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Cantando I, Centofanti C, D’Alessandro G, Limatola C, Bezzi P. Metabolic dynamics in astrocytes and microglia during post-natal development and their implications for autism spectrum disorders. Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 18:1354259. [PMID: 38419654 PMCID: PMC10899402 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2024.1354259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition characterized by elusive underlying mechanisms. Recent attention has focused on the involvement of astrocytes and microglia in ASD pathology. These glial cells play pivotal roles in maintaining neuronal homeostasis, including the regulation of metabolism. Emerging evidence suggests a potential association between ASD and inborn errors of metabolism. Therefore, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the functions of microglia and astrocytes in ASD is crucial for the development of effective therapeutic interventions. This review aims to provide a summary of the metabolism of astrocytes and microglia during post-natal development and the evidence of disrupted metabolic pathways in ASD, with particular emphasis on those potentially important for the regulation of neuronal post-natal maturation by astrocytes and microglia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iva Cantando
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences (DNF), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Cristiana Centofanti
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences (DNF), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Giuseppina D’Alessandro
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy
- Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Neuromed Via Atinese 18, Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Cristina Limatola
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy
- Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Neuromed Via Atinese 18, Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Paola Bezzi
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences (DNF), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy
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Ratano P, Cocozza G, Pinchera C, Busdraghi LM, Cantando I, Martinello K, Scioli M, Rosito M, Bezzi P, Fucile S, Wulff H, Limatola C, D’Alessandro G. Reduction of inflammation and mitochondrial degeneration in mutant SOD1 mice through inhibition of voltage-gated potassium channel Kv1.3. Front Mol Neurosci 2024; 16:1333745. [PMID: 38292023 PMCID: PMC10824952 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1333745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease with no effective therapy, causing progressive loss of motor neurons in the spinal cord, brainstem, and motor cortex. Regardless of its genetic or sporadic origin, there is currently no cure for ALS or therapy that can reverse or control its progression. In the present study, taking advantage of a human superoxide dismutase-1 mutant (hSOD1-G93A) mouse that recapitulates key pathological features of human ALS, we investigated the possible role of voltage-gated potassium channel Kv1.3 in disease progression. We found that chronic administration of the brain-penetrant Kv1.3 inhibitor, PAP-1 (40 mg/Kg), in early symptomatic mice (i) improves motor deficits and prolongs survival of diseased mice (ii) reduces astrocyte reactivity, microglial Kv1.3 expression, and serum pro-inflammatory soluble factors (iii) improves structural mitochondrial deficits in motor neuron mitochondria (iv) restores mitochondrial respiratory dysfunction. Taken together, these findings underscore the potential significance of Kv1.3 activity as a contributing factor to the metabolic disturbances observed in ALS. Consequently, targeting Kv1.3 presents a promising avenue for modulating disease progression, shedding new light on potential therapeutic strategies for ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Germana Cocozza
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Iva Cantando
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Maria Rosito
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Bezzi
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sergio Fucile
- IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Heike Wulff
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California Davis, Health Sciences Drive, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Cristina Limatola
- IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppina D’Alessandro
- IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy
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Ferrucci L, Cantando I, Cordella F, Di Angelantonio S, Ragozzino D, Bezzi P. Microglia at the Tripartite Synapse during Postnatal Development: Implications for Autism Spectrum Disorders and Schizophrenia. Cells 2023; 12:2827. [PMID: 38132147 PMCID: PMC10742295 DOI: 10.3390/cells12242827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Synapses are the fundamental structures of neural circuits that control brain functions and behavioral and cognitive processes. Synapses undergo formation, maturation, and elimination mainly during postnatal development via a complex interplay with neighboring astrocytes and microglia that, by shaping neural connectivity, may have a crucial role in the strengthening and weakening of synaptic functions, that is, the functional plasticity of synapses. Indeed, an increasing number of studies have unveiled the roles of microglia and astrocytes in synapse formation, maturation, and elimination as well as in regulating synaptic function. Over the past 15 years, the mechanisms underlying the microglia- and astrocytes-dependent regulation of synaptic plasticity have been thoroughly studied, and researchers have reported that the disruption of these glial cells in early postnatal development may underlie the cause of synaptic dysfunction that leads to neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Ferrucci
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Rome Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy; (L.F.); (F.C.); (S.D.A.); (D.R.)
| | - Iva Cantando
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Lausanne, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland;
| | - Federica Cordella
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Rome Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy; (L.F.); (F.C.); (S.D.A.); (D.R.)
- Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science, IIT, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Di Angelantonio
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Rome Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy; (L.F.); (F.C.); (S.D.A.); (D.R.)
- Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science, IIT, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Davide Ragozzino
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Rome Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy; (L.F.); (F.C.); (S.D.A.); (D.R.)
- IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, 00179 Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Bezzi
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Rome Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy; (L.F.); (F.C.); (S.D.A.); (D.R.)
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Lausanne, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland;
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