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Ma D, Gu C. Discovering functional interactions among schizophrenia-risk genes by combining behavioral genetics with cell biology. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024:105897. [PMID: 39278606 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105897] [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: 06/15/2024] [Revised: 08/26/2024] [Accepted: 09/13/2024] [Indexed: 09/18/2024]
Abstract
Despite much progress in identifying risk genes for polygenic brain disorders, their core pathogenic mechanisms remain poorly understood. In particular, functions of many proteins encoded by schizophrenia risk genes appear diverse and unrelated, complicating the efforts to establish the causal relationship between genes and behavior. Using various mouse lines, recent studies indicate that alterations of parvalbumin-positive (PV+) GABAergic interneurons can lead to schizophrenia-like behavior. PV+ interneurons display fast spiking and contribute to excitation-inhibition balance and network oscillations via feedback and feedforward inhibition. Here, we first summarize different lines of genetically modified mice that display motor, cognitive, emotional, and social impairments used to model schizophrenia and related mental disorders. We highlight ten genes, encoding either a nuclear, cytosolic, or membrane protein. Next, we discuss their functional relationship in regulating fast spiking and other aspects of PV+ interneurons and in the context of other domains of schizophrenia. Future investigations combining behavioral genetics and cell biology should elucidate functional relationships among risk genes to identify the core pathogenic mechanisms underlying polygenic brain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Ma
- Ohio State Biochemistry Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Chen Gu
- Ohio State Biochemistry Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
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2
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Ferraguto C, Piquemal-Lagoueillat M, Lemaire V, Moreau MM, Trazzi S, Uguagliati B, Ciani E, Bertrand SS, Louette E, Bontempi B, Pietropaolo S. Therapeutic efficacy of the BKCa channel opener chlorzoxazone in a mouse model of Fragile X syndrome. Neuropsychopharmacology 2024:10.1038/s41386-024-01956-6. [PMID: 39223257 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-024-01956-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 06/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is an X-linked neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by several behavioral abnormalities, including hyperactivity, anxiety, sensory hyper-responsiveness, and autistic-like symptoms such as social deficits. Despite considerable efforts, effective pharmacological treatments are still lacking, prompting the need for exploring the therapeutic value of existing drugs beyond their original approved use. One such repurposed drug is chlorzoxazone which is classified as a large-conductance calcium-dependent potassium (BKCa) channel opener. Reduced BKCa channel functionality has been reported in FXS patients, suggesting that molecules activating these channels could serve as promising treatments for this syndrome. Here, we sought to characterize the therapeutic potential of chlorzoxazone using the Fmr1-KO mouse model of FXS which recapitulates the main phenotypes of FXS, including BKCa channel alterations. Chlorzoxazone, administered either acutely or chronically, rescued hyperactivity and acoustic hyper-responsiveness as well as impaired social interactions exhibited by Fmr1-KO mice. Chlorzoxazone was more efficacious in alleviating these phenotypes than gaboxadol and metformin, two repurposed treatments for FXS that do not target BKCa channels. Systemic administration of chlorzoxazone modulated the neuronal activity-dependent gene c-fos in selected brain areas of Fmr1-KO mice, corrected aberrant hippocampal dendritic spines, and was able to rescue impaired BKCa currents recorded from hippocampal and cortical neurons of these mutants. Collectively, these findings provide further preclinical support for BKCa channels as a valuable therapeutic target for treating FXS and encourage the repurposing of chlorzoxazone for clinical applications in FXS and other related neurodevelopmental diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Valerie Lemaire
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, EPHE, INCIA, UMR 5287, Bordeaux, France
| | - Maïté M Moreau
- Univ. Bordeaux, INSERM, Neurocentre Magendie, U1215, Bordeaux, France
| | - Stefania Trazzi
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Beatrice Uguagliati
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Ciani
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | | | - Bruno Bontempi
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, EPHE, INCIA, UMR 5287, Bordeaux, France
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3
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Obot P, Cibelli A, Pan J, Velíšek L, Velíšková J, Scemes E. Pannexin1 Mediates Early-Life Seizure-Induced Social Behavior Deficits. ASN Neuro 2024; 16:2371164. [PMID: 39024558 PMCID: PMC11262470 DOI: 10.1080/17590914.2024.2371164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
There is a high co-morbidity between childhood epilepsy and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with age of seizure onset being a critical determinant of behavioral outcomes. The interplay between these comorbidities has been investigated in animal models with results showing that the induction of seizures at early post-natal ages leads to learning and memory deficits and to autistic-like behavior in adulthood. Modifications of the excitation/inhibition (glutamate/GABA, ATP/adenosine) balance that follows early-life seizures (ELS) are thought to be the physiological events that underlie neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders. Although alterations in purinergic/adenosinergic signaling have been implicated in seizures and ASD, it is unknown whether the ATP release channels, Pannexin1 (Panx1), contribute to ELS-induced behavior changes. To tackle this question, we used the ELS-kainic acid model in transgenic mice with global and cell type specific deletion of Panx1 to evaluate whether these channels were involved in behavioral deficits that occur later in life. Our studies show that ELS results in Panx1 dependent social behavior deficits and also in poor performance in a spatial memory test that does not involve Panx1. These findings provide support for a link between ELS and adult behavioral deficits. Moreover, we identify neuronal and not astrocyte Panx1 as a potential target to specifically limit astrogliosis and social behavioral deficits resultant from early-life seizures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Price Obot
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, USA
| | - Antonio Cibelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Jian Pan
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, USA
| | - Libor Velíšek
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, USA
- Department of Neurology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, USA
| | - Jana Velíšková
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, USA
- Department of Neurology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, USA
| | - Eliana Scemes
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, USA
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4
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Brown RE. Measuring the replicability of our own research. J Neurosci Methods 2024; 406:110111. [PMID: 38521128 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2024.110111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2024] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
In the study of transgenic mouse models of neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders, we use batteries of tests to measure deficits in behaviour and from the results of these tests, we make inferences about the mental states of the mice that we interpret as deficits in "learning", "memory", "anxiety", "depression", etc. This paper discusses the problems of determining whether a particular transgenic mouse is a valid mouse model of disease X, the problem of background strains, and the question of whether our behavioural tests are measuring what we say they are. The problem of the reliability of results is then discussed: are they replicable between labs and can we replicate our results in our own lab? This involves the study of intra- and inter- experimenter reliability. The variables that influence replicability and the importance of conducting a complete behavioural phenotype: sensory, motor, cognitive and social emotional behaviour are discussed. Then the thorny question of failure to replicate is examined: Is it a curse or a blessing? Finally, the role of failure in research and what it tells us about our research paradigms is examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard E Brown
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada.
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5
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Westmark PR, Gholston AK, Swietlik TJ, Maganti RK, Westmark CJ. Ketogenic Diet Affects Sleep Architecture in C57BL/6J Wild Type and Fragile X Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14460. [PMID: 37833907 PMCID: PMC10572443 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Nearly half of children with fragile X syndrome experience sleep problems including trouble falling asleep and frequent nighttime awakenings. The goals here were to assess sleep-wake cycles in mice in response to Fmr1 genotype and a dietary intervention that reduces hyperactivity. Electroencephalography (EEG) results were compared with published rest-activity patterns to determine if actigraphy is a viable surrogate for sleep EEG. Specifically, sleep-wake patterns in adult wild type and Fmr1KO littermate mice were recorded after EEG electrode implantation and the recordings manually scored for vigilance states. The data indicated that Fmr1KO mice exhibited sleep-wake patterns similar to wild type littermates when maintained on a control purified ingredient diet. Treatment with a high-fat, low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet increased the percentage of non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep in both wild type and Fmr1KO mice during the dark cycle, which corresponded to decreased activity levels. Treatment with a ketogenic diet flattened diurnal sleep periodicity in both wild type and Fmr1KO mice. Differences in several sleep microstructure outcomes (number and length of sleep and wake bouts) supported the altered sleep states in response to a ketogenic diet and were correlated with altered rest-activity cycles. While actigraphy may be a less expensive, reduced labor surrogate for sleep EEG during the dark cycle, daytime resting in mice did not correlate with EEG sleep states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela R. Westmark
- Department of Neurology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA; (P.R.W.); (A.K.G.); (T.J.S.); (R.K.M.)
| | - Aaron K. Gholston
- Department of Neurology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA; (P.R.W.); (A.K.G.); (T.J.S.); (R.K.M.)
- Molecular Environmental Toxicology Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Timothy J. Swietlik
- Department of Neurology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA; (P.R.W.); (A.K.G.); (T.J.S.); (R.K.M.)
| | - Rama K. Maganti
- Department of Neurology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA; (P.R.W.); (A.K.G.); (T.J.S.); (R.K.M.)
| | - Cara J. Westmark
- Department of Neurology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA; (P.R.W.); (A.K.G.); (T.J.S.); (R.K.M.)
- Molecular Environmental Toxicology Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
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6
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Kilpatrick S, Irwin C, Singh KK. Human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) and organoid models of autism: opportunities and limitations. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:217. [PMID: 37344450 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02510-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder caused by genetic or environmental perturbations during early development. Diagnoses are dependent on the identification of behavioral abnormalities that likely emerge well after the disorder is established, leaving critical developmental windows uncharacterized. This is further complicated by the incredible clinical and genetic heterogeneity of the disorder that is not captured in most mammalian models. In recent years, advancements in stem cell technology have created the opportunity to model ASD in a human context through the use of pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), which can be used to generate 2D cellular models as well as 3D unguided- and region-specific neural organoids. These models produce profoundly intricate systems, capable of modeling the developing brain spatiotemporally to reproduce key developmental milestones throughout early development. When complemented with multi-omics, genome editing, and electrophysiology analysis, they can be used as a powerful tool to profile the neurobiological mechanisms underlying this complex disorder. In this review, we will explore the recent advancements in hPSC-based modeling, discuss present and future applications of the model to ASD research, and finally consider the limitations and future directions within the field to make this system more robust and broadly applicable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Savannah Kilpatrick
- Donald K. Johnson Eye Institute, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Courtney Irwin
- Donald K. Johnson Eye Institute, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Karun K Singh
- Donald K. Johnson Eye Institute, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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7
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Life B, Bettio LE, Gantois I, Christie BR, Leavitt BR. Progranulin is an FMRP target that influences macroorchidism but not behaviour in a mouse model of Fragile X Syndrome. CURRENT RESEARCH IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2023; 5:100094. [PMID: 37416094 PMCID: PMC10319828 DOI: 10.1016/j.crneur.2023.100094] [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: 12/10/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
A growing body of evidence has implicated progranulin in neurodevelopment and indicated that aberrant progranulin expression may be involved in neurodevelopmental disease. Specifically, increased progranulin expression in the prefrontal cortex has been suggested to be pathologically relevant in male Fmr1 knockout (Fmr1 KO) mice, a mouse model of Fragile X Syndrome (FXS). Further investigation into the role of progranulin in FXS is warranted to determine if therapies that reduce progranulin expression represent a viable strategy for treating patients with FXS. Several key knowledge gaps remain. The mechanism of increased progranulin expression in Fmr1 KO mice is poorly understood and the extent of progranulin's involvement in FXS-like phenotypes in Fmr1 KO mice has been incompletely explored. To this end, we have performed a thorough characterization of progranulin expression in Fmr1 KO mice. We find that the phenomenon of increased progranulin expression is post-translational and tissue-specific. We also demonstrate for the first time an association between progranulin mRNA and FMRP, suggesting that progranulin mRNA is an FMRP target. Subsequently, we show that progranulin over-expression in Fmr1 wild-type mice causes reduced repetitive behaviour engagement in females and mild hyperactivity in males but is largely insufficient to recapitulate FXS-associated behavioural, morphological, and electrophysiological abnormalities. Lastly, we determine that genetic reduction of progranulin expression on an Fmr1 KO background reduces macroorchidism but does not alter other FXS-associated behaviours or biochemical phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Life
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6H 0B3, Canada
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Luis E.B. Bettio
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, V8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Ilse Gantois
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2T5, Quebec, Canada
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2T5, Quebec, Canada
| | - Brian R. Christie
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, V8P 5C2, Canada
- Island Medical Program, University of British Columbia, Victoria, BC, V8P 5C2, Canada
- Center for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Blair R. Leavitt
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6H 0B3, Canada
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia Hospital, Vancouver, BC, V6T 2B5, Canada
- Center for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
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8
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Louros SR, Seo SS, Maio B, Martinez-Gonzalez C, Gonzalez-Lozano MA, Muscas M, Verity NC, Wills JC, Li KW, Nolan MF, Osterweil EK. Excessive proteostasis contributes to pathology in fragile X syndrome. Neuron 2023; 111:508-525.e7. [PMID: 36495869 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2022.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In fragile X syndrome (FX), the leading monogenic cause of autism, excessive neuronal protein synthesis is a core pathophysiology; however, an overall increase in protein expression is not observed. Here, we tested whether excessive protein synthesis drives a compensatory rise in protein degradation that is protective for FX mouse model (Fmr1-/y) neurons. Surprisingly, although we find a significant increase in protein degradation through ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS), this contributes to pathological changes. Normalizing proteasome activity with bortezomib corrects excessive hippocampal protein synthesis and hyperactivation of neurons in the inferior colliculus (IC) in response to auditory stimulation. Moreover, systemic administration of bortezomib significantly reduces the incidence and severity of audiogenic seizures (AGS) in the Fmr1-/y mouse, as does genetic reduction of proteasome, specifically in the IC. Together, these results identify excessive activation of the UPS pathway in Fmr1-/y neurons as a contributor to multiple phenotypes that can be targeted for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana R Louros
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK; Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK
| | - Sang S Seo
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK; Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK
| | - Beatriz Maio
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK; Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK
| | - Cristina Martinez-Gonzalez
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK; Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK
| | - Miguel A Gonzalez-Lozano
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Centre for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Melania Muscas
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK; Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK
| | - Nick C Verity
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK; Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK
| | - Jimi C Wills
- CRUK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Ka Wan Li
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Centre for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Matthew F Nolan
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK; Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK
| | - Emily K Osterweil
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK; Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK.
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9
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Obot P, Subah G, Schonwald A, Pan J, Velíšek L, Velíšková J, Stanton PK, Scemes E. Astrocyte and Neuronal Panx1 Support Long-Term Reference Memory in Mice. ASN Neuro 2023; 15:17590914231184712. [PMID: 37365910 DOI: 10.1177/17590914231184712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Pannexin 1 (Panx1) is an ubiquitously expressed protein that forms plasma membrane channels permeable to anions and moderate-sized signaling molecules (e.g., ATP, glutamate). In the nervous system, activation of Panx1 channels has been extensively shown to contribute to distinct neurological disorders (epilepsy, chronic pain, migraine, neuroAIDS, etc.), but knowledge of the extent to which these channels have a physiological role remains restricted to three studies supporting their involvement in hippocampus dependent learning. Given that Panx1 channels may provide an important mechanism for activity-dependent neuron-glia interaction, we used Panx1 transgenic mice with global and cell-type specific deletions of Panx1 to interrogate their participation in working and reference memory. Using the eight-arm radial maze, we show that long-term spatial reference memory, but not spatial working memory, is deficient in Panx1-null mice and that both astrocyte and neuronal Panx1 contribute to the consolidation of long-term spatial memory. Field potential recordings in hippocampal slices of Panx1-null mice revealed an attenuation of both long-term potentiation (LTP) of synaptic strength and long-term depression (LTD) at Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapses without alterations of basal synaptic transmission or pre-synaptic paired-pulse facilitation. Our results implicate both neuronal and astrocyte Panx1 channels as critical players for the development and maintenance of long-term spatial reference memory in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Price Obot
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Galadu Subah
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA
| | - Antonia Schonwald
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA
| | - Jian Pan
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA
| | - Libor Velíšek
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, USA
- Department of Neurology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA
| | - Jana Velíšková
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA
| | - Patric K Stanton
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA
- Department of Neurology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA
| | - Eliana Scemes
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA
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10
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Muslimov IA, Berardi V, Stephenson S, Ginzler EM, Hanly JG, Tiedge H. Autoimmune RNA dysregulation and seizures: therapeutic prospects in neuropsychiatric lupus. Life Sci Alliance 2022; 5:5/12/e202201496. [PMID: 36229064 PMCID: PMC9559755 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202201496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Lupus autoimmunity frequently presents with neuropsychiatric manifestations, but underlying etiology remains poorly understood. Human brain cytoplasmic 200 RNA (BC200 RNA) is a translational regulator in neuronal synapto-dendritic domains. Here, we show that a BC200 guanosine-adenosine dendritic transport motif is recognized by autoantibodies from a subset of neuropsychiatric lupus patients. These autoantibodies impact BC200 functionality by quasi irreversibly displacing two RNA transport factors from the guanosine-adenosine transport motif. Such anti-BC autoantibodies, which can gain access to brains of neuropsychiatric lupus patients, give rise to clinical manifestations including seizures. To establish causality, naive mice with a permeabilized blood-brain barrier were injected with anti-BC autoantibodies from lupus patients with seizures. Animals so injected developed seizure susceptibility with high mortality. Seizure activity was entirely precluded when animals were injected with lupus anti-BC autoantibodies together with BC200 decoy autoantigen. Seizures are a common clinical manifestation in neuropsychiatric lupus, and our work identifies anti-BC autoantibody activity as a mechanistic cause. The results demonstrate potential utility of BC200 decoys for autoantibody-specific therapeutic interventions in neuropsychiatric lupus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilham A Muslimov
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, The Robert F Furchgott Center for Neural and Behavioral Science, State University of New York Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY, USA,Correspondence: ;
| | - Valerio Berardi
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, The Robert F Furchgott Center for Neural and Behavioral Science, State University of New York Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - Stacy Stephenson
- Division of Comparative Medicine, State University of New York Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - Ellen M Ginzler
- Department of Medicine, State University of New York Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - John G Hanly
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Department of Pathology, Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Center and Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | - Henri Tiedge
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, The Robert F Furchgott Center for Neural and Behavioral Science, State University of New York Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY, USA,Department of Medicine, State University of New York Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY, USA,Department of Neurology, State University of New York Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY, USA,Correspondence: ;
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11
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Kalinowska M, van der Lei MB, Kitiashvili M, Mamcarz M, Oliveira MM, Longo F, Klann E. Deletion of Fmr1 in parvalbumin-expressing neurons results in dysregulated translation and selective behavioral deficits associated with fragile X syndrome. Mol Autism 2022; 13:29. [PMID: 35768828 PMCID: PMC9245312 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-022-00509-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fragile X syndrome (FXS), the most common genetic cause of autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability, is caused by the lack of fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) expression. FMRP is an mRNA binding protein with functions in mRNA transport, localization, and translational control. In Fmr1 knockout mice, dysregulated translation has been linked to pathophysiology, including abnormal synaptic function and dendritic morphology, and autistic-like behavioral phenotypes. The role of FMRP in morphology and function of excitatory neurons has been well studied in mice lacking Fmr1, but the impact of Fmr1 deletion on inhibitory neurons remains less characterized. Moreover, the contribution of FMRP in different cell types to FXS pathophysiology is not well defined. We sought to characterize whether FMRP loss in parvalbumin or somatostatin-expressing neurons results in FXS-like deficits in mice. METHODS We used Cre-lox recombinase technology to generate two lines of conditional knockout mice lacking FMRP in either parvalbumin or somatostatin-expressing cells and carried out a battery of behavioral tests to assess motor function, anxiety, repetitive, stereotypic, social behaviors, and learning and memory. In addition, we used fluorescent non-canonical amino acid tagging along with immunostaining to determine whether de novo protein synthesis is dysregulated in parvalbumin or somatostatin-expressing neurons. RESULTS De novo protein synthesis was elevated in hippocampal parvalbumin and somatostatin-expressing inhibitory neurons in Fmr1 knockout mice. Cell type-specific deletion of Fmr1 in parvalbumin-expressing neurons resulted in anxiety-like behavior, impaired social behavior, and dysregulated de novo protein synthesis. In contrast, deletion of Fmr1 in somatostatin-expressing neurons did not result in behavioral abnormalities and did not significantly impact de novo protein synthesis. This is the first report of how loss of FMRP in two specific subtypes of inhibitory neurons is associated with distinct FXS-like abnormalities. LIMITATIONS The mouse models we generated are limited by whole body knockout of FMRP in parvalbumin or somatostatin-expressing cells and further studies are needed to establish a causal relationship between cellular deficits and FXS-like behaviors. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate a cell type-specific role for FMRP in parvalbumin-expressing neurons in regulating distinct behavioral features associated with FXS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Kalinowska
- grid.137628.90000 0004 1936 8753Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY USA
| | - Mathijs B. van der Lei
- grid.5284.b0000 0001 0790 3681Department of Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Michael Kitiashvili
- grid.137628.90000 0004 1936 8753Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY USA
| | - Maggie Mamcarz
- grid.137628.90000 0004 1936 8753Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY USA
| | - Mauricio M. Oliveira
- grid.137628.90000 0004 1936 8753Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY USA
| | - Francesco Longo
- grid.8761.80000 0000 9919 9582Institute for Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden ,grid.8761.80000 0000 9919 9582Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Eric Klann
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY, USA. .,NYU Neuroscience Institute, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
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12
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Yang L, Xia Z, Feng J, Zhang M, Miao P, Nie Y, Zhang X, Hao Z, Hu R. Retinoic Acid Supplementation Rescues the Social Deficits in Fmr1 Knockout Mice. Front Genet 2022; 13:928393. [PMID: 35783275 PMCID: PMC9247356 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.928393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heritable neurodevelopmental disorder with the underlying etiology yet incompletely understood and no cure treatment. Patients of fragile X syndrome (FXS) also manifest symptoms, e.g. deficits in social behaviors, that are core traits with ASD. Several studies demonstrated that a mutual defect in retinoic acid (RA) signaling was observed in FXS and ASD. However, it is still unknown whether RA replenishment could pose a positive effect on autistic-like behaviors in FXS. Herein, we found that RA signaling was indeed down-regulated when the expression of FMR1 was impaired in SH-SY5Y cells. Furthermore, RA supplementation rescued the atypical social novelty behavior, but failed to alleviate the defects in sociability behavior or hyperactivity, in Fmr1 knock-out (KO) mouse model. The repetitive behavior and motor coordination appeared to be normal. The RNA sequencing results of the prefrontal cortex in Fmr1 KO mice indicated that deregulated expression of Foxp2, Tnfsf10, Lepr and other neuronal genes was restored to normal after RA treatment. Gene ontology terms of metabolic processes, extracellular matrix organization and behavioral pathways were enriched. Our findings provided a potential therapeutic intervention for social novelty defects in FXS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liqin Yang
- School of Medicine, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Zhixiong Xia
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jianhua Feng
- Department of Pediatrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Menghuan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Pu Miao
- Department of Pediatrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yingjie Nie
- School of Medicine, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Pulmonary Immune-related Diseases, Guizhou Provincial People’s Hospital, Guiyang, China
| | - Xiangyan Zhang
- School of Medicine, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Pulmonary Immune-related Diseases, Guizhou Provincial People’s Hospital, Guiyang, China
- *Correspondence: Xiangyan Zhang, ; Zijian Hao, ; Ronggui Hu,
| | - Zijian Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Xiangyan Zhang, ; Zijian Hao, ; Ronggui Hu,
| | - Ronggui Hu
- School of Medicine, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Xiangyan Zhang, ; Zijian Hao, ; Ronggui Hu,
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13
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Armstrong JL, Saraf TS, Bhatavdekar O, Canal CE. Spontaneous seizures in adult Fmr1 knockout mice: FVB.129P2-Pde6b+ Tyr Fmr1/J. Epilepsy Res 2022; 182:106891. [PMID: 35290907 PMCID: PMC9050957 DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2022.106891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The prevalence of seizures in individuals with fragile X syndrome (FXS) is ~25%; however, there are no reports of spontaneous seizures in the Fmr1 knockout mouse model of FXS. Herein, we report that 48% of adult (median age P96), Fmr1 knockout mice from our colony were found expired in their home cages. We observed and recorded adult Fmr1 knockout mice having spontaneous convulsions in their home cages. In addition, we captured by electroencephalography an adult Fmr1 knockout mouse having a spontaneous seizure-during preictal, ictal, and postictal phases-which confirmed the presence of a generalized seizure. We did not observe this phenotype in control conspecifics or in juvenile (age <P35) Fmr1 knockout mice. We hypothesized that chronic, random, noise perturbations during development caused the phenotype. We recorded decibels (dB) in our vivarium. The average was 61 dB, but operating the automatic door to the vivarium caused spikes to 95 dB. We modified the door to eliminate noise spikes, which reduced unexpected deaths to 33% in Fmr1 knockout mice raised from birth in this environment (P = 0.07). As the modifications did not eliminate unexpected deaths, we further hypothesized that building vibrations may also be a contributing factor. After installing anti-vibration pads underneath housing carts, unexpected deaths of Fmr1 knockout mice born and raised in this environment decreased to 29% (P < 0.01 compared to the original environment). We also observed significant sex effects, for example, after interventions to reduce sound and vibration, significantly fewer male, but not female, Fmr1 knockout mice died unexpectedly (P < 0.001). The spontaneous seizure phenotype in our Fmr1 knockout mice could serve as a model of seizures observed in individuals with FXS, potentially offering a new translationally-valid phenotype for FXS research. Finally, these observations, although anomalous, serve as a reminder to consider gene-environment interactions when interpreting data derived from Fmr1 knockout mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L Armstrong
- Mercer University, College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 3001 Mercer University Drive, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
| | - Tanishka S Saraf
- Mercer University, College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 3001 Mercer University Drive, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
| | - Omkar Bhatavdekar
- Johns Hopkins University, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, 3400 North Charles Street, Croft Hall B27, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Clinton E Canal
- Mercer University, College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 3001 Mercer University Drive, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA.
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14
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Westmark PR, Garrone B, Ombrato R, Milanese C, Di Giorgio FP, Westmark CJ. Testing Fmr1 KO Phenotypes in Response to GSK3 Inhibitors: SB216763 versus AFC03127. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:751307. [PMID: 34690696 PMCID: PMC8529056 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.751307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) is a proline-directed serine-threonine kinase that is associated with several neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease and fragile X syndrome (FXS). We tested the efficacy of a novel GSK3 inhibitor AFC03127, which was developed by Angelini Pharma, in comparison to the metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 inhibitor 2-Methyl-6-(phenylethynyl)pyridine hydrochloride (MPEP) and the GSK3 inhibitor SB216763 in in vivo and in vitro assays in Fmr1KO mice, a mouse model useful for the study of FXS. The in vivo assay tested susceptibility to audiogenic-induced seizures (AGS) whereas the in vitro assays assessed biomarker expression and dendritic spine length and density in cultured primary neurons as a function of drug dose. MPEP and SB216763 attenuated AGS in Fmr1KO mice, whereas AFC03127 did not. MPEP and AFC03127 significantly reduced dendritic expression of amyloid-beta protein precursor (APP). All drugs rescued spine length and the ratio of mature dendritic spines. Spine density was not statistically different between vehicle and GSK3 inhibitor-treated cells. The drugs were tested over a wide concentration range in the in vitro assays to determine dose responses. A bell-shaped dose response decrease in APP expression was observed in response to AFC03127, which was more effective than SB216763. These findings confirm previous studies demonstrating differential effects of various GSK3 inhibitors on AGS propensity in Fmr1KO mice and confirm APP as a downstream biomarker that is responsive to GSK3 activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela R Westmark
- Department of Neurology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
| | | | | | | | | | - Cara J Westmark
- Department of Neurology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States.,Molecular and Environmental Toxicology Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
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15
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Pirbhoy PS, Jonak CR, Syed R, Argueta DA, Perez PA, Wiley MB, Hessamian K, Lovelace JW, Razak KA, DiPatrizio NV, Ethell IM, Binder DK. Increased 2-arachidonoyl-sn-glycerol levels normalize cortical responses to sound and improve behaviors in Fmr1 KO mice. J Neurodev Disord 2021; 13:47. [PMID: 34645383 PMCID: PMC8513313 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-021-09394-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Individuals with Fragile X syndrome (FXS) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit an array of symptoms, including sociability deficits, increased anxiety, hyperactivity, and sensory hyperexcitability. It is unclear how endocannabinoid (eCB) modulation can be targeted to alleviate neurophysiological abnormalities in FXS as behavioral research reveals benefits to inhibiting cannabinoid (CB) receptor activation and increasing endocannabinoid ligand levels. Here, we hypothesize that enhancement of 2-arachidonoyl-sn-glycerol (2-AG) in Fragile X mental retardation 1 gene knock-out (Fmr1 KO) mice may reduce cortical hyperexcitability and behavioral abnormalities observed in FXS. Methods To test whether an increase in 2-AG levels normalized cortical responses in a mouse model of FXS, animals were subjected to electroencephalography (EEG) recording and behavioral assessment following treatment with JZL-184, an irreversible inhibitor of monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL). Assessment of 2-AG was performed using lipidomic analysis in conjunction with various doses and time points post-administration of JZL-184. Baseline electrocortical activity and evoked responses to sound stimuli were measured using a 30-channel multielectrode array (MEA) in adult male mice before, 4 h, and 1 day post-intraperitoneal injection of JZL-184 or vehicle. Behavior assessment was done using the open field and elevated plus maze 4 h post-treatment. Results Lipidomic analysis showed that 8 mg/kg JZL-184 significantly increased the levels of 2-AG in the auditory cortex of both Fmr1 KO and WT mice 4 h post-treatment compared to vehicle controls. EEG recordings revealed a reduction in the abnormally enhanced baseline gamma-band power in Fmr1 KO mice and significantly improved evoked synchronization to auditory stimuli in the gamma-band range post-JZL-184 treatment. JZL-184 treatment also ameliorated anxiety-like and hyperactivity phenotypes in Fmr1 KO mice. Conclusions Overall, these results indicate that increasing 2-AG levels may serve as a potential therapeutic approach to normalize cortical responses and improve behavioral outcomes in FXS and possibly other ASDs. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s11689-021-09394-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia S Pirbhoy
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Carrie R Jonak
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Rashid Syed
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Donovan A Argueta
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Pedro A Perez
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Mark B Wiley
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Keon Hessamian
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Jonathan W Lovelace
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Khaleel A Razak
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Nicholas V DiPatrizio
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Iryna M Ethell
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Devin K Binder
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA.
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16
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Roy N, Sundar S, Pillai M, Patell-Socha F, Ganesh S, Aloysius A, Rumman M, Gala H, Hughes SM, Zammit PS, Dhawan J. mRNP granule proteins Fmrp and Dcp1a differentially regulate mRNP complexes to contribute to control of muscle stem cell quiescence and activation. Skelet Muscle 2021; 11:18. [PMID: 34238354 PMCID: PMC8265057 DOI: 10.1186/s13395-021-00270-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background During skeletal muscle regeneration, satellite stem cells use distinct pathways to repair damaged myofibers or to self-renew by returning to quiescence. Cellular/mitotic quiescence employs mechanisms that promote a poised or primed state, including altered RNA turnover and translational repression. Here, we investigate the role of mRNP granule proteins Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein (Fmrp) and Decapping protein 1a (Dcp1a) in muscle stem cell quiescence and differentiation. Methods Using isolated single muscle fibers from adult mice, we established differential enrichment of mRNP granule proteins including Fmrp and Dcp1a in muscle stem cells vs. myofibers. We investigated muscle tissue homeostasis in adult Fmr1-/- mice, analyzing myofiber cross-sectional area in vivo and satellite cell proliferation ex vivo. We explored the molecular mechanisms of Dcp1a and Fmrp function in quiescence, proliferation and differentiation in a C2C12 culture model. Here, we used polysome profiling, imaging and RNA/protein expression analysis to establish the abundance and assembly status of mRNP granule proteins in different cellular states, and the phenotype of knockdown cells. Results Quiescent muscle satellite cells are enriched for puncta containing the translational repressor Fmrp, but not the mRNA decay factor Dcp1a. MuSC isolated from Fmr1-/- mice exhibit defective proliferation, and mature myofibers show reduced cross-sectional area, suggesting a role for Fmrp in muscle homeostasis. Expression and organization of Fmrp and Dcp1a varies during primary MuSC activation on myofibers, with Fmrp puncta prominent in quiescence, but Dcp1a puncta appearing during activation/proliferation. This reciprocal expression of Fmrp and Dcp1a puncta is recapitulated in a C2C12 culture model of quiescence and activation: consistent with its role as a translational repressor, Fmrp is enriched in non-translating mRNP complexes abundant in quiescent myoblasts; Dcp1a puncta are lost in quiescence, suggesting stabilized and repressed transcripts. The function of each protein differs during proliferation; whereas Fmrp knockdown led to decreased proliferation and lower cyclin expression, Dcp1a knockdown led to increased cell proliferation and higher cyclin expression. However, knockdown of either Fmrp or Dcp1a led to compromised differentiation. We also observed cross-regulation of decay versus storage mRNP granules; knockdown of Fmrp enhances accumulation of Dcp1a puncta, whereas knockdown of Dcp1a leads to increased Fmrp in puncta. Conclusions Taken together, our results provide evidence that the balance of mRNA turnover versus utilization is specific for distinct cellular states. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13395-021-00270-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nainita Roy
- Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine, Bangalore, India
| | - Swetha Sundar
- Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, India
| | - Malini Pillai
- Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine, Bangalore, India
| | - Farah Patell-Socha
- Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine, Bangalore, India
| | - Sravya Ganesh
- Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine, Bangalore, India
| | - Ajoy Aloysius
- National Center for Biological Sciences, Bangalore, India
| | - Mohammed Rumman
- Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine, Bangalore, India.,Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Hardik Gala
- Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine, Bangalore, India.,Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, India
| | - Simon M Hughes
- King's College London, Randall Centre for Cell & Molecular Biophysics, New Hunt's House, Guy's Campus, London, UK
| | - Peter S Zammit
- King's College London, Randall Centre for Cell & Molecular Biophysics, New Hunt's House, Guy's Campus, London, UK
| | - Jyotsna Dhawan
- Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine, Bangalore, India. .,Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, India.
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17
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Clifton NE, Rees E, Holmans PA, Pardiñas AF, Harwood JC, Di Florio A, Kirov G, Walters JTR, O'Donovan MC, Owen MJ, Hall J, Pocklington AJ. Genetic association of FMRP targets with psychiatric disorders. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:2977-2990. [PMID: 33077856 PMCID: PMC8505260 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-020-00912-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Genes encoding the mRNA targets of fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) are enriched for genetic association with psychiatric disorders. However, many FMRP targets possess functions that are themselves genetically associated with psychiatric disorders, including synaptic transmission and plasticity, making it unclear whether the genetic risk is truly related to binding by FMRP or is alternatively mediated by the sampling of genes better characterised by another trait or functional annotation. Using published common variant, rare coding variant and copy number variant data, we examined the relationship between FMRP binding and genetic association with schizophrenia, major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. High-confidence targets of FMRP, derived from studies of multiple tissue types, were enriched for common schizophrenia risk alleles, as well as rare loss-of-function and de novo nonsynonymous variants in schizophrenia cases. Similarly, through common variation, FMRP targets were associated with major depressive disorder, and we present novel evidence of association with bipolar disorder. These relationships could not be explained by other functional annotations known to be associated with psychiatric disorders, including those related to synaptic structure and function. This study reinforces the evidence that targeting by FMRP captures a subpopulation of genes enriched for genetic association with a range of psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas E Clifton
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Elliott Rees
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Peter A Holmans
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Antonio F Pardiñas
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Janet C Harwood
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Arianna Di Florio
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - George Kirov
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - James T R Walters
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Michael C O'Donovan
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Michael J Owen
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Jeremy Hall
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Andrew J Pocklington
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
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18
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Lovelace JW, Rais M, Palacios AR, Shuai XS, Bishay S, Popa O, Pirbhoy PS, Binder DK, Nelson DL, Ethell IM, Razak KA. Deletion of Fmr1 from Forebrain Excitatory Neurons Triggers Abnormal Cellular, EEG, and Behavioral Phenotypes in the Auditory Cortex of a Mouse Model of Fragile X Syndrome. Cereb Cortex 2021; 30:969-988. [PMID: 31364704 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhz141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2019] [Revised: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a leading genetic cause of autism with symptoms that include sensory processing deficits. In both humans with FXS and a mouse model [Fmr1 knockout (KO) mouse], electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings show enhanced resting state gamma power and reduced sound-evoked gamma synchrony. We previously showed that elevated levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) may contribute to these phenotypes by affecting perineuronal nets (PNNs) around parvalbumin (PV) interneurons in the auditory cortex of Fmr1 KO mice. However, how different cell types within local cortical circuits contribute to these deficits is not known. Here, we examined whether Fmr1 deletion in forebrain excitatory neurons affects neural oscillations, MMP-9 activity, and PV/PNN expression in the auditory cortex. We found that cortical MMP-9 gelatinase activity, mTOR/Akt phosphorylation, and resting EEG gamma power were enhanced in CreNex1/Fmr1Flox/y conditional KO (cKO) mice, whereas the density of PV/PNN cells was reduced. The CreNex1/Fmr1Flox/y cKO mice also show increased locomotor activity, but not the anxiety-like behaviors. These results indicate that fragile X mental retardation protein changes in excitatory neurons in the cortex are sufficient to elicit cellular, electrophysiological, and behavioral phenotypes in Fmr1 KO mice. More broadly, these results indicate that local cortical circuit abnormalities contribute to sensory processing deficits in autism spectrum disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maham Rais
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine
| | | | | | | | - Otilia Popa
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine
| | | | - Devin K Binder
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine.,Graduate Neuroscience Program, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521,USA
| | - David L Nelson
- Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine , Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Iryna M Ethell
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine.,Graduate Neuroscience Program, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521,USA
| | - Khaleel A Razak
- Department of Psychology.,Graduate Neuroscience Program, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521,USA
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19
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Shukla T, de la Peña JB, Perish JM, Ploski JE, Stumpf CR, Webster KR, Thorn CA, Campbell ZT. A Highly Selective MNK Inhibitor Rescues Deficits Associated with Fragile X Syndrome in Mice. Neurotherapeutics 2021; 18:624-639. [PMID: 33006091 PMCID: PMC8116363 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-020-00932-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common inherited source of intellectual disability in humans. FXS is caused by mutations that trigger epigenetic silencing of the Fmr1 gene. Loss of Fmr1 results in increased activity of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. An important downstream consequence is activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase interacting protein kinase (MNK). MNK phosphorylates the mRNA cap-binding protein, eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E). Excessive phosphorylation of eIF4E has been directly implicated in the cognitive and behavioral deficits associated with FXS. Pharmacological reduction of eIF4E phosphorylation is one potential strategy for FXS treatment. We demonstrate that systemic dosing of a highly specific, orally available MNK inhibitor, eFT508, attenuates numerous deficits associated with loss of Fmr1 in mice. eFT508 resolves a range of phenotypic abnormalities associated with FXS including macroorchidism, aberrant spinogenesis, and alterations in synaptic plasticity. Key behavioral deficits related to anxiety, social interaction, obsessive and repetitive activities, and object recognition are ameliorated by eFT508. Collectively, this work establishes eFT508 as a potential means to reverse deficits associated with FXS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarjani Shukla
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, 800 W. Campbell Road, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
- Center for Advanced Pain Studies, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
| | - June Bryan de la Peña
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, 800 W. Campbell Road, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
- Center for Advanced Pain Studies, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
| | - John M Perish
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
| | - Jonathan E Ploski
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
| | | | | | - Catherine A Thorn
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
| | - Zachary T Campbell
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, 800 W. Campbell Road, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA.
- Center for Advanced Pain Studies, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA.
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20
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Robust and replicable measurement for prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle response. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:1909-1927. [PMID: 32144356 PMCID: PMC7483293 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-020-0703-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Revised: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Measuring animal behavior in the context of experimental manipulation is critical for modeling, and understanding neuropsychiatric disease. Prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle response (PPI) is a behavioral phenomenon studied extensively for this purpose, but the results of PPI studies are often inconsistent. As a result, the utility of this phenomenon remains uncertain. Here, we deconstruct the phenomenon of PPI and confirm several limitations of the methodology traditionally utilized to describe PPI, including that the underlying startle response has a non-Gaussian distribution, and that the traditional PPI metric changes with different stimuli. We then develop a novel model that reveals PPI to be a combination of the previously appreciated scaling of the startle response, as well as a scaling of sound processing. Using our model, we find no evidence for differences in PPI in a rat model of Fragile-X Syndrome (FXS) compared with wild-type controls. These results in the rat provide a reliable methodology that could be used to clarify inconsistent PPI results in mice and humans. In contrast, we find robust differences between wild-type male and female rats. Our model allows us to understand the nature of these differences, and we find that both the startle-scaling and sound-scaling components of PPI are a function of the baseline startle response. Males and females differ specifically in the startle-scaling, but not the sound-scaling, component of PPI. These findings establish a robust experimental and analytical approach that has the potential to provide a consistent biomarker of brain function.
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21
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Astrocytic Ephrin-B1 Controls Excitatory-Inhibitory Balance in Developing Hippocampus. J Neurosci 2020; 40:6854-6871. [PMID: 32801156 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0413-20.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes are implicated in synapse formation and elimination, which are associated with developmental refinements of neuronal circuits. Astrocyte dysfunctions are also linked to synapse pathologies associated with neurodevelopmental disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. Although several astrocyte-derived secreted factors are implicated in synaptogenesis, the role of contact-mediated glial-neuronal interactions in synapse formation and elimination during development is still unknown. In this study, we examined whether the loss or overexpression of the membrane-bound ephrin-B1 in astrocytes during postnatal day (P) 14-28 period would affect synapse formation and maturation in the developing hippocampus. We found enhanced excitation of CA1 pyramidal neurons in astrocyte-specific ephrin-B1 KO male mice, which coincided with a greater vGlut1/PSD95 colocalization, higher dendritic spine density, and enhanced evoked AMPAR and NMDAR EPSCs. In contrast, EPSCs were reduced in CA1 neurons neighboring ephrin-B1-overexpressing astrocytes. Overexpression of ephrin-B1 in astrocytes during P14-28 developmental period also facilitated evoked IPSCs in CA1 neurons, while evoked IPSCs and miniature IPSC amplitude were reduced following astrocytic ephrin-B1 loss. Lower numbers of parvalbumin-expressing cells and a reduction in the inhibitory VGAT/gephyrin-positive synaptic sites on CA1 neurons in the stratum pyramidale and stratum oriens layers of KO hippocampus may contribute to reduced inhibition and higher excitation. Finally, dysregulation of excitatory/inhibitory balance in KO male mice is most likely responsible for impaired sociability observed in these mice. The ability of astrocytic ephrin-B1 to influence both excitatory and inhibitory synapses during development can potentially contribute to developmental refinement of neuronal circuits.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT This report establishes a link between astrocytes and the development of excitatory and inhibitory balance in the mouse hippocampus during early postnatal development. We provide new evidence that astrocytic ephrin-B1 differentially regulates development of excitatory and inhibitory circuits in the hippocampus during early postnatal development using a multidisciplinary approach. The ability of astrocytic ephrin-B1 to influence both excitatory and inhibitory synapses during development can potentially contribute to developmental refinement of neuronal circuits and associated behaviors. Given widespread and growing interest in the astrocyte-mediated mechanisms that regulate synapse development, and the role of EphB receptors in neurodevelopmental disorders, these findings establish a foundation for future studies of astrocytes in clinically relevant conditions.
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22
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Phannasil P, Roytrakul S, Phaonakrop N, Kupradinun P, Budda S, Butryee C, Akekawatchai C, Tuntipopipat S. Protein expression profiles that underpin the preventive and therapeutic potential of Moringa oleifera Lam against azoxymethane and dextran sodium sulfate-induced mouse colon carcinogenesis. Oncol Lett 2020; 20:1792-1802. [PMID: 32724422 PMCID: PMC7377166 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2020.11730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies in a mouse model have indicated the anticancer potential of boiled Moringa oleifera pod (bMO)-supplemented diets; however, its molecular mechanisms are still unclear. Therefore, the present study aimed to explore the protein expression profiles responsible for the suppressive effect of bMO supplementation on azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced mouse colon carcinogenesis. Analysis by gel electrophoresis and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrophotometry demonstrated that there were 125 proteins that were differentially expressed in mouse colon tissues between 14 experimental groups of mice. The differentially expressed proteins are involved in various biological processes, such as signal transduction, metabolism, transcription and translation. Venn diagram analysis of the differentially expressed proteins was performed in six selected mouse groups, including negative control, positive control mice induced by AOM/DSS, the AOM/DSS groups receiving preventive or therapeutic bMO diets and their bMO-supplemented control groups. This analysis identified 7 proteins; 60S acidic ribosomal protein P1 (Rplp1), fragile X mental retardation, cystatin 9, round spermatids protein, zinc finger protein 638, protein phosphatase 2C (Ppm1g) and unnamed protein product as being potentially associated with the preventive and therapeutic effects of bMO in AOM/DSS-induced mouse colon cancer. Analysis based on the search tool for interactions of chemicals (STITCH) database predicted that Rplp1 interacted with the apoptotic and inflammatory pathways, whereas Ppm1g was associated only with inflammatory networks. This proteomic analysis revealed candidate proteins that are responsible for the effects of bMO supplementation, potentially by regulating apoptotic and inflammatory signaling networks in colorectal cancer prevention and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phatchariya Phannasil
- Thalassemia Research Center, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand
| | - Sittiruk Roytrakul
- Funtional Ingredients and Food Innovation Research Group, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Science and Technology Development Agency, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand
| | - Narumon Phaonakrop
- Funtional Ingredients and Food Innovation Research Group, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Science and Technology Development Agency, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand
| | - Piengchai Kupradinun
- Section of Animal Laboratory, Research Division, National Cancer Institute, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Sirintip Budda
- Food Cluster, Institute of Nutrition, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand
| | - Chaniphun Butryee
- Food Cluster, Institute of Nutrition, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand
| | - Chareeporn Akekawatchai
- Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University, Pathumthani 12121, Thailand
| | - Siriporn Tuntipopipat
- Food Cluster, Institute of Nutrition, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand
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23
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Pirbhoy PS, Rais M, Lovelace JW, Woodard W, Razak KA, Binder DK, Ethell IM. Acute pharmacological inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase-9 activity during development restores perineuronal net formation and normalizes auditory processing in Fmr1 KO mice. J Neurochem 2020; 155:538-558. [PMID: 32374912 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Individuals with Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit cognitive impairments, social deficits, increased anxiety, and sensory hyperexcitability. Previously, we showed that elevated levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) may contribute to abnormal development of parvalbumin (PV) interneurons and perineuronal nets (PNNs) in the developing auditory cortex (AC) of Fmr1 knock-out (KO) mice, which likely underlie auditory hypersensitivity. Thus, MMP-9 may serve as a potential target for treatment of auditory hypersensitivity in FXS. Here, we used the MMP-2/9 inhibitor, SB-3CT, to pharmacologically inhibit MMP-9 activity during a specific developmental period and to test whether inhibition of MMP-9 activity reverses neural oscillation deficits and behavioral impairments by enhancing PNN formation around PV cells in Fmr1 KO mice. Electroencephalography (EEG) was used to measure resting state and sound-evoked electrocortical activity in auditory and frontal cortices of postnatal day (P)22-23 male mice before and one-day after treatment with SB-3CT (25 mg/kg) or vehicle. At P27-28, animal behaviors were tested to measure the effects of the treatment on anxiety and hyperactivity. Results show that acute inhibition of MMP-9 activity improved evoked synchronization to auditory stimuli and ameliorated mouse behavioral deficits. MMP-9 inhibition enhanced PNN formation, increased PV levels and TrkB phosphorylation yet reduced Akt phosphorylation in the AC of Fmr1 KO mice. Our results show that MMP-9 inhibition during early postnatal development is beneficial in reducing some auditory processing deficits in the FXS mouse model and may serve as a candidate therapeutic for reversing sensory hypersensitivity in FXS and possibly other ASDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia S Pirbhoy
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Maham Rais
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Jonathan W Lovelace
- Department of Psychology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Walker Woodard
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Khaleel A Razak
- Department of Psychology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Devin K Binder
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Iryna M Ethell
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
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24
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Morè L, Lauterborn JC, Papaleo F, Brambilla R. Enhancing cognition through pharmacological and environmental interventions: Examples from preclinical models of neurodevelopmental disorders. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 110:28-45. [PMID: 30981451 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2018] [Revised: 02/04/2019] [Accepted: 02/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
In this review we discuss the role of environmental and pharmacological treatments to enhance cognition with special regards to neurodevelopmental related disorders and aging. How the environment influences brain structure and function, and the interactions between rearing conditions and gene expression, are fundamental questions that are still poorly understood. We propose a model that can explain some of the discrepancies in findings for effects of environmental enrichment on outcome measures. Evidence of a direct causal correlation of nootropics and treatments that enhanced cognition also will be presented, and possible molecular mechanisms that include neurotrophin signaling and downstream pathways underlying these processes are discussed. Finally we review recent findings achieved with a wide set of behavioral and cognitive tasks that have translational validity to humans, and should be useful for future work on devising appropriate therapies. As will be discussed, the collective findings suggest that a combinational therapeutic approach of environmental enrichment and nootropics could be particularly successful for improving learning and memory in both developmental disorders and normal aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Morè
- School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, PR1 2XT, Preston, UK.
| | - Julie C Lauterborn
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92617, USA.
| | - Francesco Papaleo
- Genetics of Cognition Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego, 30, 16163, Genova, Italy.
| | - Riccardo Brambilla
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute (NMHRI), Division of Neuroscience, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, CF24 4HQ, Cardiff, UK.
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25
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Armstrong JL, Casey AB, Saraf TS, Mukherjee M, Booth RG, Canal CE. ( S)-5-(2'-Fluorophenyl)- N, N-dimethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-amine, a Serotonin Receptor Modulator, Possesses Anticonvulsant, Prosocial, and Anxiolytic-like Properties in an Fmr1 Knockout Mouse Model of Fragile X Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2020; 3:509-523. [PMID: 32566916 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.9b00101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by intellectual disabilities and a plethora of neuropsychiatric symptoms. FXS is the leading monogenic cause of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which is defined clinically by repetitive and/or restrictive patterns of behavior and social communication deficits. Epilepsy and anxiety are also common in FXS and ASD. Serotonergic neurons directly innervate and modulate the activity of neurobiological circuits altered in both disorders, providing a rationale for investigating serotonin receptors (5-HTRs) as targets for FXS and ASD drug discovery. Previously we unveiled an orally active aminotetralin, (S)-5-(2'-fluorophenyl)-N,N-dimethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-amine (FPT), that exhibits partial agonist activity at 5-HT1ARs, 5-HT2CRs, and 5-HT7Rs and that reduces repetitive behaviors and increases social approach behavior in wild-type mice. Here we report that in an Fmr1 knockout mouse model of FXS and ASD, FPT is prophylactic for audiogenic seizures. No FPT-treated mice displayed audiogenic seizures, compared to 73% of vehicle-treated mice. FPT also exhibits anxiolytic-like effects in several assays and increases social interactions in both Fmr1 knockout and wild-type mice. Furthermore, FPT increases c-Fos expression in the basolateral amygdala, which is a preclinical effect produced by anxiolytic medications. Receptor pharmacology assays show that FPT binds competitively and possesses rapid association and dissociation kinetics at 5-HT1ARs and 5-HT7Rs, yet has slow association and rapid dissociation kinetics at 5-HT2CRs. Finally, we reassessed and report FPT's affinity and function at 5-HT1ARs, 5-HT2CRs, and 5-HT7Rs. Collectively, these observations provide mounting support for further development of FPT as a pharmacotherapy for common neuropsychiatric symptoms in FXS and ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L Armstrong
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Mercer University Health Sciences Center, Mercer University, 3001 Mercer University Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30341, United States
| | - Austen B Casey
- Center for Drug Discovery, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02131, United States
| | - Tanishka S Saraf
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Mercer University Health Sciences Center, Mercer University, 3001 Mercer University Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30341, United States
| | - Munmun Mukherjee
- Center for Drug Discovery, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02131, United States
| | - Raymond G Booth
- Center for Drug Discovery, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02131, United States
| | - Clinton E Canal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Mercer University Health Sciences Center, Mercer University, 3001 Mercer University Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30341, United States
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26
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Möhrle D, Fernández M, Peñagarikano O, Frick A, Allman B, Schmid S. What we can learn from a genetic rodent model about autism. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 109:29-53. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Revised: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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27
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Westmark PR, Gutierrez A, Gholston AK, Wilmer TM, Westmark CJ. Preclinical testing of the ketogenic diet in fragile X mice. Neurochem Int 2020; 134:104687. [PMID: 31958482 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2020.104687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2019] [Revised: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The ketogenic diet is highly effective at attenuating seizures in refractory epilepsy, and accumulating evidence in the literature suggests that it may be beneficial in autism. To our knowledge, no one has studied the ketogenic diet in any fragile X syndrome (FXS) model. FXS is the leading known genetic cause of autism. Herein, we tested the effects of chronic ketogenic diet treatment on seizures, body weight, ketone and glucose levels, diurnal activity levels, learning and memory, and anxiety behaviors in Fmr1KO and littermate control mice as a function of age. The ketogenic diet selectively attenuates seizures in male but not female Fmr1KO mice and differentially affects weight gain and diurnal activity levels dependent on Fmr1 genotype, sex and age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela R Westmark
- Department of Neurology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Alejandra Gutierrez
- Department of Neurology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA; Molecular Environmental Toxicology Center, Summer Research Opportunities Program, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Aaron K Gholston
- Department of Neurology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA; Molecular Environmental Toxicology Center, Summer Research Opportunities Program, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Taralyn M Wilmer
- Department of Neurology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Cara J Westmark
- Department of Neurology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
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28
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Gonzalez D, Tomasek M, Hays S, Sridhar V, Ammanuel S, Chang CW, Pawlowski K, Huber KM, Gibson JR. Audiogenic Seizures in the Fmr1 Knock-Out Mouse Are Induced by Fmr1 Deletion in Subcortical, VGlut2-Expressing Excitatory Neurons and Require Deletion in the Inferior Colliculus. J Neurosci 2019; 39:9852-9863. [PMID: 31666356 PMCID: PMC6891051 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0886-19.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Revised: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common form of inherited intellectual disability and the leading monogenetic cause of autism. One symptom of FXS and autism is sensory hypersensitivity (also called sensory over-responsivity). Perhaps related to this, the audiogenic seizure (AGS) is arguably the most robust behavioral phenotype in the FXS mouse model-the Fmr1 knock-out (KO) mouse. Therefore, the AGS may be considered a mouse model of sensory hypersensitivity. Hyperactive circuits are hypothesized to underlie dysfunction in a number of brain regions in patients with FXS and Fmr1 KO mice, and the AGS may be a result of this. But the specific cell types and brain regions underlying AGSs in the Fmr1 KO are unknown. We used conditional deletion or expression of Fmr1 in different cell populations to determine whether Fmr1 deletion in those cells was sufficient or necessary, respectively, for the AGS phenotype in males. Our data indicate that Fmr1 deletion in glutamatergic neurons that express vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (VGlut2) and are located in subcortical brain regions is sufficient and necessary to cause AGSs. Furthermore, the deletion of Fmr1 in glutamatergic neurons of the inferior colliculus is necessary for AGSs. When we demonstrate necessity, we show that Fmr1 expression in either the larger population of VGlut2-expressing glutamatergic neurons or the smaller population of inferior collicular glutamatergic neurons-in an otherwise Fmr1 KO mouse-eliminates AGSs. Therefore, targeting these neuronal populations in FXS and autism may be part of a therapeutic strategy to alleviate sensory hypersensitivity.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Sensory hypersensitivity in fragile X syndrome (FXS) and autism patients significantly interferes with quality of life. Audiogenic seizures (AGSs) are arguably the most robust behavioral phenotype in the FXS mouse model-the Fmr1 knockout-and may be considered a model of sensory hypersensitivity in FXS. We provide the clearest and most precise genetic evidence to date for the cell types and brain regions involved in causing AGSs in the Fmr1 knockout and, more broadly, for any mouse mutant. The expression of Fmr1 in these same cell types in an otherwise Fmr1 knockout eliminates AGSs indicating possible cellular targets for alleviating sensory hypersensitivity in FXS and other forms of autism.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Seth Hays
- Department of Neuroscience, Dallas, and
| | | | | | | | - Karen Pawlowski
- Department of Otolaryngology and Biomedical Engineering Program, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390-9035
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29
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Felgerolle C, Hébert B, Ardourel M, Meyer-Dilhet G, Menuet A, Pinto-Morais K, Bizot JC, Pichon J, Briault S, Perche O. Visual Behavior Impairments as an Aberrant Sensory Processing in the Mouse Model of Fragile X Syndrome. Front Behav Neurosci 2019; 13:228. [PMID: 31680892 PMCID: PMC6797836 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2019.00228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Fragile X Syndrome (FXS), the most common inherited form of human intellectual disability (ID) associated with autistic-like behaviors, is characterized by dys-sensitivity to sensory stimuli, especially vision. In the absence of Fragile Mental Retardation Protein (FMRP), both retinal and cerebral structures of the visual pathway are impaired, suggesting that perception and integration of visual stimuli are altered. However, behavioral consequences of these defects remain unknown. In this study, we used male Fmr1−/y mice to further define visual disturbances from a behavioral perspective by focusing on three traits characterizing visual modality: perception of depth, contrasts and movements. We performed specific tests (Optomotor Drum, Visual Cliff) to evaluate these visual modalities, their evolution from youth to adulthood, and to assess their involvement in a cognitive task. We show that Fmr1−/y mice exhibit alteration in their visual skills, displaying impaired perspective perception, a drop in their ability to understand a moving contrasted pattern, and a defect in contrasts discrimination. Interestingly, Fmr1−/y phenotypes remain stable over time from adolescence to late adulthood. Besides, we report that color and shape are meaningful for the achievement of a cognitive test involving object recognition. Altogether, these results underline the significance of visual behavior alterations in FXS conditions and relevance of assessing visual skills in neuropsychiatric models before performing behavioral tasks, such as cognitive assessments, that involve visual discrimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloé Felgerolle
- UMR7355, CNRS, Orléans, France.,Experimental and Molecular Immunology and Neurogenetics, University of Orléans, Orléans, France
| | - Betty Hébert
- UMR7355, CNRS, Orléans, France.,Experimental and Molecular Immunology and Neurogenetics, University of Orléans, Orléans, France
| | - Maryvonne Ardourel
- UMR7355, CNRS, Orléans, France.,Experimental and Molecular Immunology and Neurogenetics, University of Orléans, Orléans, France
| | - Géraldine Meyer-Dilhet
- UMR7355, CNRS, Orléans, France.,Experimental and Molecular Immunology and Neurogenetics, University of Orléans, Orléans, France
| | - Arnaud Menuet
- UMR7355, CNRS, Orléans, France.,Experimental and Molecular Immunology and Neurogenetics, University of Orléans, Orléans, France
| | - Kimberley Pinto-Morais
- UMR7355, CNRS, Orléans, France.,Experimental and Molecular Immunology and Neurogenetics, University of Orléans, Orléans, France
| | | | - Jacques Pichon
- UMR7355, CNRS, Orléans, France.,Experimental and Molecular Immunology and Neurogenetics, University of Orléans, Orléans, France
| | - Sylvain Briault
- UMR7355, CNRS, Orléans, France.,Experimental and Molecular Immunology and Neurogenetics, University of Orléans, Orléans, France.,Department of Genetics, Regional Hospital, Orléans, France
| | - Olivier Perche
- UMR7355, CNRS, Orléans, France.,Experimental and Molecular Immunology and Neurogenetics, University of Orléans, Orléans, France.,Department of Genetics, Regional Hospital, Orléans, France
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30
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Role of Taurine in Testicular Function in the Fragile x Mouse. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019. [PMID: 31468394 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-13-8023-5_14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome is an X-linked dominant disorder and the most common cause of inherited mental retardation. It is caused by trinucleotide repeat expansion in the fragile X mental retardation 1 gene (FMR1) at the Xq27.3. The expansion blocks expression of the gene product, Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein (FMRP). The syndrome includes mild to moderate mental retardation and behavioral manifestations such as tactile defensiveness, gaze avoidance, repetitive motor mannerisms, perseverative (repetitive) speech, hyperarousal and it frequently includes seizures. This behavioral phenotype overlaps significantly with autism spectrum disorder. The knockout mice lack normal Fmr1 protein and show macro-orchidism, learning deficits, and hyperactivity. Consequently, this knockout mouse may serve as a valuable tool in the elucidation of the physiological role of FMR1 and the mechanisms involved in macroorchidism, abnormal behavior, abnormalities comparable to those of human fragile X patients. In this study we evaluated the effects of taurine on the testicular physiology to better understand the cellular mechanisms underlying macro-orchidism. We found that there was a significant decrease in the number of Leydig cells in the testis of fragile X mouse. Furthermore, the expression of somatostatin was drastically decreased and differential expression pattern of CDK5 in fragile X mouse testis. In the control testis, CDK is expressed in primary and secondary spermatids whereas in the Fmr1 ko mice CDK 5 is expressed mainly in spermatogonia. Taurine supplementation led to an increase in CDK5 expression in both controls and Ko mice. CDKs (Cyclin-dependent kinases) are a group of serine/threonine protein kinases activated by binding to a regulatory subunit cyclin. Over 20 functionally diverse proteins involved in cytoskeleton dynamics, cell adhesion, transport, and membrane trafficking act as CDK5 substrates elucidating the molecular mechanisms of CDK5 function. CDK5 phosphorylates a diverse list of substrates, implicating it in the regulation of a range of cellular processes. CDK5 is expressed in Leydig cells, Sertoli cells, spermatogonia and peritubular cells indicating a role in spermatogenesis. In this study we examined the expression levels of CDK5 and how it is affected by taurine supplementation in the testes and found that taurine plays an important role in testicular physiology and corrected some of the pathophysiology observed in the fragile x mouse testis.
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Lovastatin, not Simvastatin, Corrects Core Phenotypes in the Fragile X Mouse Model. eNeuro 2019; 6:ENEURO.0097-19.2019. [PMID: 31147392 PMCID: PMC6565377 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0097-19.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Revised: 05/11/2019] [Accepted: 05/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The cholesterol-lowering drug lovastatin corrects neurological phenotypes in animal models of fragile X syndrome (FX), a commonly identified genetic cause of autism and intellectual disability (ID). The therapeutic efficacy of lovastatin is being tested in clinical trials for FX; however, the structurally similar drug simvastatin has been proposed as an alternative due to an increased potency and brain penetrance. Here, we perform a side-by-side comparison of the effects of lovastatin and simvastatin treatment on two core phenotypes in Fmr1-/y mice versus WT littermates: excessive hippocampal protein synthesis and susceptibility to audiogenic seizures (AGSs). We find that simvastatin does not correct excessive hippocampal protein synthesis in the Fmr1-/y hippocampus at any dose tested. In fact, simvastatin significantly increases protein synthesis in both Fmr1-/y and WT. Moreover, injection of simvastatin does not reduce AGS in the Fmr1-/y mouse, while lovastatin significantly reduces AGS incidence and severity versus vehicle-treated animals. These results show that unlike lovastatin, simvastatin does not correct core phenotypes in the Fmr1-/y mouse model.
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32
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Sultana R, Ogundele OM, Lee CC. Contrasting characteristic behaviours among common laboratory mouse strains. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2019; 6:190574. [PMID: 31312505 PMCID: PMC6599779 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.190574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Mice are widely used to model wide-ranging human neurological disorders, from development to degenerative pathophysiology. Behavioural and molecular characteristics of these mouse models are influenced by the genetic background of each strain. Among the most commonly used strains, the inbred C57BL/6J, BALB/c, CBA and 129SvEv lines and the CD1 outbred line are particularly predominant. Despite their prevalence, comparative performance of these strains on many standard behavioural tests commonly used to assess neurological conditions remains diffusely and indirectly accessible in the literature. Given that independent studies may be conducted with mice of differing genetic backgrounds, any variation in characteristic behavioural responses of specific strains should be delineated in order to properly interpret results among studies. Thus, in the present study, we aimed to characterize these commonly used mice strains through several standard behavioural tests. Here, we found that animals from different genetic background strains exhibited varying behavioural patterns when assessed for sociability/novelty, memory function, and negative behaviours like despair and stress calls. These results suggest that genetic variation among strains may be responsible-in part-for strain-specific behavioural phenotypes and potential predisposition to some neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Razia Sultana
- Neural Systems Laboratory, Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
- Synapse Biology Laboratory, Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
- Author for correspondence: Razia Sultana e-mail:
| | - Olalekan M. Ogundele
- Synapse Biology Laboratory, Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | - Charles C. Lee
- Neural Systems Laboratory, Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
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Schmitt LM, Shaffer RC, Hessl D, Erickson C. Executive Function in Fragile X Syndrome: A Systematic Review. Brain Sci 2019; 9:E15. [PMID: 30654486 PMCID: PMC6356760 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci9010015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2018] [Revised: 01/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Executive function (EF) supports goal-directed behavior and includes key aspects such as working memory, inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility, attention, processing speed, and planning. Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the leading inherited monogenic cause of intellectual disability and is phenotypically characterized by EF deficits beyond what is expected given general cognitive impairments. Yet, a systematic review of behavioral studies using performance-based measures is needed to provide a summary of EF deficits across domains in males and females with FXS, discuss clinical and biological correlates of these EF deficits, identify critical limitations in available research, and offer suggestions for future studies in this area. Ultimately, this review aims to advance our understanding of the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms contributing to EF in FXS and to inform the development of outcome measures of EF and identification of new treatment targets in FXS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren M Schmitt
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.
| | - Rebecca C Shaffer
- Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA.
| | - David Hessl
- MIND Institute, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
| | - Craig Erickson
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA.
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Gross C, Banerjee A, Tiwari D, Longo F, White AR, Allen AG, Schroeder-Carter LM, Krzeski JC, Elsayed NA, Puckett R, Klann E, Rivero RA, Gourley SL, Bassell GJ. Isoform-selective phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibition ameliorates a broad range of fragile X syndrome-associated deficits in a mouse model. Neuropsychopharmacology 2019; 44:324-333. [PMID: 30061744 PMCID: PMC6300538 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-018-0150-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2018] [Revised: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 07/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Defects in the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway are shared characteristics in several brain disorders, including the inherited intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder, fragile X syndrome (FXS). PI3K signaling therefore could serve as a therapeutic target for FXS and other brain disorders. However, broad inhibition of such a central signal transduction pathway involved in essential cellular functions may produce deleterious side effects. Pharmacological strategies that selectively correct the overactive components of the PI3K pathway while leaving other parts of the pathway intact may overcome these challenges. Here, we provide the first evidence that disease mechanism-based PI3K isoform-specific inhibition may be a viable treatment option for FXS. FXS is caused by loss of the fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP), which translationally represses specific messenger RNAs, including the PI3K catalytic isoform p110β. FMRP deficiency increases p110β protein levels and activity in FXS mouse models and in cells from subjects with FXS. Here, we show that a novel, brain-permeable p110β-specific inhibitor, GSK2702926A, ameliorates FXS-associated phenotypes on molecular, cellular, behavioral, and cognitive levels in two different FMRP-deficient mouse models. Rescued phenotypes included increased PI3K downstream signaling, protein synthesis rates, and dendritic spine density, as well as impaired social interaction and higher-order cognition. Several p110β-selective inhibitors, for example, a molecule from the same chemotype as GSK2702926A, are currently being evaluated in clinical trials to treat cancer. Our results suggest that repurposing p110β inhibitors to treat cognitive and behavioral defects may be a promising disease-modifying strategy for FXS and other brain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Gross
- Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA. .,Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA.
| | - Anwesha Banerjee
- 0000 0001 0941 6502grid.189967.8Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322 USA
| | - Durgesh Tiwari
- 0000 0000 9025 8099grid.239573.9Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229 USA
| | - Francesco Longo
- 0000 0004 1936 8753grid.137628.9Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY 10003 USA
| | - Angela R. White
- 0000 0000 9025 8099grid.239573.9Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229 USA
| | - A. G. Allen
- 0000 0001 0941 6502grid.189967.8Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322 USA ,0000 0001 0941 6502grid.189967.8Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322 USA
| | - Lindsay M. Schroeder-Carter
- 0000 0000 9025 8099grid.239573.9Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229 USA
| | - Joseph C. Krzeski
- 0000 0000 9025 8099grid.239573.9Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229 USA
| | - Nada A. Elsayed
- 0000 0000 9025 8099grid.239573.9Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229 USA
| | - Rosemary Puckett
- 0000 0004 1936 8753grid.137628.9Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY 10003 USA
| | - Eric Klann
- 0000 0004 1936 8753grid.137628.9Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY 10003 USA
| | - Ralph A. Rivero
- 0000 0004 0393 4335grid.418019.5GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, PA 19426 USA
| | - Shannon L. Gourley
- 0000 0001 0941 6502grid.189967.8Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322 USA ,0000 0001 0941 6502grid.189967.8Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322 USA ,0000 0001 0941 6502grid.189967.8Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30329 USA
| | - Gary J. Bassell
- 0000 0001 0941 6502grid.189967.8Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322 USA ,0000 0001 0941 6502grid.189967.8Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322 USA
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Wen TH, Lovelace JW, Ethell IM, Binder DK, Razak KA. Developmental Changes in EEG Phenotypes in a Mouse Model of Fragile X Syndrome. Neuroscience 2018; 398:126-143. [PMID: 30528856 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2018.11.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Revised: 11/27/2018] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is a leading genetic cause of autism and intellectual disabilities. Sensory-processing deficits are common in humans with FXS and an animal model, the Fmr1 knockout (KO) mouse, manifesting in the auditory system as debilitating hypersensitivity and abnormal electroencephalographic (EEG) and event-related potential (ERP) phenotypes. FXS is a neurodevelopmental disorder, but how EEG/ERP phenotypes change during development is unclear. Therefore, we characterized baseline and stimulus-evoked EEG in auditory and frontal cortex of developing (postnatal day (P) 21 and P30) and adult (P60) wildtype (WT) and Fmr1 KO mice with the FVB genetic background. We found that baseline gamma-band power and N1 amplitude of auditory ERP were increased in frontal cortex of Fmr1 KO mice during development and in adults. Baseline gamma power was increased in auditory cortex at P30. Genotype differences in stimulus-evoked gamma power were present in both cortical regions, but the direction and strength of the changes were age-dependent. These findings suggest that cortical deficits are present during early development and may contribute to sensory-processing deficits in FXS, which in turn may lead to anxiety and delayed language. Developmental changes in EEG measures indicate that observations at a single time-point during development are not reflective of FXS disease progression and highlight the need to identify developmental trajectories and optimal windows for treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa H Wen
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Jonathan W Lovelace
- Psychology Department and Psychology Graduate Program, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Iryna M Ethell
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA; Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Devin K Binder
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA; Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Khaleel A Razak
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA; Psychology Department and Psychology Graduate Program, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA.
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36
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Assessment of spatial learning and memory in the Barnes maze task in rodents-methodological consideration. Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol 2018; 392:1-18. [PMID: 30470917 PMCID: PMC6311199 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-018-1589-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Among the methods valuable for assessing spatial learning and memory impairments in rodents, the Barnes maze (BM) task deserves special attention. It is based on the assumption that the animal placed into the aversive environment should learn and remember the location of an escape box located below the surface of the platform. Different phases of the task allow to measure spatial learning, memory retrieval, and cognitive flexibility. Herein, we summarize current knowledge about the BM procedure, its variations and critical parameters measured in the task. We highlight confounding factors which should be taken into account when conducting BM task, discussing briefly its advantages and disadvantages. We then propose an extended version of the BM protocol which allows to measure different aspects of spatial learning and memory in rodents. We believe that this review will help to standardize the BM methodology across the laboratories and eventually make the results comparable.
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Kaitsuka T, Kiyonari H, Shiraishi A, Tomizawa K, Matsushita M. Deletion of Long Isoform of Eukaryotic Elongation Factor 1Bδ Leads to Audiogenic Seizures and Aversive Stimulus-Induced Long-Lasting Activity Suppression in Mice. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:358. [PMID: 30333725 PMCID: PMC6176097 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Accepted: 09/11/2018] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Alternative splicing enables a gene to give rise to diverse protein products. The Eef1d gene produces two isoforms: a short isoform that encodes translation elongation factor 1Bδ (eEF1Bδ1), and a long isoform that encodes the heat shock-responsive transcription factor eEF1BδL. Previously, we found that eEF1BδL was a splice variant that was specific to the brain and testis, and the protein encoded is thought to have a function in the central nervous system. In this study, we generated knockout (KO) mice of C57BL/6J background that selectively lacked a specific exon in Eef1d for the long isoform. These KO mice lacked eEF1BδL, but not eEF1Bδ1, in the brain. Although the KO mice showed normal anxiety-related and learning behavior in behavioral tests, some showed severe seizures in response to loud sounds (90 dBA), an audiogenic seizures (AGS) response. Furthermore, after the KO mice had been subjected to the fear conditioning test, they showed remarkably decreased locomotor activity in their home cage and in the open-field and elevated plus-maze tests. After the fear conditioning test, a significant decrease in brain weight, atrophy of the hippocampus and midbrain, and reduced cortical layer thickness were observed in the KO mice. We also found a compensatory increase in the eEF1Bδ1 level and elevated protein synthesis with the induction of endoplasmic reticulum stress markers in these mice. Our results suggest that eEF1BδL has an important role in normal brain function especially when exposed to external stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taku Kaitsuka
- Department of Molecular Physiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kiyonari
- Animal Resource Development Unit, RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies, Kobe, Japan.,Genetic Engineering Team, RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies, Kobe, Japan
| | - Aki Shiraishi
- Animal Resource Development Unit, RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies, Kobe, Japan
| | - Kazuhito Tomizawa
- Department of Molecular Physiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Masayuki Matsushita
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan
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Lundbye CJ, Toft AKH, Banke TG. Inhibition of GluN2A NMDA receptors ameliorates synaptic plasticity deficits in the Fmr1 -/y mouse model. J Physiol 2018; 596:5017-5031. [PMID: 30132892 DOI: 10.1113/jp276304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
KEY POINTS Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a genetic condition that is the most common form of inherited intellectual impairment and causes a range of neurodevelopmental complications including learning disabilities and intellectual disability and shares many characteristics with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In the FXS mouse model, Fmr1-/y , impaired synaptic plasticity was restored by pharmacologically inhibiting GluN2A-containing NMDA receptors but not GluN2B-containing receptors. Similar results were obtained by crossing Fmr1-/y with GluN2A knock-out (Grin2A-/- ) mice. These results suggest that dampening the elevated levels of GluN2A-containing NMDA receptors in Fmr1-/y mice has the potential to restore hyperexcitability of the neural circuitry to (a more) normal-like level of brain activity. ABSTRACT NMDA receptors (NMDARs) play important roles in synaptic plasticity at central excitatory synapses, and dysregulation of their function may lead to severe disorders such Fragile X syndrome (FXS). FXS is caused by transcriptional silencing of the FMR1 gene followed by lack of the encoding protein. Here we examined the effects of pharmacological and genetic manipulation of hippocampal NMDAR functions in long-term potentiation (LTP) and depression (LTD). We found impaired NMDAR-dependent LTP in the Fmr1-deficient mice, which could be fully restored when GluN2A-containing NMDARs was pharmacological inhibited. Interestingly, similar LTP effects were observed when the GluN2A gene (Grin2a) was deleted in Fmr1-/y mice (Fmr1-/y /Grin2a-/- double knockout). In addition, GluN2A inhibition improved elevated mGluR5-dependent LTD to normal level in the Fmr1-/y mouse. These findings suggest that GluN2A is a promising target in FXS research that could help us better understand the disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla J Lundbye
- Institute of Biomedicine - Physiology, Aarhus University, DK-8000, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Anna Karina H Toft
- Institute of Biomedicine - Physiology, Aarhus University, DK-8000, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Tue G Banke
- Institute of Biomedicine - Physiology, Aarhus University, DK-8000, Aarhus, Denmark
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39
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Melancia F, Trezza V. Modelling fragile X syndrome in the laboratory setting: A behavioral perspective. Behav Brain Res 2018; 350:149-163. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2018.04.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Revised: 04/24/2018] [Accepted: 04/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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40
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Westmark PR, Dekundy A, Gravius A, Danysz W, Westmark CJ. Rescue of Fmr1 KO phenotypes with mGluR 5 inhibitors: MRZ-8456 versus AFQ-056. Neurobiol Dis 2018; 119:190-198. [PMID: 30125640 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2018.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2018] [Revised: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) is a drug target for central nervous system disorders such as fragile X syndrome that involve excessive glutamate-induced excitation. We tested the efficacy of a novel negative allosteric modulator of mGluR5 developed by Merz Pharmaceuticals, MRZ-8456, in comparison to MPEP and AFQ-056 (Novartis, a.k.a. mavoglurant) in both in vivo and in vitro assays in a mouse model of fragile X syndrome, Fmr1KO mice. The in vivo assays included susceptibility to audiogenic-induced seizures and pharmacokinetic measurements of drug availability. The in vitro assays included dose response assessments of biomarker expression and dendritic spine length and density in cultured primary neurons. Both MRZ-8456 and AFQ-056 attenuated wild running and audiogenic-induced seizures in Fmr1KO mice with similar pharmacokinetic profiles. Both drugs significantly reduced dendritic expression of amyloid-beta protein precursor (APP) and rescued the ratio of mature to immature dendritic spines. These findings demonstrate that MRZ-8456, a drug being developed for the treatment of motor complications of L-DOPA in Parkinson's disease and which completed a phase I clinical trial, is effective in attenuating both well-established (seizures and dendritic spine maturity) and exploratory biomarker (APP expression) phenotypes in a mouse model of fragile X syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela R Westmark
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Neurology, Madison, WI, USA; University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Medicine, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Andrzej Dekundy
- Merz Pharmaceuticals GmbH, Eckenheimer Landstrasse 100, 60318 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Andreas Gravius
- Merz Pharmaceuticals GmbH, Eckenheimer Landstrasse 100, 60318 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Wojciech Danysz
- Merz Pharmaceuticals GmbH, Eckenheimer Landstrasse 100, 60318 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Cara J Westmark
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Neurology, Madison, WI, USA.
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Bausch AE, Ehinger R, Straubinger J, Zerfass P, Nann Y, Lukowski R. Loss of Sodium-Activated Potassium Channel Slack and FMRP Differentially Affect Social Behavior in Mice. Neuroscience 2018; 384:361-374. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2018.05.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2017] [Revised: 05/22/2018] [Accepted: 05/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Boone CE, Davoudi H, Harrold JB, Foster DJ. Abnormal Sleep Architecture and Hippocampal Circuit Dysfunction in a Mouse Model of Fragile X Syndrome. Neuroscience 2018; 384:275-289. [PMID: 29775702 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2018.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2018] [Revised: 05/03/2018] [Accepted: 05/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common heritable cause of intellectual disability and single-gene cause of autism spectrum disorder. The Fmr1 null mouse models much of the human disease including hyperarousal, sensory hypersensitivity, seizure activity, and hippocampus-dependent cognitive impairment. Sleep architecture is disorganized in FXS patients, but has not been examined in Fmr1 knockout (Fmr1-KO) mice. Hippocampal neural activity during sleep, which is implicated in memory processing, also remains uninvestigated in Fmr1-KO mice. We performed in vivo electrophysiological studies of freely behaving Fmr1-KO mice to assess neural activity, in the form of single-unit spiking and local field potential (LFP), within the hippocampal CA1 region during multiple differentiated sleep and wake states. Here, we demonstrate that Fmr1-KO mice exhibited a deficit in rapid eye movement sleep (REM) due to a reduction in the frequency of bouts of REM, consistent with sleep architecture abnormalities of FXS patients. Fmr1-KO CA1 pyramidal cells (CA1-PCs) were hyperactive in all sleep and wake states. Increased low gamma power in CA1 suggests that this hyperactivity was related to increased input to CA1 from CA3. By contrast, slower sharp-wave ripple events (SWRs) in Fmr1-KO mice exhibited longer event duration, slower oscillation frequency, with reduced CA1-PC firing rates during SWRs, yet the incidence rate of SWRs remained intact. These results suggest abnormal neuronal activity in the Fmr1-KO mouse during SWRs, and hyperactivity during other wake and sleep states, with likely adverse consequences for memory processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine E Boone
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States; Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Heydar Davoudi
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States; Department of Psychology and Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Jon B Harrold
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - David J Foster
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States; Department of Psychology and Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA, United States.
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Dahlhaus R. Of Men and Mice: Modeling the Fragile X Syndrome. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:41. [PMID: 29599705 PMCID: PMC5862809 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2017] [Accepted: 01/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is one of the most common forms of inherited intellectual disability in all human societies. Caused by the transcriptional silencing of a single gene, the fragile x mental retardation gene FMR1, FXS is characterized by a variety of symptoms, which range from mental disabilities to autism and epilepsy. More than 20 years ago, a first animal model was described, the Fmr1 knock-out mouse. Several other models have been developed since then, including conditional knock-out mice, knock-out rats, a zebrafish and a drosophila model. Using these model systems, various targets for potential pharmaceutical treatments have been identified and many treatments have been shown to be efficient in preclinical studies. However, all attempts to turn these findings into a therapy for patients have failed thus far. In this review, I will discuss underlying difficulties and address potential alternatives for our future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Regina Dahlhaus
- Institute for Biochemistry, Emil-Fischer Centre, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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Berzhanskaya J, Phillips MA, Gorin A, Lai C, Shen J, Colonnese MT. Disrupted Cortical State Regulation in a Rat Model of Fragile X Syndrome. Cereb Cortex 2018; 27:1386-1400. [PMID: 26733529 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhv331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Children with Fragile X syndrome (FXS) have deficits of attention and arousal. To begin to identify the neural causes of these deficits, we examined juvenile rats lacking the Fragile X mental retardation protein (FMR-KO) for disruption of cortical activity related to attention and arousal. Specifically, we examined the switching of visual cortex between activated and inactivated states that normally occurs during movement and quiet rest, respectively. In both wild-type and FMR-KO rats, during the third and fourth postnatal weeks cortical activity during periods of movement was dominated by an activated state with prominent 18-52 Hz activity. However, during quiet rest, when activity in wild-type rats became dominated by the inactivated state (3-9 Hz activity), FMR-KO rat cortex abnormally remained activated, resulting in increased high-frequency and reduced low-frequency power during rest. Firing rate correlations revealed reduced synchronization in FMR-KO rats, particularly between fast-spiking interneurons, that developmentally precede cortical state defects. Together our data suggest that disrupted inhibitory connectivity impairs the ability of visual cortex to regulate exit from the activated state in a behaviorally appropriate manner, potentially contributing to disrupted attention and sensory processing observed in children with FXS by making it more difficult to decrease cortical drive by unattended stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Berzhanskaya
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology and Institute for Neuroscience
| | - Marnie A Phillips
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology and Institute for Neuroscience
| | - Alexis Gorin
- Department of Electrical Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - Chongxi Lai
- Department of Electrical Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - Jing Shen
- Department of Electrical Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
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Saré RM, Harkless L, Levine M, Torossian A, Sheeler CA, Smith CB. Deficient Sleep in Mouse Models of Fragile X Syndrome. Front Mol Neurosci 2017; 10:280. [PMID: 28919851 PMCID: PMC5585179 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2017.00280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2017] [Accepted: 08/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
In patients with fragile X syndrome (FXS), sleep problems are commonly observed but are not well characterized. In animal models of FXS (dfmr1 and Fmr1 knockout (KO)/Fxr2 heterozygote) circadian rhythmicity is affected, but sleep per se has not been examined. We used a home-cage monitoring system to assess total sleep time in both light and dark phases in Fmr1 KO mice at different developmental stages. Fmr1 KOs at P21 do not differ from controls, but genotype × phase interactions in both adult (P70 and P180) groups are statistically significant indicating that sleep in Fmr1 KOs is reduced selectively in the light phase compared to controls. Our results show the emergence of abnormal sleep in Fmr1 KOs during the later stages of brain maturation. Treatment of adult Fmr1 KO mice with a GABAB agonist, R-baclofen, did not restore sleep duration in the light phase. In adult (P70) Fmr1 KO/Fxr2 heterozygote animals, total sleep time was further reduced, once again in the light phase. Our data highlight the importance of the fragile X genes (Fmr1 and Fxr2) in sleep physiology and confirm the utility of these mouse models in enhancing our understanding of sleep disorders in FXS.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Michelle Saré
- Section on Neuroadaptation and Protein Metabolism, Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), National Institutes of Health (NIH)Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Lee Harkless
- Section on Neuroadaptation and Protein Metabolism, Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), National Institutes of Health (NIH)Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Merlin Levine
- Section on Neuroadaptation and Protein Metabolism, Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), National Institutes of Health (NIH)Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Anita Torossian
- Section on Neuroadaptation and Protein Metabolism, Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), National Institutes of Health (NIH)Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Carrie A Sheeler
- Section on Neuroadaptation and Protein Metabolism, Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), National Institutes of Health (NIH)Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Carolyn B Smith
- Section on Neuroadaptation and Protein Metabolism, Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), National Institutes of Health (NIH)Bethesda, MD, United States
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Tian Y, Yang C, Shang S, Cai Y, Deng X, Zhang J, Shao F, Zhu D, Liu Y, Chen G, Liang J, Sun Q, Qiu Z, Zhang C. Loss of FMRP Impaired Hippocampal Long-Term Plasticity and Spatial Learning in Rats. Front Mol Neurosci 2017; 10:269. [PMID: 28894415 PMCID: PMC5581399 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2017.00269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2017] [Accepted: 08/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutations in the FMR1 gene that inactivate expression of the gene product, the fragile X mental retardation 1 protein (FMRP). In this study, we used clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) technology to generate Fmr1 knockout (KO) rats by disruption of the fourth exon of the Fmr1 gene. Western blotting analysis confirmed that the FMRP was absent from the brains of the Fmr1 KO rats (Fmr1exon4-KO ). Electrophysiological analysis revealed that the theta-burst stimulation (TBS)-induced long-term potentiation (LTP) and the low-frequency stimulus (LFS)-induced long-term depression (LTD) were decreased in the hippocampal Schaffer collateral pathway of the Fmr1exon4-KO rats. Short-term plasticity, measured as the paired-pulse ratio, remained normal in the KO rats. The synaptic strength mediated by the α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor (AMPAR) was also impaired. Consistent with previous reports, the Fmr1exon4-KO rats demonstrated an enhanced 3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG)-induced LTD in the present study, and this enhancement is insensitive to protein translation. In addition, the Fmr1exon4-KO rats showed deficits in the probe trial in the Morris water maze test. These results demonstrate that deletion of the Fmr1 gene in rats specifically impairs long-term synaptic plasticity and hippocampus-dependent learning in a manner resembling the key symptoms of FXS. Furthermore, the Fmr1exon4-KO rats displayed impaired social interaction and macroorchidism, the results consistent with those observed in patients with FXS. Thus, Fmr1exon4-KO rats constitute a novel rat model of FXS that complements existing mouse models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonglu Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, School of Life Sciences, Peking University-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking UniversityBeijing, China.,Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking UniversityBeijing, China
| | - Chaojuan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, School of Life Sciences, Peking University-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking UniversityBeijing, China
| | - Shujiang Shang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, School of Life Sciences, Peking University-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking UniversityBeijing, China
| | - Yijun Cai
- CAS Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, Institute of Neuroscience, Chinese Academy of SciencesShanghai, China
| | - Xiaofei Deng
- Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, School of Life Sciences, Peking University-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking UniversityBeijing, China
| | - Feng Shao
- Department of Psychology, Peking UniversityBeijing, China
| | - Desheng Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, School of Life Sciences, Peking University-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking UniversityBeijing, China
| | - Yunbo Liu
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Peking Union Medical College/Chinese Academy of Medical SciencesBeijing, China
| | - Guiquan Chen
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing UniversityNanjing, China
| | - Jing Liang
- Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing, China
| | - Qiang Sun
- CAS Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, Institute of Neuroscience, Chinese Academy of SciencesShanghai, China
| | - Zilong Qiu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, Institute of Neuroscience, Chinese Academy of SciencesShanghai, China
| | - Chen Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, School of Life Sciences, Peking University-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking UniversityBeijing, China.,Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health and Family Planning Commission, Peking UniversityBeijing, China
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Prefrontal Cortex Dysfunction in Fragile X Mice Depends on the Continued Absence of Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein in the Adult Brain. J Neurosci 2017; 37:7305-7317. [PMID: 28652410 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0571-17.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2017] [Revised: 05/09/2017] [Accepted: 06/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Fragile X Syndrome (FX) is generally considered a developmental disorder, arising from a mutation that disrupts the transcription of Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein (FMRP). However, FMRP regulates the transcription of other proteins and participates in an unknown number of protein-protein interactions throughout life. In addition to known developmental issues, it is thus likely that some dysfunction is also due to the ongoing absence of FMRP. Dissociating dysfunction due to developmental dysregulation from dysfunction due to the continued absence of FMRP is necessary to understand the different roles of FMRP and to treat patients effectively throughout life. We show here that FX model mice display substantial deficits in a PFC-dependent task. We then use conditional knock-out mice to eliminate FMRP only in the PFC alone of adult mice. We observe an increase in the proportion of nonlearners and a delay in the onset of learning in both FX and conditional knock-out mice. The results suggest that these deficits (1) are due to the absence of FMRP in the PFC alone and (2) are not the result of developmental dysregulation. Furthermore, PFC-associated deficits are rescued by initiating production of FMRP in adult conditional restoration mice, suggesting that PFC dysfunction may persist as long as FMRP is absent and therefore can be rescued after development. The data suggest that it is possible to dissociate the roles of FMRP in neural function from developmental dysregulation, and that PFC function can be restored in the adult FX brain.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The absence of Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein (FMRP) from birth results in developmental disabilities and lifelong impairments. We show here that in mouse models PFC dysfunction in Fragile X Syndrome (FX) can be attributed to the continued absence of FMRP from the PFC, independent of FMRP status during development. Furthermore, initiation of FMRP production in the PFC of adult FX animals rescues PFC function. The results suggest that at least some FX-specific neurological defects can be rescued in the adult FX brain after development.
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Gaudissard J, Ginger M, Premoli M, Memo M, Frick A, Pietropaolo S. Behavioral abnormalities in the Fmr1-KO2 mouse model of fragile X syndrome: The relevance of early life phases. Autism Res 2017; 10:1584-1596. [DOI: 10.1002/aur.1814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2017] [Revised: 04/07/2017] [Accepted: 05/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Julie Gaudissard
- University of Bordeaux, INCIA; Pessac France
- CNRS, INCIA, UMR 5287; Pessac France
| | - Melanie Ginger
- INSERM, Neurocentre Magendie, U1215; Bordeaux France
- University of Bordeaux, Neurocentre Magendie, U1215; Bordeaux France
| | - Marika Premoli
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine; University of Brescia; Brescia Italy
| | - Maurizio Memo
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine; University of Brescia; Brescia Italy
| | - Andreas Frick
- INSERM, Neurocentre Magendie, U1215; Bordeaux France
- University of Bordeaux, Neurocentre Magendie, U1215; Bordeaux France
| | - Susanna Pietropaolo
- University of Bordeaux, INCIA; Pessac France
- CNRS, INCIA, UMR 5287; Pessac France
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Bonasera SJ, Chaudoin TR, Goulding EH, Mittek M, Dunaevsky A. Decreased home cage movement and oromotor impairments in adult Fmr1-KO mice. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2017; 16:564-573. [PMID: 28218824 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2016] [Revised: 01/16/2017] [Accepted: 02/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a common inherited disorder that significantly impacts family and patient day-to-day living across the entire life span. The childhood and adolescent behavioral consequences of FXS are well appreciated. However, there are significantly fewer studies (except those examining psychiatric comorbidities) assessing behavioral phenotypes seen in adults with FXS. Mice engineered with a genetic lesion of fragile X mental retardation 1 (Fmr1) recapitulate important molecular and neuroanatomical characteristics of FXS, and provide a means to evaluate adult behavioral phenotypes associated with FXS. We give the first description of baseline behaviors including feeding, drinking, movement and their circadian rhythms; all observed over 16 consecutive days following extensive environmental habituation in adult Fmr1-KO mutant mice. We find no genotypic changes in mouse food ingestion, feeding patterns, metabolism or circadian patterns of movement, feeding and drinking. After habituation, Fmr1-KO mice show significantly less daily movement during their active phase (the dark cycle). However, Fmr1-KO mice have more bouts of activity during the light cycle compared with wild types. In addition, Fmr1-KO mice show significantly less daily water ingestion during the circadian dark cycle, and this reduction in water intake is accompanied by a decrease in the amount of water ingested per lick. The observed water ingestion and circadian phenotypes noted in Fmr1-KO mice recapitulate known clinical aspects previously described in FXS. The finding of decreased movement in Fmr1-KO mice is novel, and suggests a dissociation between baseline and novelty-evoked activity for Fmr1-KO mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- S J Bonasera
- Division of Geriatrics, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | - T R Chaudoin
- Division of Geriatrics, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | - E H Goulding
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - M Mittek
- Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE
| | - A Dunaevsky
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Monroe-Meyer Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
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50
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Yin J, Schaaf CP. Autism genetics - an overview. Prenat Diagn 2016; 37:14-30. [DOI: 10.1002/pd.4942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2016] [Revised: 10/04/2016] [Accepted: 10/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jiani Yin
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics; Baylor College of Medicine; Houston TX USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital; Houston TX USA
| | - Christian P. Schaaf
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics; Baylor College of Medicine; Houston TX USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital; Houston TX USA
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