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Ronquillo J, Nguyen MT, Rothi LY, Bui‐Tu T, Yang J, Halladay LR. Nature and nurture: Comparing mouse behavior in classic versus revised anxiety-like and social behavioral assays in genetically or environmentally defined groups. GENES, BRAIN, AND BEHAVIOR 2023; 22:e12869. [PMID: 37872655 PMCID: PMC10733577 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Widely used rodent anxiety assays like the elevated plus maze (EPM) and the open field test (OFT) are conflated with rodents' natural preference for dark over light environments or protected over open spaces. The EPM and OFT have been used for decades but are often criticized by behavioral scientists. Years ago, two revised anxiety assays were designed to improve upon the "classic" tests by excluding the possibility to avoid or escape aversion. The 3-D radial arm maze (3DR) and the 3-D open field test (3Doft) utilize continual motivational conflict to better model anxiety; each consist of an open space connected to ambiguous paths toward uncertain escape. Despite their utility, the revised assays have not caught on. This could be because no study yet has directly compared classic and revised assays in the same animals. To remedy this, we contrasted behavior from a battery of assays (EPM, OFT, 3DR, 3Doft and a sociability test) in mice defined genetically by isogenic strain, or environmentally by postnatal experience. One major motivation for this work is to inform future studies by offering a transparent look at individual outcomes on these assays, as there is no one-size-fits-all test to assess rodent anxiety-like behavior. Findings suggest that classic assays may sufficiently characterize differences across genetically defined groups, but the revised 3DR may be advantageous for investigating more nuanced behavioral differences such as those stemming from environmental factors. Finally, exposure to multiple assays significantly affected sociability, highlighting concerns for designing and interpreting batteries of rodent behavioral tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet Ronquillo
- Department of PsychologySanta Clara UniversitySanta ClaraCaliforniaUSA
| | - Michael T. Nguyen
- Department of PsychologySanta Clara UniversitySanta ClaraCaliforniaUSA
| | - Linnea Y. Rothi
- Department of PsychologySanta Clara UniversitySanta ClaraCaliforniaUSA
| | - Trung‐Dan Bui‐Tu
- Department of PsychologySanta Clara UniversitySanta ClaraCaliforniaUSA
| | - Jocelyn Yang
- Department of PsychologySanta Clara UniversitySanta ClaraCaliforniaUSA
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2
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Wang Z, Yueh H, Chau M, Veenstra-VanderWeele J, O'Reilly KC. Circuits underlying social function and dysfunction. Autism Res 2023; 16:1268-1288. [PMID: 37458578 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2978] [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: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Substantial advances have been made toward understanding the genetic and environmental risk factors for autism, a neurodevelopmental disorder with social impairment as a core feature. In combination with optogenetic and chemogenetic tools to manipulate neural circuits in vivo, it is now possible to use model systems to test how specific neural circuits underlie social function and dysfunction. Here, we review the literature that has identified circuits associated with social interest (sociability), social reward, social memory, dominance, and aggression, and we outline a preliminary roadmap of the neural circuits driving these social behaviors. We highlight the neural circuitry underlying each behavioral domain, as well as develop an interactive map of how these circuits overlap across domains. We find that some of the circuits underlying social behavior are general and are involved in the control of multiple behavioral aspects, whereas other circuits appear to be specialized for specific aspects of social behavior. Our overlapping circuit map therefore helps to delineate the circuits involved in the various domains of social behavior and to identify gaps in knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziwen Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University; New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Hannah Yueh
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University; New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, USA
| | - Mirabella Chau
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University; New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jeremy Veenstra-VanderWeele
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University; New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, USA
| | - Kally C O'Reilly
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University; New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, USA
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3
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Ronquillo J, Nguyen MT, Rothi L, Bui-Tu TD, Yang J, Halladay LR. Nature and nurture: comparing mouse behavior in classic versus revised anxiety-like and social behavioral assays in genetically or environmentally defined groups. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.16.545212. [PMID: 37398211 PMCID: PMC10312802 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.16.545212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Widely used rodent anxiety assays like the elevated plus maze (EPM) and the open field test (OFT) are often conflated with rodents' natural preference for dark over light environments or protected over open spaces. The EPM and OFT have been used for many decades, yet have also been criticized by generations of behavioral scientists. Several years ago, two revised anxiety assays were designed to improve upon the "classic" tests by excluding the possibility to avoid or escape aversive areas of each maze. The 3-D radial arm maze (3DR) and the 3-D open field test (3Doft) each consist of an open space connected to ambiguous paths toward uncertain escape. This introduces continual motivational conflict, thereby increasing external validity as an anxiety model. But despite this improvement, the revised assays have not caught on. One issue may be that studies to date have not directly compared classic and revised assays in the same animals. To remedy this, we contrasted behavior in a battery of assays (EPM, OFT, 3DR, 3Doft, and a sociability test) in mice defined either genetically by isogenic strain, or environmentally by postnatal experience. Findings indicate that the optimal assay to assess anxiety-like behavior may depend upon grouping variable (e.g. genetic versus environment). We argue that the 3DR may be the most ecologically valid of the anxiety assays tested, while the OFT and 3Doft provided the least useful information. Finally, exposure to multiple assays significantly affected sociability measures, raising concerns for designing and interpreting batteries of behavioral tests in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet Ronquillo
- Department of Psychology, Santa Clara University, 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, California, 95053, USA
| | - Michael T. Nguyen
- Department of Psychology, Santa Clara University, 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, California, 95053, USA
| | - Linnea Rothi
- Department of Psychology, Santa Clara University, 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, California, 95053, USA
| | - Trung-Dan Bui-Tu
- Department of Psychology, Santa Clara University, 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, California, 95053, USA
| | - Jocelyn Yang
- Department of Psychology, Santa Clara University, 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, California, 95053, USA
| | - Lindsay R. Halladay
- Department of Psychology, Santa Clara University, 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, California, 95053, USA
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4
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DiLiberto E, Phatarpekar S, Theodorakis K, Chadman KK. Does the stranger mouse strain matter to female BTBR mice? Behav Brain Res 2023; 437:114132. [PMID: 36181946 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2022.114132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by deficits in social communication and repetitive behaviors/restricted interests. One mouse model of ASD is the BTBR T+Itprtf/J (BTBR) mice which display low levels of social behavior in several tests. The social approach test is used to examine the preference for social interaction between a stranger mouse or a novel object. While female BTBR mice have been used in the social approach test, no one has examined the degree to which the strain of the stranger mouse will affect social behavior. The current experiment tested female BTBR subject mice in the social approach test with stranger mice from different strains including the BTBR, 129S1/SvImJ (129), and C57BL/6J (B6) mice, of which the B6 mice are most social. The results show that female BTBR mice overall spent significantly more time in the stranger mouse chamber. However, further analysis revealed that the subject mice spent significantly more time in the stranger mouse chamber when the stranger was from the B6 strain, but not the BTBR or 129 strains. The BTBR female mice also sniffed the B6 and 129 stranger mice more than the novel object. This suggests that BTBR females are more social with mice that display high levels of social behavior, but less so with less social mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth DiLiberto
- NYS Institute for Basic Research in Dev. Disabilities, 1050 Forest Hill Rd, Staten Island, NY 10314, USA; College of Staten Island, 2800 Victory Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10314, USA; Macaulay Honors College, 35W 67th St, New York, NY 10023, USA.
| | - Shwetha Phatarpekar
- NYS Institute for Basic Research in Dev. Disabilities, 1050 Forest Hill Rd, Staten Island, NY 10314, USA; Graduate Program in Neural and Behavioral Science, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, 450 Clarkson Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA.
| | - Kelly Theodorakis
- NYS Institute for Basic Research in Dev. Disabilities, 1050 Forest Hill Rd, Staten Island, NY 10314, USA; College of Staten Island, 2800 Victory Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10314, USA; Macaulay Honors College, 35W 67th St, New York, NY 10023, USA.
| | - Kathryn K Chadman
- NYS Institute for Basic Research in Dev. Disabilities, 1050 Forest Hill Rd, Staten Island, NY 10314, USA.
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Toddes C, Lefevre EM, Brandner DD, Zugschwert L, Rothwell PE. μ-Opioid Receptor (Oprm1) Copy Number Influences Nucleus Accumbens Microcircuitry and Reciprocal Social Behaviors. J Neurosci 2021; 41:7965-7977. [PMID: 34301826 PMCID: PMC8460143 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2440-20.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The μ-opioid receptor regulates reward derived from both drug use and natural experiences, including social interaction, through actions in the nucleus accumbens. Here, we studied nucleus accumbens microcircuitry and social behavior in male and female mice with heterozygous genetic knockout of the μ-opioid receptor (Oprm1+/-). This genetic condition models the partial reduction of μ-opioid receptor signaling reported in several neuropsychiatric disorders. We first analyzed inhibitory synapses in the nucleus accumbens, using methods that differentiate between medium spiny neurons (MSNs) expressing the D1 or D2 dopamine receptor. Inhibitory synaptic transmission was increased in D2-MSNs of male mutants, but not female mutants, while the expression of gephyrin mRNA and the density of inhibitory synaptic puncta at the cell body of D2-MSNs was increased in mutants of both sexes. Some of these changes were more robust in Oprm1+/- mutants than Oprm1-/- mutants, demonstrating that partial reductions of μ-opioid signaling can have large effects. At the behavioral level, social conditioned place preference and reciprocal social interaction were diminished in Oprm1+/- and Oprm1-/- mutants of both sexes. Interaction with Oprm1 mutants also altered the social behavior of wild-type test partners. We corroborated this latter result using a social preference task, in which wild-type mice preferred interactions with another typical mouse over Oprm1 mutants. Surprisingly, Oprm1-/- mice preferred interactions with other Oprm1-/- mutants, although these interactions did not produce a conditioned place preference. Our results support a role for partial dysregulation of μ-opioid signaling in social deficits associated with neuropsychiatric conditions.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Activation of the μ-opioid receptor plays a key role in the expression of normal social behaviors. In this study, we examined brain function and social behavior of female and male mice, with either partial or complete genetic deletion of μ-opioid receptor expression. We observed abnormal social behavior following both genetic manipulations, as well as changes in the structure and function of synaptic input to a specific population of neurons in the nucleus accumbens, which is an important brain region for social behavior. Synaptic changes were most robust when μ-opioid receptor expression was only partially lost, indicating that small reductions in μ-opioid receptor signaling can have a large impact on brain function and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlee Toddes
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
| | - Emilia M Lefevre
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
| | - Dieter D Brandner
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
| | - Lauryn Zugschwert
- Neuroscience Program and Department of Biology, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minnesota 55105
| | - Patrick E Rothwell
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
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6
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Fyke W, Premoli M, Echeverry Alzate V, López-Moreno JA, Lemaire-Mayo V, Crusio WE, Marsicano G, Wöhr M, Pietropaolo S. Communication and social interaction in the cannabinoid-type 1 receptor null mouse: Implications for autism spectrum disorder. Autism Res 2021; 14:1854-1872. [PMID: 34173729 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Clinical and preclinical findings have suggested a role of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the etiopathology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Previous mouse studies have investigated the role of ECS in several behavioral domains; however, none of them has performed an extensive assessment of social and communication behaviors, that is, the main core features of ASD. This study employed a mouse line lacking the primary endocannabinoid receptor (CB1r) and characterized ultrasonic communication and social interaction in CB1-/- , CB1+/- , and CB1+/+ males and females. Quantitative and qualitative alterations in ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) were observed in CB1 null mice both during early development (i.e., between postnatal days 4 and 10), and at adulthood (i.e., at 3 months of age). Adult mutants also showed marked deficits in social interest in the three-chamber test and social investigation in the direct social interaction test. These behavioral alterations were mostly observed in both sexes and appeared more marked in CB1-/- than CB1+/- mutant mice. Importantly, the adult USV alterations could not be attributed to differences in anxiety or sensorimotor abilities, as assessed by the elevated plus maze and auditory startle tests. Our findings demonstrate the role of CB1r in social communication and behavior, supporting the use of the CB1 full knockout mouse in preclinical research on these ASD-relevant core domains. LAY SUMMARY: The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is important for brain development and neural function and is therefore likely to be involved in neurodevelopmental disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Here we investigated changes in social behavior and communication, which are core features of ASD, in male and female mice lacking the chief receptor of this system. Our results show that loss of this receptor results in several changes in social behavior and communication both during early development and in adulthood, thus supporting the role of the ECS in these ASD-core behavioral domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Fyke
- University of Bordeaux, CNRS, EPHE, INCIA, UMR 5287, Bordeaux, France.,Graduate Program in Neural and Behavioral Science, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York, USA
| | - Marika Premoli
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Victor Echeverry Alzate
- Department of Psychobiology and Methodology on Behavioral Sciences, Faculty of Psychology, Madrid Complutense University, Spain.,Unidad Gestión Clínica de Salud Mental, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, Malaga University, Spain
| | - José A López-Moreno
- Department of Psychobiology and Methodology on Behavioral Sciences, Faculty of Psychology, Madrid Complutense University, Spain
| | | | - Wim E Crusio
- University of Bordeaux, CNRS, EPHE, INCIA, UMR 5287, Bordeaux, France
| | - Giovanni Marsicano
- University of Bordeaux, INSERM, U862 NeuroCentre Magendie, Group Endocannabinoids and Neuroadaptation, Bordeaux, France
| | - Markus Wöhr
- KU Leuven, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Research Unit Brain and Cognition, Laboratory of Biological Psychology, Social and Affective Neuroscience Research Group, Leuven, Belgium.,KU Leuven, Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium.,Faculty of Psychology, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience, Philipps-University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany.,Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior, Philipps-University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
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7
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Ryan K, Thompson L, Mendoza PA, Chadman KK. Inbred strain preference in the BTBR T + Itpr3 tf /J mouse model of autism spectrum disorder: Does the stranger mouse matter in social approach? Autism Res 2019; 12:1184-1191. [PMID: 31206258 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2018] [Revised: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BTBR T+ Itpr3tf /J (BTBR) mice have been used as a model of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) due to their low levels of sociability and high levels of repetitive grooming. These experiments explored social behavior in the BTBR and C57BL/6J mice using variations of the three-chambered social approach test. In the first test, the subject mice had a choice between a stranger mouse of the same strain or from a strain with a different level of sociability. The BTBR male mice demonstrated a strong preference for the more social C57BL/6J stranger mouse, as did the C57BL/6J male mice, although more moderately with sniff time only. The C57BL/6J female mice showed a moderate preference, sniff time only, for the BTBR stranger mouse, whereas the BTBR female mice did not show a preference. The second experiment examined whether the subject mouse preferred a stranger mouse or bedding from the stranger mouse home cage. Male BTBR mice always preferred bedding, whereas the C57BL/6J male mice did not show a preference. Both BTBR and C57BL/6J female mice preferred bedding when the stranger mouse was a different strain but not when the stranger mouse was the same strain. Therefore, the stranger mouse strain seems to influence the preference of the female mice more than the male mice. The mice preferred spending time in the chamber with the social smell but not the actual stranger mouse although not always significantly. This suggests that contact with a stranger mouse is more stressful or anxiety provoking than the smell. Autism Res 2019, 12: 1184-1191. © 2019 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. LAY SUMMARY: BTBR T+ Itpr3tf /J (BTBR) mice have been used as a model of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) due to their low levels of sociability and high levels of repetitive grooming. These experiments explored social behavior in the BTBR and C57BL/6J mice using variations of the three-chambered social approach test. These experiments examined how the sociability level of the stranger mouse affected the subject mouse's preference and if social odor was preferable to a social situation in the BTBR mice. The BTBR male mice demonstrated a strong preference for the more social C57BL/6J stranger mouse, as did the C57BL/6J male mice. The C57BL/6J female mice showed a moderate preference for the BTBR stranger mouse, whereas the BTBR female mice did not show a preference for either stranger mouse. The second modification let the subject mouse have a choice between a stranger mouse or bedding. Male BTBR mice preferred bedding, regardless of the strain of the stranger mouse, whereas the C57BL/6J male mice did not show a preference. Both BTBR and C57BL/6J female mice preferred bedding when the stranger mouse was a different strain but showed no preference when the stranger mouse was from the same strain. The stranger mouse strain seems to influence the female mice more. Male BTBR mice preferred spending time in the chamber with the social smell but not the actual mouse, suggesting that actual contact with a stranger mouse is more stressful or anxiety provoking.
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Affiliation(s)
- KatieLynne Ryan
- Center for Developmental Neuroscience, College of Staten Island, City University of New York, New York, New York.,Department of Developmental Neurobiology, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, New York, New York
| | - Lynn Thompson
- Center for Developmental Neuroscience, College of Staten Island, City University of New York, New York, New York.,Department of Developmental Neurobiology, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, New York, New York
| | - Patricia A Mendoza
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, New York, New York.,Macaulay Honors College, College of Staten Island, City University of New York, New York, New York
| | - Kathryn K Chadman
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, New York, New York
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8
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Hegde S, Ji H, Oliver D, Patel NS, Poupore N, Shtutman M, Kelly MP. PDE11A regulates social behaviors and is a key mechanism by which social experience sculpts the brain. Neuroscience 2016; 335:151-69. [PMID: 27544407 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2016.08.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2016] [Revised: 08/09/2016] [Accepted: 08/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Despite the fact that appropriate social behaviors are vital to thriving in one's environment, little is understood of the molecular mechanisms controlling social behaviors or how social experience sculpts these signaling pathways. Here, we determine if Phosphodiesterase 11A (PDE11A), an enzyme that is enriched in the ventral hippocampal formation (VHIPP) and that breaks down cAMP and cGMP, regulates social behaviors. PDE11 wild-type (WT), heterozygous (HT), and knockout (KO) mice were tested in various social approach assays and gene expression differences were measured by RNA sequencing. The effect of social isolation on PDE11A4 compartmentalization and subsequent social interactions and social memory was also assessed. Deletion of PDE11A triggered age- and sex-dependent deficits in social approach in specific social contexts but not others. Mice appear to detect altered social behaviors of PDE11A KO mice, because C57BL/6J mice prefer to spend time with a sex-matched PDE11A WT vs. its KO littermate; whereas, a PDE11A KO prefers to spend time with a novel PDE11A KO vs. its WT littermate. Not only is PDE11A required for intact social interactions, we found that 1month of social isolation vs. group housing decreased PDE11A4 protein expression specifically within the membrane fraction of VHIPP. This isolation-induced decrease in PDE11A4 expression appears functional because social isolation impairs subsequent social approach behavior and social memory in a PDE11A genotype-dependent manner. Pathway analyses following RNA sequencing suggests PDE11A is a key regulator of the oxytocin pathway and membrane signaling, consistent with its pivotal role in regulating social behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shweta Hegde
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Neuroscience, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29209, United States
| | - Hao Ji
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, South Carolina College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia 29208, United States
| | - David Oliver
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, South Carolina College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia 29208, United States
| | - Neema S Patel
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Neuroscience, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29209, United States
| | - Nicolas Poupore
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Neuroscience, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29209, United States
| | - Michael Shtutman
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, South Carolina College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia 29208, United States
| | - Michy P Kelly
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Neuroscience, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29209, United States
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9
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Forsingdal A, Fejgin K, Nielsen V, Werge T, Nielsen J. 15q13.3 homozygous knockout mouse model display epilepsy-, autism- and schizophrenia-related phenotypes. Transl Psychiatry 2016; 6:e860. [PMID: 27459725 PMCID: PMC5545711 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2016.125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2016] [Revised: 05/18/2016] [Accepted: 06/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The 15q13.3 microdeletion syndrome is caused by a 1.5-MB hemizygous microdeletion located on 15q13.3 affecting seven genes: FAN1; MTMR10; TRPM1; miR-211; KLF13; OTUD7A; and CHRNA7. The 15q13.3 microdeletion increases the risk of intellectual disability, epilepsy, autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia, though the clinical profile varies considerably. Two mouse models of this syndrome, with hemizygous deletion of the orthologous region in the murine genome, have recently been shown to recapitulate a number of the behavioral and physiological deficits that characterize the human condition. Still, little is known of the underlying biological mechanisms. Eleven human cases with homozygous deletion of the 15q13.3 region have been reported, all with severe functional and physiological impairments. We therefore hypothesized that a 15q13.3 homozygous knockout would confer more pronounced behavioral and physiological deficits in mice than the 15q13.3 hemizygous deletion. Here we report the characterization of a 15q13.3 knockout mouse. We observed marked deficits including altered seizure susceptibility, autistic behavior-related phenotypes, and auditory sensory processing. Several of these deficits, albeit less pronounced, were also found in the 15q13.3 hemizygous littermates indicating a gene-dosage dependency. Our findings strongly indicate that studies of the hemi- and homozygous 15q13.3 mouse strains will facilitate understanding of the biological mechanisms of severe mental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Forsingdal
- Synaptic Transmission, In Vitro, Neuroscience Research DK, H. Lundbeck A/S, Valby, Denmark,Institute of Biological Psychiatry, Mental Health Center, Sct. Hans, Mental Health Services, Roskilde, Denmark,Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - K Fejgin
- Synaptic Transmission, In Vitro, Neuroscience Research DK, H. Lundbeck A/S, Valby, Denmark
| | - V Nielsen
- Synaptic Transmission, In Vitro, Neuroscience Research DK, H. Lundbeck A/S, Valby, Denmark
| | - T Werge
- Institute of Biological Psychiatry, Mental Health Center, Sct. Hans, Mental Health Services, Roskilde, Denmark,Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark,iPSYCH, The Lundbeck Foundation’s Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research, Denmark
| | - J Nielsen
- Synaptic Transmission, In Vitro, Neuroscience Research DK, H. Lundbeck A/S, Valby, Denmark,Synaptic Transmission, Neuroscience Research DK, H.Lundbeck A/S, Ottiliavej 9, Valby 2500, Denmark. E-mail:
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10
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Ryan NP, Catroppa C, Godfrey C, Noble-Haeusslein LJ, Shultz SR, O'Brien TJ, Anderson V, Semple BD. Social dysfunction after pediatric traumatic brain injury: A translational perspective. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2016; 64:196-214. [PMID: 26949224 PMCID: PMC5627971 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.02.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2016] [Revised: 02/24/2016] [Accepted: 02/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Social dysfunction is common after traumatic brain injury (TBI), contributing to reduced quality of life for survivors. Factors which influence the development or persistence of social deficits after injury remain poorly understood, particularly in the context of ongoing brain maturation during childhood and adolescence. Aberrant social interactions have recently been modeled in adult and juvenile rodents after experimental TBI, providing an opportunity to gain new insights into the underlying neurobiology of these behaviors. Here, we review our current understanding of social dysfunction in both humans and rodent models of TBI, with a focus on brain injuries acquired during early development. Modulators of social outcomes are discussed, including injury-related and environmental risk and resilience factors. Disruption of social brain network connectivity and aberrant neuroendocrine function are identified as potential mechanisms of social impairments after pediatric TBI. Throughout, we highlight the overlap and disparities between outcome measures and findings from clinical and experimental approaches, and explore the translational potential of future research to prevent or ameliorate social dysfunction after childhood TBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas P Ryan
- Australian Centre for Child Neuropsychological Studies, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia; Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
| | - Cathy Catroppa
- Australian Centre for Child Neuropsychological Studies, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia; Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia; Department of Psychology, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
| | - Celia Godfrey
- Australian Centre for Child Neuropsychological Studies, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
| | - Linda J Noble-Haeusslein
- Departments of Neurological Surgery and Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Sandy R Shultz
- Department of Medicine (Royal Melbourne Hospital), The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
| | - Terence J O'Brien
- Department of Medicine (Royal Melbourne Hospital), The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
| | - Vicki Anderson
- Australian Centre for Child Neuropsychological Studies, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia; Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia; Department of Psychology, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
| | - Bridgette D Semple
- Department of Medicine (Royal Melbourne Hospital), The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
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Abstract
In order to understand the consequences of the mutation on behavioral and biological phenotypes relevant to autism, mutations in many of the risk genes for autism spectrum disorder have been experimentally generated in mice. Here, we summarize behavioral outcomes and neuroanatomical abnormalities, with a focus on high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging of postmortem mouse brains. Results are described from multiple mouse models of autism spectrum disorder and comorbid syndromes, including the 15q11-13, 16p11.2, 22q11.2, Cntnap2, Engrailed2, Fragile X, Integrinβ3, MET, Neurexin1a, Neuroligin3, Reelin, Rett, Shank3, Slc6a4, tuberous sclerosis, and Williams syndrome models, and inbred strains with strong autism-relevant behavioral phenotypes, including BTBR and BALB. Concomitant behavioral and neuroanatomical abnormalities can strengthen the interpretation of results from a mouse model, and may elevate the usefulness of the model system for therapeutic discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Ellegood
- />Mouse Imaging Centre (MICe), Hospital for Sick Children, 25 Orde Street, Toronto, ON M5T 3H7 Canada
| | - Jacqueline N. Crawley
- />MIND Institute and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California Davis School of Medicine, 4625 2nd Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95817 USA
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Balb/c mice treated with D-cycloserine arouse increased social interest in conspecifics. Brain Res Bull 2013; 99:95-9. [PMID: 24157954 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2013.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2013] [Revised: 10/10/2013] [Accepted: 10/11/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The genetically inbred Balb/cJ (Balb/c) mouse with functional alteration of its endogenous tone of NMDA receptor-mediated neurotransmission displays impaired sociability in a standard paradigm; this mouse strain has been proposed as a model of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Prior work showed that treatment of the Balb/c mouse with a centrally effective dose of D-cycloserine, a partial glycineB NMDA receptor agonist, improved several measures of its sociability. Additionally, D-cycloserine-treated Balb/c mice show greater preference for a social stimulus mouse than an inanimate object. We wondered if treatment with D-cycloserine also improved the social salience of the Balb/c mouse for "normally" sociable comparator strains. The current experiments explored whether C57Bl/6J (B6) and ICR mouse strains prefer D-cycloserine-treated to vehicle-treated Balb/c stimulus mice in a paradigm that evaluated social preference. The results showed that B6 mice prefer D-cycloserine-treated Balb/c mice to vehicle-treated Balb/c mice, suggesting that treatment could have resulted in normalization of "emitted" social cues.
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