology and Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Usman Mahmood
- Interdisciplinary Program in Brain Sciences, Seoul National University College of Natural Sciences, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- * E-mail: (UM); (HSK)
| | - Hye-Sun Kim
- Department of Pharmacology and Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Interdisciplinary Program in Brain Sciences, Seoul National University College of Natural Sciences, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Sungnam, Republic of Korea
- * E-mail: (UM); (HSK)
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38
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Zheng F, Kasper LH, Bedford DC, Lerach S, Teubner BJW, Brindle PK. Mutation of the CH1 Domain in the Histone Acetyltransferase CREBBP Results in Autism-Relevant Behaviors in Mice. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0146366. [PMID: 26730956 PMCID: PMC4701386 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0146366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2015] [Accepted: 12/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of neurodevelopmental afflictions characterized by repetitive behaviors, deficits in social interaction, and impaired communication skills. For most ASD patients, the underlying causes are unknown. Genetic mutations have been identified in about 25 percent of ASD cases, including mutations in epigenetic regulators, suggesting that dysregulated chromatin or DNA function is a critical component of ASD. Mutations in the histone acetyltransferase CREB binding protein (CBP, CREBBP) cause Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome (RTS), a developmental disorder that includes ASD-like symptoms. Recently, genomic studies involving large numbers of ASD patient families have theoretically modeled CBP and its paralog p300 (EP300) as critical hubs in ASD-associated protein and gene interaction networks, and have identified de novo missense mutations in highly conserved residues of the CBP acetyltransferase and CH1 domains. Here we provide animal model evidence that supports this notion that CBP and its CH1 domain are relevant to autism. We show that mice with a deletion mutation in the CBP CH1 (TAZ1) domain (CBPΔCH1/ΔCH1) have an RTS-like phenotype that includes ASD-relevant repetitive behaviors, hyperactivity, social interaction deficits, motor dysfunction, impaired recognition memory, and abnormal synaptic plasticity. Our results therefore indicate that loss of CBP CH1 domain function contributes to RTS, and possibly ASD, and that this domain plays an essential role in normal motor function, cognition and social behavior. Although the key physiological functions affected by ASD-associated mutation of epigenetic regulators have been enigmatic, our findings are consistent with theoretical models involving CBP and p300 in ASD, and with a causative role for recently described ASD-associated CBP mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Zheng
- Department of Biochemistry, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, United States of America
- * E-mail: (FZ); (PB)
| | - Lawryn H. Kasper
- Department of Biochemistry, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, United States of America
| | - David C. Bedford
- Department of Biochemistry, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, United States of America
| | - Stephanie Lerach
- Department of Biochemistry, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, United States of America
| | - Brett J. W. Teubner
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, United States of America
| | - Paul K. Brindle
- Department of Biochemistry, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, United States of America
- * E-mail: (FZ); (PB)
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Anomal RF, de Villers-Sidani E, Brandão JA, Diniz R, Costa MR, Romcy-Pereira RN. Impaired Processing in the Primary Auditory Cortex of an Animal Model of Autism. Front Syst Neurosci 2015; 9:158. [PMID: 26635548 PMCID: PMC4644803 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2015.00158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2015] [Accepted: 10/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder clinically characterized by deficits in communication, lack of social interaction and repetitive behaviors with restricted interests. A number of studies have reported that sensory perception abnormalities are common in autistic individuals and might contribute to the complex behavioral symptoms of the disorder. In this context, hearing incongruence is particularly prevalent. Considering that some of this abnormal processing might stem from the unbalance of inhibitory and excitatory drives in brain circuitries, we used an animal model of autism induced by valproic acid (VPA) during pregnancy in order to investigate the tonotopic organization of the primary auditory cortex (AI) and its local inhibitory circuitry. Our results show that VPA rats have distorted primary auditory maps with over-representation of high frequencies, broadly tuned receptive fields and higher sound intensity thresholds as compared to controls. However, we did not detect differences in the number of parvalbumin-positive interneurons in AI of VPA and control rats. Altogether our findings show that neurophysiological impairments of hearing perception in this autism model occur independently of alterations in the number of parvalbumin-expressing interneurons. These data support the notion that fine circuit alterations, rather than gross cellular modification, could lead to neurophysiological changes in the autistic brain.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Rebecca Diniz
- Brain Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte Natal, Brazil
| | - Marcos R Costa
- Brain Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte Natal, Brazil
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40
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Targeted Gene Resequencing (Astrochip) to Explore the Tripartite Synapse in Autism-Epilepsy Phenotype with Macrocephaly. Neuromolecular Med 2015; 18:69-80. [PMID: 26537360 DOI: 10.1007/s12017-015-8378-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2015] [Accepted: 10/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The frequent co-occurrence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and epilepsy, or paroxysmal EEG abnormalities, defines a condition termed autism-epilepsy phenotype (AEP). This condition results, in some cases , from dysfunctions of glial inwardly rectifying potassium channels (Kir), which are mainly expressed in astrocytes where they mediate neuron-glia communication. Macrocephaly is also often comorbid with autism-epilepsy (autism-epilepsy phenotype with macrocephaly, MAEP), and it is tempting to hypothesize that shared pathogenic mechanisms might explain concurrence of these conditions. In the present study, we assessed whether protein pathways involved, along with Kir channels, in astrocyte-neuron interaction at the tripartite synapse play a role in the etiopathogenesis of MAEP. Using a targeted resequencing methodology, we investigated the coding regions of 35 genes in 61 patients and correlated genetic results with clinical features. Variants were subdivided into 12 classes and clustered into four groups. We detected rare or previously unknown predicted deleterious missense changes in GJA1, SLC12A2, SNTA1, EFNA3, CNTNAP2, EPHA4, and STXBP1 in seven patients and two high-frequency variants in DLG1 in six individuals. We also found that a group of variants (predicted deleterious and non-coding), segregating with the comorbid MAEP/AEP subgroups, belong to proteins specifically involved in glutamate transport and metabolism (namely, SLC17A6, GRM8, and GLUL), as well as in potassium conductance (KCNN3). This "endophenotype-oriented" study, performed using a targeted strategy, helped to further delineate part of the complex genetic background of ASD, particularly in the presence of coexisting macrocephaly and/or epilepsy/paroxysmal EEG, and suggests that use of stringent clinical clustering might be an approach worth adopting in order to unravel the complex genomic data in neurodevelopmental disorders.
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41
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Favre MR, La Mendola D, Meystre J, Christodoulou D, Cochrane MJ, Markram H, Markram K. Predictable enriched environment prevents development of hyper-emotionality in the VPA rat model of autism. Front Neurosci 2015; 9:127. [PMID: 26089770 PMCID: PMC4452729 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2015.00127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2015] [Accepted: 03/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the effects of environmental stimulation in autism can improve therapeutic interventions against debilitating sensory overload, social withdrawal, fear and anxiety. Here, we evaluate the role of environmental predictability on behavior and protein expression, and inter-individual differences, in the valproic acid (VPA) model of autism. Male rats embryonically exposed (E11.5) either to VPA, a known autism risk factor in humans, or to saline, were housed from weaning into adulthood in a standard laboratory environment, an unpredictably enriched environment, or a predictably enriched environment. Animals were tested for sociability, nociception, stereotypy, fear conditioning and anxiety, and for tissue content of glutamate signaling proteins in the primary somatosensory cortex, hippocampus and amygdala, and of corticosterone in plasma, amygdala and hippocampus. Standard group analyses on separate measures were complemented with a composite emotionality score, using Cronbach's Alpha analysis, and with multivariate profiling of individual animals, using Hierarchical Cluster Analysis. We found that predictable environmental enrichment prevented the development of hyper-emotionality in the VPA-exposed group, while unpredictable enrichment did not. Individual variation in the severity of the autistic-like symptoms (fear, anxiety, social withdrawal and sensory abnormalities) correlated with neurochemical profiles, and predicted their responsiveness to predictability in the environment. In controls, the association between socio-affective behaviors, neurochemical profiles and environmental predictability was negligible. This study suggests that rearing in a predictable environment prevents the development of hyper-emotional features in animals exposed to an autism risk factor, and demonstrates that unpredictable environments can lead to negative outcomes, even in the presence of environmental enrichment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mônica R Favre
- Laboratory of Neural Microcircuits, Brain Mind Institute, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Deborah La Mendola
- Laboratory of Neural Microcircuits, Brain Mind Institute, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Julie Meystre
- Laboratory of Neural Microcircuits, Brain Mind Institute, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Dimitri Christodoulou
- Laboratory of Neural Microcircuits, Brain Mind Institute, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Melissa J Cochrane
- Laboratory of Neural Microcircuits, Brain Mind Institute, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Henry Markram
- Laboratory of Neural Microcircuits, Brain Mind Institute, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Kamila Markram
- Laboratory of Neural Microcircuits, Brain Mind Institute, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne Lausanne, Switzerland
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42
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Kang J, Kim E. Suppression of NMDA receptor function in mice prenatally exposed to valproic acid improves social deficits and repetitive behaviors. Front Mol Neurosci 2015; 8:17. [PMID: 26074764 PMCID: PMC4444740 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2015.00017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2015] [Accepted: 05/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Animals prenatally exposed to valproic acid (VPA), an antiepileptic agent, have been used as a model for autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Previous studies have identified enhanced NMDA receptor (NMDAR) function in the brain of VPA rats, and demonstrated that pharmacological suppression of NMDAR function normalizes social deficits in these animals. However, whether repetitive behavior, another key feature of ASDs, can be rescued by NMDAR inhibition remains unknown. We report here that memantine, an NMDAR antagonist, administered to VPA mice rescues both social deficits and repetitive behaviors such as self-grooming and jumping. These results suggest that suppression of elevated NMDAR function in VPA animals normalizes repetitive behaviors in addition to social deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaeseung Kang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology Daejeon, Korea
| | - Eunjoon Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology Daejeon, Korea ; Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science Daejeon, Korea
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43
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Wang H, Doering LC. Autism spectrum disorders: emerging mechanisms and mechanism-based treatment. Front Cell Neurosci 2015; 9:183. [PMID: 26029053 PMCID: PMC4428121 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2015.00183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2015] [Accepted: 04/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hansen Wang
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Laurie C Doering
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University Hamilton, ON, Canada
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Codagnone MG, Podestá MF, Uccelli NA, Reinés A. Differential Local Connectivity and Neuroinflammation Profiles in the Medial Prefrontal Cortex and Hippocampus in the Valproic Acid Rat Model of Autism. Dev Neurosci 2015; 37:215-31. [DOI: 10.1159/000375489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2014] [Accepted: 01/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a group of developmental disabilities characterized by impaired social interaction, communication deficit and repetitive and stereotyped behaviors. Neuroinflammation and synaptic alterations in several brain areas have been suggested to contribute to the physiopathology of ASD. Although the limbic system plays an important role in the functions found impaired in ASD, reports on these areas are scarce and results controversial. In the present study we searched in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and hippocampus of rats exposed to the valproic acid (VPA) model of ASD for early structural and molecular changes, coincident in time with the behavioral alterations. After confirming delayed growth and maturation in VPA rats, we were able to detect decreased exploratory activity and social interaction at an early time point (postnatal day 35). In mPFC, although typical cortical column organization was preserved in VPA animals, we found that interneuronal space was wider than in controls. Hippocampal CA3 (cornu ammonis 3) pyramidal layer and the granular layer of the dentate gyrus both showed a disorganized spatial arrangement in VPA animals. Neuronal alterations were accompanied with increased tomato lectin and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunostainings both in the mPFC and hippocampus. In the latter region, the increased GFAP immunoreactivity was CA3 specific. At the synaptic level, while mPFC from VPA animals showed increased synaptophysin (SYN) immunostaining, a SYN deficit was found in all hippocampal subfields. Additionally, both the mPFC and the hippocampus of VPA rats showed increased neuronal cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) immunostaining together with decreased levels of its polysialylated form (PSA-NCAM). Interestingly, these changes were more robust in the CA3 hippocampal subfield. Our results indicate that exploratory and social deficits correlate with region-dependent neuronal disorganization and reactive gliosis in the mPFC and hippocampus of VPA rats. While microgliosis is spread in these two limbic areas, astrogliosis, although extended in the mPFC, is circumscribed to the CA3 hippocampal subfield. Our work indicates that neuroinflammation and synaptic alterations do coexist in VPA rats, making this model suitable for studying novel aspects of neuron-glia interactions. Moreover, it suggests that the mPFC and hippocampus might behave differently in the context of the local hyperconnectivity and synaptic hypotheses of autism.
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Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is increasingly thought to result from low-level deficits in synaptic development and neural circuit formation that cascade into more complex cognitive symptoms. However, the link between synaptic dysfunction and behavior is not well understood. By comparing the effects of abnormal circuit formation and behavioral outcomes across different species, it should be possible to pinpoint the conserved fundamental processes that result in disease. Here we use a novel model for neurodevelopmental disorders in which we expose Xenopus laevis tadpoles to valproic acid (VPA) during a critical time point in brain development at which neurogenesis and neural circuit formation required for sensory processing are occurring. VPA is a commonly prescribed antiepileptic drug with known teratogenic effects. In utero exposure to VPA in humans or rodents results in a higher incidence of ASD or ASD-like behavior later in life. We find that tadpoles exposed to VPA have abnormal sensorimotor and schooling behavior that is accompanied by hyperconnected neural networks in the optic tectum, increased excitatory and inhibitory synaptic drive, elevated levels of spontaneous synaptic activity, and decreased neuronal intrinsic excitability. Consistent with these findings, VPA-treated tadpoles also have increased seizure susceptibility and decreased acoustic startle habituation. These findings indicate that the effects of VPA are remarkably conserved across vertebrate species and that changes in neural circuitry resulting from abnormal developmental pruning can cascade into higher-level behavioral deficits.
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Štefánik P, Olexová L, Kršková L. Increased sociability and gene expression of oxytocin and its receptor in the brains of rats affected prenatally by valproic acid. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2015; 131:42-50. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2015.01.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2014] [Revised: 01/27/2015] [Accepted: 01/30/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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Neuhofer D, Henstridge CM, Dudok B, Sepers M, Lassalle O, Katona I, Manzoni OJ. Functional and structural deficits at accumbens synapses in a mouse model of Fragile X. Front Cell Neurosci 2015; 9:100. [PMID: 25859182 PMCID: PMC4374460 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2015.00100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2014] [Accepted: 03/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Fragile X is the most common cause of inherited intellectual disability and a leading cause of autism. The disease is caused by mutation of a single X-linked gene called fmr1 that codes for the Fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP), a 71 kDa protein, which acts mainly as a translation inhibitor. Fragile X patients suffer from cognitive and emotional deficits that coincide with abnormalities in dendritic spines. Changes in spine morphology are often associated with altered excitatory transmission and long-term plasticity, the most prominent deficit in fmr1-/y mice. The nucleus accumbens, a central part of the mesocortico-limbic reward pathway, is now considered as a core structure in the control of social behaviors. Although the socio-affective impairments observed in Fragile X suggest dysfunctions in the accumbens, the impact of the lack of FMRP on accumbal synapses has scarcely been studied. Here we report for the first time a new spike timing-dependent plasticity paradigm that reliably triggers NMDAR-dependent long-term potentiation (LTP) of excitatory afferent inputs of medium spiny neurons (MSN) in the nucleus accumbens core region. Notably, we discovered that this LTP was completely absent in fmr1-/y mice. In the fmr1-/y accumbens intrinsic membrane properties of MSNs and basal excitatory neurotransmission remained intact in the fmr1-/y accumbens but the deficit in LTP was accompanied by an increase in evoked AMPA/NMDA ratio and a concomitant reduction of spontaneous NMDAR-mediated currents. In agreement with these physiological findings, we found significantly more filopodial spines in fmr1-/y mice by using an ultrastructural electron microscopic analysis of accumbens core medium spiny neuron spines. Surprisingly, spine elongation was specifically due to the longer longitudinal axis and larger area of spine necks, whereas spine head morphology and postsynaptic density size on spine heads remained unaffected in the fmr1-/y accumbens. These findings together reveal new structural and functional synaptic deficits in Fragile X.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Neuhofer
- INSERM U901 Marseille, France ; INMED Marseille, France ; Université de Aix-Marseille, UMR S901 Marseille, France
| | - Christopher M Henstridge
- Momentum Laboratory of Neurobiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hungarian Academy of Sciences Budapest, Hungary
| | - Barna Dudok
- Momentum Laboratory of Neurobiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hungarian Academy of Sciences Budapest, Hungary ; School of Ph.D. Studies, Semmelweis University Budapest, Hungary
| | - Marja Sepers
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia Vancouver, Canada
| | - Olivier Lassalle
- INSERM U901 Marseille, France ; INMED Marseille, France ; Université de Aix-Marseille, UMR S901 Marseille, France
| | - István Katona
- Momentum Laboratory of Neurobiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hungarian Academy of Sciences Budapest, Hungary
| | - Olivier J Manzoni
- INSERM U901 Marseille, France ; INMED Marseille, France ; Université de Aix-Marseille, UMR S901 Marseille, France
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48
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Martin HGS, Lassalle O, Brown JT, Manzoni OJ. Age-Dependent Long-Term Potentiation Deficits in the Prefrontal Cortex of the Fmr1 Knockout Mouse Model of Fragile X Syndrome. Cereb Cortex 2015; 26:2084-2092. [PMID: 25750254 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhv031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The most common inherited monogenetic cause of intellectual disability is Fragile X syndrome (FXS). The clinical symptoms of FXS evolve with age during adulthood; however, neurophysiological data exploring this phenomenon are limited. The Fmr1 knockout (Fmr1KO) mouse models FXS, but studies in these mice of prefrontal cortex (PFC) function are underrepresented, and aging linked data are absent. We studied synaptic physiology and activity-dependent synaptic plasticity in the medial PFC of Fmr1KO mice from 2 to 12 months. In young adult Fmr1KO mice, NMDA receptor (NMDAR)-mediated long-term potentiation (LTP) is intact; however, in 12-month-old mice this LTP is impaired. In parallel, there was an increase in the AMPAR/NMDAR ratio and a concomitant decrease of synaptic NMDAR currents in 12-month-old Fmr1KO mice. We found that acute pharmacological blockade of mGlu5 receptor in 12-month-old Fmr1KO mice restored a normal AMPAR/NMDAR ratio and LTP. Taken together, the data reveal an age-dependent deficit in LTP in Fmr1KO mice, which may correlate to some of the complex age-related deficits in FXS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henry G S Martin
- INSERM U901, Marseille 13009, France.,INMED, Marseille 13009, France.,Université de Aix-Marseille, UMR S901, Marseille, France
| | - Olivier Lassalle
- INSERM U901, Marseille 13009, France.,INMED, Marseille 13009, France.,Université de Aix-Marseille, UMR S901, Marseille, France
| | - Jonathan T Brown
- Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Olivier J Manzoni
- INSERM U901, Marseille 13009, France.,INMED, Marseille 13009, France.,Université de Aix-Marseille, UMR S901, Marseille, France
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49
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Astaxanthin improves behavioral disorder and oxidative stress in prenatal valproic acid-induced mice model of autism. Behav Brain Res 2015; 286:112-21. [PMID: 25732953 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2015.02.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2015] [Revised: 02/15/2015] [Accepted: 02/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Prenatal exposure to valproic acid on gestational day 12.5 may lead to the impaired behavior in the offspring, which is similar to the human autistic symptoms. To the contrary, astaxanthin shows neuroprotective effect by its antioxidant mechanism. We aimed to (i) develop mice model of autism and (ii) investigate the effect of astaxanthin on such model animals. Valproic acid (600 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally to the pregnant mice on gestational day 12.5. Prenatal valproic acid-exposed mice were divided into 2 groups on postnatal day 25 and astaxanthin (2mg/kg) was given to the experimental group (VPA_AST, n=10) while saline was given to the control group (VPA, n=10) for 4 weeks. Behavioral test including social interaction, open field and hot-plate were conducted on postnatal day 25 and oxidative stress markers such as lipid peroxidation, advanced protein oxidation product, nitric oxide, glutathione, and activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase were estimated on postnatal day 26 to confirm mice model of autism and on postnatal day 56 to assess the effect of astaxanthin. On postnatal day 25, prenatal valproic acid-exposed mice exhibited (i) delayed eye opening (ii) longer latency to respond painful stimuli, (iii) poor sociability and social novelty and (iv) high level of anxiety. In addition, an increased level of oxidative stress was found by determining different oxidative stress markers. Treatment with astaxanthin significantly (p<0.05) improved the behavioral disorder and reduced the oxidative stress in brain and liver. In conclusion, prenatal exposure to valproic day in pregnant mice leads to the development of autism-like features. Astaxanthin improves the impaired behavior in animal model of autism presumably by its antioxidant activity.
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50
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Baronio D, Castro K, Gonchoroski T, de Melo GM, Nunes GDF, Bambini-Junior V, Gottfried C, Riesgo R. Effects of an H3R antagonist on the animal model of autism induced by prenatal exposure to valproic acid. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0116363. [PMID: 25560049 PMCID: PMC4283962 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0116363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2014] [Accepted: 12/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a group of neurodevelopmental disorders primarily characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted repetitive behaviors and interests. Ligands of histamine receptor 3 (H3R) are considered potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of different brain disorders and cognitive impairments. Considering this, the aim of the present study is to evaluate the actions of ciproxifan (CPX), an H3R antagonist, on the animal model of autism induced by prenatal exposure to valproic acid (VPA). Swiss mice were prenatally exposed to VPA on embryonic day 11 and assessed for social behavior, nociceptive threshold and repetitive behavior at 50 days of life. The treatment with CPX (3 mg/kg) or saline was administered 30 minutes before each behavioral test. The VPA group presented lower sociability index compared to VPA animals that were treated with CPX. Compared to the Control group, VPA animals presented a significantly higher nociceptive threshold, and treatment with CPX was not able to modify this parameter. In the marble burying test, the number of marbles buried by VPA animals was consistent with markedly repetitive behavior. VPA animals that received CPX buried a reduced amount of marbles. In summary, we report that an acute dose of CPX is able to attenuate sociability deficits and stereotypies present in the VPA model of autism. Our findings have the potential to help the investigations of both the molecular underpinnings of ASD and of possible treatments to ameliorate the ASD symptomatology, although more research is still necessary to corroborate and expand this initial data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Baronio
- Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorders, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Postgraduate Program in Child and Adolescent Health, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Research Group in Neuroglial Plasticity, Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- * E-mail:
| | - Kamila Castro
- Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorders, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Postgraduate Program in Child and Adolescent Health, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Research Group in Neuroglial Plasticity, Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Taylor Gonchoroski
- Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorders, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Research Group in Neuroglial Plasticity, Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Mueller de Melo
- Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorders, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Research Group in Neuroglial Plasticity, Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Della Flora Nunes
- Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorders, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Research Group in Neuroglial Plasticity, Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Victorio Bambini-Junior
- Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorders, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Research Group in Neuroglial Plasticity, Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Carmem Gottfried
- Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorders, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Research Group in Neuroglial Plasticity, Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Rudimar Riesgo
- Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorders, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Postgraduate Program in Child and Adolescent Health, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Research Group in Neuroglial Plasticity, Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Child Neurology Unit, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
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