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Guo B, Liu T, Choi S, Mao H, Wang W, Xi K, Jones C, Hartley ND, Feng D, Chen Q, Liu Y, Wimmer RD, Xie Y, Zhao N, Ou J, Arias-Garcia MA, Malhotra D, Liu Y, Lee S, Pasqualoni S, Kast RJ, Fleishman M, Halassa MM, Wu S, Fu Z. Restoring thalamocortical circuit dysfunction by correcting HCN channelopathy in Shank3 mutant mice. Cell Rep Med 2024:101534. [PMID: 38670100 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2024.101534] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Thalamocortical (TC) circuits are essential for sensory information processing. Clinical and preclinical studies of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) have highlighted abnormal thalamic development and TC circuit dysfunction. However, mechanistic understanding of how TC dysfunction contributes to behavioral abnormalities in ASDs is limited. Here, our study on a Shank3 mouse model of ASD reveals TC neuron hyperexcitability with excessive burst firing and a temporal mismatch relationship with slow cortical rhythms during sleep. These TC electrophysiological alterations and the consequent sensory hypersensitivity and sleep fragmentation in Shank3 mutant mice are causally linked to HCN2 channelopathy. Restoring HCN2 function early in postnatal development via a viral approach or lamotrigine (LTG) ameliorates sensory and sleep problems. A retrospective case series also supports beneficial effects of LTG treatment on sensory behavior in ASD patients. Our study identifies a clinically relevant circuit mechanism and proposes a targeted molecular intervention for ASD-related behavioral impairments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baolin Guo
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Tiaotiao Liu
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Soonwook Choi
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Honghui Mao
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Wenting Wang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Kaiwen Xi
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Carter Jones
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Nolan D Hartley
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Dayun Feng
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Qian Chen
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Yingying Liu
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Ralf D Wimmer
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Yuqiao Xie
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Ningxia Zhao
- Xi'an TCM Hospital of Encephalopathy, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Jianjun Ou
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Changsha 410011, China
| | - Mario A Arias-Garcia
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Diya Malhotra
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Sihak Lee
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Sammuel Pasqualoni
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Ryan J Kast
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Morgan Fleishman
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Michael M Halassa
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Shengxi Wu
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China.
| | - Zhanyan Fu
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
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Pizzarelli R, Pimpinella D, Jacobs C, Tartacca A, Kullolli U, Monyer H, Alberini CM, Griguoli M. Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF-2) rescues social deficits in NLG3 -/y mouse model of ASDs. Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 17:1332179. [PMID: 38298376 PMCID: PMC10827848 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1332179] [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: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) comprise developmental disabilities characterized by impairments of social interaction and repetitive behavior, often associated with cognitive deficits. There is no current treatment that can ameliorate most of the ASDs symptomatology; thus, identifying novel therapies is urgently needed. Here, we used the Neuroligin 3 knockout mouse (NLG3-/y), a model that recapitulates the social deficits reported in ASDs patients, to test the effects of systemic administration of IGF-2, a polypeptide that crosses the blood-brain barrier and acts as a cognitive enhancer. We show that systemic IGF-2 treatment reverses the typical defects in social interaction and social novelty discrimination reflective of ASDs-like phenotypes. This effect was not accompanied by any change in spontaneous glutamatergic synaptic transmission in CA2 hippocampal region, a mechanism found to be crucial for social novelty discrimination. However, in both NLG3+/y and NLG3-/y mice IGF-2 increased cell excitability. Although further investigation is needed to clarify the cellular and molecular mechanisms underpinning IGF-2 effect on social behavior, our findings highlight IGF-2 as a potential pharmacological tool for the treatment of social dysfunctions associated with ASDs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Hannah Monyer
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Rome, Italy
- Department of Clinical Neurobiology at the Medical Faculty of Heidelberg University and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Marilena Griguoli
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Rome, Italy
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology of the National Council of Research (IBPM-CNR), Rome, Italy
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Li Y, Wang W, Zhang N, Cheng Y, Hussain S, Wang Y, Tian H, Hussain H, Lin R, Yuan Y, Wang C, Wang T, Wang S. Antagonistic Regulation of ABA Responses by Duplicated Tandemly Repeated DUF538 Protein Genes in Arabidopsis. Plants (Basel) 2023; 12:2989. [PMID: 37631202 PMCID: PMC10459309 DOI: 10.3390/plants12162989] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
The plant hormone ABA (abscisic acid) regulates plant responses to abiotic stresses by regulating the expression of ABA response genes. However, the functions of a large portion of ABA response genes have remained unclear. We report in this study the identification of ASDs (ABA-inducible signal peptide-containing DUF538 proteins), a subgroup of DUF538 proteins with a signal peptide, as the regulators of plant responses to ABA in Arabidopsis. ASDs are encoded by four closely related DUF538 genes, with ASD1/ASD2 and ASD3/ASD4 being two pairs of duplicated tandemly repeated genes. The quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) results showed that the expression levels of ASDs increased significantly in response to ABA as well as NaCl and mannitol treatments, with the exception that the expression level of ASD2 remained largely unchanged in response to NaCl treatment. The results of Arabidopsis protoplast transient transfection assays showed that ASDs were localized on the plasma membrane and in the cytosol and nucleus. When recruited to the promoter of the reporter gene via a fused GD domain, ASDs were able to slightly repress the expression of the co-transfected reporter gene. Seed germination and cotyledon greening assays showed that ABA sensitivity was increased in the transgenic plants that were over-expressing ASD1 or ASD3 but decreased in the transgenic plants that were over-expressing ASD2 or ASD4. On the other hand, ABA sensitivity was increased in the CRISPR/Cas9 gene-edited asd2 single mutants but decreased in the asd3 single mutants. A transcriptome analysis showed that differentially expressed genes in the 35S:ASD2 transgenic plant seedlings were enriched in several different processes, including in plant growth and development, the secondary metabolism, and plant hormone signaling. In summary, our results show that ASDs are ABA response genes and that ASDs are involved in the regulation of plant responses to ABA in Arabidopsis; however, ASD1/ASD3 and ASD2/ASD4 have opposite functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingying Li
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of MOE, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China; (Y.L.); (N.Z.); (Y.C.); (Y.W.); (H.T.); (H.H.); (R.L.); (Y.Y.); (C.W.); (T.W.)
| | - Wei Wang
- Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics & Crop Gene Editing, School of Life Sciences, Linyi University, Linyi 276000, China; (W.W.); (S.H.)
| | - Na Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of MOE, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China; (Y.L.); (N.Z.); (Y.C.); (Y.W.); (H.T.); (H.H.); (R.L.); (Y.Y.); (C.W.); (T.W.)
| | - Yuxin Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of MOE, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China; (Y.L.); (N.Z.); (Y.C.); (Y.W.); (H.T.); (H.H.); (R.L.); (Y.Y.); (C.W.); (T.W.)
| | - Saddam Hussain
- Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics & Crop Gene Editing, School of Life Sciences, Linyi University, Linyi 276000, China; (W.W.); (S.H.)
| | - Yating Wang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of MOE, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China; (Y.L.); (N.Z.); (Y.C.); (Y.W.); (H.T.); (H.H.); (R.L.); (Y.Y.); (C.W.); (T.W.)
| | - Hainan Tian
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of MOE, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China; (Y.L.); (N.Z.); (Y.C.); (Y.W.); (H.T.); (H.H.); (R.L.); (Y.Y.); (C.W.); (T.W.)
| | - Hadia Hussain
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of MOE, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China; (Y.L.); (N.Z.); (Y.C.); (Y.W.); (H.T.); (H.H.); (R.L.); (Y.Y.); (C.W.); (T.W.)
| | - Rao Lin
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of MOE, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China; (Y.L.); (N.Z.); (Y.C.); (Y.W.); (H.T.); (H.H.); (R.L.); (Y.Y.); (C.W.); (T.W.)
| | - Yuan Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of MOE, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China; (Y.L.); (N.Z.); (Y.C.); (Y.W.); (H.T.); (H.H.); (R.L.); (Y.Y.); (C.W.); (T.W.)
| | - Chen Wang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of MOE, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China; (Y.L.); (N.Z.); (Y.C.); (Y.W.); (H.T.); (H.H.); (R.L.); (Y.Y.); (C.W.); (T.W.)
| | - Tianya Wang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of MOE, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China; (Y.L.); (N.Z.); (Y.C.); (Y.W.); (H.T.); (H.H.); (R.L.); (Y.Y.); (C.W.); (T.W.)
| | - Shucai Wang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of MOE, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China; (Y.L.); (N.Z.); (Y.C.); (Y.W.); (H.T.); (H.H.); (R.L.); (Y.Y.); (C.W.); (T.W.)
- Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics & Crop Gene Editing, School of Life Sciences, Linyi University, Linyi 276000, China; (W.W.); (S.H.)
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Thayumanasundaram S, Venkatesan TR, Ousset A, Van Hollebeke K, Aerts L, Wübbenhorst M, Van den Mooter G. Complementarity of mDSC, DMA, and DRS Techniques in the Study of Tg and Sub- Tg Transitions in Amorphous Solids: PVPVA, Indomethacin, and Amorphous Solid Dispersions Based on Indomethacin/PVPVA. Mol Pharm 2022; 19:2299-2315. [PMID: 35674392 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.2c00123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Recently, glasses, a subset of amorphous solids, have gained attention in various fields, such as polymer chemistry, optical fibers, and pharmaceuticals. One of their characteristic features, the glass transition temperature (Tg) which is absent in 100% crystalline materials, influences several material properties, such as free volume, enthalpy, viscosity, thermodynamic transitions, molecular motions, physical stability, mechanical properties, etc. In addition to Tg, there may be several other temperature-dependent transitions known as sub-Tg transitions (or β-, γ-, and δ-relaxations) which are identified by specific analytical techniques. The study of Tg and sub-Tg transitions occurring in amorphous solids has gained much attention because of its importance in understanding molecular kinetics, and it requires the combination of conventional and novel characterization techniques. In the present study, three different analytical techniques [modulated differential scanning calorimetry (mDSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and dielectric relaxation spectroscopy (DRS)] were used to perform comprehensive qualitative/quantitative characterization of molecular relaxations, miscibility, and molecular interactions present in an amorphous polymer (PVPVA), a model drug (indomethacin, IND), and IND/PVPVA-based amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs). This is the first ever reported DMA study on PVPVA in its powder form, which avoids the contribution of solvent to the mechanical properties when a self-standing polymer film is used. A good correlation between the techniques in determining the Tg value of PVPVA, IND, and IND/PVPVA-based ASDs is established, and the negligible difference (within 10 °C) is attributed to the different material properties assessed in each technique. However, the overall Tg behavior, the decrease in Tg with increase in drug loading in ASDs, is universally observed in all the above-mentioned techniques, which reveals their complementarity. DMA and DRS techniques are used to study the different sub-Tg transitions present in PVPVA, amorphous IND, and IND/PVPVA-based ASDs because these transitions are normally too weak or too broad for mDSC to detect. For IND/PVPVA-based ASDs, both techniques show a shift of sub-Tg transitions (or secondary relaxation peaks) toward the high-temperature region from -140 to -45 °C. Thus, this paper outlines the usage of different solid-state characterization techniques in understanding the different molecular dynamics present in the polymer, drug, and their interactions in ASDs with the integrated information obtained from individual techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Thulasinath Raman Venkatesan
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, KU Leuven, 3001 Leuven, Belgium.,Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Aymeric Ousset
- Department of Product Design and Performance, UCB Pharma, 1420 Braine-l'Alleud, Belgium
| | - Kim Van Hollebeke
- Department of Product Design and Performance, UCB Pharma, 1420 Braine-l'Alleud, Belgium
| | - Luc Aerts
- Department of Product Design and Performance, UCB Pharma, 1420 Braine-l'Alleud, Belgium
| | | | - Guy Van den Mooter
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, BE-3000 Leuven, Belgium
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Yao X, Benson EG, Gui Y, Stelzer T, Zhang GGZ, Yu L. Surfactants Accelerate Crystallization of Amorphous Nifedipine by Similar Enhancement of Nucleation and Growth Independent of Hydrophilic-Lipophilic Balance. Mol Pharm 2022; 19:2343-2350. [PMID: 35477294 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.2c00156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Amorphous formulations, increasingly employed to deliver poorly soluble drugs, generally contain surfactants to improve wetting and dissolution. These surfactants are often liquids and can potentially increase the mobility of the drug and reduce its stability, but little is known about this effect. Here we investigate the effect of four common nonionic surfactants (Tween 80, Span 80, Triton X-100, and Poloxamer 407) on the crystallization of amorphous nifedipine (NIF). We find that the surfactants significantly enhance the rates of crystal nucleation and growth even at low concentrations, by up to 2 orders of magnitude at 10 wt %. The surfactants tested show similar enhancement effects independent of their structural details and hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB), suggesting that surfactant adsorption at solid/liquid interfaces does not play a major role in crystal nucleation and growth. Importantly, the surfactants accelerate crystal nucleation and growth by a similar factor. This result mirrors the previous finding that a polymer dopant in a molecular glass-former causes similar slowdown of nucleation and growth. These results indicate that nucleation and growth in a deeply supercooled liquid are both mobility-limited, and a dopant mainly functions as a mobility modifier (enhancer or suppressor depending on the dopant). The common surfactants tested are all mobility enhancers and destabilize the amorphous drug, and this negative effect must be managed using stabilizers such as polymers. The effect of surfactants on nucleation can be predicted from the effect on crystal growth and the crystallization kinetics of the pure system, using the same principle previously established for drug-polymer systems. We show how the independently measured nucleation and growth rates enable predictions of the overall crystallization rates.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Torsten Stelzer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00936, United States.,Crystallization Design Institute, Molecular Sciences Research Center, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00926, United States
| | - Geoff G Z Zhang
- Drug Product Development, Research and Development, AbbVie Inc., North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
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Budisteanu M, Papuc SM, Streata I, Cucu M, Pirvu A, Serban-Sosoi S, Erbescu A, Andrei E, Iliescu C, Ioana D, Severin E, Ioana M, Arghir A. The Phenotypic Spectrum of 15q13.3 Region Duplications: Report of 5 Patients. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:1025. [PMID: 34356041 PMCID: PMC8306426 DOI: 10.3390/genes12071025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Chromosome 15q13.3 microduplications are associated with a wide spectrum of clinical presentations ranging from normal to different neuropsychiatric conditions, such as developmental delay (DD), intellectual disability (ID), epilepsy, hypotonia, autism spectrum disorders (ASD), attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and schizophrenia. The smallest region of overlap for 15q13.3 duplications encompasses the Cholinergic Receptor Nicotinic Alpha 7 Subunit (CHRNA7) gene, a strong candidate for the behavioral abnormalities. We report on a series of five patients with 15q13.3 duplications detected by chromosomal microarray. The size of the duplications ranged from 378 to 537 kb, and involved the CHRNA7 gene in all patients. The most common clinical features, present in all patients, were speech delay, autistic behavior, and muscle hypotonia; DD/ID was present in three patients. One patient presented epileptic seizures; EEG anomalies were observed in three patients. No consistent dysmorphic features were noted. Neuroimaging studies revealed anomalies in two patients: Dandy-Walker malformation and a right temporal cyst. 15q13.3 duplications are associated with various neuropsychiatric features, including speech delay, hypotonia, ASD, and ID, also present in our patient group. Our study brings detailed clinical and molecular data from five ASD patients with 15q13.3 microduplications involving the CHRNA7 gene, contributing to the existing knowledge about the association of 15q13.3 duplications with neuropsychiatric phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Budisteanu
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Prof. Dr. Alex. Obregia Clinical Hospital of Psychiatry, 041914 Bucharest, Romania; (M.B.); (E.A.); (C.I.); (D.I.)
- Medical Genetics Laboratory, Victor Babes National Institute of Pathology, 050096 Bucharest, Romania; (A.E.); (A.A.)
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Titu Maiorescu University, 031593 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Sorina Mihaela Papuc
- Medical Genetics Laboratory, Victor Babes National Institute of Pathology, 050096 Bucharest, Romania; (A.E.); (A.A.)
| | - Ioana Streata
- Human Genomics Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania; (I.S.); (M.C.); (A.P.); (S.S.-S.); (M.I.)
- Regional Center of Medical Genetics Dolj, 200642 Craiova, Romania
| | - Mihai Cucu
- Human Genomics Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania; (I.S.); (M.C.); (A.P.); (S.S.-S.); (M.I.)
- Regional Center of Medical Genetics Dolj, 200642 Craiova, Romania
| | - Andrei Pirvu
- Human Genomics Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania; (I.S.); (M.C.); (A.P.); (S.S.-S.); (M.I.)
- Regional Center of Medical Genetics Dolj, 200642 Craiova, Romania
| | - Simona Serban-Sosoi
- Human Genomics Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania; (I.S.); (M.C.); (A.P.); (S.S.-S.); (M.I.)
- Regional Center of Medical Genetics Dolj, 200642 Craiova, Romania
| | - Alina Erbescu
- Medical Genetics Laboratory, Victor Babes National Institute of Pathology, 050096 Bucharest, Romania; (A.E.); (A.A.)
| | - Emanuela Andrei
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Prof. Dr. Alex. Obregia Clinical Hospital of Psychiatry, 041914 Bucharest, Romania; (M.B.); (E.A.); (C.I.); (D.I.)
| | - Catrinel Iliescu
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Prof. Dr. Alex. Obregia Clinical Hospital of Psychiatry, 041914 Bucharest, Romania; (M.B.); (E.A.); (C.I.); (D.I.)
| | - Doina Ioana
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Prof. Dr. Alex. Obregia Clinical Hospital of Psychiatry, 041914 Bucharest, Romania; (M.B.); (E.A.); (C.I.); (D.I.)
| | - Emilia Severin
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Bucharest, 050474 Bucharest, Romania;
| | - Mihai Ioana
- Human Genomics Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania; (I.S.); (M.C.); (A.P.); (S.S.-S.); (M.I.)
- Regional Center of Medical Genetics Dolj, 200642 Craiova, Romania
| | - Aurora Arghir
- Medical Genetics Laboratory, Victor Babes National Institute of Pathology, 050096 Bucharest, Romania; (A.E.); (A.A.)
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Chen X, Liu H, Wu Y, Xuan K, Zhao T, Sun Y. Characteristics of sleep architecture in autism spectrum disorders: A meta-analysis based on polysomnographic research. Psychiatry Res 2021; 296:113677. [PMID: 33385781 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Eleven parameters recorded by polysomnography were used to evaluate the differences in sleep structure between individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and typically developed individuals (TDs). Four databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI)) were searched for potentially relevant literature published before July 14, 2019. Data extraction was performed by two independent assessors. The Cohen's d effect sizes and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess the effectiveness with the random-effects model. The heterogeneity was estimated by Cochran's Q test. The research yielded 14 case-control studies, 11 of which were included in this meta-analysis. Synthesis of the differences in 11 sleep parameters between individuals with ASDs and TDs demonstrated the pooled effect size of Cohen'd was -0.52 (95% CI: (-0.97, -0.08)) for total sleep time (TST), -0.69 (95% CI: (-1.27, -0.11)) for sleep efficiency (SE%) and 0.93 (95% CI: (0.37, 1.48)) for stage 1 sleep (S1%), respectively. Our findings suggested that compared with TDs, individuals with ASDs tend to have a decreased TST and SE% and an increased S1%. Differences of characteristics of sleep architecture in other sleep parameters between individuals with ASDs and TDs were not found in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Chen
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, PR China
| | - Haixia Liu
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, PR China
| | - Yile Wu
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, PR China
| | - Kun Xuan
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, PR China
| | - Tianming Zhao
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, PR China
| | - Yehuan Sun
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, PR China.
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Abstract
Approximately 50 million adults worldwide have known congenital heart disease (CHD). Among the most common types of CHD defects in adults are atrial septal defects and ventricular septal defects followed by complex congenital heart lesions such as tetralogy of Fallot. Adults with CHDs are more likely to have hypertension, cerebral vascular disease, diabetes and chronic kidney disease than age-matched controls without CHD. Moreover, by the age of 50, adults with CHD are at a greater than 10% risk of experiencing cardiac dysrhythmias and approximately 4% experience sudden death. Consequently, adults with CHD require healthcare that is two- to four-times greater than adults without CHD. This paper discusses the diagnosis and treatment of adults with atrial septal defects, ventricular septal defects and tetralogy of Fallot.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Henning
- School of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
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9
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Zhang-James Y, Vaudel M, Mjaavatten O, Berven FS, Haavik J, Faraone SV. Effect of disease-associated SLC9A9 mutations on protein-protein interaction networks: implications for molecular mechanisms for ADHD and autism. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 11:91-105. [PMID: 30927234 DOI: 10.1007/s12402-018-0281-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Na+/H+ Exchanger 9 (NHE9) is an endosomal membrane protein encoded by the Solute Carrier 9A, member 9 gene (SLC9A9). SLC9A9 has been implicated in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and cancers. To better understand the function of NHE9 and the effects of disease-associated variants on protein-protein interactions, we conducted a quantitative analysis of the NHE9 interactome using co-immunoprecipitation and isobaric labeling-based quantitative mass spectrometry. We identified 100 proteins that interact with NHE9. These proteins were enriched in known functional pathways for NHE9: the endocytosis, protein ubiquitination and phagosome pathways, as well as some novel pathways including oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, mTOR signaling, cell death and RNA processing pathways. An ADHD-associated mutation (A409P) significantly altered NHE9's interactions with a subset of proteins involved in caveolae-mediated endocytosis and MAP2K2-mediated downstream signaling. An ASD nonsense mutation in SLC9A9, R423X, produced no-detectable amount of NHE9, suggesting the overall loss of NHE9 functional networks. In addition, seven of the NHE9 interactors are products of known autism candidate genes (Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative, SFARI Gene) and 90% of the NHE9 interactome overlap with SFARI protein interaction network PIN (p < 0.0001), supporting the role of NHE9 interactome in ASDs molecular mechanisms. Our results provide a detailed understanding of the functions of protein NHE9 and its disrupted interactions, possibly underlying ADHD and ASDs. Furthermore, our methodological framework proved useful for functional characterization of disease-associated genetic variants and suggestion of druggable targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanli Zhang-James
- Departments of Psychiatry, SUNY Upstate Medical University, 750 East Adams St., Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA
| | - Marc Vaudel
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Olav Mjaavatten
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Frode S Berven
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Jan Haavik
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,K.G. Jebsen Centre for Research on Neuropsychiatric Disorders, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Division of Psychiatry, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Stephen V Faraone
- Departments of Psychiatry, SUNY Upstate Medical University, 750 East Adams St., Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA. .,Neuroscience and Physiology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, 750 East Adams St., Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA.
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10
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Bagni C, Zukin RS. A Synaptic Perspective of Fragile X Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorders. Neuron 2019; 101:1070-1088. [PMID: 30897358 PMCID: PMC9628679 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2019.02.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 186] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Revised: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Altered synaptic structure and function is a major hallmark of fragile X syndrome (FXS), autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), and other intellectual disabilities (IDs), which are therefore classified as synaptopathies. FXS and ASDs, while clinically and genetically distinct, share significant comorbidity, suggesting that there may be a common molecular and/or cellular basis, presumably at the synapse. In this article, we review brain architecture and synaptic pathways that are dysregulated in FXS and ASDs, including spine architecture, signaling in synaptic plasticity, local protein synthesis, (m)RNA modifications, and degradation. mRNA repression is a powerful mechanism for the regulation of synaptic structure and efficacy. We infer that there is no single pathway that explains most of the etiology and discuss new findings and the implications for future work directed at improving our understanding of the pathogenesis of FXS and related ASDs and the design of therapeutic strategies to ameliorate these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Bagni
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
| | - R Suzanne Zukin
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York City, NY, USA.
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11
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Zhou J, He F, Yang F, Yang Z, Xie Y, Zhou S, Liang J, Xu R, Wang Y, Guo H, Zhou W, Wang M. Increased stool immunoglobulin A level in children with autism spectrum disorders. Res Dev Disabil 2018; 82:90-94. [PMID: 29102384 DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2017.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2017] [Revised: 10/06/2017] [Accepted: 10/08/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There are currently no effective treatments for the core symptoms of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). However, alleviating gastrointestinal (GI) problems, which are prevalent in ASD patients, can significantly improve the core symptoms of autism. Previous studies have associated GI disorders in ASD patients with abnormal gut microbiota, although few disease-related microorganisms have been identified. Considering that the gut microbiome affects the intestinal immune system and the patient's behavior, and that immunoglobulin A (IgA) is the main antibody secreted by intestinal immune cells, we investigated stool IgA content as a means of understanding the gut immune status of ASD patients. The IgA level in gut can be used as factor to know the Gene x Environment interactions and diagnose of ASDs. METHODS We enrolled 43 ASD patients and 31 gender- and age-matched healthy children. Stool IgA content was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS We found that IgA levels were significantly higher in stool samples from ASD patients than from healthy children (p<0.05, Student's t test). CONCLUSIONS This finding may suggest the presence of gut immune abnormalities in ASD patients. Further studies with larger patient and control cohorts will be necessary to determine whether stool IgA levels can be used as a biomarker for ASDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxiu Zhou
- Division of Psychology, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Fusheng He
- Autism Research Center, Shenzhen Following Precision Medical Research Institute, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Feng Yang
- Division of Speech Therapy, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Zheng Yang
- Shenzhen Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Treatment, China
| | - Yingjun Xie
- Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, China
| | - Shaoming Zhou
- Division of Gastroenterology, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Jingwen Liang
- Clinical Laboratory, Longgang Central Hospital of Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Ruihuan Xu
- Clinical Laboratory, Longgang Central Hospital of Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Shenzhen Imuno Biotech Co. Ltd, China
| | - Hailiang Guo
- Autism Research Center, Shenzhen Following Precision Medical Research Institute, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China; Key Laboratory of Birth Defects, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Wenhao Zhou
- Autism Research Center, Shenzhen Following Precision Medical Research Institute, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China; Key Laboratory of Birth Defects, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Division of Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Mingbang Wang
- Division of Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Xiamen Branch, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Xiamen, Fujian, China.
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12
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Cristiano C, Lama A, Lembo F, Mollica MP, Calignano A, Mattace Raso G. Interplay Between Peripheral and Central Inflammation in Autism Spectrum Disorders: Possible Nutritional and Therapeutic Strategies. Front Physiol 2018; 9:184. [PMID: 29563885 PMCID: PMC5845898 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.00184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Pre- and post-natal factors can affect brain development and function, impacting health outcomes with particular relevance to neurodevelopmental diseases, such as autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Maternal obesity and its associated complications have been related to the increased risk of ASDs in offspring. Indeed, animals exposed to maternal obesity or high fat diets are prone to social communication impairment and repetitive behavior, the hallmarks of autism. During development, fatty acids and sugars, as well as satiety hormones, like insulin and leptin, and inflammatory factors related to obesity-induced low grade inflammation, could play a role in the impairment of neuroendocrine system and brain neuronal circuits regulating behavior in offspring. On the other side, post-natal factors, such as mode of delivery, stress, diet, or antibiotic treatment are associated to a modification of gut microbiota composition, perturbing microbiota-gut-brain axis. Indeed, the interplay between the gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system not only occurs through neural, hormonal, and immune pathways, but also through microbe-derived metabolic products. The modification of unhealthy perinatal and postnatal environment, manipulation of gut microbiota, nutritional, and dietary interventions could represent possible strategies in preventing or limiting ASDs, through targeting inflammatory process and gut microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Cristiano
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Adriano Lama
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesca Lembo
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria P Mollica
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Calignano
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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13
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Casarrubea M, Faulisi F, Cudia A, Cancemi D, Cardaci M, Magnusson MS, Crescimanno G. Discovery of recurring behavioural sequences in Wistar rat social activity: Possible support to studies on Autism Spectrum Disorders. Neurosci Lett 2017; 653:58-63. [PMID: 28527716 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2017.05.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2017] [Revised: 04/12/2017] [Accepted: 05/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
This study was undertaken to investigate whether, in rat interactive activities, recurring sequences of behavioural events might be identified and how and to what extent each component of the pair is involved. To this aim, the multivariate temporal-pattern (t-pattern) analysis was applied to the social interactions of 9 pairs of male Wistar rats tested in open field. Interactive activities were classified into intra- and inter-subjects. Quantitative evaluations showed that intra-subject behavioural elements represented 62.37% and inter-subject ones 37.63% of the comprehensive behaviour. T-pattern analysis revealed the presence of 221 different t-patterns organized in four different categories: containing exclusively inter-subject elements; containing both inter- and intra-subject elements; consisting of rat 1 and rat 2 intra-subject elements and, finally, consisting of intra-subject elements carried out by one of the two subjects. Results show that the activity of two interacting Wistar rats is structured on the basis of several recurring temporal sequences. Moreover, social interactions appear to be expressed also by t-patterns where the behavioural elements are carried out by animals seemingly not interacting. A support of t-pattern analysis to studies on Autism Spectrum Disorders is proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Casarrubea
- Dept. of Experimental Biomedicine and Clinical Neurosciences (Bio.Ne.C.), Human Physiology Section "Giuseppe Pagano", Laboratory of Behavioral Physiology, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy; Technologies of Knowledge Interdepartmental Center (C.I.T.C.), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - F Faulisi
- Dept. of Experimental Biomedicine and Clinical Neurosciences (Bio.Ne.C.), Human Physiology Section "Giuseppe Pagano", Laboratory of Behavioral Physiology, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - A Cudia
- Dept. of Psychological Sciences, Pedagogy and Formation, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - D Cancemi
- Dept. of Psychological Sciences, Pedagogy and Formation, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - M Cardaci
- Dept. of Psychological Sciences, Pedagogy and Formation, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy; Technologies of Knowledge Interdepartmental Center (C.I.T.C.), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - M S Magnusson
- Human Behavior Laboratory, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - G Crescimanno
- Dept. of Experimental Biomedicine and Clinical Neurosciences (Bio.Ne.C.), Human Physiology Section "Giuseppe Pagano", Laboratory of Behavioral Physiology, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy; Technologies of Knowledge Interdepartmental Center (C.I.T.C.), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
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14
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Zhou L, Liu J, Xiang M, Olson P, Guzzetta A, Zhang K, Moskowitz IP, Xie L. Gata4 potentiates second heart field proliferation and Hedgehog signaling for cardiac septation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:E1422-31. [PMID: 28167794 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1605137114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
GATA4, an essential cardiogenic transcription factor, provides a model for dominant transcription factor mutations in human disease. Dominant GATA4 mutations cause congenital heart disease (CHD), specifically atrial and atrioventricular septal defects (ASDs and AVSDs). We found that second heart field (SHF)-specific Gata4 heterozygote embryos recapitulated the AVSDs observed in germline Gata4 heterozygote embryos. A proliferation defect of SHF atrial septum progenitors and hypoplasia of the dorsal mesenchymal protrusion, rather than anlage of the atrioventricular septum, were observed in this model. Knockdown of the cell-cycle repressor phosphatase and tensin homolog (Pten) restored cell-cycle progression and rescued the AVSDs. Gata4 mutants also demonstrated Hedgehog (Hh) signaling defects. Gata4 acts directly upstream of Hh components: Gata4 activated a cis-regulatory element at Gli1 in vitro and occupied the element in vivo. Remarkably, SHF-specific constitutive Hh signaling activation rescued AVSDs in Gata4 SHF-specific heterozygous knockout embryos. Pten expression was unchanged in Smoothened mutants, and Hh pathway genes were unchanged in Pten mutants, suggesting pathway independence. Thus, both the cell-cycle and Hh-signaling defects caused by dominant Gata4 mutations were required for CHD pathogenesis, suggesting a combinatorial model of disease causation by transcription factor haploinsufficiency.
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15
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Yang L, Faraone SV, Zhang-James Y. Autism spectrum disorder traits in Slc9a9 knock-out mice. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2016; 171B:363-76. [PMID: 26755066 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2014] [Accepted: 12/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of neurodevelopmental disorders which begin in childhood and persist into adulthood. They cause lifelong impairments and are associated with substantial burdens to patients, families, and society. Genetic studies have implicated the sodium/proton exchanger (NHE) nine gene, Slc9a9, to ASDs and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder(ADHD). Slc9a9 encodes, NHE9, a membrane protein of the late recycling endosomes. The recycling endosome plays an important role in synapse development and plasticity by regulating the trafficking of membrane neurotransmitter receptors and transporters. Here we tested the hypothesis that Slc9a9 knock-out (KO) mice would show ADHD-like and ASD-like traits. Ultrasonic vocalization (USV) recording showed that Slc9a9 KO mice emitted fewer calls and had shorter call durations, which suggest communication impairment. Slc9a9 KO mice lacked a preference for social novelty, but did not show deficits in social approach; Slc9a9 KO mice spent more time self-grooming, an indicator for restricted and repetitive behavior. We did not observe hyperactivity or other behavior impairments which are commonly comorbid with ASDs in human, such as anxiety-like behavior. Our study is the first animal behavior study that links Slc9a9 to ASDs. By eliminatingNHE9 activity, it provides strong evidence that lack of Slc9a9leads to ASD-like behaviors in mice and provides the field with a new mouse model of ASDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Yang
- Departments of Neuroscience and Physiology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York
| | - Stephen V Faraone
- Departments of Neuroscience and Physiology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York.,Departments of Psychiatry, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York.,K.G. Jebsen Centre for Research on Neuropsychiatric Disorders, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Yanli Zhang-James
- Departments of Psychiatry, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York
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16
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Choi US, Kim SY, Sim HJ, Lee SY, Park SY, Jeong JS, Seol KI, Yoon HW, Jhung K, Park JI, Cheon KA. Abnormal brain activity in social reward learning in children with autism spectrum disorder: an fMRI study. Yonsei Med J 2015; 56:705-11. [PMID: 25837176 PMCID: PMC4397440 DOI: 10.3349/ymj.2015.56.3.705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE We aimed to determine whether Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) would show neural abnormality of the social reward system using functional MRI (fMRI). MATERIALS AND METHODS 27 ASDs and 12 typically developing controls (TDCs) participated in this study. The social reward task was developed, and all participants performed the task during fMRI scanning. RESULTS ASDs and TDCs with a social reward learning effect were selected on the basis of behavior data. We found significant differences in brain activation between the ASDs and TDCs showing a social reward learning effect. Compared with the TDCs, the ASDs showed reduced activity in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, right orbitofrontal cortex, right parietal lobe, and occipital lobe; however, they showed increased activity in the right parahippocampal gyrus and superior temporal gyrus. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that there might be neural abnormality of the social reward learning system of ASDs. Although this study has several potential limitations, it presents novel findings in the different neural mechanisms of social reward learning in children with ASD and a possible useful biomarker of high-functioning ASDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uk-Su Choi
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Gachon University of Medicine and Science, Incheon, Korea
| | - Sun-Young Kim
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Institute of Behavioral Science in Medicine, Yonsei Autism Laboratory, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyeon Jeong Sim
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Institute of Behavioral Science in Medicine, Yonsei Autism Laboratory, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seo-Young Lee
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Institute of Behavioral Science in Medicine, Yonsei Autism Laboratory, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sung-Yeon Park
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Gachon University of Medicine and Science, Incheon, Korea
| | - Joon-Sup Jeong
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Gachon University of Medicine and Science, Incheon, Korea
| | - Kyeong In Seol
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Institute of Behavioral Science in Medicine, Yonsei Autism Laboratory, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyo-Woon Yoon
- Department of Art Therapy, Daegu Cyber University, Daegu, Korea
| | - Kyungun Jhung
- Department of Psychiatry, Konyang University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Jee-In Park
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Institute of Behavioral Science in Medicine, Yonsei Autism Laboratory, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Keun-Ah Cheon
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Institute of Behavioral Science in Medicine, Yonsei Autism Laboratory, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
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17
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Curatolo P, Ben-Ari Y, Bozzi Y, Catania MV, D'Angelo E, Mapelli L, Oberman LM, Rosenmund C, Cherubini E. Synapses as therapeutic targets for autism spectrum disorders: an international symposium held in pavia on july 4th, 2014. Front Cell Neurosci 2014; 8:309. [PMID: 25324723 PMCID: PMC4179609 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2014.00309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2014] [Accepted: 09/12/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
New progresses into the molecular and cellular mechanisms of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) have been discussed in 1 day international symposium held in Pavia (Italy) on July 4th, 2014 entitled "synapses as therapeutic targets for autism spectrum disorders" (satellite of the FENS Forum for Neuroscience, Milan, 2014). In particular, world experts in the field have highlighted how animal models of ASDs have greatly advanced our understanding of the molecular pathways involved in synaptic dysfunction leading sometimes to "synaptic clinical trials" in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Curatolo
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Tor Vergata University , Rome , Italy
| | - Yehezkel Ben-Ari
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Mediterranean Institute of Neurobiology (INMED) , Marseille , France
| | - Yuri Bozzi
- CNR Neuroscience Institute and Laboratory of Molecular Neuropathology, Centre for Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento , Trento , Italy
| | - Maria Vincenza Catania
- CNR, Institute of Neurological Sciences (ISN) , Catania , Italy ; Laboratory of Neurobiology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Oasi Maria SS , Troina , Italy
| | - Egidio D'Angelo
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia , Pavia , Italy ; Brain Connectivity Center, Neurological Institute Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Mondino , Pavia , Italy
| | - Lisa Mapelli
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia , Pavia , Italy
| | - Lindsay M Oberman
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University , Providence, RI , USA
| | - Christian Rosenmund
- Neuroscience Research Center and NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin , Berlin , Germany
| | - Enrico Cherubini
- International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA) , Trieste , Italy ; European Brain Research Institute (EBRI) , Rome , Italy
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18
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Abstract
This overview describes many well characterized mouse models of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Mouse models considered here were selected because they are examples of genetically engineered models where human genetic evidence supports a causative relationship between the targeted mutation and the behavioral phenotype. As the ASD diagnosis is based primarily on behavioral evaluations in humans in the domains of social interaction, communication, and restricted interests, the murine phenotypes analogous to human autistic behaviors are highlighted for the different models and behaviors. Although genetically engineered mouse models with good construct and face validity are valuable for identifying and defining underlying pathophysiological mechanisms and for developing potential therapeutic interventions for the human condition, the translational value of various rodent behavioral assays remains a subject of debate. Significant challenges associated with modeling ASDs in rodents because of the clinical and molecular heterogeneity that characterize this disorder are also considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra L. Bey
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710
| | - Yong-hui Jiang
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710,Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710,Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710,Corresponding author: , Phone: (919) 681-2789, Fax: (919) 668-0414
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19
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Gu F, Chauhan V, Chauhan A. Impaired synthesis and antioxidant defense of glutathione in the cerebellum of autistic subjects: alterations in the activities and protein expression of glutathione-related enzymes. Free Radic Biol Med 2013; 65:488-496. [PMID: 23892356 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2013.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2013] [Revised: 07/03/2013] [Accepted: 07/12/2013] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder associated with social deficits and behavioral abnormalities. Recent evidence in autism suggests a deficit in glutathione (GSH), a major endogenous antioxidant. It is not known whether the synthesis, consumption, and/or regeneration of GSH is affected in autism. In the cerebellum tissues from autism (n=10) and age-matched control subjects (n=10), the activities of GSH-related enzymes glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GR), and glutamate cysteine ligase (GCL) involved in antioxidant defense, detoxification, GSH regeneration, and synthesis, respectively, were analyzed. GCL is a rate-limiting enzyme for GSH synthesis, and the relationship between its activity and the protein expression of its catalytic subunit GCLC and its modulatory subunit GCLM was also compared between the autistic and the control groups. Results showed that the activities of GPx and GST were significantly decreased in autism compared to that of the control group (P<0.05). Although there was no significant difference in GR activity between autism and control groups, 40% of autistic subjects showed lower GR activity than 95% confidence interval (CI) of the control group. GCL activity was also significantly reduced by 38.7% in the autistic group compared to the control group (P=0.023), and 8 of 10 autistic subjects had values below 95% CI of the control group. The ratio of protein levels of GCLC to GCLM in the autism group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P=0.022), and GCLM protein levels were reduced by 37.3% in the autistic group compared to the control group. A positive strong correlation was observed between GCL activity and protein levels of GCLM (r=0.887) and GCLC (r=0.799) subunits in control subjects but not in autistic subjects, suggesting that regulation of GCL activity is affected in autism. These results suggest that enzymes involved in GSH homeostasis have impaired activities in the cerebellum in autism, and lower GCL activity in autism may be related to decreased protein expression of GCLM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Gu
- NYS Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, 1050 Forest Hill Road, Staten Island, NY 10314, USA
| | - Ved Chauhan
- NYS Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, 1050 Forest Hill Road, Staten Island, NY 10314, USA
| | - Abha Chauhan
- NYS Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, 1050 Forest Hill Road, Staten Island, NY 10314, USA.
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20
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Battaglia A, Doccini V, Bernardini L, Novelli A, Loddo S, Capalbo A, Filippi T, Carey JC. Confirmation of chromosomal microarray as a first-tier clinical diagnostic test for individuals with developmental delay, intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorders and dysmorphic features. Eur J Paediatr Neurol 2013; 17:589-99. [PMID: 23711909 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpn.2013.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2012] [Revised: 02/28/2013] [Accepted: 04/28/2013] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Submicroscopic chromosomal rearrangements are the most common identifiable causes of intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorders associated with dysmorphic features. Chromosomal microarray (CMA) can detect copy number variants <1 Mb and identifies size and presence of known genes. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the usefulness of CMA, as a first-tier tool in detecting the etiology of unexplained intellectual disability/autism spectrum disorders (ID/ASDs) associated with dysmorphic features in a large cohort of pediatric patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS We studied 349 individuals; 223 males, 126 females, aged 5 months-19 years. Blood samples were analyzed with CMA at a resolution ranging from 1 Mb to 40 Kb. The imbalance was confirmed by FISH or qPCR. We considered copy number variants (CNVs) causative if the variant was responsible for a known syndrome, encompassed gene/s of known function, occurred de novo or, if inherited, the parent was variably affected, and/or the involved gene/s had been reported in association with ID/ASDs in dedicated databases. RESULTS 91 CNVs were detected in 77 (22.06%) patients: 5 (6.49%) of those presenting with borderline cognitive impairment, 54 (70.13%) with a variable degree of DD/ID, and 18/77 (23.38%) with ID of variable degree and ASDs. 16/77 (20.8%) patients had two different rearrangements. Deletions exceeded duplications (58 versus 33); 45.05% (41/91) of the detected CNVs were de novo, 45.05% (41/91) inherited, and 9.9% (9/91) unknown. The CNVs caused the phenotype in 57/77 (74%) patients; 12/57 (21.05%) had ASDs/ID, and 45/57 (78.95%) had DD/ID. CONCLUSIONS Our study provides further evidence of the high diagnostic yield of CMA for genetic testing in children with unexplained ID/ASDs who had dysmorphic features. We confirm the value of CMA as the first-tier tool in the assessment of those conditions in the pediatric setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agatino Battaglia
- Stella Maris Clinical Research Institute for Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, via dei Giacinti, 2, 56128 Calambrone, Pisa, Italy.
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Geier DA, Kern JK, Geier MR. A prospective Cross-sectional Cohort Assessment of Health, Physical, and Behavioral Problems in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Maedica (Bucur) 2012; 7:193-200. [PMID: 23400046 PMCID: PMC3566881] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2012] [Accepted: 09/25/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is diagnostically defined by impaired socialization/communication and stereotypical behaviors. Health, physical, and behavioral problems have also been described in subjects diagnosed with an ASD, but have usually been examined in isolation. The purpose of the present study was to for the first time, systematically and quantitatively, examines health, physical and behavioral problems in a cohort of subjects diagnosed with an ASD. MATERIALS AND METHODS A prospective cross-sectional ASD cohort (n=54) was evaluated for health, physical, and behavioral symptoms derived from parentally completed Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) forms. The study protocol received Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval from Liberty IRB, Inc (Deland, FL). OUTCOMES The results showed the following occurrence of symptoms among study participants: gastrointestinal disturbances=48%, incontinence=57%, sleep problems=57%, eating disorders=94%, hyperactivity=67%, lethargy=26%, sensory processing problems=85%, anxiety/fear=74%, behavioral problems=89%, and obsessive-compulsive behaviors=92%. Of all of the areas examined, eating problems, behavioral problems, and obsessive-compulsive behaviors, were reported by the parents to be the most serious and problematic. CONCLUSIONS The present findings, taken together with previous research, suggest that subjects diagnosed with an ASD have significant health, physical, and behavioral problems beyond the symptoms evaluated in the diagnostic criteria used to diagnosis an ASD. The present findings also suggest the ATEC provides an economical means for healthcare providers to identify health, physical, and behavioral problems in subjects diagnosed with an ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Geier
- Institute of Chronic Illnesses, Inc., Silver Spring, MD, USA ; CoMeD, Inc., Silver Spring, MD, USA
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