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Markiewicz R, Markiewicz-Gospodarek A, Trubalski M, Łoza B. Neurocognitive, Clinical and Reelin Activity in Rehabilitation Using Neurofeedback Therapy in Patients with Schizophrenia. J Clin Med 2024; 13:4035. [PMID: 39064075 PMCID: PMC11277514 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13144035] [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: 04/11/2024] [Revised: 07/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Reelin is a neuropeptide responsible for the migration and positioning of pyramidal neurons, interneurons, and Purkinje cells. In adulthood, it still supports neuroplasticity, especially dendritic spines formation and glutamatergic neurotransmission. Genetic studies have confirmed the involvement of reelin system failure in the etiopathogenesis of mental diseases, including schizophrenia. Given the role of reelin in brain cytoarchitectonics and the regularly observed reduction in its activity in prefrontal areas in cases of schizophrenia, dysfunction of the reelin pathway fits the neurodevelopmental hypothesis of schizophrenia, both as a biochemical predisposition and/or the ultimate trigger of psychosis and as a biosocial factor determining the clinical course, and finally, as a potential target for disease monitoring and treatment. Aim: The purpose of this study was to examine associations of the reelin blood level with clinical and neurocognitive parameters during an intensive, structured neurofeedback therapy of patients with schizophrenia. Methods: Thirty-seven male patients with paranoid schizophrenia were randomly divided into two groups: a group with 3-month neurofeedback as an add-on to ongoing antipsychotic treatment (NF, N18), and a control group with standard social support and antipsychotic treatment (CON, N19). The reelin serum concentration, clinical and neurocognitive tests were compared between the groups. Results: After 3-month trial (T2), the reelin serum level increased in the NF group vs. the CON group. The negative and general symptoms of PANSS (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale) were reduced significantly more in the NF group at T2, and the d2 (d2 Sustained Attention Test) and BCIS (Beck Cognitive Insight Scale) scores improved only in the NF group. The AIS scores improved more dynamically in the NF group, but not enough to differentiate them from the CON group at T2. Conclusions: The clinical and neurocognitive improvement within the 3-month NF add-on therapy trial was associated with a significant increase of reelin serum level in schizophrenia patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Markiewicz
- Occupational Therapy Laboratory, Medical University of Lublin, 7 Chodźki St., 20-093 Lublin, Poland;
| | | | - Mateusz Trubalski
- Student Scientific Association at the Department of Normal, Clinical and Imaging Anatomy, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Bartosz Łoza
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland;
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Sharma AR, Batra G, Dhir N, Jain A, Modi T, Saini L, Thakur N, Mishra A, Singh RS, Singh A, Singla R, Prakash A, Goyal M, Bhatia A, Medhi B, Modi M. "Comparative evaluation of different chemical agents induced Autism Spectrum Disorder in experimental Wistar rats". Behav Brain Res 2024; 458:114728. [PMID: 37923221 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114728] [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: 07/30/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition with uncertain etiology and pathophysiology. Several studies revealed that the commonly used animal models like Valproic Acid (VPA) and Propionic Acid (PPA) do not precisely represent the disease as the human patient does. The current study was conducted on different chemically (VPA, PPA, Poly I:C, Dioxin (2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)) & Chlorpyrifos (CPF)) induced ASD-like animal models and validated the best suitable experimental animal model, which would closely resemble with clinical features of the ASD. This validated model might help to explore the pathophysiology of ASD. This study included rat pups prenatally exposed to VPA, PPA, Poly I:C, Dioxin & CPF within GD9 to GD15 doses. The model groups were validated through developmental and behavioral parameters, Gene Expressions, Oxidative Stress, and Pro-inflammatory and Anti-inflammatory cytokines levels. Developmental and neurobehavioral parameters showed significant changes in model groups compared to the control. In oxidative stress parameters and neuro-inflammatory cytokines levels, model groups exhibited high oxidative stress and neuro-inflammation compared to control groups. Gene expression profile of ASD-related genes showed significant downregulation in model groups compared to the control group. Moreover, the Poly I:C group showed more significant results than other model groups. The comparison of available ASD-like experimental animal models showed that the Poly I:C induced model represented the exact pathophysiology of ASD as the human patient does. Poly I:C was reported in the maternal immune system activation via the inflammatory cytokines pathway, altering embryonic development and causing ASD in neonates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit Raj Sharma
- Department of Neurology, Post Graduate Institute Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Gitika Batra
- Department of Neurology, Post Graduate Institute Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Neha Dhir
- Department of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Ashish Jain
- Department of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Tanish Modi
- Clinical Trainee, Department of Neurology, PGIMER, Chandigarh, India
| | - Lokesh Saini
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Paediatric Neurology, Jodhpur, India
| | - Neetika Thakur
- Department of Endocrinology, Post Graduate Institute Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Abhishek Mishra
- University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Department of Biomedical Sciences, USA
| | - Rahul Solomon Singh
- Department of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Ashutosh Singh
- Department of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Rubal Singla
- University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Department of Biomedical Sciences, USA
| | - Ajay Prakash
- Department of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Manoj Goyal
- Department of Neurology, Post Graduate Institute Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Alka Bhatia
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Biotechnology, Post Graduate Institute Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Bikash Medhi
- Department of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Manish Modi
- Department of Neurology, Post Graduate Institute Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
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Markiewicz R, Markiewicz-Gospodarek A, Borowski B, Trubalski M, Łoza B. Reelin Signaling and Synaptic Plasticity in Schizophrenia. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1704. [PMID: 38137152 PMCID: PMC10741648 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13121704] [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: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent research emphasizes the significance of studying the quality of life of schizophrenia patients, considering the complex nature of the illness. Identifying neuronal markers for early diagnosis and treatment is crucial. Reelin (RELN) stands out among these markers, with genetic studies highlighting its role in mental health. Suppression of RELN expression may contribute to cognitive deficits by limiting dendritic proliferation, affecting neurogenesis, and leading to improper neuronal circuits. Although the physiological function of reelin is not fully understood, it plays a vital role in hippocampal cell stratification and neuroglia formation. This analysis explores reelin's importance in the nervous system, shedding light on its impact on mental disorders such as schizophrenia, paving the way for innovative therapeutic approaches, and at the same time, raises the following conclusions: increased methylation levels of the RELN gene in patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia results in a multiple decrease in the expression of reelin, and monitoring of this indicator, i.e., methylation levels, can be used to monitor the severity of symptoms in the course of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Markiewicz
- Occupational Therapy Laboratory, Chair of Nursing Development, Medical University of Lublin, 4 Staszica St., 20-081 Lublin, Poland;
| | | | - Bartosz Borowski
- Students Scientific Association, Department of Normal, Clinical and Imaging Anatomy, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland; (B.B.); (M.T.)
| | - Mateusz Trubalski
- Students Scientific Association, Department of Normal, Clinical and Imaging Anatomy, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland; (B.B.); (M.T.)
| | - Bartosz Łoza
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland;
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Nisar S, Haris M. Neuroimaging genetics approaches to identify new biomarkers for the early diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:4995-5008. [PMID: 37069342 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02060-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023]
Abstract
Autism-spectrum disorders (ASDs) are developmental disabilities that manifest in early childhood and are characterized by qualitative abnormalities in social behaviors, communication skills, and restrictive or repetitive behaviors. To explore the neurobiological mechanisms in ASD, extensive research has been done to identify potential diagnostic biomarkers through a neuroimaging genetics approach. Neuroimaging genetics helps to identify ASD-risk genes that contribute to structural and functional variations in brain circuitry and validate biological changes by elucidating the mechanisms and pathways that confer genetic risk. Integrating artificial intelligence models with neuroimaging data lays the groundwork for accurate diagnosis and facilitates the identification of early diagnostic biomarkers for ASD. This review discusses the significance of neuroimaging genetics approaches to gaining a better understanding of the perturbed neurochemical system and molecular pathways in ASD and how these approaches can detect structural, functional, and metabolic changes and lead to the discovery of novel biomarkers for the early diagnosis of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabah Nisar
- Laboratory of Molecular and Metabolic Imaging, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Mohammad Haris
- Laboratory of Molecular and Metabolic Imaging, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar.
- Center for Advanced Metabolic Imaging in Precision Medicine, Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Laboratory Animal Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
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Vermeersch G, Devos T, Devos H, Lambert F, Poppe B, Van Hecke S. Germline heterozygous SH2B3-mutations and (idiopathic) erythrocytosis: Detection of a previously undescribed mutation. EJHAEM 2023; 4:1143-1147. [PMID: 38024597 PMCID: PMC10660405 DOI: 10.1002/jha2.800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Erythrocytosis or polycythemia refers to a true or apparent increase in hemoglobin or hematocrit. When no etiology of erythrocytosis is identified, people are diagnosed with "idiopathic erythrocytosis" (IE). The identification of new contributing genes has recently improved the diagnostic workup of IE. As such mutations within the SH2B3 gene, which codes for the LNK protein and negatively regulates the JAK-STAT pathway, have been identified in cases diagnosed as IE. This reports describes the presence of a previously undescribed germline SH2B3 variant p.(Thr335ArgfsTer4) within IE and emphasizes the advantages of gene panel sequencing as second step in the diagnostic work-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaël Vermeersch
- Department of HematologyUniversity Hospitals LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
- Department of HematologyAZ DamiaanOstendBelgium
| | - Timothy Devos
- Department of HematologyUniversity Hospitals LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyLaboratory of Molecular Immunology (Rega Institute), KU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Helena Devos
- Department of Laboratory HematologyAZ Sint‐Jan Brugge‐Oostende AVBrugesBelgium
| | - Frédéric Lambert
- Center for Human Genetic, Molecular Hemato‐Oncology UnitUniLab Liège, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de LiègeLiègeBelgium
| | - Bruce Poppe
- Center for Medical GeneticsGhent University HospitalGhentBelgium
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Wu X, Zhong S, Cai Y, Yang Y, Lian Y, Ding J, Wang X. Heterozygous RELN missense variants associated with genetic generalized epilepsy. Seizure 2023; 111:122-129. [PMID: 37625192 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2023.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The RELN gene encodes the secreted glycoprotein Reelin and has important functions in both developing and adult brains. In this study, we aimed to explore the association between the RELN and genetic generalized epilepsy (GGE). METHODS We performed whole-exome sequencing on a cohort of 92 patients with GGE. Based on amino acid sequence alignments, allele frequency, pedigree validation and computational modeling, the RELN variants were identified and clinical features of cases were summarized. Cell-based Reelin secretion assays were examined by Western blotting. Alterations of mutant Reelin transport through the secretion pathway were detected by immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS Three novel pathogenic RELN variants (3.26%; c.2260C>T/p.R754W, c.2914C>G/p.P972A and c.3029G>A/p.R1010H) were identified. All probands showed adolescence-onset generalized seizures characterized by generalized epileptiform discharges with normal EEG backgrounds, no or mild cognitive impairment, and responded well to anti-seizure medications. All these variants were located in the central regions from 1B to 2A consecutive repeats, and protein modeling demonstrated structural alterations in Reelin. Moreover, we found that these heterozygous missense variants significantly decreased the secretion of mutant proteins in HEK-293T cells, and this impairment was due to the altered transport of mutant Reelin in the secretion pathway. CONCLUSION These results suggest that RELN is potentially associated with GGE. The phenotype of GGE caused by RELN variants is relatively mild, and the pathogenic mechanism may involve a loss-of-function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoling Wu
- Department of Neurology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Shaoping Zhong
- Department of Neurology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yang Cai
- Department of Neurology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yuling Yang
- Department of Neurology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yangye Lian
- Department of Neurology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jing Ding
- Department of Neurology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Neurology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
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Liu XQ, Huang J, Song C, Zhang TL, Liu YP, Yu L. Neurodevelopmental toxicity induced by PM2.5 Exposure and its possible role in Neurodegenerative and mental disorders. Hum Exp Toxicol 2023; 42:9603271231191436. [PMID: 37537902 DOI: 10.1177/09603271231191436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Recent extensive evidence suggests that ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5, with an aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5 μm) may be neurotoxic to the brain and cause central nervous system damage, contributing to neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, and mental disorders, such as schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder. PM2.5 can enter the brain via various pathways, including the blood-brain barrier, olfactory system, and gut-brain axis, leading to adverse effects on the CNS. Studies in humans and animals have revealed that PM2.5-mediated mechanisms, including neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, systemic inflammation, and gut flora dysbiosis, play a crucial role in CNS damage. Additionally, PM2.5 exposure can induce epigenetic alterations, such as hypomethylation of DNA, which may contribute to the pathogenesis of some CNS damage. Through literature analysis, we suggest that promising therapeutic targets for alleviating PM2.5-induced neurological damage include inhibiting microglia overactivation, regulating gut microbiota with antibiotics, and targeting signaling pathways, such as PKA/CREB/BDNF and WNT/β-catenin. Additionally, several studies have observed an association between PM2.5 exposure and epigenetic changes in neuropsychiatric disorders. This review summarizes and discusses the association between PM2.5 exposure and CNS damage, including the possible mechanisms by which PM2.5 causes neurotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Qi Liu
- School of Basic Medicine, Neurologic Disorders and Regenerative Repair Lab of Shandong Higher Education, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Jia Huang
- School of Basic Medicine, Neurologic Disorders and Regenerative Repair Lab of Shandong Higher Education, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Chao Song
- School of Basic Medicine, Neurologic Disorders and Regenerative Repair Lab of Shandong Higher Education, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Tian-Liang Zhang
- School of Basic Medicine, Neurologic Disorders and Regenerative Repair Lab of Shandong Higher Education, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Yong-Ping Liu
- School of Basic Medicine, Neurologic Disorders and Regenerative Repair Lab of Shandong Higher Education, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Li Yu
- School of Basic Medicine, Neurologic Disorders and Regenerative Repair Lab of Shandong Higher Education, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
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Pardo M, Gregorio S, Montalban E, Pujadas L, Elias-Tersa A, Masachs N, Vílchez-Acosta A, Parent A, Auladell C, Girault JA, Vila M, Nairn AC, Manso Y, Soriano E. Adult-specific Reelin expression alters striatal neuronal organization: implications for neuropsychiatric disorders. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1143319. [PMID: 37153634 PMCID: PMC10157100 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1143319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
In addition to neuronal migration, brain development, and adult plasticity, the extracellular matrix protein Reelin has been extensively implicated in human psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and autism spectrum disorder. Moreover, heterozygous reeler mice exhibit features reminiscent of these disorders, while overexpression of Reelin protects against its manifestation. However, how Reelin influences the structure and circuits of the striatal complex, a key region for the above-mentioned disorders, is far from being understood, especially when altered Reelin expression levels are found at adult stages. In the present study, we took advantage of complementary conditional gain- and loss-of-function mouse models to investigate how Reelin levels may modify adult brain striatal structure and neuronal composition. Using immunohistochemical techniques, we determined that Reelin does not seem to influence the striatal patch and matrix organization (studied by μ-opioid receptor immunohistochemistry) nor the density of medium spiny neurons (MSNs, studied with DARPP-32). We show that overexpression of Reelin leads to increased numbers of striatal parvalbumin- and cholinergic-interneurons, and to a slight increase in tyrosine hydroxylase-positive projections. We conclude that increased Reelin levels might modulate the numbers of striatal interneurons and the density of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic projections, suggesting that these changes may be involved in the protection of Reelin against neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mònica Pardo
- Developmental Neurobiology and Regeneration Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Institute of Neurosciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sara Gregorio
- Developmental Neurobiology and Regeneration Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Institute of Neurosciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Enrica Montalban
- Institut du Fer à Moulin UMR-S 1270, INSERM, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - Lluís Pujadas
- Developmental Neurobiology and Regeneration Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Institute of Neurosciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Experimental Sciences and Methodology, Faculty of Health Science and Welfare, University of Vic – Central University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC), Vic, Spain
- Tissue Repair and Regeneration Laboratory (TR2Lab), Institut de Recerca i Innovació en Ciències de la Vida i de la Salut a la Catalunya Central (IRIS-CC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alba Elias-Tersa
- Developmental Neurobiology and Regeneration Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Institute of Neurosciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Núria Masachs
- Developmental Neurobiology and Regeneration Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Institute of Neurosciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alba Vílchez-Acosta
- Developmental Neurobiology and Regeneration Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Institute of Neurosciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Annabelle Parent
- Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Group, Vall d’Hebron Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carme Auladell
- Developmental Neurobiology and Regeneration Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Institute of Neurosciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Miquel Vila
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Group, Vall d’Hebron Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, United States
| | - Angus C. Nairn
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Yasmina Manso
- Developmental Neurobiology and Regeneration Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Institute of Neurosciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Yasmina Manso,
| | - Eduardo Soriano
- Developmental Neurobiology and Regeneration Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Institute of Neurosciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- *Correspondence: Eduardo Soriano,
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Shahcheraghi SH, Ayatollahi J, Lotfi M, Aljabali AAA, Al-Zoubi MS, Panda PK, Mishra V, Satija S, Charbe NB, Serrano-Aroca Á, Bahar B, Takayama K, Goyal R, Bhatia A, Almutary AG, Alnuqaydan AM, Mishra Y, Negi P, Courtney A, McCarron PA, Bakshi HA, Tambuwala MM. Gene Therapy for Neuropsychiatric Disorders: Potential Targets and Tools. CNS & NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS DRUG TARGETS 2023; 22:51-65. [PMID: 35249508 DOI: 10.2174/1871527321666220304153719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 01/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Neuropsychiatric disorders that affect the central nervous system cause considerable pressures on the health care system and have a substantial economic burden on modern societies. The present treatments based on available drugs are mostly ineffective and often costly. The molecular process of neuropsychiatric disorders is closely connected to modifying the genetic structures inherited or caused by damage, toxic chemicals, and some current diseases. Gene therapy is presently an experimental concept for neurological disorders. Clinical applications endeavor to alleviate the symptoms, reduce disease progression, and repair defective genes. Implementing gene therapy in inherited and acquired neurological illnesses entails the integration of several scientific disciplines, including virology, neurology, neurosurgery, molecular genetics, and immunology. Genetic manipulation has the power to minimize or cure illness by inducing genetic alterations at endogenous loci. Gene therapy that involves treating the disease by deleting, silencing, or editing defective genes and delivering genetic material to produce therapeutic molecules has excellent potential as a novel approach for treating neuropsychiatric disorders. With the recent advances in gene selection and vector design quality in targeted treatments, gene therapy could be an effective approach. This review article will investigate and report the newest and the most critical molecules and factors in neuropsychiatric disorder gene therapy. Different genome editing techniques available will be evaluated, and the review will highlight preclinical research of genome editing for neuropsychiatric disorders while also evaluating current limitations and potential strategies to overcome genome editing advancements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed H Shahcheraghi
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
- Infectious Diseases Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi Hospital, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Jamshid Ayatollahi
- Infectious Diseases Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi Hospital, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Marzieh Lotfi
- Abortion Research Center, Reproductive Sciences Institute, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Alaa A A Aljabali
- Department of Pharmaceutics & Pharmaceutical Technology, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Mazhar S Al-Zoubi
- Yarmouk University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Pritam K Panda
- Condensed Matter Theory Group, Materials Theory Division, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Uppsala University, Box 516, 75120 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Vijay Mishra
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara 144411, Punjab, India
| | - Saurabh Satija
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara 144411, Punjab, India
| | - Nitin B Charbe
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Kingsville, TX 78363, USA
| | - Ángel Serrano-Aroca
- Biomaterials and Bioengineering Lab, Translational Research Centre San Alberto Magno, Catholic University of Valencia San Vicente Mártir, C/Guillem de Castro 94, 46001 Valencia, Spain
| | - Bojlul Bahar
- Nutrition Sciences and Applied Food Safety Studies, Research Centre for Global Development, School of Sport & Health Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, PR1 2HE, UK
| | - Kazuo Takayama
- Center for IPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8397, Japan
| | - Rohit Goyal
- Neuropharmacology Laboratory, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shoolini University, Post Box No. 9, Solan, Himachal Pradesh 173212, India
| | - Amit Bhatia
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology, Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University, Punjab 151001, India
| | - Abdulmajeed G Almutary
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah M Alnuqaydan
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yachana Mishra
- Shri Shakti Degree College, Sankhahari, Ghatampur 209206, India
| | - Poonam Negi
- Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences, Solan 173 212, India
| | - Aaron Courtney
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, County Londonderry, BT52 1SA, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Paul A McCarron
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, County Londonderry, BT52 1SA, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Hamid A Bakshi
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, County Londonderry, BT52 1SA, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Murtaza M Tambuwala
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, County Londonderry, BT52 1SA, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
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10
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Sun H, Wu M, Wang M, Zhang X, Zhu J. The regulatory role of endoplasmic reticulum chaperone proteins in neurodevelopment. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:1032607. [DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.1032607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is the largest tubular reticular organelle spanning the cell. As the main site of protein synthesis, Ca2+ homeostasis maintenance and lipid metabolism, the ER plays a variety of essential roles in eukaryotic cells, with ER molecular chaperones participate in all these processes. In recent years, it has been reported that the abnormal expression of ER chaperones often leads to a variety of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), including abnormal neuronal migration, neuronal morphogenesis, and synaptic function. Neuronal development is a complex and precisely regulated process. Currently, the mechanism by which neural development is regulated at the ER level remains under investigation. Therefore, in this work, we reviewed the recent advances in the roles of ER chaperones in neural development and developmental disorders caused by the deficiency of these molecular chaperones.
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11
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Martinez ME, Stohn JP, Mutina EM, Whitten RJ, Hernandez A. Thyroid hormone elicits intergenerational epigenetic effects on adult social behavior and fetal brain expression of autism susceptibility genes. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:1055116. [PMID: 36419462 PMCID: PMC9676973 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.1055116] [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: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic mutations identified in genome-wide association studies can only explain a small percentage of the cases of complex, highly heritable human conditions, including neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders. This suggests that intergenerational epigenetic effects, possibly triggered by environmental circumstances, may contribute to their etiology. We previously described altered DNA methylation signatures in the sperm of mice that experienced developmental overexposure to thyroid hormones as a result of a genetic defect in hormone clearance (DIO3 deficiency). Here we studied fetal brain gene expression and adult social behavior in genetically normal F2 generation descendants of overexposed mice. The brain of F2 generation E13.5 fetuses exhibited abnormal expression of genes associated with autism in humans, including Auts2, Disc1, Ldlr, Per2, Shank3, Oxtr, Igf1, Foxg1, Cd38, Grid2, Nrxn3, and Reln. These abnormal gene expression profiles differed depending on the sex of the exposed ancestor. In the three-chamber social box test, adult F2 generation males manifested significantly decreased interest in social interaction and social novelty, as revealed by decrease total time, distance traveled and time immobile in the area of interaction with novel strangers. F1 generation mice, compared to appropriate controls also exhibited altered profiles in fetal brain gene expression, although these profiles were substantially different to those in the F2 generation. Likewise adult F1 generation mice showed some abnormalities in social behavior that were sexually dimorphic and milder than those in F2 generation mice. Our results indicate that developmental overexposure to thyroid hormone causes intergenerational epigenetic effects impacting social behavior and the expression of autism-related genes during early brain development. Our results open the possibility that altered thyroid hormone states, by eliciting changes in the epigenetic information of the germ line, contribute to the susceptibility and the missing-but heriTables-etiology of complex neurodevelopmental conditions characterized by social deficits, including autism and schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Elena Martinez
- Center for Molecular Medicine, MaineHealth Institute for Research, MaineHealth, Scarborough, ME, United States
| | - Julia Patrizia Stohn
- Center for Molecular Medicine, MaineHealth Institute for Research, MaineHealth, Scarborough, ME, United States
| | - Elizabeth M. Mutina
- Center for Molecular Medicine, MaineHealth Institute for Research, MaineHealth, Scarborough, ME, United States
| | - Rayne J. Whitten
- Center for Molecular Medicine, MaineHealth Institute for Research, MaineHealth, Scarborough, ME, United States
| | - Arturo Hernandez
- Center for Molecular Medicine, MaineHealth Institute for Research, MaineHealth, Scarborough, ME, United States
- Graduate School for Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, ME, United States
- Department of Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
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12
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Specific contribution of Reelin expressed by Cajal-Retzius cells or GABAergic interneurons to cortical lamination. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2120079119. [PMID: 36067316 PMCID: PMC9477240 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2120079119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The extracellular protein Reelin, expressed by Cajal-Retzius (CR) cells at early stages of cortical development and at late stages by GABAergic interneurons, regulates radial migration and the "inside-out" pattern of positioning. Current models of Reelin functions in corticogenesis focus on early CR cell-derived Reelin in layer I. However, developmental disorders linked to Reelin deficits, such as schizophrenia and autism, are related to GABAergic interneuron-derived Reelin, although its role in migration has not been established. Here we selectively inactivated the Reln gene in CR cells or GABAergic interneurons. We show that CR cells have a major role in the inside-out order of migration, while CR and GABAergic cells sequentially cooperate to prevent invasion of cortical neurons into layer I. Furthermore, GABAergic cell-derived Reelin compensates some features of the reeler phenotype and is needed for the fine tuning of the layer-specific distribution of cortical neurons. In the hippocampus, the inactivation of Reelin in CR cells causes dramatic alterations in the dentate gyrus and mild defects in the hippocampus proper. These findings lead to a model in which both CR and GABAergic cell-derived Reelin cooperate to build the inside-out order of corticogenesis, which might provide a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric disorders linked to abnormal migration and Reelin deficits.
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13
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Ardalan M, Chumak T, Quist A, Hermans E, Hoseinpoor Rafati A, Gravina G, Jabbari Shiadeh SM, Svedin P, Alabaf S, Hansen B, Wegener G, Westberg L, Mallard C. Reelin cells and sex-dependent synaptopathology in autism following postnatal immune activation. Br J Pharmacol 2022; 179:4400-4422. [PMID: 35474185 PMCID: PMC9545289 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorders with considerably increased risk in male infants born preterm and with neonatal infection. Here, we investigated the role of postnatal immune activation on hippocampal synaptopathology by targeting Reelin+ cells in mice with ASD-like behaviours. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH C57/Bl6 mouse pups of both sexes received lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 1 mg·kg-1 ) on postnatal day (P) 5. At P45, animal behaviour was examined by marble burying and sociability test, followed by ex vivo brain MRI diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI). Hippocampal synaptogenesis, number and morphology of Reelin+ cells, and mRNA expression of trans-synaptic genes, including neurexin-3, neuroligin-1, and cell-adhesion molecule nectin-1, were analysed at P12 and P45. KEY RESULTS Social withdrawal and increased stereotypic activities in males were related to increased mean diffusivity on MRI-DKI and overgrowth in hippocampus together with retention of long-thin immature synapses on apical dendrites, decreased volume and number of Reelin+ cells as well as reduced expression of trans-synaptic and cell-adhesion molecules. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS The study provides new insights into sex-dependent mechanisms that may underlie ASD-like behaviour in males following postnatal immune activation. We identify GABAergic interneurons as core components of dysmaturation of excitatory synapses in the hippocampus following postnatal infection and provide cellular and molecular substrates for the MRI findings with translational value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Ardalan
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Translational Neuropsychiatry UnitAarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
| | - Tetyana Chumak
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
| | - Alexandra Quist
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
| | - Eva Hermans
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
- Department of Developmental Origins of Disease, Utrecht Brain Center and Wilhelmina Children's HospitalUtrecht UniversityUtrechtNetherlands
| | - Ali Hoseinpoor Rafati
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Translational Neuropsychiatry UnitAarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
| | - Giacomo Gravina
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
| | - Seyedeh Marziyeh Jabbari Shiadeh
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Translational Neuropsychiatry UnitAarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
| | - Pernilla Svedin
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
| | - Setareh Alabaf
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
| | - Brian Hansen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Center of Functionally Integrative Neuroscience‐SKSAarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
| | - Gregers Wegener
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Translational Neuropsychiatry UnitAarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
| | - Lars Westberg
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
| | - Carina Mallard
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
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14
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Implications of Genetic Factors and Modifiers in Autism Spectrum Disorders: a Systematic Review. REVIEW JOURNAL OF AUTISM AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s40489-022-00333-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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15
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Rare CACNA1H and RELN variants interact through mTORC1 pathway in oligogenic autism spectrum disorder. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:234. [PMID: 35668055 PMCID: PMC9170683 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-01997-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Oligogenic inheritance of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been supported by several studies. However, little is known about how the risk variants interact and converge on causative neurobiological pathways. We identified in an ASD proband deleterious compound heterozygous missense variants in the Reelin (RELN) gene, and a de novo splicing variant in the Cav3.2 calcium channel (CACNA1H) gene. Here, by using iPSC-derived neural progenitor cells (NPCs) and a heterologous expression system, we show that the variant in Cav3.2 leads to increased calcium influx into cells, which overactivates mTORC1 pathway and, consequently, further exacerbates the impairment of Reelin signaling. Also, we show that Cav3.2/mTORC1 overactivation induces proliferation of NPCs and that both mutant Cav3.2 and Reelin cause abnormal migration of these cells. Finally, analysis of the sequencing data from two ASD cohorts-a Brazilian cohort of 861 samples, 291 with ASD; the MSSNG cohort of 11,181 samples, 5,102 with ASD-revealed that the co-occurrence of risk variants in both alleles of Reelin pathway genes and in one allele of calcium channel genes confer significant liability for ASD. Our results support the notion that genes with co-occurring deleterious variants tend to have interconnected pathways underlying oligogenic forms of ASD.
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16
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Scala M, Grasso EA, Di Cara G, Riva A, Striano P, Verrotti A. The Pathophysiological Link Between Reelin and Autism: Overview and New Insights. Front Genet 2022; 13:869002. [PMID: 35422848 PMCID: PMC9002092 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.869002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Reelin is a secreted extracellular matrix protein playing pivotal roles in neuronal migration and cortical stratification during embryonal brain development. In the adult brain, its activity is crucial for synaptic plasticity, memory processing, and cognition. Genetic alterations in RELN have been variably reported as possible contributors to the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). In particular, GCCs repeats in the 5′UTR, and single nucleotide polymorphysms (SNPs) in RELN have been suggested to affect brain development and predispose to autism. We reviewed pertinent literature on RELN expression and haplotypes transmission in children with ASD, critically analyzing available evidence in support of the pathophysiological association between Reelin deficiency and ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcello Scala
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal, and Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppe Di Cara
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Pediatric Clinic, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Antonella Riva
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal, and Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Pasquale Striano
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal, and Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Alberto Verrotti
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Pediatric Clinic, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
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17
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Al Dera H. Cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying autism spectrum disorders and associated comorbidities: A pathophysiological review. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 148:112688. [PMID: 35149383 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.112688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a group of neurodevelopmental disorders that develop in early life due to interaction between several genetic and environmental factors and lead to alterations in brain function and structure. During the last decades, several mechanisms have been placed to explain the pathogenesis of autism. Unfortunately, these are reported in several studies and reviews which make it difficult to follow by the reader. In addition, some recent molecular mechanisms related to ASD have been unrevealed. This paper revises and highlights the major common molecular mechanisms responsible for the clinical symptoms seen in people with ASD, including the roles of common genetic factors and disorders, neuroinflammation, GABAergic signaling, and alterations in Ca+2 signaling. Besides, it covers the major molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways involved in initiating the epileptic seizure, including the alterations in the GABAergic and glutamate signaling, vitamin and mineral deficiency, disorders of metabolism, and autoimmunity. Finally, this review also discusses sleep disorder patterns and the molecular mechanisms underlying them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hussain Al Dera
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine at King Saud, Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
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18
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Bruel AL, Vitobello A, Thiffault I, Manwaring L, Willing M, Agrawal PB, Bayat A, Kitzler TM, Brownstein CA, Genetti CA, Gonzalez-Heydrich J, Jayakar P, Zyskind JW, Zhu Z, Vachet C, Wilson GR, Pruniski B, Goyette AM, Duffourd Y, Thauvin-Robinet C, Philippe C, Faivre L. ITSN1: a novel candidate gene involved in autosomal dominant neurodevelopmental disorder spectrum. Eur J Hum Genet 2022; 30:111-116. [PMID: 34707297 PMCID: PMC8738743 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-021-00985-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
ITSN1 plays an important role in brain development. Recent studies in large cohorts of subjects with neurodevelopmental disorders have identified de novo variants in ITSN1 gene thereby suggesting that this gene is involved in the development of such disorders. The aim of this study is to provide further proof of such a link. We performed trio exome sequencing in a patient presenting autism, intellectual disability, and severe behavioral difficulties. Additional affected patients with a neurodevelopmental disorder harboring a heterozygous variant in ITSN1 (NM_003024.2) were collected through a worldwide collaboration. All patients underwent detailed phenotypic and genetic assessment and data was collected and shared by healthcare givers. We identified ten novel patients from eight families with heterozygous truncating or missense variants in ITSN1 gene. In addition, four previously published patients from large meta-analysis studies were included. In total, 7/14 patients presented a de novo variant in ITSN1. All patients showed neurodevelopmental disorders from autism spectrum disorders (90%), intellectual disability (86%), and epilepsy (30%). We demonstrated that truncating variants are in the first half of ITSN1 whereas missense variants are clustered in C-terminal region. We suggest ITSN1 gene is involved in development of an autism spectrum disorder with variable additional neurodevelopmental deficiency, thus confirming the hypothesis that ITSN1 is important for brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ange-Line Bruel
- grid.493090.70000 0004 4910 6615UMR1231 GAD, Inserm - Université Bourgogne-Franche Comté, Dijon, France ,grid.31151.37Unité Fonctionnelle Innovation en Diagnostic génomique des maladies rares, FHU-TRANSLAD, CHU Dijon Bourgogne, Dijon, France
| | - Antonio Vitobello
- grid.493090.70000 0004 4910 6615UMR1231 GAD, Inserm - Université Bourgogne-Franche Comté, Dijon, France ,grid.31151.37Unité Fonctionnelle Innovation en Diagnostic génomique des maladies rares, FHU-TRANSLAD, CHU Dijon Bourgogne, Dijon, France
| | - Isabelle Thiffault
- grid.239559.10000 0004 0415 5050Center for Pediatric Genomic Medicine, Children’s Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, MO USA
| | - Linda Manwaring
- grid.4367.60000 0001 2355 7002Department of Pediatrics, Division of Genetics and Genomic Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO USA
| | - Marcia Willing
- grid.4367.60000 0001 2355 7002Department of Pediatrics, Division of Genetics and Genomic Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO USA
| | - Pankaj B. Agrawal
- grid.2515.30000 0004 0378 8438Divisions of Newborn Medicine, Genetics and Genomics, The Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA USA ,grid.38142.3c000000041936754XDepartment of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| | - Allan Bayat
- grid.452376.1Department of Genetics and Precision Medicine, Danish Epilepsy Centre, Dianalund, Denmark
| | - Thomas M. Kitzler
- grid.63984.300000 0000 9064 4811Research Institute, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC Canada ,grid.63984.300000 0000 9064 4811Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC Canada ,grid.14709.3b0000 0004 1936 8649Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC Canada
| | - Catherine A. Brownstein
- grid.2515.30000 0004 0378 8438Divisions of Newborn Medicine, Genetics and Genomics, The Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA USA
| | - Casie A. Genetti
- grid.2515.30000 0004 0378 8438Divisions of Newborn Medicine, Genetics and Genomics, The Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA USA
| | - Joseph Gonzalez-Heydrich
- grid.2515.30000 0004 0378 8438Department of Psychiatry, Boston Children’s Hospital, Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research, Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children’s Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| | - Parul Jayakar
- grid.415486.a0000 0000 9682 6720Division of Genetics and Metabolism, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, Miami, FL USA
| | | | - Zehua Zhu
- grid.428467.b0000 0004 0409 2707GeneDX, Gaitherburg, MD USA
| | - Clemence Vachet
- grid.411158.80000 0004 0638 9213Service de néphrologie pédiatrique, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire Besançon, Besançon, France
| | - Gena R. Wilson
- Division of Genetics and Metabolism, Phoenix Children’s Medical Group, Phoenix, AZ USA
| | - Brianna Pruniski
- Division of Genetics and Metabolism, Phoenix Children’s Medical Group, Phoenix, AZ USA
| | - Anne-Marie Goyette
- FRCPC, Developmental Pediatrician, Montreal Children’s Hospital, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC Canada
| | - Yannis Duffourd
- grid.493090.70000 0004 4910 6615UMR1231 GAD, Inserm - Université Bourgogne-Franche Comté, Dijon, France ,grid.31151.37Unité Fonctionnelle Innovation en Diagnostic génomique des maladies rares, FHU-TRANSLAD, CHU Dijon Bourgogne, Dijon, France
| | - Christel Thauvin-Robinet
- grid.493090.70000 0004 4910 6615UMR1231 GAD, Inserm - Université Bourgogne-Franche Comté, Dijon, France ,grid.31151.37Unité Fonctionnelle Innovation en Diagnostic génomique des maladies rares, FHU-TRANSLAD, CHU Dijon Bourgogne, Dijon, France ,grid.31151.37Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire Médecine Translationnelle et Anomalies du Développement (TRANSLAD), Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Dijon, Dijon, France
| | - Christophe Philippe
- grid.493090.70000 0004 4910 6615UMR1231 GAD, Inserm - Université Bourgogne-Franche Comté, Dijon, France ,grid.31151.37Unité Fonctionnelle Innovation en Diagnostic génomique des maladies rares, FHU-TRANSLAD, CHU Dijon Bourgogne, Dijon, France ,grid.31151.37Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire Médecine Translationnelle et Anomalies du Développement (TRANSLAD), Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Dijon, Dijon, France
| | - Laurence Faivre
- grid.493090.70000 0004 4910 6615UMR1231 GAD, Inserm - Université Bourgogne-Franche Comté, Dijon, France ,grid.31151.37Unité Fonctionnelle Innovation en Diagnostic génomique des maladies rares, FHU-TRANSLAD, CHU Dijon Bourgogne, Dijon, France ,grid.31151.37Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire Médecine Translationnelle et Anomalies du Développement (TRANSLAD), Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Dijon, Dijon, France
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19
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Nadeem MS, Hosawi S, Alshehri S, Ghoneim MM, Imam SS, Murtaza BN, Kazmi I. Symptomatic, Genetic, and Mechanistic Overlaps between Autism and Alzheimer's Disease. Biomolecules 2021; 11:1635. [PMID: 34827633 PMCID: PMC8615882 DOI: 10.3390/biom11111635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) are neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders affecting two opposite ends of life span, i.e., childhood and old age. Both disorders pose a cumulative threat to human health, with the rate of incidences increasing considerably worldwide. In the context of recent developments, we aimed to review correlated symptoms and genetics, and overlapping aspects in the mechanisms of the pathogenesis of ASD and AD. Dementia, insomnia, and weak neuromuscular interaction, as well as communicative and cognitive impairments, are shared symptoms. A number of genes and proteins linked with both disorders have been tabulated, including MECP2, ADNP, SCN2A, NLGN, SHANK, PTEN, RELN, and FMR1. Theories about the role of neuron development, processing, connectivity, and levels of neurotransmitters in both disorders have been discussed. Based on the recent literature, the roles of FMRP (Fragile X mental retardation protein), hnRNPC (heterogeneous ribonucleoprotein-C), IRP (Iron regulatory proteins), miRNAs (MicroRNAs), and α-, β0, and γ-secretases in the posttranscriptional regulation of cellular synthesis and processing of APP (amyloid-β precursor protein) have been elaborated to describe the parallel and overlapping routes and mechanisms of ASD and AD pathogenesis. However, the interactive role of genetic and environmental factors, oxidative and metal ion stress, mutations in the associated genes, and alterations in the related cellular pathways in the development of ASD and AD needs further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Shahid Nadeem
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; (M.S.N.); (S.H.)
| | - Salman Hosawi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; (M.S.N.); (S.H.)
| | - Sultan Alshehri
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; (S.A.); (S.S.I.)
| | - Mohammed M. Ghoneim
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, AlMaarefa University, Ad Diriyah 13713, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Syed Sarim Imam
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; (S.A.); (S.S.I.)
| | - Bibi Nazia Murtaza
- Department of Zoology, Abbottabad University of Science and Technology (AUST), Abbottabad 22310, Pakistan;
| | - Imran Kazmi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; (M.S.N.); (S.H.)
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20
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Gzielo K, Nikiforuk A. Astroglia in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:11544. [PMID: 34768975 PMCID: PMC8583956 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is an umbrella term encompassing several neurodevelopmental disorders such as Asperger syndrome or autism. It is characterised by the occurrence of distinct deficits in social behaviour and communication and repetitive patterns of behaviour. The symptoms may be of different intensity and may vary in types. Risk factors for ASD include disturbed brain homeostasis, genetic predispositions, or inflammation during the prenatal period caused by viruses or bacteria. The number of diagnosed cases is growing, but the main cause and mechanism leading to ASD is still uncertain. Recent findings from animal models and human cases highlight the contribution of glia to the ASD pathophysiology. It is known that glia cells are not only "gluing" neurons together but are key players participating in different processes crucial for proper brain functioning, including neurogenesis, synaptogenesis, inflammation, myelination, proper glutamate processing and many others. Despite the prerequisites for the involvement of glia in the processes related to the onset of autism, there are far too little data regarding the engagement of these cells in the development of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinga Gzielo
- Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Department of Behavioral Neuroscience and Drug Development, 12 Smętna Street, 31-343 Kraków, Poland;
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21
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Rodriguez-Gomez DA, Garcia-Guaqueta DP, Charry-Sánchez JD, Sarquis-Buitrago E, Blanco M, Velez-van-Meerbeke A, Talero-Gutiérrez C. A systematic review of common genetic variation and biological pathways in autism spectrum disorder. BMC Neurosci 2021; 22:60. [PMID: 34627165 PMCID: PMC8501721 DOI: 10.1186/s12868-021-00662-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction. Common genetic variation appears to play a key role in the development of this condition. In this systematic review, we describe the relationship between genetic variations and autism. We created a gene dataset of the genes involved in the pathogenesis of autism and performed an over-representation analysis to evaluate the biological functions and molecular pathways that may explain the associations between these variants and the development of ASD. Results 177 studies and a gene set composed of 139 were included in this qualitative systematic review. Enriched pathways in the over-representation analysis using the KEGG pathway database were mostly associated with neurotransmitter receptors and their subunits. Major over-represented biological processes were social behavior, vocalization behavior, learning and memory. The enriched cellular component of the proteins encoded by the genes identified in this systematic review were the postsynaptic membrane and the cell junction. Conclusions Among the biological processes that were examined, genes involved in synaptic integrity, neurotransmitter metabolism, and cell adhesion molecules were significantly involved in the development of autism. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12868-021-00662-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Alejandro Rodriguez-Gomez
- Neuroscience Research Group (NeURos), NeuroVitae Center for Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Carrera 24 No. 63C-69, 111221, Bogotá D.C., Colombia
| | - Danna Paola Garcia-Guaqueta
- Neuroscience Research Group (NeURos), NeuroVitae Center for Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Carrera 24 No. 63C-69, 111221, Bogotá D.C., Colombia
| | - Jesús David Charry-Sánchez
- Neuroscience Research Group (NeURos), NeuroVitae Center for Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Carrera 24 No. 63C-69, 111221, Bogotá D.C., Colombia
| | - Elias Sarquis-Buitrago
- Neuroscience Research Group (NeURos), NeuroVitae Center for Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Carrera 24 No. 63C-69, 111221, Bogotá D.C., Colombia
| | - Mariana Blanco
- Neuroscience Research Group (NeURos), NeuroVitae Center for Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Carrera 24 No. 63C-69, 111221, Bogotá D.C., Colombia
| | - Alberto Velez-van-Meerbeke
- Neuroscience Research Group (NeURos), NeuroVitae Center for Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Carrera 24 No. 63C-69, 111221, Bogotá D.C., Colombia.,NeuroVitae Center for Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Carrera 24 No. 63C-69, 111221, Bogotá D.C., Colombia
| | - Claudia Talero-Gutiérrez
- Neuroscience Research Group (NeURos), NeuroVitae Center for Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Carrera 24 No. 63C-69, 111221, Bogotá D.C., Colombia. .,NeuroVitae Center for Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Carrera 24 No. 63C-69, 111221, Bogotá D.C., Colombia.
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22
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Dazzo E, Nobile C. Epilepsy-causing Reelin mutations result in impaired secretion and intracellular degradation of mutant proteins. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 31:665-673. [PMID: 34508592 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddab271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Autosomal dominant lateral temporal epilepsy (ADLTE) is a genetically heterogeneous neurologic disorder clinically characterized by focal seizures with auditory symptoms and/or aphasia. About 20% of ADLTE families segregate disease-causing heterozygous mutations in RELN, a brain-expressed gene encoding the secreted protein Reelin. Using a cell-based secretion assay, we show that pathogenic RELN mutations abolish or significantly reduce secretion of mutant proteins, and that this secretion defect results from impaired trafficking of mutant Reelin along the secretory pathway. Confocal immunofluorescence analysis of transiently transfected cells shows that Reelin mutant proteins are degraded by the autophagy system, as revealed by increased formation of autophagosomes immunoreacting with the autophagy markers p62 and LC3. In addition, LC3 immunoblotting shows a significant increase of autophagy flux due to mutant overexpression. Finally, we show that the secretion defect of mutant proteins can be partially rescued by small-molecule correctors. Altogether, these results suggest that Reelin mutant proteins are not properly secreted and that they are degraded through the autophagy pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuela Dazzo
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council of Italy, Padova, Italy
| | - Carlo Nobile
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council of Italy, Padova, Italy
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23
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Hattori M, Kohno T. Regulation of Reelin functions by specific proteolytic processing in the brain. J Biochem 2021; 169:511-516. [PMID: 33566063 DOI: 10.1093/jb/mvab015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The secreted glycoprotein Reelin plays important roles in both brain development and function. During development, Reelin regulates neuronal migration and dendrite development. In the mature brain, the glycoprotein is involved in synaptogenesis and synaptic plasticity. It has been suggested that Reelin loss or decreased function contributes to the onset and/or deterioration of neuropsychiatric diseases, including schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease. While the molecular mechanisms underpinning Reelin function remain unclear, recent studies have suggested that the specific proteolytic cleavage of Reelin may play central roles in the embryonic and postnatal brain. In this review, we focus on Reelin proteolytic processing and review its potential physiological roles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitsuharu Hattori
- Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, Aichi 467-8603, Japan
| | - Takao Kohno
- Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, Aichi 467-8603, Japan
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Contribution of Multiple Inherited Variants to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in a Family with 3 Affected Siblings. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12071053. [PMID: 34356069 PMCID: PMC8303619 DOI: 10.3390/genes12071053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is the most common neurodevelopmental disorder in children and shows high heritability. However, how inherited variants contribute to ASD in multiplex families remains unclear. Using whole-genome sequencing (WGS) in a family with three affected children, we identified multiple inherited DNA variants in ASD-associated genes and pathways (RELN, SHANK2, DLG1, SCN10A, KMT2C and ASH1L). All are shared among the three children, except ASH1L, which is only present in the most severely affected child. The compound heterozygous variants in RELN, and the maternally inherited variant in SHANK2, are considered to be major risk factors for ASD in this family. Both genes are involved in neuron activities, including synaptic functions and the GABAergic neurotransmission system, which are highly associated with ASD pathogenesis. DLG1 is also involved in synapse functions, and KMT2C and ASH1L are involved in chromatin organization. Our data suggest that multiple inherited rare variants, each with a subthreshold and/or variable effect, may converge to certain pathways and contribute quantitatively and additively, or alternatively act via a 2nd-hit or multiple-hits to render pathogenicity of ASD in this family. Additionally, this multiple-hits model further supports the quantitative trait hypothesis of a complex genetic, multifactorial etiology for the development of ASDs.
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25
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Genetic risk factors for autism-spectrum disorders: a systematic review based on systematic reviews and meta-analysis. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2021; 128:717-734. [PMID: 34115189 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-021-02360-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Based on recent evidence, more than 200 susceptibility genes have been identified to be associated with autism until now. Correspondingly, cytogenetic abnormalities have been reported for almost every chromosome. While the results of multiple genes associated with risk factors for autism are still incomplete, this paper systematically reviews published meta-analyses and systematic reviews of evidence related to autism occurrence. METHOD Literature search was conducted in the PubMed system, and the publication dates were limited between January 2000 and July 2020. We included a meta-analysis and systematic review that assessed the impact of related gene variants on the development of autism. After screening, this comprehensive literature search identified 31 meta-analyses and ten systematic reviews. We arranged the genes related to autism in the published studies according to the order of the chromosomes, and based on the results of a meta-analysis and systematic review, we selected 6 candidate genes related to ASD, namely MTHFR C677T, SLC25A12, OXTR, RELN, 5-HTTLPR, SHANK, including basic features and functions. In addition to these typical genes, we have also listed candidate genes that may exist on almost every chromosome that are related to autism. RESULTS We found that the results of several literature reviews included in this study showed that the MTHFR C667T variant was a risk factor for the occurrence of ASD, and the results were consistent. The results of studies on SLC25A12 variation (rs2056202 and rs2292813) and ASD risk were inconsistent but statistically significant. No association of 5-HTTLPR was found with autism, but when subgroup analysis was performed according to ethnicity, the association was statistically significant. RELN variants (rs362691 and rs736707) were consistent with ASD risk studies, but some of the results were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION This review summarized the well-known ASD candidate genes and listed some new genes that need further study in larger sample sets to improve our understanding of the genetic basis of ASD, but sample size and heterogeneity remain major limiting factors in some genome-wide association studies. We also found that common genetic variants in some genes may be co-risk factors for autism or other neuropsychiatric disorders when we collated these results. It is worth considering screening for these mutations in clinical applications.
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Stepien BK, Vaid S, Huttner WB. Length of the Neurogenic Period-A Key Determinant for the Generation of Upper-Layer Neurons During Neocortex Development and Evolution. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:676911. [PMID: 34055808 PMCID: PMC8155536 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.676911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The neocortex, a six-layer neuronal brain structure that arose during the evolution of, and is unique to, mammals, is the seat of higher order brain functions responsible for human cognitive abilities. Despite its recent evolutionary origin, it shows a striking variability in size and folding complexity even among closely related mammalian species. In most mammals, cortical neurogenesis occurs prenatally, and its length correlates with the length of gestation. The evolutionary expansion of the neocortex, notably in human, is associated with an increase in the number of neurons, particularly within its upper layers. Various mechanisms have been proposed and investigated to explain the evolutionary enlargement of the human neocortex, focussing in particular on changes pertaining to neural progenitor types and their division modes, driven in part by the emergence of human-specific genes with novel functions. These led to an amplification of the progenitor pool size, which affects the rate and timing of neuron production. In addition, in early theoretical studies, another mechanism of neocortex expansion was proposed—the lengthening of the neurogenic period. A critical role of neurogenic period length in determining neocortical neuron number was subsequently supported by mathematical modeling studies. Recently, we have provided experimental evidence in rodents directly supporting the mechanism of extending neurogenesis to specifically increase the number of upper-layer cortical neurons. Moreover, our study examined the relationship between cortical neurogenesis and gestation, linking the extension of the neurogenic period to the maternal environment. As the exact nature of factors promoting neurogenic period prolongation, as well as the generalization of this mechanism for evolutionary distinct lineages, remain elusive, the directions for future studies are outlined and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara K Stepien
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Max Planck Society (MPG), Munich, Germany.,Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, School of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Samir Vaid
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Max Planck Society (MPG), Munich, Germany
| | - Wieland B Huttner
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Max Planck Society (MPG), Munich, Germany
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Furnary T, Garcia-Milian R, Liew Z, Whirledge S, Vasiliou V. In Silico Exploration of the Potential Role of Acetaminophen and Pesticides in the Etiology of Autism Spectrum Disorder. TOXICS 2021; 9:toxics9050097. [PMID: 33925648 PMCID: PMC8146009 DOI: 10.3390/toxics9050097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Recent epidemiological studies suggest that prenatal exposure to acetaminophen (APAP) is associated with increased risk of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting 1 in 59 children in the US. Maternal and prenatal exposure to pesticides from food and environmental sources have also been implicated to affect fetal neurodevelopment. However, the underlying mechanisms for ASD are so far unknown, likely with complex and multifactorial etiology. The aim of this study was to explore the potential effects of APAP and pesticide exposure on development with regards to the etiology of ASD by highlighting common genes and biological pathways. Genes associated with APAP, pesticides, and ASD through human research were retrieved from molecular and biomedical literature databases. The interaction network of overlapping genetic associations was subjected to network topology analysis and functional annotation of the resulting clusters. These genes were over-represented in pathways and biological processes (FDR p < 0.05) related to apoptosis, metabolism of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and carbohydrate metabolism. Since these three biological processes are frequently implicated in ASD, our findings support the hypothesis that cell death processes and specific metabolic pathways, both of which appear to be targeted by APAP and pesticide exposure, may be involved in the etiology of ASD. This novel exposures-gene-disease database mining might inspire future work on understanding the biological underpinnings of various ASD risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tristan Furnary
- Environmental Health Sciences Department, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06510, USA;
| | - Rolando Garcia-Milian
- Bioinformatics Support Program, Cushing/Whitney Medical Library, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA;
| | - Zeyan Liew
- Yale Center for Perinatal, Pediatric and Environmental Health, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06510, USA;
| | - Shannon Whirledge
- Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA;
| | - Vasilis Vasiliou
- Environmental Health Sciences Department, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06510, USA;
- Correspondence:
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Guan J, Lin Y, Wang Y, Gao J, Ji G. An analytical method for the identification of cell type-specific disease gene modules. J Transl Med 2021; 19:20. [PMID: 33407556 PMCID: PMC7788893 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-020-02690-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Genome-wide association studies have identified genetic variants associated with the risk of brain-related diseases, such as neurological and psychiatric disorders, while the causal variants and the specific vulnerable cell types are often needed to be studied. Many disease-associated genes are expressed in multiple cell types of human brains, while the pathologic variants affect primarily specific cell types. We hypothesize a model in which what determines the manifestation of a disease in a cell type is the presence of disease module comprised of disease-associated genes, instead of individual genes. Therefore, it is essential to identify the presence/absence of disease gene modules in cells. Methods To characterize the cell type-specificity of brain-related diseases, we construct human brain cell type-specific gene interaction networks integrating human brain nucleus gene expression data with a referenced tissue-specific gene interaction network. Then from the cell type-specific gene interaction networks, we identify significant cell type-specific disease gene modules by performing statistical tests. Results Between neurons and glia cells, the constructed cell type-specific gene networks and their gene functions are distinct. Then we identify cell type-specific disease gene modules associated with autism spectrum disorder and find that different gene modules are formed and distinct gene functions may be dysregulated in different cells. We also study the similarity and dissimilarity in cell type-specific disease gene modules among autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The functions of neurons-specific disease gene modules are associated with synapse for all three diseases, while those in glia cells are different. To facilitate the use of our method, we develop an R package, CtsDGM, for the identification of cell type-specific disease gene modules. Conclusions The results support our hypothesis that a disease manifests itself in a cell type through forming a statistically significant disease gene module. The identification of cell type-specific disease gene modules can promote the development of more targeted biomarkers and treatments for the disease. Our method can be applied for depicting the cell type heterogeneity of a given disease, and also for studying the similarity and dissimilarity between different disorders, providing new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis and progression of diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinting Guan
- Department of Automation, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China. .,National Institute for Data Science in Health and Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.
| | - Yiping Lin
- Department of Automation, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yang Wang
- Department of Automation, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Junchao Gao
- Department of Instrumental and Electrical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Guoli Ji
- Department of Automation, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,National Institute for Data Science in Health and Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
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Jossin Y. Reelin Functions, Mechanisms of Action and Signaling Pathways During Brain Development and Maturation. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10060964. [PMID: 32604886 PMCID: PMC7355739 DOI: 10.3390/biom10060964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
During embryonic development and adulthood, Reelin exerts several important functions in the brain including the regulation of neuronal migration, dendritic growth and branching, dendritic spine formation, synaptogenesis and synaptic plasticity. As a consequence, the Reelin signaling pathway has been associated with several human brain disorders such as lissencephaly, autism, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, mental retardation, Alzheimer’s disease and epilepsy. Several elements of the signaling pathway are known. Core components, such as the Reelin receptors very low-density lipoprotein receptor (VLDLR) and Apolipoprotein E receptor 2 (ApoER2), Src family kinases Src and Fyn, and the intracellular adaptor Disabled-1 (Dab1), are common to most but not all Reelin functions. Other downstream effectors are, on the other hand, more specific to defined tasks. Reelin is a large extracellular protein, and some aspects of the signal are regulated by its processing into smaller fragments. Rather than being inhibitory, the processing at two major sites seems to be fulfilling important physiological functions. In this review, I describe the various cellular events regulated by Reelin and attempt to explain the current knowledge on the mechanisms of action. After discussing the shared and distinct elements of the Reelin signaling pathway involved in neuronal migration, dendritic growth, spine development and synaptic plasticity, I briefly outline the data revealing the importance of Reelin in human brain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yves Jossin
- Laboratory of Mammalian Development & Cell Biology, Institute of Neuroscience, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1200 Brussels, Belgium
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Costa LG, Cole TB, Dao K, Chang YC, Coburn J, Garrick JM. Effects of air pollution on the nervous system and its possible role in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. Pharmacol Ther 2020; 210:107523. [PMID: 32165138 PMCID: PMC7245732 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 174] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Recent extensive evidence indicates that air pollution, in addition to causing respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, may also negatively affect the brain and contribute to central nervous system diseases. Air pollution is comprised of ambient particulate matter (PM) of different sizes, gases, organic compounds, and metals. An important contributor to PM is represented by traffic-related air pollution, mostly ascribed to diesel exhaust (DE). Epidemiological and animal studies have shown that exposure to air pollution may be associated with multiple adverse effects on the central nervous system. In addition to a variety of behavioral abnormalities, the most prominent effects caused by air pollution are oxidative stress and neuro-inflammation, which are seen in both humans and animals, and are supported by in vitro studies. Among factors which can affect neurotoxic outcomes, age is considered most relevant. Human and animal studies suggest that air pollution may cause developmental neurotoxicity, and may contribute to the etiology of neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder. In addition, air pollution exposure has been associated with increased expression of markers of neurodegenerative disease pathologies, such as alpha-synuclein or beta-amyloid, and may thus contribute to the etiopathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucio G Costa
- Dept. of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Dept. of Medicine & Surgery, University of Parma, Italy.
| | - Toby B Cole
- Dept. of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Center on Human Development and Disability, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Khoi Dao
- Dept. of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Yu-Chi Chang
- Dept. of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jacki Coburn
- Dept. of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jacqueline M Garrick
- Dept. of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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Liu H, Barnes J, Pedrosa E, Herman NS, Salas F, Wang P, Zheng D, Lachman HM. Transcriptome analysis of neural progenitor cells derived from Lowe syndrome induced pluripotent stem cells: identification of candidate genes for the neurodevelopmental and eye manifestations. J Neurodev Disord 2020; 12:14. [PMID: 32393163 PMCID: PMC7212686 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-020-09317-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lowe syndrome (LS) is caused by loss-of-function mutations in the X-linked gene OCRL, which codes for an inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase that plays a key role in endosome recycling, clathrin-coated pit formation, and actin polymerization. It is characterized by congenital cataracts, intellectual and developmental disability, and renal proximal tubular dysfunction. Patients are also at high risk for developing glaucoma and seizures. We recently developed induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines from three patients with LS who have hypomorphic variants affecting the 3' end of the gene, and their neurotypical brothers to serve as controls. METHODS In this study, we used RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to obtain transcriptome profiles in LS and control neural progenitor cells (NPCs). RESULTS In a comparison of the patient and control NPCs (n = 3), we found 16 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) at the multiple test adjusted p value (padj) < 0.1, with nine at padj < 0.05. Using nominal p value < 0.05, 319 DEGs were detected. The relatively small number of DEGs could be due to the fact that OCRL is not a transcription factor per se, although it could have secondary effects on gene expression through several different mechanisms. Although the number of DEGs passing multiple test correction was small, those that were found are quite consistent with some of the known molecular effects of OCRL protein, and the clinical manifestations of LS. Furthermore, using gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), we found that genes increased expression in the patient NPCs showed enrichments of several gene ontology (GO) terms (false discovery rate < 0.25): telencephalon development, pallium development, NPC proliferation, and cortex development, which are consistent with a condition characterized by intellectual disabilities and psychiatric manifestations. In addition, a significant enrichment among the nominal DEGs for genes implicated in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) was found (e.g., AFF2, DNER, DPP6, DPP10, RELN, CACNA1C), as well as several that are strong candidate genes for the development of eye problems found in LS, including glaucoma. The most notable example is EFEMP1, a well-known candidate gene for glaucoma and other eye pathologies. CONCLUSION Overall, the RNA-seq findings present several candidate genes that could help explain the underlying basis for the neurodevelopmental and eye problems seen in boys with LS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hequn Liu
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Jesse Barnes
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Erika Pedrosa
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Nathaniel S. Herman
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Franklin Salas
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Ping Wang
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Deyou Zheng
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
- Dominick P Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
- Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Herbert M. Lachman
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
- Dominick P Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
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32
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Yoon SH, Choi J, Lee WJ, Do JT. Genetic and Epigenetic Etiology Underlying Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Clin Med 2020; 9:E966. [PMID: 32244359 PMCID: PMC7230567 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9040966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Revised: 03/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a pervasive neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by difficulties in social interaction, language development delays, repeated body movements, and markedly deteriorated activities and interests. Environmental factors, such as viral infection, parental age, and zinc deficiency, can be plausible contributors to ASD susceptibility. As ASD is highly heritable, genetic risk factors involved in neurodevelopment, neural communication, and social interaction provide important clues in explaining the etiology of ASD. Accumulated evidence also shows an important role of epigenetic factors, such as DNA methylation, histone modification, and noncoding RNA, in ASD etiology. In this review, we compiled the research published to date and described the genetic and epigenetic epidemiology together with environmental risk factors underlying the etiology of the different phenotypes of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Jeong Tae Do
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biotechnology, KU Institute of Technology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea; (S.H.Y.); (J.C.); (W.J.L.)
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Okugawa E, Ogino H, Shigenobu T, Yamakage Y, Tsuiji H, Oishi H, Kohno T, Hattori M. Physiological significance of proteolytic processing of Reelin revealed by cleavage-resistant Reelin knock-in mice. Sci Rep 2020; 10:4471. [PMID: 32161359 PMCID: PMC7066138 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-61380-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Reelin is a secreted protein that plays versatile roles in neuronal development and function. The strength of Reelin signaling is regulated by proteolytic processing, but its importance in vivo is not yet fully understood. Here, we generated Reelin knock-in (PA-DV KI) mice in which the key cleavage site of Reelin was abolished by mutation. As expected, the cleavage of Reelin was severely abrogated in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of PA-DV KI mice. The amount of Dab1, whose degradation is induced by Reelin signaling, decreased in these tissues, indicating that the signaling strength of Reelin was augmented. The brains of PA-DV KI mice were largely structurally normal, but unexpectedly, the hippocampal layer was disturbed. This phenotype was ameliorated in hemizygote PA-DV KI mice, indicating that excess Reelin signaling is detrimental to hippocampal layer formation. The neuronal dendrites of PA-DV KI mice had more branches and were elongated compared to wild-type mice. These results present the first direct evidence of the physiological importance of Reelin cleavage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eisuke Okugawa
- Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University, 3-1 Tanabe-dori, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-8603, Japan
| | - Himari Ogino
- Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University, 3-1 Tanabe-dori, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-8603, Japan
| | - Tomofumi Shigenobu
- Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University, 3-1 Tanabe-dori, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-8603, Japan
| | - Yuko Yamakage
- Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University, 3-1 Tanabe-dori, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-8603, Japan
| | - Hitomi Tsuiji
- Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University, 3-1 Tanabe-dori, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-8603, Japan
| | - Hisashi Oishi
- Department of Comparative and Experimental Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, 1 Kawasumi Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Takao Kohno
- Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University, 3-1 Tanabe-dori, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-8603, Japan
| | - Mitsuharu Hattori
- Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University, 3-1 Tanabe-dori, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-8603, Japan.
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Möhrle D, Fernández M, Peñagarikano O, Frick A, Allman B, Schmid S. What we can learn from a genetic rodent model about autism. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 109:29-53. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Revised: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Identification of RELN variant p.(Ser2486Gly) in an Iranian family with ankylosing spondylitis; the first association of RELN and AS. Eur J Hum Genet 2020; 28:754-762. [PMID: 32001840 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-020-0573-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2019] [Revised: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a common complex inflammatory disease; however, up to now distinct genes with monogenic pattern have not been reported for this disease. In the present study, we report a large Iranian family with several affected members with AS. DNAs of the three affected and two healthy cases were chosen for performing whole-exome sequencing (WES). After several filtering steps, candidate variants in the following genes were detected: RELN, DNMT1, TAF4β, MUC16, DLG2, and FAM208. However, segregation analysis confirmed the association of only one variant, c.7456A>G; p.(Ser2486Gly) in the RELN gene with AS in this family. In addition, in silico predictions supported the probable pathogenicity of this variant. In this study, for the first time, we report a novel variant in the RELN gene, c.7456A>G; p.(Ser2486Gly), which completely co-segregates with AS. This association suggests potential insights into the pathophysiological bases of AS and it could broaden horizons toward new therapeutic strategies.
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Poornimai Abirami GP, Radhakrishnan RK, Johnson E, Roshan SA, Yesudhas A, Parveen S, Biswas A, Ravichandran VR, Muthuswamy A, Kandasamy M. The Regulation of Reactive Neuroblastosis, Neuroplasticity, and Nutraceuticals for Effective Management of Autism Spectrum Disorder. ADVANCES IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2020; 24:207-222. [PMID: 32006362 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-30402-7_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) encompasses a cluster of neurodevelopmental and genetic disorders that has been characterized mainly by social withdrawal, repetitive behavior, restricted interests, and deficits in language processing mainly in children. ASD has been known to severely impair behavioral patterns and cognitive functions including learning and memory due to defects in neuroplasticity. The biology of the ASD appears to be highly complex and heterogeneous, and thus, finding a therapeutic target for autism remains obscure. There has been no complete prevention or disease-modifying cure for this disorder. Recently, individuals with autism have been characterized by reactive neurogenesis, obstructions in axonal growth, heterotopia, resulting from dysplasia of neuroblasts in different brain regions. Therefore, it can be assumed that the aforementioned neuropathological correlates seen in the autistic individuals might originate from the defects mainly in the regulation of neuroblasts in the developing as well as adult brain. Nutrient deficiencies during early brain development and intake of certain allergic foods have been proposed as main reasons for the development of ASD. However, the integrated understanding of neurodevelopment and functional aspects of neuroplasticity working through neurogenesis in ASD is highly limited. Moreover, neurogenesis at the level of neuroblasts can be regulated by nutrition. Hence, defects in neuroblastosis underlying the severity of autism potentially could be rectified by appropriate implementation of nutraceuticals.
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Affiliation(s)
- G P Poornimai Abirami
- School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Risna Kanjirassery Radhakrishnan
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Neuroregeneration, Department of Animal Science, School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Esther Johnson
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Neuroregeneration, Department of Animal Science, School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Syed Aasish Roshan
- Molecular Gerontology Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Ajisha Yesudhas
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Neuroregeneration, Department of Animal Science, School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Suhadha Parveen
- Molecular Gerontology Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Abir Biswas
- Molecular Gerontology Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Vijaya Roobini Ravichandran
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Neuroregeneration, Department of Animal Science, School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Anusuyadevi Muthuswamy
- School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India. .,Molecular Gerontology Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India.
| | - Mahesh Kandasamy
- School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India. .,Laboratory of Stem Cells and Neuroregeneration, Department of Animal Science, School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India. .,Faculty Recharge Programme, University Grants Commission (UGC-FRP), New Delhi, India.
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Cuchillo-Ibáñez I, Andreo-Lillo P, Pastor-Ferrándiz L, Carratalá-Marco F, Sáez-Valero J. Elevated Plasma Reelin Levels in Children With Autism. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:242. [PMID: 32292362 PMCID: PMC7135852 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of neurodevelopmental disorders involving age-dependent gene dysregulation. Reelin is a glycoprotein that varies its expression throughout lifetime and controls cortical patterning and synaptogenesis. Brain and plasma reelin levels have been reported to be low in adults with autism; as well as in children with autism, but only when compared to control adults. Therefore, reelin expression levels in children with autism are unclear. For this reason, we compared plasma reelin levels in children with autism and children without autism (non-ASD) of similar ages to evaluate reelin expression in ASD during childhood. Plasma samples from 19 non-ASD (8.9 ± 0.8 years) and 40 children with autism (7.5 ± 0.5 years) were analyzed. We found that 50% of the children with autism displayed similar plasma reelin levels to the non-ASD group. However, the remaining 50% expressed more than 30 times more reelin compared to non-ASD levels. We also show that male children with autism displayed significantly higher reelin levels than females. The clinical presentation of this subgroup could not be distinguished from that of children with autism. Epilepsy or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was not associated to reelin levels. We conclude that the high levels of plasma reelin might be an important hallmark in a subset of children with autism, previously unnoticed. As we could not find any correlation between reelin levels and ASD clinical presentations, our results may indicate transient reelin increases in the plasma or the characterization of a group of ASD individuals with a different pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inmaculada Cuchillo-Ibáñez
- Instituto de Neurociencias de Alicante, Department of Molecular Neurobiology and Neuropathology, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, Sant Joan d'Alacant, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Sant Joan d'Alacant, Spain
| | - Patricia Andreo-Lillo
- Neuropediatric Unit, Pediatric Department, University Hospital of Sant Joan d'Alacant, Sant Joan d'Alacant, Spain
| | - Lorena Pastor-Ferrándiz
- Neuropediatric Unit, Pediatric Department, University Hospital of Sant Joan d'Alacant, Sant Joan d'Alacant, Spain
| | - Francisco Carratalá-Marco
- Neuropediatric Unit, Pediatric Department, University Hospital of Sant Joan d'Alacant, Sant Joan d'Alacant, Spain
| | - Javier Sáez-Valero
- Instituto de Neurociencias de Alicante, Department of Molecular Neurobiology and Neuropathology, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, Sant Joan d'Alacant, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Sant Joan d'Alacant, Spain
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The Reeler Mouse: A Translational Model of Human Neurological Conditions, or Simply a Good Tool for Better Understanding Neurodevelopment? J Clin Med 2019; 8:jcm8122088. [PMID: 31805691 PMCID: PMC6947477 DOI: 10.3390/jcm8122088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The first description of the Reeler mutation in mouse dates to more than fifty years ago, and later, its causative gene (reln) was discovered in mouse, and its human orthologue (RELN) was demonstrated to be causative of lissencephaly 2 (LIS2) and about 20% of the cases of autosomal-dominant lateral temporal epilepsy (ADLTE). In both human and mice, the gene encodes for a glycoprotein referred to as reelin (Reln) that plays a primary function in neuronal migration during development and synaptic stabilization in adulthood. Besides LIS2 and ADLTE, RELN and/or other genes coding for the proteins of the Reln intracellular cascade have been associated substantially to other conditions such as spinocerebellar ataxia type 7 and 37, VLDLR-associated cerebellar hypoplasia, PAFAH1B1-associated lissencephaly, autism, and schizophrenia. According to their modalities of inheritances and with significant differences among each other, these neuropsychiatric disorders can be modeled in the homozygous (reln−/−) or heterozygous (reln+/−) Reeler mouse. The worth of these mice as translational models is discussed, with focus on their construct and face validity. Description of face validity, i.e., the resemblance of phenotypes between the two species, centers onto the histological, neurochemical, and functional observations in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum of Reeler mice and their human counterparts.
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Li W, Pozzo-Miller L. Dysfunction of the corticostriatal pathway in autism spectrum disorders. J Neurosci Res 2019; 98:2130-2147. [PMID: 31758607 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Revised: 11/04/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The corticostriatal pathway that carries sensory, motor, and limbic information to the striatum plays a critical role in motor control, action selection, and reward. Dysfunction of this pathway is associated with many neurological and psychiatric disorders. Corticostriatal synapses have unique features in their cortical origins and striatal targets. In this review, we first describe axonal growth and synaptogenesis in the corticostriatal pathway during development, and then summarize the current understanding of the molecular bases of synaptic transmission and plasticity at mature corticostriatal synapses. Genes associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have been implicated in axonal growth abnormalities, imbalance of the synaptic excitation/inhibition ratio, and altered long-term synaptic plasticity in the corticostriatal pathway. Here, we review a number of ASD-associated high-confidence genes, including FMR1, KMT2A, GRIN2B, SCN2A, NLGN1, NLGN3, MET, CNTNAP2, FOXP2, TSHZ3, SHANK3, PTEN, CHD8, MECP2, DYRK1A, RELN, FOXP1, SYNGAP1, and NRXN, and discuss their relevance to proper corticostriatal function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Li
- Department of Neurobiology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Lucas Pozzo-Miller
- Department of Neurobiology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
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Kon E, Calvo-Jiménez E, Cossard A, Na Y, Cooper JA, Jossin Y. N-cadherin-regulated FGFR ubiquitination and degradation control mammalian neocortical projection neuron migration. eLife 2019; 8:47673. [PMID: 31577229 PMCID: PMC6786859 DOI: 10.7554/elife.47673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2019] [Accepted: 10/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The functions of FGF receptors (FGFRs) in early development of the cerebral cortex are well established. Their functions in the migration of neocortical projection neurons, however, are unclear. We have found that FGFRs regulate multipolar neuron orientation and the morphological change into bipolar cells necessary to enter the cortical plate. Mechanistically, our results suggest that FGFRs are activated by N-Cadherin. N-Cadherin cell-autonomously binds FGFRs and inhibits FGFR K27- and K29-linked polyubiquitination and lysosomal degradation. Accordingly, FGFRs accumulate and stimulate prolonged Erk1/2 phosphorylation. Neurons inhibited for Erk1/2 are stalled in the multipolar zone. Moreover, Reelin, a secreted protein regulating neuronal positioning, prevents FGFR degradation through N-Cadherin, causing Erk1/2 phosphorylation. These findings reveal novel functions for FGFRs in cortical projection neuron migration, suggest a physiological role for FGFR and N-Cadherin interaction in vivo and identify Reelin as an extracellular upstream regulator and Erk1/2 as downstream effectors of FGFRs during neuron migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elif Kon
- Laboratory of Mammalian Development & Cell Biology, Institute of Neuroscience, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Elisa Calvo-Jiménez
- Laboratory of Mammalian Development & Cell Biology, Institute of Neuroscience, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Alexia Cossard
- Laboratory of Mammalian Development & Cell Biology, Institute of Neuroscience, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Youn Na
- Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, United States
| | - Jonathan A Cooper
- Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, United States
| | - Yves Jossin
- Laboratory of Mammalian Development & Cell Biology, Institute of Neuroscience, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
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Yang G, Shcheglovitov A. Probing disrupted neurodevelopment in autism using human stem cell-derived neurons and organoids: An outlook into future diagnostics and drug development. Dev Dyn 2019; 249:6-33. [PMID: 31398277 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2019] [Revised: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) represent a spectrum of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by impaired social interaction, repetitive or restrictive behaviors, and problems with speech. According to a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in 68 children in the US is diagnosed with ASDs. Although ASD-related diagnostics and the knowledge of ASD-associated genetic abnormalities have improved in recent years, our understanding of the cellular and molecular pathways disrupted in ASD remains very limited. As a result, no specific therapies or medications are available for individuals with ASDs. In this review, we describe the neurodevelopmental processes that are likely affected in the brains of individuals with ASDs and discuss how patient-specific stem cell-derived neurons and organoids can be used for investigating these processes at the cellular and molecular levels. Finally, we propose a discovery pipeline to be used in the future for identifying the cellular and molecular deficits and developing novel personalized therapies for individuals with idiopathic ASDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guang Yang
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.,Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Alex Shcheglovitov
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.,Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
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Nimura T, Itoh T, Hagio H, Hayashi T, Di Donato V, Takeuchi M, Itoh T, Inoguchi F, Sato Y, Yamamoto N, Katsuyama Y, Del Bene F, Shimizu T, Hibi M. Role of Reelin in cell positioning in the cerebellum and the cerebellum-like structure in zebrafish. Dev Biol 2019; 455:393-408. [PMID: 31323192 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2019.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Revised: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The cerebellum and the cerebellum-like structure in the mesencephalic tectum in zebrafish contain multiple cell types, including principal cells (i.e., Purkinje cells and type I neurons) and granule cells, that form neural circuits in which the principal cells receive and integrate inputs from granule cells and other neurons. It is largely unknown how these cells are positioned and how neural circuits form. While Reelin signaling is known to play an important role in cell positioning in the mammalian brain, its role in the formation of other vertebrate brains remains elusive. Here we found that zebrafish with mutations in Reelin or in the Reelin-signaling molecules Vldlr or Dab1a exhibited ectopic Purkinje cells, eurydendroid cells (projection neurons), and Bergmann glial cells in the cerebellum, and ectopic type I neurons in the tectum. The ectopic Purkinje cells and type I neurons received aberrant afferent fibers in these mutants. In wild-type zebrafish, reelin transcripts were detected in the internal granule cell layer, while Reelin protein was localized to the superficial layer of the cerebellum and the tectum. Laser ablation of the granule cell axons perturbed the localization of Reelin, and the mutation of both kif5aa and kif5ba, which encode major kinesin I components in the granule cells, disrupted the elongation of granule cell axons and the Reelin distribution. Our findings suggest that in zebrafish, (1) Reelin is transported from the granule cell soma to the superficial layer by axonal transport; (2) Reelin controls the migration of neurons and glial cells from the ventricular zone; and (3) Purkinje cells and type I neurons attract afferent axons during the formation of the cerebellum and the cerebellum-like structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takayuki Nimura
- Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Furo, Chikusa, Nagoya, Aichi, 464-8602, Japan
| | - Tsubasa Itoh
- Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Furo, Chikusa, Nagoya, Aichi, 464-8602, Japan
| | - Hanako Hagio
- Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Furo, Chikusa, Nagoya, Aichi, 464-8602, Japan; Department of Animal Sciences, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, 464-8601, Japan
| | - Takuto Hayashi
- Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Furo, Chikusa, Nagoya, Aichi, 464-8602, Japan
| | - Vincenzo Di Donato
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, INSERM U934, CNRS UMR3215, UPMC Paris-Sorbonne, Paris, 75005, France
| | - Miki Takeuchi
- Bioscience and Biotechnology Center, Nagoya University, Furo, Chikusa, Nagoya, Aichi, 464-8601, Japan
| | - Takeaki Itoh
- Department of Anatomy, Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Shiga, 520-2192, Japan
| | - Fuduki Inoguchi
- Department of Anatomy, Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Shiga, 520-2192, Japan
| | - Yoshikatsu Sato
- Institute of Transformative Bio-Molecules, Nagoya University, Furo, Chikusa, Nagoya, Aichi, 464-8601, Japan
| | - Naoyuki Yamamoto
- Department of Animal Sciences, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, 464-8601, Japan
| | - Yu Katsuyama
- Department of Anatomy, Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Shiga, 520-2192, Japan
| | - Filippo Del Bene
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, INSERM U934, CNRS UMR3215, UPMC Paris-Sorbonne, Paris, 75005, France
| | - Takashi Shimizu
- Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Furo, Chikusa, Nagoya, Aichi, 464-8602, Japan; Bioscience and Biotechnology Center, Nagoya University, Furo, Chikusa, Nagoya, Aichi, 464-8601, Japan
| | - Masahiko Hibi
- Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Furo, Chikusa, Nagoya, Aichi, 464-8602, Japan; Bioscience and Biotechnology Center, Nagoya University, Furo, Chikusa, Nagoya, Aichi, 464-8601, Japan.
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Roberts BL, Bennett BJ, Bennett CM, Carroll JM, Dalbøge LS, Hall C, Hassouneh W, Heppner KM, Kirigiti MA, Lindsley SR, Tennant KG, True CA, Whittle A, Wolf AC, Roberts CT, Tang-Christensen M, Sleeman MW, Cowley MA, Grove KL, Kievit P. Reelin is modulated by diet-induced obesity and has direct actions on arcuate proopiomelanocortin neurons. Mol Metab 2019; 26:18-29. [PMID: 31230943 PMCID: PMC6667498 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2019.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Revised: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Reelin (RELN) is a large glycoprotein involved in synapse maturation and neuronal organization throughout development. Deficits in RELN signaling contribute to multiple psychological disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. Nutritional stress alters RELN expression in brain regions associated with these disorders; however, the involvement of RELN in the neural circuits involved in energy metabolism is unknown. The RELN receptors apolipoprotein E receptor 2 (ApoER2) and very low-density lipoprotein receptor (VLDLR) are involved in lipid metabolism and expressed in the hypothalamus. Here we explored the involvement of RELN in hypothalamic signaling and the impact of diet-induced obesity (DIO) on this system. Methods Adult male mice were fed a chow diet or maintained on a high-fat diet (HFD) for 12–16 weeks. HFD-fed DIO mice exhibited decreased ApoER2 and VLDLR expression and increased RELN protein in the hypothalamus. Electrophysiology was used to determine the mechanism by which the central fragment of RELN (CF-RELN) acts on arcuate nucleus (ARH) satiety-promoting proopiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons and the impact of DIO on this circuitry. Results CF-RELN exhibited heterogeneous presynaptic actions on inhibitory inputs onto ARH-POMC-EGFP neurons and consistent postsynaptic actions. Additionally, central administration of CF-RELN caused a significant increase in ARH c-Fos expression and an acute decrease in food intake and body weight. Conclusions We conclude that RELN signaling is modulated by diet, that RELN is involved in synaptic signaling onto ARH-POMC neurons, and that altering central CF-RELN levels can impact food intake and body weight. Diet-induced obesity alters reelin protein levels and expression of ApoER2 and VLDLR. Reelin has direct, but divergent actions on GABAergic inputs onto POMC neurons. Central administration of reelin protein decreases food intake and body weight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon L Roberts
- Division of Cardiometabolic Health, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, OR, 97006, USA
| | - Baylin J Bennett
- Division of Cardiometabolic Health, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, OR, 97006, USA
| | - Camdin M Bennett
- Division of Cardiometabolic Health, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, OR, 97006, USA
| | - Julie M Carroll
- Division of Cardiometabolic Health, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, OR, 97006, USA
| | | | - Colin Hall
- Obesity Research Center, Novo Nordisk, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Wafa Hassouneh
- Obesity Research Center, Novo Nordisk, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | | | - Melissa A Kirigiti
- Division of Cardiometabolic Health, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, OR, 97006, USA
| | - Sarah R Lindsley
- Division of Cardiometabolic Health, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, OR, 97006, USA
| | - Katherine G Tennant
- Division of Cardiometabolic Health, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, OR, 97006, USA
| | - Cadence A True
- Division of Cardiometabolic Health, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, OR, 97006, USA
| | - Andrew Whittle
- Obesity Research Center, Novo Nordisk, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Anitra C Wolf
- Obesity Research Center, Novo Nordisk, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Charles T Roberts
- Division of Cardiometabolic Health, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, OR, 97006, USA
| | | | - Mark W Sleeman
- Department of Physiology, Monash University Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Michael A Cowley
- Department of Physiology, Monash University Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kevin L Grove
- Obesity Research Center, Novo Nordisk, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Paul Kievit
- Division of Cardiometabolic Health, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, OR, 97006, USA.
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Castagna C, Merighi A, Lossi L. Decreased Expression of Synaptophysin 1 (SYP1 Major Synaptic Vesicle Protein p38) and Contactin 6 (CNTN6/NB3) in the Cerebellar Vermis of reln Haplodeficient Mice. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2019; 39:833-856. [PMID: 31098770 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-019-00683-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Reeler heterozygous mice (reln+/-) are seemingly normal but haplodeficient in reln, a gene implicated in autism. Structural/neurochemical alterations in the reln+/- brain are subtle and difficult to demonstrate. Therefore, the usefulness of these mice in translational research is still debated. As evidence implicated several synapse-related genes in autism and the cerebellar vermis is structurally altered in the condition, we have investigated the expression of synaptophysin 1 (SYP1) and contactin 6 (CNTN6) within the vermis of reln+/- mice. Semi-thin plastic sections of the vermis from adult mice of both sexes and different genotypes (reln+/- and reln+/+) were processed with an indirect immunofluorescence protocol. Immunofluorescence was quantified on binary images and statistically analyzed. Reln+/- males displayed a statistically significant reduction of 11.89% in the expression of SYP1 compared to sex-matched wild-type animals, whereas no differences were observed between reln+/+ and reln+/- females. In reln+/- male mice, reductions were particularly evident in the molecular layer: 10.23% less SYP1 than reln+/+ males and 5.84% < reln+/+ females. In reln+/- females, decrease was 9.84% versus reln+/+ males and 5.43% versus reln+/+ females. Both reln+/- males and females showed a stronger decrease in CNTN6 expression throughout all the three cortical layers of the vermis: 17-23% in the granular layer, 24-26% in the Purkinje cell layer, and 9-14% in the molecular layer. Altogether, decrease of vermian SYP1 and CNTN6 in reln+/- mice displayed patterns compatible with the structural modifications of the autistic cerebellum. Therefore, these mice may be a good model in translational studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Castagna
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, I-10095, Turin, Grugliasco (TO), Italy.
| | - Adalberto Merighi
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, I-10095, Turin, Grugliasco (TO), Italy
| | - Laura Lossi
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, I-10095, Turin, Grugliasco (TO), Italy
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Female gender specific association of the Reelin (RELN) gene rs7341475 variant with schizophrenia. Mol Biol Rep 2019; 46:3411-3416. [PMID: 30980267 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-019-04803-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2018] [Accepted: 04/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
RELN gene encodes a large extracellular matrix protein which is critical for neuronal migration, cell positioning and cell-cell interactions. It also controls the synaptic plasticity of neurons for initiation and maintenance of long term potentiation. The aim of this study is to investigate the association of RELN rs7341475 variant with schizophrenia. Genomic DNA isolation was performed from 105 schizophrenic patients and 137 healthy controls to determine RELN rs7341475 genotypes. Genotype and allele frequencies were determined by a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method developed in our laboratory. Statistical analysis was performed using χ2 test. The frequencies for G allele were 79.5% in cases and 81.0% in controls, for A allele 20.5% in cases and 19.0% in controls in the overall population. The genotype frequencies of the RELN gene rs7341475 variant were GG; 63.8%, GA; 31.4% and AA; 4.8% in cases, GG; 63.5%, GA; 35.0% and AA; 1.5% in controls in the overall population. There was no statistically significant association between the rs7341475 variant of RELN gene and schizophrenia in the overall population (χ2 = 2.473, p = 0.290). In the gender specific analysis, female gender specific association was only found. The RELN rs7341475 variant GG genotype was significantly associated with schizophrenia (p = 0.034, OR 2.760, 95% CI 1.058-7.197) and A allele was protective against schizophrenia (p = 0.034, OR 0.362, 95% CI 0.139-0.945). All cases and controls were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (p > 0.05). Population size can be increased to improve the statistical power. Moreover, other RELN gene variants which are especially involved in neuronal migration and epigenetic regulation may be analyzed for revealing the complex genetic architecture of schizophrenia. In conclusion, there was only association between the RELN rs7341475 variant and schizophrenia in the female gender in a Turkish population.
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46
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Lupu D, Varshney MK, Mucs D, Inzunza J, Norinder U, Loghin F, Nalvarte I, Rüegg J. Fluoxetine Affects Differentiation of Midbrain Dopaminergic Neurons In Vitro. Mol Pharmacol 2018; 94:1220-1231. [PMID: 30115672 DOI: 10.1124/mol.118.112342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2018] [Accepted: 07/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent meta-analyses found an association between prenatal exposure to the antidepressant fluoxetine (FLX) and an increased risk of autism in children. This developmental disorder has been related to dysfunctions in the brains' rewards circuitry, which, in turn, has been linked to dysfunctions in dopaminergic (DA) signaling. The present study investigated if FLX affects processes involved in dopaminergic neuronal differentiation. Mouse neuronal precursors were differentiated into midbrain dopaminergic precursor cells (mDPCs) and concomitantly exposed to clinically relevant doses of FLX. Subsequently, dopaminergic precursors were evaluated for expression of differentiation and stemness markers using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. FLX treatment led to increases in early regional specification markers orthodenticle homeobox 2 (Otx2) and homeobox engrailed-1 and -2 (En1 and En2). On the other hand, two transcription factors essential for midbrain dopaminergic (mDA) neurogenesis, LIM homeobox transcription factor 1 α (Lmx1a) and paired-like homeodomain transcription factor 3 (Pitx3) were downregulated by FLX treatment. The stemness marker nestin (Nes) was increased, whereas the neuronal differentiation marker β3-tubulin (Tubb3) decreased. Additionally, we observed that FLX modulates the expression of several genes associated with autism spectrum disorder and downregulates the estrogen receptors (ERs) α and β Further investigations using ERβ knockout (BERKO) mDPCs showed that FLX had no or even opposite effects on several of the genes analyzed. These findings suggest that FLX affects differentiation of the dopaminergic system by increasing production of dopaminergic precursors, yet decreasing their maturation, partly via interference with the estrogen system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Lupu
- Department of Toxicology, Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania (D.L., F.L.); Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden (M.K.V., J.I., I.N.); Unit of Work Environment Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Medicine (D.M.) and Department of Clinical Neuroscience (J.R.), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Department Computer and Systems Sciences, Stockholm University, Kista, Sweden (U.N.); and Swetox, Unit of Toxicology Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Södertälje, Sweden (D.L., D.M., U.N., J.R.)
| | - Mukesh K Varshney
- Department of Toxicology, Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania (D.L., F.L.); Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden (M.K.V., J.I., I.N.); Unit of Work Environment Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Medicine (D.M.) and Department of Clinical Neuroscience (J.R.), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Department Computer and Systems Sciences, Stockholm University, Kista, Sweden (U.N.); and Swetox, Unit of Toxicology Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Södertälje, Sweden (D.L., D.M., U.N., J.R.)
| | - Daniel Mucs
- Department of Toxicology, Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania (D.L., F.L.); Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden (M.K.V., J.I., I.N.); Unit of Work Environment Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Medicine (D.M.) and Department of Clinical Neuroscience (J.R.), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Department Computer and Systems Sciences, Stockholm University, Kista, Sweden (U.N.); and Swetox, Unit of Toxicology Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Södertälje, Sweden (D.L., D.M., U.N., J.R.)
| | - José Inzunza
- Department of Toxicology, Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania (D.L., F.L.); Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden (M.K.V., J.I., I.N.); Unit of Work Environment Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Medicine (D.M.) and Department of Clinical Neuroscience (J.R.), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Department Computer and Systems Sciences, Stockholm University, Kista, Sweden (U.N.); and Swetox, Unit of Toxicology Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Södertälje, Sweden (D.L., D.M., U.N., J.R.)
| | - Ulf Norinder
- Department of Toxicology, Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania (D.L., F.L.); Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden (M.K.V., J.I., I.N.); Unit of Work Environment Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Medicine (D.M.) and Department of Clinical Neuroscience (J.R.), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Department Computer and Systems Sciences, Stockholm University, Kista, Sweden (U.N.); and Swetox, Unit of Toxicology Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Södertälje, Sweden (D.L., D.M., U.N., J.R.)
| | - Felicia Loghin
- Department of Toxicology, Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania (D.L., F.L.); Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden (M.K.V., J.I., I.N.); Unit of Work Environment Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Medicine (D.M.) and Department of Clinical Neuroscience (J.R.), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Department Computer and Systems Sciences, Stockholm University, Kista, Sweden (U.N.); and Swetox, Unit of Toxicology Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Södertälje, Sweden (D.L., D.M., U.N., J.R.)
| | - Ivan Nalvarte
- Department of Toxicology, Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania (D.L., F.L.); Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden (M.K.V., J.I., I.N.); Unit of Work Environment Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Medicine (D.M.) and Department of Clinical Neuroscience (J.R.), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Department Computer and Systems Sciences, Stockholm University, Kista, Sweden (U.N.); and Swetox, Unit of Toxicology Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Södertälje, Sweden (D.L., D.M., U.N., J.R.)
| | - Joëlle Rüegg
- Department of Toxicology, Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania (D.L., F.L.); Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden (M.K.V., J.I., I.N.); Unit of Work Environment Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Medicine (D.M.) and Department of Clinical Neuroscience (J.R.), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Department Computer and Systems Sciences, Stockholm University, Kista, Sweden (U.N.); and Swetox, Unit of Toxicology Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Södertälje, Sweden (D.L., D.M., U.N., J.R.)
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Sánchez-Sánchez SM, Magdalon J, Griesi-Oliveira K, Yamamoto GL, Santacruz-Perez C, Fogo M, Passos-Bueno MR, Sertié AL. Rare RELN variants affect Reelin-DAB1 signal transduction in autism spectrum disorder. Hum Mutat 2018; 39:1372-1383. [PMID: 29969175 DOI: 10.1002/humu.23584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2018] [Revised: 06/25/2018] [Accepted: 06/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The Reelin-DAB1 signaling pathway plays a crucial role in regulating neuronal migration and synapse function. Although many rare heterozygous variants in the Reelin gene (RELN) have been identified in patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), most variants are still of unknown clinical significance. Also, genetic data suggest that heterozygous variants in RELN alone appear to be insufficient to cause ASD. Here, we describe the identification and functional characterization of rare compound heterozygous missense variants in RELN in a patient with ASD in whom we have previously reported hyperfunctional mTORC1 signaling of yet unknown etiology. Using iPSC-derived neural progenitor cells (NPCs) from this patient, we provide experimental evidence that the identified variants are deleterious and lead to diminished Reelin secretion and impaired Reelin-DAB1 signal transduction. Also, our results suggest that mTORC1 pathway overactivation may function as a second hit event contributing to downregulation of the Reelin-DAB1 cascade in patient-derived NPCs, and that inhibition of mTORC1 by rapamycin attenuates Reelin-DAB1 signaling impairment. Taken together, our findings point to an abnormal interplay between Reelin-DAB1 and mTORC1 networks in nonsyndromic ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra M Sánchez-Sánchez
- Center for Experimental Research, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, Sao Paulo, Brazil.,Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Sao Paulo University, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Juliana Magdalon
- Center for Experimental Research, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Guilherme L Yamamoto
- Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Sao Paulo University, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Mariana Fogo
- Center for Experimental Research, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, Sao Paulo, Brazil.,Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Sao Paulo University, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Andrea L Sertié
- Center for Experimental Research, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, Sao Paulo, Brazil
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48
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Single-cell trajectory analysis of human homogenous neurons carrying a rare RELN variant. Transl Psychiatry 2018; 8:129. [PMID: 30022058 PMCID: PMC6052151 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-018-0177-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2018] [Accepted: 06/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Reelin is a protein encoded by the RELN gene that controls neuronal migration in the developing brain. Human genetic studies suggest that rare RELN variants confer susceptibility to mental disorders such as schizophrenia. However, it remains unknown what effects rare RELN variants have on human neuronal cells. To this end, the analysis of human neuronal dynamics at the single-cell level is necessary. In this study, we generated human-induced pluripotent stem cells carrying a rare RELN variant (RELN-del) using targeted genome editing; cells were further differentiated into highly homogeneous dopaminergic neurons. Our results indicated that RELN-del triggered an impaired reelin signal and decreased the expression levels of genes relevant for cell movement in human neurons. Single-cell trajectory analysis revealed that control neurons possessed directional migration even in vitro, while RELN-del neurons demonstrated a wandering type of migration. We further confirmed these phenotypes in neurons derived from a patient carrying the congenital RELN-del. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the biological significance of a rare RELN variant in human neurons based on individual neuron dynamics. Collectively, our approach should be useful for studying reelin function and evaluating mental disorder susceptibility, focusing on individual human neuronal migration.
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49
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Lochman I, Švachová V, Mílková Pavlíková K, Medřická H, Novák V, Trilecová L, Pavliska L, Procházka V. Serum Cytokine and Growth Factor Levels in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Med Sci Monit 2018; 24:2639-2646. [PMID: 29705814 PMCID: PMC5946742 DOI: 10.12659/msm.906817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The immune system may have a role in the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), including typical and atypical autism. The aim of this study was to determine whether a cytokine and growth factor panel could be identified for the diagnosis and prognosis in children with ASD, including typical and atypical autism. MATERIAL AND METHODS This study included 26 children with ASD (typical or atypical) and 11 of their siblings who did not have ASD. A panel of ten serum cytokines and growth factors were investigated using addressable laser bead assay (ALBIA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Results were correlated with scores using the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) for the children with ASD and compared with the findings from their siblings without ASD. RESULTS There were no statistically significant differences in serum cytokine and growth factor levels between children with ASD and their siblings. The scores using CARS and ADOS were significantly greater in children with typical autism compared with children with atypical autism as part of the ASD spectrum. Serum levels of cytokines and growth factors showed a positive correlation with CARS and ADOS scores but differed between children with typical and atypical autism and their siblings. CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study showed that serum measurement of appropriately selected panels of cytokines and growth factors might have a role in the diagnosis of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivo Lochman
- Department of Immunology and Serology, The SPADIA LAB Laboratory Plc., Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Veronika Švachová
- Department of Immunology and Serology, The SPADIA LAB Laboratory Plc., Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | | | - Hana Medřická
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, University Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Vilém Novák
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, University Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Lenka Trilecová
- Department of Immunology and Serology, The SPADIA LAB Laboratory Plc., Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Lubomír Pavliska
- Department of the Deputy Director for Science and Research, University Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Václav Procházka
- Department of the Deputy Director for Science and Research, University Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
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50
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Costa LG, Chang YC, Cole TB. Developmental Neurotoxicity of Traffic-Related Air Pollution: Focus on Autism. Curr Environ Health Rep 2017; 4:156-165. [PMID: 28417440 PMCID: PMC5952375 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-017-0135-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Epidemiological and animal studies suggest that air pollution may negatively affect the central nervous system (CNS) and contribute to CNS diseases. Traffic-related air pollution is a major contributor to global air pollution, and diesel exhaust (DE) is its most important component. RECENT FINDINGS Several studies suggest that young individuals may be particularly susceptible to air pollution-induced neurotoxicity and that perinatal exposure may cause or contribute to developmental disabilities and behavioral abnormalities. In particular, a number of recent studies have found associations between exposures to traffic-related air pollution and autism spectrum disorders (ASD), which are characterized by impairment in socialization and in communication and by the presence of repetitive and unusual behaviors. The cause(s) of ASD are unknown, and while it may have a hereditary component, environmental factors are increasingly suspected as playing a pivotal role in its etiology, particularly in genetically susceptible individuals. Autistic children present higher levels of neuroinflammation and systemic inflammation, which are also hallmarks of exposure to traffic-related air pollution. Gene-environment interactions may play a relevant role in determining individual susceptibility to air pollution developmental neurotoxicity. Given the worldwide presence of elevated air pollution, studies on its effects and mechanisms on the developing brain, genetic susceptibility, role in neurodevelopmental disorders, and possible therapeutic interventions are certainly warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucio G Costa
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Washington, 4225 Roosevelt, Suite No. 100, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
| | - Yu-Chi Chang
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Washington, 4225 Roosevelt, Suite No. 100, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA
| | - Toby B Cole
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Washington, 4225 Roosevelt, Suite No. 100, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA
- Center on Human Development and Disability, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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