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Tejkalová H, Jakob L, Kvasnová S, Klaschka J, Sechovcová H, Mrázek J, Páleníček T, Fliegerová KO. The influence of antibiotic treatment on the behavior and gut microbiome of adult rats neonatally insulted with lipopolysaccharide. Heliyon 2023; 9:e15417. [PMID: 37123951 PMCID: PMC10130227 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The present study investigated whether neonatal exposure to the proinflammatory endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) followed by an antibiotic (ATB)-induced dysbiosis in early adulthood could induce neurodevelopmental disorders-like behavioral changes in adult male rats. Combining these two stressors resulted in decreased weight gain, but no significant behavioral abnormalities were observed. LPS treatment resulted in adult rats' hypoactivity and induced anxiety-like behavior in the social recognition paradigm, but these behavioral changes were not exacerbated by ATB-induced gut dysbiosis. ATB treatment seriously disrupted the gut bacterial community, but dysbiosis did not affect locomotor activity, social recognition, and acoustic reactivity in adult rats. Fecal bacterial community analyses showed no differences between the LPS challenge exposed/unexposed rats, while the effect of ATB administration was decisive regardless of prior LPS exposure. ATB treatment resulted in significantly decreased bacterial diversity, suppression of Clostridiales and Bacteroidales, and increases in Lactobacillales, Enterobacteriales, and Burkholderiales. The persistent effect of LPS on some aspects of behavior suggests a long-term effect of early toxin exposure that was not observed in ATB-treated animals. However, an anti-inflammatory protective effect of ATB cannot be assumed because of the increased abundance of pro-inflammatory, potentially pathogenic bacteria (Proteus, Suttrella) and the elimination of the bacterial families Ruminococcaceae and Lachnospiraceae, which are generally considered beneficial for gut health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hana Tejkalová
- National Institute of Mental Health; Klecany, Czech Republic
| | - Lea Jakob
- National Institute of Mental Health; Klecany, Czech Republic
- 3rd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Czech Republic
- Corresponding author. National Institute of Mental Health, Topolova 748, 250 67 Klecany, Czech Republic,
| | - Simona Kvasnová
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Klaschka
- Institute of Computer Science of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Czech Republic
| | - Hana Sechovcová
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Czech Republic
- Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jakub Mrázek
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Páleníček
- National Institute of Mental Health; Klecany, Czech Republic
- 3rd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Czech Republic
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Miller BJ, Lemos H, Schooler NR, Goff DC, Kopelowicz A, Lauriello J, Manschreck T, Mendelowitz A, Miller DD, Severe JB, Wilson DR, Ames D, Bustillo J, Kane JM, Rapaport MH, Buckley PF. Longitudinal study of inflammation and relapse in schizophrenia. Schizophr Res 2023; 252:88-95. [PMID: 36634452 PMCID: PMC9974903 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2022.12.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The clinical course of schizophrenia is often characterized by recurrent relapses. Blood inflammatory markers are altered in acute psychosis, and may be state markers for illness relapse in schizophrenia. Few studies have investigated longitudinal, intra-individual changes in inflammatory markers as a predictor of relapse. In the present study, we explored this association in a relapse prevention trial in patients with schizophrenia. METHODS We analyzed blood inflammatory markers in 200 subjects, with a mean 11 samples per subject, during the 30 month Preventing Relapse in schizophrenia: Oral Antipsychotics Compared to Injectable: eValuating Efficacy (PROACTIVE) trial. Associations between longitudinal changes in inflammatory markers and relapse were analyzed using a within-subjects design. RESULTS 70 (35 %) of subjects relapsed during the study period. There were no significant differences in mean inflammatory marker levels based on relapse status (yes/no). Baseline levels of inflammatory markers did not predict incident relapse. Among subjects who relapsed, there was a significant decrease in mean blood IL-6 (n = 38, p = 0.019) and IFN-γ (n = 44, p = 0.012) levels from the visit before the relapse to the visit after relapse. CONCLUSION Although there was some evidence for inflammation as a potential state marker for acute psychosis, we did not find significant evidence for its utility as a relapse-predictive marker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian J Miller
- Department of Psychiatry, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States.
| | - Henrique Lemos
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | | | - Donald C Goff
- Nathan Kline Institute, Orangeburg, NY, United States
| | - Alexander Kopelowicz
- David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California-Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - John Lauriello
- University of Missouri, Columbia School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Theo Manschreck
- Harvard Medical School, Corrigan MH Center, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Alan Mendelowitz
- Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, The Zucker Hillside Hospital, Glen Oaks, NY, United States
| | - Del D Miller
- University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | | | - Daniel R Wilson
- Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, United States
| | - Donna Ames
- David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California-Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Juan Bustillo
- University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - John M Kane
- Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, The Zucker Hillside Hospital, Glen Oaks, NY, United States
| | - Mark H Rapaport
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Peter F Buckley
- Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
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Petty A, Howes O, Eyles D. Animal Models of Relevance to the Schizophrenia Prodrome. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY GLOBAL OPEN SCIENCE 2023; 3:22-32. [PMID: 36712558 PMCID: PMC9874082 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsgos.2021.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with schizophrenia often undergo a prodromal phase prior to diagnosis. Given the absence of significant therapeutic improvements, attention has recently shifted to the possibility of intervention during this early stage to delay or diminish symptom severity or even prevent onset. Unfortunately, the 20 or so trials of intervention to date have not been successful in either preventing onset or improving long-term outcomes in subjects who are at risk of developing schizophrenia. One reason may be that the biological pathways an effective intervention must target are not static. The prodromal phase typically occurs during late adolescence, a period during which a number of brain circuits and structures are still maturing. We propose that developing a deeper understanding of which circuits/processes and brain structures are still maturing at this time and which processes drive the transition to schizophrenia will take us a step closer to developing better prophylactic interventions. Fortunately, such knowledge is now emerging from clinical studies, complemented by work in animal models. Our task here is to describe what would constitute an appropriate animal model to study and to potentially intervene in such processes. Such a model would allow invasive analysis of the cellular and molecular substrates of the progressive neurobiology that defines the schizophrenia prodrome and hopefully offer valuable insights into potential prophylactic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Petty
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | | | - Darryl Eyles
- Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, Wacol, Queensland, Australia
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4
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Quetiapine Ameliorates MIA-Induced Impairment of Sensorimotor Gating: Focus on Neuron-Microglia Communication and the Inflammatory Response in the Frontal Cortex of Adult Offspring of Wistar Rats. Cells 2022; 11:cells11182788. [PMID: 36139363 PMCID: PMC9496681 DOI: 10.3390/cells11182788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The maternal immune activation produced by the systemic administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in rats provides valuable insights into the basis of behavioural schizophrenia-like disturbances and biochemical changes in the brains of the offspring, such as microglial activation. Regarding therapy, antipsychotics continually constitute the cornerstone of schizophrenia treatment. To their various efficacy and side effects, as well as not fully recognised mechanisms of action, further characteristics have been suggested, including an anti-inflammatory action via the impact on neuron–microglia axes responsible for inhibition of microglial activation. Therefore, in the present study, we sought to determine whether chronic treatment with chlorpromazine, quetiapine or aripiprazole could influence schizophrenia-like behavioural disturbances at the level of sensorimotor gating in male offspring prenatally exposed to LPS. Simultaneously, we wanted to explore if the chosen antipsychotics display a positive impact on the neuroimmunological parameters in the brains of these adult animals with a special focus on the ligand-receptor axes controlling neuron–microglia communication as well as pro- and anti-inflammatory factors related to the microglial activity. The results of our research revealed the beneficial effect of quetiapine on deficits in sensorimotor gating observed in prenatally LPS-exposed offspring. In terms of axes controlling neuron–microglia communication and markers of microglial reactivity, we observed a subtle impact of quetiapine on hippocampal Cx3cl1 and Cx3cr1 levels, as well as cortical Cd68 expression. Hence, further research is required to fully define and explain the involvement of quetiapine and other antipsychotics in Cx3cl1-Cx3cr1 and/or Cd200-Cd200r axes modulation and inflammatory processes in the LPS-based model of schizophrenia-like disturbances.
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Abstract
Infection with SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of the COVID-19 pandemic, originated in China and quickly spread across the globe. Despite tremendous economic and healthcare devastation, research on this virus has contributed to a better understanding of numerous molecular pathways, including those involving γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), that will positively impact medical science, including neuropsychiatry, in the post-pandemic era. SARS-CoV-2 primarily enters the host cells through the renin–angiotensin system’s component named angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2). Among its many functions, this protein upregulates GABA, protecting not only the central nervous system but also the endothelia, the pancreas, and the gut microbiota. SARS-CoV-2 binding to ACE-2 usurps the neuronal and non-neuronal GABAergic systems, contributing to the high comorbidity of neuropsychiatric illness with gut dysbiosis and endothelial and metabolic dysfunctions. In this perspective article, we take a closer look at the pathology emerging from the viral hijacking of non-neuronal GABA and summarize potential interventions for restoring these systems.
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Cattane N, Vernon AC, Borsini A, Scassellati C, Endres D, Capuron L, Tamouza R, Benros ME, Leza JC, Pariante CM, Riva MA, Cattaneo A. Preclinical animal models of mental illnesses to translate findings from the bench to the bedside: Molecular brain mechanisms and peripheral biomarkers associated to early life stress or immune challenges. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2022; 58:55-79. [PMID: 35235897 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2022.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2021] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Animal models are useful preclinical tools for studying the pathogenesis of mental disorders and the effectiveness of their treatment. While it is not possible to mimic all symptoms occurring in humans, it is however possible to investigate the behavioral, physiological and neuroanatomical alterations relevant for these complex disorders in controlled conditions and in genetically homogeneous populations. Stressful and infection-related exposures represent the most employed environmental risk factors able to trigger or to unmask a psychopathological phenotype in animals. Indeed, when occurring during sensitive periods of brain maturation, including pre, postnatal life and adolescence, they can affect the offspring's neurodevelopmental trajectories, increasing the risk for mental disorders. Not all stressed or immune challenged animals, however, develop behavioral alterations and preclinical animal models can explain differences between vulnerable or resilient phenotypes. Our review focuses on different paradigms of stress (prenatal stress, maternal separation, social isolation and social defeat stress) and immune challenges (immune activation in pregnancy) and investigates the subsequent alterations in several biological and behavioral domains at different time points of animals' life. It also discusses the "double-hit" hypothesis where an initial early adverse event can prime the response to a second negative challenge. Interestingly, stress and infections early in life induce the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, alter the levels of neurotransmitters, neurotrophins and pro-inflammatory cytokines and affect the functions of microglia and oxidative stress. In conclusion, animal models allow shedding light on the pathophysiology of human mental illnesses and discovering novel molecular drug targets for personalized treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Cattane
- Biological Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | - Anthony C Vernon
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom; MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, United Kingdom
| | - Alessandra Borsini
- Stress, Psychiatry and Immunology Laboratory, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Department of Psychological Medicine, King's College London, United Kingdom
| | - Catia Scassellati
- Biological Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | - Dominique Endres
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Lucile Capuron
- Univ. Bordeaux, INRAE, Bordeaux INP, NutriNeuro, UMR 1286, F-33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Ryad Tamouza
- Département Medico-Universitaire de Psychiatrie et d'Addictologie (DMU ADAPT), Laboratoire Neuro-psychiatrie translationnelle, AP-HP, UniversitéParis Est Créteil, INSERM U955, IMRB, Hôpital Henri Mondor, Fondation FondaMental, F-94010 Créteil, France
| | - Michael Eriksen Benros
- Biological and Precision Psychiatry, Copenhagen Research Centre for Mental Health, Copenhagen University Hospital, Gentofte Hospitalsvej 15, 4th floor, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark; Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Juan C Leza
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Investigación Hospital 12 de Octubre (i+12), IUIN-UCM. Spain
| | - Carmine M Pariante
- Stress, Psychiatry and Immunology Laboratory, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Department of Psychological Medicine, King's College London, United Kingdom
| | - Marco A Riva
- Biological Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy; Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Italy
| | - Annamaria Cattaneo
- Biological Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy; Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Italy.
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7
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Capellán R, Moreno-Fernández M, Orihuel J, Roura-Martínez D, Ucha M, Ambrosio E, Higuera-Matas A. Ex vivo 1H-MRS brain metabolic profiling in a two-hit model of neurodevelopmental disorders: Prenatal immune activation and peripubertal stress. Schizophr Res 2022; 243:232-240. [PMID: 31787482 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2019.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Revised: 09/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Prenatal infections are environmental risk factors for neurodevelopmental disorders. In addition, traumatic experiences during adolescence in individuals exposed to infections during gestation could increase the risk of schizophrenia. It is of the most crucial importance to discover potential markers of the disease in its early stages or before its onset, so that therapeutic strategies may be implemented. In the present study, we combined a proposed two-hit model of schizophrenia-related symptoms with proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) to discover potential biomarkers. To this end, we i.p. injected 100 μg/kg/ml of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or saline on gestational days 15 and 16 to pregnant rats. Their male offspring were then subjected to five episodes of stress or handling on alternate days during postnatal days (PND) 28-38. Once the animals reached adulthood (PND70), we evaluated prepulse inhibition (PPI). At PND90, we performed an ex vivo 1H-MRS study in the cortex and striatum. While we did not detect alterations in PPI at the age tested, we found neurochemical disturbances induced by LPS, stress or (more interestingly) their interaction. LPS decreased glucose levels in the cortex and striatum and altered glutamate, glutamine and N-acetylaspartate levels. Glutamate and glutamine levels in the left (but not right) striatum were differentially affected by prenatal LPS exposure in a manner that depended on stress experiences. These results suggest that alterations in the glutamate cycle in the striatum could be used as early markers of developmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Capellán
- Department of Psychobiology, School of Psychology, National University for Distance Education (UNED), C/Juan del Rosal 10, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mario Moreno-Fernández
- Department of Psychobiology, School of Psychology, National University for Distance Education (UNED), C/Juan del Rosal 10, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Orihuel
- Department of Psychobiology, School of Psychology, National University for Distance Education (UNED), C/Juan del Rosal 10, Madrid, Spain
| | - David Roura-Martínez
- Department of Psychobiology, School of Psychology, National University for Distance Education (UNED), C/Juan del Rosal 10, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marcos Ucha
- Department of Psychobiology, School of Psychology, National University for Distance Education (UNED), C/Juan del Rosal 10, Madrid, Spain
| | - Emilio Ambrosio
- Department of Psychobiology, School of Psychology, National University for Distance Education (UNED), C/Juan del Rosal 10, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Alejandro Higuera-Matas
- Department of Psychobiology, School of Psychology, National University for Distance Education (UNED), C/Juan del Rosal 10, Madrid, Spain.
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8
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Zhao X, Erickson M, Mohammed R, Kentner AC. Maternal immune activation accelerates puberty initiation and alters mechanical allodynia in male and female C57BL6/J mice. Dev Psychobiol 2022; 64:e22278. [DOI: 10.1002/dev.22278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xin Zhao
- School of Arts & Sciences, Health Psychology Program Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Boston Massachusetts USA
| | - Mary Erickson
- School of Arts & Sciences, Health Psychology Program Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Boston Massachusetts USA
| | - Ruqayah Mohammed
- School of Arts & Sciences, Health Psychology Program Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Boston Massachusetts USA
| | - Amanda C. Kentner
- School of Arts & Sciences, Health Psychology Program Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Boston Massachusetts USA
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9
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Maternal Inflammation Exaggerates Offspring Susceptibility to Cerebral Ischemia–Reperfusion Injury via the COX-2/PGD2/DP2 Pathway Activation. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2022; 2022:1571705. [PMID: 35437456 PMCID: PMC9013311 DOI: 10.1155/2022/1571705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
The pathogenesis of cerebral ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury is complex and does not exhibit an effective strategy. Maternal inflammation represents one of the most important factors involved in the etiology of brain injury in newborns. We aimed to investigate the effect of maternal inflammation on offspring susceptibility to cerebral I/R injury and the mechanisms by which it exerts its effects. Pregnant SD rats were intraperitoneally injected with LPS (300 μg/kg/day) at gestational days 11, 14, and 18. Pups were subjected to MCAO/R on postnatal day 60. Primary neurons were obtained from postnatal day 0 SD rats and subjected to OGD/R. Neurological deficits, brain injury, neuronal viability, neuronal damage, and neuronal apoptosis were assessed. Oxidative stress and inflammation were evaluated, and the expression levels of COX-2/PGD2/DP pathway-related proteins and apoptotic proteins were detected. Maternal LPS exposure significantly increased the levels of oxidative stress and inflammation, significantly activated the COX-2/PGD2/DP2 pathway, and increased proapoptotic protein expression. However, maternal LPS exposure significantly decreased the antiapoptotic protein expression, which subsequently increased neurological deficits and cerebral I/R injury in offspring rats. The corresponding results were observed in primary neurons. Moreover, these effects of maternal LPS exposure were reversed by a COX-2 inhibitor and DP1 agonist but exacerbated by a DP2 agonist. In conclusion, maternal inflammatory exposure may increase offspring susceptibility to cerebral I/R injury. Moreover, the underlying mechanism might be related to the activation of the COX-2/PGD2/DP2 pathway. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for the development of therapeutic drugs for cerebral I/R injury.
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Hall HA, Speyer LG, Murray AL, Auyeung B. Prenatal Maternal Infections and Children's Neurodevelopment in the UK Millennium Cohort Study: A Focus on ASD and ADHD. J Atten Disord 2022; 26:616-628. [PMID: 34009046 DOI: 10.1177/10870547211015422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE No clear answer has yet been attained as to the influence of prenatal exposure to infection on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), either alone or as co-occurring issues. The current study examined links between hospital-recorded and maternal-reported prenatal infections and ASD, ADHD, and co-occurring ASD and ADHD. METHODS Participants were n = 15,462 children and mother pairs from the Millennium Cohort Study (MCS), a population-representative UK sample. RESULTS Findings show associations between maternal-reported infections and ASD, and some evidence of links with ADHD and co-occurring ASD and ADHD. Hospital-recorded infections were not found to be associated with ASD, ADHD, or their co-occurrence. Agreement between hospital-recorded and maternal-reported infections was low, which may explain the discrepant findings. CONCLUSION Prenatal maternal infections may be associated with increased odds of ASD and ADHD. Findings point to the importance of drawing on multiple sources of information when ascertaining prenatal infection status.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Bonnie Auyeung
- University of Edinburgh, UK.,University of Cambridge, UK
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Rymut HE, Rund LA, Bolt CR, Villamil MB, Southey BR, Johnson RW, Rodriguez-Zas SL. The Combined Effect of Weaning Stress and Immune Activation during Pig Gestation on Serum Cytokine and Analyte Concentrations. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:2274. [PMID: 34438732 PMCID: PMC8388404 DOI: 10.3390/ani11082274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Weaning stress can elicit changes in the metabolic, hormone and immune systems of pigs and interact with prolonged disruptions stemming from maternal immune activation (MIA) during gestation. The present study advances the characterization of the combined effects of weaning stress and MIA on blood chemistry, immune and hormone indicators that inform on the health of pigs. Three-week-old female and male offspring of control gilts or gilts infected with the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus were allocated to weaned or nursed groups. The anion gap and bilirubin profiles suggest that MIA enhances tolerance to the effects of weaning stress. Interleukin 1 beta and interleukin 2 were highest among weaned MIA females, and cortisol was higher among weaned relative to nursed pigs across sexes. Canonical discriminant analysis demonstrated that weaned and nursed pigs have distinct chemistry profiles, whereas MIA and control pigs have distinct cytokine profiles. The results from this study can guide management practices that recognize the effects of the interaction between MIA and weaning stress on the performance and health of pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haley E. Rymut
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA; (H.E.R.); (L.A.R.); (C.R.B.); (B.R.S.); (R.W.J.)
| | - Laurie A. Rund
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA; (H.E.R.); (L.A.R.); (C.R.B.); (B.R.S.); (R.W.J.)
| | - Courtni R. Bolt
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA; (H.E.R.); (L.A.R.); (C.R.B.); (B.R.S.); (R.W.J.)
| | - Maria B. Villamil
- Department of Crop Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA;
| | - Bruce R. Southey
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA; (H.E.R.); (L.A.R.); (C.R.B.); (B.R.S.); (R.W.J.)
| | - Rodney W. Johnson
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA; (H.E.R.); (L.A.R.); (C.R.B.); (B.R.S.); (R.W.J.)
| | - Sandra L. Rodriguez-Zas
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA; (H.E.R.); (L.A.R.); (C.R.B.); (B.R.S.); (R.W.J.)
- Department of Crop Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA;
- Department of Statistics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61820, USA
- Center for Digital Agriculture, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
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12
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Wang P, Li M, Zhao A, Ma J. Application of animal experimental models in the research of schizophrenia. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2021; 186:209-227. [PMID: 34155806 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a relatively common but serious mental illness that results in a heavy burden to patients, their families, and society. The disease can be triggered by multiple factors, while the specific pathogenesis remains unclear. The development of effective therapeutic drugs for schizophrenia relies on a comprehensive understanding of the basic biology and pathophysiology of the disease. Therefore, effective animal experimental models play a vital role in the study of schizophrenia. Based on different molecular mechanisms and modeling methods, the currently used experimental animal experimental models of schizophrenia can be divided into four categories that can better simulate the clinical symptoms and the interplay between susceptible genes and the environment: neurodevelopmental, drug-induced, genetic-engineering, and genetic-environmental interaction of animal experimental models. Each of these categories contains multiple subtypes, which has its own advantages and disadvantages and therefore requires careful selection in a research application. The emergence and utilization of these models are promising in the prediction of the risk of schizophrenia at the molecular level, which will shed light on effective and targeted treatment at the genetic level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengjie Wang
- Medical Research Center, Xi'an No.3 Hospital, the Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,Department of Electron Microscope, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Manling Li
- School of Basic Medicine, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Gui Yang, Guizhou, China
| | - Aizhen Zhao
- Medical Research Center, Xi'an No.3 Hospital, the Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jie Ma
- Medical Research Center, Xi'an No.3 Hospital, the Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,Department of Electron Microscope, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
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13
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Mora S, Martín-González E, Prados-Pardo Á, Flores P, Moreno M. Increased Compulsivity in Adulthood after Early Adolescence Immune Activation: Preclinical Evidence. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:4684. [PMID: 33924858 PMCID: PMC8125663 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18094684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Immune activation during early developmental stages has been proposed as a contributing factor in the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric conditions such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and autism in both human and animal studies. However, its relationship with the vulnerability to inhibitory control deficit, which is a shared feature among those conditions, remains unclear. The present work studied whether postnatal immune activation during early adolescence, combined with exposure to early-life adverse events, could lead to adult vulnerability to impulsive and/or compulsive behaviors. Male Wistar rats were exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in early adolescence at postnatal day 26 (PND26). During peripuberal period, half of the animals were exposed to a mild stress protocol. In adulthood, behavioral assessment was performed with the aid of the sustained attentional 5-choice serial reaction time (5-CSRT) task, schedule-induced polydipsia (SIP), and open-field locomotor activity and novelty reactivity. Rats exposed to LPS showed more compulsive responses than their control counterparts on 5-CSRT task, although no differences were observed in SIP or locomotor responses. Our study contributes to the knowledge of the relationship between immune activation and inhibitory control deficit. Future studies should aim to disentangle how, and to what extent, immune activation impacts behavior, and to understand the role of early life mild stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santiago Mora
- Department of Psychology and Health Research Centre, University of Almería, Carretera de Sacramento s/n, 04120 Almería, Spain; (E.M.-G.); (Á.P.-P.); (P.F.)
| | | | | | | | - Margarita Moreno
- Department of Psychology and Health Research Centre, University of Almería, Carretera de Sacramento s/n, 04120 Almería, Spain; (E.M.-G.); (Á.P.-P.); (P.F.)
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14
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Vojtechova I, Maleninska K, Kutna V, Klovrza O, Tuckova K, Petrasek T, Stuchlik A. Behavioral Alterations and Decreased Number of Parvalbumin-Positive Interneurons in Wistar Rats after Maternal Immune Activation by Lipopolysaccharide: Sex Matters. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22063274. [PMID: 33806936 PMCID: PMC8004756 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22063274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal immune activation (MIA) during pregnancy represents an important environmental factor in the etiology of schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Our goal was to investigate the impacts of MIA on the brain and behavior of adolescent and adult offspring, as a rat model of these neurodevelopmental disorders. We injected bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 1 mg/kg) to pregnant Wistar dams from gestational day 7, every other day, up to delivery. Behavior of the offspring was examined in a comprehensive battery of tasks at postnatal days P45 and P90. Several brain parameters were analyzed at P28. The results showed that prenatal immune activation caused social and communication impairments in the adult offspring of both sexes; males were affected already in adolescence. MIA also caused prepulse inhibition deficit in females and increased the startle reaction in males. Anxiety and hypolocomotion were apparent in LPS-affected males and females. In the 28-day-old LPS offspring, we found enlargement of the brain and decreased numbers of parvalbumin-positive interneurons in the frontal cortex in both sexes. To conclude, our data indicate that sex of the offspring plays a crucial role in the development of the MIA-induced behavioral alterations, whereas changes in the brain apparent in young animals are sex-independent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iveta Vojtechova
- National Institute of Mental Health, Topolova 748, 25067 Klecany, Czech Republic; (K.M.); (V.K.); (O.K.); (K.T.); (T.P.)
- Laboratory of the Neurophysiology of the Memory, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 14220 Prague 4, Czech Republic
- First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Katerinska 32, 12108 Prague 2, Czech Republic
- Correspondence: (I.V.); (A.S.)
| | - Kristyna Maleninska
- National Institute of Mental Health, Topolova 748, 25067 Klecany, Czech Republic; (K.M.); (V.K.); (O.K.); (K.T.); (T.P.)
- Laboratory of the Neurophysiology of the Memory, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 14220 Prague 4, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 12800 Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Viera Kutna
- National Institute of Mental Health, Topolova 748, 25067 Klecany, Czech Republic; (K.M.); (V.K.); (O.K.); (K.T.); (T.P.)
| | - Ondrej Klovrza
- National Institute of Mental Health, Topolova 748, 25067 Klecany, Czech Republic; (K.M.); (V.K.); (O.K.); (K.T.); (T.P.)
| | - Klara Tuckova
- National Institute of Mental Health, Topolova 748, 25067 Klecany, Czech Republic; (K.M.); (V.K.); (O.K.); (K.T.); (T.P.)
- Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 12800 Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Tomas Petrasek
- National Institute of Mental Health, Topolova 748, 25067 Klecany, Czech Republic; (K.M.); (V.K.); (O.K.); (K.T.); (T.P.)
- Laboratory of the Neurophysiology of the Memory, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 14220 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Ales Stuchlik
- Laboratory of the Neurophysiology of the Memory, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 14220 Prague 4, Czech Republic
- Correspondence: (I.V.); (A.S.)
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15
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Trujillo Villarreal LA, Cárdenas-Tueme M, Maldonado-Ruiz R, Reséndez-Pérez D, Camacho-Morales A. Potential role of primed microglia during obesity on the mesocorticolimbic circuit in autism spectrum disorder. J Neurochem 2020; 156:415-434. [PMID: 32902852 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Revised: 07/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disease which involves functional and structural defects in selective central nervous system (CNS) regions that harm function and individual ability to process and respond to external stimuli. Individuals with ASD spend less time engaging in social interaction compared to non-affected subjects. Studies employing structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging reported morphological and functional abnormalities in the connectivity of the mesocorticolimbic reward pathway between the nucleus accumbens and the ventral tegmental area (VTA) in response to social stimuli, as well as diminished medial prefrontal cortex in response to visual cues, whereas stronger reward system responses for the non-social realm (e.g., video games) than social rewards (e.g., approval), associated with caudate nucleus responsiveness in ASD children. Defects in the mesocorticolimbic reward pathway have been modulated in transgenic murine models using D2 dopamine receptor heterozygous (D2+/-) or dopamine transporter knockout mice, which exhibit sociability deficits and repetitive behaviors observed in ASD phenotypes. Notably, the mesocorticolimbic reward pathway is modulated by systemic and central inflammation, such as primed microglia, which occurs during obesity or maternal overnutrition. Therefore, we propose that a positive energy balance during obesity/maternal overnutrition coordinates a systemic and central inflammatory crosstalk that modulates the dopaminergic neurotransmission in selective brain areas of the mesocorticolimbic reward pathway. Here, we will describe how obesity/maternal overnutrition may prime microglia, causing abnormalities in dopamine neurotransmission of the mesocorticolimbic reward pathway, postulating a possible immune role in the development of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis A- Trujillo Villarreal
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolas de los Garza, México.,Unidad de Neurometabolismo, Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolas de los Garza, México
| | - Marcela Cárdenas-Tueme
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Genética, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolas de los Garza, México
| | - Roger Maldonado-Ruiz
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolas de los Garza, México.,Unidad de Neurometabolismo, Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolas de los Garza, México
| | - Diana Reséndez-Pérez
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Genética, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolas de los Garza, México
| | - Alberto Camacho-Morales
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolas de los Garza, México.,Unidad de Neurometabolismo, Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolas de los Garza, México
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16
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de Franceschi ID, da Silva JD, Nitzke Minuzzi B, de Barros KC, Fernandes EK, Bortoluzzi VT, Rieger E, Preissler T, Feksa LR, Hahn RZ, Linden R, Rech VC, Casali EA, Wannmacher CMD. Ibuprofen during gestation prevents some changes in physical and reflex development in offspring in a model of hyperleucinemia and maternal inflammation. Int J Dev Neurosci 2020; 80:369-379. [PMID: 32379904 DOI: 10.1002/jdn.10035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2020] [Revised: 03/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD) is caused by a severe deficiency in the branched-chain ketoacid dehydrogenase complex activity. Patients MSUD accumulate the branched-chain amino acids leucine (Leu), isoleucine, valine in blood, and other tissues. Leu and/or their branched-chain α-keto acids are linked to neurological damage in MSUD. When immediately diagnosed and treated, patients develop normally. Inflammation in MSUD can elicit a metabolic decompensation crisis. There are few cases of pregnancy in MSUD women, and little is known about the effect of maternal hyperleucinemia on the neurodevelopment of their babies. During pregnancy, some intercurrences like maternal infection or inflammation may affect fetal development and are linked to neurologic diseases. Lipopolysaccharide is widely accepted as a model of maternal inflammation. We analyzed the effects of maternal hyperleucinemia and inflammation and the possible positive impact the use of ibuprofen in Wistar rats on a battery of physics (ear unfolding, hair growing, incisors eruption, eye-opening, and auditive channel opening) and neurological reflexes (palmar grasp, surface righting, negative geotaxis, air-righting, and auditory-startle response) maturation parameters in the offspring. Maternal hyperleucinemia and inflammation delayed some physical parameters and neurological reflexes, indicating that both situations may be harmful to fetuses, and ibuprofen reversed some settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Itiane Diehl de Franceschi
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Juliano Dellazen da Silva
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Bruna Nitzke Minuzzi
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Katlyn Cardoso de Barros
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Elissa Kerli Fernandes
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Trindade Bortoluzzi
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Elenara Rieger
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Thales Preissler
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Luciane Rosa Feksa
- Laboratório de Análises Toxicológicas, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Feevale, Novo Hamburgo, Brazil
| | - Roberta Zilles Hahn
- Laboratório de Análises Toxicológicas, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Feevale, Novo Hamburgo, Brazil
| | - Rafael Linden
- Laboratório de Análises Toxicológicas, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Feevale, Novo Hamburgo, Brazil
| | - Virginia Cielo Rech
- Laboratório de Nanotecnologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Nanociências, Centro Universitário Franciscano, Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - Emerson André Casali
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Clovis Milton Duval Wannmacher
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
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17
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Maternal Immune Activation Causes Schizophrenia-like Behaviors in the Offspring through Activation of Immune-Inflammatory, Oxidative and Apoptotic Pathways, and Lowered Antioxidant Defenses and Neuroprotection. Mol Neurobiol 2020; 57:4345-4361. [PMID: 32720073 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-020-02028-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a complex neuropsychiatric disorder, influenced by a combined action of genes and environmental factors. The neurodevelopmental origin is one of the most widely recognized etiological models of this heterogeneous disorder. Environmental factors, especially infections during gestation, appear to be a major risk determinant of neurodevelopmental basis of schizophrenia. Prenatal infection may cause maternal immune activation (MIA) and enhance risk of schizophrenia in the offspring. However, the precise mechanistic basis through which MIA causes long-lasting schizophrenia-like behavioral deficits in offspring remains inadequately understood. Herein, we aimed to delineate whether prenatal infection-induced MIA causes schizophrenia-like behaviors through its long-lasting effects on immune-inflammatory and apoptotic pathways, oxidative stress toxicity, and antioxidant defenses in the brain of offspring. Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups (n = 15/group) and were injected with poly (I:C), LPS, and saline at gestational day (GD)-12. Except IL-1β, plasma levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-17A assessed after 24 h were significantly elevated in both the poly (I:C)- and LPS-treated pregnant rats, indicating MIA. The rats born to dams treated with poly (I:C) and LPS displayed increased anxiety-like behaviors and significant deficits in social behaviors. Furthermore, the hippocampus of the offspring rats of both the poly (I:C)- and LPS-treated groups showed increased signs of lipid peroxidation, diminished total antioxidant content, and differentially upregulated expression of inflammatory (TNFα, IL6, and IL1β), and apoptotic (Bax, Cas3, and Cas9) genes but decreased expression of neuroprotective (BDNF and Bcl2) genes. The results suggest long-standing effects of prenatal infections on schizophrenia-like behavioral deficits, which are mediated by immune-inflammatory and apoptotic pathways, increased oxidative stress toxicity, and lowered antioxidant and neuroprotective defenses. The findings suggest that prenatal infections may underpin neurodevelopmental aberrations and neuroprogression and subsequently schizophrenia-like symptoms.
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18
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Namba H, Nawa H. Post-pubertal Difference in Nigral Dopaminergic Cells Firing in the Schizophrenia Model Prepared by Perinatal Challenges of a Cytokine, EGF. Neuroscience 2020; 441:22-32. [PMID: 32531471 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Revised: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia in humans typically develops during and after adolescence; however, the biological underpinning for the specificity of this onset time window remains to be determined. In the present study, we investigated this knowledge gap using our own animal model for schizophrenia. Rodents and monkeys challenged with a cytokine, epidermal growth factor (EGF), as neonates are known to exhibit various behavioral and cognitive abnormalities at the post-pubertal stage. We used the EGF-challenged mice as an animal model for schizophrenia to evaluate the electrophysiological impact of this modeling on nigral dopamine neurons before and after puberty. In vivo single unit recording revealed that the burst firing of putative dopamine neurons in substantia nigra pars compacta was significantly higher in the post-pubertal stage of the EGF model than in that of control mice; in contrast, this difference was not observed in the pre-pubertal stage. The increase in burst firing was accompanied by a decline in Ca2+-activated K+ (ISK) currents, which influence the firing pattern of dopamine neurons. In vivo local application of the SK channel blocker apamin (80 μM) to the substantia nigra was less effective at increasing burst firing in the EGF model than in control mice, suggesting the pathologic role of the ISK decrease in this model. Thus, these results suggest that the aberrant post-pubertal hyperactivity of midbrain dopaminergic neurons is associated with the temporal specificity of the behavioral deficit of this model, and support the hypothesis that this dopaminergic aberration could be implicated in the adolescent onset of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hisaaki Namba
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8585, Japan.
| | - Hiroyuki Nawa
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8585, Japan.
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19
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Pires JM, Foresti ML, Silva CS, Rêgo DB, Calió ML, Mosini AC, Nakamura TKE, Leslie ATF, Mello LE. Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Systemic Inflammation in the Neonatal Period Increases Microglial Density and Oxidative Stress in the Cerebellum of Adult Rats. Front Cell Neurosci 2020; 14:142. [PMID: 32581717 PMCID: PMC7283979 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.00142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Inflammatory processes occurring in the perinatal period may affect different brain regions, resulting in neurologic sequelae. Injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at different neurodevelopmental stages produces long-term consequences in several brain structures, but there is scarce evidence regarding alterations in the cerebellum. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term consequences on the cerebellum of a systemic inflammatory process induced by neonatal LPS injection. For this, neonatal rats were randomly assigned to three different groups: naïve, sham, and LPS. Saline (sham group) or LPS solution (1 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally injected on alternate postnatal days (PN) PN1, PN3, PN5, and PN7. Spontaneous activity was evaluated with the open field test in adulthood. The cerebellum was evaluated for different parameters: microglial and Purkinje cell densities, oxidative stress levels, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) mRNA expression. Our results show that administration of LPS did not result in altered spontaneous activity in adult animals. Our data also indicate increased oxidative stress in the cerebellum, as evidenced by an increase in superoxide fluorescence by dihydroethidium (DHE) indicator. Stereological analyses indicated increased microglial density in the cerebellum that was not accompanied by Purkinje cell loss or altered TNF-α expression in adult animals. Interestingly, Purkinje cells ectopically positioned in the granular and molecular layers of the cerebellum were observed in animals of the LPS group. Our data suggest that neonatal LPS exposure causes persistent cellular and molecular changes to the cerebellum, indicating the susceptibility of this region to systemic inflammatory insults in infancy. Further investigation of the consequences of these changes and the development of strategies to avoid those should be subject of future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maira Licia Foresti
- Physiology Department, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Instituto D'Or de Pesquisa e Ensino, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Amanda Cristina Mosini
- Physiology Department, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Associação Brasileira de Epilepsia, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Luiz Eugênio Mello
- Physiology Department, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Instituto D'Or de Pesquisa e Ensino, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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20
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Norton SA, Gifford JJ, Pawlak AP, Derbaly A, Sherman SL, Zhang H, Wagner GC, Kusnecov AW. Long-lasting Behavioral and Neuroanatomical Effects of Postnatal Valproic Acid Treatment. Neuroscience 2020; 434:8-21. [PMID: 32112916 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.02.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Revised: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Valproic acid (VPA) administered to mice during the early postnatal period causes social, cognitive, and motor deficits similar to those observed in humans with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, previous studies on the effects of early exposure to VPA have largely focused on behavioral deficits occurring before or during the juvenile period of life. Given that ASD is a life-long condition, the present study ought to extend our understanding of the behavioral profile following early postnatal VPA into adulthood. Male mice treated with VPA on postnatal day 14 (P14) displayed increased aggression, decreased avoidance of the open arms in the elevated plus maze, and impaired reversal learning in the Y maze. This may indicate a disinhibited or impulsive phenotype in male, but not female, mice treated with VPA during the second week of postnatal life. Decreased dendritic spine density and dendritic spine morphological abnormalities in the mPFC of VPA-treated mice may be indicative of PFC hypofunction, consistent with the observed behavioral differences. Since these types of long-lasting deficits are not exclusively found in ASD, early life exposure to VPA may reflect dysfunction of a neurobiological domain common to several developmental disorders, including ASD, ADHD, and conduct disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara A Norton
- Department of Psychology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08854, United States.
| | - Janace J Gifford
- Department of Psychology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08854, United States.
| | - Anthony P Pawlak
- Center of Alcohol and Substance Use Studies, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08854, United States.
| | - Anna Derbaly
- Department of Psychology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08854, United States.
| | - Sara L Sherman
- Department of Psychology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08854, United States.
| | - Huaye Zhang
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, United States.
| | - George C Wagner
- Department of Psychology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08854, United States.
| | - Alexander W Kusnecov
- Department of Psychology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08854, United States.
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21
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Mora S, Martín-González E, Flores P, Moreno M. Neuropsychiatric consequences of childhood group A streptococcal infection: A systematic review of preclinical models. Brain Behav Immun 2020; 86:53-62. [PMID: 30818033 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2019.02.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2018] [Revised: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 02/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, clinical studies have shown strong epidemiological evidence of an increased risk of developing neuropsychiatric disorders after childhood exposure to streptococcal infection, including the Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal infection (PANDAS). New preclinical studies on group A streptococcus (GAS) exposure investigate how to disentangle the influences of immune activation to induce long-term neurobehavioral effects associated with neuropsychiatric disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, schizophrenia or autism. The present systematic review collects neurobehavioral evidence regarding the use of GAS exposure in animal models to study the vulnerability to different neuropsychiatric disorders, improving our understanding of its possible causes and consequences, and compares its contribution with other preclinical models of immune activation in a variety of paradigms. Specifically, we reviewed the effects of postnatal GAS exposure, in comparison with post- and prenatal exposure to Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and Polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (Poly I:C), on the long-term effects concerning psychomotor, cognition and socioemotional outcomes in rodents. GAS exposure in animal models has revealed different behavioral alterations such as reduced locomotion and motor coordination, a deficit in sensorimotor gating, learning, working memory, altered social behavior, and increased anxiety and stereotyped behavior. Most of the results found are in accordance with other immune activation models -LPS and Poly I:C-, with some discrepancies. The systematic review of the literature supports the preclinical model of GAS exposure as a valid model for studying the neurobehavioral consequences of streptococcal infections. Future studies on streptococcal infection could contribute increasing our knowledge on preventive actions or treatments for neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santiago Mora
- Department of Psychology, University of Almería, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Agroalimentario CeiA3, Almería, Spain
| | - Elena Martín-González
- Department of Psychology, University of Almería, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Agroalimentario CeiA3, Almería, Spain
| | - Pilar Flores
- Department of Psychology, University of Almería, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Agroalimentario CeiA3, Almería, Spain
| | - Margarita Moreno
- Department of Psychology, University of Almería, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Agroalimentario CeiA3, Almería, Spain.
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22
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Santos-Toscano R, Ucha M, Borcel É, Ambrosio E, Higuera-Matas A. Maternal immune activation is associated with a lower number of dopamine receptor 3-expressing granulocytes with no alterations in cocaine reward, resistance to extinction or cue-induced reinstatement. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2020; 193:172930. [PMID: 32294488 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2020.172930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Revised: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
There is evidence for increased rates of drug use among schizophrenic patients. However, the causality in this relationship remains unclear. In the present work, we use a maternal immune activation model to test whether animals at high risk of developing a schizophrenia-like condition are more prone to acquire cocaine self-administration, show enhanced sensitivity to the reinforcing actions of cocaine or if they are resistant to extinction or vulnerable to relapse. Also, given that D3 and CB2 receptor expression in immune cells is altered in patients with schizophrenia, we examined the populations of immune cells expressing these receptors. Pregnant rats were daily injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (2 mg/kg s.c.) or saline during pregnancy, and we tested prepulse inhibition -PPI- in the offspring. After this, one group of rats was submitted to cocaine self-administration (0.5 mg/kg) under fixed and progressive ratio schedules, dose-response testing, extinction and cue-induced drug-seeking. Another group was sacrificed to study the immune blood cells by flow cytometry. While rats born to LPS-treated mothers showed impaired PPI, there were no differences in cocaine self-administration acquisition, responsiveness to dose shifts, extinction or cue-induced reinstatement. Finally, there were fewer D3R+ granulocytes in the LPS-offspring and an exciting trend for CB2R+ lymphocytes to be more abundant in LPS-exposed rats. Our results indicate that the higher prevalence of cocaine abuse among people with schizophrenia is not due to a pre-existing pathology and suggest that D3R+ granulocytes and possibly CB2R+ lymphocytes could be potential biomarkers of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Santos-Toscano
- Department of Psychobiology, School of Psychology, National University for Distance Learning (UNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Marcos Ucha
- Department of Psychobiology, School of Psychology, National University for Distance Learning (UNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Érika Borcel
- Department of Psychobiology, School of Psychology, National University for Distance Learning (UNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Emilio Ambrosio
- Department of Psychobiology, School of Psychology, National University for Distance Learning (UNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Alejandro Higuera-Matas
- Department of Psychobiology, School of Psychology, National University for Distance Learning (UNED), Madrid, Spain.
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Lotter J, Möller M, Dean O, Berk M, Harvey BH. Studies on Haloperidol and Adjunctive α-Mangostin or Raw Garcinia mangostana Linn Pericarp on Bio-Behavioral Markers in an Immune-Inflammatory Model of Schizophrenia in Male Rats. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:121. [PMID: 32296347 PMCID: PMC7136492 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a severe brain disorder that is associated with neurodevelopmental insults, such as prenatal inflammation, that introduce redox-immune-inflammatory alterations and risk for psychotic symptoms later in life. Nutraceuticals may offer useful adjunctive benefits. The aim of this study was to examine the therapeutic effects of Garcinia mangostana Linn (GML) and one of its active constituents, α-mangostin (AM), alone and as adjunctive treatment with haloperidol (HAL) on schizophrenia related bio-behavioral alterations in a maternal immune-activation (MIA) model. Sprague-Dawley dams were exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (n = 18) or vehicle (n = 3) on gestational days 15 and 16. Male offspring (n = 72) were treated from PND 52-66 with either vehicle, HAL (2 mg/kg), GML (50 mg/kg), HAL + GML, AM (20 mg/kg), or HAL + AM. Control dams and control offspring were treated with vehicle. In order to cover the mood-psychosis continuum, prepulse inhibition (PPI) of startle, open field test (locomotor activity), and the forced swim test (depressive-like behavior) were assessed on PND's 64-65, followed by assay of frontal-cortical lipid peroxidation and plasma pro-inflammatory cytokines, viz. interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). MIA-induced deficits in sensorimotor gating were reversed by HAL and HAL + GML, but not GML and AM alone. MIA-induced depressive-like behavior was reversed by AM and GML alone and both in combination with HAL, with the combinations more effective than HAL. MIA-induced cortical lipid peroxidation was reversed by HAL and AM, with elevated IL-6 levels restored by GML, AM, HAL, and HAL + GML. Elevated TNF-α was only reversed by GML and HAL + GML. Concluding, prenatal LPS-induced psychotic- and depressive-like bio-behavioral alterations in offspring are variably responsive to HAL, GML, and AM, with depressive (but not psychosis-like) manifestations responding to GML, AM, and combinations with HAL. AM may be a more effective antioxidant than GML in vivo, although this does not imply an improved therapeutic response, for which trials are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Lotter
- Division of Pharmacology, Center of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, North West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Marisa Möller
- Division of Pharmacology, Center of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, North West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Olivia Dean
- Deakin University, IMPACT - The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Michael Berk
- Deakin University, IMPACT - The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Orygen, Department of Psychiatry, The Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Brian H. Harvey
- Division of Pharmacology, Center of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, North West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
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Hui K, Katayama Y, Nakayama KI, Nomura J, Sakurai T. Characterizing vulnerable brain areas and circuits in mouse models of autism: Towards understanding pathogenesis and new therapeutic approaches. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 110:77-91. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Revised: 07/30/2018] [Accepted: 08/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Hong J, Bang M. Anti-inflammatory Strategies for Schizophrenia: A Review of Evidence for Therapeutic Applications and Drug Repurposing. CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE 2020; 18:10-24. [PMID: 31958901 PMCID: PMC7006977 DOI: 10.9758/cpn.2020.18.1.10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Revised: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a debilitating psychiatric disorder with a substantial socioeconomic and humanistic burden. Currently available treatment strategies mostly rely on antipsychotic drugs, which block dopaminergic effects in the mesolimbic pathway of the brain. Although antipsychotic drugs help relieve psychotic symptoms, a definitive cure for schizophrenia has yet to be achieved. Recent advances in neuroinflammation research suggest that proinflammatory processes in the brain could cause alterations in neurobehavioral development and increase vulnerability to schizophrenia. With a growing need for novel strategies in the treatment of schizophrenia, it would be meaningful to review the current evidence supporting the therapeutic potential of anti-inflammatory strategies. This review details the key findings of clinical trials that investigate the efficacy of anti-inflammatory agents as adjuvants to antipsychotic treatment. We further discuss the possibilities of repurposing anti-inflammatory agents and developing novel strategies for the treatment of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonghee Hong
- CHA University School of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Minji Bang
- Department of Psychiatry, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea
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Aguilar-Valles A, Rodrigue B, Matta-Camacho E. Maternal Immune Activation and the Development of Dopaminergic Neurotransmission of the Offspring: Relevance for Schizophrenia and Other Psychoses. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:852. [PMID: 33061910 PMCID: PMC7475700 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Prenatal infections have been linked to the development of schizophrenia (SCZ) and other neurodevelopmental disorders in the offspring, and work in animal models indicates that this is to occur through the maternal inflammatory response triggered by infection. Several studies in animal models demonstrated that acute inflammatory episodes are sufficient to trigger brain alterations in the adult offspring, especially in the mesolimbic dopamine (DA) system, involved in the pathophysiology of SCZ and other disorders involving psychosis. In the current review, we synthesize the literature on the clinical studies implicating prenatal infectious events in the development of SCZ. Then, we summarize evidence from animal models of maternal immune activation (MIA) and the behavioral and molecular alterations relevant for the function of the DAergic system. Furthermore, we discuss the evidence supporting the involvement of maternal cytokines, such as interleukin 6 (IL-6) and leptin (a hormone with effects on inflammation) in mediating the effects of MIA on the fetal brain, leading to the long-lasting effects on the offspring. In particular, IL-6 has been involved in mediating the effects of MIA animal models in the offspring through actions on the placenta, induction of IL-17a, or triggering the decrease in non-heme iron (hypoferremia). Maternal infection is very likely interacting with additional genetic and environmental risk factors in the development of SCZ; systematically investigating how these interactions produce specific phenotypes is the next step in understanding the etiology of complex psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Brandon Rodrigue
- Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Di Biase MA, Katabi G, Piontkewitz Y, Cetin-Karayumak S, Weiner I, Pasternak O. Increased extracellular free-water in adult male rats following in utero exposure to maternal immune activation. Brain Behav Immun 2020; 83:283-287. [PMID: 31521731 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2019.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Revised: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In previous work, we applied novel in vivo imaging methods to reveal that white matter pathology in patients with first-episode psychosis (FEP) is mainly characterized by excessive extracellular free-water, and to a lesser extent by cellular processes, such as demyelination. Here, we apply a back-translational approach to evaluate whether or not a rodent model of maternal immune activation (MIA) induces patterns of white matter pathology that we observed in patients with FEP. To this end, we examined free-water and tissue-specific white matter alterations in rats born to mothers exposed to the viral mimic polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidylic acid (Poly-I:C) in pregnancy, which is widely used to produce alterations relevant to schizophrenia and is characterized by a robust neuroinflammatory response. METHOD Pregnant dams were injected on gestational day 15 with the viral mimic Poly-I:C (4 mg/kg) or saline. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance images were acquired from 17 male offspring (9 Poly-I:C and 8 saline) on postnatal day 90, after the emergence of brain structural and behavioral abnormalities. The free-water fraction (FW) and tissue-specific fractional anisotropy (FAT), as well as conventional fractional anisotropy (FA) were computed across voxels traversing a white matter skeleton. Voxel-wise and whole-brain averaged white matter were tested for significant microstructural alterations in immune-challenged, relative to saline-exposed offspring. RESULTS Compared to saline-exposed offspring, those exposed to maternal Poly-I:C displayed increased extracellular FW averaged across voxels comprising a white matter skeleton (t(15) = 2.74; p = 0.01). Voxel-wise analysis ascribed these changes to white matter within the corpus callosum, external capsule and the striatum. In contrast, no significant between-group differences emerged for FAT or for conventional FA, measured across average and voxel-wise white matter. CONCLUSION We identified excess FW across frontal white matter fibers of rats exposed to prenatal immune activation, analogous to our "bedside" observation in FEP patients. Findings from this initial experiment promote use of the MIA model to examine pathological pathways underlying FW alterations observed in patients with schizophrenia. Establishing these mechanisms has important implications for clinical studies, as free-water imaging reflects a feasible biomarker that has so far yielded consistent findings in the early stages of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria A Di Biase
- Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Gili Katabi
- School of Psychological Sciences and Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Yael Piontkewitz
- Straus Center for Computational Neuroimaging, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Israel
| | - Suheyla Cetin-Karayumak
- Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ina Weiner
- School of Psychological Sciences and Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Ofer Pasternak
- Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Lecca S, Luchicchi A, Scherma M, Fadda P, Muntoni AL, Pistis M. Δ 9-Tetrahydrocannabinol During Adolescence Attenuates Disruption of Dopamine Function Induced in Rats by Maternal Immune Activation. Front Behav Neurosci 2019; 13:202. [PMID: 31551729 PMCID: PMC6743372 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2019.00202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The combination of prenatal, such as maternal infections, and postnatal environmental insults (e.g., adolescent drug abuse) increases risks for psychosis, as predicted by the two-hit hypothesis of schizophrenia. Cannabis abuse during adolescence is widespread and is associated with increased risk of psychoses later in life. Here, we hypothesized that adolescent Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) worsens the impact of prenatal maternal immune activation (MIA) on ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine cells in rat offspring. Additionally, since substance abuse disorder is particularly prevalent among schizophrenia patients, we also tested how VTA dopamine neurons in MIA offspring respond to acute nicotine and cocaine administration. We used a model of neurodevelopmental disruption based on prenatal administration of the polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidilic acid [poly (I:C)] in rats, which activates the maternal immune system by mimicking a viral infection and induces behavioral abnormalities and disruption of dopamine transmission relevant to psychiatric disorders in the offspring. Male offspring were administered THC (or vehicle) during adolescence (PND 45–55). Once adult (PND 70–90), we recorded the spontaneous activity of dopamine neurons in the VTA and their responses to nicotine and cocaine. MIA male offspring displayed reduced number, firing rate and altered activity pattern of VTA dopamine cells. Adolescent THC attenuated several MIA-induced effects. Both prenatal [poly (I:C)] and postnatal (THC) treatments affected the response to nicotine but not to cocaine. Contrary to our expectations, adolescent THC did not worsen MIA-induced deficits. Results indicate that the impact of cannabinoids in psychosis models is complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvatore Lecca
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Antonio Luchicchi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Maria Scherma
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Paola Fadda
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy.,Section of Cagliari, Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Monserrato, Italy
| | - Anna Lisa Muntoni
- Section of Cagliari, Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Monserrato, Italy
| | - Marco Pistis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy.,Section of Cagliari, Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Monserrato, Italy
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Young spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) display prodromal schizophrenia-like behavioral abnormalities. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2019; 90:169-176. [PMID: 30500412 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2018.11.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2018] [Revised: 10/05/2018] [Accepted: 11/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat (SHR) strain has been suggested as an animal model of schizophrenia, considering that adult SHRs display behavioral abnormalities that mimic the cognitive, psychotic and negative symptoms of the disease and are characteristic of its animal models. SHRs display: (I) deficits in fear conditioning and latent inhibition (modeling cognitive impairments), (II) deficit in prepulse inhibition of startle reflex (reflecting a deficit in sensorimotor gating, and associated with psychotic symptoms), (III) diminished social behavior (modeling negative symptoms) and (IV) hyperlocomotion (modeling the hyperactivity of the dopaminergic mesolimbic system/ psychotic symptoms). These behavioral abnormalities are reversed specifically by the administration of antipsychotic drugs. Here, we performed a behavioral characterization of young (27-50 days old) SHRs in order to investigate potential early behavioral abnormalities resembling the prodromal phase of schizophrenia. When compared to Wistar rats, young SHRs did not display hyperlocomotion or PPI deficit, but exhibited diminished social interaction and impaired fear conditioning and latent inhibition. These findings are in accordance with the clinical course of schizophrenia: manifestation of social and cognitive impairments and absence of full-blown psychotic symptoms in the prodromal phase. The present data reinforce the SHR strain as a model of schizophrenia, expanding its validity to the prodromal phase of the disorder.
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Greene RK, Walsh E, Mosner MG, Dichter GS. A potential mechanistic role for neuroinflammation in reward processing impairments in autism spectrum disorder. Biol Psychol 2019; 142:1-12. [PMID: 30552950 PMCID: PMC6401269 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2018.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2018] [Revised: 12/11/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggests that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may be conceptualized within a framework of reward processing impairments. The Social Motivation Theory of Autism posits that reduced motivation to interact with people and decreased pleasure derived from social interactions may derail typical social development and contribute to the emergence of core social communication deficits in ASD. Neuroinflammation may disrupt the development of mesolimbic dopaminergic systems that are critical for optimal functioning of social reward processing systems. This neuroinflammation-induced disturbance of mesolimbic dopaminergic functioning has been substantiated using maternal immune activation rodent models whose offspring show aberrant dopaminergic corticostriatal function, as well as behavioral characteristics of ASD model systems. Preclinical findings are in turn supported by clinical evidence of increased mesolimbic neuroinflammatory responses in individuals with ASD. This review summarizes evidence for reward processing deficits and neuroinflammatory impairments in ASD and examines how immune inflammatory dysregulation may impair the development of dopaminergic mesolimbic circuitry in ASD. Finally, future research directions examining neuroinflammatory effects on reward processing in ASD are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel K Greene
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA.
| | - Erin Walsh
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA.
| | - Maya G Mosner
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA.
| | - Gabriel S Dichter
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA; Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA.
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Liu Q, Chen MX, Sun L, Wallis CU, Zhou JS, Ao LJ, Li Q, Sham PC. Rational use of mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of autism spectrum disorders. World J Stem Cells 2019; 11:55-72. [PMID: 30842805 PMCID: PMC6397804 DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v11.i2.55] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2018] [Revised: 12/30/2018] [Accepted: 01/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) refer to a range of conditions characterized by impaired social and communication skills and repetitive behaviors caused by different combinations of genetic and environmental influences. Although the pathophysiology underlying ASD is still unclear, recent evidence suggests that immune dysregulation and neuroinflammation play a role in the etiology of ASD. In particular, there is direct evidence supporting a role for maternal immune activation during prenatal life in neurodevelopmental conditions. Currently, the available options of behavioral therapies and pharmacological and supportive nutritional treatments in ASD are only symptomatic. Given the disturbing rise in the incidence of ASD, and the fact that there is no effective pharmacological therapy for ASD, there is an urgent need for new therapeutic options. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) possess immunomodulatory properties that make them relevant to several diseases associated with inflammation and tissue damage. The paracrine regenerative mechanisms of MSCs are also suggested to be therapeutically beneficial for ASD. Thus the underlying pathology in ASD, including immune system dysregulation and inflammation, represent potential targets for MSC therapy. This review will focus on immune dysfunction in the pathogenesis of ASD and will further discuss the therapeutic potential for MSCs in mediating ASD-related immunological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Liu
- Department of Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Mo-Xian Chen
- School of Rehabilitation, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Lin Sun
- Department of Psychology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, Shandong Province, China
| | - Chloe U Wallis
- Medical Sciences Division, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, United Kingdom
| | - Jian-Song Zhou
- Mental Health Institute of the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, Hunan Province, China
| | - Li-Juan Ao
- School of Rehabilitation, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Qi Li
- Department of Psychiatry, the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Pak C Sham
- Department of Psychiatry, the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Center for Genomic Sciences, the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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Glass R, Norton S, Fox N, Kusnecov AW. Maternal immune activation with staphylococcal enterotoxin A produces unique behavioral changes in C57BL/6 mouse offspring. Brain Behav Immun 2019; 75:12-25. [PMID: 29772261 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2018.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2017] [Revised: 04/27/2018] [Accepted: 05/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Stimulation of the immune system during pregnancy, known as maternal immune activation (MIA), can cause long-lasting neurobiological and behavioral changes in the offspring. This phenomenon has been implicated in the etiology of developmental psychiatric disorders, such as autism and schizophrenia. Much of this evidence is predicated on animal models using bacterial agents such as LPS and/or viral mimics such as Poly I:C, both of which act through toll-like receptors. However, fewer studies have examined the role of direct activation of maternal T-cells during pregnancy using microbial agents. Bacterial superantigens, such as Staphylococcal Enterotoxin A and B (SEA; SEB), are microbial proteins that activate CD4+ T-cells and cause prominent T-cell proliferation and cytokine production. We injected pregnant and non-pregnant adult female C57BL/6 mice with 200 μg/Kg of SEA, SEB, or 0.9% saline, and measured splenic T-cell-derived cytokine concentrations (viz., IL-2, IFN-γ, IL-6, and IL-4) 2 h later; animals injected with SEA were also measured for splenic concentrations of TNF-α and IL-17A. Half of the injected pregnant animals were brought to term, and their offspring were tested on a series of behavioral tasks starting at six weeks of age (postnatal day 42 [P42]). These tasks included social interaction, the elevated plus maze (EPM), an open field and object recognition (OR) task, prepulse inhibition (PPI) of sensorimotor gating, and the Morris water maze (MWM). Results showed that SEA and SEB induced significant concentrations of all measured cytokines, and in particular IFN-γ, although cytokine responses were greater following SEA exposure. In addition, pregnancy induced an inhibitory effect on cytokine production. Behavioral results showed distinct phenotypes among offspring from SEA- or SEB-injected mothers, very likely due to differences in the magnitude of cytokines generated in response to each toxin. Offspring from SEA-injected mothers displayed modest decreases in social behavior, but increased anxiety, locomotion, interest in a novel object, and short-term spatial memory, while offspring of SEB-injected mothers only exhibited increased anxiety and locomotion. There were no deficits in PPI, which was actually pronounced in SEA and SEB offspring. Overall, the novel use of SEA and SEB as prenatal immune challenges elicited distinct behavioral profiles in the offspring that both mirrors and diverges from previous models of maternal immune activation in important ways. We conclude that superantigen-induced T-cell-mediated maternal immune activation is a valid and valuable model for studying and expanding our understanding of the effects of prenatal immune challenge on neurodevelopmental and behavioral alterations in offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruthy Glass
- Rutgers University, 152 Frelinghuysen Rd, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA.
| | - Sara Norton
- Rutgers University, 152 Frelinghuysen Rd, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Nicholas Fox
- Rutgers University, 152 Frelinghuysen Rd, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
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Bergdolt L, Dunaevsky A. Brain changes in a maternal immune activation model of neurodevelopmental brain disorders. Prog Neurobiol 2018; 175:1-19. [PMID: 30590095 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2018.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 137] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2018] [Revised: 12/13/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The developing brain is sensitive to a variety of insults. Epidemiological studies have identified prenatal exposure to infection as a risk factor for a range of neurological disorders, including autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia. Animal models corroborate this association and have been used to probe the contribution of gene-environment interactions to the etiology of neurodevelopmental disorders. Here we review the behavior and brain phenotypes that have been characterized in MIA offspring, including the studies that have looked at the interaction between maternal immune activation and genetic risk factors for autism spectrum disorder or schizophrenia. These phenotypes include behaviors relevant to autism, schizophrenia, and other neurological disorders, alterations in brain anatomy, and structural and functional neuronal impairments. The link between maternal infection and these phenotypic changes is not fully understood, but there is increasing evidence that maternal immune activation induces prolonged immune alterations in the offspring's brain which could underlie epigenetic alterations which in turn may mediate the behavior and brain changes. These concepts will be discussed followed by a summary of the pharmacological interventions that have been tested in the maternal immune activation model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Bergdolt
- University of Nebraska Medical Center, Neurological Sciences, 985960 Nebraska Medical Center, 68105, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Anna Dunaevsky
- University of Nebraska Medical Center, Neurological Sciences, 985960 Nebraska Medical Center, 68105, Omaha, NE, United States.
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Effects of early life stress on biochemical indicators of the dopaminergic system: A 3 level meta-analysis of rodent studies. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2018; 95:1-16. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2018] [Revised: 09/03/2018] [Accepted: 09/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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De Felice M, Melis M, Aroni S, Muntoni AL, Fanni S, Frau R, Devoto P, Pistis M. The PPARα agonist fenofibrate attenuates disruption of dopamine function in a maternal immune activation rat model of schizophrenia. CNS Neurosci Ther 2018; 25:549-561. [PMID: 30461214 PMCID: PMC6488881 DOI: 10.1111/cns.13087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2018] [Revised: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 10/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims Prenatal maternal immune activation (MIA) is associated with a risk to develop schizophrenia and affects dopamine systems in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), key region in the neurobiology of psychoses. Considering the well‐described sex differences in schizophrenia, we investigated whether sex affects MIA impact on dopamine system and on schizophrenia‐related behavioral phenotype. Furthermore, considering peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐α (PPARα) expression in the CNS as well as its anti‐inflammatory and neuroprotective properties, we tested if PPARα activation by prenatal treatment with a clinically available fibrate (fenofibrate) may mitigate MIA‐related effects. Methods We induced MIA in rat dams with polyriboinosinic‐polyribocytidylic acid (Poly I:C) and assessed prepulse inhibition and dopamine neuron activity in the VTA by means of electrophysiological recordings in male and female preweaned and adult offspring. Results Poly I:C‐treated males displayed prepulse inhibition deficits, reduced number and firing rate of VTA dopamine neurons, and paired‐pulse facilitation of inhibitory and excitatory synapses. Prenatal fenofibrate administration attenuated detrimental effects induced by MIA on both the schizophrenia‐like behavioral phenotype and dopamine transmission in male offspring. Conclusion Our study confirms previous evidence that females are less susceptible to MIA and highlights PPARα as a potential target for treatments in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta De Felice
- Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Miriam Melis
- Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Sonia Aroni
- Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Anna Lisa Muntoni
- Section of Cagliari, Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Monserrato, Italy
| | - Silvia Fanni
- Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Roberto Frau
- Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Paola Devoto
- Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Marco Pistis
- Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy.,Section of Cagliari, Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Monserrato, Italy
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Brown AS, Meyer U. Maternal Immune Activation and Neuropsychiatric Illness: A Translational Research Perspective. Am J Psychiatry 2018; 175:1073-1083. [PMID: 30220221 PMCID: PMC6408273 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2018.17121311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 167] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Epidemiologic studies, including prospective birth cohort investigations, have implicated maternal immune activation in the etiology of neuropsychiatric disorders. Maternal infectious pathogens and inflammation are plausible risk factors for these outcomes and have been associated with schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder, and bipolar disorder. Concurrent with epidemiologic research are animal models of prenatal immune activation, which have documented behavioral, neurochemical, neuroanatomic, and neurophysiologic disruptions that mirror phenotypes observed in these neuropsychiatric disorders. Epidemiologic studies of maternal immune activation offer the advantage of directly evaluating human populations but are limited in their ability to uncover pathogenic mechanisms. Animal models, on the other hand, are limited in their generalizability to psychiatric disorders but have made significant strides toward discovering causal relationships and biological pathways between maternal immune activation and neuropsychiatric phenotypes. Incorporating these risk factors in reverse translational animal models of maternal immune activation has yielded a wealth of data supporting the predictive potential of epidemiologic studies. To further enhance the translatability between epidemiology and basic science, the authors propose a complementary approach that includes deconstructing neuropsychiatric outcomes of maternal immune activation into key pathophysiologically defined phenotypes that are identifiable in humans and animals and that evaluate the interspecies concordance regarding interactions between maternal immune activation and genetic and epigenetic factors, including processes involving intergenerational disease transmission. [AJP AT 175: Remembering Our Past As We Envision Our Future October 1857: The Pathology of Insanity J.C. Bucknill: "In the brain the state of inflammation itself either very quickly ceases or very soon causes death; but when it does cease it leaves behind it consequences which are frequently the causes of insanity, and the conditions of cerebral atrophy." (Am J Psychiatry 1857; 14:172-193 )].
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan S. Brown
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Urs Meyer
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich-Vetsuisse, Zurich, Switzerland,Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Duchatel RJ, Meehan CL, Harms LR, Michie PT, Bigland MJ, Smith DW, Walker FR, Jobling P, Hodgson DM, Tooney PA. Late gestation immune activation increases IBA1-positive immunoreactivity levels in the corpus callosum of adult rat offspring. Psychiatry Res 2018; 266:175-185. [PMID: 29864618 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2018.05.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2017] [Revised: 03/20/2018] [Accepted: 05/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Animal models of maternal immune activation study the effects of infection, an environmental risk factor for schizophrenia, on brain development. Microglia activation and cytokine upregulation may have key roles in schizophrenia neuropathology. We hypothesised that maternal immune activation induces changes in microglia and cytokines in the brains of the adult offspring. Maternal immune activation was induced by injecting polyriboinosinic:polyribocytidylic acid into pregnant rats on gestational day (GD) 10 or GD19, with brain tissue collected from the offspring at adulthood. We observed no change in Iba1, Gfap, IL1-β and TNF-α mRNA levels in the cingulate cortex (CC) in adult offspring exposed to maternal immune activation. Prenatal exposure to immune activation had a significant main effect on microglial IBA1-positive immunoreactive material (IBA1+IRM) in the corpus callosum; post-hoc analyses identified a significant increase in GD19 offspring, but not GD10. No change in was observed in the CC. In contrast, maternal immune activation had a significant main effect on GFAP+IRM in the CC at GD19 (not GD10); post-hoc analyses only identified a strong trend towards increased GFAP+IRM in the GD19 offspring, with no white matter changes. This suggests late gestation maternal immune activation causes subtle alterations to microglia and astrocytes in the adult offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan J Duchatel
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Priority Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia.
| | - Crystal L Meehan
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Priority Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia.
| | - Lauren R Harms
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Priority Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia.
| | - Patricia T Michie
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Priority Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia.
| | - Mark J Bigland
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Priority Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia.
| | - Doug W Smith
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Priority Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia.
| | - Frederick R Walker
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia.
| | - Phillip Jobling
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Priority Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia.
| | - Deborah M Hodgson
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Priority Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia.
| | - Paul A Tooney
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Priority Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia.
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Luan W, Hammond LA, Vuillermot S, Meyer U, Eyles DW. Maternal Vitamin D Prevents Abnormal Dopaminergic Development and Function in a Mouse Model of Prenatal Immune Activation. Sci Rep 2018; 8:9741. [PMID: 29950608 PMCID: PMC6021387 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-28090-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2018] [Accepted: 06/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysfunction in dopamine (DA) systems is a prominent feature in schizophrenia patients and may result from the abnormal development of mesencephalic (mes)DA systems. Maternal immune activation (MIA) and developmental vitamin D (DVD)-deficiency both induce schizophrenia-relevant dopaminergic abnormalities in adult offspring. In this study, we investigated whether maternal administration of the vitamin D hormone (1,25OHD, VITD) could prevent MIA-induced abnormalities in DA-related behaviors and mesDA development. We administrated the viral mimetic polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidylic (poly (I:C)) simultaneously with 1,25OHD and/or their vehicles, to pregnant mouse dams at gestational day 9. Maternal treatment with VITD prevented MIA-induced hypersensitivity to acute DA stimulation induced by amphetamine, whereas it failed to block prepulse inhibition deficiency in MIA-exposed offspring. MIA and VITD both reduced fetal mesDA progenitor (Lmx1a + Sox2+) cells, while VITD treatment increased the number of mature (Nurr1 + TH+) mesDA neurons. Single-cell quantification of protein expression showed that VITD treatment increased the expression of Lmx1a, Nurr1 and TH in individual mesDA cells and restored normal mesDA positioning. Our data demonstrate that VITD prevents abnormal dopaminergic phenotypes in MIA offspring possibly via its early neuroprotective actions on fetal mesDA neurons. Maternal supplementation with the dietary form of vitamin D, cholecalciferol may become a valuable strategy for the prevention of MIA-induced neurodevelopmental abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Luan
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | | | | | - Urs Meyer
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich-Vetsuisse, Zurich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Centre Zurich, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Darryl Walter Eyles
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
- Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
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Vojtechova I, Petrasek T, Maleninska K, Brozka H, Tejkalova H, Horacek J, Stuchlik A, Vales K. Neonatal immune activation by lipopolysaccharide causes inadequate emotional responses to novel situations but no changes in anxiety or cognitive behavior in Wistar rats. Behav Brain Res 2018; 349:42-53. [PMID: 29729302 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2018.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2018] [Revised: 04/27/2018] [Accepted: 05/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Infection during the prenatal or neonatal stages of life is considered one of the major risk factors for the development of mental diseases such as schizophrenia or autism. However, the impacts of such an immune challenge on adult behavior are still not clear. In our study, we used a model of early postnatal immune activation by the application of bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to rat pups at a dose of 2 mg/kg from postnatal day (PD) 5 to PD 9. In adulthood, the rats were tested in a battery of tasks probing various aspects of behavior: spontaneous activity (open field test), social behavior (social interactions and female bedding exploration), anxiety (elevated plus maze), cognition (active place avoidance in Carousel) and emotional response (ultrasonic vocalization recording). Moreover, we tested sensitivity to acute challenge with MK-801, a psychotomimetic drug. Our results show that the application of LPS led to increased self-grooming in the female bedding exploration test and inadequate emotional reactions in Carousel maze displayed by ultrasonic vocalizations. However, it did not have serious consequences on exploration, locomotion, social behavior or cognition. Furthermore, exposition to MK-801 did not trigger social or cognitive deficits in the LPS-treated rats. We conclude that the emotional domain is the most sensitive to the changes induced by neonatal immune activation in rats, including a disrupted response to novel and stressful situations in early adulthood (similar to that observed in human patients suffering from schizophrenia or autism), while other aspects of tested behavior remain unaffected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iveta Vojtechova
- First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Katerinska 32, 12108, Prague 2, Czech Republic; Department of Neurophysiology of Memory, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 14220, Prague 4, Czech Republic; National Institute of Mental Health, Topolova 748, 25067, Klecany, Czech Republic.
| | - Tomas Petrasek
- Department of Neurophysiology of Memory, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 14220, Prague 4, Czech Republic; National Institute of Mental Health, Topolova 748, 25067, Klecany, Czech Republic.
| | - Kristyna Maleninska
- Department of Neurophysiology of Memory, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 14220, Prague 4, Czech Republic.
| | - Hana Brozka
- Department of Neurophysiology of Memory, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 14220, Prague 4, Czech Republic.
| | - Hana Tejkalova
- National Institute of Mental Health, Topolova 748, 25067, Klecany, Czech Republic.
| | - Jiri Horacek
- National Institute of Mental Health, Topolova 748, 25067, Klecany, Czech Republic.
| | - Ales Stuchlik
- Department of Neurophysiology of Memory, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 14220, Prague 4, Czech Republic.
| | - Karel Vales
- National Institute of Mental Health, Topolova 748, 25067, Klecany, Czech Republic.
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40
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Petitdant N, Lecomte A, Robidel F, Gamez C, Blazy K, Villégier AS. Alteration of adaptive behaviors of progeny after maternal mobile phone exposure. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 25:10894-10903. [PMID: 29397508 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-017-1178-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 12/27/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Exposure of pregnant women to radiofrequency (RF) devices raises questions on their possible health consequences for their progeny. We examined the hazard threshold of gestational RF on the progeny's glial homeostasis, sensory-motor gating, emotionality, and novelty seeking and tested whether maternal immune activation would increase RF toxicity. Pregnant dams were daily restrained with loop antennas adjoining the abdomen (fetus body specific absorption rates (SAR): 0, 0.7, or 2.6 W/kg) and received three lipopolysaccharide (LPS) intra-peritoneal injections (0 or 80 μg/kg). Scores in the prepulse startle inhibition, fear conditioning, open field, and elevated plus maze were assessed at adolescence and adulthood. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and interleukines-1β (ILs) were quantified. LPS induced a SAR-dependent reduction of the prepulse startle inhibition in adults. Activity in the open field was reduced at 2.6 W/kg at adolescence. GFAP and ILs, emotional memory, and anxiety-related behaviors were not modified. These data support the hypothesis that maternal immune activation increased the developmental RF exposure-induced long-term neurobiological impairments. These data support the fact that fetuses who receive combined environmental exposures with RF need special attention for protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Petitdant
- Toxicology Unit, National Institute for Environmental Protection and Industrial Risks (INERIS), Verneuil-en-Halatte, France
- PériTox-INERIS Laboratory, UMR-I 01 Jules Verne University of Picardy, 80054, Amiens, France
| | - Anthony Lecomte
- Toxicology Unit, National Institute for Environmental Protection and Industrial Risks (INERIS), Verneuil-en-Halatte, France
- PériTox-INERIS Laboratory, UMR-I 01 Jules Verne University of Picardy, 80054, Amiens, France
| | - Franck Robidel
- Toxicology Unit, National Institute for Environmental Protection and Industrial Risks (INERIS), Verneuil-en-Halatte, France
- PériTox-INERIS Laboratory, UMR-I 01 Jules Verne University of Picardy, 80054, Amiens, France
| | - Christelle Gamez
- Toxicology Unit, National Institute for Environmental Protection and Industrial Risks (INERIS), Verneuil-en-Halatte, France
- PériTox-INERIS Laboratory, UMR-I 01 Jules Verne University of Picardy, 80054, Amiens, France
| | - Kelly Blazy
- Toxicology Unit, National Institute for Environmental Protection and Industrial Risks (INERIS), Verneuil-en-Halatte, France
- PériTox-INERIS Laboratory, UMR-I 01 Jules Verne University of Picardy, 80054, Amiens, France
| | - Anne-Sophie Villégier
- Toxicology Unit, National Institute for Environmental Protection and Industrial Risks (INERIS), Verneuil-en-Halatte, France.
- PériTox-INERIS Laboratory, UMR-I 01 Jules Verne University of Picardy, 80054, Amiens, France.
- Unité de Toxicologie Expérimentale, Parc Technologique ALATA, Institut National de l'Environnement Industriel et des Risques, BP no. 2, 60550, Verneuil-en-Halatte, France.
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Perinatal inflammation and adult psychopathology: From preclinical models to humans. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2017; 77:104-114. [PMID: 28890420 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2017.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2017] [Revised: 08/22/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Perinatal environment plays a crucial role in brain development and determines its function through life. Epidemiological studies and clinical reports link perinatal exposure to infection and/or immune activation to various psychiatric disorders. In addition, accumulating evidence from animal models shows that perinatal inflammation can affect various behaviors relevant to psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, autism, anxiety and depression. Remarkably, the effects on behavior and brain function do not always depend on the type of inflammatory stimulus or the perinatal age targeted, so diverse inflammatory events can have similar consequences on the brain. Moreover, other perinatal environmental factors that affect behavior (e.g. diet and stress) also elicit inflammatory responses. Understanding the interplay between perinatal environment and inflammation on brain development is required to identify the mechanisms through which perinatal inflammation affect brain function in the adult animal. Evidence for the role of the peripheral immune system and glia on perinatal programming of behavior is discussed in this review, along with recent evidence for the role of epigenetic mechanisms affecting gene expression in the brain.
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Meehan C, Harms L, Frost JD, Barreto R, Todd J, Schall U, Shannon Weickert C, Zavitsanou K, Michie PT, Hodgson DM. Effects of immune activation during early or late gestation on schizophrenia-related behaviour in adult rat offspring. Brain Behav Immun 2017; 63:8-20. [PMID: 27423491 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2016.07.144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2016] [Revised: 06/22/2016] [Accepted: 07/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal exposure to infectious agents during gestation has been identified as a significant risk factor for schizophrenia. Using a mouse model, past work has demonstrated that the gestational timing of the immune-activating event can impact the behavioural phenotype and expression of dopaminergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission markers in the offspring. In order to determine the inter-species generality of this effect to rats, another commonly used model species, the current study investigated the impact of a viral mimetic Poly (I:C) at either an early (gestational day 10) or late (gestational day 19) time-point on schizophrenia-related behaviour and neurotransmitter receptor expression in rat offspring. Exposure to Poly (I:C) in late, but not early, gestation resulted in transient impairments in working memory. In addition, male rats exposed to maternal immune activation (MIA) in either early or late gestation exhibited sensorimotor gating deficits. Conversely, neither early nor late MIA exposure altered locomotor responses to MK-801 or amphetamine. In addition, increased dopamine 1 receptor mRNA levels were found in the nucleus accumbens of male rats exposed to early gestational MIA. The findings from this study diverge somewhat from previous findings in mice with MIA exposure, which were often found to exhibit a more comprehensive spectrum of schizophrenia-like phenotypes in both males and females, indicating potential differences in the neurodevelopmental vulnerability to MIA exposure in the rat with regards to schizophrenia related changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Crystal Meehan
- School of Psychology, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Priority Research Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Schizophrenia Research Institute, Randwick, NSW, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Lauren Harms
- School of Psychology, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Priority Research Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Schizophrenia Research Institute, Randwick, NSW, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Jade D Frost
- School of Psychology, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Priority Research Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Schizophrenia Research Institute, Randwick, NSW, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Rafael Barreto
- School of Psychology, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Juanita Todd
- School of Psychology, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Priority Research Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Schizophrenia Research Institute, Randwick, NSW, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Ulrich Schall
- Priority Research Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Schizophrenia Research Institute, Randwick, NSW, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia; School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Cynthia Shannon Weickert
- Schizophrenia Research Institute, Randwick, NSW, Australia; School of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Patricia T Michie
- School of Psychology, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Priority Research Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Schizophrenia Research Institute, Randwick, NSW, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Deborah M Hodgson
- School of Psychology, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Priority Research Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Schizophrenia Research Institute, Randwick, NSW, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
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Millar J, Bilkey DK, Ward RD. Maternal immune activation alters sensitivity to action-outcome contingency in adult rat offspring. Brain Behav Immun 2017; 63:81-87. [PMID: 27592563 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2016.08.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2016] [Revised: 08/16/2016] [Accepted: 08/31/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Epidemiological studies have provided convincing evidence for a role of maternal immune activation in the pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and schizophrenia. In recent years, several research groups have capitalised on this discovery and developed animal models such as the maternal immune activation (MIA) model that emulates many phenotypes characteristic of disorders such as schizophrenia. In the present series of experiments we used the MIA model to examine motivation, a core component of the negative symptomatology in schizophrenia. Contrary to what we expected, in the progressive ratio task, which assesses an animals' willingness to work for a reward under increasing effort requirements, we found that MIA rats appeared more motivated than controls. Subsequent tests showed that this seemingly enhanced motivation was not due to an overall increase in responding, nor due to enhanced attribution of incentive salience to reward associated responses. Instead, we found that the increased willingness to work exhibited by MIA animals was due to an inability to detect changes in the contingency between their behaviour and the resulting rewarding outcome. With regard to motivation, the experiments reported here are the first to subject the MIA model to a rigorous experimental analysis of behaviour by parsing underlying processes that give rise to the overt symptoms in psychiatric disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Millar
- University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - David K Bilkey
- University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Ryan D Ward
- University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand.
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Positive modulation of α5 GABA A receptors in preadolescence prevents reduced locomotor response to amphetamine in adult female but not male rats prenatally exposed to lipopolysaccharide. Int J Dev Neurosci 2017; 61:31-39. [PMID: 28610974 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2017.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2017] [Revised: 06/02/2017] [Accepted: 06/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
We previously demonstrated that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) to pregnant Wistar rat dams, at embryonic days 15 and 16 (E15/16), induced a decrease of baseline locomotor activity and diminished reactivity to amphetamine in adult female offspring. In the present study we aimed to assess the duration of LPS-induced maternal immune activation (MIA) and investigate possible changes in levels of main neurotransmitters in fetal brain during MIA. We hypothesized that the observed behavioral changes may be linked with MIA-induced disturbance of prenatal GABAergic system development, especially with α5 GABAA receptors (α5GABAARs), expression of which takes place between E14 and E17. Thereafter, we set to investigate if later potentiation of α5GABAARs in offspring's preadolescence (from postnatal day 22-28) could prevent the deficit in locomotor reactivity to amphetamine observed in adulthood, at postnatal day P60. The elevation of IL-6 in amniotic fluid 6h after LPS treatment (100μg/kg, i.p.) at E15 was concurrent with a significant increase of GABA and decrease of glutamate concentration in fetal brain. Moreover, repeated administration of MP-III-022, a selective positive allosteric modulator of α5GABAARs, at a dose (2mg/kg daily, i.p.) derived from a separate pharmacokinetic study, prevented the LPS-induced decrease in locomotor reactivity to amphetamine (0.5mg/kg, i.p.) in adult females. These results were not mirrored in the parallel set of experiments with male offspring from LPS-treated rats. The results suggest that pharmacological potentiation of α5GABAARs activity in preadolescence may ameliorate at least some of adverse consequences of exposure to MIA in utero.
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45
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Prenatal lipopolysaccharide induces hypothalamic dopaminergic hypoactivity and autistic-like behaviors: Repetitive self-grooming and stereotypies. Behav Brain Res 2017; 331:25-29. [PMID: 28526515 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2017.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2017] [Revised: 05/02/2017] [Accepted: 05/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Previous investigations by our group have shown that prenatal exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which mimics infection by gram-negative bacteria, induces social, cognitive, and communication deficits. For a complete screening of autistic-like behaviors, the objective of this study was to evaluate if our rat model also induces restricted and repetitive stereotyped behaviors. Thus, we studied the self-grooming microstructure. We also studied the neurochemistry of hypothalamus and frontal cortex, which are brain areas related to autism to better understand central mechanisms involved in our model. Prenatal LPS exposure on gestational day 9.5 increased the head washing episodes (frequency and time), as well as the total self-grooming. However, body grooming, paw/leg licking, tail/genital grooming, and circling behavior/tail chasing did not vary significantly among the groups. Moreover, prenatal LPS induced dopaminergic hypoactivity (HVA metabolite and turnover) in the hypothalamus. Therefore, our rat model induced restricted and repetitive stereotyped behaviors and the other main symptoms of autism experimentally studied in rodent models and also found in patients. The hypothalamic dopaminergic impairments seem to be associated with the autistic-like behaviors.
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Goepfrich AA, Friemel CM, Pauen S, Schneider M. Ontogeny of sensorimotor gating and short-term memory processing throughout the adolescent period in rats. Dev Cogn Neurosci 2016; 25:167-175. [PMID: 27908562 PMCID: PMC6987840 DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2016.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2016] [Revised: 11/02/2016] [Accepted: 11/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Adolescence and puberty are highly susceptible developmental periods during which the neuronal organization and maturation of the brain is completed. The endocannabinoid (eCB) system, which is well known to modulate cognitive processing, undergoes profound and transient developmental changes during adolescence. With the present study we were aiming to examine the ontogeny of cognitive skills throughout adolescence in male rats and clarify the potential modulatory role of CB1 receptor signalling. Cognitive skills were assessed repeatedly every 10th day in rats throughout adolescence. All animals were tested for object recognition memory and prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle reflex. Although cognitive performance in short-term memory as well as sensorimotor gating abilities were decreased during puberty compared to adulthood, both tasks were found to show different developmental trajectories throughout adolescence. A low dose of the CB1 receptor antagonist/inverse agonist SR141716 was found to improve recognition memory specifically in pubertal animals while not affecting behavioral performance at other ages tested. The present findings demonstrate that the developmental trajectory of cognitive abilities does not occur linearly for all cognitive processes and is strongly influenced by pubertal maturation. Developmental alterations within the eCB system at puberty onset may be involved in these changes in cognitive processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja A Goepfrich
- Research Group Developmental Neuropsychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Chris M Friemel
- Research Group Developmental Neuropsychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Sabina Pauen
- Department of Psychology, University of Heidelberg, Germany
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Jeltsch-David H, Muller S. Autoimmunity, neuroinflammation, pathogen load: A decisive crosstalk in neuropsychiatric SLE. J Autoimmun 2016; 74:13-26. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2016.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2016] [Revised: 04/21/2016] [Accepted: 04/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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Kentner AC, Khoury A, Lima Queiroz E, MacRae M. Environmental enrichment rescues the effects of early life inflammation on markers of synaptic transmission and plasticity. Brain Behav Immun 2016; 57:151-160. [PMID: 27002704 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2016.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2016] [Revised: 03/04/2016] [Accepted: 03/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental enrichment (EE) has been successful at rescuing the brain from a variety of early-life psychogenic stressors. However, its ability to reverse the behavioral and neural alterations induced by a prenatal maternal infection model of schizophrenia is less clear. Moreover, the specific interactions between the components (i.e. social enhancement, novelty, physical activity) of EE that lead to its success as a supportive intervention have not been adequately identified. In the current study, standard housed female Sprague-Dawley rats were administered either the inflammatory endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 100μg/kg) or pyrogen-free saline (equivolume) on gestational day 15. On postnatal day 50, offspring were randomized into one of three conditions: EE (group housed in a large multi-level cage with novel toys, tubes and ramps), Colony Nesting (CN; socially-housed in a larger style cage), or Standard Care (SC; pair-housed in standard cages). Six weeks later we scored social engagement and performance in the object-in-place task. Afterwards hippocampus and prefrontal cortex (n=7-9) were collected and evaluated for excitatory amino acid transporter (EAAT) 1-3, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and neurotrophic tyrosine kinase, receptor type 2 (TrkB) gene expression (normalized to GAPDH) using qPCR methods. Overall, we show that gestational inflammation downregulates genes critical to synaptic transmission and plasticity, which may underlie the pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental disorders such as schizophrenia and autism. Additionally, we observed disruptions in both social engagement and spatial discrimination. Importantly, behavioral and neurophysiological effects were rescued in an experience dependent manner. Given the evidence that schizophrenia and autism may be associated with infection during pregnancy, these data have compelling implications for the prevention and reversibility of the consequences that follow immune activation in early in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda C Kentner
- School of Arts & Sciences, Health Psychology Program, MCPHS University (formerly the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences), Boston, MA 02115, United States.
| | - Antoine Khoury
- School of Pharmacy, MCPHS University, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | | | - Molly MacRae
- School of Arts & Sciences, Health Psychology Program, MCPHS University (formerly the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences), Boston, MA 02115, United States
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Santos-Toscano R, Borcel É, Ucha M, Orihuel J, Capellán R, Roura-Martínez D, Ambrosio E, Higuera-Matas A. Unaltered cocaine self-administration in the prenatal LPS rat model of schizophrenia. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2016; 69:38-48. [PMID: 27089985 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2016.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2016] [Revised: 04/06/2016] [Accepted: 04/14/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Although cocaine abuse is up to three times more frequent among schizophrenic patients, it remains unclear why this should be the case and whether sex influences this relationship. Using a maternal immune activation model of schizophrenia, we tested whether animals at higher risk of developing a schizophrenia-like state are more prone to acquire cocaine self-administration behavior, and whether they show enhanced sensitivity to the reinforcing actions of cocaine or if they are resistant to extinction. Pregnant rats were injected with lipopolysaccharide on gestational day 15 and 16, and the offspring (both male and female) were tested in working memory (T-maze), social interaction and sensorimotor gating (prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle response) paradigms. After performing these tests, the rats were subjected to cocaine self-administration regimes (0.5mg/kg), assessing their dose-response and extinction. Male rats born to dams administered lipopolysaccharide showed impaired working memory but no alterations to their social interactions, and both male and female rats showed prepulse inhibition deficits. Moreover, similar patterns of cocaine self-administration acquisition, responsiveness to dose shifts and extinction curves were observed in both control and experimental rats. These results suggest that the higher prevalence of cocaine abuse among schizophrenic individuals is not due to a biological vulnerability directly associated to the disease and that other factors (social, educational, economic, familial, etc.) should be considered given the multifactorial nature of this illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Santos-Toscano
- Department of Psychobiology, School of Psychology, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Érika Borcel
- Department of Psychobiology, School of Psychology, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Marcos Ucha
- Department of Psychobiology, School of Psychology, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Orihuel
- Department of Psychobiology, School of Psychology, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Roberto Capellán
- Department of Psychobiology, School of Psychology, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - David Roura-Martínez
- Department of Psychobiology, School of Psychology, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Emilio Ambrosio
- Department of Psychobiology, School of Psychology, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), Madrid, Spain.
| | - Alejandro Higuera-Matas
- Department of Psychobiology, School of Psychology, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), Madrid, Spain.
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Aavani T, Rana SA, Hawkes R, Pittman QJ. Maternal immune activation produces cerebellar hyperplasia and alterations in motor and social behaviors in male and female mice. THE CEREBELLUM 2016; 14:491-505. [PMID: 25863812 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-015-0669-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
There have been suggestions that maternal immune activation is associated with alterations in motor behavior in offspring. To explore this further, we treated pregnant mice with polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C)), a viral mimetic that activates the innate immune system, or saline on embryonic days 13-15. At postnatal day (P) 18, offspring cerebella were collected from perfused brains and immunostained as whole-mounts for zebrin II. Measurements of zebrin II+/- stripes in both sexes indicated that prenatal poly(I:C)-exposed offspring had significantly wider stripes; this difference was also seen in similarly treated offspring in adulthood (~P120). When sagittal sections of the cerebellum were immunostained for calbindin and Purkinje cell numbers were counted, we observed greater numbers of Purkinje cells in poly(I:C) offspring at both P18 and ~ P120. In adolescence (~P40), both male and female prenatal poly(I:C)-exposed offspring exhibited poorer performance on the rotarod and ladder rung tests; deficits in performance on the latter test persisted into adulthood. Offspring of both sexes from poly(I:C) dams also exhibited impaired social interaction in adolescence, but this difference was no longer apparent in adulthood. Our results suggest that maternal immune exposure at a critical time of cerebellum development can enhance neuronal survival or impair normal programmed cell death of Purkinje cells, with lasting consequences on cerebellar morphology and a variety of motor and non-motor behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tooka Aavani
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, Health Sciences Centre, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, T2N 4N1, Alberta, Canada
| | - Shadna A Rana
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, Health Sciences Centre, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, T2N 4N1, Alberta, Canada
| | - Richard Hawkes
- Department of Cell Biology & Anatomy, Genes & Development Research Group, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, Health Sciences Centre, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Quentin J Pittman
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, Health Sciences Centre, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, T2N 4N1, Alberta, Canada.
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