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Rexrode LE, Hartley J, Showmaker KC, Challagundla L, Vandewege MW, Martin BE, Blair E, Bollavarapu R, Antonyraj RB, Hilton K, Gardiner A, Valeri J, Gisabella B, Garrett MR, Theoharides TC, Pantazopoulos H. Molecular profiling of the hippocampus of children with autism spectrum disorder. Mol Psychiatry 2024:10.1038/s41380-024-02441-8. [PMID: 38355786 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02441-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Several lines of evidence point to a key role of the hippocampus in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Altered hippocampal volume and deficits in memory for person and emotion related stimuli have been reported, along with enhanced ability for declarative memories. Mouse models have demonstrated a critical role of the hippocampus in social memory dysfunction, associated with ASD, together with decreased synaptic plasticity. Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs), a family of extracellular matrix molecules, represent a potential key link between neurodevelopment, synaptic plasticity, and immune system signaling. There is a lack of information regarding the molecular pathology of the hippocampus in ASD. We conducted RNAseq profiling on postmortem human brain samples containing the hippocampus from male children with ASD (n = 7) and normal male children (3-14 yrs old), (n = 6) from the NIH NeuroBioBank. Gene expression profiling analysis implicated molecular pathways involved in extracellular matrix organization, neurodevelopment, synaptic regulation, and immune system signaling. qRT-PCR and Western blotting were used to confirm several of the top markers identified. The CSPG protein BCAN was examined with multiplex immunofluorescence to analyze cell-type specific expression of BCAN and astrocyte morphology. We observed decreased expression of synaptic proteins PSD95 (p < 0.02) and SYN1 (p < 0.02), increased expression of the extracellular matrix (ECM) protease MMP9 (p < 0.03), and decreased expression of MEF2C (p < 0.03). We also observed increased BCAN expression with astrocytes in children with ASD, together with altered astrocyte morphology. Our results point to alterations in immune system signaling, glia cell differentiation, and synaptic signaling in the hippocampus of children with ASD, together with alterations in extracellular matrix molecules. Furthermore, our results demonstrate altered expression of genes implicated in genetic studies of ASD including SYN1 and MEF2C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay E Rexrode
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical School, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Joshua Hartley
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical School, Jackson, MS, USA
| | | | - Lavanya Challagundla
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Mississippi Medical School, Jackson, MS, USA
| | | | - Brigitte E Martin
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Mississippi Medical School, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Estelle Blair
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical School, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Ratna Bollavarapu
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical School, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Rhenius B Antonyraj
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical School, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Keauna Hilton
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical School, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Alex Gardiner
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical School, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Jake Valeri
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical School, Jackson, MS, USA
- Program in Neuroscience, University of Mississippi Medical School, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Barbara Gisabella
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical School, Jackson, MS, USA
- Program in Neuroscience, University of Mississippi Medical School, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Michael R Garrett
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Mississippi Medical School, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Theoharis C Theoharides
- Institute of Neuro-Immune Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Clearwater, FL, USA
- Department of Immunology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Harry Pantazopoulos
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical School, Jackson, MS, USA.
- Program in Neuroscience, University of Mississippi Medical School, Jackson, MS, USA.
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Valeri J, Gisabella B, Pantazopoulos H. Dynamic regulation of the extracellular matrix in reward memory processes: a question of time. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1208974. [PMID: 37396928 PMCID: PMC10311570 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1208974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Substance use disorders are a global health problem with increasing prevalence resulting in significant socioeconomic burden and increased mortality. Converging lines of evidence point to a critical role of brain extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules in the pathophysiology of substance use disorders. An increasing number of preclinical studies highlight the ECM as a promising target for development of novel cessation pharmacotherapies. The brain ECM is dynamically regulated during learning and memory processes, thus the time course of ECM alterations in substance use disorders is a critical factor that may impact interpretation of the current studies and development of pharmacological therapies. This review highlights the evidence for the involvement of ECM molecules in reward learning, including drug reward and natural reward such as food, as well as evidence regarding the pathophysiological state of the brain's ECM in substance use disorders and metabolic disorders. We focus on the information regarding time-course and substance specific changes in ECM molecules and how this information can be leveraged for the development of therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jake Valeri
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, United States
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, United States
| | - Barbara Gisabella
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, United States
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, United States
| | - Harry Pantazopoulos
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, United States
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, United States
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Wu F, Liu Z, Zhou L, Ye D, Zhu Y, Huang K, Weng Y, Xiong X, Zhan R, Shen J. Systemic immune responses after ischemic stroke: From the center to the periphery. Front Immunol 2022; 13:911661. [PMID: 36211352 PMCID: PMC9533176 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.911661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of disability and death. It imposes a heavy economic burden on individuals, families and society. The mortality rate of ischemic stroke has decreased with the help of thrombolytic drug therapy and intravascular intervention. However, the nerve damage caused by ischemia-reperfusion is long-lasting and followed by multiple organ dysfunction. In this process, the immune responses manifested by systemic inflammatory responses play an important role. It begins with neuroinflammation following ischemic stroke. The large number of inflammatory cells released after activation of immune cells in the lesion area, along with the deactivated neuroendocrine and autonomic nervous systems, link the center with the periphery. With the activation of systemic immunity and the emergence of immunosuppression, peripheral organs become the second “battlefield” of the immune response after ischemic stroke and gradually become dysfunctional and lead to an adverse prognosis. The purpose of this review was to describe the systemic immune responses after ischemic stroke. We hope to provide new ideas for future research and clinical treatments to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zongchi Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lihui Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Di Ye
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yu Zhu
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kaiyuan Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yuxiang Weng
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoxing Xiong
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Renmin Hospital, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Renya Zhan
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Jian Shen, ; Renya Zhan,
| | - Jian Shen
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Jian Shen, ; Renya Zhan,
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