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Luo J, Luo Y, Zhao M, Liu Y, Liu J, Du Z, Gong H, Wang L, Zhao J, Wang X, Gu Z, Zhao W, Liu T, Fan X. Fullerenols Ameliorate Social Deficiency and Rescue Cognitive Dysfunction of BTBR T +Itpr3 tf/J Autistic-Like Mice. Int J Nanomedicine 2024; 19:6035-6055. [PMID: 38911505 PMCID: PMC11192297 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s459511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects social interaction and communication and can cause stereotypic behavior. Fullerenols, a type of carbon nanomaterial known for its neuroprotective properties, have not yet been studied for their potential in treating ASD. We aimed to investigate its role in improving autistic behaviors in BTBR T+Itpr3tf/J (BTBR) mice and its underlying mechanism, which could provide reliable clues for future ASD treatments. Methods Our research involved treating C57BL/6J (C57) and BTBR mice with either 0.9% NaCl or fullerenols (10 mg/kg) daily for one week at seven weeks of age. We then conducted ASD-related behavioral tests in the eighth week and used RNA-seq to screen for vital pathways in the mouse hippocampus. Additionally, we used real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) to verify related pathway genes and evaluated the number of stem cells in the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) by Immunofluorescence staining. Results Our findings revealed that fullerenols treatment significantly improved the related ASD-like behaviors of BTBR mice, manifested by enhanced social ability and improved cognitive deficits. Immunofluorescence results showed that fullerenols treatment increased the number of DCX+ and SOX2+/GFAP+ cells in the DG region of BTBR mice, indicating an expanded neural progenitor cell (NPC) pool of BTBR mice. RNA-seq analysis of the mouse hippocampus showed that VEGFA was involved in the rescued hippocampal neurogenesis by fullerenols treatment. Conclusion In conclusion, our findings suggest that fullerenols treatment improves ASD-like behavior in BTBR mice by upregulating VEGFA, making nanoparticle- fullerenols a promising drug for ASD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Luo
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 401331, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yi Luo
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, People’s Republic of China
| | - Maoru Zhao
- Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety and CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, Institute of High Energy Physics and National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yulong Liu
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jiayin Liu
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhulin Du
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hong Gong
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lian Wang
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jinghui Zhao
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaqing Wang
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhanjun Gu
- Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety and CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, Institute of High Energy Physics and National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wenhui Zhao
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 401331, People’s Republic of China
| | - Tianyao Liu
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaotang Fan
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, People’s Republic of China
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Menteşe Babayiğit T, Gümüş-Akay G, Uytun MÇ, Doğan Ö, Serdar MA, Efendi GY, Erman AG, Yürümez E, Öztop DB. Investigation of Liver X Receptor Gene Variants and Oxysterol Dysregulation in Autism Spectrum Disorder. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 11:551. [PMID: 38790546 PMCID: PMC11120122 DOI: 10.3390/children11050551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
The NR1H2 gene produces the Liver X Receptor Beta (LXRB) protein, which is crucial for brain cholesterol metabolism and neuronal development. However, its involvement in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) remains largely unexplored, aside from animal studies. This study is the first to explore the potential link between autism and rs2695121/rs17373080 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the regulatory regions of NR1H2, known for their association with neuropsychiatric functions. Additionally, we assessed levels of oxysterols (24-Hydroxycholesterol, 25-Hydroxycholesterol, 27-Hydroxycholesterol), crucial ligands of LXR, and lipid profiles. Our cohort comprised 107 children with ASD and 103 healthy children aged 2-18 years. Clinical assessment tools included the Childhood Autism Rating Scale, Autistic Behavior Checklist, and Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised. Genotyping for SNPs was conducted using PCR-RFLP. Lipid profiles were analyzed with Beckman Coulter kits, while oxysterol levels were determined through liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Significantly higher total cholesterol (p = 0.003), LDL (p = 0.008), and triglyceride (p < 0.001) levels were observed in the ASD group. 27-Hydroxycholesterol levels were markedly lower in the ASD group (p ≤ 0.001). ROC analysis indicated the potential of 27-Hydroxycholesterol to discriminate ASD diagnosis. The SNP genotype and allele frequencies were similar in both groups (p > 0.05). Our findings suggest that disturbances in oxysterol metabolism, previously linked to neurodegeneration, may constitute a risk factor for ASD and contribute to its heterogeneous phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuğba Menteşe Babayiğit
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Aksaray University School of Medicine Training and Research Hospital, Aksaray 68100, Turkey
| | - Güvem Gümüş-Akay
- Department of Physiology, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara 06100, Turkey;
- Brain Research Center (AUBAUM), Ankara University, Ankara 06340, Turkey
- Neuroscience and Neurotechnology Center of Excellence (NÖROM), Ankara University, Ankara 06560, Turkey
| | - Merve Çikili Uytun
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara 06100, Turkey; (M.Ç.U.); (E.Y.); (D.B.Ö.)
| | - Özlem Doğan
- Department of Biochemistry, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara 06100, Turkey;
| | - Muhittin A. Serdar
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Acıbadem University School of Medicine, Ankara 06460, Turkey;
| | - Gökçe Yağmur Efendi
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Kocaeli University School of Medicine, Kocaeli 41001, Turkey;
| | - Ayşe Gökçe Erman
- Department of Basic Biotechnology, Ankara University Institute of Biotechnology, Ankara 06135, Turkey;
| | - Esra Yürümez
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara 06100, Turkey; (M.Ç.U.); (E.Y.); (D.B.Ö.)
| | - Didem Behice Öztop
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara 06100, Turkey; (M.Ç.U.); (E.Y.); (D.B.Ö.)
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Jiang P, Zhou L, Zhao L, Fei X, Wang Z, Liu T, Tang Y, Li D, Gong H, Luo Y, Li S, Yang H, Liao H, Fan X. Puerarin attenuates valproate-induced features of ASD in male mice via regulating Slc7a11-dependent ferroptosis. Neuropsychopharmacology 2024; 49:497-507. [PMID: 37491673 PMCID: PMC10789763 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-023-01659-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complicated, neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social deficits and stereotyped behaviors. Accumulating evidence suggests that ferroptosis is involved in the development of ASD, but the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Puerarin has an anti-ferroptosis function. Here, we found that the administration of puerarin from P12 to P15 ameliorated the autism-associated behaviors in the VPA-exposed male mouse model of autism by inhibiting ferroptosis in neural stem cells of the hippocampus. We highlight the role of ferroptosis in the hippocampus neurogenesis and confirm that puerarin treatment inhibited iron overload, lipid peroxidation accumulation, and mitochondrial dysfunction, as well as enhanced the expression of ferroptosis inhibitory proteins, including Nrf2, GPX4, Slc7a11, and FTH1 in the hippocampus of VPA mouse model of autism. In addition, we confirmed that inhibition of xCT/Slc7a11-mediated ferroptosis occurring in the hippocampus is closely related to puerarin-exerted therapeutic effects. In conclusion, our study suggests that puerarin targets core symptoms and hippocampal neurogenesis reduction through ferroptosis inhibition, which might be a potential drug for autism intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peiyan Jiang
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Army Medical University, 400038, Chongqing, China
- The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Lianyu Zhou
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Army Medical University, 400038, Chongqing, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, 400037, Chongqing, China
| | - Linyang Zhao
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Army Medical University, 400038, Chongqing, China
| | - Xinghang Fei
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Army Medical University, 400038, Chongqing, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, 400037, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhifei Wang
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Army Medical University, 400038, Chongqing, China
| | - Tianyao Liu
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Army Medical University, 400038, Chongqing, China
| | - Yexi Tang
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Army Medical University, 400038, Chongqing, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, 400037, Chongqing, China
| | - Dabing Li
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Hong Gong
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Army Medical University, 400038, Chongqing, China
| | - Yi Luo
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Army Medical University, 400038, Chongqing, China
| | - Song Li
- The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
- Chongqing Institute for Brain and Intelligence, Guangyang Bay Laboratory, Chongqing, China
| | - Hui Yang
- The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
- Chongqing Institute for Brain and Intelligence, Guangyang Bay Laboratory, Chongqing, China
| | - Huiling Liao
- The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China.
| | - Xiaotang Fan
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Army Medical University, 400038, Chongqing, China.
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4
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Luo Y, Lv K, Du Z, Zhang D, Chen M, Luo J, Wang L, Liu T, Gong H, Fan X. Minocycline improves autism-related behaviors by modulating microglia polarization in a mouse model of autism. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 122:110594. [PMID: 37441807 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110594] [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] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder with few pharmacological treatments. Minocycline, a tetracycline derivative that inhibits microglial activation, has been well-identified with anti-inflammatory properties and neuroprotective effects. A growing body of research suggests that ASD is associated with neuroinflammation, abnormal neurotransmitter levels, and neurogenesis. Thus, we hypothesized that minocycline could improve autism-related behaviors by inhibiting microglia activation and altering neuroinflammation. To verify our hypothesis, we used a mouse model of autism, BTBR T + Itpr3tf/J (BTBR). As expected, minocycline administration rescued the sociability and repetitive, stereotyped behaviors of BTBR mice while having no effect in C57BL/6J mice. We also found that minocycline improved neurogenesis and inhibited microglia activation in the hippocampus of BTBR mice. In addition, minocycline treatment inhibited Erk1/2 phosphorylation in the hippocampus of BTBR mice. Our findings show that minocycline administration alleviates ASD-like behaviors in BTBR mice and improves neurogenesis, suggesting that minocycline supplementation might be a potential strategy for improving ASD symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Luo
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Keyi Lv
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Zhulin Du
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China; School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, China
| | - Dandan Zhang
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Mei Chen
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Jing Luo
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Lian Wang
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Tianyao Liu
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Hong Gong
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China.
| | - Xiaotang Fan
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China.
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5
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Matthiesen M, Khlaifia A, Steininger CFD, Dadabhoy M, Mumtaz U, Arruda-Carvalho M. Maturation of nucleus accumbens synaptic transmission signals a critical period for the rescue of social deficits in a mouse model of autism spectrum disorder. Mol Brain 2023; 16:46. [PMID: 37226266 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-023-01028-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Social behavior emerges early in development, a time marked by the onset of neurodevelopmental disorders featuring social deficits, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Although social deficits are at the core of the clinical diagnosis of ASD, very little is known about their neural correlates at the time of clinical onset. The nucleus accumbens (NAc), a brain region extensively implicated in social behavior, undergoes synaptic, cellular and molecular alterations in early life, and is particularly affected in ASD mouse models. To explore a link between the maturation of the NAc and neurodevelopmental deficits in social behavior, we compared spontaneous synaptic transmission in NAc shell medium spiny neurons (MSNs) between the highly social C57BL/6J and the idiopathic ASD mouse model BTBR T+Itpr3tf/J at postnatal day (P) 4, P6, P8, P12, P15, P21 and P30. BTBR NAc MSNs display increased spontaneous excitatory transmission during the first postnatal week, and increased inhibition across the first, second and fourth postnatal weeks, suggesting accelerated maturation of excitatory and inhibitory synaptic inputs compared to C57BL/6J mice. BTBR mice also show increased optically evoked medial prefrontal cortex-NAc paired pulse ratios at P15 and P30. These early changes in synaptic transmission are consistent with a potential critical period, which could maximize the efficacy of rescue interventions. To test this, we treated BTBR mice in either early life (P4-P8) or adulthood (P60-P64) with the mTORC1 antagonist rapamycin, a well-established intervention for ASD-like behavior. Rapamycin treatment rescued social interaction deficits in BTBR mice when injected in infancy, but did not affect social interaction in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melina Matthiesen
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON, M1C1A4, Canada
| | - Abdessattar Khlaifia
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON, M1C1A4, Canada
| | | | - Maryam Dadabhoy
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON, M1C1A4, Canada
| | - Unza Mumtaz
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON, M1C1A4, Canada
| | - Maithe Arruda-Carvalho
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON, M1C1A4, Canada.
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S3G5, Canada.
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Meng G, Tang W, Huang E, Li Z, Feng H. A comprehensive assessment of cell type-specific differential expression methods in bulk data. Brief Bioinform 2023; 24:bbac516. [PMID: 36472568 PMCID: PMC9851321 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbac516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Accounting for cell type compositions has been very successful at analyzing high-throughput data from heterogeneous tissues. Differential gene expression analysis at cell type level is becoming increasingly popular, yielding biomarker discovery in a finer granularity within a particular cell type. Although several computational methods have been developed to identify cell type-specific differentially expressed genes (csDEG) from RNA-seq data, a systematic evaluation is yet to be performed. Here, we thoroughly benchmark six recently published methods: CellDMC, CARseq, TOAST, LRCDE, CeDAR and TCA, together with two classical methods, csSAM and DESeq2, for a comprehensive comparison. We aim to systematically evaluate the performance of popular csDEG detection methods and provide guidance to researchers. In simulation studies, we benchmark available methods under various scenarios of baseline expression levels, sample sizes, cell type compositions, expression level alterations, technical noises and biological dispersions. Real data analyses of three large datasets on inflammatory bowel disease, lung cancer and autism provide evaluation in both the gene level and the pathway level. We find that csDEG calling is strongly affected by effect size, baseline expression level and cell type compositions. Results imply that csDEG discovery is a challenging task itself, with room to improvements on handling low signal-to-noise ratio and low expression genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanqun Meng
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, 44106, Ohio, USA
| | - Wen Tang
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, 44106, Ohio, USA
| | - Emina Huang
- Department of Surgery, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, 75390, Texas, USA
| | - Ziyi Li
- Department of Biostatistics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, 77030, Texas, USA
| | - Hao Feng
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, 44106, Ohio, USA
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Gao T, Qian T, Wang T, Su Y, Qiu H, Tang W, Xing Q, Wang L. T0901317, a liver X receptor agonist, ameliorates perinatal white matter injury induced by ischemia and hypoxia in neonatal rats. Neurosci Lett 2023; 793:136994. [PMID: 36460235 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2022.136994] [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: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Perinatal white matter injury (PWMI) can lead to permanent neurological damage in preterm infants and bring a huge economic burden to their families and society. Liver X receptors (LXRs) are transcription factors that have been confirmed to mediate the myelination process under physiological conditions and are involved in regulating neurogenesis in adult animal models of acute and chronic cerebral ischemia. However, the role of LXRs in PWMI induced by both ischemic and hypoxic stimulation in the immature brain has not been reported. Herein, we investigated the role of LXRs in a neonatal rat model of white matter loss after hypoxia-ischemia (HI) injury through intraperitoneal injection of the LXR agonist T0901317 (T09) 1 day before and 15 min postinjury. The in vivo data showed that T09 treatment significantly facilitated myelination and ameliorated neurological behavior after PWMI. Moreover, T09 enhanced the proliferation of oligodendrocyte lineage cells and reduced microgliosis and astrogliosis in the microenvironment for oligodendrocytes (OLs), maintaining a healthy microenvironment for myelinating OLs. In vitro data suggested that the expression of the myelin-related genes Plp and Cnpase was increased in OLN-93 cells after T09 intervention compared with OLN-93 cells injured by oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD). In primary mixed astrocytes/microglia cells, T09 also reduced the expression of Il6, Cox2, Tnfa and Il10 that was induced by OGD. Mechanistically, the mRNA expression level and the protein level of ATP binding cassette subfamily A member 1 (Abca1) decreased after HI injury, and the protective effect of T09 might be related to the activation of the LXRβ-ABCA1 signaling pathway. Our study revealed the protective role of LXRs in myelination and white matter homeostasis, providing a potential therapeutic option for PWMI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Gao
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases, Department of Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 201102, China; Department of Neonatology, National Children's Medical Center, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Tianyang Qian
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases, Department of Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Tianwei Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine Affiliated Renji Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Su
- Department of Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Han Qiu
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases, Department of Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Wan Tang
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases, Department of Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Qinghe Xing
- Department of Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Laishuan Wang
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases, Department of Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 201102, China; Department of Neonatology, National Children's Medical Center, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 201102, China.
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8
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Liu C, Liu J, Gong H, Liu T, Li X, Fan X. Implication of Hippocampal Neurogenesis in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Implications. Curr Neuropharmacol 2023; 21:2266-2282. [PMID: 36545727 PMCID: PMC10556385 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x21666221220155455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 11/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a cluster of heterogeneous neurodevelopmental conditions with atypical social communication and repetitive sensory-motor behaviors. The formation of new neurons from neural precursors in the hippocampus has been unequivocally demonstrated in the dentate gyrus of rodents and non-human primates. Accumulating evidence sheds light on how the deficits in the hippocampal neurogenesis may underlie some of the abnormal behavioral phenotypes in ASD. In this review, we describe the current evidence concerning pre-clinical and clinical studies supporting the significant role of hippocampal neurogenesis in ASD pathogenesis, discuss the possibility of improving hippocampal neurogenesis as a new strategy for treating ASD, and highlight the prospect of emerging pro-neurogenic therapies for ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuanqi Liu
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Battalion 5 of Cadet Brigade, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Jiayin Liu
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Battalion 5 of Cadet Brigade, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Hong Gong
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Tianyao Liu
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Xin Li
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Army 953 Hospital, Shigatse Branch of Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Shigatse, China
| | - Xiaotang Fan
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
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9
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Gioia R, Seri T, Diamanti T, Fimmanò S, Vitale M, Ahlenius H, Kokaia Z, Tirone F, Micheli L, Biagioni S, Lupo G, Rinaldi A, De Jaco A, Cacci E. Adult hippocampal neurogenesis and social behavioural deficits in the R451C Neuroligin3 mouse model of autism are reverted by the antidepressant fluoxetine. J Neurochem 2022; 165:318-333. [PMID: 36583243 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Neuron generation persists throughout life in the hippocampus but is altered in animal models of neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases, suggesting that disease-associated decline in cognitive and emotional hippocampal-dependent behaviours might be functionally linked with dysregulation of postnatal neurogenesis. Depletion of the adult neural stem/progenitor cell (NSPCs) pool and neurogenic decline have been recently described in mice expressing synaptic susceptibility genes associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASDs). To gain further insight into mechanisms regulating neurogenesis in mice carrying mutations in synaptic genes related to monogenic ASDs, we used the R451C Neuroligin3 knock-in (Nlgn3 KI) mouse, which is characterized by structural brain abnormalities, deficits in synaptic functions and reduced sociability. We show that the number of adult-born neurons, but not the size of the NSPC pool, was reduced in the ventral dentate gyrus in knock-in mice. Notably, this neurogenic decline was rescued by daily injecting mice with 10 mg/Kg of the antidepressant fluoxetine for 20 consecutive days. Sustained treatment also improved KI mice's sociability and increased the number of c-Fos active adult-born neurons, compared with vehicle-injected KI mice. Our study uncovers neurogenesis-mediated alterations in the brain of R451C KI mouse, showing that the R451C Nlgn3 mutation leads to lasting, albeit pharmacologically reversible, changes in the brain, affecting neuron formation in the adult hippocampus. Our results suggest that fluoxetine can ameliorate social behaviour in KI mice, at least in part, by rescuing adult hippocampal neurogenesis, which may be relevant for the pharmacological treatment of ASDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Gioia
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", Sapienza, University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Tommaso Seri
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", Sapienza, University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- PhD program in Behavioral Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Tamara Diamanti
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", Sapienza, University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefania Fimmanò
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", Sapienza, University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Marina Vitale
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", Sapienza, University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Henrik Ahlenius
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Neurology, Stem Cells, Aging and Neurodegeneration, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund, Sweden
| | - Zaal Kokaia
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Felice Tirone
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Micheli
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Biagioni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", Sapienza, University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Lupo
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", Sapienza, University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Arianna Rinaldi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", Sapienza, University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Centre for Research in Neurobiology "D. Bovet", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella De Jaco
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", Sapienza, University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Centre for Research in Neurobiology "D. Bovet", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Emanuele Cacci
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", Sapienza, University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Centre for Research in Neurobiology "D. Bovet", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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10
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Zang Z, Yin H, Du Z, Xie R, Yang L, Cai Y, Wang L, Zhang D, Li X, Liu T, Gong H, Gao J, Yang H, Warner M, Gustafsson JA, Xu H, Fan X. Valproic acid exposure decreases neurogenic potential of outer radial glia in human brain organoids. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:1023765. [PMID: 36523605 PMCID: PMC9744776 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.1023765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Valproic acid (VPA) exposure during pregnancy leads to a higher risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) susceptibility in offspring. Human dorsal forebrain organoids were used to recapitulate course of cortical neurogenesis in the developing human brain. Combining morphological characterization with massive parallel RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) on organoids to analyze the pathogenic effects caused by VPA exposure and critical signaling pathway. We found that VPA exposure in organoids caused a reduction in the size and impairment in the proliferation and expansion of neural progenitor cells (NPCs) in a dose-dependent manner. VPA exposure typically decreased the production of outer radial glia-like cells (oRGs), a subtype of NPCs contributing to mammalian neocortical expansion and delayed their fate toward upper-layer neurons. Transcriptomics analysis revealed that VPA exposure influenced ASD risk gene expression in organoids, which markedly overlapped with irregulated genes in brains or organoids originating from ASD patients. We also identified that VPA-mediated Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway activation is essential for sustaining cortical neurogenesis and oRGs output. Taken together, our study establishes the use of dorsal forebrain organoids as an effective platform for modeling VPA-induced teratogenic pathways involved in the cortical neurogenesis and oRGs output, which might contribute to ASD pathogenesis in the developing brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenle Zang
- Department of Developmental Neuropsychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Huachun Yin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Zhulin Du
- Department of Developmental Neuropsychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Ruxin Xie
- Department of Developmental Neuropsychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Ling Yang
- Department of Developmental Neuropsychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Yun Cai
- Department of Developmental Neuropsychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Liuyongwei Wang
- Department of Developmental Neuropsychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Dandan Zhang
- Department of Developmental Neuropsychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Xin Li
- Department of Developmental Neuropsychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Tianyao Liu
- Department of Developmental Neuropsychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Hong Gong
- Department of Developmental Neuropsychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Junwei Gao
- Department of Developmental Neuropsychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Hui Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Margaret Warner
- Center for Nuclear Receptors and Cell Signaling, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Jan-Ake Gustafsson
- Center for Nuclear Receptors and Cell Signaling, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Haiwei Xu
- Southwest Hospital and Southwest Eye Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaotang Fan
- Department of Developmental Neuropsychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
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11
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Deshwal S, Baidya AT, Kumar R, Sandhir R. Structure-based virtual screening for identification of potential non-steroidal LXR modulators against neurodegenerative conditions. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2022; 223:106150. [PMID: 35787453 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2022.106150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Liver X Receptors (LXRs) are members of the nuclear receptor superfamily that regulate cholesterol metabolism. LXRs have been suggested as promising targets against many neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs). The present study was aimed to identify novel non-steroidal molecules that may potentially modulate LXR activity. The structure-based virtual screening (SBVS) was used to search for suitable compounds from the Asinex library. The top hits were selected and filtered based on their binding affinity for LXR α and β isoforms. Based on molecular docking and scoring results, 24 compounds were selected that had binding energy in the range of - 13.9 to - 12 for LXRα and - 12.5 to - 11 for LXRβ, which were higher than the reference ligands (GW3965 and TO901317). Further, the five hits referred to as model 29, 64, 202, 250, 313 were selected by virtue of their binding interactions with amino acid residues at the active site of LXRs. The selected hits were then subjected to absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) analysis and blood-brain permeability prediction. It was observed that the selected hits had better pharmacokinetic properties with no toxicity and could cross blood-brain barrier. Further, the selected hits were analysed for dynamic evolution of the system with LXRs by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation at 100 ns using GROMACS. The MD simulation results validated that selected hits possess a remarkable amount of flexibility, stability, compactness, binding energy and exhibited limited conformational modification. The root mean square deviation (RMSD) values of the top-scoring hits complexed with LXRα and LXRβ were 0.05-0.6 nm and 0.05-0.45 nm respectively, which is greater than the protein itself. Altogether the study identified potential non-steroidal LXR modulators that appear to be effective against various neurodegenerative conditions involving perturbed cholesterol and lipid homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonam Deshwal
- Department of Biochemistry, Basic Medical Sciences, Block-II, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India
| | - Anurag Tk Baidya
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering & Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi 221005, UP, India
| | - Rajnish Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering & Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi 221005, UP, India
| | - Rajat Sandhir
- Department of Biochemistry, Basic Medical Sciences, Block-II, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India.
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12
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Liu J, Liu C, Gao Z, Zhou L, Gao J, Luo Y, Liu T, Fan X. GW4064 Alters Gut Microbiota Composition and Counteracts Autism-Associated Behaviors in BTBR T+tf/J Mice. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:911259. [PMID: 35811667 PMCID: PMC9257030 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.911259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is considered a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by significant social, communication, and behavioral impairments. The gut microbiota is increasingly considered a promising therapeutic target in ASD. Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) has recently been shown to modulate the gut microbiota. We hypothesized that FXR agonist GW4064 could ameliorate behavioral deficits in an animal model for autism: BTBR T+Itpr3tf/J (BTBR) mouse. As expected, administration of GW4064 rescued the sociability of BTBR mice in the three-chamber sociability test and male-female social reciprocal interaction test, while no effects were observed in C57BL/6J mice. We also found that GW4064 administration increased fecal microbial abundance and counteracted the common ASD phenotype of a high Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio in BTBR mice. In addition, GW4064 administration reversed elevated Lactobacillus and decreased Allobaculum content in the fecal matter of BTBR animals. Our findings show that GW4064 administration alleviates social deficits in BTBR mice and modulates selective aspects of the composition of the gut microbiota, suggesting that GW4064 supplementation might prove a potential strategy for improving ASD symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayin Liu
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Battalion 5 of Cadet Brigade, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Chuanqi Liu
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Battalion 5 of Cadet Brigade, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Zhanyuan Gao
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Battalion 5 of Cadet Brigade, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Lianyu Zhou
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Battalion 5 of Cadet Brigade, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Junwei Gao
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Yi Luo
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Tianyao Liu
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- *Correspondence: Tianyao Liu, ; Xiaotang Fan,
| | - Xiaotang Fan
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- *Correspondence: Tianyao Liu, ; Xiaotang Fan,
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13
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Griffett K, Hayes M, Bedia-Diaz G, Appourchaux K, Sanders R, Boeckman MP, Koelblen T, Zhang J, Schulman IG, Elgendy B, Burris TP. Antihyperlipidemic Activity of Gut-Restricted LXR Inverse Agonists. ACS Chem Biol 2022; 17:1143-1154. [PMID: 35417135 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.2c00057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Hyperlipidemia and increased circulating cholesterol levels are associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk. The liver X receptors (LXRs) are regulators of de novo lipogenesis and cholesterol transport and have been validated as potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of atherosclerosis. However, efforts to develop LXR agonists to reduce cardiovascular diseases have failed due to poor clinical outcomes-associated increased hepatic lipogenesis and elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (C). Here, we report that LXR inverse agonists are effective in lowering plasma LDL cholesterol and triglycerides in several models of hyperlipidemia, including the Ldlr null mouse model of atherosclerosis. Mechanistic studies demonstrate that LXR directly regulates the expression of Soat2 enzyme in the intestine, which is directly responsible for the re-uptake or excretion of circulating lipids. Oral administration of a gut-specific LXR inverse agonist leads to reduction of Soat2 expression in the intestine and effectively lowers circulating LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels without modulating LXR target genes in the periphery. In summary, our studies highlight the therapeutic potential of the gut-restricted molecules to treat hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis through the intestinal LXR-Soat2 axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristine Griffett
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn, Alabama 36849, United States
| | - Matthew Hayes
- University of Florida Genetics Institute, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
| | - Gonzalo Bedia-Diaz
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, Washington University School of Medicine and St. Louis College of Pharmacy, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
| | - Kevin Appourchaux
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, Washington University School of Medicine and St. Louis College of Pharmacy, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
| | - Ryan Sanders
- University of Florida Genetics Institute, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
| | - Michael P. Boeckman
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, Washington University School of Medicine and St. Louis College of Pharmacy, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
| | - Thomas Koelblen
- University of Florida Genetics Institute, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
| | - Jinsong Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology & Physiology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63104, United States
| | - Ira G. Schulman
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia 22903, United States
| | - Bahaa Elgendy
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, Washington University School of Medicine and St. Louis College of Pharmacy, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
| | - Thomas P. Burris
- University of Florida Genetics Institute, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
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14
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Liu J, Gao Z, Liu C, Liu T, Gao J, Cai Y, Fan X. Alteration of Gut Microbiota: New Strategy for Treating Autism Spectrum Disorder. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:792490. [PMID: 35309933 PMCID: PMC8929512 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.792490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is defined as a complex heterogeneous disorder and characterized by stereotyped behavior and deficits in communication and social interactions. The emerging microbial knowledge has pointed to a potential link between gut microbiota dysbiosis and ASD. Evidence from animal and human studies showed that shifts in composition and activity of the gut microbiota may causally contribute to the etiopathogenesis of core symptoms in the ASD individuals with gastrointestinal tract disturbances and act on microbiota-gut-brain. In this review, we summarized the characterized gut bacterial composition of ASD and the involvement of gut microbiota and their metabolites in the onset and progression of ASD; the possible underlying mechanisms are also highlighted. Given this correlation, we also provide an overview of the microbial-based therapeutic interventions such as probiotics, antibiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation therapy, and dietary interventions and address their potential benefits on behavioral symptoms of ASD. The precise contribution of altering gut microbiome to treating core symptoms in the ASD needs to be further clarified. It seemed to open up promising avenues to develop microbial-based therapies in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayin Liu
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Battalion 5th of Cadet Brigade, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhanyuan Gao
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Battalion 5th of Cadet Brigade, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chuanqi Liu
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Battalion 5th of Cadet Brigade, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Tianyao Liu
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Junwei Gao
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Yun Cai
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- *Correspondence: Yun Cai, ; Xiaotang Fan,
| | - Xiaotang Fan
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- *Correspondence: Yun Cai, ; Xiaotang Fan,
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15
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Behavioral, Anti-Inflammatory, and Neuroprotective Effects of a Novel FPR2 Agonist in Two Mouse Models of Autism. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15020161. [PMID: 35215274 PMCID: PMC8875614 DOI: 10.3390/ph15020161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a group of heterogeneous neurodevelopmental conditions characterized by social deficits, repetitive stereotyped behaviors, and altered inflammatory responses. Accordingly, children with ASD show decreased plasma levels of lipoxin A4 (LXA4), a mediator involved in the resolution of inflammation, which is the endogenous ligand of the formyl peptide receptor 2 (FPR2). To investigate the role of FPR2 in ASDs, we have used a new ureidopropanamide derivative able to activate the receptor, named MR-39. The effects of MR-39 (10 mg/kg, for 8 days) on hippocampal pro-inflammatory profile, neuronal plasticity, and social behavior were evaluated in two validated animal models of ASD: BTBR mouse strain and mice prenatally exposed to valproic acid (VPA). Primary cultures of hippocampal neurons from BTBR mice were also used to evaluate the effect of MR-39 on neurite elongation. Our results show that MR-39 treatment reduced several inflammatory markers, restored the low expression of LXA4, and modulated FPR2 expression in hippocampal tissues of both ASD animal models. These findings were accompanied by a significant positive effect of MR-39 on social behavioral tests of ASD mice. Finally, MR-39 stimulates neurite elongation in isolated hippocampal neurons of BTBR mice. In conclusion, these data indicate FPR2 as a potential target for an innovative therapeutical approach for the cure of ASD.
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16
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Chiang MC, Nicol CJB, Chen SJ, Huang RN. TO901317 activation of LXR-dependent pathways mitigate amyloid-beta peptide-induced neurotoxicity in 3D human neural stem cell culture scaffolds and AD mice. Brain Res Bull 2021; 178:57-68. [PMID: 34801648 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2021.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the major cause of neurodegeneration worldwide and is characterized by the accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ) in the brain, which is associated with neuronal loss and cognitive impairment. Liver X receptor (LXR), a critical nuclear receptor, and major regulator in lipid metabolism and inflammation, is suggested to play a protective role against the mitochondrial dysfunction noted in AD. In our study, our established 3D gelatin scaffold model and a well characterized in vivo (APP/PS1) murine model of AD were used to directly investigate the molecular, biochemical and behavioral effects of neuronal stem cell exposure to Aβ to improve understanding of the in vivo etiology of AD. Herein, human neural stem cells (hNSCs) in our 3D model were exposed to Aβ, and had significantly decreased cell viability, which correlated with decreased mRNA and protein expression of LXR, Bcl-2, CREB, PGC1α, NRF-1, and Tfam, and increased caspase 3 and 9 activities. Cotreatment with a synthetic agonist of LXR (TO901317) significantly abrogated these Aβ-mediated effects in hNSCs. Moreover, TO901317 cotreatment both significantly rescues hNSCs from Aβ-mediated decreases in ATP levels and mitochondrial mass, and significantly restores Aβ-induced fragmented mitochondria to almost normal morphology. TO901317 cotreatment also decreases tau aggregates in Aβ-treated hNSCs. Importantly, TO901317 treatment significantly alleviates the impairment of memory, decreases Aβ aggregates and increases proteasome activity in APP/PS1 mice; whereas, these effects were blocked by cotreatment with an LXR antagonist (GSK2033). Together, these novel results improve our mechanistic understanding of the central role of LXR in Aβ-mediated hNSC dysfunction. We also provide preclinical data unveiling the protective effects of using an LXR-dependent agonist, TO901317, to block the toxicity observed in Aβ-exposed hNSCs, which may guide future treatment strategies to slow or prevent neurodegeneration in some AD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Chang Chiang
- Department of Life Science, College of Science and Engineering, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242, Taiwan.
| | - Christopher J B Nicol
- Departments of Pathology & Molecular Medicine and Biomedical & Molecular Sciences, and Cancer Biology and Genetics Division, Cancer Research Institute, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Shiang-Jiuun Chen
- Department of Life Science and Institute of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, College of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
| | - Rong-Nan Huang
- Department of Entomology and Research Center for Plant-Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
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17
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Bicker F, Nardi L, Maier J, Vasic V, Schmeisser MJ. Criss-crossing autism spectrum disorder and adult neurogenesis. J Neurochem 2021; 159:452-478. [PMID: 34478569 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) comprises a group of multifactorial neurodevelopmental disorders primarily characterized by deficits in social interaction and repetitive behavior. Although the onset is typically in early childhood, ASD poses a lifelong challenge for both patients and caretakers. Adult neurogenesis (AN) is the process by which new functional neurons are created from neural stem cells existing in the post-natal brain. The entire event is based on a sequence of cellular processes, such as proliferation, specification of cell fate, maturation, and ultimately, synaptic integration into the existing neural circuits. Hence, AN is implicated in structural and functional brain plasticity throughout life. Accumulating evidence shows that impaired AN may underlie some of the abnormal behavioral phenotypes seen in ASD. In this review, we approach the interconnections between the molecular pathways related to AN and ASD. We also discuss existing therapeutic approaches targeting such pathways both in preclinical and clinical studies. A deeper understanding of how ASD and AN reciprocally affect one another could reveal important converging pathways leading to the emergence of psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Bicker
- Institute for Microscopic Anatomy and Neurobiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Leonardo Nardi
- Institute for Microscopic Anatomy and Neurobiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Jannik Maier
- Institute for Microscopic Anatomy and Neurobiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Verica Vasic
- Institute for Microscopic Anatomy and Neurobiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Michael J Schmeisser
- Institute for Microscopic Anatomy and Neurobiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany.,Focus Program Translational Neurosciences (FTN), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
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18
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Yabuki Y, Matsuo K, Yu M, Xu J, Sakimura K, Shioda N, Fukunaga K. Cav3.1 t-type calcium channel is critical for cell proliferation and survival in newly generated cells of the adult hippocampus. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2021; 232:e13613. [PMID: 33393208 DOI: 10.1111/apha.13613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Adult hippocampal neurogenesis plays an important role in neuronal plasticity and maintenance in mammals. Low-threshold voltage-gated T-type calcium channels produce calcium spikes that increase fast action potentials in newborn cells in the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG); however, their role in adult hippocampal neurogenesis remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate impaired adult hippocampal neurogenesis in Cav3.1T-type calcium channel knockout mice. METHODS AND RESULTS Cav3.1T-type calcium channel was predominantly localized in neuronal progenitor cells of the mouse hippocampal DG. By counting the number of 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine-labeled cells, decreased proliferation and survival of newly generated cells were observed in the adult hippocampal DG in Cav3.1 knockout mice as compared to wild-type (WT) mice. Moreover, the degree of maturation of doublecortin-positive cells in Cav3.1 knockout mice was lower than that in WT mice, suggesting that Cav3.1 deletion may impair neuronal differentiation. Consistent with impaired hippocampal neurogenesis, Cav3.1 knockout mice showed decreased social interaction. Reduced phosphorylation levels of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II and protein kinase B were closely associated with impaired hippocampal neurogenesis in Cav3.1 knockout mice. Moreover, the mRNA and protein expression levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, important for neurogenesis, were significantly decreased in Cav3.1 knockout mice. Finally, gene ontology analysis revealed alterations in genes related to the promotion of cell death/apoptosis and suppression of cell proliferation/neuronal differentiation pathways, including Bdnf. CONCLUSION These results suggest that the Cav3.1T-type calcium channel may be a key molecule required for cell proliferation, survival and neuronal differentiation in newly generated cells of the adult mouse hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasushi Yabuki
- Department of Genomic Neurology Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics Kumamoto University Kumamoto Japan
| | - Kazuya Matsuo
- Department of Pharmacology Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Tohoku University Sendai Japan
| | - Mengze Yu
- Department of Pharmacology Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Tohoku University Sendai Japan
| | - Jing Xu
- Department of Pharmacology Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Tohoku University Sendai Japan
| | - Kenji Sakimura
- Department of Cellular Neurobiology Brain Research InstituteNiigata University Niigata Japan
| | - Norifumi Shioda
- Department of Genomic Neurology Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics Kumamoto University Kumamoto Japan
| | - Kohji Fukunaga
- Department of Pharmacology Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Tohoku University Sendai Japan
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19
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Emerging mechanisms of valproic acid-induced neurotoxic events in autism and its implications for pharmacological treatment. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 137:111322. [PMID: 33761592 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a sort of mental disorder marked by deficits in cognitive and communication abilities. To date no effective cure for this pernicious disease has been available. Valproic acid (VPA) is a broad-spectrum, antiepileptic drug, and it is also a potent teratogen. Epidemiological studies have shown that children exposed to VPA are at higher risk for ASD during the first trimester of their gestational development. Several animal and human studies have demonstrated important behavioral impairments and morphological changes in the brain following VPA treatment. However, the mechanism of VPA exposure-induced ASD remains unclear. Several factors are involved in the pathological phase of ASD, including aberrant excitation/inhibition of synaptic transmission, neuroinflammation, diminished neurogenesis, oxidative stress, etc. In this review, we aim to outline the current knowledge of the critical pathophysiological mechanisms underlying VPA exposure-induced ASD. This review will give insight toward understanding the complex nature of VPA-induced neuronal toxicity and exploring a new path toward the development of novel pharmacological treatment against ASD.
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Zhong H, Xiao R, Ruan R, Liu H, Li X, Cai Y, Zhao J, Fan X. Neonatal curcumin treatment restores hippocampal neurogenesis and improves autism-related behaviors in a mouse model of autism. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2020; 237:3539-3552. [PMID: 32803366 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-020-05634-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are highly prevalent neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by deficits in social communication and interaction, repetitive stereotyped behaviors, and cognitive impairments. Curcumin has been indicated to be neuroprotective against neurological and psychological disorders. However, the role of curcumin in autistic phenotypes remains unclear. OBJECTIVES In the current study, we evaluated the effects of neonatal curcumin treatment on behavior and hippocampal neurogenesis in BTBRT+ltpr3tf/J (BTBR) mice, a model of autism. METHODS C57BL/6J (C57) and BTBR mouse pups were treated with 0.1% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) or curcumin (20 mg/kg) from postnatal day 6 (P6) to P8. Neural progenitor cells (NPCs) in the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) were evaluated on P8, and neurogenesis was measured on P24 by immunofluorescence. A battery of behavioral tests was carried out when the mice were 8 weeks of age. RESULTS Neonatal curcumin treatment improved autism-related symptoms in BTBR mice, enhancing sociability, reducing repetitive behaviors, and ameliorating cognitive impairments. Furthermore, the suppression of hippocampal neurogenesis in BTBR mice was greatly rescued after neonatal curcumin treatment, leading to an increase in neurogenic processes and an increase in NPC proliferation concomitant with an expansion of the NPC pool on P8, and NPC differentiation towards the neuronal lineage was promoted in the DG of BTBR mice on P24. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that neonatal curcumin treatment elicits a therapeutic response through the restoration of hippocampal neurogenesis in BTBR mice and thus may represent a promising novel pharmacological strategy for ASD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyu Zhong
- Department of Developmental Neuropsychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Rui Xiao
- Department of Developmental Neuropsychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Ruotong Ruan
- Department of Developmental Neuropsychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Hui Liu
- Department of Developmental Neuropsychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Xin Li
- Department of Developmental Neuropsychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Yun Cai
- Department of Developmental Neuropsychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Jinghui Zhao
- Department of Developmental Neuropsychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Xiaotang Fan
- Department of Developmental Neuropsychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China. .,Institute of Brain and Intelligence, Chongqing, 400038, China.
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Hughes EM, Calcagno P, Clarke M, Sanchez C, Smith K, Kelly JP, Finn DP, Roche M. Prenatal exposure to valproic acid reduces social responses and alters mRNA levels of opioid receptor and pre-pro-peptide in discrete brain regions of adolescent and adult male rats. Brain Res 2020; 1732:146675. [PMID: 31978376 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2020.146675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2019] [Revised: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Altered social behaviours are a hallmark of several psychiatric and developmental disorders. Clinical and preclinical data have demonstrated that prenatal exposure to valproic acid (VPA), an anti-epileptic and mood stabiliser, is associated with impaired social responses, and thus provides a useful model for the evaluation of neurobiological mechanisms underlying altered social behaviours. The opioid system is widely recognised to regulate and modulate social behaviours, however few studies have examined if the endogenous opioid system is altered in animal models of social impairment. The present study examined social behavioural responses of adolescent and adult male rats prenatally exposed to VPA, and the expression of mRNA encoding opioid receptors and pre-pro-peptides in discrete brain regions. Adolescent and adult rats prenatally exposed to VPA spent less time engaging in social behaviours in the direct social interaction test and exhibited reduced sociability and social novelty preference in the 3-chamber sociability test, compared to saline-treated counterparts. The VPA-exposed adolescent rats exhibited significantly reduced kappa opioid receptor (oprk1) and pre-pro-dynorphin (pdyn) mRNA expression in the cerebral cortex, and reduced oprk1 and nociceptin/orphanin FQ (oprl1) mRNA expression in the hypothalamus. Adult rats prenatally exposed to VPA exhibited decreased mRNA expression of oprk1 and pdyn in hypothalamus, reduced pro-opiomelanocortin(pomc) in the striatum and an increase in delta opioid receptor (oprd1) mRNA in the amygdaloid cortex, when compared to saline-treated counterparts. Mu opioid receptor (oprm1) mRNA expression did not differ between saline and VPA-exposed rats in any region examined. The data demonstrate that impaired social behaviours in adolescent and adult rats prenatally exposed to VPA is accompanied by altered mRNA expression of opioid receptors and pre-pro-peptides in a region specific manner. In particular, both adolescent and adult VPA-exposed rats exhibit reduced oprk1-pdyn mRNA expression in several brain regions, which are associated with deficits in social behavioural responding in the model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edel M Hughes
- Physiology, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland, Galway, University Road, Galway, Ireland; Centre for Pain Research and Galway Neuroscience Centre, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
| | - Patricia Calcagno
- Physiology, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland, Galway, University Road, Galway, Ireland; Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland, Galway, University Road, Galway, Ireland
| | - Morgane Clarke
- Physiology, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland, Galway, University Road, Galway, Ireland; Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland, Galway, University Road, Galway, Ireland
| | | | | | - John P Kelly
- Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland, Galway, University Road, Galway, Ireland; Centre for Pain Research and Galway Neuroscience Centre, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
| | - David P Finn
- Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland, Galway, University Road, Galway, Ireland; Centre for Pain Research and Galway Neuroscience Centre, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
| | - Michelle Roche
- Physiology, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland, Galway, University Road, Galway, Ireland; Centre for Pain Research and Galway Neuroscience Centre, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.
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Wang T, Zhang T, Sun L, Li W, Zhang C, Yu L, Guan Y. Gestational B-vitamin supplementation alleviates PM 2.5-induced autism-like behavior and hippocampal neurodevelopmental impairment in mice offspring. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2019; 185:109686. [PMID: 31546205 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2019.109686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Revised: 09/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/15/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Gestational exposure to PM2.5 is a worldwide environmental issue associated with long-lasting behavior abnormalities and neurodevelopmental impairments in the hippocampus of offspring. PM2.5 may induce hippocampus injury and lead to autism-like behavior such as social communication deficits and stereotyped repetitive behavior in children through neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. Here, we investigated the preventive effect of B-vitamin on PM2.5-induced deleterious effects by focusing on anti-inflammation, antioxidant, synaptic remodeling and neurodevelopment. Pregnant mice were randomly divided into three groups including control group (mice subject to PBS only), model group (mice subject to both 30 μL PM2.5 of 3.456 μg/μL and 10 mL/(kg·d) PBS), and intervention group (mice subject to both 30 μL PM2.5 of 3.456 μg/μL and 10 mL/(kg·d) B-vitamin supplementation (folic acid, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 with concentrations at 0.06, 1.14 and 0.02 mg/mL, respectively)). In the current study B-vitamin significantly alleviated neurobehavioral impairment reflected in reduced social communication disorders, stereotyped repetitive behavior, along with learning and spatial memory impairment in PM2.5-stimulated mice offspring. Next, B-vitamin corrected synaptic loss and reduced mitochondrial damage in hippocampus of mice offspring, demonstrated by normalized synapse quantity, synaptic cleft, postsynaptic density (PSD) thickness and length of synaptic active area. Furthermore, significantly down-regulated expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines including NF-κB, TNF-α and IL-1β, and lipid peroxidation were found. We observed elevated levels of oxidant-related genes (SOD, GSH and GSH-Px). Moreover, decreased cleaved caspase-3 and TUNEL-positive cells suggested inhibited PM2.5-induced apoptosis by B-vitamin. Furthermore, B-vitamin increased neurogenesis by increasing EdU-positive cells in the subgranular zone (SGZ) of offspring. Collectively, our results suggest that B-vitamin supplementation exerts preventive effect on autism-like behavior and neurodevelopmental impairment in hippocampus of mice offspring gestationally exposed to PM2.5, to which alleviated mitochondrial damage, increased anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capacity and synaptic efficiency, reduced neuronal apoptosis and improved hippocampal neurogenesis may contribute.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Wang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Neurologic Disorders and Regeneration Repair Lab of Shandong Higher Education, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Tianliang Zhang
- Experimental Center for Medical Research, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Lijuan Sun
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Neurologic Disorders and Regeneration Repair Lab of Shandong Higher Education, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Wanwei Li
- School of Public Health and Management, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Can Zhang
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, McCance Center for Brain Health, MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Li Yu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Neurologic Disorders and Regeneration Repair Lab of Shandong Higher Education, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China.
| | - Yingjun Guan
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Neurologic Disorders and Regeneration Repair Lab of Shandong Higher Education, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China.
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