1
|
Zhuang K, Leng L, Su X, Wang S, Su Y, Chen Y, Yuan Z, Zi L, Li J, Xie W, Yan S, Xia Y, Wang H, Li H, Chen Z, Yuan T, Zhang J. Menin Deficiency Induces Autism-Like Behaviors by Regulating Foxg1 Transcription and Participates in Foxg1-Related Encephalopathy. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024:e2307953. [PMID: 38582517 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202307953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
FOXG1 syndrome is a developmental encephalopathy caused by FOXG1 (Forkhead box G1) mutations, resulting in high phenotypic variability. However, the upstream transcriptional regulation of Foxg1 expression remains unclear. This report demonstrates that both deficiency and overexpression of Men1 (protein: menin, a pathogenic gene of MEN1 syndrome known as multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1) lead to autism-like behaviors, such as social defects, increased repetitive behaviors, and cognitive impairments. Multifaceted transcriptome analyses revealed that Foxg1 signaling is predominantly altered in Men1 deficiency mice, through its regulation of the Alpha Thalassemia/Mental Retardation Syndrome X-Linked (Atrx) factor. Atrx recruits menin to bind to the transcriptional start region of Foxg1 and mediates the regulation of Foxg1 expression by H3K4me3 (Trimethylation of histone H3 lysine 4) modification. The deficits observed in menin deficient mice are rescued by the over-expression of Foxg1, leading to normalized spine growth and restoration of hippocampal synaptic plasticity. These findings suggest that menin may have a putative role in the maintenance of Foxg1 expression, highlighting menin signaling as a potential therapeutic target for Foxg1-related encephalopathy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kai Zhuang
- Institute of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361105, China
| | - Lige Leng
- Institute of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361105, China
| | - Xiao Su
- Institute of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361105, China
| | - Shuzhong Wang
- Institute of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361105, China
| | - Yuemin Su
- Institute of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361105, China
| | - Yanbing Chen
- Institute of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361105, China
| | - Ziqi Yuan
- Institute of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361105, China
| | - Liu Zi
- Institute of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361105, China
| | - Jieyin Li
- Institute of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361105, China
| | - Wenting Xie
- Institute of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361105, China
| | - Sihan Yan
- Institute of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361105, China
| | - Yujun Xia
- Institute of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361105, China
| | - Han Wang
- Institute of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361105, China
| | - Huifang Li
- Institute of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361105, China
| | - Zhenyi Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361105, China
| | - Tifei Yuan
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Institute of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361105, China
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361105, China
- The Key Laboratory of Neural and Vascular Biology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Shao W, Zheng H, Zhu J, Li W, Li Y, Hu W, Zhang J, Jing L, Wang K, Jiang X. Deletions of Cacna2d3 in parvalbumin-expressing neurons leads to autistic-like phenotypes in mice. Neurochem Int 2023; 169:105569. [PMID: 37419212 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2023.105569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a series of highly inherited neurodevelopmental disorders. Loss-of-function (LOF) mutations in the CACNA2D3 gene are associated with ASD. However, the underlying mechanism is unknown. Dysfunction of cortical interneurons (INs) is strongly implicated in ASD. Parvalbumin-expressing (PV) INs and somatostatin-expressing (SOM) INs are the two most subtypes. Here, we characterized a mouse knockout of the Cacna2d3 gene in PV-expressing neurons (PVCre;Cacna2d3f/f mice) or in SOM-expressing neurons (SOMCre;Cacna2d3f/f mice), respectively. PVCre;Cacna2d3f/f mice showed deficits in the core ASD behavioral domains (including impaired sociability and increased repetitive behavior), as well as anxiety-like behavior and improved spatial memory. Furthermore, loss of Cacna2d3 from a subset of PV neurons results in a reduction of GAD67 and PV expression in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). These may underlie the increased neuronal excitability in the mPFC, which contribute to the abnormal social behavior in PVCre;Cacna2d3f/f mice. Whereas, SOMCre;Cacna2d3f/f mice showed no obvious deficits in social, cognitive, or emotional phenotypes. Our findings provide the first evidence suggesting the causal role of Cacna2d3 insufficiency in PV neurons in autism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Shao
- The School of Mental Health and Psychological Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Hang Zheng
- The School of Mental Health and Psychological Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Jingwen Zhu
- The School of Mental Health and Psychological Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Wenhao Li
- The School of Mental Health and Psychological Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yifan Li
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Wenjie Hu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Juanjuan Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Liang Jing
- The School of Mental Health and Psychological Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Research Center for Translational Medicine, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Cognition and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Hefei, China.
| | - Kai Wang
- The School of Mental Health and Psychological Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Cognition and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Hefei, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Neuropsychiatric Disorders and Mental Health, Hefei, China; Institute of Artificial Intelligence, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, Hefei, China.
| | - Xiao Jiang
- The School of Mental Health and Psychological Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Research Center for Translational Medicine, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Cognition and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Hefei, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Hostetler RE, Hu H, Agmon A. Genetically Defined Subtypes of Somatostatin-Containing Cortical Interneurons. eNeuro 2023; 10:ENEURO.0204-23.2023. [PMID: 37463742 PMCID: PMC10414551 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0204-23.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Inhibitory interneurons play a crucial role in proper development and function of the mammalian cerebral cortex. Of the different inhibitory subclasses, dendritic-targeting, somatostatin-containing (SOM) interneurons may be the most diverse. Earlier studies used GFP-expressing and recombinase-expressing mouse lines to characterize genetically defined subtypes of SOM interneurons by morphologic, electrophysiological, and neurochemical properties. More recently, large-scale studies classified SOM interneurons into 13 morpho-electric transcriptomic (MET) types. It remains unclear, however, how these various classification schemes relate to each other, and experimental access to MET types has been limited by the scarcity of specific mouse driver lines. To address these issues, we crossed Flp and Cre driver lines with a dual-color intersectional reporter, allowing experimental access to several combinatorially defined SOM subsets. Brains from adult mice of both sexes were retrogradely dye labeled from the pial surface to identify layer 1-projecting neurons and immunostained against several marker proteins, revealing correlations between genetic label, axonal target, and marker protein expression in the same neurons. Lastly, using whole-cell recordings ex vivo, we analyzed and compared electrophysiological properties between different intersectional subsets. We identified two layer 1-targeting subtypes with nonoverlapping marker protein expression and electrophysiological properties, which, together with a previously characterized layer 4-targeting subtype, account for >50% of all layer 5 SOM cells and >40% of all SOM cells, and appear to map onto 5 of the 13 MET types. Genetic access to these subtypes will allow researchers to determine their synaptic inputs and outputs and uncover their roles in cortical computations and animal behavior.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rachel E Hostetler
- Department of Neuroscience, West Virginia University Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, Morgantown, WV 26506
| | - Hang Hu
- Department of Neuroscience, West Virginia University Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, Morgantown, WV 26506
| | - Ariel Agmon
- Department of Neuroscience, West Virginia University Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, Morgantown, WV 26506
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
FOXG1 Contributes Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis in Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232314979. [PMID: 36499306 PMCID: PMC9735854 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232314979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Strategies to enhance hippocampal precursor cells efficiently differentiate into neurons could be crucial for structural repair after neurodegenerative damage. FOXG1 has been shown to play an important role in pattern formation, cell proliferation, and cell specification during embryonic and early postnatal neurogenesis. Thus far, the role of FOXG1 in adult hippocampal neurogenesis is largely unknown. Utilizing CAG-loxp-stop-loxp-Foxg1-IRES-EGFP (Foxg1fl/fl), a specific mouse line combined with CreAAV infusion, we successfully forced FOXG1 overexpressed in the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) of the genotype mice. Thereafter, we explored the function of FOXG1 on neuronal lineage progression and hippocampal neurogenesis in adult mice. By inhibiting p21cip1 expression, FOXG1-regulated activities enable the expansion of the precursor cell population. Besides, FOXG1 induced quiescent radial-glia like type I neural progenitor, giving rise to intermediate progenitor cells, neuroblasts in the hippocampal DG. Through increasing the length of G1 phase, FOXG1 promoted lineage-committed cells to exit the cell cycle and differentiate into mature neurons. The present results suggest that FOXG1 likely promotes neuronal lineage progression and thereby contributes to adult hippocampal neurogenesis. Elevating FOXG1 levels either pharmacologically or through other means could present a therapeutic strategy for disease related with neuronal loss.
Collapse
|
5
|
Luessen DJ, Gallinger IM, Ferranti AS, Foster DJ, Melancon BJ, Lindsley CW, Niswender CM, Conn PJ. mGlu 1-mediated restoration of prefrontal cortex inhibitory signaling reverses social and cognitive deficits in an NMDA hypofunction model in mice. Neuropsychopharmacology 2022; 47:1826-1835. [PMID: 35643819 PMCID: PMC9372079 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-022-01350-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Extensive evidence supports the hypothesis that deficits in inhibitory GABA transmission in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) may drive pathophysiological changes underlying symptoms of schizophrenia that are not currently treated by available medications, including cognitive and social impairments. Recently, the mGlu1 subtype of metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptor has been implicated as a novel target to restore GABAergic transmission in the PFC. A recent study reported that activation of mGlu1 increases inhibitory transmission in the PFC through excitation of somatostatin-expressing GABAergic interneurons, implicating mGlu1 PAMs as a potential treatment strategy for schizophrenia. Here, we leveraged positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of mGlu1 to examine whether mGlu1 activation might reverse physiological effects and behavioral deficits induced by MK-801, an NMDA receptor antagonist commonly used to model cortical deficits observed in schizophrenia patients. Using ex vivo whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology, we found that MK-801 decreased the frequency of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents onto layer V pyramidal cells of the PFC and this cortical disinhibition was reversed by mGlu1 activation. Furthermore, acute MK-801 treatment selectively induced inhibitory deficits onto layer V pyramidal cells that project to the basolateral amygdala, but not to the nucleus accumbens, and these deficits were restored by selective mGlu1 activation. Importantly, the mGlu1 PAM VU6004909 effectively reversed deficits in sociability and social novelty preference in a three-chamber assay and improved novel objection recognition following MK-801 treatment. Together, these findings provide compelling evidence that mGlu1 PAMs could serve as a novel approach to reduce social and cognitive deficits associated with schizophrenia by enhancing inhibitory transmission in the PFC, thus providing an exciting improvement over current antipsychotic medication.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Deborah J Luessen
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
| | - Isabel M Gallinger
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Anthony S Ferranti
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Daniel J Foster
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Bruce J Melancon
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Craig W Lindsley
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Colleen M Niswender
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - P Jeffrey Conn
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
- Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Cai X, Qiu L, Wang C, Yang H, Zhou Z, Mao M, Zhu Y, Wen Y, Cai W, Zhu W, Sun J. Hippocampal Inhibitory Synapsis Deficits Induced by α5-Containing GABA A Receptors Mediate Chronic Neuropathic Pain-Related Cognitive Impairment. Mol Neurobiol 2022; 59:6049-6061. [PMID: 35849280 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-022-02955-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/02/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Chronic neuropathic pain often leads to cognitive impairment, but the exact mechanism remains unclear. Gamma-aminobutyric acid A receptors (GABAARs) are the major inhibitory receptors in the brain, of which the α5-containing GABAARs (GABAARs-α5) are implicated in a range of neuropsychiatric disorders with cognitive deficits. However, whether GABAARs-α5 are involved in chronic neuropathic pain-related cognitive impairment remains unknown. In this study, the rats with chronic neuropathic pain induced by right sciatic nerve ligation injury (SNI) exhibited cognitive impairment with declined spontaneous alternation in Y-maze test and discrimination index in novel object recognition test. The GABAARs-α5 expressing on parvalbumin and somatostatin interneurons increased remarkably in hippocampus, resulting in decreased mean frequency of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents in hippocampal pyramidal neurons. Significantly, antagonizing the GABAARs-α5 by L655708 rescued weakened inhibitory synaptic transmission and cognitive impairment induced by chronic neuropathic pain. Taken together, these data suggest that the GABAARs-α5 play a crucial role in chronic neuropathic pain-induced cognitive impairment by weakening inhibitory synaptic transmission, which may provide insights into the pharmacologic treatment of chronic neuropathic pain-related cognitive impairment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuechun Cai
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Lili Qiu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Chaoran Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Hang Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenhui Zhou
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Meng Mao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yunqing Zhu
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Yazhou Wen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenlan Cai
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Zhu
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jie Sun
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Wang J, Ma SF, Yun Q, Liu WJ, Zhai HR, Shi HZ, Xie LG, Qian JJ, Zhao CJ, Zhang WN. FOXG1 as a Potential Therapeutic Target for Alzheimer's Disease with a Particular Focus on Cell Cycle Regulation. J Alzheimers Dis 2022; 86:1255-1273. [PMID: 35180113 DOI: 10.3233/jad-215144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several recent findings have revealed that targeting of cell cycle reentry and (or) progression may provide an opportunity for the therapeutic intervention of Alzheimer's disease (AD). FOXG1 has been shown to play important roles in pattern formation, cell proliferation, and cell specification. Thus far, the roles of FoxG1 and its involvement in AD are largely unknown. OBJECTIVE Our study aimed to explore the intervention effect of FOXG1 on AD pathology and its potential mechanism with a particular focus on cell cycle regulation. METHODS We investigated the association of Foxg1 gene variants with AD-like behavioral deficits, p21 expression, neuronal apoptosis, and amyloid-β (Aβ) aggregate formation; we further determined whether targeting FOXG1-regulated cell cycle has therapeutic potential in AD. RESULTS Paralleling AD-like behavioral abnormalities, neuronal apoptosis, and Aβ deposits, a significant reduction in the expression of FOXG1 was observed in APP/PS1 mice at 6 months of age. Using the APP/PS1;Foxg1fl/fl-CreAAV mouse line, we found that FOXG1 potentially antagonized cell cycle reentry by negatively regulating the levels of p21-activated kinase (PAK3). By reducing p21cip1-mediated arrest at the G2 stage and regulating cyclin A1- and cyclin B-dependent progression patterns of the cell cycle, FOXG1 blocked neuronal apoptosis and Aβ deposition. CONCLUSION These results indicate that FOXG1 contributes to the regulation of the neuronal cell cycle, thereby affecting brain abnormalities in AD. An elevation of the FOXG1 level, either pharmacologically or through other means, could present a therapeutic strategy for AD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jia Wang
- The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province, China.,School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Si-Fei Ma
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province, China.,Changzhou Blood Center, Changzhou, Jiangsu Province, PR China
| | - Qi Yun
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province, China.,Changzhou Children's Hospital, Changzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Wen-Jun Liu
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Hong-Ru Zhai
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Hou-Zhen Shi
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Lan-Gui Xie
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Biomedical Functional Materials, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jin-Jun Qian
- The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Chun-Jie Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, MOE, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Wei-Ning Zhang
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Xia J, Chen S, Li Y, Li H, Gan M, Wu J, Prohaska CC, Bai Y, Gao L, Gu L, Zhang D. Immune Response Is Key to Genetic Mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 Infection With Psychiatric Disorders Based on Differential Gene Expression Pattern Analysis. Front Immunol 2022; 13:798538. [PMID: 35185890 PMCID: PMC8854505 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.798538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Existing evidence demonstrates that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) leads to psychiatric illness, despite its main clinical manifestations affecting the respiratory system. People with mental disorders are more susceptible to COVID-19 than individuals without coexisting mental health disorders, with significantly higher rates of severe illness and mortality in this population. The incidence of new psychiatric diagnoses after infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is also remarkably high. SARS-CoV-2 has been reported to use angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) as a receptor for infecting susceptible cells and is expressed in various tissues, including brain tissue. Thus, there is an urgent need to investigate the mechanism linking psychiatric disorders to COVID-19. Using a data set of peripheral blood cells from patients with COVID-19, we compared this to data sets of whole blood collected from patients with psychiatric disorders and used bioinformatics and systems biology approaches to identify genetic links. We found a large number of overlapping immune-related genes between patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 and differentially expressed genes of bipolar disorder (BD), schizophrenia (SZ), and late-onset major depressive disorder (LOD). Many pathways closely related to inflammatory responses, such as MAPK, PPAR, and TGF-β signaling pathways, were observed by enrichment analysis of common differentially expressed genes (DEGs). We also performed a comprehensive analysis of protein-protein interaction network and gene regulation networks. Chemical-protein interaction networks and drug prediction were used to screen potential pharmacologic therapies. We hope that by elucidating the relationship between the pathogenetic processes and genetic mechanisms of infection with SARS-CoV-2 with psychiatric disorders, it will lead to innovative strategies for future research and treatment of psychiatric disorders linked to COVID-19.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Xia
- Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Shuhan Chen
- Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yaping Li
- Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Hua Li
- Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Minghong Gan
- Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jiashuo Wu
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Clare Colette Prohaska
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep, and Occupational Medicine, Department of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Yang Bai
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Lu Gao
- Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Li Gu
- Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Dongfang Zhang
- Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Dysfunction of Trio GEF1 involves in excitatory/inhibitory imbalance and autism-like behaviors through regulation of interneuron migration. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:7621-7640. [PMID: 33963279 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01109-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of highly inheritable neurodevelopmental disorders. Functional mutations in TRIO, especially in the GEF1 domain, are strongly implicated in ASDs, whereas the underlying neurobiological pathogenesis and molecular mechanisms remain to be clarified. Here we characterize the abnormal morphology and behavior of embryonic migratory interneurons (INs) upon Trio deficiency or GEF1 mutation in mice, which are mediated by the Trio GEF1-Rac1 activation and involved in SDF1α/CXCR4 signaling. In addition, the migration deficits are specifically associated with altered neural microcircuit, decreased inhibitory neurotransmission, and autism-like behaviors, which are reminiscent of some features observed in patients with ASDs. Furthermore, restoring the excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) imbalance via activation of GABA signaling rescues autism-like deficits. Our findings demonstrate a critical role of Trio GEF1 mediated signaling in IN migration and E/I balance, which are related to autism-related behavioral phenotypes.
Collapse
|
10
|
Involvement of 5-HT1A receptor-mediated histone acetylation in the regulation of depression. Neuroreport 2021; 32:1049-1057. [PMID: 34232131 DOI: 10.1097/wnr.0000000000001693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Depression is one of the most common and disabling mental disorders. There is growing evidence that 5-HT1A receptor is involved in the regulation of depressive-related behaviors. However, the exact mechanism underlying the role of 5-HT1A receptor in depression remains unknown. Histone acetylation is associated with the pathophysiology and treatment of depression. In the current study, we investigated whether the epigenetic histone deacetylase (HDAC)-induced histone acetylation mediates the regulation of 5-HT1A receptor in depressive behaviors. We showed that 5-HT1A receptor selective agonist (±)-8-hydroxy-2-(dipropylamino) tetralin hydrobromide led to significant increase in acetylation of H3 at lysine 9 (Ac-H3K9) and H4 at lysine 5 (Ac-H4K5) and lysine 12 (Ac-H4K12) with obviously decreasing histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1), histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2), histone deacetylase 4 (HDAC4) and histone deacetylase 5 (HDAC5) expression in hippocampus of mice. Conversely, 5-HT1A receptor selective antagonist NAN-190 decreased the level of acetylation of H3 and H4 with increasing the expression of HDAC1, HDAC2, HDAC4 and HDAC5 in the hippocampus. Furthermore, we found that HDAC inhibitors, trichostatin A or suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid infusion to hippocampus prevented the depressive behaviors induced by NAN-190, as well as histone H3 and H4 acetylation in mice. Our results suggested that epigenetic histone acetylation coupled with 5-HT1A receptor may play vital role in the pathophysiology and treatment of depressive disorders.
Collapse
|
11
|
Su M, Liu J, Yu B, Zhou K, Sun C, Yang M, Zhao C. Loss of Calretinin in L5a impairs the formation of the barrel cortex leading to abnormal whisker-mediated behaviors. Mol Brain 2021; 14:67. [PMID: 33845857 PMCID: PMC8042711 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-021-00775-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The rodent whisker-barrel cortex system has been established as an ideal model for studying sensory information integration. The barrel cortex consists of barrel and septa columns that receive information input from the lemniscal and paralemniscal pathways, respectively. Layer 5a is involved in both barrel and septa circuits and play a key role in information integration. However, the role of layer 5a in the development of the barrel cortex remains unclear. Previously, we found that calretinin is dynamically expressed in layer 5a. In this study, we analyzed calretinin KO mice and found that the dendritic complexity and length of layer 5a pyramidal neurons were significantly decreased after calretinin ablation. The membrane excitability and excitatory synaptic transmission of layer 5a neurons were increased. Consequently, the organization of the barrels was impaired. Moreover, layer 4 spiny stellate cells were not able to properly gather, leading to abnormal formation of barrel walls as the ratio of barrel/septum size obviously decreased. Calretinin KO mice exhibited deficits in exploratory and whisker-associated tactile behaviors as well as social novelty preference. Our study expands our knowledge of layer 5a pyramidal neurons in the formation of barrel walls and deepens the understanding of the development of the whisker-barrel cortex system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mingzhao Su
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Junhua Liu
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Baocong Yu
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Kaixing Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Congli Sun
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Mengjie Yang
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Chunjie Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Sterley TL, Bains JS. Social communication of affective states. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2021; 68:44-51. [PMID: 33434768 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2020.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Social interactions promote the communication of explicit and implicit information between individuals. Implicit or subconscious sharing of cues can be useful in conveying affective states. Knowing the affective state of others can guide future interactions, while an inability to decipher another's affective state is a core feature of autism spectrum disorder. The precise neural circuitry and mechanisms involved in communicating affective states are not well understood. Over the past few years, a number of important observations in rodent models have increased our knowledge of the neural processes for social communication of affective state. Here we highlight these contributions by first describing the rodent models used to investigate social communication of affect and then summarising the neural circuitry and processes implicated by these rodent models. We relate these findings to humans as well as to the current global context where social interactions have been modified by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Toni-Lee Sterley
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute and the Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Jaideep S Bains
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute and the Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Neonatal immune challenge induces female-specific changes in social behavior and somatostatin cell number. Brain Behav Immun 2020; 90:332-345. [PMID: 32860938 PMCID: PMC7556772 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2020.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Decreases in social behavior are a hallmark aspect of acute "sickness behavior" in response to infection. However, immune insults that occur during the perinatal period may have long-lasting consequences for adult social behavior by impacting the developmental organization of underlying neural circuits. Microglia, the resident immune cells of the central nervous system, are sensitive to immune stimulation and play a critical role in the developmental sculpting of neural circuits, making them likely mediators of this process. Here, we investigated the impact of a postnatal day (PND) 4 lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge on social behavior in adult mice. Somewhat surprisingly, neonatal LPS treatment decreased sociability in adult female, but not male mice. LPS-treated females also displayed reduced social interaction and social memory in a social discrimination task as compared to saline-treated females. Somatostatin (SST) interneurons within the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) have recently been suggested to modulate a variety of social behaviors. Interestingly, the female-specific changes in social behavior observed here were accompanied by an increase in SST interneuron number in the ACC. Finally, these changes in social behavior and SST cell number do not appear to depend on microglial inflammatory signaling, because microglia-specific genetic knock-down of myeloid differentiation response protein 88 (MyD88; the removal of which prevents LPS from increasing proinflammatory cytokines such as TNFα and IL-1β) did not prevent these LPS-induced changes. This study provides novel evidence for enduring effects of neonatal immune activation on social behavior and SST interneurons in females, largely independent of microglial inflammatory signaling.
Collapse
|
14
|
Li SM, Li B, Zhang L, Zhang GF, Sun J, Ji MH, Yang JJ. A complement-microglial axis driving inhibitory synapse related protein loss might contribute to systemic inflammation-induced cognitive impairment. Int Immunopharmacol 2020; 87:106814. [PMID: 32707491 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2020.106814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2020] [Revised: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Systemic inflammation induces cognitive impairments via unclear mechanisms. Increasing evidence has suggested complement C3/C3a receptor signaling, a key component of innate immune pathogen defense, plays an important role in cognition and neurodegeneration, whereas its dysfunction is implicated in many neurological disorders. However, it remains unclear whether complement C3/C3a receptor signaling was involved in systemic inflammation-induced cognitive impairments. In the present study, we showed that hippocampal complement C3 levels in astrocytes and C3a receptor expressions in microglia were specifically up-regulated after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection. Interestingly, LPS selectively induced inhibitory but not excitatory synapse related protein loss. Notably, C3a receptor antagonist SB290157 trifluoroacetate attenuated LPS-induced hippocampal neuroinflammation and inhibitory synapse related protein loss, contributing to improved cognitive function. In conclusion, our study suggests that complement C3/C3a receptor signaling plays a key role in LPS-induced cognitive impairments, which may serve a therapeutic target for systemic inflammation related cognitive disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Ming Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Bin Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ling Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Guang-Fen Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jie Sun
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Mu-Huo Ji
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pain and Perioperative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
| | - Jian-Jun Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, China; Department of Anesthesiology, Pain and Perioperative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|