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Caruso A, Ricceri L, Caruso A, Nicoletti F, Gaetano A, Scaccianoce S. Postweaning social isolation and autism-like phenotype: a biochemical and behavioral comparative analysis. Behav Brain Res 2022; 428:113891. [PMID: 35421428 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2022.113891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Adolescence is a critical period for brain development. In most mammalian species, disturbances experienced during adolescence constitute a risk factor for several neuropsychiatric disorders. In this study, we compared the biochemical and behavioral profile induced by postweaning social isolation (PWSI) in inbred C57BL/6N mice with that of BTBR mice, a rodent model of autism spectrum disorders. Male C57BL/6N mice were either housed in groups of four or isolated from weaning (postnatal day 21) for four weeks before experimental analyses. After weaning, male BTBR mice were housed four per cage and analyzed at 48 days of age. PWSI reduced hippocampal levels of type 2 metabotropic glutamate (mGlu2) receptors, and glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors. A similar reduction was seen in group-housed BTBR mice. Plasma corticosterone levels in basal conditions were not influenced by PWSI, but were increased in BTBR mice. Social investigation (total and head sniffing) and the number of ultrasonic vocalizations were reduced in both PWSI mice and age-matched group-housed BTBR mice, indicating a lower social responsiveness in both groups of mice. These results suggest that absence of social stimuli during adolescence induces an endophenotype with social deficit features, which mimics the phenotype of a mouse model of autism spectrum disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Caruso
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "V. Erspamer" University Sapienza of Rome, Italy.
| | - Laura Ricceri
- Centre for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
| | - Angela Caruso
- Research Coordination and Support Service, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
| | - Ferdinando Nicoletti
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "V. Erspamer" University Sapienza of Rome, Italy; IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy.
| | - Alessandra Gaetano
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "V. Erspamer" University Sapienza of Rome, Italy.
| | - Sergio Scaccianoce
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "V. Erspamer" University Sapienza of Rome, Italy.
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Xiao R, Zhong H, Li X, Ma Y, Zhang R, Wang L, Zang Z, Fan X. Abnormal Cerebellar Development Is Involved in Dystonia-Like Behaviors and Motor Dysfunction of Autistic BTBR Mice. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:231. [PMID: 32318573 PMCID: PMC7154340 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Motor control and learning impairments are common complications in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Abnormal cerebellar development during critical phases may disrupt these motor functions and lead to autistic motor dysfunction. However, the underlying mechanisms behind these impairments are not clear. Here, we utilized BTBR T+ Itprtf/J (BTBR) mice, an animal model of autism, to investigate the involvement of abnormal cerebellar development in motor performance. We found BTBR mice exhibited severe dystonia-like behavior and motor coordination or motor learning impairments. The onset of these abnormal movements coincided with the increased proliferation of granule neurons and enhanced foliation, and Purkinje cells displayed morphological hypotrophy with increased dendritic spine formation but suppressed maturation. The migration of granule neurons seemed unaffected. Transcriptional analyses confirmed the differential expression of genes involved in abnormal neurogenesis and revealed TRPC as a critical regulator in proliferation and synaptic formation. Taken together, these findings indicate that abnormal cerebellar development is closely related to dystonia-like behavior and motor dysfunction of BTBR mice and that TRPC may be a novel risk gene for ASD that may participate in the pathological process of autistic movement disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Xiao
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hongyu Zhong
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xin Li
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yuanyuan Ma
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Department of Basic Nursing, School of Nursing, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ruiyu Zhang
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lian Wang
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhenle Zang
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaotang Fan
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
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Nardecchia F, Orlando R, Iacovelli L, Colamartino M, Fiori E, Leuzzi V, Piccinin S, Nistico R, Puglisi-Allegra S, Di Menna L, Battaglia G, Nicoletti F, Pascucci T. Targeting mGlu5 Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors in the Treatment of Cognitive Dysfunction in a Mouse Model of Phenylketonuria. Front Neurosci 2018; 12:154. [PMID: 29615849 PMCID: PMC5864888 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2018.00154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2017] [Accepted: 02/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
We studied group-I metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors in Pahenu2 (ENU2) mice, which mimic the genetics and neurobiology of human phenylketonuria (PKU), a metabolic disorder characterized, if untreated, by autism, and intellectual disability (ID). Male ENU2 mice showed increased mGlu5 receptor protein levels in the hippocampus and corpus striatum (but not in the prefrontal cortex) whereas the transcript of the mGlu5 receptor was unchanged. No changes in mGlu1 receptor mRNA and protein levels were found in any of the three brain regions of ENU2 mice. We extended the analysis to Homer proteins, which act as scaffolds by linking mGlu1 and mGlu5 receptors to effector proteins. Expression of the long isoforms of Homer was significantly reduced in the hippocampus of ENU2 mice, whereas levels of the short Homer isoform (Homer 1a) were unchanged. mGlu5 receptors were less associated to immunoprecipitated Homer in the hippocampus of ENU2 mice. The lack of mGlu5 receptor-mediated long-term depression (LTD) in wild-type mice (of BTBR strain) precluded the analysis of hippocampal synaptic plasticity in ENU2 mice. We therefore performed a behavioral analysis to examine whether pharmacological blockade of mGlu5 receptors could correct behavioral abnormalities in ENU2 mice. Using the same apparatus we sequentially assessed locomotor activity, object exploration, and spatial object recognition (spatial novelty test) after displacing some of the objects from their original position in the arena. Systemic treatment with the mGlu5 receptor antagonist, MPEP (20 mg/kg, i.p.), had a striking effect in the spatial novelty test by substantially increasing the time spent in exploring the displaced objects in ENU2 mice (but not in wild-type mice). These suggest a role for mGlu5 receptors in the pathophysiology of ID in PKU and suggest that, also in adult untreated animals, cognitive dysfunction may be improved by targeting these receptors with an appropriate therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Nardecchia
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy.,Department of Pediatrics and Child Neuropsychiatry, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Rosamaria Orlando
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Luisa Iacovelli
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Colamartino
- Daniel Bovet Department of Psychology, Neurobiology Research Center, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Elena Fiori
- Daniel Bovet Department of Psychology, Neurobiology Research Center, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Leuzzi
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Neuropsychiatry, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Sonia Piccinin
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy.,Department of Biology, Università degli Studi di Roma Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Robert Nistico
- Department of Biology, Università degli Studi di Roma Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Puglisi-Allegra
- Daniel Bovet Department of Psychology, Neurobiology Research Center, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy.,IRCCS Foundation Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Ferdinando Nicoletti
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy.,IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Tiziana Pascucci
- Daniel Bovet Department of Psychology, Neurobiology Research Center, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy.,IRCCS Foundation Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
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Common functional variants of the glutamatergic system in Autism spectrum disorder with high and low intellectual abilities. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2017; 125:259-271. [PMID: 29147782 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-017-1813-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2017] [Accepted: 11/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The genetic architecture underlying Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been suggested to differ between individuals with lower (IQ ≤ 70; LIQ) and higher intellectual abilities (IQ > 70; HIQ). Among the identified pathomechanisms, the glutamatergic signalling pathway is of specific interest in ASD. We investigated 187 common functional variants of this neurotransmitter system for association with ASD and with symptom severity in two independent samples, a German (German-ALL: N = 583 families) and the Autism Genome Project cohort (AGP-ALL: N = 2001 families), split into HIQ, and LIQ subgroups. We did not identify any association withstanding correction for multiple testing. However, we report a replicated nominal significant under-transmission (OR < 0.79, p < 0.04) of the AKAP13 rs745191-T allele in both LIQ cohorts, but not in the much larger HIQ cohorts. At the phenotypic level, we nominally replicated associations of CAMK2A-rs2241694 with non-verbal communication in both combined LIQ and HIQ ASD cohorts. Variants PLD1-rs2124147 and ADCY1-rs2461127 were nominally associated with impaired non-verbal abilities and AKAP2-rs3739456 with repetitive behaviour in both LIQ cohorts. All four LIQ-associated genes are involved in G-protein coupled signal transduction, a downstream pathway of metabotropic glutamate receptor activation. We conclude that functional common variants of glutamatergic genes do not have a strong impact on ASD, but seem to moderately affect ASD risk and phenotypic expression. Since most of our nominally replicated hits were identified in the LIQ cohort, further investigation of the glutamatergic system in this subpopulation might be warranted.
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Chadman KK. Animal models for autism in 2017 and the consequential implications to drug discovery. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2017; 12:1187-1194. [PMID: 28971687 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2017.1383982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by deficits in social communication and restricted interests/repetitive behaviors, for which there are currently no approved drug treatments. The core symptoms of ASD vary widely in severity and are often accompanied by other neuropsychiatric disorders. Drug discovery has been challenging because of the lack of understanding of the underlying pathophysiology of ASD as well as the heterogeneity of symptoms and symptom severity. Areas covered: In this review, the author discusses animal models of ASD used as targets for drug discovery, focusing primarily on non-syndromic models, primarily rodents. They highlight the wide range of drug targets examined in animal models. While very little of this work has resulted in drug therapy for the behavioral symptoms of ASD yet, it has increased our knowledge of the biology of ASD that is critical for driving drug discovery and has already provided many new drug targets for investigation. Expert opinion: The information gathered from the animal models of ASD is increasing our understanding of the underlying pathophysiology for ASD and is leading to better therapeutic targets. However, the issue of small sample size, heterogeneity within clinical samples, and a lack of replicable outcome measures must be addressed to move forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn K Chadman
- a Behavioral Pharmacology Laboratory , NYS Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities , Staten Island , NY , USA
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Bridging Autism Spectrum Disorders and Schizophrenia through inflammation and biomarkers - pre-clinical and clinical investigations. J Neuroinflammation 2017; 14:179. [PMID: 28870209 PMCID: PMC5584030 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-017-0938-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2017] [Accepted: 08/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, evidence supporting a link between inflammation and neuropsychiatric disorders has been mounting. Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and schizophrenia share some clinical similarities which we hypothesize might reflect the same biological basis, namely, in terms of inflammation. However, the diagnosis of ASD and schizophrenia relies solely on clinical symptoms, and to date, there is no clinically useful biomarker to diagnose or monitor the course of such illnesses. The focus of this review is the central role that inflammation plays in ASD and schizophrenia. It spans from pre-clinical animal models to clinical research and excludes in vitro studies. Four major areas are covered: (1) microglia, the inflammatory brain resident myeloid cells, (2) biomarkers, including circulating cytokines, oxidative stress markers, and microRNA players, known to influence cellular processes at brain and immune levels, (3) effect of anti-psychotics on biomarkers and other predictors of response, and (4) impact of gender on response to immune activation, biomarkers, and response to anti-psychotic treatments.
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Cheng N, Alshammari F, Hughes E, Khanbabaei M, Rho JM. Dendritic overgrowth and elevated ERK signaling during neonatal development in a mouse model of autism. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0179409. [PMID: 28609458 PMCID: PMC5469475 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0179409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2016] [Accepted: 05/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (hereafter referred to as “ASD”) is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental condition characterized by impaired social communication and interactions, and restricted, repetitive activities or interests. Alterations in network connectivity and memory function are frequently observed in autism patients, often involving the hippocampus. However, specific changes during early brain development leading to disrupted functioning remain largely unclear. Here, we investigated the development of dendritic arbor of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons in the BTBR T+tf/J (BTBR) mouse model of autism. BTBR mice display the defining behavioural features of autism, and also exhibit impaired learning and memory. We found that compared to control C57BL/6J (B6) animals, the lengths of both apical and basal dendrites were significantly greater in neonatal BTBR animals. Further, basal dendrites in the BTBR mice had higher branching complexity. In contrast, cross-sectional area of the soma was unchanged. In addition, we observed a similar density of CA1 pyramidal neurons and thickness of the neuronal layer between the two strains. Thus, there was a specific, compartmentalized overgrowth of dendrites during early development in the BTBR animals. Biochemical analysis further showed that the extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) pathway was up-regulated in the hippocampus of neonatal BTBR animals. Since dendritic structure is critical for information integration and relay, our data suggest that altered development of dendrites could potentially contribute to impaired hippocampal function and behavior observed in the BTBR model, and that this might be related to increased activation of the ERK pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Cheng
- Developmental Neurosciences Research Program, Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute (ACHRI), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- * E-mail:
| | - Fawaz Alshammari
- O’Brien Centre for the Bachelor of Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Elizabeth Hughes
- Developmental Neurosciences Research Program, Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute (ACHRI), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Maryam Khanbabaei
- Developmental Neurosciences Research Program, Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute (ACHRI), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jong M. Rho
- Departments of Pediatrics, Clinical Neurosciences, Physiology & Pharmacology, Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute (ACHRI), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Meyza KZ, Blanchard DC. The BTBR mouse model of idiopathic autism - Current view on mechanisms. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2017; 76:99-110. [PMID: 28167097 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.12.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2016] [Revised: 12/17/2016] [Accepted: 12/19/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is the most commonly diagnosed neurodevelopmental disorder, with current estimates of more than 1% of affected children across nations. The patients form a highly heterogeneous group with only the behavioral phenotype in common. The genetic heterogeneity is reflected in a plethora of animal models representing multiple mutations found in families of affected children. Despite many years of scientific effort, for the majority of cases the genetic cause remains elusive. It is therefore crucial to include well-validated models of idiopathic autism in studies searching for potential therapeutic agents. One of these models is the BTBR T+Itpr3tf/J mouse. The current review summarizes data gathered in recent research on potential molecular mechanisms responsible for the autism-like behavioral phenotype of this strain.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Z Meyza
- Laboratory of Emotions' Neurobiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, 3 Pasteur Street, Warsaw, 02-093, Poland.
| | - D C Blanchard
- Department of Psychology, University of Hawaii at Manoa,1993 East-West Road, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
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