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Mottarlini F, Rizzi B, Targa G, Buzzelli V, Di Trapano M, Rullo L, Candeletti S, Ciccocioppo R, Fattore L, Romualdi P, Fumagalli F, Trezza V, Caffino L. Communal nesting shapes the sex-dependent glutamatergic response to early life stress in the rat prefrontal cortex. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1406687. [PMID: 38835543 PMCID: PMC11148342 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1406687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Early social environment, either positive or negative, shapes the adult brain. Communal nesting (CN), a naturalistic setting in which 2-3 females keep their pups in a single nest sharing care-giving behavior, provides high level of peer interaction for pups. Early social isolation (ESI) from dam and siblings represents, instead, an adverse condition providing no peer interaction. Methods We investigated whether CN (enrichment setting) might influence the response to ESI (impoverishment setting) in terms of social behavior and glutamate system in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of adult and adolescent male and female rats. Results Pinning (a rewarding component of social play behavior) was significantly more pronounced in males than in females exposed to the combination of CN and ESI. CN sensitized the glutamate synapse in the mPFC of ESI-exposed male, but not female, rats. Accordingly, we observed (i) a potentiation of the glutamatergic neurotransmission in the mPFC of both adolescent and adult males, as shown by the recruitment of NMDA receptor subunits together with increased expression/activation of PSD95, SynCAM 1, Synapsin I and αCaMKII; (ii) a de-recruiting of NMDA receptors from active synaptic zones of same-age females, together with reduced expression/activation of the above-mentioned proteins, which might reduce the glutamate transmission. Whether similar sex-dependent glutamate homeostasis modulation occurs in other brain areas remains to be elucidated. Discussion CN and ESI interact to shape social behavior and mPFC glutamate synapse homeostasis in an age- and sex-dependent fashion, suggesting that early-life social environment may play a crucial role in regulating the risk to develop psychopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Mottarlini
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences 'Rodolfo Paoletti', Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Beatrice Rizzi
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences 'Rodolfo Paoletti', Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
- Center for Neuroscience, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Giorgia Targa
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences 'Rodolfo Paoletti', Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Valeria Buzzelli
- Department of Science, Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy
| | - Melania Di Trapano
- Department of Science, Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Rullo
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Sanzio Candeletti
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Roberto Ciccocioppo
- School of Pharmacy, Center for Neuroscience, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Liana Fattore
- Research National Council (CNR) Institute of Neuroscience-Cagliari, National Research Council, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Patrizia Romualdi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Fabio Fumagalli
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences 'Rodolfo Paoletti', Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Viviana Trezza
- Department of Science, Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy
- Neuroendocrinology, Metabolism and Neuropharmacology Unit, Istituto di Ricerca e Cura di Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Caffino
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences 'Rodolfo Paoletti', Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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González-Madrid E, Rangel-Ramírez MA, Opazo MC, Méndez L, Bohmwald K, Bueno SM, González PA, Kalergis AM, Riedel CA. Gestational hypothyroxinemia induces ASD-like phenotypes in behavior, proinflammatory markers, and glutamatergic protein expression in mouse offspring of both sexes. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1381180. [PMID: 38752179 PMCID: PMC11094302 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1381180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has significantly risen in the past three decades, prompting researchers to explore the potential contributions of environmental factors during pregnancy to ASD development. One such factor of interest is gestational hypothyroxinemia (HTX), a frequent condition in pregnancy associated with cognitive impairments in the offspring. While retrospective human studies have linked gestational HTX to autistic traits, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the development of ASD-like phenotypes remain poorly understood. This study used a mouse model of gestational HTX to evaluate ASD-like phenotypes in the offspring. Methods To induce gestational HTX, pregnant mice were treated with 2-mercapto-1-methylimidazole (MMI), a thyroid hormones synthesis inhibitor, in the tap-drinking water from embryonic days (E) 10 to E14. A separate group received MMI along with a daily subcutaneous injection of T4, while the control group received regular tap water during the entire pregnancy. Female and male offspring underwent assessments for repetitive, anxious, and social behaviors from postnatal day (P) 55 to P64. On P65, mice were euthanized for the evaluation of ASD-related inflammatory markers in blood, spleen, and specific brain regions. Additionally, the expression of glutamatergic proteins (NLGN3 and HOMER1) was analyzed in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Results The HTX-offspring exhibited anxious-like behavior, a subordinate state, and impaired social interactions. Subsequently, both female and male HTX-offspring displayed elevated proinflammatory cytokines in blood, including IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17A, and TNF-α, while only males showed reduced levels of IL-10. The spleen of HTX-offspring of both sexes showed increased Th17/Treg ratio and M1-like macrophages. In the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of male HTX-offspring, elevated levels of IL-17A and reduced IL-10 were observed, accompanied by increased expression of hippocampal NLGN3 and HOMER1. All these observations were compared to those observed in the Control-offspring. Notably, the supplementation with T4 during the MMI treatment prevents the development of the observed phenotypes. Correlation analysis revealed an association between maternal T4 levels and specific ASD-like outcomes. Discussion This study validates human observations, demonstrating for the first time that gestational HTX induces ASD-like phenotypes in the offspring, highlighting the need of monitoring thyroid function during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrique González-Madrid
- Laboratorio de Endocrino-inmunología, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ma. Andreina Rangel-Ramírez
- Laboratorio de Endocrino-inmunología, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - María C. Opazo
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Agronomía, Instituto de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad de las Américas, Santiago, Chile
| | - Luis Méndez
- Laboratorio de Endocrino-inmunología, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Karen Bohmwald
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Susan M. Bueno
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Pablo A. González
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Alexis M. Kalergis
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Departamento de Endocrinología, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Claudia A. Riedel
- Laboratorio de Endocrino-inmunología, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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Bataveljic D, Pivonkova H, de Concini V, Hébert B, Ezan P, Briault S, Bemelmans AP, Pichon J, Menuet A, Rouach N. Astroglial Kir4.1 potassium channel deficit drives neuronal hyperexcitability and behavioral defects in Fragile X syndrome mouse model. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3583. [PMID: 38678030 PMCID: PMC11055954 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47681-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is an inherited form of intellectual disability caused by the loss of the mRNA-binding fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP). FXS is characterized by neuronal hyperexcitability and behavioral defects, however the mechanisms underlying these critical dysfunctions remain unclear. Here, using male Fmr1 knockout mouse model of FXS, we identify abnormal extracellular potassium homeostasis, along with impaired potassium channel Kir4.1 expression and function in astrocytes. Further, we reveal that Kir4.1 mRNA is a binding target of FMRP. Finally, we show that the deficit in astroglial Kir4.1 underlies neuronal hyperexcitability and several behavioral defects in Fmr1 knockout mice. Viral delivery of Kir4.1 channels specifically to hippocampal astrocytes from Fmr1 knockout mice indeed rescues normal astrocyte potassium uptake, neuronal excitability, and cognitive and social performance. Our findings uncover an important role for astrocyte dysfunction in the pathophysiology of FXS, and identify Kir4.1 channel as a potential therapeutic target for FXS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danijela Bataveljic
- Neuroglial Interactions in Cerebral Physiology and Pathologies, Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology, Collège de France, CNRS, INSERM, Labex Memolife, Université PSL, Paris, France
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Helena Pivonkova
- Neuroglial Interactions in Cerebral Physiology and Pathologies, Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology, Collège de France, CNRS, INSERM, Labex Memolife, Université PSL, Paris, France
- Department of Physiology, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Vidian de Concini
- Experimental and Molecular Immunology and Neurogenetics, CNRS UMR7355 and Orléans University, Orléans, France
| | - Betty Hébert
- Experimental and Molecular Immunology and Neurogenetics, CNRS UMR7355 and Orléans University, Orléans, France
| | - Pascal Ezan
- Neuroglial Interactions in Cerebral Physiology and Pathologies, Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology, Collège de France, CNRS, INSERM, Labex Memolife, Université PSL, Paris, France
| | - Sylvain Briault
- Experimental and Molecular Immunology and Neurogenetics, CNRS UMR7355 and Orléans University, Orléans, France
- Department of Genetics, Regional Hospital, Orléans, France
| | - Alexis-Pierre Bemelmans
- Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives (CEA), Département de la Recherche Fondamentale, Institut de biologie François Jacob, MIRCen, and CNRS UMR 9199, Université Paris-Sud, Neurodegenerative Diseases Laboratory, Fontenay-aux-Roses, 92260, France
| | - Jacques Pichon
- Experimental and Molecular Immunology and Neurogenetics, CNRS UMR7355 and Orléans University, Orléans, France
| | - Arnaud Menuet
- Experimental and Molecular Immunology and Neurogenetics, CNRS UMR7355 and Orléans University, Orléans, France
| | - Nathalie Rouach
- Neuroglial Interactions in Cerebral Physiology and Pathologies, Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology, Collège de France, CNRS, INSERM, Labex Memolife, Université PSL, Paris, France.
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Wang J, Zou L, Jiang P, Yao M, Xu Q, Hong Q, Zhu J, Chi X. Vitamin A ameliorates valproic acid-induced autism-like symptoms in developing zebrafish larvae by attenuating oxidative stress and apoptosis. Neurotoxicology 2024; 101:93-101. [PMID: 38191030 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2023.12.015] [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: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social deficits and repetitive/stereotyped behaviors. Prenatal exposure to valproic acid (VPA) has been reported to induce ASD-like symptoms in human and rodents. However, the etiology and pathogenesis of ASD have not been well elucidated. This study aimed to explore the mechanisms underlying VPA-induced ASD-like behaviors using zebrafish model and investigated whether vitamin A could prevent VPA-induced neurotoxicity. Here, zebrafish embryos were exposed to 0, 25 and 50 μM VPA from 4 to 96 h post fertilization (hpf) and the neurotoxicity was assessed. Our results showed that VPA affected the normal development of zebrafish larvae and induced ASD-like behaviors, including reduced locomotor activity, decreased distance near conspecifics, impaired social interaction and repetitive swimming behaviors. Exposure to VPA decreased the GFP signal in transgenic HuC:egfp zebrafish according to the negative effect of VPA on the expression of neurodevelopmental genes. In addition, VPA enhanced oxidative stress by promoting the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and inhibiting the activity of superoxide dismutase, then triggered apoptosis by upregulation of apoptotic genes. These adverse outcomes were mitigated by vitamin A, suggesting that vitamin A rescued VPA-induced ASD-like symptoms by inhibiting oxidative stress and apoptosis. Overall, this study identified vitamin A as a promising strategy for future therapeutic regulator of VPA-induced ASD-like behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyu Wang
- Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University (Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital), Nanjing 210004, PR China
| | - Li Zou
- Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University (Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital), Nanjing 210004, PR China; Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210036, PR China
| | - Peiyun Jiang
- Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University (Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital), Nanjing 210004, PR China
| | - Mengmeng Yao
- Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University (Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital), Nanjing 210004, PR China
| | - Qu Xu
- Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University (Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital), Nanjing 210004, PR China
| | - Qin Hong
- Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University (Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital), Nanjing 210004, PR China
| | - Jiansheng Zhu
- Department of Public Health, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, PR China.
| | - Xia Chi
- Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University (Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital), Nanjing 210004, PR China.
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Le Merrer J, Detraux B, Gandía J, De Groote A, Fonteneau M, de Kerchove d'Exaerde A, Becker JAJ. Balance Between Projecting Neuronal Populations of the Nucleus Accumbens Controls Social Behavior in Mice. Biol Psychiatry 2024; 95:123-135. [PMID: 37207936 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2023.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Deficient social interactions are a hallmark of major neuropsychiatric disorders, and accumulating evidence points to altered social reward and motivation as key underlying mechanisms of these pathologies. In the present study, we further explored the role of the balance of activity between D1 and D2 receptor-expressing striatal projection neurons (D1R- and D2R-SPNs) in the control of social behavior, challenging the hypothesis that excessive D2R-SPN activity, rather than deficient D1R-SPN activity, compromises social behavior. METHODS We selectively ablated D1R- and D2R-SPNs using an inducible diphtheria toxin receptor-mediated cell targeting strategy and assessed social behavior as well as repetitive/perseverative behavior, motor function, and anxiety levels. We tested the effects of optogenetic stimulation of D2R-SPNs in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and pharmacological compounds repressing D2R-SPN. RESULTS Targeted deletion of D1R-SPNs in the NAc blunted social behavior in mice, facilitated motor skill learning, and increased anxiety levels. These behaviors were normalized by pharmacological inhibition of D2R-SPN, which also repressed transcription in the efferent nucleus, the ventral pallidum. Ablation of D1R-SPNs in the dorsal striatum had no impact on social behavior but impaired motor skill learning and decreased anxiety levels. Deletion of D2R-SPNs in the NAc produced motor stereotypies but facilitated social behavior and impaired motor skill learning. We mimicked excessive D2R-SPN activity by optically stimulating D2R-SPNs in the NAc and observed a severe deficit in social interaction that was prevented by D2R-SPN pharmacological inhibition. CONCLUSIONS Repressing D2R-SPN activity may represent a promising therapeutic strategy to relieve social deficits in neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Le Merrer
- Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, Unité Mixte de Recherche Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique 7247, Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement 0085, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Université de Tours, Nouzilly, France; iBrain, Unité Mixte de Recherche 1253 Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université de Tours, Tours, France.
| | - Bérangère Detraux
- Neurophy Lab, ULB Neuroscience Institute, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jorge Gandía
- Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, Unité Mixte de Recherche Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique 7247, Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement 0085, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Université de Tours, Nouzilly, France
| | - Aurélie De Groote
- Neurophy Lab, ULB Neuroscience Institute, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Mathieu Fonteneau
- iBrain, Unité Mixte de Recherche 1253 Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Alban de Kerchove d'Exaerde
- Neurophy Lab, ULB Neuroscience Institute, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium; WELBIO, Wavre, Belgium.
| | - Jérôme A J Becker
- Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, Unité Mixte de Recherche Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique 7247, Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement 0085, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Université de Tours, Nouzilly, France; iBrain, Unité Mixte de Recherche 1253 Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université de Tours, Tours, France
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Zarate-Lopez D, Torres-Chávez AL, Gálvez-Contreras AY, Gonzalez-Perez O. Three Decades of Valproate: A Current Model for Studying Autism Spectrum Disorder. Curr Neuropharmacol 2024; 22:260-289. [PMID: 37873949 PMCID: PMC10788883 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x22666231003121513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with increased prevalence and incidence in recent decades. Its etiology remains largely unclear, but it seems to involve a strong genetic component and environmental factors that, in turn, induce epigenetic changes during embryonic and postnatal brain development. In recent decades, clinical studies have shown that inutero exposure to valproic acid (VPA), a commonly prescribed antiepileptic drug, is an environmental factor associated with an increased risk of ASD. Subsequently, prenatal VPA exposure in rodents has been established as a reliable translational model to study the pathophysiology of ASD, which has helped demonstrate neurobiological changes in rodents, non-human primates, and brain organoids from human pluripotent stem cells. This evidence supports the notion that prenatal VPA exposure is a valid and current model to replicate an idiopathic ASD-like disorder in experimental animals. This review summarizes and describes the current features reported with this animal model of autism and the main neurobiological findings and correlates that help elucidate the pathophysiology of ASD. Finally, we discuss the general framework of the VPA model in comparison to other environmental and genetic ASD models.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Zarate-Lopez
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, School of Psychology, University of Colima, Colima 28040, México
- Physiological Science Ph.D. Program, School of Medicine, University of Colima, Colima 28040, Mexico
| | - Ana Laura Torres-Chávez
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, School of Psychology, University of Colima, Colima 28040, México
- Physiological Science Ph.D. Program, School of Medicine, University of Colima, Colima 28040, Mexico
| | - Alma Yadira Gálvez-Contreras
- Department of Neuroscience, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44340, México
| | - Oscar Gonzalez-Perez
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, School of Psychology, University of Colima, Colima 28040, México
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Chen L, Fu Q, Du Y, Jiang ZY, Cheng Y. Transcriptome Analysis and Epigenetics Regulation in the Hippocampus and the Prefrontal Cortex of VPA-Induced Rat Model. Mol Neurobiol 2024; 61:167-174. [PMID: 37592184 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03560-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a highly heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental disorders caused by complex interaction between various genes and environmental factors. As the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex are involved in social recognition, they are the regions of the brain implicated in autism. The effects of prenatal exposure to valproic acid (VPA) can induce an ASD phenotype in both humans and rats; this tool is commonly used to model the complexity of ASD symptoms in the laboratory. However, researchers rarely undertake epigenetic regulation of the brain regions using this model. The present study has addressed this gap by examining gene expression abnormalities in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex in the VPA rat model of ASD. mRNA and miRNA sequencing was performed on samples from the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of the VPA model of autism. According to the analysis, 3000 mRNAs in the hippocampus and 2187 mRNAs in the prefrontal cortex showed a significant difference in expression between the VPA and saline groups. In addition, there were 115 DE miRNAs in the hippocampus and 14 DE miRNAs in the prefrontal cortex. Further, the predicted and validated target mRNA of DE miRNA enriched pathways involved neurotransmitter uptake, long-term synaptic depression, and AMPA receptor complex (anti-GluA2-b) in the hippocampus; as well as the neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction and regulation of postsynaptic membrane potential in the prefrontal cortex. This revealed the negative regulation network of miRNAs-mRNAs in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, while filtering out key genes (miR-10a-5p and Grm3). Finally, the significant variable miR-10a-5p and its negative regulated genes (Grm3) were verified in both brain regions by QPCR. Importantly, the fact that miR-10a-5p downregulated Grm3 in both the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex may play a potentially significant role in the occurrence and development of autism. This study suggests that the VPA model has the potential to reproduce ASD-related hippocampus and prefrontal cortex abnormalities, at the epigenetic and transcriptional levels. Furthermore, the network of miRNAs-mRNAs was confirmed; this negative regulatory relationship may play a key role in determining the occurrence and development of autism. The study of this topic help better understand the pathogenesis of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Chen
- Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Center On Translational Neuroscience, School of Pharmacy, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Qiang Fu
- Institute of National Security, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Du
- Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Center On Translational Neuroscience, School of Pharmacy, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Zhong-Yong Jiang
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu Seventh People's Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
| | - Yong Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Center On Translational Neuroscience, School of Pharmacy, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China.
- Institute of National Security, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China.
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Achterberg EJM, Vanderschuren LJMJ. The neurobiology of social play behaviour: Past, present and future. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 152:105319. [PMID: 37454882 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Social play behaviour is a highly energetic and rewarding activity that is of great importance for the development of brain and behaviour. Social play is abundant during the juvenile and early adolescent phases of life, and it occurs in most mammalian species, as well as in certain birds and reptiles. To date, the majority of research into the neural mechanisms of social play behaviour has been performed in male rats. In the present review we summarize studies on the neurobiology of social play behaviour in rats, including work on pharmacological and genetic models for autism spectrum disorders, early life manipulations and environmental factors that influence play in rats. We describe several recent developments that expand the field, and highlight outstanding questions that may guide future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- E J Marijke Achterberg
- Dept. of Population Health Sciences, Section Animals in Science and Society, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3584 CM Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - Louk J M J Vanderschuren
- Dept. of Population Health Sciences, Section Animals in Science and Society, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3584 CM Utrecht, the Netherlands.
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Finszter CK, Kemecsei R, Zachar G, Holtkamp S, Echevarría D, Adorján I, Ádám Á, Csillag A. Early cellular and synaptic changes in dopaminoceptive forebrain regions of juvenile mice following gestational exposure to valproate. Front Neuroanat 2023; 17:1235047. [PMID: 37603782 PMCID: PMC10435871 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2023.1235047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Gestational exposure of mice to valproic acid (VPA) is one currently used experimental model for the investigation of typical failure symptoms associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In the present study we hypothesized that the reduction of dopaminergic source neurons of the VTA, followed by perturbed growth of the mesotelencephalic dopamine pathway (MT), should also modify pattern formation in the dopaminoceptive target regions (particularly its mesoaccumbens/mesolimbic portion). Here, we investigated VPA-evoked cellular morphological (apoptosis-frequency detected by Caspase-3, abundance of Ca-binding proteins, CaBP), as well as synaptic proteomic (western blotting) changes, in selected dopaminoceptive subpallial, as compared to pallial, regions of mice, born to mothers treated with 500 mg/kg VPA on day 13.5 of pregnancy. We observed a surge of apoptosis on VPA treatment in nearly all investigated subpallial and pallial regions; with a non-significant trend of similar increase the nucleus accumbens (NAc) at P7, the age at which the MT pathway reduction has been reported (also supplemented by current findings). Of the CaBPs, calretinin (CR) expression was decreased in pallial regions, most prominently in retrosplenial cortex, but not in the subpallium of P7 mice. Calbindin-D 28K (CB) was selectively reduced in the caudate-putamen (CPu) of VPA exposed animals at P7 but no longer at P60, pointing to a potency of repairment. The VPA-associated overall increase in apoptosis at P7 did not correlate with the abundance and distribution of CaBPs, except in CPu, in which the marked drop of CB was negatively correlated with increased apoptosis. Abundance of parvalbumin (PV) at P60 showed no significant response to VPA treatment in any of the observed regions we did not find colocalization of apoptotic (Casp3+) cells with CaBP-immunoreactive neurons. The proteomic findings suggest reduction of tyrosine hydroxylase in the crude synaptosome fraction of NAc, but not in the CPu, without simultaneous decrease of the synaptic protein, synaptophysin, indicating selective impairment of dopaminergic synapses. The morpho-functional changes found in forebrain regions of VPA-exposed mice may signify dendritic and synaptic reorganization in dopaminergic target regions, with potential translational value to similar impairments in the pathogenesis of human ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cintia Klaudia Finszter
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Róbert Kemecsei
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gergely Zachar
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Sophie Holtkamp
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Diego Echevarría
- Institute of Neuroscience (UMH-CSIC), University of Miguel Hernández, Alicante, Spain
| | - István Adorján
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ágota Ádám
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - András Csillag
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
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10
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Barzegari A, Mahdirejei HA, Hanani M, Esmaeili MH, Salari AA. Adolescent swimming exercise following maternal valproic acid treatment improves cognition and reduces stress-related symptoms in offspring mice: Role of sex and brain cytokines. Physiol Behav 2023; 269:114264. [PMID: 37295664 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2023.114264] [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: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Valproic acid (VPA) treatment during pregnancy is a risk factor for developing autism spectrum disorder, cognitive deficits, and stress-related disorders in children. No effective therapeutic strategies are currently approved to treat or manage core symptoms of autism. Active lifestyles and physical activity are closely associated with health and quality of life during childhood and adulthood. This study aimed to evaluate whether swimming exercise during adolescence can prevent the development of cognitive dysfunction and stress-related disorders in prenatally VPA-exposed mice offspring. Pregnant mice received VPA, afterwards, offspring were subjected to swimming exercise. We assessed neurobehavioral performances and inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-(IL)6, tumor-necrosis-factor-(TNF)α, interferon-(IFN)γ, and IL-17A) in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of offspring. Prenatal VPA treatment increased anxiety-and anhedonia-like behavior and decreased social behavior in male and female offspring. Prenatal VPA exposure also increased behavioral despair and reduced working and recognition memory in male offspring. Although prenatal VPA increased hippocampal IL-6 and IFN-γ, and prefrontal IFN-γ and IL-17 in males, it only increased hippocampal TNF-α and IFN-γ in female offspring. Adolescent exercise made VPA-treated male and female offspring resistant to anxiety-and anhedonia-like behavior in adulthood, whereas it only made VPA-exposed male offspring resistant to behavioral despair, social and cognitive deficits in adulthood. Exercise reduced hippocampal IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-17, and prefrontal IFN-γ and IL-17 in VPA-treated male offspring, whereas it reduced hippocampal TNF-α and IFN-γ in VPA-treated female offspring. This study suggests that adolescent exercise may prevents the development of stress-related symptoms, cognitive deficits, and neuroinflammation in prenatally VPA-exposed offspring mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Barzegari
- Department of Exercise Physiology, Payame Noor University (PNU), Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Masoumeh Hanani
- Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Kish International Campus, University of Tehran, Kish, Iran
| | | | - Ali-Akbar Salari
- Salari Institute of Cognitive and Behavioral Disorders (SICBD), Karaj, Alborz, Iran; Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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11
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Schiavi S, Manduca A, Carbone E, Buzzelli V, Rava A, Feo A, Ascone F, Morena M, Campolongo P, Hill MN, Trezza V. Anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol differentially modulate autistic-like traits in a genetic model of autism based on FMR1 deletion in rats. Neuropsychopharmacology 2023; 48:897-907. [PMID: 36114286 PMCID: PMC10156791 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-022-01454-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has a multifactorial etiology. Major efforts are underway to understand the neurobiological bases of ASD and to develop efficacious treatment strategies. Recently, the use of cannabinoid compounds in children with neurodevelopmental disorders including ASD has received increasing attention. Beyond anecdotal reports of efficacy, however, there is limited current evidence supporting such an intervention and the clinical studies currently available have intrinsic limitations that make the interpretation of the findings challenging. Furthermore, as the mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of cannabinoid compounds in neurodevelopmental disorders are still largely unknown, the use of drugs targeting the endocannabinoid system remains controversial. Here, we studied the role of endocannabinoid neurotransmission in the autistic-like traits displayed by the recently validated Fmr1-Δexon 8 rat model of autism. Fmr1-Δexon 8 rats showed reduced anandamide levels in the hippocampus and increased 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) content in the amygdala. Systemic and intra-hippocampal potentiation of anandamide tone through administration of the anandamide hydrolysis inhibitor URB597 ameliorated the cognitive deficits displayed by Fmr1-Δexon 8 rats along development, as assessed through the novel object and social discrimination tasks. Moreover, blockade of amygdalar 2-AG signaling through intra-amygdala administration of the CB1 receptor antagonist SR141716A prevented the altered sociability displayed by Fmr1-Δexon 8 rats. These findings demonstrate that anandamide and 2-AG differentially modulate specific autistic-like traits in Fmr1-Δexon 8 rats in a brain region-specific manner, suggesting that fine changes in endocannabinoid mechanisms contribute to ASD-related behavioral phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Schiavi
- Department of Science, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonia Manduca
- Department of Science, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy
- Neuroendocrinology, Metabolism and Neuropharmacology Unit, IRCSS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Maria Morena
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Neuropsychopharmacology Unit, IRCSS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
- Departments of Cell Biology and Anatomy & Psychiatry, Hotchkiss Brain Institute and Mathison Center for Mental Health Research and Education, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Patrizia Campolongo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Neuropsychopharmacology Unit, IRCSS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Matthew N Hill
- Departments of Cell Biology and Anatomy & Psychiatry, Hotchkiss Brain Institute and Mathison Center for Mental Health Research and Education, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Viviana Trezza
- Department of Science, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy.
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12
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Pang S, Luo Z, Dong W, Gao S, Chen W, Liu N, Zhang X, Gao X, Li J, Gao K, Shi X, Guan F, Zhang L, Zhang L. Integrin β1/FAK/SRC signal pathway is involved in autism spectrum disorder in Tspan7 knockout rats. Life Sci Alliance 2023; 6:6/3/e202201616. [PMID: 36625203 PMCID: PMC9768919 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202201616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
TSPAN7 is related to various neurological disorders including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the underlying synaptic mechanism of TSPAN7 in ASD is still unclear. Here, we showed that Tspan7 knockout rats exhibited ASD-like and ID-like behavioral phenotypes, brain structure alterations including decreased hippocampal and cortical volume, and related pathological changes including reduced hippocampal neurons number, neuronal complexity, dendritic spines, and synapse-associated proteins. Then, we found that TSPAN7 deletion interrupted the integrin β1/FAK/SRC signal pathway that was followed by the down-regulation of PSD95, SYN, and GluR1/2, which are key synaptic integrity-related proteins. Furthermore, reactivation of SRC restored the expression of synaptic integrity-related proteins in primary neurons of TSPAN7 knockout brains. Taken together, our results suggested that TSPAN7 knockout caused ASD-like and ID-like behaviors in rats and impaired neuronal synapses possibly through the down-regulation of the integrin β1/FAK/SRC signal pathway, which might be a new mechanism on regulation of synaptic proteins expression and on ASD pathogenesis by mutated TSPAN7. These findings provide novel insights into the role of TSPAN7 in psychiatric diseases and highlight integrin β1/FAK/SRC as a potential target for ASD therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Pang
- Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, National Health Commission of China, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.,Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhuohui Luo
- Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, National Health Commission of China, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.,Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Dong
- Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, National Health Commission of China, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shan Gao
- Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, National Health Commission of China, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Beijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Diseases, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ning Liu
- Beijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Diseases, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xu Zhang
- Beijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Diseases, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiang Gao
- Beijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Diseases, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Li
- Beijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Diseases, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Kai Gao
- Beijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Diseases, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xudong Shi
- Beijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Diseases, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Feifei Guan
- Beijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Diseases, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Beijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Diseases, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lianfeng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, National Health Commission of China, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China .,Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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13
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Zhao H, Chen X, Zhang L, Tang C, Meng F, Zhou L, Zhu P, Lu Z, Lu Y. Ingestion of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus Fmb14 prevents depression-like behavior and brain neural activity via the microbiota-gut-brain axis in colitis mice. Food Funct 2023; 14:1909-1928. [PMID: 36748225 DOI: 10.1039/d2fo04014j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Large preclinical evidence suggested that colitis was one of the risk factors for depression and probiotics were effective therapeutic agents to prevent the disease. The effect of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus Fmb14 on colitis-related depression-like behavior and its possible mechanisms were investigated. One week of DSS exposure led to the following changes in male C57BL/6N mice: a reduction in the movement distance from 2218 to 1299 cm, time in central areas from 23.6 s to 11.5 s, and time in the bright box from 217 s to 103 s, which were restored to 1816 cm, 18.4 s, and 181 s, respectively, with preadministration of Fmb14 for 8 weeks. All improvements provided by Fmb14 indicated a remarkable protective effect on depression-like behavior. Fmb14 first worked to repair intestinal barrier damage and the inflammatory response in the colon through ZO1 and Ocln enhancement and IL-1β, NF-κB and IL-6 reduction, respectively. Second, dysbiosis of the gut microbiota was modulated by Fmb14, including reduction of Akkermansia (18.9% to 5.4%), Mucispirillum (0.6% to 0.1%) and Bifidobacterium (0.32% to 0.03%). Fmb14 supplementation ameliorates the brain inflammatory response via IL-18 and NF-κB reduction and improves the blood-brain barrier via increased levels of ZO1 and Ocln. Moreover, brain activity was facilitated by an increase in BDNF and dopamine and the downregulation of GABA in the Fmb14 group. As a consequence of the modulatory effect on the dysfunction of neurotransmitters and neuroinflammation, Fmb14 prevents neurodegeneration by inhibiting neuronal apoptosis and Nissl edema. In addition, the correlation analysis further demonstrated the preventative effect of Fmb14 on depression-like behavior through the microbiota-gut-brain axis. Together, these findings demonstrated the important role of Fmb14 in biological signal transduction over the microbiota-gut-brain axis to improve mood disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyuan Zhao
- College of Food Science & Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
| | - Xiaoyu Chen
- College of Food Science & Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
| | - Li Zhang
- Institute of Vegetable, Gansu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Chao Tang
- College of Food Science & Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
| | - Fanqiang Meng
- College of Food Science & Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
| | - Libang Zhou
- College of Food Science & Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
| | - Ping Zhu
- College of Food Science & Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
| | - Zhaoxin Lu
- College of Food Science & Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
| | - Yingjian Lu
- College of Food Science & Engineering, Nanjing University of Finance and Economics, Nanjing 210023, China.
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14
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Maternal Immune Activation Induced by Prenatal Lipopolysaccharide Exposure Leads to Long-Lasting Autistic-like Social, Cognitive and Immune Alterations in Male Wistar Rats. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043920. [PMID: 36835329 PMCID: PMC9968168 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Several studies have supported the association between maternal immune activation (MIA) caused by exposure to pathogens or inflammation during critical periods of gestation and an increased susceptibility to the development of various psychiatric and neurological disorders, including autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), in the offspring. In the present work, we aimed to provide extensive characterization of the short- and long-term consequences of MIA in the offspring, both at the behavioral and immunological level. To this end, we exposed Wistar rat dams to Lipopolysaccharide and tested the infant, adolescent and adult offspring across several behavioral domains relevant to human psychopathological traits. Furthermore, we also measured plasmatic inflammatory markers both at adolescence and adulthood. Our results support the hypothesis of a deleterious impact of MIA on the neurobehavioral development of the offspring: we found deficits in the communicative, social and cognitive domains, together with stereotypic-like behaviors and an altered inflammatory profile at the systemic level. Although the precise mechanisms underlying the role of neuroinflammatory states in neurodevelopment need to be clarified, this study contributes to a better understanding of the impact of MIA on the risk of developing behavioral deficits and psychiatric illness in the offspring.
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15
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Buzzelli V, Carbone E, Manduca A, Schiavi S, Feo A, Perederiy JV, Ambert KH, Hausman M, Trezza V. Psilocybin mitigates the cognitive deficits observed in a rat model of Fragile X syndrome. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2023; 240:137-147. [PMID: 36469097 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-022-06286-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common form of inherited intellectual disability (ID) and the leading monogenic cause of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Serotonergic neurotransmission has a key role in the modulation of neuronal activity during development, and therefore, it has been hypothesized to be involved in ASD and co-occurring conditions including FXS. As serotonin is involved in synaptic remodeling and maturation, serotonergic insufficiency during childhood may have a compounding effect on brain patterning in neurodevelopmental disorders, manifesting as behavioral and emotional symptoms. Thus, compounds that stimulate serotonergic signaling such as psilocybin may offer promise as effective early interventions for developmental disorders such as ASD and FXS. OBJECTIVES The aim of the present study was to test whether different protocols of psilocybin administration mitigate cognitive deficits displayed by the recently validated Fmr1-Δexon 8 rat model of ASD, which is also a model of FXS. RESULTS Our results revealed that systemic and oral administration of psilocybin microdoses normalizes the aberrant cognitive performance displayed by adolescent Fmr1-Δexon 8 rats in the short-term version of the novel object recognition test-a measure of exploratory behavior, perception, and recognition. CONCLUSIONS These data support the hypothesis that serotonin-modulating drugs such as psilocybin may be useful to ameliorate ASD-related cognitive deficits. Overall, this study provides evidence of the beneficial effects of different schedules of psilocybin treatment in mitigating the short-term cognitive deficit observed in a rat model of FXS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Buzzelli
- Department of Science, Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, University "Roma Tre", Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Emilia Carbone
- Department of Science, Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, University "Roma Tre", Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonia Manduca
- Department of Science, Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, University "Roma Tre", Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146, Rome, Italy.,Neuroendocrinology, Metabolism and Neuropharmacology Unit, IRCSS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Schiavi
- Department of Science, Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, University "Roma Tre", Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Feo
- Department of Science, Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, University "Roma Tre", Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Kyle H Ambert
- Nova Mentis Life Science Corp., Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | - Viviana Trezza
- Department of Science, Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, University "Roma Tre", Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146, Rome, Italy.
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16
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D’Elia A, Schiavi S, Manduca A, Rava A, Buzzelli V, Ascone F, Orsini T, Putti S, Soluri A, Galli F, Soluri A, Mattei M, Cicconi R, Massari R, Trezza V. FMR1 deletion in rats induces hyperactivity with no changes in striatal dopamine transporter availability. Sci Rep 2022; 12:22535. [PMID: 36581671 PMCID: PMC9800572 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-26986-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a pervasive neurodevelopmental disorder emerging in early life characterized by impairments in social interaction, poor verbal and non-verbal communication, and repetitive patterns of behaviors. Among the best-known genetic risk factors for ASD, there are mutations causing the loss of the Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein 1 (FMRP) leading to Fragile X syndrome (FXS), a common form of inherited intellectual disability and the leading monogenic cause of ASD. Being a pivotal regulator of motor activity, motivation, attention, and reward processing, dopaminergic neurotransmission has a key role in several neuropsychiatric disorders, including ASD. Fmr1 Δexon 8 rats have been validated as a genetic model of ASD based on FMR1 deletion, and they are also a rat model of FXS. Here, we performed behavioral, biochemical and in vivo SPECT neuroimaging experiments to investigate whether Fmr1 Δexon 8 rats display ASD-like repetitive behaviors associated with changes in striatal dopamine transporter (DAT) availability assessed through in vivo SPECT neuroimaging. At the behavioral level, Fmr1 Δexon 8 rats displayed hyperactivity in the open field test in the absence of repetitive behaviors in the hole board test. However, these behavioral alterations were not associated with changes in striatal DAT availability as assessed by non-invasive in vivo SPECT and Western blot analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annunziata D’Elia
- grid.5326.20000 0001 1940 4177Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), c/o International Campus “A. Buzzati-Traverso”, Via E. Ramarini, 32, 00015 Monterotondo Scalo (Rome), Italy ,grid.8509.40000000121622106Department of Science, Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, Roma Tre University, Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Schiavi
- grid.8509.40000000121622106Department of Science, Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, Roma Tre University, Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonia Manduca
- grid.8509.40000000121622106Department of Science, Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, Roma Tre University, Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy ,grid.417778.a0000 0001 0692 3437Neuroendocrinology, Metabolism and Neuropharmacology Unit, IRCSS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Rava
- grid.8509.40000000121622106Department of Science, Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, Roma Tre University, Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Valeria Buzzelli
- grid.8509.40000000121622106Department of Science, Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, Roma Tre University, Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Ascone
- grid.8509.40000000121622106Department of Science, Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, Roma Tre University, Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Tiziana Orsini
- grid.5326.20000 0001 1940 4177Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), c/o International Campus “A. Buzzati-Traverso”, Via E. Ramarini, 32, 00015 Monterotondo Scalo (Rome), Italy
| | - Sabrina Putti
- grid.5326.20000 0001 1940 4177Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), c/o International Campus “A. Buzzati-Traverso”, Via E. Ramarini, 32, 00015 Monterotondo Scalo (Rome), Italy
| | - Andrea Soluri
- grid.5326.20000 0001 1940 4177Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), c/o International Campus “A. Buzzati-Traverso”, Via E. Ramarini, 32, 00015 Monterotondo Scalo (Rome), Italy ,grid.9657.d0000 0004 1757 5329Unit of Molecular Neurosciences, University Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Filippo Galli
- grid.7841.aNuclear Medicine Unit, Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Soluri
- grid.5326.20000 0001 1940 4177Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), c/o International Campus “A. Buzzati-Traverso”, Via E. Ramarini, 32, 00015 Monterotondo Scalo (Rome), Italy
| | - Maurizio Mattei
- grid.6530.00000 0001 2300 0941Department of Biology and Centro di Servizi Interdipartimentale-Stazione per la Tecnologia Animale, “Tor Vergata” University, Rome, Italy
| | - Rosella Cicconi
- grid.6530.00000 0001 2300 0941Department of Biology and Centro di Servizi Interdipartimentale-Stazione per la Tecnologia Animale, “Tor Vergata” University, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Massari
- grid.5326.20000 0001 1940 4177Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), c/o International Campus “A. Buzzati-Traverso”, Via E. Ramarini, 32, 00015 Monterotondo Scalo (Rome), Italy
| | - Viviana Trezza
- grid.8509.40000000121622106Department of Science, Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, Roma Tre University, Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy
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17
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Adıgüzel E, Çiçek B, Ünal G, Aydın MF, Barlak-Keti D. Probiotics and prebiotics alleviate behavioral deficits, inflammatory response, and gut dysbiosis in prenatal VPA-induced rodent model of autism. Physiol Behav 2022; 256:113961. [PMID: 36100109 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2022.113961] [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: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 08/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders are neuropsychiatric conditions characterized by social interaction and communication disorders and repetitive stereotypical behaviors. These disorders are also accompanied by an inflammatory status. Bidirectional communication between microbiome, gut, and brain has been discovered as a major mechanism influencing core symptoms and biomarkers of autism. Therefore, the modulation of the gut microbiota in autism has recently attracted interest. In this study, probiotic- and prebiotic-mediated modulation of the gut microbiota was compared in terms of different symptoms and findings in an experimental autism model. Valproic acid (VPA) (500 mg/kg) was administered to Wistar rats (on prenatal day 12.5) to induce autistic-like behaviors. Based on the supply of probiotics and prebiotics, animals were grouped as control (saline), autistic-like (prenatal VPA), probiotic (prenatal VPA + 22.5 × 109 cfu/day probiotic), prebiotic (prenatal VPA + 100 mg/day prebiotic), and combined treatment (prenatal VPA + 22.5 × 109 cfu/day probiotic + 100 mg/day prebiotic). After the treatment process, behavioral tests (social behaviors, anxiety, stereotypical behavior, sensorimotor gating, and behavioral despair) and biochemical analyses (serum and brain tissue) were conducted, and the quantities of some phyla and genera were determined in stool samples. Significant positive effects of probiotic and combined treatments were observed on the sociability, social interaction, and anxiety parameters. In addition, all three treatments had positive effects on stereotypical behavior. However, the treatments did not affect sensorimotor gating deficits and behavioral despair. Further, probiotic treatment reversed the VPA-induced increase and decrease in serum IL-6 and IL-10 levels, respectively. Combined treatment also significantly increased the IL-10 levels. Prenatal VPA exposure decreased 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) levels in the prefrontal cortex of the brain; however, combined treatment reversed this decrease. Prenatal VPA exposure also caused a decrease in Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes ratio in the gut microbiota, while the probiotic treatment significantly increased this ratio. These findings indicate that probiotic- and prebiotic-mediated microbial modulation may represent a new therapeutic approach to alleviate autistic-like symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emre Adıgüzel
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Karamanoğlu Mehmetbey University, İbrahim Öktem Street, Karaman 70200, Turkey.
| | - Betül Çiçek
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey.
| | - Gökhan Ünal
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey.
| | - Mehmet Fatih Aydın
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Karamanoğlu Mehmetbey University, Karaman, Turkey,.
| | - Didem Barlak-Keti
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Medical School, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey.
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Zhao J, Ye L, Liu Z, Cui Y, Deng D, Bai S, Yang L, Shi Y, Liu Z, Zhang R. Protective Effects of Resveratrol on Adolescent Social Isolation-Induced Anxiety-Like Behaviors via Modulating Nucleus Accumbens Spine Plasticity and Mitochondrial Function in Female Rats. Nutrients 2022; 14:4542. [PMID: 36364807 PMCID: PMC9656193 DOI: 10.3390/nu14214542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Social isolation (SI) is a major risk factor for mood disorders in adolescents. The nucleus accumbens (NAc) is an important reward center implicated in psychiatric disorders. Resveratrol (RSV) is one of the most effective natural polyphenols with anti-anxiety and depression effects. However, little is known about the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of RSV on behavioral abnormality of adolescent social stress. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the underlying mechanism of RSV on the amelioration of SI-induced behavioral abnormality. We found that SI induced anxiety-like behavior and social dysfunction in isolated female rats. Moreover, SI reduced mitochondrial number and ATP levels and increased thin spine density in the NAc. RNA sequencing results showed that SI changed the transcription pattern in the NAc, including 519 upregulated genes and 610 downregulated genes, especially those related to mitochondrial function. Importantly, RSV ameliorated behavioral and spine abnormalities induced by SI and increased NAc ATP levels and mitochondria number. Furthermore, RSV increased the activity of cytochrome C oxidase (COX) and upregulated mRNA levels of Cox5a, Cox6a1 and Cox7c. These results demonstrate that the modulation of spine plasticity and mitochondrial function in the NAc by RSV has a therapeutic effect on mood disorders induced by social isolation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinlan Zhao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, Joint International Research Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Lihong Ye
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, Joint International Research Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Zuyi Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, Joint International Research Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yongfei Cui
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, Joint International Research Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Di Deng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, Joint International Research Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Shasha Bai
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, Joint International Research Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Lei Yang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, Joint International Research Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yafei Shi
- School of Fundamental Medical Science, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Zhongqiu Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, Joint International Research Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Rong Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, Joint International Research Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China
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19
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Di Y, Diao Z, Zheng Q, Li J, Cheng Q, Li Z, Fang S, Wang H, Wei C, Zheng Q, Liu Y, Han J, Liu Z, Fan J, Ren W, Tian Y. Differential Alterations in Striatal Direct and Indirect Pathways Mediate Two Autism-like Behaviors in Valproate-Exposed Mice. J Neurosci 2022; 42:7833-7847. [PMID: 36414013 PMCID: PMC9581566 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0623-22.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism is characterized by two key diagnostic criteria including social deficits and repetitive behaviors. Although recent studies implicated ventral striatum in social deficits and dorsal striatum in repetitive behaviors, here we revealed coexisting and opposite morphologic and functional alterations in the dorsostriatal direct and indirect pathways, and such alterations in these two pathways were found to be responsible, respectively, for the two abovementioned different autism-like behaviors exhibited by male mice prenatally exposed to valproate. The alteration in direct pathway was characterized by a potentiated state of basal activity, with impairment in transient responsiveness of D1-MSNs during social exploration. Concurrent alteration in indirect pathway was a depressed state of basal activity, with enhancement in transient responsiveness of D2-MSNs during repetitive behaviors. A causal relationship linking such differential alterations in these two pathways to the coexistence of these two autism-like behaviors was demonstrated by the cell type-specific correction of abnormal basal activity in the D1-MSNs and D2-MSNs of valproate-exposed mice. The findings support those differential alterations in two striatal pathways mediate the two coexisting autism-like behavioral abnormalities, respectively. This result will help in developing therapeutic options targeting these circuit alterations.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Autism is characterized by two key diagnostic criteria including social deficits and repetitive behaviors. Although a number of recent studies have implicated ventral striatum in social deficits and dorsal striatum in repetitive behaviors, but social behaviors need to be processed by a series of actions, and repetitive behaviors, especially the high-order repetitive behaviors such as restrictive interests, have its scope to cognitive and emotional domains. The current study, for the first time, revealed that prenatal valproate exposure induced coexisting and differential alterations in the dorsomedial striatal direct and indirect pathways, and that these alterations mediate the two coexisting autism-like behavioral abnormalities, respectively. This result will help in developing therapeutic options targeting these circuit alterations to address the behavioral abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Di
- Key Laboratory of Modern Teaching Technology, Ministry of Education, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710062, China
| | - Zhijun Diao
- Key Laboratory of Modern Teaching Technology, Ministry of Education, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710062, China
| | - Qi Zheng
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710119, China
| | - Jin Li
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710119, China
| | - Qiangqiang Cheng
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710119, China
| | - Zhongqi Li
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710119, China
| | - Suwen Fang
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710119, China
| | - Hao Wang
- Key Laboratory of Modern Teaching Technology, Ministry of Education, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710062, China
| | - Chunling Wei
- Key Laboratory of Modern Teaching Technology, Ministry of Education, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710062, China
| | - Qiaohua Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Modern Teaching Technology, Ministry of Education, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710062, China
| | - Yingxun Liu
- Key Laboratory of Modern Teaching Technology, Ministry of Education, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710062, China
| | - Jing Han
- Key Laboratory of Modern Teaching Technology, Ministry of Education, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710062, China
| | - Zhiqiang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Modern Teaching Technology, Ministry of Education, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710062, China
| | - Juan Fan
- Key Laboratory of Modern Teaching Technology, Ministry of Education, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710062, China
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710119, China
| | - Wei Ren
- Key Laboratory of Modern Teaching Technology, Ministry of Education, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710062, China
- Faculty of Education, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710062, China
| | - Yingfang Tian
- Key Laboratory of Modern Teaching Technology, Ministry of Education, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710062, China
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710119, China
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20
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Iezzi D, Curti L, Ranieri G, Gerace E, Costa A, Ilari A, La Rocca A, Luceri C, D'Ambrosio M, Silvestri L, Scardigli M, Mannaioni G, Masi A. Acute rapamycin rescues the hyperexcitable phenotype of accumbal medium spiny neurons in the valproic acid rat model of autism spectrum disorder. Pharmacol Res 2022; 183:106401. [PMID: 35987482 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106401] [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: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
We previously demonstrated that prenatal exposure to valproic acid (VPA), an environmental model of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), leads to a hyperexcitable phenotype associated with downregulation of inward-rectifying potassium currents in nucleus accumbens (NAc) medium spiny neurons (MSNs) of adolescent rats. Aberrant mTOR pathway function has been associated with autistic-like phenotypes in multiple animal models, including gestational exposure to VPA. The purpose of this work was to probe the involvement of the mTOR pathway in VPA-induced alterations of striatal excitability. Adolescent male Wistar rats prenatally exposed to VPA were treated acutely with the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin and used for behavioral tests, ex vivo brain slice electrophysiology, single-neuron morphometric analysis, synaptic protein quantification and gene expression analysis in the NAc. We report that postnatal rapamycin ameliorates the social deficit and reverts the abnormal excitability, but not the inward-rectifying potassium current defect, of accumbal MSNs. Synaptic transmission and neuronal morphology were largely unaffected by prenatal VPA exposure or postnatal rapamycin treatment. Transcriptome analysis revealed extensive deregulation of genes implied in neurodevelopmental disorders and ionic mechanisms exerted by prenatal VPA, which was partially reverted by postnatal rapamycin. The results of this work support the existence of antagonistic interaction between mTOR and VPA-induced pathways on social behavior, neurophysiological phenotype and gene expression profile, thus prompting further investigation of the mTOR pathway in the quest for specific therapeutic targets in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Iezzi
- Università degli Studi di Firenze, Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Psicologia, Area del Farmaco e Salute del Bambino - NEUROFARBA, viale Pieraccini 6, 50139, Firenze, Italy; Institut de Neurobiologie de la MEDiterranée - INMED, 163, Avenue de Luminy - Parc Scientifique, 13009, Marseille, France
| | - L Curti
- Università degli Studi di Firenze, Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Psicologia, Area del Farmaco e Salute del Bambino - NEUROFARBA, viale Pieraccini 6, 50139, Firenze, Italy
| | - G Ranieri
- Università degli Studi di Firenze, Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Psicologia, Area del Farmaco e Salute del Bambino - NEUROFARBA, viale Pieraccini 6, 50139, Firenze, Italy
| | - E Gerace
- Università degli Studi di Firenze, Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Psicologia, Area del Farmaco e Salute del Bambino - NEUROFARBA, viale Pieraccini 6, 50139, Firenze, Italy
| | - A Costa
- Università degli Studi di Firenze, Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, viale Pieraccini 6, 50139, Firenze, Italy
| | - A Ilari
- Università degli Studi di Firenze, Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Psicologia, Area del Farmaco e Salute del Bambino - NEUROFARBA, viale Pieraccini 6, 50139, Firenze, Italy
| | - A La Rocca
- Università degli Studi di Firenze, Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Psicologia, Area del Farmaco e Salute del Bambino - NEUROFARBA, viale Pieraccini 6, 50139, Firenze, Italy
| | - C Luceri
- Università degli Studi di Firenze, Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Psicologia, Area del Farmaco e Salute del Bambino - NEUROFARBA, viale Pieraccini 6, 50139, Firenze, Italy
| | - M D'Ambrosio
- Università degli Studi di Firenze, Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Psicologia, Area del Farmaco e Salute del Bambino - NEUROFARBA, viale Pieraccini 6, 50139, Firenze, Italy
| | - L Silvestri
- Università degli Studi di Firenze, Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia, Via Sansone 1, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; European Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy, Via Nello Carrara 1, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - M Scardigli
- Università degli Studi di Firenze, Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia, Via Sansone 1, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; European Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy, Via Nello Carrara 1, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - G Mannaioni
- Università degli Studi di Firenze, Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Psicologia, Area del Farmaco e Salute del Bambino - NEUROFARBA, viale Pieraccini 6, 50139, Firenze, Italy
| | - A Masi
- Università degli Studi di Firenze, Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Psicologia, Area del Farmaco e Salute del Bambino - NEUROFARBA, viale Pieraccini 6, 50139, Firenze, Italy.
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Fortier AV, Meisner OC, Nair AR, Chang SWC. Prefrontal Circuits guiding Social Preference: Implications in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 141:104803. [PMID: 35908593 PMCID: PMC10122914 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Although Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is increasing in diagnostic prevalence, treatment options are inadequate largely due to limited understanding of ASD's underlying neural mechanisms. Contributing to difficulties in treatment development is the vast heterogeneity of ASD, from physiological causes to clinical presentations. Recent studies suggest that distinct genetic and neurological alterations may converge onto similar underlying neural circuits. Therefore, an improved understanding of neural circuit-level dysfunction in ASD may be a more productive path to developing broader treatments that are effective across a greater spectrum of ASD. Given the social preference behavioral deficits commonly seen in ASD, dysfunction in circuits mediating social preference may contribute to the atypical development of social cognition. We discuss some of the animal models used to study ASD and examine the function and effects of dysregulation of the social preference circuits, notably the medial prefrontal cortex-amygdala and the medial prefrontal cortex-nucleus accumbens circuits, in these animal models. Using the common circuits underlying similar behavioral disruptions of social preference behaviors as an example, we highlight the importance of identifying disruption in convergent circuits to improve the translational success of animal model research for ASD treatment development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail V Fortier
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Department of Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Olivia C Meisner
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Amrita R Nair
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Steve W C Chang
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Kavli Institute for Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Wu Tsai Institute, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
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22
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Avolio E, Olivito I, Rosina E, Romano L, Angelone T, Bartolo Anna D, Scimeca M, Bellizzi D, D'Aquila P, Passarino G, Alò R, Maria Facciolo R, Bagni C, De Lorenzo A, Canonaco M. Modifications of behavior and inflammation in mice following transplant with fecal microbiota from children with autism. Neuroscience 2022; 498:174-189. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2022.06.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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Sivasangari K, Rajan KE. Prenatal exposure to valproic acid alters Reelin, NGF expressing neuron architecture and impairs social interaction in their autistic-like phenotype male offspring. Exp Brain Res 2022; 240:2005-2016. [PMID: 35648200 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-022-06386-8] [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: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Maternal exposure to anti-epileptic drug Valproic acid (VPA) during pregnancy increases the risk for the development of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). In this study, we have examined whether prenatal exposure to VPA will alter expression of key genes, synaptic morphology of nerve growth factor (NGF) and Reelin expressing neurons in the cortex of male offspring. To characterize in animal models, rat fetuses were exposed to VPA on 12.5 gestational day. The offspring of the VPA-exposed individuals (42%) resembles ASD-related phenotype (facial malformation, crooked-like tail, flattened paw, toenails and in-turning-ankles). Furthermore, we have observed deficit in social interaction accompanied by deregulation in expression of genes such as Caspase-3, focal adhesion kinase (FAK), Reelin, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and NGF. Subsequently, immunohistochemistry analysis revealed that exposure to VPA alters the cytoarchitecture (area, diameter) and reduced the dendritic arborization of Reelin, NGF expressing neurons in cortex. The compromised neurodevelopment by altered expression of Caspase-3, FAK, Reelin, GFAP, PCNA and NGF may cause defects in neuronal architecture, synaptic formation, synaptic plasticity and neuronal communication which could be linked with observed ASD-like phenotype and deficit social interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karunanithi Sivasangari
- Behavioural Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Animal Science, School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, 620024, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Koilmani Emmanuvel Rajan
- Behavioural Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Animal Science, School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, 620024, Tamil Nadu, India.
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24
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Mehra S, Ul Ahsan A, Seth E, Chopra M. Critical Evaluation of Valproic Acid-Induced Rodent Models of Autism: Current and Future Perspectives. J Mol Neurosci 2022; 72:1259-1273. [DOI: 10.1007/s12031-022-02033-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Liu Z, Wang J, Xu Q, Wu Z, You L, Hong Q, Zhu J, Chi X. Vitamin A supplementation ameliorates prenatal valproic acid-induced autism-like behaviors in rats. Neurotoxicology 2022; 91:155-165. [PMID: 35594946 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2022.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social deficits and repetitive stereotyped behaviors. Prenatal exposure to the anticonvulsant drug valproic acid (VPA) is reported to induce ASD in human and ASD-like phenotypes in rodents. Unfortunately, the etiology and pathogenesis of ASD remains unclear. METHODS Pregnant rats received an intraperitoneal injection of 600 mg/kg VPA on E12.5 to construct the ASD rat model in offspring. The different expression of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) and mRNA profiles in the hippocampus were determined by RNA sequencing to investigate potential mechanisms of VPA-induced ASD. Gene Ontology (GO) and pathway enrichment analysis were performed to predict the function of dysregulated lncRNAs. Co-expression network and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis were conducted to validate the potential regulatory lncRNA-mRNA network. RESULTS VPA increased the total distance, time spent in the central zone and self-grooming (open field test) in rats. Meanwhile, VPA induced social impairment (three-chamber sociability test) and repetitive behaviors (marble burying test). A total of 238 lncRNAs and 354 mRNAs were differentially expressed in the VPA group. In addition, the dysregulated lncRNAs were involved in neural function and developmental processes of ASD. 5 lncRNAs and 7 mRNAs were differently expressed and included in the lncRNA-mRNA co-expression network. RT-PCR confirmed the upregulation of 4 lncRNAs and 6 mRNAs, and identified a potential regulatory network of NONRATT021475.2 (lncRNA) and Desert hedgehog (Dhh). Moreover, VPA decreased the serum vitamin A (VA) levels in offspring rats on postnatal day (PND) 21 and 49. Importantly, VA supplementation significantly restored VPA-induced autism-related behaviors and upregulation of NONRATT021475.2 and Dhh in the hippocampus of ASD rats. CONCLUSION This study not only contributed to understand the importance of lncRNAs and mRNAs in the progression of ASD, but also identified VA as a potential therapy for the condition. DATA AVAILABILITY The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author with reasonable request.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhonghui Liu
- Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, 123 Tianfei Alley, Mochou Road, Nanjing 210004, PR China; Institute of Pediatrics, Nanjing Medical University, 72 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing 210008, PR China
| | - Jingyu Wang
- Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, 123 Tianfei Alley, Mochou Road, Nanjing 210004, PR China; Institute of Pediatrics, Nanjing Medical University, 72 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing 210008, PR China
| | - Qu Xu
- Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, 123 Tianfei Alley, Mochou Road, Nanjing 210004, PR China
| | - Zhenggang Wu
- Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, 123 Tianfei Alley, Mochou Road, Nanjing 210004, PR China
| | - Lianghui You
- Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, 123 Tianfei Alley, Mochou Road, Nanjing 210004, PR China
| | - Qin Hong
- Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, 123 Tianfei Alley, Mochou Road, Nanjing 210004, PR China
| | - Jiansheng Zhu
- Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, 123 Tianfei Alley, Mochou Road, Nanjing 210004, PR China.
| | - Xia Chi
- Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, 123 Tianfei Alley, Mochou Road, Nanjing 210004, PR China; Institute of Pediatrics, Nanjing Medical University, 72 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing 210008, PR China.
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Hippocampal Mitochondrial Abnormalities Induced the Dendritic Complexity Reduction and Cognitive Decline in a Rat Model of Spinal Cord Injury. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2022; 2022:9253916. [PMID: 35571236 PMCID: PMC9095360 DOI: 10.1155/2022/9253916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 03/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease in addition to a traumatic event. Cognitive dysfunction following SCI has been widely reported in patients and animal models. However, the neuroanatomical changes affecting cognitive function after SCI, as well as the mechanisms behind these changes, have so far remained elusive. Herein, we found that SCI accelerates oxidative stress damage of hippocampal neuronal mitochondria. Then, for the first time, we presented a three-dimensional morphological atlas of rat hippocampal neurons generated using a fluorescence Micro-Optical Sectioning Tomography system, a method that accurately identifies the spatial localization of neurons and trace neurites. We showed that the number of dendritic branches and dendritic length was decreased in late stage of SCI. Western blot and transmission electron microscopy analyses also showed a decrease in synaptic communication. In addition, a battery of behavioral tests in these animals revealed hippocampal based cognitive dysfunction, which could be attributed to changes in the dendritic complexity of hippocampal neurons. Taken together, these results suggested that mitochondrial abnormalities in hippocampal neurons induced the dendritic complexity reduction and cognitive decline following SCI. Our study highlights the neuroanatomical basis and importance of mitochondria in brain degeneration following SCI, which might contribute to propose new therapeutic strategies.
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Morel C, Christophe A, Maguin-Gaté K, Paoli J, Turner JD, Schroeder H, Grova N. Head-to-Head Study of Developmental Neurotoxicity and Resultant Phenotype in Rats: α-Hexabromocyclododecane versus Valproic Acid, a Recognized Model of Reference for Autism Spectrum Disorders. TOXICS 2022; 10:toxics10040180. [PMID: 35448441 PMCID: PMC9029525 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10040180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Evidence is now growing that exposure to environmental pollutants during the critical early-life period of brain development may contribute to the emergence of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). This study seeks to compare the developmental neurotoxicity of the α-isomer of hexabromocyclododecane (α-HBCDD), a persistent brominated flame retardant, to the valproic acid (VPA) model of ASD in rodents. Pregnant Wistar rats were divided into three groups: control, α-HBCDD (100 ng/kg/day p.o., GD0-PND21) and VPA (600 mg/kg i.p., GD12). Male offspring were tested for their neuromotor development from PND2-21. At PND21, brain functionality was assessed by measuring cytochrome oxidase activity (CO). Modifications in neuroglia and synaptic plasticity were evaluated in the cortex. Similar subtle behavioural changes related to neuromotor maturation and noise reaction were observed in both treated groups. At PND21, a reduction in CO activity was measured in the VPA group only, in specific areas including auditory nuclei, visual cortex, cingulate and frontal cortices. At the same age, α-HBCDD pointed out significant overexpression of cortical markers of synaptic plasticity while both treated groups showed a significant under expression of astrocyte proteins (S100-β and GFAP). Early-life exposure to a low dose of α-HBCDD may trigger neurobehavioural alterations in line with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloé Morel
- Calbinotox, EA7488, Université de Lorraine, 54506 Nancy, France; (C.M.); (A.C.); (K.M.-G.); (J.P.); (H.S.)
| | - Armelle Christophe
- Calbinotox, EA7488, Université de Lorraine, 54506 Nancy, France; (C.M.); (A.C.); (K.M.-G.); (J.P.); (H.S.)
| | - Katy Maguin-Gaté
- Calbinotox, EA7488, Université de Lorraine, 54506 Nancy, France; (C.M.); (A.C.); (K.M.-G.); (J.P.); (H.S.)
| | - Justine Paoli
- Calbinotox, EA7488, Université de Lorraine, 54506 Nancy, France; (C.M.); (A.C.); (K.M.-G.); (J.P.); (H.S.)
| | - Jonathan David Turner
- Immune Endocrine Epigenetics Research Group, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, 29 rue Henri Koch, L-4354 Esch-Sur-Alzette, Luxembourg;
| | - Henri Schroeder
- Calbinotox, EA7488, Université de Lorraine, 54506 Nancy, France; (C.M.); (A.C.); (K.M.-G.); (J.P.); (H.S.)
- Inserm U1256, NGERE, Université de Lorraine, 54000 Nancy, France
| | - Nathalie Grova
- Calbinotox, EA7488, Université de Lorraine, 54506 Nancy, France; (C.M.); (A.C.); (K.M.-G.); (J.P.); (H.S.)
- Immune Endocrine Epigenetics Research Group, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, 29 rue Henri Koch, L-4354 Esch-Sur-Alzette, Luxembourg;
- Inserm U1256, NGERE, Université de Lorraine, 54000 Nancy, France
- Correspondence:
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Ma SY, KWAN KM. Size Anomaly and Alteration of GABAergic Enzymes Expressions in Cerebellum of a Valproic acid Mouse Model of Autism. Behav Brain Res 2022; 428:113896. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2022.113896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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Adiletta A, Pross A, Taricco N, Sgadò P. Embryonic Valproate Exposure Alters Mesencephalic Dopaminergic Neurons Distribution and Septal Dopaminergic Gene Expression in Domestic Chicks. Front Integr Neurosci 2022; 16:804881. [PMID: 35369647 PMCID: PMC8966611 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2022.804881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the role of the dopaminergic system in the regulation of social behavior is being progressively outlined, and dysfunctions of the dopaminergic system are increasingly associated with neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). To study the role of the dopaminergic (DA) system in an animal model of ASD, we investigated the effects of embryonic exposure to valproic acid (VPA) on the postnatal development of the mesencephalic DA system in the domestic chick. We found that VPA affected the rostro-caudal distribution of DA neurons, without changing the expression levels of several dopaminergic markers in the mesencephalon. We also investigated a potential consequence of this altered DA neuronal distribution in the septum, a social brain area previously associated to social behavior in several vertebrate species, describing alterations in the expression of genes linked to DA neurotransmission. These findings support the emerging hypothesis of a role of DA dysfunction in ASD pathogenesis. Together with previous studies showing impairments of early social orienting behavior, these data also support the use of the domestic chick model to investigate the neurobiological mechanisms potentially involved in early ASD symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Adiletta
- Center for Mind/Brain Sciences, University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy
| | - Alessandra Pross
- Center for Mind/Brain Sciences, University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy
- Lleida’s Institute for Biomedical Research Dr. Pifarre Foundation (IRBLleida), Lleida, Spain
| | - Nicolò Taricco
- Center for Mind/Brain Sciences, University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy
| | - Paola Sgadò
- Center for Mind/Brain Sciences, University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy
- *Correspondence: Paola Sgadò,
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Jiang S, Xiao L, Sun Y, He M, Gao C, Zhu C, Chang H, Ding J, Li W, Wang Y, Sun T, Wang F. The GABAB receptor agonist STX209 reverses the autism‑like behaviour in an animal model of autism induced by prenatal exposure to valproic acid. Mol Med Rep 2022; 25:154. [PMID: 35244195 PMCID: PMC8941376 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2022.12670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition characterized by impaired social interaction, compromised communication, and restrictive or stereotyped behaviours and interests. Due to the complex pathophysiology of ASD, there are currently no available medical therapies for improving the associated social deficits. Consequently, the present study investigated the effects of STX209, a selective γ‑aminobutyric acid type B receptor (GABABR2) agonist, on an environmental rodent model of autism. The mouse model of autism induced by prenatal exposure to valproic acid (VPA) was used to assess the therapeutic potential of STX209 on autism‑like behaviour in the present study. This study investigated the effects of STX209 on VPA model mice via behavioral testing and revealed a significant reversal of core/associated autism‑like behavior, including sociability and preference for social novelty, novelty recognition, locomotion and exploration activity and marble‑burying deficit. This may be associated with STX209 correcting dendritic arborization, spine density and GABABR2 expression in hippocampus of VPA model mice. However, expression of glutamic acid decarboxylase 65/67 in the hippocampus were not altered by STX209. The present results demonstrated that STX209 administration ameliorated autism‑like symptoms in mice exposed to VPA prenatally, suggesting that autism‑like symptoms in children with a history of prenatal VPA exposure may also benefit from treatment with the GABABR2 agonist STX209.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shucai Jiang
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Craniocerebral Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia 750004, P.R. China
| | - Lifei Xiao
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Craniocerebral Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia 750004, P.R. China
| | - Yu Sun
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Craniocerebral Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia 750004, P.R. China
| | - Maotao He
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261053, P.R. China
| | - Caibin Gao
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Craniocerebral Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia 750004, P.R. China
| | - Changliang Zhu
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Craniocerebral Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia 750004, P.R. China
| | - Haigang Chang
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Craniocerebral Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia 750004, P.R. China
| | - Jiangwei Ding
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Craniocerebral Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia 750004, P.R. China
| | - Wenchao Li
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Craniocerebral Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia 750004, P.R. China
| | - Yangyang Wang
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Craniocerebral Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia 750004, P.R. China
| | - Tao Sun
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Craniocerebral Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia 750004, P.R. China
| | - Feng Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310006, P.R. China
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Lin J, Zhang K, Cao X, Zhao Y, Ullah Khan N, Liu X, Tang X, Chen M, Zhang H, Shen L. iTRAQ-Based Proteomics Analysis of Rat Cerebral Cortex Exposed to Valproic Acid before Delivery. ACS Chem Neurosci 2022; 13:648-663. [PMID: 35138800 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.1c00800] [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] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental disorder characterized by social and communication difficulties. Valproic acid (VPA) injection during pregnancy elicits autism-like behavior in the offspring, making it a classic animal model of ASD. However, the mechanisms involved have not yet been determined. In this study, we used iTRAQ (isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification) proteomics analysis of the cerebral cortex of a VPA rat model (VPA group) and controls (CON group). The results showed that 79 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified between the VPA group and the CON group. Based on bioinformatics analysis, the DEPs were mainly enriched at synapses, especially glutamatergic synapses and GABAergic synapses. Some DEPs were involved in energy metabolism, thyroid hormone synthesis pathway, and Na+-K+-ATPase. Cytoskeleton and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-related proteins were also involved. Some DEPs matched either the ASD gene database or previous reports on cerebral cortical transcriptome studies in VPA rat models. Dysregulation of these DEPs in the cerebral cortex of VPA rats may be responsible for autism-like behavior in rats. We also found that some DEPs were associated with neuropsychiatric disorders, implying that these diseases share common signaling pathways and mechanisms. Moreover, increased expression of DEPs was associated with energy metabolism in the cerebral cortex of VPA rats, implying that ASD may be a distinct type of mitochondrial dysfunction that requires further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Lin
- College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518071, P. R. China
- Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, P. R. China
| | - Kaoyuan Zhang
- College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518071, P. R. China
| | - Xueshan Cao
- College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518071, P. R. China
| | - Yuxi Zhao
- College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518071, P. R. China
| | - Naseer Ullah Khan
- College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518071, P. R. China
| | - Xukun Liu
- College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518071, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoxiao Tang
- College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518071, P. R. China
- Brain Disease and Big Data Research Institute, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518071, P. R. China
| | - Margy Chen
- Department of Psychology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Huajie Zhang
- College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518071, P. R. China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology and Ecology, Shenzhen 518071, P. R. China
| | - Liming Shen
- College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518071, P. R. China
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Pathophysiological Studies of Monoaminergic Neurotransmission Systems in Valproic Acid-Induced Model of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10030560. [PMID: 35327362 PMCID: PMC8945169 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10030560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with complex etiology. The core syndromes of ASD are deficits in social communication and self-restricted interests and repetitive behaviors. Social communication relies on the proper integration of sensory and motor functions, which is tightly interwoven with the limbic function of reward, motivation, and emotion in the brain. Monoamine neurotransmitters, including serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, are key players in the modulation of neuronal activity. Owing to their broad distribution, the monoamine neurotransmitter systems are well suited to modulate social communication by coordinating sensory, motor, and limbic systems in different brain regions. The complex and diverse functions of monoamine neurotransmission thus render themselves as primary targets of pathophysiological investigation of the etiology of ASD. Clinical studies have reported that children with maternal exposure to valproic acid (VPA) have an increased risk of developing ASD. Extensive animal studies have confirmed that maternal treatments of VPA include ASD-like phenotypes, including impaired social communication and repetitive behavior. Here, given that ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder, we begin with an overview of the neural development of monoaminergic systems with their neurochemical properties in the brain. We then review and discuss the evidence of human clinical and animal model studies of ASD with a focus on the VPA-induced pathophysiology of monoamine neurotransmitter systems. We also review the potential interactions of microbiota and monoamine neurotransmitter systems in ASD pathophysiology. Widespread and complex changes in monoamine neurotransmitters are detected in the brains of human patients with ASD and validated in animal models. ASD animal models are not only essential to the characterization of pathogenic mechanisms, but also provide a preclinical platform for developing therapeutic approaches to ASD.
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Thabault M, Turpin V, Maisterrena A, Jaber M, Egloff M, Galvan L. Cerebellar and Striatal Implications in Autism Spectrum Disorders: From Clinical Observations to Animal Models. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:2294. [PMID: 35216408 PMCID: PMC8874522 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23042294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are complex conditions that stem from a combination of genetic, epigenetic and environmental influences during early pre- and postnatal childhood. The review focuses on the cerebellum and the striatum, two structures involved in motor, sensory, cognitive and social functions altered in ASD. We summarize clinical and fundamental studies highlighting the importance of these two structures in ASD. We further discuss the relation between cellular and molecular alterations with the observed behavior at the social, cognitive, motor and gait levels. Functional correlates regarding neuronal activity are also detailed wherever possible, and sexual dimorphism is explored pointing to the need to apprehend ASD in both sexes, as findings can be dramatically different at both quantitative and qualitative levels. The review focuses also on a set of three recent papers from our laboratory where we explored motor and gait function in various genetic and environmental ASD animal models. We report that motor and gait behaviors can constitute an early and quantitative window to the disease, as they often correlate with the severity of social impairments and loss of cerebellar Purkinje cells. The review ends with suggestions as to the main obstacles that need to be surpassed before an appropriate management of the disease can be proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathieu Thabault
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Expérimentales et Cliniques, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Université de Poitiers, 86073 Poitiers, France; (M.T.); (V.T.); (A.M.); (M.J.); (M.E.)
| | - Valentine Turpin
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Expérimentales et Cliniques, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Université de Poitiers, 86073 Poitiers, France; (M.T.); (V.T.); (A.M.); (M.J.); (M.E.)
| | - Alexandre Maisterrena
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Expérimentales et Cliniques, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Université de Poitiers, 86073 Poitiers, France; (M.T.); (V.T.); (A.M.); (M.J.); (M.E.)
| | - Mohamed Jaber
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Expérimentales et Cliniques, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Université de Poitiers, 86073 Poitiers, France; (M.T.); (V.T.); (A.M.); (M.J.); (M.E.)
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Poitiers, 86021 Poitiers, France
| | - Matthieu Egloff
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Expérimentales et Cliniques, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Université de Poitiers, 86073 Poitiers, France; (M.T.); (V.T.); (A.M.); (M.J.); (M.E.)
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Poitiers, 86021 Poitiers, France
| | - Laurie Galvan
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Expérimentales et Cliniques, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Université de Poitiers, 86073 Poitiers, France; (M.T.); (V.T.); (A.M.); (M.J.); (M.E.)
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DiCarlo GE, Wallace MT. Modeling dopamine dysfunction in autism spectrum disorder: From invertebrates to vertebrates. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 133:104494. [PMID: 34906613 PMCID: PMC8792250 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a highly heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social communication and by patterns of restricted interests and/or repetitive behaviors. The Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative's Human Gene and CNV Modules now list over 1000 genes implicated in ASD and over 2000 copy number variant loci reported in individuals with ASD. Given this ever-growing list of genetic changes associated with ASD, it has become evident that there is likely not a single genetic cause of this disorder nor a single neurobiological basis of this disorder. Instead, it is likely that many different neurobiological perturbations (which may represent subtypes of ASD) can result in the set of behavioral symptoms that we called ASD. One such of possible subtype of ASD may be associated with dopamine dysfunction. Precise regulation of synaptic dopamine (DA) is required for reward processing and behavioral learning, behaviors which are disrupted in ASD. Here we review evidence for DA dysfunction in ASD and in animal models of ASD. Further, we propose that these studies provide a scaffold for scientists and clinicians to consider subcategorizing the ASD diagnosis based on the genetic changes, neurobiological difference, and behavioral features identified in individuals with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella E DiCarlo
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Mark T Wallace
- Vanderbilt University Brain Institute, Nashville, TN, United States; Department of Psychology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States; Department of Hearing & Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States; Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States.
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Mild Hypophagia and Associated Changes in Feeding-Related Gene Expression and c-Fos Immunoreactivity in Adult Male Rats with Sodium Valproate-Induced Autism. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13020259. [PMID: 35205303 PMCID: PMC8871607 DOI: 10.3390/genes13020259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
A core yet understudied symptom of autism is aberrant eating behaviour, including extremely narrow food preferences. Autistic individuals often refuse to eat despite hunger unless preferred food is given. We hypothesised that, apart from aberrant preference, underfeeding stems from abnormal hunger processing. Utilising an adult male VPA rat, a model of autism, we examined intake of ‘bland’ chow in animals maintained on this diet continuously, eating this food after fasting and after both food and water deprivation. We assessed body weight in adulthood to determine whether lower feeding led to slower growth. Since food intake is highly regulated by brain processes, we looked into the activation (c-Fos immunoreactivity) of central sites controlling appetite in animals subjected to food deprivation vs. fed ad libitum. Expression of genes involved in food intake in the hypothalamus and brain stem, regions responsible for energy balance, was measured in deprived vs. sated animals. We performed our analyses on VPAs and age-matched healthy controls. We found that VPAs ate less of the ‘bland’ chow when fed ad libitum and after deprivation than controls did. Their body weight increased more slowly than that of controls when maintained on the ‘bland’ food. While hungry controls had lower c-Fos IR in key feeding-related areas than their ad libitum-fed counterparts, in hungry VPAs c-Fos was unchanged or elevated compared to the fed ones. The lack of changes in expression of feeding-related genes upon deprivation in VPAs was in contrast to several transcripts affected by fasting in healthy controls. We conclude that hunger processing is dysregulated in the VPA rat.
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Jiang S, He M, Xiao L, Sun Y, Ding J, Li W, Guo B, Wang L, Wang Y, Gao C, Sun T, Wang F. Prenatal GABAB Receptor Agonist Administration Corrects the Inheritance of Autism-Like Core Behaviors in Offspring of Mice Prenatally Exposed to Valproic Acid. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:835993. [PMID: 35492716 PMCID: PMC9051083 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.835993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
This study was performed to evaluate the effects of prenatal baclofen (a GABAB receptor agonist) treatment on the inheritance of autism-like behaviors in valproic acid (VPA)-exposed mice. VPA model mice (first generation, F1) that were prenatally exposed to VPA exhibited robust core autism-like behaviors, and we found that oral administration of baclofen to F1 mice corrected their autism-like behavioral phenotypes at an early age. Based on a previous epigenetics study, we mated the F1 male offspring with litter females to produce the second generation (F2). The F2 male mice showed obvious inheritance of autism-like phenotypes from F1 mice, implying the heritability of autism symptoms in patients with prenatal VPA exposure. Furthermore, we found prenatal baclofen administration was associated with beneficial effects on the autism-like phenotype in F2 male mice. This may have involved corrections in the density of total/mature dendritic spines in the hippocampus (HC) and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), normalizing synaptic plasticity. In this research, GABAB receptor agonist administration corrected the core autism-like behaviors of F1 mice and protected against the inheritance of neurodevelopmental disorders in the offspring of F1 mice, suggesting the potential of early intervention with GABAB receptor agonists in the treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shucai Jiang
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Craniocerebral Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Maotao He
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Lifei Xiao
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Craniocerebral Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Yu Sun
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Craniocerebral Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Jiangwei Ding
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Craniocerebral Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Wenchao Li
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Craniocerebral Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Baorui Guo
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Craniocerebral Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Craniocerebral Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Yangyang Wang
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Craniocerebral Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Caibin Gao
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Craniocerebral Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Tao Sun
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Craniocerebral Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Feng Wang
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Craniocerebral Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China.,The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
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Northcutt KV, Leal-Medina TS, Yoon YS. Early postnatal hypothyroidism reduces juvenile play behavior, but prenatal hypothyroidism compensates for these effects. Physiol Behav 2021; 241:113594. [PMID: 34536436 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2021.113594] [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: 07/17/2021] [Revised: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Perinatal hypothyroidism causes long-lasting effects on behavior, including hyperactivity, cognitive delays/deficits, and a reduction in anxiety. Although there is some evidence that hypothyroidism during fetal development in humans has been associated with later autism spectrum disorder diagnosis or autism-like traits, the relationships between early thyroid hormones and social behaviors are largely unknown. Previously, we found that a moderate dose of the hypothyroid-inducing drug methimazole during embryonic and postnatal development dramatically increased juvenile play in male and female rats. The goal of the current study was to determine the extent to which thyroid hormones act in prenatal or postnatal development to organize later social behaviors. Subjects were exposed to methimazole in the drinking water during prenatal (embryonic day 12 to birth), postnatal (birth to postnatal day 23), or pre- and postnatal development; control animals received regular drinking water throughout the experiment. They were tested for play behavior as juveniles (P30-32). We found an interaction between pre- and postnatal methimazole administration such that postnatal hypothyroidism decreased some play behaviors, whereas sustained pre- and postnatal hypothyroidism restored play to control levels. The effects were similar in males and females. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an interaction between pre- and postnatal hypothyroidism on later behavior. The complexity of the timing of these effects may help explain why epidemiological studies have not consistently found a relationship between gestational hypothyroidism and later behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharine V Northcutt
- Biology Department and Neuroscience Program, Mercer University, 1501 Mercer University Dr., Macon, GA 31207, USA.
| | - Tanya S Leal-Medina
- Biology Department and Neuroscience Program, Mercer University, 1501 Mercer University Dr., Macon, GA 31207, USA
| | - Ye S Yoon
- Biology Department and Neuroscience Program, Mercer University, 1501 Mercer University Dr., Macon, GA 31207, USA
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38
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Vitor-Vieira F, Vilela FC, Giusti-Paiva A. Hyperactivation of the amygdala correlates with impaired social play behavior of prepubertal male rats in a maternal immune activation model. Behav Brain Res 2021; 414:113503. [PMID: 34331970 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Maternal infection during pregnancy is an environmental risk factor for neurodevelopmental dysfunction, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study investigated the effect of maternal immune activation (MIA) on the behavior profile of prepubertal offspring and whether MIA alters the neuronal activation pattern of brain areas related to social play behavior. Pregnant Wistar rats received 500 μg/kg of lipopolysaccharide or saline solution on gestational day 16. Their offspring were tested using behavioral tasks to capture some of the core and associated ASD-like symptoms. Neuronal activation, indexed via c-fos expression after social play behavior, was evaluated in several brain areas. MIA had a number of adverse effects on dams and reduced the number of successful births and litter size. MIA induced sex-specific autistic-like features by a reduction in ultrasonic vocalizations in response to separation from the mother and nest, reduction in discrimination between neutral odors and their nest odor, moderate effect in stereotypies in the hole-board test, impaired risk assessment phenotype, and reduction in social play behavior without changes in locomotor activity only in prepubertal male offspring. A decrease in social play behavior may be associated with a decrease in the number of c-fos-positive cells in the prefrontal cortex and striatum, but hyperactivation of the basolateral and basomedial amygdala. Prenatal immune challenge results in ASD-like symptoms such as impaired risk assessment behavior, communication, and social interactions in male prepubertal offspring. Impaired social play behavior is correlated with neuronal hyperactivation in the amygdala.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Vitor-Vieira
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas-MG, Alfenas, Brazil
| | - Fabiana C Vilela
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas-MG, Alfenas, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Giusti-Paiva
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas-MG, Alfenas, Brazil.
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Conei D, Rojas M, Santamaría L, Risopatrón J. Protective role of vitamin E in testicular development of mice exposed to valproic acid. Andrologia 2021; 53:e14140. [PMID: 34152619 DOI: 10.1111/and.14140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 05/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Valproic acid (VPA) is a teratogenic antiepileptic, causing alterations in oxidative stress in prenatal development, being altered the development of the male reproductive system. The purpose of this study was to determine the protective effect of vitamin E (VE) on the testicular development in embryos, foetuses and pubertal mice exposed to VPA, VPA+VE and only VE. Sixty pregnant adult female mice were used, to which they were administered 600 mg/kg of VPA (VPA groups), 600 mg/kg of VPA and 200 IU of VE (VPA+VE groups), 200 IU VE (VE groups) and 0.3 ml of 0.9% physiological solution (control groups), showing at 12.5 days post-coital (dpc), 17.5 dpc and 6 weeks postnatal testicular development, and proliferative and apoptotic indices. The groups treated with VPA presented a smaller testicular volume, with greater interstitial space and a delay in the conformation of the testicular cords, shorter lengths and diameters of the germinal epithelium, a smaller number of germline and somatic cells, an increase in cells apoptotic and less proliferation, with significant differences. VE-treated groups behaved similarly to controls. In conclusion, VE reduces the effects caused by VPA throughout testicular development, from embryonic stages, continuing until pubertal stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Conei
- Doctoral Program in Morphological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile.,Comparative Embryology Laboratory, Anatomy and Developmental Biology Program, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.,Department of Health Sciences, Universidad de Aysén, Coyhaique, Chile
| | - Mariana Rojas
- Comparative Embryology Laboratory, Anatomy and Developmental Biology Program, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Luis Santamaría
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jennie Risopatrón
- Center of Biotechnology on Reproduction (CEBIOR-BIOREN), Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile.,Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
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40
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Thornton AM, Humphrey RM, Kerr DM, Finn DP, Roche M. Increasing Endocannabinoid Tone Alters Anxiety-Like and Stress Coping Behaviour in Female Rats Prenatally Exposed to Valproic Acid. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26123720. [PMID: 34207178 PMCID: PMC8233839 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26123720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Given the sex differences evident in the prevalence of autism, there is an increased awareness of the importance of including females in autism research to determine sexual dimorphism and sex-specific treatments. Cannabinoids and endocannabinoid modulators have been proposed as potential novel treatments for autism-related symptoms; however, few studies to date have examined if these pharmacological agents elicit sex-specific effects. The aim of the present study was to use the valproic acid (VPA) model of autism to compare the behavioural responses of male and female rats and examine the effects of increasing endocannabinoid tone on the behavioural responses of VPA-exposed female rats. These data revealed that VPA-exposed male, but not female, rats exhibit reduced social responding in the three-chamber and olfactory habituation/dishabituation (OHD) test during adolescence. In comparison, VPA-exposed female, but not male, adolescent rats exhibited anxiety-like behaviour in the elevated plus maze (EPM) and open field test (OFT). In VPA-exposed female rats, increasing 2-AG levels augmented anxiety-like behaviour in the EPM and OFT, while increasing AEA levels reduced stress coping behaviour in the swim stress test. These data highlight sexual dimorphic behaviours in the VPA model and indicate that enhancing endocannabinoid levels may exacerbate negative affective behaviour in VPA-exposed females. Thus, considerations should be paid to the possible sex-specific effects of cannabinoids for the treatment of symptoms associated with autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aoife M. Thornton
- Physiology, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland Galway, H91 W5P7 Galway, Ireland; (A.M.T.); (R.M.H.)
- Galway Neuroscience Centre, National University of Ireland Galway, H91 W5P7 Galway, Ireland;
| | - Rachel M. Humphrey
- Physiology, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland Galway, H91 W5P7 Galway, Ireland; (A.M.T.); (R.M.H.)
- Galway Neuroscience Centre, National University of Ireland Galway, H91 W5P7 Galway, Ireland;
- Centre for Pain Research, National University of Ireland Galway, H91 W5P7 Galway, Ireland
| | - Daniel M. Kerr
- Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland Galway, H91 W5P7 Galway, Ireland;
| | - David P. Finn
- Galway Neuroscience Centre, National University of Ireland Galway, H91 W5P7 Galway, Ireland;
- Centre for Pain Research, National University of Ireland Galway, H91 W5P7 Galway, Ireland
- Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland Galway, H91 W5P7 Galway, Ireland;
| | - Michelle Roche
- Physiology, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland Galway, H91 W5P7 Galway, Ireland; (A.M.T.); (R.M.H.)
- Galway Neuroscience Centre, National University of Ireland Galway, H91 W5P7 Galway, Ireland;
- Centre for Pain Research, National University of Ireland Galway, H91 W5P7 Galway, Ireland
- Correspondence:
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41
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Pavăl D, Micluția IV. The Dopamine Hypothesis of Autism Spectrum Disorder Revisited: Current Status and Future Prospects. Dev Neurosci 2021; 43:73-83. [PMID: 34010842 DOI: 10.1159/000515751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) comprises a group of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by social deficits and stereotyped behaviors. Despite intensive research, its etiopathogenesis remains largely unclear. Although studies consistently reported dopaminergic anomalies, a coherent dopaminergic model of ASD was lacking until recently. In 2017, we provided a theoretical framework for a "dopamine hypothesis of ASD" which proposed that autistic behavior arises from a dysfunctional midbrain dopaminergic system. Namely, we hypothesized that malfunction of 2 critical circuits originating in the midbrain, that is, the mesocorticolimbic and nigrostriatal pathways, generates the core behavioral features of ASD. Moreover, we provided key predictions of our model along with testing means. Since then, a notable number of studies referenced our work and numerous others provided support for our model. To account for these developments, we review all these recent data and discuss their implications. Furthermore, in the light of these new insights, we further refine and reconceptualize our model, debating on the possibility that various etiologies of ASD converge upon a dysfunctional midbrain dopaminergic system. In addition, we discuss future prospects, providing new means of testing our hypothesis, as well as its limitations. Along these lines, we aimed to provide a model which, if confirmed, could provide a better understanding of the etiopathogenesis of ASD along with new therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis Pavăl
- Psychiatry Clinic, Emergency County Hospital, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Ioana Valentina Micluția
- Department of Psychiatry, "Iuliu Hațieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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42
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Schmidt SD, Zinn CG, Behling JAK, Furian AF, Furini CRG, de Carvalho Myskiw J, Izquierdo I. Inhibition of PACAP/PAC1/VPAC2 signaling impairs the consolidation of social recognition memory and nitric oxide prevents this deficit. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2021; 180:107423. [PMID: 33705861 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2021.107423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2019] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Social recognition memory (SRM) forms the basis of social relationships of animals. It is essential for social interaction and adaptive behavior, reproduction and species survival. Evidence demonstrates that social deficits of psychiatric disorders such as autism and schizophrenia are caused by alterations in SRM processing by the hippocampus and amygdala. Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide (PACAP) and its receptors PAC1, VPAC1 and VPAC2 are highly expressed in these regions. PACAP is a pleiotropic neuropeptide that modulates synaptic function and plasticity and is thought to be involved in social behavior. PACAP signaling also stimulates the nitric oxide (NO) production and targets outcomes to synapses. In the present work, we investigate the effect of the infusion of PACAP-38 (endogenous neuropeptide and potent stimulator of adenylyl cyclase), PACAP 6-38 (PAC1/VPAC2 receptors antagonist) and S-Nitroso-N-acetyl-DL-penicillamine (SNAP, NO donor) in the CA1 region of the hippocampus and in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) on the consolidation of SRM. For this, male Wistar rats with cannulae implanted in CA1 or in BLA were subjected to a social discrimination paradigm, which is based on the natural ability of rodents to investigate unfamiliar conspecifics more than familiar one. In the sample phase (acquisition), animals were exposed to a juvenile conspecific for 1 h. Immediately, 60 or 150 min after, animals received one of different pharmacological treatments. Twenty-four hours later, they were submitted to a 5 min retention test in the presence of the previously presented juvenile (familiar) and a novel juvenile. Animals that received infusions of PACAP 6-38 (40 pg/side) into CA1 immediately after the sample phase or into BLA immediately or 60 min after the sample phase were unable to recognize the familiar juvenile during the retention test. This impairment was abolished by the coinfusion of PACAP 6-38 plus SNAP (5 μg/side). These results show that the blockade of PACAP/PAC1/VPAC2 signaling in the CA1 and BLA during a restricted post-acquisition time window impairs the consolidation of SRM and that the SNAP is able to abolish this deficit. Findings like this could potentially be used in the future to influence studies of psychiatric disorders involving social behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scheila Daiane Schmidt
- Memory Center, Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Av. Ipiranga, 6690-2nd Floor, 90610-000 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - Carolina Garrido Zinn
- Memory Center, Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Av. Ipiranga, 6690-2nd Floor, 90610-000 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Jonny Anderson Kielbovicz Behling
- Memory Center, Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Av. Ipiranga, 6690-2nd Floor, 90610-000 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Ana Flávia Furian
- Laboratory of Neurotoxicity, Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), Av. Roraima, 1000, 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Cristiane Regina Guerino Furini
- Memory Center, Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Av. Ipiranga, 6690-2nd Floor, 90610-000 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; National Institute of Translational Neuroscience (INNT), National Research Council of Brazil, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Jociane de Carvalho Myskiw
- Memory Center, Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Av. Ipiranga, 6690-2nd Floor, 90610-000 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; National Institute of Translational Neuroscience (INNT), National Research Council of Brazil, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Ivan Izquierdo
- Memory Center, Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Av. Ipiranga, 6690-2nd Floor, 90610-000 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; National Institute of Translational Neuroscience (INNT), National Research Council of Brazil, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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43
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Manduca A, Carbone E, Schiavi S, Cacchione C, Buzzelli V, Campolongo P, Trezza V. The neurochemistry of social reward during development: What have we learned from rodent models? J Neurochem 2021; 157:1408-1435. [PMID: 33569830 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Social rewards are fundamental to survival and overall health. Several studies suggest that adequate social stimuli during early life are critical for developing appropriate socioemotional and cognitive skills, whereas adverse social experiences negatively affect the proper development of brain and behavior, by increasing the susceptibility to develop neuropsychiatric conditions. Therefore, a better understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying social interactions, and their rewarding components in particular, is an important challenge of current neuroscience research. In this context, preclinical research has a crucial role: Animal models allow to investigate the neurobiological aspects of social reward in order to shed light on possible neurochemical alterations causing aberrant social reward processing in neuropsychiatric diseases, and they allow to test the validity and safety of innovative therapeutic strategies. Here, we discuss preclinical research that has investigated the rewarding properties of two forms of social interaction that occur in different phases of the lifespan of mammals, that is, mother-infant interaction and social interactions with peers, by focusing on the main neurotransmitter systems mediating their rewarding components. Together, the research performed so far helped to elucidate the mechanisms of social reward and its psychobiological components throughout development, thus increasing our understanding of the neurobiological substrates sustaining social functioning in health conditions and social dysfunction in major psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonia Manduca
- Department of Science, Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy.,Neuroendocrinology, Metabolism and Neuropharmacology Unit, IRCSS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Emilia Carbone
- Department of Science, Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Schiavi
- Department of Science, Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Cacchione
- Department of Science, Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy
| | - Valeria Buzzelli
- Department of Science, Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Patrizia Campolongo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Neurobiology of Behavior Laboratory, IRCSS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Viviana Trezza
- Department of Science, Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy
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Alò R, Olivito I, Fazzari G, Zizza M, Di Vito A, Avolio E, Mandalà M, Bruno R, Barni T, Canonaco M, Facciolo RM. Correlation of distinct behaviors to the modified expression of cerebral Shank1,3 and BDNF in two autistic animal models. Behav Brain Res 2021; 404:113165. [PMID: 33577886 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 12/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder featuring altered neuronal circuitry and consequently impaired social interactions, restrictive interests plus repetitive stereotypic activities. In the present study, differentiated behaviors of valproic (VPA) and propionic (PPA) acid-mediated autism rats were correlated to cerebral scaffolding proteins (Shank1,3) and BDNF expression variations. Sprague-Dawley offspring that received VPA during pregnancy displayed a notably diminished permanence (-78 %, p < 0.01) in the light chamber of light dark (LD) test, reduced exploratory tasks, i.e. grooming (-90 %) and rearing (-65 %). Moreover, they executed extremely greater climbing intervals (+300 %, p < 0.001) in novel cage (NC) test, plus exhibited an extremely reduced (-331 %) discrimination index in novel object recognition (NOR) test when compared to controls. PPA-treated postnatal days (PND) 12-16 rats also displayed anxiety-like behaviors, although in a less evident manner, as indicated by a moderate time (+55 %; p < 0.05) spent in dark chamber along with notable and moderate decreases in digging (-78 %) plus grooming (-52 %), respectively. Contextually, VPA- more than PPA supplied opposite Shank1,3 expression changes in cerebellum (CB; -62 %; +78 %), dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (DM-PFC; +95 % -76 %), respectively, while resulting extremely upregulated in hippocampus (HIP; +125 % - +155 %). Even BDNF resulted to be substantially and notably diminished in HIP (-85 %) and DM-PFC (-72 %), respectively, of VPA rats while it was only moderately reduced (-35 % to -45 %) in these same areas of PPA rats. The early altered brain-specific expression levels accounting for different behavioral performances may provide useful diagnostic indications and constitute valuable therapeutic strategies for autistic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raffaella Alò
- Comparative Anatomy & Cytology, Dept. of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende-Cosenza, Italy
| | - Ilaria Olivito
- Comparative Anatomy & Cytology, Dept. of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende-Cosenza, Italy
| | - Gilda Fazzari
- Comparative Anatomy & Cytology, Dept. of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende-Cosenza, Italy
| | - Merylin Zizza
- Comparative Anatomy & Cytology, Dept. of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende-Cosenza, Italy
| | - Anna Di Vito
- Dept. of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catanzaro "Magna Graecia", Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Ennio Avolio
- Comparative Anatomy & Cytology, Dept. of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende-Cosenza, Italy; Health Center srl, Biomedical and Nutritional Center, via Sabotino 66, 87100 Cosenza, Italy
| | - Maurizio Mandalà
- Vascular Physiology Lab., Dept. of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende-Cosenza, Italy
| | - Rosalinda Bruno
- Dept. of Pharmacy and Science of Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende-Cosenza, Italy
| | - Tullio Barni
- Dept. of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catanzaro "Magna Graecia", Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Marcello Canonaco
- Comparative Anatomy & Cytology, Dept. of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende-Cosenza, Italy.
| | - Rosa Maria Facciolo
- Comparative Anatomy & Cytology, Dept. of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende-Cosenza, Italy
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45
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Gzielo K, Potasiewicz A, Hołuj M, Litwa E, Popik P, Nikiforuk A. Valproic acid exposure impairs ultrasonic communication in infant, adolescent and adult rats. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2020; 41:52-62. [PMID: 32978035 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2020.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Persistent deficits of social communication are a hallmark of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Communication disabilities can be experimentally modeled using rodents' ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs). Although prenatal exposure to valproic acid (VPA) is one of the most widely used animal models of ASD, little is known about communication impairments in this model. We performed a longitudinal study to characterize VPA-induced socio-communicative deficits in male and female rats. USVs were recorded in neonatal rats during maternal separation, in adolescent rats during social play, and in adult rats during social interactions. VPA male and female pups emitted a reduced number of USVs. Their calls were shorter and of an elevated peak frequency. Although social play deficits in adolescent rats were restricted to males only, both males and females demonstrated quantitative and qualitative changes in USVs. Altered vocalization also accompanied deficient social interactions in adult VPA males. In contrast to the adolescents, however, these differences were limited to a reduced number of USVs, but not to the call's structure. Present data suggest that ultrasonic vocalization measurement is a useful tool in detecting lifelong communicative disability in a VPA exposure-induced ASD model. We postulate that USV assessment in female rats may be a more sensitive indicator of juvenile autistic-like disturbances than other behavioral measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinga Gzielo
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience and Drug Development, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 Smetna Street, 31-343 Kraków, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Potasiewicz
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience and Drug Development, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 Smetna Street, 31-343 Kraków, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Hołuj
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience and Drug Development, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 Smetna Street, 31-343 Kraków, Poland
| | - Ewa Litwa
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience and Drug Development, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 Smetna Street, 31-343 Kraków, Poland
| | - Piotr Popik
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience and Drug Development, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 Smetna Street, 31-343 Kraków, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Nikiforuk
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience and Drug Development, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 Smetna Street, 31-343 Kraków, Poland.
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46
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McKinnell ZE, Maze T, Ramos A, Challans B, Plakke B. Valproic acid treated female Long-Evans rats are impaired on attentional set-shifting. Behav Brain Res 2020; 397:112966. [PMID: 33053383 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2020.112966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2020] [Revised: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social deficits, communication impairments, restrictive behaviors, and cognitive flexibility deficits. The valproic acid (VPA) model of autism has been widely used to examine changes in rodent behavior and neurobiology to better understand ASD. This study examined social and anxiety behavior as well as cognitive flexibility in VPA and control offspring. Results for social behavior were consistent with prior studies showing reduced sociability in VPA rats and increased self-grooming, which may be viewed as a repetitive behavior. VPA rats also had deficits in performing the set-shifting task, with female VPA rats demonstrating greater impairment compared to female control rats and male VPA rats. These results support the hypothesis that females diagnosed with ASD may suffer from different symptoms and present a unique behavioral profile compared to males with ASD. Female VPA rats were also less likely to form an attentional set; offering evidence that the VPA model of autism is encompassing executive function deficits similar to those observed in humans with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zach E McKinnell
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
| | - Tessa Maze
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
| | - Alejandro Ramos
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
| | - Brandon Challans
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
| | - Bethany Plakke
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA.
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Neurobiological Mechanisms of Autism Spectrum Disorder and Epilepsy, Insights from Animal Models. Neuroscience 2020; 445:69-82. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.02.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Revised: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
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Kubota M, Fujino J, Tei S, Takahata K, Matsuoka K, Tagai K, Sano Y, Yamamoto Y, Shimada H, Takado Y, Seki C, Itahashi T, Aoki YY, Ohta H, Hashimoto RI, Zhang MR, Suhara T, Nakamura M, Takahashi H, Kato N, Higuchi M. Binding of Dopamine D1 Receptor and Noradrenaline Transporter in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A PET Study. Cereb Cortex 2020; 30:6458-6468. [DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhaa211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Revised: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Although previous studies have suggested the involvement of dopamine (DA) and noradrenaline (NA) neurotransmissions in the autism spectrum disorder (ASD) pathophysiology, few studies have examined these neurotransmissions in individuals with ASD in vivo. Here, we investigated DA D1 receptor (D1R) and noradrenaline transporter (NAT) binding in adults with ASD (n = 18) and neurotypical controls (n = 20) by utilizing two different PET radioligands, [11C]SCH23390 and (S,S)-[18F]FMeNER-D2, respectively. We found no significant group differences in DA D1R (striatum, anterior cingulate cortex, and temporal cortex) or NAT (thalamus and pons) binding. However, in the ASD group, there were significant negative correlations between DA D1R binding (striatum, anterior cingulate cortex and temporal cortex) and the “attention to detail” subscale score of the Autism Spectrum Quotient. Further, there was a significant positive correlation between DA D1R binding (temporal cortex) and emotion perception ability assessed by the neurocognitive battery. Associations of NAT binding with empathic abilities and executive function were found in controls, but were absent in the ASD group. Although a lack of significant group differences in binding might be partly due to the heterogeneity of ASD, our results indicate that central DA and NA function might play certain roles in the clinical characteristics of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manabu Kubota
- Department of Functional Brain Imaging, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Chiba, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
- Medical Institute of Developmental Disabilities Research, Showa University, Tokyo 157-8577, Japan
- Department of Psychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Junya Fujino
- Medical Institute of Developmental Disabilities Research, Showa University, Tokyo 157-8577, Japan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
| | - Shisei Tei
- Medical Institute of Developmental Disabilities Research, Showa University, Tokyo 157-8577, Japan
- Department of Psychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
- Institute of Applied Brain Sciences, Waseda University, Saitama 359-1192, Japan
- School of Human and Social Sciences, Tokyo International University, Saitama 350-1198, Japan
| | - Keisuke Takahata
- Department of Functional Brain Imaging, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Chiba, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Kiwamu Matsuoka
- Department of Functional Brain Imaging, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Chiba, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Kenji Tagai
- Department of Functional Brain Imaging, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Chiba, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Yasunori Sano
- Department of Functional Brain Imaging, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Chiba, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Yasuharu Yamamoto
- Department of Functional Brain Imaging, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Chiba, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Shimada
- Department of Functional Brain Imaging, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Chiba, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Yuhei Takado
- Department of Functional Brain Imaging, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Chiba, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Chie Seki
- Department of Functional Brain Imaging, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Chiba, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Takashi Itahashi
- Medical Institute of Developmental Disabilities Research, Showa University, Tokyo 157-8577, Japan
| | - Yuta Y Aoki
- Medical Institute of Developmental Disabilities Research, Showa University, Tokyo 157-8577, Japan
| | - Haruhisa Ohta
- Medical Institute of Developmental Disabilities Research, Showa University, Tokyo 157-8577, Japan
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Showa University, Tokyo 157-8577, Japan
| | - Ryu-ichiro Hashimoto
- Medical Institute of Developmental Disabilities Research, Showa University, Tokyo 157-8577, Japan
- Department of Language Sciences, Graduate School of Humanities, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo 192-0397, Japan
| | - Ming-Rong Zhang
- Department of Radiopharmaceuticals Development, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Chiba, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Suhara
- Department of Functional Brain Imaging, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Chiba, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Motoaki Nakamura
- Medical Institute of Developmental Disabilities Research, Showa University, Tokyo 157-8577, Japan
- Kanagawa Psychiatric Center, Yokohama, Kanagawa 233-0006, Japan
| | - Hidehiko Takahashi
- Medical Institute of Developmental Disabilities Research, Showa University, Tokyo 157-8577, Japan
- Department of Psychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
| | - Nobumasa Kato
- Medical Institute of Developmental Disabilities Research, Showa University, Tokyo 157-8577, Japan
| | - Makoto Higuchi
- Department of Functional Brain Imaging, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Chiba, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
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Scheggi S, Guzzi F, Braccagni G, De Montis MG, Parenti M, Gambarana C. Targeting PPARα in the rat valproic acid model of autism: focus on social motivational impairment and sex-related differences. Mol Autism 2020; 11:62. [PMID: 32718349 PMCID: PMC7385875 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-020-00358-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The social motivational theory of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) focuses on social anhedonia as key causal feature of the impaired peer relationships that characterize ASD patients. ASD prevalence is higher in boys, but increasing evidence suggests underdiagnosis and undertreatment in girls. We showed that stress-induced motivational anhedonia is relieved by repeated treatment with fenofibrate (FBR), a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) agonist. Here, we used the valproic acid (VPA) model of ASD in rats to examine male and female phenotypes and assess whether FBR administration from weaning to young adulthood relieved social impairments. METHODS Male and female rats exposed to saline or VPA at gestational day 12.5 received standard or FBR-enriched diet from postnatal day 21 to 48-53, when behavioral tests and ex vivo neurochemical analyses were performed. Phosphorylation levels of DARPP-32 in response to social and nonsocial cues, as index of dopamine D1 receptor activation, levels of expression of PPARα, vesicular glutamatergic and GABAergic transporters, and postsynaptic density protein PSD-95 were analyzed by immunoblotting in selected brain regions. RESULTS FBR administration relieved social impairment and perseverative behavior in VPA-exposed male and female rats, but it was only effective on female stereotypies. Dopamine D1 receptor signaling triggered by social interaction in the nucleus accumbens shell was blunted in VPA-exposed rats, and it was rescued by FBR treatment only in males. VPA-exposed rats of both sexes exhibited an increased ratio of striatal excitatory over inhibitory synaptic markers that was normalized by FBR treatment. LIMITATIONS This study did not directly address the extent of motivational deficit in VPA-exposed rats and whether FBR administration restored the likely decreased motivation to operate for social reward. Future studies using operant behavior protocols will address this relevant issue. CONCLUSIONS The results support the involvement of impaired motivational mechanisms in ASD-like social deficits and suggest the rationale for a possible pharmacological treatment. Moreover, the study highlights sex-related differences in the expression of ASD-like symptoms and their differential responses to FBR treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Scheggi
- Department Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro, 2, Siena, Italy.
| | - Francesca Guzzi
- Department Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Giulia Braccagni
- Department Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro, 2, Siena, Italy
| | - Maria Graziella De Montis
- Department Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro, 2, Siena, Italy
| | - Marco Parenti
- Department Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Carla Gambarana
- Department Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro, 2, Siena, Italy
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Impact of Sex and Age on the Mevalonate Pathway in the Brain: A Focus on Effects Induced by Maternal Exposure to Exogenous Compounds. Metabolites 2020; 10:metabo10080304. [PMID: 32722471 PMCID: PMC7463490 DOI: 10.3390/metabo10080304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 07/19/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The mevalonate pathway produces cholesterol and other compounds crucial for numerous cellular processes. It is well known that age and sex modulate this pathway in the liver. Recently, similar effects were also noted in different brain areas, suggesting that alterations of the mevalonate pathway are at the root of marked sex-specific disparities in some neurodevelopmental disorders related to disturbed cholesterol homeostasis. Here, we show how the mevalonate pathway is modulated in a sex-, age- and region-specific manner, and how maternal exposure to exogenous compounds can disturb the regulation of this pathway in the brain, possibly inducing functional alterations.
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