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Santos TCD, Obando JMC, Leite PEC, Pereira MR, Leitão MDF, Abujadi C, Pimenta LDFL, Martins RCC, Cavalcanti DN. Approaches of marine compounds and relevant immune mediators in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Opportunities and challenges. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 266:116153. [PMID: 38277916 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116153] [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: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects social skills, language, communication, and behavioral skills, significantly impacting the individual's quality of life. Recently, numerous works have centered on the connections between the immune and central nervous systems and the influence of neuroinflammation on autism symptomatology. Marine natural products are considered as important alternative sources of different types of compounds, including polysaccharides, polyphenols, sterols, carotenoids, terpenoids and, alkaloids. These compounds present anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective and immunomodulatory activities, exhibiting a potential for the treatment of many diseases. Although many studies address the marine compounds in the modulation of inflammatory mediators, there is a gap regarding their use in the regulation of the immune system in ASD. Thus, this review aims to provide a better understanding regarding cytokines, chemokines, growth factors and immune responses in ASD, as well as the potential of bioactive marine compounds in the immune regulation in ASD. We expect that this review would contribute to the development of therapeutic alternatives for controlling immune mediators and inflammation in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thalisia Cunha Dos Santos
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Química de Produtos Naturais, Instituto de Pesquisas de Produtos Naturais Walter Mors, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Laboratório de Produtos Naturais de Algas Marinha (ALGAMAR), Departamento de Biologia Marinha, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil; Núcleo de Estudos e Pesquisas em Autismo (NEPA), Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Johana Marcela Concha Obando
- Laboratório de Produtos Naturais de Algas Marinha (ALGAMAR), Departamento de Biologia Marinha, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil; Núcleo de Estudos e Pesquisas em Autismo (NEPA), Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
| | - Paulo Emílio Corrêa Leite
- Núcleo de Estudos e Pesquisas em Autismo (NEPA), Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil; Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil; Instituto LisMAPS, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
| | - Mariana Rodrigues Pereira
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil; Instituto LisMAPS, Niterói, RJ, Brazil; Programa de Pós-graduação em Neurociências, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
| | - Mônica de Freitas Leitão
- Núcleo de Estudos e Pesquisas em Autismo (NEPA), Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil; Faculdade de Medicina, Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Campinas (PUC-Camp), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Caio Abujadi
- Núcleo de Estudos e Pesquisas em Autismo (NEPA), Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil; Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciência, Tecnologia e Inclusão (PGCTIn), Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
| | | | - Roberto Carlos Campos Martins
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Química de Produtos Naturais, Instituto de Pesquisas de Produtos Naturais Walter Mors, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Diana Negrão Cavalcanti
- Laboratório de Produtos Naturais de Algas Marinha (ALGAMAR), Departamento de Biologia Marinha, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil; Núcleo de Estudos e Pesquisas em Autismo (NEPA), Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil; Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciência, Tecnologia e Inclusão (PGCTIn), Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil.
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Iannuccelli M, Vitriolo A, Licata L, Lo Surdo P, Contino S, Cheroni C, Capocefalo D, Castagnoli L, Testa G, Cesareni G, Perfetto L. Curation of causal interactions mediated by genes associated with autism accelerates the understanding of gene-phenotype relationships underlying neurodevelopmental disorders. Mol Psychiatry 2024; 29:186-196. [PMID: 38102483 PMCID: PMC11078740 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02317-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) comprises a large group of neurodevelopmental conditions featuring, over a wide range of severity and combinations, a core set of manifestations (restricted sociality, stereotyped behavior and language impairment) alongside various comorbidities. Common and rare variants in several hundreds of genes and regulatory regions have been implicated in the molecular pathogenesis of ASD along a range of causation evidence strength. Despite significant progress in elucidating the impact of few paradigmatic individual loci, such sheer complexity in the genetic architecture underlying ASD as a whole has hampered the identification of convergent actionable hubs hypothesized to relay between the vastness of risk alleles and the core phenotypes. In turn this has limited the development of strategies that can revert or ameliorate this condition, calling for a systems-level approach to probe the cross-talk of cooperating genes in terms of causal interaction networks in order to make convergences experimentally tractable and reveal their clinical actionability. As a first step in this direction, we have captured from the scientific literature information on the causal links between the genes whose variants have been associated with ASD and the whole human proteome. This information has been annotated in a computer readable format in the SIGNOR database and is made freely available in the resource website. To link this information to cell functions and phenotypes, we have developed graph algorithms that estimate the functional distance of any protein in the SIGNOR causal interactome to phenotypes and pathways. The main novelty of our approach resides in the possibility to explore the mechanistic links connecting the suggested gene-phenotype relations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Iannuccelli
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Vitriolo
- Human Technopole, Viale Rita Levi-Montalcini 1, 20157, Milan, Italy
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Via Santa Sofia 9, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Luana Licata
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133, Rome, Italy
- Computational Biology Research Centre, Human Technopole, Viale Rita Levi-Montalcini 1, 20157, Milan, Italy
| | - Prisca Lo Surdo
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133, Rome, Italy
- Computational Biology Research Centre, Human Technopole, Viale Rita Levi-Montalcini 1, 20157, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Contino
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Cristina Cheroni
- Human Technopole, Viale Rita Levi-Montalcini 1, 20157, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Via Santa Sofia 9, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Daniele Capocefalo
- Human Technopole, Viale Rita Levi-Montalcini 1, 20157, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Via Santa Sofia 9, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Luisa Castagnoli
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Testa
- Human Technopole, Viale Rita Levi-Montalcini 1, 20157, Milan, Italy.
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy.
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Via Santa Sofia 9, 20122, Milan, Italy.
| | - Gianni Cesareni
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133, Rome, Italy.
| | - Livia Perfetto
- Computational Biology Research Centre, Human Technopole, Viale Rita Levi-Montalcini 1, 20157, Milan, Italy.
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies 'Charles Darwin', Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy.
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Tang X, Feng C, Zhao Y, Zhang H, Gao Y, Cao X, Hong Q, Lin J, Zhuang H, Feng Y, Wang H, Shen L. A study of genetic heterogeneity in autism spectrum disorders based on plasma proteomic and metabolomic analysis: multiomics study of autism heterogeneity. MedComm (Beijing) 2023; 4:e380. [PMID: 37752942 PMCID: PMC10518435 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.380] [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: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic heterogeneity poses a challenge to research and clinical translation of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In this study, we conducted a plasma proteomic and metabolomic study of children with ASD with and without risk genes (de novo mutation) and controls to explore the impact of genetic heterogeneity on the search for biomarkers for ASD. In terms of the proteomic and metabolomic profiles, the groups of children with ASD carrying and those not carrying de novo mutation tended to cluster and overlap, and integrating them yielded differentially expressed proteins and differential metabolites that effectively distinguished ASD from controls. The mechanisms associated with them focus on several common and previously reported mechanisms. Proteomics results highlight the role of complement, inflammation and immunity, and cell adhesion. The main pathways of metabolic perturbations include amino acid, vitamin, glycerophospholipid, tryptophan, and glutamates metabolic pathways and solute carriers-related pathways. Integrating the two omics analyses revealed that L-glutamic acid and malate dehydrogenase may play key roles in the pathogenesis of ASD. These results suggest that children with ASD may have important underlying common mechanisms. They are not only potential therapeutic targets for ASD but also important contributors to the study of biomarkers for the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxiao Tang
- College of Life Science and OceanographyShenzhen UniversityShenzhenP. R. China
| | - Chengyun Feng
- Maternal and Child Health Hospital of BaoanShenzhenP. R. China
| | - Yuxi Zhao
- College of Life Science and OceanographyShenzhen UniversityShenzhenP. R. China
| | - Huajie Zhang
- College of Life Science and OceanographyShenzhen UniversityShenzhenP. R. China
| | - Yan Gao
- Maternal and Child Health Hospital of BaoanShenzhenP. R. China
| | - Xueshan Cao
- College of Life Science and OceanographyShenzhen UniversityShenzhenP. R. China
| | - Qi Hong
- Maternal and Child Health Hospital of BaoanShenzhenP. R. China
| | - Jing Lin
- College of Life Science and OceanographyShenzhen UniversityShenzhenP. R. China
| | - Hongbin Zhuang
- College of Life Science and OceanographyShenzhen UniversityShenzhenP. R. China
| | - Yuying Feng
- College of Life Science and OceanographyShenzhen UniversityShenzhenP. R. China
| | - Hanghang Wang
- College of Life Science and OceanographyShenzhen UniversityShenzhenP. R. China
| | - Liming Shen
- College of Life Science and OceanographyShenzhen UniversityShenzhenP. R. China
- Shenzhen‐Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science‐Shenzhen Fundamental Research InstitutionsShenzhenP. R. China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology and EcologyShenzhenP. R. China
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Liu J, Kreimer A, Li WV. Differential variability analysis of single-cell gene expression data. Brief Bioinform 2023; 24:bbad294. [PMID: 37598422 PMCID: PMC10516347 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbad294] [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: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The advent of single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) technologies has enabled gene expression profiling at the single-cell resolution, thereby enabling the quantification and comparison of transcriptional variability among individual cells. Although alterations in transcriptional variability have been observed in various biological states, statistical methods for quantifying and testing differential variability between groups of cells are still lacking. To identify the best practices in differential variability analysis of single-cell gene expression data, we propose and compare 12 statistical pipelines using different combinations of methods for normalization, feature selection, dimensionality reduction and variability calculation. Using high-quality synthetic scRNA-seq datasets, we benchmarked the proposed pipelines and found that the most powerful and accurate pipeline performs simple library size normalization, retains all genes in analysis and uses denSNE-based distances to cluster medoids as the variability measure. By applying this pipeline to scRNA-seq datasets of COVID-19 and autism patients, we have identified cellular variability changes between patients with different severity status or between patients and healthy controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayi Liu
- Graduate Programs in Molecular Biosciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 604 Allison Rd, Piscataway, 08854, NJ, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 604 Allison Road, Piscataway, 08854, NJ, USA
- Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 679 Hoes Lane West, Piscataway, Piscataway, 08854, NJ, USA
| | - Anat Kreimer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 604 Allison Road, Piscataway, 08854, NJ, USA
- Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 679 Hoes Lane West, Piscataway, Piscataway, 08854, NJ, USA
| | - Wei Vivian Li
- Department of Statistics, University of California, Riverside, 900 University Ave, Riverside, 92521, CA, USA
- Previous affiliation where part of the work was completed: Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 683 Hoes Lane West, Piscataway, 08854, NJ, USA
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Chen Y, Dai J, Tang L, Mikhailova T, Liang Q, Li M, Zhou J, Kopp RF, Weickert C, Chen C, Liu C. Neuroimmune transcriptome changes in patient brains of psychiatric and neurological disorders. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:710-721. [PMID: 36424395 PMCID: PMC9911365 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01854-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Neuroinflammation has been implicated in multiple brain disorders but the extent and the magnitude of change in immune-related genes (IRGs) across distinct brain disorders has not been directly compared. In this study, 1275 IRGs were curated and their expression changes investigated in 2467 postmortem brains of controls and patients with six major brain disorders, including schizophrenia (SCZ), bipolar disorder (BD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), major depressive disorder (MDD), Alzheimer's disease (AD), and Parkinson's disease (PD). There were 865 IRGs present across all microarray and RNA-seq datasets. More than 60% of the IRGs had significantly altered expression in at least one of the six disorders. The differentially expressed immune-related genes (dIRGs) shared across disorders were mainly related to innate immunity. Moreover, sex, tissue, and putative cell type were systematically evaluated for immune alterations in different neuropsychiatric disorders. Co-expression networks revealed that transcripts of the neuroimmune systems interacted with neuronal-systems, both of which contribute to the pathology of brain disorders. However, only a few genes with expression changes were also identified as containing risk variants in genome-wide association studies. The transcriptome alterations at gene and network levels may clarify the immune-related pathophysiology and help to better define neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Chen
- Center for Medical Genetics & Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, and Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jiacheng Dai
- Center for Medical Genetics & Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, and Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Human Phenome Institute, and School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Longfei Tang
- Center for Medical Genetics & Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, and Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Tatiana Mikhailova
- Department of Psychiatry, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Qiuman Liang
- Center for Medical Genetics & Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, and Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Miao Li
- Center for Medical Genetics & Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, and Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jiaqi Zhou
- Center for Medical Genetics & Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, and Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Richard F Kopp
- Department of Psychiatry, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Cynthia Weickert
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA
- School of Psychiatry, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Chao Chen
- Center for Medical Genetics & Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, and Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, Central South University, Changsha, China.
| | - Chunyu Liu
- Center for Medical Genetics & Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, and Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
- Department of Psychiatry, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA.
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Mao D, Zheng Y, Xu F, Han X, Zhao H. HMGB1 in nervous system diseases: A common biomarker and potential therapeutic target. Front Neurol 2022; 13:1029891. [PMID: 36388178 PMCID: PMC9659947 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.1029891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
High-mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) is a nuclear protein associated with early inflammatory changes upon extracellular secretion expressed in various cells, including neurons and microglia. With the progress of research, neuroinflammation is believed to be involved in the pathogenesis of neurological diseases such as Parkinson's, epilepsy, and autism. As a key promoter of neuroinflammation, HMGB1 is thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease, stroke, traumatic brain injury, epilepsy, autism, depression, multiple sclerosis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. However, in the clinic, HMGB1 has not been described as a biomarker for the above-mentioned diseases. However, the current preclinical research results show that HMGB1 antagonists have positive significance in the treatment of Parkinson's disease, stroke, traumatic brain injury, epilepsy, and other diseases. This review discusses the possible mechanisms by which HMGB1 mediates Parkinson's disease, stroke, traumatic brain injury, epilepsy, autism, depression, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and the potential of HMGB1 as a biomarker for these diseases. Future research needs to further explore the underlying molecular mechanisms and clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Mao
- Department of Pediatrics, Jinan Central Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yuan Zheng
- Department of Pediatrics, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Fenfen Xu
- Department of Pediatrics, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Xiao Han
- Department of Pediatrics, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Hongyang Zhao
- Department of Pediatrics, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
- *Correspondence: Hongyang Zhao
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Comparan-Meza M, Vargas de la Cruz I, Jauregui-Huerta F, Gonzalez-Castañeda RE, Gonzalez-Perez O, Galvez-Contreras AY. Biopsychological correlates of repetitive and restricted behaviors in autism spectrum disorders. Brain Behav 2021; 11:e2341. [PMID: 34472728 PMCID: PMC8553330 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.2341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is considered a neurodevelopmental condition that is characterized by alterations in social interaction and communication, as well as patterns of restrictive and repetitive behaviors (RRBs). RRBs are defined as broad behaviors that comprise stereotypies, insistence on sameness, and attachment to objects or routines. RRBs can be divided into lower-level behaviors (motor, sensory, and object-manipulation behaviors) and higher-level behaviors (restrictive interests, insistence on sameness, and repetitive language). According to the DSM-5, the grade of severity in ASD partially depends on the frequency of RRBs and their consequences for disrupting the life of patients, affecting their adaptive skills, and increasing the need for parental support. METHODS We conducted a systematic review to examine the biopsychological correlates of the symptomatic domains of RRBs according to the type of RRBs (lower- or higher-level). We searched for articles from the National Library of Medicine (PubMed) using the terms: autism spectrum disorders, ASD, and autism-related to executive functions, inhibitory control, inflexibility, cognitive flexibility, hyper or hypo connectivity, and behavioral approaches. For describing the pathophysiological mechanism of ASD, we also included animal models and followed PRISMA guidelines. RESULTS One hundred and thirty-one articles were analyzed to explain the etiology, continuance, and clinical evolution of these behaviors observed in ASD patients throughout life. CONCLUSIONS Biopsychological correlates involved in the origin of RRBs include alterations in a) neurotransmission system, b) brain volume, c) inadequate levels of growth factors, d) hypo- or hyper-neural connectivity, e) impairments in behavioral inhibition, cognitive flexibility, and monitoring and f) non-stimulating environments. Understanding these lower- and higher-level of RRBs can help professionals to improve or design novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Comparan-Meza
- Maestría en Neuropsicología, Departamento de Neurociencias, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud (CUCS), Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, JAL, Mexico
| | - Ivette Vargas de la Cruz
- Unidad de Atención en Neurociencias, Departamento de Neurociencias, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud (CUCS), Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, JAL, Mexico
| | - Fernando Jauregui-Huerta
- Laboratorio de Microscopia de Alta Resolución, Departamento de Neurociencias, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud (CUCS), Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, JAL, Mexico
| | - Rocio E Gonzalez-Castañeda
- Laboratorio de Microscopia de Alta Resolución, Departamento de Neurociencias, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud (CUCS), Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, JAL, Mexico
| | - Oscar Gonzalez-Perez
- Laboratorio de Neurociencias, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de Colima, Colima, COL, Mexico
| | - Alma Y Galvez-Contreras
- Unidad de Atención en Neurociencias, Departamento de Neurociencias, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud (CUCS), Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, JAL, Mexico
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Salloum-Asfar S, Elsayed AK, Elhag SF, Abdulla SA. Circulating Non-Coding RNAs as a Signature of Autism Spectrum Disorder Symptomatology. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22126549. [PMID: 34207213 PMCID: PMC8235321 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22126549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a multifaced neurodevelopmental disorder that becomes apparent during early childhood development. The complexity of ASD makes clinically diagnosing the condition difficult. Consequently, by identifying the biomarkers associated with ASD severity and combining them with clinical diagnosis, one may better factionalize within the spectrum and devise more targeted therapeutic strategies. Currently, there are no reliable biomarkers that can be used for precise ASD diagnosis. Consequently, our pilot experimental cohort was subdivided into three groups: healthy controls, individuals those that express severe symptoms of ASD, and individuals that exhibit mild symptoms of ASD. Using next-generation sequencing, we were able to identify several circulating non-coding RNAs (cir-ncRNAs) in plasma. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to show that miRNAs, piRNAs, snoRNAs, Y-RNAs, tRNAs, and lncRNAs are stably expressed in plasma. Our data identify cir-ncRNAs that are specific to ASD. Furthermore, several of the identified cir-ncRNAs were explicitly associated with either the severe or mild groups. Hence, our findings suggest that cir-ncRNAs have the potential to be utilized as objective diagnostic biomarkers and clinical targets.
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Increased Serum Concentrations of High Mobility Group Box 1 (HMGB1) Protein in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. CHILDREN-BASEL 2021; 8:children8060478. [PMID: 34198762 PMCID: PMC8228126 DOI: 10.3390/children8060478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
High mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) has been suggested to be involved in the immune dysfunction and inflammation reported in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We aimed to assess HMGB1 serum concentrations (SCs) in high-functioning ASD children compared to typically developing (TD) controls and to explore their associations with the autism spectrum quotient (AQ), the empathy quotient (EQ), and the systemizing quotient (SQ). The study involved 42 ASD children and 38 TD children, all-male, aged between 6.1 and 13.3 years old. HMGB1 SCs were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Groups were comparable regarding age, general IQ, birth weight, and maternal age at birth. ASD children showed significantly higher HMGB1 SCs compared to TD children (1.25 ± 0.84 ng/mL versus 1.13 ± 0.79 ng/mL, respectively, p = 0.039). The Spearman’s rho revealed that HMGB1 SCs were positively correlated with the AQ attention to detail subscale (rs = 0.46, p = 0.045) and with the SQ total score (rs = 0.42, p = 0.04) in the ASD group. These results show that HMGB1 serum concentrations are altered in ASD children, and suggest that inflammatory processes mediated by HMGB1 may be associated with specific cognitive features observed in ASD.
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Agarwala S, Ramachandra NB. Role of CNTNAP2 in autism manifestation outlines the regulation of signaling between neurons at the synapse. EGYPTIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL HUMAN GENETICS 2021. [DOI: 10.1186/s43042-021-00138-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Autism is characterized by high heritability and a complex genetic mutational landscape with restricted social behavior and impaired social communication. Whole-exome sequencing is a reliable tool to pinpoint variants for unraveling the disease pathophysiology. The present meta-analysis was performed using 222 whole-exome sequences deposited by Simons Simplex Collection (SSC) at the European Nucleotide Archive. This sample cohort was used to identify causal mutations in autism-specific genes to create a mutational landscape focusing on the CNTNAP2 gene.
Results
The authors account for the identification of 15 high confidence genes with 24 variants for autism with Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI) gene scoring. These genes encompass critical autism pathways such as neuron development, synapse complexity, cytoskeleton, and microtubule activation. Among these 15 genes, overlapping variants were present across multiple samples: KMT2C in 167 cases, CNTNAP2 in 192 samples, CACNA1C in 152 cases, and SHANK3 in 124 cases. Pathway analysis identifies clustering and interplay of autism genes—WDFY3, SHANK2, CNTNAP2, HOMER1, SYNGAP1, and ANK2 with CNTNAP2. These genes coincide across autism-relevant pathways, namely abnormal social behavior and intellectual and cognitive impairment. Based on multiple layers of selection criteria, CNTNAP2 was chosen as the master gene for the study. It is an essential gene for autism with speech-language delays, a typical phenotype in most cases under study. It showcases nine variants across multiple samples with one damaging variant, T589P, with a GERP rank score range of 0.065–0.95. This unique variant was present across 86.5% of the samples impairing the epithelial growth factor (EGF) domain. Established microRNA (miRNA) genes hsa-mir-548aq and hsa-mir-548f were mutated within the CNTNAP2 region, adding to the severity. The mutated protein showed reduced stability by 0.25, increased solvent accessibility by 9%, and reduced depth by 0.2, which rendered the protein non-functional. Secondary physical interactors of CNTNAP2 through CNTN2 proteins were mutated in the samples, further intensifying the severity.
Conclusion
CNTNAP2 has been identified as a master gene in autism manifestation responsible for speech-language delay by impairing the EGF protein domain and downstream cascade. The decrease in EGF is correlated with vital autism symptoms, especially language disabilities.
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Role of Oligodendrocytes and Myelin in the Pathophysiology of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Brain Sci 2020; 10:brainsci10120951. [PMID: 33302549 PMCID: PMC7764453 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10120951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is an early neurodevelopmental disorder that involves deficits in interpersonal communication, social interaction, and repetitive behaviors. Although ASD pathophysiology is still uncertain, alterations in the abnormal development of the frontal lobe, limbic areas, and putamen generate an imbalance between inhibition and excitation of neuronal activity. Interestingly, recent findings suggest that a disruption in neuronal connectivity is associated with neural alterations in white matter production and myelination in diverse brain regions of patients with ASD. This review is aimed to summarize the most recent evidence that supports the notion that abnormalities in the oligodendrocyte generation and axonal myelination in specific brain regions are involved in the pathophysiology of ASD. Fundamental molecular mediators of these pathological processes are also examined. Determining the role of alterations in oligodendrogenesis and myelination is a fundamental step to understand the pathophysiology of ASD and identify possible therapeutic targets.
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Ma X, Qiu S. Control of cortical synapse development and plasticity by MET receptor tyrosine kinase, a genetic risk factor for autism. J Neurosci Res 2019; 98:2115-2129. [PMID: 31746037 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2019] [Revised: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The key developmental milestone events of the human brain, such as neurogenesis, synapse formation, maturation, and plasticity, are determined by a myriad of molecular signaling events, including those mediated by a number of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) and their cognate ligands. Aberrant or mistimed brain development and plasticity can lead to maladaptive changes, such as dysregulated synaptic connectivity and breakdown of circuit functions necessary for cognition and adaptive behaviors, which are hypothesized pathophysiologies of many neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders. Here we review recent literature that supports autism spectrum disorder as a likely result of aberrant synapse development due to mistimed maturation and plasticity. We focus on MET RTK, a prominent genetic risk factor for autism, and discuss how a pleiotropic molecular signaling system engaged by MET exemplifies a genetic program that controls cortical circuit development and plasticity by modulating the anatomical and functional connectivity of cortical circuits, thus conferring genetic risk for neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaokuang Ma
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Shenfeng Qiu
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA
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13
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Zamanian Azodi M, Rezaei Tavirani M, Rezaei Tavirani M. Identification of the Key Genes of Autism Spectrum Disorder Through Protein-Protein Interaction Network. Galen Med J 2019; 8:e1367. [PMID: 34466502 PMCID: PMC8343959 DOI: 10.31661/gmj.v0i0.1367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2018] [Revised: 10/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Currently, the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is increasing, which widely spurs the interest in the molecular investigation. Thereby, a better understanding of the given disorder mechanisms is likely to be achieved. Bioinformatics suiting protein-protein interactions analysis via the application of high-throughput studies, such as protein array, is one of these achievements. Materials and Methods: The gene expression data from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database were downloaded, and the expression profile of patients with developmental delay and autistic features were analyzed via Cytoscape and its relevant plug-ins. Results: Our findings indicated that EGFR, ACTB, RHOA, CALM1, MAPK1, and JUN genes as the hub-bottlenecks and their related terms could be important in ASD risk. In other words, any expression modification in these genes could trigger dysfunctions in the corresponding biological processes. Conclusion: We suggest that differentially expressed genes could be used as suitable targets for ASD after being validated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona Zamanian Azodi
- Proteomics Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mostafa Rezaei Tavirani
- Proteomics Research Center, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Majid Rezaei Tavirani
- Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Correspondence to: Majid Rezaei Tavirani, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Telephon Number: 09183420279 Email Address:
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14
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Sokol DK, Maloney B, Westmark CJ, Lahiri DK. Novel Contribution of Secreted Amyloid-β Precursor Protein to White Matter Brain Enlargement in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:165. [PMID: 31024350 PMCID: PMC6469489 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The most replicated neuroanatomical finding in autism is the tendency toward brain overgrowth, especially in younger children. Research shows that both gray and white matter are enlarged. Proposed mechanisms underlying brain enlargement include abnormal inflammatory and neurotrophic signals that lead to excessive, aberrant dendritic connectivity via disrupted pruning and cell adhesion, and enlargement of white matter due to excessive gliogenesis and increased myelination. Amyloid-β protein precursor (βAPP) and its metabolites, more commonly associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD), are also dysregulated in autism plasma and brain tissue samples. This review highlights findings that demonstrate how one βAPP metabolite, secreted APPα, and the ADAM family α-secretases, may lead to increased brain matter, with emphasis on increased white matter as seen in autism. sAPPα and the ADAM family α-secretases contribute to the anabolic, non-amyloidogenic pathway, which is in contrast to the amyloid (catabolic) pathway known to contribute to Alzheimer disease. The non-amyloidogenic pathway could produce brain enlargement via genetic mechanisms affecting mRNA translation and polygenic factors that converge on molecular pathways (mitogen-activated protein kinase/MAPK and mechanistic target of rapamycin/mTOR), promoting neuroinflammation. A novel mechanism linking the non-amyloidogenic pathway to white matter enlargement is proposed: α-secretase and/or sAPPα, activated by ERK receptor signaling activates P13K/AKt/mTOR and then Rho GTPases favoring myelination via oligodendrocyte progenitor cell (OPC) activation of cofilin. Applying known pathways in AD to autism should allow further understanding and provide options for new drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah K. Sokol
- Pediatrics Section, Department of Neurology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Bryan Maloney
- Indiana Alzheimers Disease Center, Department of Psychiatry, Stark Neuroscience Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Cara J. Westmark
- Department of Neurology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Debomoy K. Lahiri
- Indiana Alzheimers Disease Center, Department of Psychiatry, Stark Neuroscience Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
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15
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Di Salvo E, Casciaro M, Quartuccio S, Genovese L, Gangemi S. Do Alarmins Have a Potential Role in Autism Spectrum Disorders Pathogenesis and Progression? Biomolecules 2018; 9:E2. [PMID: 30577568 PMCID: PMC6358895 DOI: 10.3390/biom9010002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Revised: 12/09/2018] [Accepted: 12/17/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) represent a disabling condition in early childhood. A number of risk factors were proposed in order to explain their pathogenesis. A multifactorial model was proposed, and data supported the implication of genetic and environmental factors. One of the most accepted speculations is the existence of an imbalance of the immune system. Altered levels of cytokines, chemokines and immunoglobulins were demonstrated in patients with ASDs; in particular, proinflammatory mediators were significantly increased. Alarmins are a multifunctional heterogeneous group of proteins, structurally belonging to specific cells or incorporated by them. They are released in the surrounding tissues as a consequence of cell damage or inflammation. Their functions are multiple as they could activate innate immunity or recruit and activate antigen-presenting cells stimulating an adaptive response. Alarmins are interesting both for understanding the inflammatory process and for diagnostic purposes as biomarkers. Moreover, recent studies, separately, showed that alarmins like interleukin (IL)-33, high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), heat-shock protein (HSP) and S100 protein (S100) could play a relevant role in the pathogenesis of ASDs. According to the literature, some of these alarmins could be suitable as biomarkers of inflammation in ASD. Other alarmins, by interfering with the immune system blocking pro-inflammatory mediators, could be the key for ameliorating symptoms and behaviours in autistic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Di Salvo
- National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Institute of Biological Resources and Marine Biotechnologies (IRBIM), Messina 98122, Italy.
- National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Institute of Applied Science and Intelligent System (ISASI), Messina 98164, Italy.
| | - Marco Casciaro
- School and Operative Unit of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina 98125, Italy.
| | | | - Lucrezia Genovese
- National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Institute of Biological Resources and Marine Biotechnologies (IRBIM), Messina 98122, Italy.
| | - Sebastiano Gangemi
- School and Operative Unit of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina 98125, Italy.
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16
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Dipasquale V, Cutrupi MC, Colavita L, Manti S, Cuppari C, Salpietro C. Neuroinflammation in Autism Spectrum Disorders: Role of High Mobility Group Box 1 Protein. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR MEDICINE 2017; 6:148-155. [PMID: 29682486 PMCID: PMC5898638 DOI: 10.22088/acadpub.bums.6.3.148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) likely involves genetic and environmental factors, impacting the complex neurodevelopmental and behavioral abnormalities of the disorder. Scientific research studies emerging within the past two decades suggest that immune dysfunction and inflammation have pathogenic influences through different mechanisms, all leading to both a chronic state of low grade inflammation, and alterations in the central nervous system and immune response, respectively. The high mobility group box-1 protein (HMGB1) is an inflammatory marker which has been shown to play a role in inducing and influencing neuroinflammation. Current evidences suggest a possible role in the multiple pathogenic mechanisms of ASD. The aim of this manuscript is to review the major hypothesis for ASD pathogenesis, with specific regards to the immunological ones, and to provide a comprehensive review of the current data about the association between HMGB1 and ASD. A systematic search has been carried out through Medline via Pubmed to identify all original articles published in English, on the basis of the following keywords: “HMGB1”, “autism”, “autism spectrum disorder”, “neuroinflammation”, and “child”.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Dipasquale
- Department of Adult and Childhood Human Pathology, Unit of Pediatrics, University Hospital of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Maria Concetta Cutrupi
- Department of Adult and Childhood Human Pathology, Unit of Pediatrics, University Hospital of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Laura Colavita
- Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Umberto I of Siracusa, Siracusa, Italy
| | - Sara Manti
- Department of Adult and Childhood Human Pathology, Unit of Pediatrics, University Hospital of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Caterina Cuppari
- Department of Adult and Childhood Human Pathology, Unit of Pediatrics, University Hospital of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Carmelo Salpietro
- Department of Adult and Childhood Human Pathology, Unit of Pediatrics, University Hospital of Messina, Messina, Italy
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17
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Diaz-Beltran L, Esteban FJ, Varma M, Ortuzk A, David M, Wall DP. Cross-disorder comparative analysis of comorbid conditions reveals novel autism candidate genes. BMC Genomics 2017; 18:315. [PMID: 28427329 PMCID: PMC5399393 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-017-3667-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2016] [Accepted: 03/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Numerous studies have highlighted the elevated degree of comorbidity associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). These comorbid conditions may add further impairments to individuals with autism and are substantially more prevalent compared to neurotypical populations. These high rates of comorbidity are not surprising taking into account the overlap of symptoms that ASD shares with other pathologies. From a research perspective, this suggests common molecular mechanisms involved in these conditions. Therefore, identifying crucial genes in the overlap between ASD and these comorbid disorders may help unravel the common biological processes involved and, ultimately, shed some light in the understanding of autism etiology. RESULTS In this work, we used a two-fold systems biology approach specially focused on biological processes and gene networks to conduct a comparative analysis of autism with 31 frequently comorbid disorders in order to define a multi-disorder subcomponent of ASD and predict new genes of potential relevance to ASD etiology. We validated our predictions by determining the significance of our candidate genes in high throughput transcriptome expression profiling studies. Using prior knowledge of disease-related biological processes and the interaction networks of the disorders related to autism, we identified a set of 19 genes not previously linked to ASD that were significantly differentially regulated in individuals with autism. In addition, these genes were of potential etiologic relevance to autism, given their enriched roles in neurological processes crucial for optimal brain development and function, learning and memory, cognition and social behavior. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, our approach represents a novel perspective of autism from the point of view of related comorbid disorders and proposes a model by which prior knowledge of interaction networks may enlighten and focus the genome-wide search for autism candidate genes to better define the genetic heterogeneity of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leticia Diaz-Beltran
- Division of Systems Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Stanford University, 1265 Welch Road, Stanford, CA, 94305-5488, USA
- Division of Systems Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Systems Biology Unit, Department of Experimental Biology, University of Jaén, Jaén, Spain
| | - Francisco J Esteban
- Systems Biology Unit, Department of Experimental Biology, University of Jaén, Jaén, Spain
| | - Maya Varma
- Division of Systems Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Stanford University, 1265 Welch Road, Stanford, CA, 94305-5488, USA
- Division of Systems Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Alp Ortuzk
- Division of Systems Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Stanford University, 1265 Welch Road, Stanford, CA, 94305-5488, USA
- Division of Systems Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Maude David
- Division of Systems Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Stanford University, 1265 Welch Road, Stanford, CA, 94305-5488, USA
- Division of Systems Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Dennis P Wall
- Division of Systems Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Stanford University, 1265 Welch Road, Stanford, CA, 94305-5488, USA.
- Division of Systems Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
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18
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Mehling MH, Tassé MJ. Severity of Autism Spectrum Disorders: Current Conceptualization, and Transition to DSM-5. J Autism Dev Disord 2017; 46:2000-2016. [PMID: 26873143 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-016-2731-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Mirroring the evolution of the conceptualization of autism has been changes in the diagnostic process, including the most recent revisions to the DSM-5 and the addition of severity-based diagnostic modifiers assigned on the basis of intensity of needed supports. A review of recent literature indicates that in research stratifying individuals on the basis of autism severity, core ASD symptomology is the primary consideration. This conceptualization is disparate from the conceptualization put forth in DSM-5 in which severity determination is based on level of needed support, which is also impacted by cognitive, language, behavioral, and adaptive functioning. This paper reviews literature in this area and discusses possible instruments that may be useful to inform clinical judgment in determining ASD severity levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret H Mehling
- Nisonger Center, The Ohio State University, McCampbell Hall Room 279, 1581 Dodd Dr, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
| | - Marc J Tassé
- Nisonger Center, The Ohio State University, McCampbell Hall Room 279, 1581 Dodd Dr, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
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19
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Zhou X, Guo J, Ji Y, Pan G, Liu T, Zhu H, Zhao J. Reciprocal Negative Regulation between EGFR and DEPTOR Plays an Important Role in the Progression of Lung Adenocarcinoma. Mol Cancer Res 2016; 14:448-57. [PMID: 26896556 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-15-0480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2015] [Accepted: 02/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xuefeng Zhou
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Jialong Guo
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Yanmei Ji
- Department of Intensive Care Unit, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Gaofeng Pan
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Tao Liu
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Hua Zhu
- Department of Surgery, Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio.
| | - Jinping Zhao
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China.
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20
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Soueid J, Kourtian S, Makhoul NJ, Makoukji J, Haddad S, Ghanem SS, Kobeissy F, Boustany RM. RYR2, PTDSS1 and AREG genes are implicated in a Lebanese population-based study of copy number variation in autism. Sci Rep 2016; 6:19088. [PMID: 26742492 PMCID: PMC4705475 DOI: 10.1038/srep19088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2015] [Accepted: 12/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) are a group of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by ritualistic-repetitive behaviors and impaired verbal and non-verbal communication. Objectives were to determine the contribution of genetic variation to ASDs in the Lebanese. Affymetrix Cytogenetics Whole-Genome 2.7 M and CytoScan(™) HD Arrays were used to detect CNVs in 41 Lebanese autistic children and 35 non-autistic, developmentally delayed and intellectually disabled patients. 33 normal participants were used as controls. 16 de novo CNVs and 57 inherited CNVs, including recognized pathogenic 16p11.2 duplications and 2p16.3 deletions were identified. A duplication at 1q43 classified as likely pathogenic encompasses RYR2 as a potential ASD candidate gene. This previously identified CNV has been classified as both pathogenic, and, of uncertain significance. A duplication of unknown significance at 10q11.22, proposed as a modulator for phenotypic disease expression in Rett syndrome, was also identified. The novel potential autism susceptibility genes PTDSS1 and AREG were uncovered and warrant further genetic and functional analyses. Previously described and novel genetic targets in ASD were identified in Lebanese families with autism. These findings may lead to improved diagnosis of ASDs and informed genetic counseling, and may also lead to untapped therapeutic targets applicable to Lebanese and non-Lebanese patients.
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MESH Headings
- Adolescent
- Amphiregulin/deficiency
- Amphiregulin/genetics
- Autism Spectrum Disorder/genetics
- Autism Spectrum Disorder/physiopathology
- Case-Control Studies
- Child
- Child, Preschool
- Chromosome Aberrations
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 1
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 10
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 16
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 2
- DNA Copy Number Variations
- Developmental Disabilities/genetics
- Developmental Disabilities/physiopathology
- Female
- Gene Deletion
- Genome, Human
- Humans
- Lebanon
- Male
- Nitrogenous Group Transferases/deficiency
- Nitrogenous Group Transferases/genetics
- Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Release Channel/deficiency
- Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Release Channel/genetics
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihane Soueid
- American University of Beirut Medical Center Special Kids Clinic, Neurogenetics Program and Division of Pediatric Neurology, Departments of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Lebanon
| | - Silva Kourtian
- American University of Beirut Medical Center Special Kids Clinic, Neurogenetics Program and Division of Pediatric Neurology, Departments of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Lebanon
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Beirut Arab University, Lebanon
| | - Nadine J. Makhoul
- American University of Beirut Medical Center Special Kids Clinic, Neurogenetics Program and Division of Pediatric Neurology, Departments of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Lebanon
| | - Joelle Makoukji
- American University of Beirut Medical Center Special Kids Clinic, Neurogenetics Program and Division of Pediatric Neurology, Departments of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Lebanon
| | - Sariah Haddad
- American University of Beirut Medical Center Special Kids Clinic, Neurogenetics Program and Division of Pediatric Neurology, Departments of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Lebanon
| | - Simona S. Ghanem
- American University of Beirut Medical Center Special Kids Clinic, Neurogenetics Program and Division of Pediatric Neurology, Departments of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Lebanon
| | - Firas Kobeissy
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, American university of Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Rose-Mary Boustany
- American University of Beirut Medical Center Special Kids Clinic, Neurogenetics Program and Division of Pediatric Neurology, Departments of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Lebanon
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, American university of Beirut, Lebanon
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Russo A. Decreased Mitogen Inducible Gene 6 (MIG-6) Associated with Symptom Severity in Children with Autism. Biomark Insights 2014; 9:85-9. [PMID: 25342879 PMCID: PMC4197901 DOI: 10.4137/bmi.s15218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2014] [Revised: 08/08/2014] [Accepted: 08/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) demonstrate impairment in social interactions and problems in verbal and nonverbal communication. Autism spectrum disorders are thought to affect 1 in 88 children in the US. Recent research has shown that epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activation is associated with nerve cell development and repair. Mitogen inducible gene 6 (MIG-6) is a 58-kDa non-kinase scaffolding adaptor protein consisting of 462 amino-acids, which has been shown to be a negative feedback regulator of EGFR and Met receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signaling. SUBJECTS AND METHODS In this study, we determined plasma levels of MIG-6, which suppresses the EGFR RTK pathway in autistic children, and compared MIG-6 levels with the EGFR ligand, epidermal growth factor (EGF), and the cMET ligand, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). MIG-6 levels were also compared to the symptom severity of 19 different autistic behaviors. Plasma MIG-6 concentration was measured in 40 autistic children and 39 neurotypical, age, and gender similar controls using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Plasma MIG-6 levels were compared to putative biomarkers known to be associated with EGFR and cMET and severity levels of 19 autism related symptoms [awareness, expressive language, receptive language, (conversational) pragmatic language, focus/attention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, perseveration, fine motor skills, gross motor skills, hypotonia (low muscle tone), tip toeing, rocking/pacing, stimming, obsessions/fixations, eye contact, sound sensitivity, light sensitivity, and tactile sensitivity]. RESULTS In this study, we found that plasma MIG-6 levels in autistic children (182.41 ± 24.3 pg/ml) were significantly lower than neurotypical controls (1779.76 ± 352.5; P = 1.76E − 5). Decreased MIG-6 levels correlated with serotonin, dopamine, Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), and urokinase receptor (uPAR) concentration, but not with other tested putative biomarkers. MIG-6 levels also correlated significantly with severity of expressive language, receptive language, tip toeing, rocking/pacing, and hand flapping/stimming. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest a relationship between decreased plasma MIG-6 levels, biomarkers associated with the EGFR pathway, and symptom severity in autism. A strong correlation between plasma MIG-6 and dopamine and serotonin levels suggest that decreased MIG-6 levels may be associated with abnormal neurotransmitter synthesis and/or action. A strong correlation between MIG-6 and uPAR and the inflammatory marker TNF-alpha suggests that low MIG-6 levels may be associated with the HGF/Met signaling pathway, as well as inflammation in autistic children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aj Russo
- Visiting Assistant Professor of Biology, Hartwick College, Oneonta, NY, USA. ; Research Director, Health Research Institute and Pfeiffer Medical Center, Warrenville, IL, USA
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