Suppression of neurogranin expression by disruption of epigenetic DNA methylation in hippocampal mature granule cells after developmental exposure to neurotoxicants in rats

We previously performed comprehensive analyses of genes hypermethylated promoter regions and downregulated transcripts in the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) of rats upon weaning at postnatal day (PND) 21 after developmental exposure to 6-propyl-2-thiouracil (PTU), valproic acid, and glycidol (GLY), all of which are known to show irreversible effects on hippocampal neurogenesis in adulthood on PND 77. Here, we selected neurotransmitter and neurogenesis-related genes for validation analysis of methylation and expression. As a result, Nrgn by GLY and Shisa7, Agtpbp1, and Cyp46a1 by PTU underwent DNA hypermethylation and sustained downregulation. Immunohistochemical analysis of candidate gene products revealed that the number of neurogranin (NRGN)+ granule cells was decreased in the ventral DG by GLY on PND 21 and 77 and by PTU on PND 21. Among the samples of developmental or 28-day young adult-age exposure to known developmental neurotoxicants in humans, i.e., lead acetate, ethanol, and aluminum chloride, a decrease of NRGN+ cells by ethanol was also observed on PND 77 after developmental exposure. Double immunohistochemistry analysis revealed that NRGN was expressed in mature granule cells, and a similar immunoreactive cell distribution was found for phosphorylated calcium/calmodulin-activated protein kinase, a NRGN downstream molecule. After developmental PTU exposure, the number of activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein+ granule cells was also profoundly decreased in the ventral DG in parallel with the decrease in NRGN+ cells on PND 21. These results suggest that NRGN is a potential marker for suppression of synaptic plasticity in mature granule cells in the ventral DG.

Potential Role of Lipase Activity on the Internal Exposure Assessment of Glycidol Released from Its Fatty Acid Esters

Glycidyl fatty acid esters (GEs) can be found in food, and they can be converted into genotoxic animal carcinogen glycidol in vivo by the action of lipase. This study examined whether human ingestion of charbroiled pork containing high levels of GEs (300 µg/day) increased glycidol-hemoglobin adduct (diHOPrVal), a marker of internal exposure to glycidol using LC-MS/MS. Contrary to expectation, the diHOPrVal value before ingesting charbroiled pork was 3.11 ± 1.10 pmol/g globin, which slightly decreased to 2.48 ± 0.47 pmol/g globin after 5 days of consumption. The decrease in lipase activity caused by the continuous consumption of lipid-rich foods such as meat in humans might decrease internal exposure to glycidol released from its esters. Thus, lipase activity was measured in C57/BL6J mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 8 weeks, and diHOPrVal formation was measured after the administration of glycidyl oleate. Lipase activity was significantly lower in the HFD group than in the normal diet group. The amount of diHOPrVal was reduced in the HFD group. Therefore, the lipase activity was reduced by HFD, thereby decreasing the degradation of glycidol from glycidyl oleate. These results indicate that changes in lipase activity depending on the amount of lipids in the diet may affect the assessment of GEs exposure, and monitoring the lipase activity would provide a comprehensive understanding of exposure assessment.

Oral Exposure to Lead Acetate for 28 Days Reduces the Number of Neural Progenitor Cells but Increases the Number and Synaptic Plasticity of Newborn Granule Cells in Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis of Young-Adult Rats

Lead (Pb) causes developmental neurotoxicity. Developmental exposure to Pb acetate (PbAc) induces aberrant hippocampal neurogenesis by increasing or decreasing neural progenitor cell (NPC) subpopulations in the dentate gyrus (DG) of rats. To investigate whether hippocampal neurogenesis is similarly affected by PbAc exposure in a general toxicity study, 5-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats were orally administered PbAc at 0, 4000, and 8000 ppm (w/v) in drinking water for 28 days. After exposure to 4000 or 8000 ppm PbAc, Pb had accumulated in the brains. Neurogenesis was suppressed by 8000 ppm PbAc, which was related to decreased number of type-2b NPCs, although number of mature granule cells were increased by both PbAc doses. Gene expression in the 8000 ppm PbAc group suggested suppressed NPC proliferation and increased apoptosis resulting in suppressed neurogenesis. PbAc exposure increased numbers of metallothionein-I/II⁺ cells and GFAP⁺ astrocytes in the DG hilus, and upregulated Mt1, antioxidant genes (Hmox1 and Gsta5), and Il6 in the DG, suggesting the induction of oxidative stress and neuroinflammation related to Pb accumulation resulting in suppressed neurogenesis. PbAc at 8000 ppm also upregulated Ntrk2 and increased the number of CALB2⁺ interneurons, suggesting the activation of BDNF-TrkB signaling and CALB2⁺ interneuron-mediated signals to ameliorate suppressed neurogenesis resulting in increased number of newborn granule cells. PbAc at both doses increased the number of ARC⁺ granule cells, suggesting the facilitation of synaptic plasticity of newborn granule cells through the activation of BDNF-TrkB signaling. These results suggest that PbAc exposure during the young-adult stage disrupted hippocampal neurogenesis, which had a different pattern from developmental exposure to PbAc. However, the induction of oxidative stress/neuroinflammation and activation of identical cellular signals occurred irrespective of the life stage at PbAc exposure.

Oral exposure to aluminum chloride for 28 days suppresses neural stem cell proliferation and increases mature granule cells in adult hippocampal neurogenesis of young-adult rats

Aluminum (Al), a common light metal, affects the developing nervous system. Developmental exposure to Al chloride (AlCl₃ ) induces aberrant neurogenesis by targeting neural stem cells (NSCs) and/or neural progenitor cells (NPCs) in the dentate gyrus (DG) of rats and mice. To investigate whether hippocampal neurogenesis is similarly affected by AlCl₃ exposure in a general toxicity study, AlCl₃ was orally administered to 5-week-old Sprague Dawley rats at dosages of 0, 4000, or 8000 ppm in drinking water for 28 days. AlCl₃ downregulated Sox2 transcript levels in the DG at the highest dosage and produced a dose-dependent decrease of SOX2⁺ cells without altering numbers of GFAP⁺ or TBR2⁺ cells in the subgranular zone, suggesting that AlCl₃ decreases Type 2a NPCs. High-dose exposure downregulated Pcna, upregulated Pvalb, and altered expression of genes suggestive of oxidative stress induction (upregulation of Nos2 and downregulation of antioxidant enzyme genes), indicating suppressed proliferation and differentiation of Type 1 NSCs. AlCl₃ doses also increased mature granule cells in the DG. Upregulation of Reln may have contributed to an increase of granule cells to compensate for the decrease of Type 2a NPCs. Moreover, upregulation of Calb2, Gria2, Mapk3, and Tgfb3, as well as increased numbers of activated astrocytes in the DG hilus, may represent ameliorating responses against suppressed neurogenesis. These results suggest that 28-day exposure of young-adult rats to AlCl₃ differentially targeted NPCs and mature granule cells in hippocampal neurogenesis, yielding a different pattern of disrupted neurogenesis from developmental exposure.

Gene expression profiles of multiple brain regions in rats differ between developmental and postpubertal exposure to valproic acid

We have previously reported that the valproic acid (VPA)-induced disruption pattern of hippocampal adult neurogenesis differs between developmental and 28-day postpubertal exposure. In the present study, we performed brain region-specific global gene expression profiling to compare the profiles of VPA-induced neurotoxicity between developmental and postpubertal exposure. Offspring exposed to VPA at 0, 667, and 2000 parts per million (ppm) via maternal drinking water from gestational day 6 until weaning (postnatal day 21) were examined, along with male rats orally administered VPA at 0, 200, and 900 mg/kg body weight for 28 days starting at 5 weeks old. Four brain regions-the hippocampal dentate gyrus, corpus callosum, cerebral cortex, and cerebellar vermis-were subjected to expression microarray analysis. Profiled data suggested a region-specific pattern of effects after developmental VPA exposure, and a common pattern of effects among brain regions after postpubertal VPA exposure. Developmental VPA exposure typically led to the altered expression of genes related to nervous system development (Msx1, Xcl1, Foxj1, Prdm16, C3, and Kif11) in the hippocampus, and those related to nervous system development (Neurod1) and gliogenesis (Notch1 and Sox9) in the corpus callosum. Postpubertal VPA exposure led to the altered expression of genes related to neuronal differentiation and projection (Cd47, Cyr61, Dbi, Adamts1, and Btg2) in multiple brain regions. These findings suggested that neurotoxic patterns of VPA might be different between developmental and postpubertal exposure, which was consistent with our previous study. Of note, the hippocampal dentate gyrus might be a sensitive target of developmental neurotoxicants after puberty.

Apoptosis is induced by sub-acute exposure to 3-MCPD and glycidol on Wistar Albino rat brain cells

3-chloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) and its toxic metabolite glycidol were classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as belonging to group 2B and 2A for humans. This study aimed to determine the sub-acute toxicity of these agents. Rats were exposed to 3-MCPD at 0.87 and 10 mg/kg/bw and glycidol (2,4 and 37,5 mg/kg/bw) for 90 days. miR-21 gene expression levels significantly decreased in all group's cerebellar tissues compared with control. Exposure to 10 mg/kg/bw 3-MCPD showed significant increases in PTEN in brain as compared to control group. The Akt gen expressions were significantly decreased in 3-MCPD and glycidol groups when compared to control group brains. Additionally, Caspase 3 and AIF immunopositivity significantly increased in 3-MCPD high dose and glycidol high dose groups in cerebellum granular layers compared to control. The results of the present study conclude that 3-MCPD and glycidol can induce apoptosis in rat brain tissue.

[Hippocampal neurogenesis as a critical target of developmental neurotoxicity]

Evidence from our recent studies points to the notion that adult neurogenesis in the hippocampus may serve as a sensitive endpoint to detect developmental neurotoxicity. Adult neurogenesis is the postnatal process of continued generation of new neurons through the adult stage in the brain. Monitoring of granule cell lineages generated from the subgranular zone and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic interneurons in the hilus of the dentate gyrus as major players consisting of hippocampal neurogenesis is effective for detecting target cell populations of developmental neurotoxicants. Especially, reelin-expressing GABAergic interneurons are a useful marker to predict disruption of migration and correct positioning of newborn neurons following disruption of neurogenesis. Because axon terminal toxicants target granule cell lineage population showing neurite outgrowth, there may be common target mechanisms between the developmental and adult-type neurotoxicity. Because adult neurogenesis continues through the adult stage, developmental neurotoxicity could be detected in regular toxicity studies, such as in a 28-day repeated dose study. Alternatively, adult-type neurotoxicity could be detected by measuring the cellular responses in neurogenesis. Moreover, it should be stressed that there may be epigenetic toxicity mechanisms to affect the process of neurogenesis involving neuronal stem cells and interneuron subpopulations, showing continued disruption through the adult stage. These findings suggest that hippocampal neurogenesis is considered to be a critical target of neurotoxicity of both developmental and adult types.

Induction of cellular senescence as a late effect and BDNF-TrkB signaling-mediated ameliorating effect on disruption of hippocampal neurogenesis after developmental exposure to lead acetate in rats

Lead (Pb) exposure causes cognitive deficits in children. The present study investigated the effect of developmental exposure to Pb acetate (PbAc) on postnatal hippocampal neurogenesis. Pregnant rats were administered drinking water containing 0, 2000, or 4000 ppm PbAc from gestational day 6 until day 21 post-delivery (weaning), and offspring were maintained without PbAc exposure until adulthood on postnatal day (PND) 77. There was a dose-related accumulation of Pb in the offspring brain at weaning, while Pb was mainly excreted in adulthood. In the hippocampus, metallothionein I/II immunoreactive ⁽⁺⁾ glia were increased through adulthood as a neuroprotective response to accumulated Pb, accompanied by increased astrocyte and microglia numbers in adulthood, suggesting sustained neural damage. Gene expression changes suggested elevated oxidative stress at weaning and suppression of the antioxidant system in adulthood, as well as continued neuroinflammatory responses. At weaning, granule cell apoptosis was increased and numbers of type-3 neural progenitor cells (NPCs) were decreased. By contrast, type-2a and type-2b NPCs were increased, suggesting suppressed differentiation to type-3 NPCs. In adulthood, there were increased numbers of immature granule cells. In the hilus of the dentate gyrus, somatostatin⁺ interneurons were increased at weaning, while calbindin-D-29K⁺ interneurons were increased throughout adulthood, suggesting a strengthened interneuron regulatory system against the suppressed differentiation at weaning. In the dentate gyrus, Bdnf, Ntrk2, and Chrna7 gene expression were upregulated and numbers of hilar TrkB⁺ interneurons increased at weaning. These findings suggest activation of BDNF-TrkB signaling to increase somatostatin⁺ interneurons and promote cholinergic signaling, thus increasing later production of immature granule cells. In adulthood, Pcna and Apex1 gene expression were downregulated and Chek1 and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor expression were upregulated. Furthermore, there was an increase in γ-H2AX⁺ SGZ cells, suggesting induction of cellular senescence of SGZ cells due to Pb genotoxicity.

Identification of gene targets of developmental neurotoxicity focusing on DNA hypermethylation involved in irreversible disruption of hippocampal neurogenesis in rats

We have previously found that maternal exposure to 6‐propyl‐2‐thiouracil (PTU), valproic acid (VPA), or glycidol (GLY) has a sustained or late effect on hippocampal neurogenesis at the adult stage in rat offspring. Herein, we searched for genes with hypermethylated promoter region and downregulated transcript level to reveal irreversible markers of developmental neurotoxicity. The hippocampal dentate gyrus of male rat offspring exposed maternally to PTU, VPA, or GLY was subjected to Methyl‐Seq and RNA‐Seq analyses on postnatal day (PND) 21. Among the genes identified, 170 were selected for further validation analysis of gene expression on PND 21 and PND 77 by real‐time reverse transcription‐PCR. PTU and GLY downregulated many genes on PND 21, reflecting diverse effects on neurogenesis. Furthermore, genes showing sustained downregulation were found after PTU or VPA exposure, reflecting a sustained or late effect on neurogenesis by these compounds. In contrast, such genes were not observed with GLY, probably because of the reversible nature of the effects. Among the genes showing sustained downregulation, Creb, Arc, and Hes5 were concurrently downregulated by PTU, suggesting an association with neuronal mismigration, suppressed synaptic plasticity, and reduction in neural stem and progenitor cells. Epha7 and Pvalb were also concurrently downregulated by PTU, suggesting an association with the reduction in late‐stage progenitor cells. VPA induced sustained downregulation of Vgf and Dpysl4, which may be related to the aberrations in synaptic plasticity. The genes showing sustained downregulation may be irreversible markers of developmental neurotoxicity.

Hippocampal dentate gyrus of rat offspring exposed maternally to PTU, VPA, or GLY was subjected to global methylation analysis on PND 21. Genes downregulated on PND 77 were examined. PTU concurrently downregulated Creb, Arc, and Hes5, suggesting an association with the diverse effects on neurogenesis. PTU also concurrently downregulated Epha7 and Pvalb, suggesting an association with progenitor cell reduction. VPA downregulated Vgf and Dpysl4, suggesting an association with the aberrant synaptic plasticity. In contrast, GLY did not induce sustained downregulation.

Levels of the hemoglobin adduct N-(2,3-Dihydroxypropyl)-valine in cord and maternal blood: Prenatal transfer of glycidol in the ENVIRONAGE birth cohort

BACKGROUND

Glycidol, a probable human carcinogen, is a reactive chemical released in the gastrointestinal tract from glycidyl fatty acid esters, which are heat-induced dietary contaminants.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the prenatal transfer of glycidol, a specific hemoglobin adduct was measured as a biomarker for internal glycidol exposure in paired cord and maternal blood samples.

METHODS

In 100 mother-newborn pairs from the Belgian ENVIRONAGE (ENVIRonmental influence ON AGEing in early life) birth cohort, we studied the correlation between levels of the glycidol-derived hemoglobin adduct N-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-valine (2,3-diHOPr-Val) in paired cord and maternal blood samples. The adduct levels were determined after cleavage with a modified Edman degradation by using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and an isotope-labeled reference standard.

RESULTS

2,3-DiHOPr-Val was detectable in all 100 maternal blood samples and in 96 cord blood samples (LOD =0.5 pmol 2,3-diHOPr-Val/g hemoglobin), with medians of 5.4 (range: 2.3-29.2) and 1.6 (range: LOD - 8.9) pmol/g hemoglobin), respectively. In blood samples of mothers who smoked during pregnancy and in the cord blood samples of their newborns (n = 6), the median 2,3-diHOPr-Val levels were 16.7 (range: 6.4-29.2) and 6.2 (range: LOD - 8.6) pmol/g hemoglobin, respectively. The median ratio of 2,3-diHOPr-Val levels of cord to maternal blood was 0.35 (range: 0.19-1.14) (n = 49). The Spearman correlation coefficient between 2,3-diHOPr-Val levels in cord and maternal blood samples was 0.63 (p < 0.001) among all mother-newborn pairs and 0.59 (p < 0.001) among mother-newborn pairs of non-smoking mothers.

DISCUSSION

Maternal data confirm widespread exposure to glycidol, also in non-smokers. Neonatal levels indicate prenatal exposure to glycidol, due to an obviously relatively unhindered passive transfer through the placental barrier. Possible health effects of fetal (and postnatal) glycidol exposure in children may be addressed in epidemiological studies.

Developmental exposure to diacetoxyscirpenol reversibly disrupts hippocampal neurogenesis by inducing oxidative cellular injury and suppressed differentiation of granule cell lineages in mice

To investigate the developmental exposure effect of diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS) on postnatal hippocampal neurogenesis, pregnant ICR mice were provided a diet containing DAS at 0, 0.6, 2.0, or 6.0 ppm from gestational day 6 to day 21 on weaning after delivery. Offspring were maintained through postnatal day (PND) 77 without DAS exposure. On PND 21, neural stem cells (NSCs) and all subpopulations of proliferating progenitor cells were suggested to decrease in number in the subgranular zone (SGZ) at ≥ 2.0 ppm. At 6.0 ppm, increases of SGZ cells showing TUNEL⁺, metallothionein-I/II⁺, γ-H2AX⁺ or malondialdehyde⁺, and transcript downregulation of Ogg1, Parp1 and Kit without changing the level of double-stranded DNA break-related genes were observed in the dentate gyrus. This suggested induction of oxidative DNA damage of NSCs and early-stage progenitor cells, which led to their apoptosis. Cdkn2a, Rb1 and Trp53 downregulated transcripts, which suggested an increased vulnerability to DNA damage. Hilar PVALB⁺ GABAergic interneurons decreased and Grin2a and Chrna7 were downregulated, which suggested suppression of type-2-progenitor cell differentiation. On PND 77, hilar RELN⁺ interneurons increased at ≥ 2.0 ppm; at 6.0 ppm, RELN-related Itsn1 transcripts were upregulated and ARC⁺ granule cells decreased. Increased RELN signals may ameliorate the response to the decreases of NSCs and ARC-mediated synaptic plasticity. These results suggest that DAS reversibly disrupts hippocampal neurogenesis by inducing oxidative cellular injury and suppressed differentiation of granule cell lineages. The no-observed-adverse-effect level of DAS for offspring neurogenesis was determined to be 0.6 ppm (0.09-0.29 mg/kg body weight/day).

Twenty-eight-day repeated oral doses of sodium valproic acid increases neural stem cells and suppresses differentiation of granule cell lineages in adult hippocampal neurogenesis of postpubertal rats

Developmental exposure to valproic acid (VPA), a model compound for experimental autism, has shown to primarily target GABAergic interneuron subpopulations in hippocampal neurogenesis of rat offspring. The VPA-exposed animals had revealed late effects on granule cell lineages, involving progenitor cell proliferation and synaptic plasticity. To investigate the possibility whether hippocampal neurogenesis in postpubertal rats in a protocol of 28-day repeated exposure is affected in relation with the property of a developmental neurotoxicant by developmental exposure, VPA was orally administered to 5-week-old male rats at 0, 200, 800 and 900 mg/kg body weight/day for 28 days. At 900 mg/kg, GFAP⁺ cells increased in number, but DCX⁺ cells decreased in number in the granule cell lineages. Moreover, CHRNB2⁺ cells and NeuN⁺ postmitotic neurons decreased in number in the hilus of the dentate gyrus. Transcript level examined at 900 mg/kg in the dentate gyrus was increased with Kit, but decreased with Dpsyl3, Btg2, Pvalb and Chrnb2. These results suggest that VPA increased type-1 stem cells in relation to the activation of SCF-KIT signaling and suppression of BTG2-mediated antiproliferative effect on stem cells. VPA also decreased type-3 progenitor cells and immature granule cells probably in relation with PVALB⁺ interneuron hypofunction and reduced CHRNB2⁺ interneuron subpopulation in the hilus, as well as with suppression of BTG2-mediated terminal differentiation of progenitor cells. Thus, the disruption pattern of VPA by postpubertal exposure was different from developmental exposure. However, disruption itself can be detected, suggesting availability of hippocampal neurogenesis in detecting developmental neurotoxicants in a 28-day toxicity study.

Aberrant Epigenetic Gene Regulation in GABAergic Interneuron Subpopulations in the Hippocampal Dentate Gyrus of Mouse Offspring Following Developmental Exposure to Hexachlorophene

Maternal hexachlorophene (HCP) exposure causes transient disruption of hippocampal neurogenesis in mouse offspring. We examined epigenetically hypermethylated and downregulated genes related to this HCP-induced disrupted neurogenesis. Mated female mice were dietary exposed to 0 or 100 ppm HCP from gestational day 6 to postnatal day (PND) 21 on weaning. The hippocampal dentate gyrus of male offspring was subjected to methyl-capture sequencing and real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analyses on PND 21. Validation analyses on methylation identified three genes, Dlx4, Dmrt1, and Plcb4, showing promoter-region hypermethylation. Immunohistochemically, DLX4⁺, DMRT1⁺, and PLCB4⁺ cells in the dentate hilus co-expressed GAD67, a γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic neuron marker. HCP decreased all of three subpopulations as well as GAD67⁺ cells on PND 21. PLCB4⁺ cells also co-expressed the metabotropic glutamate receptor, GRM1. HCP also decreased transcript level of synaptic plasticity-related genes in the dentate gyrus and immunoreactive granule cells for synaptic plasticity-related ARC. On PND 77, all immunohistochemical cellular density changes were reversed, whereas the transcript expression of the synaptic plasticity-related genes fluctuated. Thus, HCP-exposed offspring transiently reduced the number of GABAergic interneurons. Among them, subpopulations expressing DLX4, DMRT1, or PLCB4 were transiently reduced in number through an epigenetic mechanism. Considering the role of the Dlx gene family in GABAergic interneuron migration and differentiation, the decreased number of DLX4⁺ cells may be responsible for reducing those GABAergic interneurons regulating neurogenesis. The effect on granule cell synaptic plasticity was sustained until the adult stage, and reduced GABAergic interneurons active in GRM1–PLCB4 signaling may be responsible for the suppression on weaning.

Effects of rapamycin on social interaction deficits and gene expression in mice exposed to valproic acid in utero

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway plays a crucial role in cell metabolism, growth, and proliferation. The overactivation of mTOR has been implicated in the pathogenesis of syndromic autism spectrum disorder (ASD), such as tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). Treatment with the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin improved social interaction deficits in mouse models of TSC. Prenatal exposure to valproic acid (VPA) increases the incidence of ASD. Rodent pups that are exposed to VPA in utero have been used as an animal model of ASD. Activation of the mTOR signaling pathway was recently observed in rodents that were exposed to VPA in utero, and rapamycin ameliorated social interaction deficits. The present study investigated the effect of rapamycin on social interaction deficits in both adolescence and adulthood, and gene expressions in mice that were exposed to VPA in utero. We subcutaneously injected 600 mg/kg VPA in pregnant mice on gestational day 12.5 and used the pups as a model of ASD. The pups were intraperitoneally injected with rapamycin or an equal volume of vehicle once daily for 2 consecutive days. The social interaction test was conducted in the offspring after the last rapamycin administration at 5-6 weeks of ages (adolescence) or 10-11 weeks of age (adulthood). Whole brains were collected after the social interaction test in the adulthood, and microarray and Western blot analyses were performed. Mice that were exposed to VPA and treated with vehicle exhibited a decrease in social interaction compared with control mice that were treated with vehicle. Rapamycin treatment in VPA-exposed mice improved social deficits. Mice that were exposed to VPA and treated with vehicle exhibited the aberrant expression of genes in the mTOR signaling pathway, and rapamycin treatment recovered changes in the expression of some genes, including Fyb and A330094K24Rik. Rapamycin treatment suppressed S6 phosphorylation in VPA-exposed mice. Aberrant gene expression was associated with social interaction deficits in VPA-exposed mice. Rapamycin may be an effective treatment for non-syndromic ASD in adolescent and adult patients who present impairments in the mTOR signaling pathway.

Developmental Exposure to Aluminum Chloride Irreversibly Affects Postnatal Hippocampal Neurogenesis Involving Multiple Functions in Mice

Aluminum (Al) is neurotoxic to adults and also to infants. In this study, we investigated the developmental exposure effect of AlCl3 on postnatal hippocampal neurogenesis. Pregnant mice were administered 0-, 900-, or 1800-ppm AlCl3 via drinking water from gestational day 6 to postnatal day (PND) 21, with their offspring examined on PND 21 and PND 77. On PND 21, GFAP-immunoreactive (+) neural stem cells (NSCs) and p21Cip1/Waf1+ cells were decreased in number in the subgranular zone at 900 and ≥900 ppm, respectively. Pcna transcript level examined at 1800 ppm was decreased in the dentate gyrus. These results suggest induction of compromised cell quiescence that caused impaired self-renewal capacity of NSCs accompanying slowing down of cell cycling, which ultimately resulted in exhaustion of the NSC pool. At 1800 ppm, Reelin+ hilar GABAergic interneurons were also decreased, suggesting a contribution to the NSC reduction. At this dose, TBR2+ or DCX+ progenitor and immature granule cells and PVALB+ interneurons were increased. Moreover, COX-2+ granule cells were increased at ≥900 ppm. These results suggest facilitation of transient progenitor cell proliferation and differentiation during exposure. Moreover, TUNEL+ or Morin-stained granule cells were increased, together with Casp12 transcript upregulation, suggesting induction of Al accumulation-related endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated granule cell apoptosis. Transcript expression changes on cholinergic and glutamatergic signals and synaptic plasticity suggested contribution to disruptive neurogenesis. The NSC-targeting effects sustained through the adult stage despite no sustained Al-accumulation. These results suggest that developmental AlCl3-exposure irreversibly affects postnatal hippocampal neurogenesis involving multiple functions in mice.

Late effect of developmental exposure to glycidol on hippocampal neurogenesis in mice: Loss of parvalbumin-expressing interneurons

Developmental exposure to glycidol of rats causes axonal injury targeting axon terminals in dams and transient disruption of late-stage differentiation of hippocampal neurogenesis, accompanying sustained increase in the number of reelin-producing or calretinin-expressing interneurons in offspring. The molecular mechanism of disruptive neurogenesis probably targets the newly generating nerve terminals. We previously found differences between mice and rats in the effects on hippocampal neurogenesis after developmental exposure to the same neurotoxic substances. In the present study, we examined the effects and underlying mechanisms of developmental exposure to glycidol on hippocampal neurogenesis in mice. Glycidol (800 or 1600ppm) was administered in drinking water to mated female mice from gestational day 6 to postnatal day 21. Compared to mice drinking water without glycidol (control), the exposed dams showed axon terminal injury at both concentrations of glycidol. The offspring of the dams that had received 1600ppm glycidol had fewer parvalbumin (PVALB)⁺ γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic interneurons and neuron-specific nuclear protein⁺ postmitotic neurons in the hilus of the hippocampal dentate gyrus. Thus, exposure of glycidol to adult mice induced axonal degeneration equivalent to that seen in the rat; however, the target mechanism for the disruption of hippocampal neurogenesis by developmental exposure was different from that in rats, with the hilar neuronal population not affected until adulthood. Considering the role of PVALB⁺ GABAergic interneurons in the brain, developmental glycidol exposure in mice may cause a decline in cognitive function in later life, and involve a different mechanism from that targeting axon terminals in rats.

Late Effect of Developmental Exposure to 3,3'-Iminodipropionitrile on Neurogenesis in the Hippocampal Dentate Gyrus of Mice

The effects of developmental exposure to 3,3'-iminodipropionitrile (IDPN), a neurotoxicant that causes proximal axonopathy, on mouse hippocampal neurogenesis was examined. Pregnant mice were exposed to IDPN at 0, 600, or 1200 ppm in their drinking water from gestational day 6 to postnatal day (PND) 21. On PND 21, male offspring showed increased postmitotic neuron-specific NeuN-immunoreactive⁽⁺⁾ granule cell numbers in the dentate subgranular zone (SGZ) and granule cell layer (GCL) and decreased glutamate receptor gene Grin2d levels in the dentate gyrus at 1200 ppm. On PND 77, decreased numbers were observed for TBR2⁺ progenitor cells in the SGZ at ≥600 ppm and GFAP⁺ stem cells, DCX⁺ progenitor cells and immature granule cells, NeuN⁺ immature and mature granule cells, PCNA⁺ proliferating cells in the SGZ and/or GCL, and immunoreactive cells for ARC or FOS, immediate-early gene products related to neuronal and synaptic plasticity, in the GCL at 1200 ppm. Additionally, at 1200 ppm of IDPN, downregulation of Kit, the gene encoding the stem cell factor (SCF) receptor, and upregulation of Kitl, encoding SCF, were observed in the dentate gyrus. Therefore, maternal IDPN exposure in mice affects neurogenesis involving glutamatergic signals at the end of developmental exposure, with late effects suppressing SGZ cell proliferation, reducing the broad range of granule cell lineage population, which may be responsible for SCF receptor downregulation. The upregulated SCF was likely a feedback response to the decreased receptor level. These results suggest that reduced SCF signaling may cause suppressed neuronal and synaptic plasticity.

Maternal exposure to hexachlorophene targets intermediate-stage progenitor cells in the hippocampal neurogenesis involving myelin vacuolation of cholinergic and glutamatergic inputs in mice

Hexachlorophene (HCP) has been shown to induce myelin vacuolation due to intramyelinic edema of the nerve fibers in animal neural tissue. We investigated the maternal exposure effect of HCP on hippocampal neurogenesis in the offspring of pregnant mice supplemented with 0 (control), 33 or 100 ppm HCP in diet from gestational day 6 to day 21 after delivery. On postnatal day (PND) 21, offspring as examined in males exhibited decreased granule cell lineage populations expressing paired box 6, sex-determining region Y-box 2 and eomesodermin in the hippocampal subgranular zone (SGZ) accompanied by myelin vacuolation involving white matter tracts of the hippocampal fimbria at ≥ 33 ppm. However, SGZ cellular populations expressing brain lipid binding protein and doublecortin were unchanged at any dose. Transcript expression of cholinergic receptor genes, Chrna4 and Chrnb2, and glutamate receptor genes, Grm1 and Grin2d, examined at 100 ppm, decreased in the dentate gyrus. HCP exposure did not alter the number of proliferating or apoptotic cells in the SGZ, or reelin- or calcium-binding protein-expressing γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic interneurons in the dentate hilus, on PND 21 and PND 77. All neurogenesis-related changes observed in HCP-exposed offspring on PND 21 disappeared on PND 77, suggesting that maternal HCP exposure at ≥ 33 ppm reversibly decreased type 2 intermediate-stage progenitor cells in the hippocampal neurogenesis. Myelin vacuolation might be responsible for changes in neurogenesis possibly by reducing nerve conduction velocity of cholinergic inputs from the septal-hippocampal pathway to granule cell lineages and/or GABAergic interneurons, and of glutamatergic inputs to granule cell lineages.