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Lin TL, Lu CC, Chen TW, Huang CW, Lu JJ, Lai WF, Wu TS, Lai CH, Lai HC, Chen YL. Amelioration of Maternal Immune Activation-Induced Autism Relevant Behaviors by Gut Commensal Parabacteroides goldsteinii. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232113070. [PMID: 36361859 PMCID: PMC9657948 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by cognitive inflexibility and social deficits. Probiotics have been demonstrated to play a promising role in managing the severity of ASD. However, there are no effective probiotics for clinical use. Identifying new probiotic strains for ameliorating ASD is therefore essential. Using the maternal immune activation (MIA)-based offspring ASD-like mouse model, a probiotic-based intervention strategy was examined in female mice. The gut commensal microbe Parabacteroides goldsteinii MTS01, which was previously demonstrated to exert multiple beneficial effects on chronic inflammation-related-diseases, was evaluated. Prenatal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure induced leaky gut-related inflammatory phenotypes in the colon, increased LPS activity in sera, and induced autistic-like behaviors in offspring mice. By contrast, P. goldsteinii MTS01 treatment significantly reduced intestinal and systemic inflammation and ameliorated disease development. Transcriptomic analyses of MIA offspring indicated that in the intestine, P. goldsteinii MTS01 enhanced neuropeptide-related signaling and suppressed aberrant cell proliferation and inflammatory responses. In the hippocampus, P. goldsteinii MTS01 increased ribosomal/mitochondrial and antioxidant activities and decreased glutamate receptor signaling. Together, significant ameliorative effects of P. goldsteinii MTS01 on ASD relevant behaviors in MIA offspring were identified. Therefore, P. goldsteinii MTS01 could be developed as a next-generation probiotic for ameliorating ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tzu-Lung Lin
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Laboratory Science, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan
- Microbiota Research Center and Emerging Viral Infections Research Center, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan
| | - Cha-Chen Lu
- Microbiota Research Center and Emerging Viral Infections Research Center, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan
- Department of Chest Medicine, Internal Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University Hospital, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 24205, Taiwan
- Department of Respiratory Therapy, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 24205, Taiwan
| | - Ting-Wen Chen
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
- Center For Intelligent Drug Systems and Smart Bio-Devices (IDS2B), National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Wei Huang
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
| | - Jang-Jih Lu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Internal Medicine, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Fan Lai
- Department of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan
| | - Ting-Shu Wu
- Department of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Ho Lai
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan
- Department of Pediatrics, Molecular Infectious Disease Research Center, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
- Department of Nursing, Asia University, Taichung 41354, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Chih Lai
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Laboratory Science, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan
- Microbiota Research Center and Emerging Viral Infections Research Center, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Internal Medicine, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan
- Research Center for Chinese Herbal Medicine and Research Center for Food and Cosmetic Safety, College of Human Ecology, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan 33303, Taiwan
- Medical Research Center, Xiamen Chang Gung Hospital, Xiamen 361028, China
- Correspondence: (H.-C.L.); (Y.-L.C.)
| | - Ya-Lei Chen
- Department of Biotechnology, National Kaohsiung Normal University, Kaohsiung 82446, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (H.-C.L.); (Y.-L.C.)
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Nakhal MM, Aburuz S, Sadek B, Akour A. Repurposing SGLT2 Inhibitors for Neurological Disorders: A Focus on the Autism Spectrum Disorder. Molecules 2022; 27:7174. [PMID: 36364000 PMCID: PMC9653623 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27217174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with a substantially increasing incidence rate. It is characterized by repetitive behavior, learning difficulties, deficits in social communication, and interactions. Numerous medications, dietary supplements, and behavioral treatments have been recommended for the management of this condition, however, there is no cure yet. Recent studies have examined the therapeutic potential of the sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors in neurodevelopmental diseases, based on their proved anti-inflammatory effects, such as downregulating the expression of several proteins, including the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and the monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP-1). Furthermore, numerous previous studies revealed the potential of the SGLT2 inhibitors to provide antioxidant effects, due to their ability to reduce the generation of free radicals and upregulating the antioxidant systems, such as glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), while crossing the blood brain barrier (BBB). These properties have led to significant improvements in the neurologic outcomes of multiple experimental disease models, including cerebral oxidative stress in diabetes mellitus and ischemic stroke, Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and epilepsy. Such diseases have mutual biomarkers with ASD, which potentially could be a link to fill the gap of the literature studying the potential of repurposing the SGLT2 inhibitors' use in ameliorating the symptoms of ASD. This review will look at the impact of the SGLT2 inhibitors on neurodevelopmental disorders on the various models, including humans, rats, and mice, with a focus on the SGLT2 inhibitor canagliflozin. Furthermore, this review will discuss how SGLT2 inhibitors regulate the ASD biomarkers, based on the clinical evidence supporting their functions as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier (BBB).
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Moutaz Nakhal
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Al-Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
| | - Salahdein Aburuz
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Al-Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
- Zayed Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain P.O. Box 17666, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Biopharmaceutics and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan
| | - Bassem Sadek
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Al-Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
- Zayed Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain P.O. Box 17666, United Arab Emirates
| | - Amal Akour
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Al-Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
- Zayed Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain P.O. Box 17666, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Biopharmaceutics and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan
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Kandeel M, El-Deeb W. The Application of Natural Camel Milk Products to Treat Autism-Spectrum Disorders: Risk Assessment and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials. Bioinorg Chem Appl 2022; 2022:6422208. [PMID: 35669459 PMCID: PMC9166988 DOI: 10.1155/2022/6422208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Camel milk is better tolerated than the milk of other ruminants, potentially expanding its consumer appeal. It also contains essential vitamins, minerals, and immunoglobulins, providing the milk with antioxidant, antibacterial, and antiviral properties. These properties may reduce oxidative stress in camel milk consumers, ameliorating many conditions, including those of the CNS, such as autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). We performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in which camel milk administration (boiled or raw) was examined as an ASD treatment intervention. The primary endpoint was participants' total autism scores, determined using the Childhood Autistic Responsiveness Scale (CARS). A comparison of the responsiveness in these ASD intervention groups yielded a mean difference (MD) of 1.99 (0.89, 3.08) in those consuming boiled camel milk, MD = 2.77 (1.92, 3.61) in raw camel milk consumers, and MD = -1.02 (-0.10, 2.13) in cow milk consumers. Heterogeneity was notably low among the examined studies. Treatment of ASD with raw and boiled camel milk resulted in significantly lower CARS scores than the placebo. Our findings support the development of larger, more populated RCTs to establish camel milk's overall potential as a therapeutic intervention for CNS disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud Kandeel
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Hofuf 31982, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelshikh University, Kafr El-Shikh 33516, Egypt
| | - Wael El-Deeb
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, Al Hofuf, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Internal Medicine,Infectious Diseases and Fish Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Manosura, Egypt
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Liu Y, Yang Z, Du Y, Shi S, Cheng Y. Antioxidant interventions in autism spectrum disorders: A meta-analysis. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2022; 113:110476. [PMID: 34793863 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2021.110476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) might be associated with oxidative stress, and antioxidants are commonly used in the treatment of young people with ASD. However, the evidence about the effectiveness of these interventions remains debatable. We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of antioxidants on the symptoms of patients with autism. METHODS Data sources: PubMed and Web of Science databases. STUDY SELECTION We selected placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized clinical trials published until February 2021 to evaluate the efficacy of antioxidant interventions on ASD. DATA ANALYSIS Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC), Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised (RBS), Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS), Developmental Behavior Checklist (DBC) and Clinical Global Impressions Severity scale (CGIS) were used to evaluate the 22 different symptom outcomes. The Hedges-adjusted g value was used to estimate the effect of each dietary intervention relative to the placebo. RESULTS In this meta-analysis, we examined 13 double-blind randomized clinical trials, comprising a total of 570 patients with ASD: 293 in the intervention group and 277 in the placebo group. Antioxidants (N-acetylcysteine (NAC), other antioxidants) are more effective than placebos in improving the irritability among symptoms in the ABC and communication disturbance symptoms in the DBC. There was a good trend of improvement in the stereotypic behavior symptoms in the ABC. Treatment with NAC antioxidants showed a good trend of improvement in irritability in the ABC and symptoms of hyperactivity. The effect size was small, and there was a low risk of statistical heterogeneity and publication bias. LIMITATIONS The number of studies in this meta-analysis was small and the sample size was small. CONCLUSION This meta-analysis suggests that antioxidant intervention has a potential role in the management of some symptoms in patients with ASD, and indicates the feasibility of using antioxidants to treat autism in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiying Liu
- Center on Translational Neuroscience, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, China
| | - Zimeng Yang
- Center on Translational Neuroscience, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, China
| | - Yang Du
- Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine for Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Sha Shi
- Center on Translational Neuroscience, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, China.
| | - Yong Cheng
- Center on Translational Neuroscience, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, China.
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Villarreal-Martínez L, González-Martínez G, Sáenz-Flores M, Bautista-Gómez AJ, González-Martínez A, Ortiz-Castillo M, Robles-Sáenz DA, Garza-López E. Stem Cell Therapy in the Treatment of Patients With Autism Spectrum Disorder: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2021; 18:155-164. [PMID: 34515938 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-021-10257-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Assess the safety and efficacy of upcoming stem cell treatments and analyze their effects on the cognitive and behavioral impairments in patients diagnosed with autism. METHODS We included controlled and noncontrolled, randomized and non-randomized trials evaluating stem cell therapy as a treatment in patients with autism spectrum disorder compared to placebo or without comparator. DATA SOURCES Scopus, Web of Science, MEDLINE and EMBASE. Risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane's Risk of Bias tool and the NIH's Quality Assessment Tool for Studies With No Control Group. RESULTS Eleven trials including 461 patients proved eligible. ABC scale meta-analysis showed a mean raw of -11.97 in the intervention groups (95 % CI -91.45 to 67.52, p < 0.01). CARS scale reported a mean raw of -9.08 (95 % CI -15.43 to -2.73, p < 0.01). VABS scale was reported by their domains: communication domain reported a mean raw of 2.69 (95 % CI 1.30 to 4.08, p = 0.92); daily living domain, 1.99 (95 % CI 0.83 to 3.15, p = 0.51); motor domain, 1.06 (95 % CI -0.37 to 2.48, p = 0.20); socialization domain, 3.09 (95 % CI 1.71 to 4.48, p = 0.61); adaptive behavior domain, 2.10 (95 % CI 1.04 to 3.16, p = 0.36). Furthermore, the most common side effects reported included fever, hyperactivity, vomit, headache, and aggressiveness; no serious adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS The body of evidence suggests that stem cell therapy significantly improves scales in patients with autism spectrum disorder, hence, future studies should help us have more confidence in the results. We found no serious adverse events related to the stem cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Villarreal-Martínez
- Hematology Service, Hospital UniversitariöDr. José Eleuterio González¨, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Nuevo León, Monterrey, México.
| | - Gerardo González-Martínez
- Hematology Service, Hospital UniversitariöDr. José Eleuterio González¨, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Nuevo León, Monterrey, México
| | - Melissa Sáenz-Flores
- Plataforma INVEST Medicina UANL-KER Unit Mayo Clinic (KER Unit Mexico), Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, 64460, México
| | - Andrea Judith Bautista-Gómez
- Hematology Service, Hospital UniversitariöDr. José Eleuterio González¨, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Nuevo León, Monterrey, México
| | - Adrián González-Martínez
- Hematology Service, Hospital UniversitariöDr. José Eleuterio González¨, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Nuevo León, Monterrey, México
| | - Miguel Ortiz-Castillo
- Hematology Service, Hospital UniversitariöDr. José Eleuterio González¨, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Nuevo León, Monterrey, México
| | - David Alejandro Robles-Sáenz
- Hematology Service, Hospital UniversitariöDr. José Eleuterio González¨, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Nuevo León, Monterrey, México
| | - Elizabeth Garza-López
- Plataforma INVEST Medicina UANL-KER Unit Mayo Clinic (KER Unit Mexico), Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, 64460, México
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Efe A, Neşelioğlu S, Soykan A. An Investigation of the Dynamic Thiol/Disulfide Homeostasis, As a Novel Oxidative Stress Plasma Biomarker, in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders. Autism Res 2020; 14:473-487. [PMID: 33210838 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
We aimed to investigate the role of impaired oxidant-antioxidant homeostasis on the etiopathogenesis of autism with a novel oxidative stress (OS) marker, dynamic thiol/disulfide homeostasis (DTDH), and relationship between the symptom severity and markers. A total of 60 children with ASD aged 3-10 years and 54 unaffected children were investigated for the plasma DTDH parameters. A sociodemographic-data form, K-SADS-PL, Childhood Autism Rating Scale, Abnormal Behavior Checklist, Autism Behavior Checklist, and a developmentally appropriate IQ test were administered to all participants. Distortion of DTDH to the OS-side in the autism group was determined with lower plasma levels of native and total thiol, in contrast to a higher disulfide and thiol oxidation-reduction ratio. However, biomarkers had no correlation with the symptom severity of autism. Cutoff values for each parameter on the ROC curve might be useful to predict ASD and each DTDH biomarker was detected as an independent predictor of ASD. The present study demonstrated a disturbed redox status and absence of an expected compensatory increase in antioxidant response in a pediatric sample of ASD by measuring dynamic oxidation/reduction shifts with a novel, practical and reproducible analytical technique, and contributes to data regarding oxidative hypothesis on autism and raises the question of the place of antioxidants in autism treatment. Our results may suggest predictive usefulness of the plasma DTDH biomarkers in ASD, despite the study being conducted with a modestly small sample size that makes further research with a larger replication sample necessary to substantiate the findings. LAY SUMMARY: Dynamic thiol/disulfide homeostasis is a novel plasma marker used to determine the oxidative stress which is a natural result of disequilibrium between the oxidants and antioxidants in the human body. There is increasing interest regarding a central biological linking role of oxidative stress among the other etiological factors of autism. Our findings on the disturbed plasma dynamic thiol/disulfide homeostasis in children with autism and the absence of an expected antioxidant response against increased oxidative stress supports the data concerning the role of oxidative stress on the etiology of autism and the need of further research on the place of antioxidants in autism treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayşegül Efe
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Dr. Sami Ulus Gynecology Obstetrics and Child Health and Diseases Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Salim Neşelioğlu
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Yıldırım Beyazıt University, Ankara Atatürk Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Ayla Soykan
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Ankara University, School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
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Almehmadi KA, Tsilioni I, Theoharides TC. Increased Expression of miR‐155p5 in Amygdala of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder. Autism Res 2019; 13:18-23. [DOI: 10.1002/aur.2205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2019] [Revised: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Khulood Abdullah Almehmadi
- Graduate Program in Pharmacology and Drug Development, Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical SciencesTufts University Boston Massachusetts
- Molecular Immunopharmacology and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of ImmunologyTufts University School of Medicine Boston Massachusetts
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of PharmacyKing Abdulaziz University Jeddah Saudi Arabia
| | - Irene Tsilioni
- Molecular Immunopharmacology and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of ImmunologyTufts University School of Medicine Boston Massachusetts
| | - Theoharis C. Theoharides
- Graduate Program in Pharmacology and Drug Development, Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical SciencesTufts University Boston Massachusetts
- Molecular Immunopharmacology and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of ImmunologyTufts University School of Medicine Boston Massachusetts
- Department of Internal MedicineTufts University School of Medicine and Tufts Medical Center Boston Massachusetts
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8
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Kirsten TB, Casarin RC, Bernardi MM, Felicio LF. Pioglitazone abolishes cognition impairments as well as BDNF and neurotensin disturbances in a rat model of autism. Biol Open 2019; 8:bio.041327. [PMID: 31036753 PMCID: PMC6550086 DOI: 10.1242/bio.041327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
We have shown that exposure of rats to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) during gestation induces autistic-like behaviors in juvenile offspring and pioglitazone post treatment corrects social and communication deficits. The first objective of the present study was to evaluate the cognition of the rats, because this is also a behavioral sphere committed in autism. Second, biomarkers related to pioglitazone pathways and autism were studied to try to understand their mechanisms. We used our rat model of autism and pioglitazone was administered daily to these young offspring. T-maze spontaneous alternations tests, plasma levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), beta-endorphin, neurotensin, oxytocin, and substance P were all studied. Exposure of rats to LPS during gestation induced cognitive deficits in the young offspring, elevated BDNF levels and decreased neurotensin levels. Daily postnatal pioglitazone treatment abolished cognition impairments as well as BDNF and neurotensin disturbances. Together with our previous studies, we suggest pioglitazone as a candidate for the treatment of autism, because it improved the responses of the three most typical autistic-like behaviors. BDNF and neurotensin also appeared to be related to the autistic-like behaviors and should be considered for therapeutic purposes. Summary: Exposure of rats to lipopolysaccharide during gestation induced autistic-like behaviors in the juvenile offspring. Daily postnatal pioglitazone treatment abolished cognition impairments as well as brain-derived neurotrophic factor and neurotensin disturbances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thiago B Kirsten
- Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-270, Brazil .,Environmental and Experimental Pathology, Paulista University, São Paulo 04026-002, Brazil
| | - Renato C Casarin
- Graduate Program of Dentistry, Paulista University, São Paulo 04026-002, Brazil
| | - Maria M Bernardi
- Environmental and Experimental Pathology, Paulista University, São Paulo 04026-002, Brazil.,Graduate Program of Dentistry, Paulista University, São Paulo 04026-002, Brazil
| | - Luciano F Felicio
- Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-270, Brazil
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Kirsten TB, Casarin RC, Bernardi MM, Felicio LF. Pioglitazone abolishes autistic-like behaviors via the IL-6 pathway. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0197060. [PMID: 29791472 PMCID: PMC5965820 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0197060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2018] [Accepted: 04/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism is characterized by social deficits, communication abnormalities, and repetitive behaviors. The risk factors appear to include genetic and environmental conditions, such as prenatal infections and maternal dietary factors. Previous investigations by our group have demonstrated that prenatal exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which mimics infections by gram-negative bacteria, induces autistic-like behaviors. No effective treatment yet exists for autism. Therefore, we used our rat model to test a possible treatment for autism. We selected pioglitazone to block or ease the impairments induced by LPS because although this drug was designed as an anti-diabetic drug (it has an insulin effect), it also exerts anti-inflammatory effects. Juvenile offspring were treated daily with pioglitazone, and the main behaviors related to autism, namely, socialization (play behavior) and communication (50-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations), were studied. Biomarkers linked to autism and/or pioglitazone were also studied to attempt to understand the mechanisms involved, namely, IL-6, TNF-alpha, MCP-1, insulin, and leptin. Prenatal LPS exposure induced social deficits and communicational abnormalities in juvenile rat offspring as well as elevated plasma IL-6 levels. Daily postnatal pioglitazone treatment blocked the impairments found in terms of the time spent on social interaction, the number of vocalizations (i.e., autistic-like behaviors) and the elevated plasma IL-6 levels. Thus, pioglitazone appears to be a relevant candidate for the treatment of autism. The present findings may contribute to a better understanding and treatment of autism and associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thiago Berti Kirsten
- Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Environmental and Experimental Pathology, Paulista University, São Paulo, Brazil
- * E-mail:
| | - Renato C. Casarin
- Graduate Program of Dentistry, Paulista University, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria M. Bernardi
- Environmental and Experimental Pathology, Paulista University, São Paulo, Brazil
- Graduate Program of Dentistry, Paulista University, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luciano F. Felicio
- Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Zhang W, Groen W, Mennes M, Greven C, Buitelaar J, Rommelse N. Revisiting subcortical brain volume correlates of autism in the ABIDE dataset: effects of age and sex. Psychol Med 2018; 48:654-668. [PMID: 28745267 DOI: 10.1017/s003329171700201x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are characterized by substantial clinical, etiological and neurobiological heterogeneity. Despite this heterogeneity, previous imaging studies have highlighted the role of specific cortical and subcortical structures in ASD and have forwarded the notion of an ASD specific neuroanatomy in which abnormalities in brain structures are present that can be used for diagnostic classification approaches. METHOD A large (N = 859, 6-27 years, IQ 70-130) multi-center structural magnetic resonance imaging dataset was examined to specifically test ASD diagnostic effects regarding (sub)cortical volumes. RESULTS Despite the large sample size, we found virtually no main effects of ASD diagnosis. Yet, several significant two- and three-way interaction effects of diagnosis by age by gender were found. CONCLUSION The neuroanatomy of ASD does not exist, but is highly age and gender dependent. Implications for approaches of stratification of ASD into more homogeneous subtypes are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Zhang
- Donders Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University,Nijmegen,The Netherlands
| | - W Groen
- Karakter, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry University Center,Nijmegen,The Netherlands
| | - M Mennes
- Donders Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University,Nijmegen,The Netherlands
| | - C Greven
- Karakter, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry University Center,Nijmegen,The Netherlands
| | - J Buitelaar
- Karakter, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry University Center,Nijmegen,The Netherlands
| | - N Rommelse
- Karakter, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry University Center,Nijmegen,The Netherlands
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Shaw CA. Aluminum as a CNS and Immune System Toxin Across the Life Span. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2018; 1091:53-83. [DOI: 10.1007/978-981-13-1370-7_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
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Li D, Tomljenovic L, Li Y, Shaw CA. RETRACTED: Subcutaneous injections of aluminum at vaccine adjuvant levels activate innate immune genes in mouse brain that are homologous with biomarkers of autism. J Inorg Biochem 2017; 177:39-54. [PMID: 28923356 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2017.08.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2017] [Revised: 08/30/2017] [Accepted: 08/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Dan Li
- Dept. of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Lucija Tomljenovic
- Dept. of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Yongling Li
- Dept. of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Christopher A Shaw
- Dept. of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Program in Experimental Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Program in Neuroscience, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
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Bu X, Wu D, Lu X, Yang L, Xu X, Wang J, Tang J. Role of SIRT1/PGC-1α in mitochondrial oxidative stress in autistic spectrum disorder. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2017; 13:1633-1645. [PMID: 28694700 PMCID: PMC5491272 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s129081] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder and has a high prevalence in children. Recently, mitochondrial oxidative stress has been proposed to be associated with ASD. Besides, SIRT1/PGC-1α signaling plays an important role in combating oxidative stress. In this study, we sought to determine the role of SIRT1/PGC-1α signaling in the ASD lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs). In this study, the mRNA and protein expressions of SIRT1/PGC-1α axis genes were assessed in 35 children with ASD and 35 healthy controls (matched for age, gender, and IQ). An immortalized LCL was established by transforming lymphocytes with Epstein-Barr virus. Next, we used ASD LCLs and control LCLs to detect SIRT1/PGC-1α axis genes expression and oxidative damage. Finally, the effect of overexpression of PGC-1α on oxidative injury in the ASD LCLs was determined. SIRT1/PGC-1α axis genes expression was downregulated at RNA and protein levels in ASD patients and LCLs. Besides, the translocation of cytochrome c and DIABLO from mitochondria to the cytosol was found in the ASD LCLs. Moreover, the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial ROS and cell apoptosis were increased in the ASD LCLs. However, overexpression of PGC-1α upregulated the SIRT1/PGC-1α axis genes expression and reduced cytochrome c and DIABLO release in the ASD LCLs. Also, overexpression of PGC-1α reduced the ROS generation and cell apoptosis in the ASD LCLs. Overexpression of PGC-1α could reduce the oxidative injury in the ASD LCLs, and PGC-1α may act as a target for treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaosong Bu
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
| | - De Wu
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaomei Lu
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Li Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaoyan Xu
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Juan Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jiulai Tang
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
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Prenatal lipopolysaccharide induces hypothalamic dopaminergic hypoactivity and autistic-like behaviors: Repetitive self-grooming and stereotypies. Behav Brain Res 2017; 331:25-29. [PMID: 28526515 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2017.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2017] [Revised: 05/02/2017] [Accepted: 05/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Previous investigations by our group have shown that prenatal exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which mimics infection by gram-negative bacteria, induces social, cognitive, and communication deficits. For a complete screening of autistic-like behaviors, the objective of this study was to evaluate if our rat model also induces restricted and repetitive stereotyped behaviors. Thus, we studied the self-grooming microstructure. We also studied the neurochemistry of hypothalamus and frontal cortex, which are brain areas related to autism to better understand central mechanisms involved in our model. Prenatal LPS exposure on gestational day 9.5 increased the head washing episodes (frequency and time), as well as the total self-grooming. However, body grooming, paw/leg licking, tail/genital grooming, and circling behavior/tail chasing did not vary significantly among the groups. Moreover, prenatal LPS induced dopaminergic hypoactivity (HVA metabolite and turnover) in the hypothalamus. Therefore, our rat model induced restricted and repetitive stereotyped behaviors and the other main symptoms of autism experimentally studied in rodent models and also found in patients. The hypothalamic dopaminergic impairments seem to be associated with the autistic-like behaviors.
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15
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Sivanesan S, Tan A, Jeyaraj R, Lam J, Gole M, Hardan A, Ashkan K, Rajadas J. Pharmaceuticals and Stem Cells in Autism Spectrum Disorders: Wishful Thinking? World Neurosurg 2017; 98:659-672. [DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2016.09.100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2016] [Revised: 09/24/2016] [Accepted: 09/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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16
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Yoo MH, Kim TY, Yoon YH, Koh JY. Autism phenotypes in ZnT3 null mice: Involvement of zinc dyshomeostasis, MMP-9 activation and BDNF upregulation. Sci Rep 2016; 6:28548. [PMID: 27352957 PMCID: PMC4926223 DOI: 10.1038/srep28548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2016] [Accepted: 06/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
To investigate the role of synaptic zinc in the ASD pathogenesis, we examined zinc transporter 3 (ZnT3) null mice. At 4–5 weeks of age, male but not female ZnT3 null mice exhibited autistic-like behaviors. Cortical volume and neurite density were significantly greater in male ZnT3 null mice than in WT mice. In male ZnT3 null mice, consistent with enhanced neurotrophic stimuli, the level of BDNF as well as activity of MMP-9 was increased. Consistent with known roles for MMPs in BDNF upregulation, 2.5-week treatment with minocycline, an MMP inhibitor, significantly attenuated BDNF levels as well as megalencephaly and autistic-like behaviors. Although the ZnT3 null state removed synaptic zinc, it rather increased free zinc in the cytosol of brain cells, which appeared to increase MMP-9 activity and BDNF levels. The present results suggest that zinc dyshomeostasis during the critical period of brain development may be a possible contributing mechanism for ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Heui Yoo
- Neural Injury Research Lab, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 138-736, Korea
| | - Tae-Youn Kim
- Neural Injury Research Lab, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 138-736, Korea
| | - Young Hee Yoon
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 138-736, Korea
| | - Jae-Young Koh
- Neural Injury Research Lab, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 138-736, Korea.,Department of Neurology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 138-736, Korea
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17
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Durieux AMS, Horder J, Mendez MA, Egerton A, Williams SCR, Wilson CE, Spain D, Murphy C, Robertson D, Barker GJ, Murphy DG, McAlonan GM. Cortical and subcortical glutathione levels in adults with autism spectrum disorder. Autism Res 2016; 9:429-435. [PMID: 26290215 PMCID: PMC4761328 DOI: 10.1002/aur.1522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2015] [Revised: 06/01/2015] [Accepted: 07/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Increased oxidative stress has been postulated to contribute to the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, reports of alterations in oxidation markers including glutathione (GSH), the major endogenous antioxidant, are indirect, coming from blood plasma level measurements and postmortem studies. Therefore we used in-vivo 3 Tesla proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ([1H]MRS) to directly measure GSH concentrations in the basal ganglia (BG) and the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex of 21 normally intelligent adult males with ASD and 29 controls who did not differ in age or IQ. There was no difference in brain GSH between patients and controls in either brain area; neither did GSH levels correlate with measures of clinical severity in patients. Thus [1H]MRS measures of cortical and subcortical GSH are not a biomarker for ASD in intellectually able adult men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice M S Durieux
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London UK (A.M.S.D., J.H., M.A.M., C.E.W., D.S., C.M., D.G.M., G.M.M.) Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK (A.E.) Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK (S.W., G.J.B.) Behavioural and Developmental Clinical Academic Group, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation (D.R.) The Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK (C.M., D.G.M, G.M.M.)
| | - Jamie Horder
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London UK (A.M.S.D., J.H., M.A.M., C.E.W., D.S., C.M., D.G.M., G.M.M.) Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK (A.E.) Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK (S.W., G.J.B.) Behavioural and Developmental Clinical Academic Group, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation (D.R.) The Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK (C.M., D.G.M, G.M.M.)
| | - M Andreina Mendez
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London UK (A.M.S.D., J.H., M.A.M., C.E.W., D.S., C.M., D.G.M., G.M.M.) Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK (A.E.) Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK (S.W., G.J.B.) Behavioural and Developmental Clinical Academic Group, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation (D.R.) The Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK (C.M., D.G.M, G.M.M.)
| | - Alice Egerton
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London UK (A.M.S.D., J.H., M.A.M., C.E.W., D.S., C.M., D.G.M., G.M.M.) Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK (A.E.) Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK (S.W., G.J.B.) Behavioural and Developmental Clinical Academic Group, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation (D.R.) The Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK (C.M., D.G.M, G.M.M.)
| | - Steven C R Williams
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London UK (A.M.S.D., J.H., M.A.M., C.E.W., D.S., C.M., D.G.M., G.M.M.) Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK (A.E.) Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK (S.W., G.J.B.) Behavioural and Developmental Clinical Academic Group, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation (D.R.) The Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK (C.M., D.G.M, G.M.M.)
| | - C Ellie Wilson
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London UK (A.M.S.D., J.H., M.A.M., C.E.W., D.S., C.M., D.G.M., G.M.M.) Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK (A.E.) Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK (S.W., G.J.B.) Behavioural and Developmental Clinical Academic Group, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation (D.R.) The Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK (C.M., D.G.M, G.M.M.)
| | - Debbie Spain
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London UK (A.M.S.D., J.H., M.A.M., C.E.W., D.S., C.M., D.G.M., G.M.M.) Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK (A.E.) Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK (S.W., G.J.B.) Behavioural and Developmental Clinical Academic Group, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation (D.R.) The Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK (C.M., D.G.M, G.M.M.)
| | - Clodagh Murphy
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London UK (A.M.S.D., J.H., M.A.M., C.E.W., D.S., C.M., D.G.M., G.M.M.) Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK (A.E.) Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK (S.W., G.J.B.) Behavioural and Developmental Clinical Academic Group, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation (D.R.) The Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK (C.M., D.G.M, G.M.M.)
| | - Dene Robertson
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London UK (A.M.S.D., J.H., M.A.M., C.E.W., D.S., C.M., D.G.M., G.M.M.) Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK (A.E.) Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK (S.W., G.J.B.) Behavioural and Developmental Clinical Academic Group, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation (D.R.) The Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK (C.M., D.G.M, G.M.M.)
| | - Gareth J Barker
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London UK (A.M.S.D., J.H., M.A.M., C.E.W., D.S., C.M., D.G.M., G.M.M.) Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK (A.E.) Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK (S.W., G.J.B.) Behavioural and Developmental Clinical Academic Group, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation (D.R.) The Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK (C.M., D.G.M, G.M.M.)
| | - Declan G Murphy
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London UK (A.M.S.D., J.H., M.A.M., C.E.W., D.S., C.M., D.G.M., G.M.M.) Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK (A.E.) Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK (S.W., G.J.B.) Behavioural and Developmental Clinical Academic Group, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation (D.R.) The Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK (C.M., D.G.M, G.M.M.)
| | - Grainne M McAlonan
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London UK (A.M.S.D., J.H., M.A.M., C.E.W., D.S., C.M., D.G.M., G.M.M.) Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK (A.E.) Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK (S.W., G.J.B.) Behavioural and Developmental Clinical Academic Group, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation (D.R.) The Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK (C.M., D.G.M, G.M.M.)
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Billeci L, Tonacci A, Tartarisco G, Ruta L, Pioggia G, Gangemi S. Reply to Fluegge: Association Between Atopic Dermatitis and Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Systematic Review. Am J Clin Dermatol 2016; 17:189-90. [PMID: 26923914 DOI: 10.1007/s40257-016-0181-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Billeci
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, via Savi 10, 56126, Pisa, Italy
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), via Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessandro Tonacci
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), via Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Gennaro Tartarisco
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems "Eduardo Caianiello" (ISASI), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), via Torre Bianca, Mortelle, 98164, Messina, Italy
| | - Liliana Ruta
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), via Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Stella Maris Scientific Institute, viale del Tirreno 331, 56018, Pisa, Calambrone, Italy
| | - Giovanni Pioggia
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems "Eduardo Caianiello" (ISASI), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), via Torre Bianca, Mortelle, 98164, Messina, Italy.
| | - Sebastiano Gangemi
- School and Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital ''G. Martino'', via C. Valeria 1, 98125, Messina, Italy
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Lipopolysaccharide Exposure Induces Maternal Hypozincemia, and Prenatal Zinc Treatment Prevents Autistic-Like Behaviors and Disturbances in the Striatal Dopaminergic and mTOR Systems of Offspring. PLoS One 2015. [PMID: 26218250 PMCID: PMC4517817 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0134565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism is characterized by social deficits, repetitive behaviors, and cognitive inflexibility. The risk factors appear to include genetic and environmental conditions, such as prenatal infections and maternal dietary factors. Previous investigations by our group have demonstrated that prenatal exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which mimics infection by gram-negative bacteria, induces autistic-like behaviors. To understand the causes of autistic-like behaviors, we evaluated maternal serum metal concentrations, which are involved in intrauterine development and infection/inflammation. We identified reduced maternal levels of zinc, magnesium, selenium and manganese after LPS exposure. Because LPS induced maternal hypozincemia, we treated dams with zinc in an attempt to prevent or ease the impairments in the offspring. We evaluated the social and cognitive autistic-like behaviors and brain tissues of the offspring to identify the central mechanism that triggers the development of autism. Prenatal LPS exposure impaired play behaviors and T-maze spontaneous alternations, i.e., it induced autistic-like behaviors. Prenatal LPS also decreased tyrosine hydroxylase levels and increased the levels of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) in the striatum. Thus, striatal dopaminergic impairments may be related to autism. Moreover, excessive signaling through the mTOR pathway has been considered a biomarker of autism, corroborating our rat model of autism. Prenatal zinc treatment prevented these autistic-like behaviors and striatal dopaminergic and mTOR disturbances in the offspring induced by LPS exposure. The present findings revealed a possible relation between maternal hypozincemia during gestation and the onset of autism. Furthermore, prenatal zinc administration appears to have a beneficial effect on the prevention of autism.
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Prenatal zinc prevents communication impairments and BDNF disturbance in a rat model of autism induced by prenatal lipopolysaccharide exposure. Life Sci 2015; 130:12-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2015.02.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2014] [Revised: 02/11/2015] [Accepted: 02/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Theoharides TC, Stewart JM, Panagiotidou S, Melamed I. Mast cells, brain inflammation and autism. Eur J Pharmacol 2015; 778:96-102. [PMID: 25941080 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2015.03.086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2014] [Revised: 02/15/2015] [Accepted: 03/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Increasing evidence indicates that brain inflammation is involved in the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric diseases. Mast cells (MCs) are located perivascularly close to neurons and microglia, primarily in the leptomeninges, thalamus, hypothalamus and especially the median eminence. Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) is secreted from the hypothalamus under stress and, together with neurotensin (NT), can stimulate brain MCs to release inflammatory and neurotoxic mediators that disrupt the blood-brain barrier (BBB), stimulate microglia and cause focal inflammation. CRF and NT synergistically stimulate MCs and increase vascular permeability; these peptides can also induce each other׳s surface receptors on MCs leading to autocrine and paracrine effects. As a result, brain MCs may be involved in the pathogenesis of "brain fog," headaches, and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), which worsen with stress. CRF and NT are significantly increased in serum of ASD children compared to normotypic controls further strengthening their role in the pathogenesis of autism. There are no clinically affective treatments for the core symptoms of ASDs, but pilot clinical trials using natural-antioxidant and anti-inflammatory molecules reported statistically significant benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theoharis C Theoharides
- Molecular Immunopharmacology and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of Integrative Physiology and Pathobiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine and Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Tufts University School of Medicine and Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Julia M Stewart
- Molecular Immunopharmacology and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of Integrative Physiology and Pathobiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, USA
| | - Smaro Panagiotidou
- Molecular Immunopharmacology and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of Integrative Physiology and Pathobiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, USA
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22
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Theoharides TC, Athanassiou M, Panagiotidou S, Doyle R. Dysregulated brain immunity and neurotrophin signaling in Rett syndrome and autism spectrum disorders. J Neuroimmunol 2014; 279:33-8. [PMID: 25669997 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2014.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2014] [Revised: 11/18/2014] [Accepted: 12/02/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Rett syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder, which occurs in about 1:15,000 females and presents with neurologic and communication defects. It is transmitted as an X-linked dominant linked to mutations of the methyl-CpG-binding protein (MeCP2), a gene transcription suppressor, but its definitive pathogenesis is unknown thus hindering development of effective treatments. Almost half of children with Rett syndrome also have behavioral symptoms consistent with those of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). PubMed was searched (2005-2014) using the terms: allergy, atopy, brain, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), cytokines, gene mutations, inflammation, mast cells (MCs), microglia, mitochondria, neurotensin (NT), neurotrophins, seizures, stress, and treatment. There are a number of intriguing differences and similarities between Rett syndrome and ASDs. Rett syndrome occurs in females, while ASDs more often in males, and the former has neurologic disabilities unlike ASDs. There is evidence of dysregulated immune system early in life in both conditions. Lack of microglial phagocytosis and decreased levels of BDNF appear to distinguish Rett syndrome from ASDs, in which there is instead microglia activation and/or proliferation and possibly defective BDNF signaling. Moreover, brain mast cell (MC) activation and focal inflammation may be more prominent in ASDs than Rett syndrome. The flavonoid luteolin blocks microglia and MC activation, provides BDNF-like activity, reverses Rett phenotype in mouse models, and has a significant benefit in children with ASDs. Appropriate formulations of luteolin or other natural molecules may be useful in the treatment of Rett syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theoharis C Theoharides
- Molecular Immunopharmacology and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of Integrative Physiology and Pathobiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, 136 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, 136 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA, USA; Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Tufts University School of Medicine, 136 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Marianna Athanassiou
- Molecular Immunopharmacology and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of Integrative Physiology and Pathobiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, 136 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Smaro Panagiotidou
- Molecular Immunopharmacology and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of Integrative Physiology and Pathobiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, 136 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Robert Doyle
- Pediatric Psychopharmacology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, USA
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Woods AG, Wormwood KL, Wetie AGN, Aslebagh R, Crimmins BS, Holsen TM, Darie CC. Autism spectrum disorder: an omics perspective. Proteomics Clin Appl 2014; 9:159-68. [PMID: 25311756 DOI: 10.1002/prca.201400116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2014] [Revised: 09/11/2014] [Accepted: 10/07/2014] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Current directions in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) research may require moving beyond genetic analysis alone, based on the complexity of the disorder, heterogeneity and convergence of genetic alterations at the cellular/functional level. Mass spectrometry (MS) has been increasingly used to study CNS disorders, including ASDs. Proteomic research using MS is directed at understanding endogenous protein changes that occur in ASD. This review focuses on how MS has been used to study ASDs, with particular focus on proteomic analysis. Other neurodevelopmental disorders have been investigated using MS, including fragile X syndrome (FXS) and Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome (SLOS), genetic syndromes highly associated with ASD comorbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alisa G Woods
- Biochemistry & Proteomics Group, Department of Chemistry & Biomolecular Science, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY, USA; SUNY Plattsburgh Neuropsychology Clinic and Psychoeducation Services, Plattsburgh, NY, USA
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Maternal immune activation and abnormal brain development across CNS disorders. Nat Rev Neurol 2014; 10:643-60. [PMID: 25311587 DOI: 10.1038/nrneurol.2014.187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 593] [Impact Index Per Article: 59.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Epidemiological studies have shown a clear association between maternal infection and schizophrenia or autism in the progeny. Animal models have revealed maternal immune activation (mIA) to be a profound risk factor for neurochemical and behavioural abnormalities in the offspring. Microglial priming has been proposed as a major consequence of mIA, and represents a critical link in a causal chain that leads to the wide spectrum of neuronal dysfunctions and behavioural phenotypes observed in the juvenile, adult or aged offspring. Such diversity of phenotypic outcomes in the mIA model are mirrored by recent clinical evidence suggesting that infectious exposure during pregnancy is also associated with epilepsy and, to a lesser extent, cerebral palsy in children. Preclinical research also suggests that mIA might precipitate the development of Alzheimer and Parkinson diseases. Here, we summarize and critically review the emerging evidence that mIA is a shared environmental risk factor across CNS disorders that varies as a function of interactions between genetic and additional environmental factors. We also review ongoing clinical trials targeting immune pathways affected by mIA that may play a part in disease manifestation. In addition, future directions and outstanding questions are discussed, including potential symptomatic, disease-modifying and preventive treatment strategies.
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Shaw CA, Li D, Tomljenovic L. Are there negative CNS impacts of aluminum adjuvants used in vaccines and immunotherapy? Immunotherapy 2014; 6:1055-71. [DOI: 10.2217/imt.14.81] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
In spite of a common view that aluminum (Al) salts are inert and therefore harmless as vaccine adjuvants or in immunotherapy, the reality is quite different. In the following article we briefly review the literature on Al neurotoxicity and the use of Al salts as vaccine adjuvants and consider not only direct toxic actions on the nervous system, but also the potential impact for triggering autoimmunity. Autoimmune and inflammatory responses affecting the CNS appear to underlie some forms of neurological disease, including developmental disorders. Al has been demonstrated to impact the CNS at every level, including by changing gene expression. These outcomes should raise concerns about the increasing use of Al salts as vaccine adjuvants and for the application as more general immune stimulants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher A Shaw
- Neural Dynamics Research Group, 828 W. 10th Ave, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1L8, Canada
| | - Dan Li
- Neural Dynamics Research Group, 828 W. 10th Ave, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1L8, Canada
| | - Lucija Tomljenovic
- Neural Dynamics Research Group, 828 W. 10th Ave, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1L8, Canada
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Tsilioni I, Dodman N, Petra AI, Taliou A, Francis K, Moon-Fanelli A, Shuster L, Theoharides TC. Elevated serum neurotensin and CRH levels in children with autistic spectrum disorders and tail-chasing Bull Terriers with a phenotype similar to autism. Transl Psychiatry 2014; 4:e466. [PMID: 25313509 PMCID: PMC5190146 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2014.106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2014] [Revised: 07/10/2014] [Accepted: 08/12/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by defects in communication and social interactions, as well as stereotypic behaviors. Symptoms typically worsen with anxiety and stress. ASD occur in early childhood, often present with regression and have a prevalence of 1 out of 68 children. The lack of distinct pathogenesis or any objective biomarkers or reliable animal models hampers our understanding and treatment of ASD. Neurotensin (NT) and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) are secreted under stress in various tissues, and have proinflammatory actions. We had previously shown that NT augments the ability of CRH to increase mast cell (MC)-dependent skin vascular permeability in rodents. CRH also induced NT receptor gene and protein expression in MCs, which have been implicated in ASD. Here we report that serum of ASD children (4-10 years old) has significantly higher NT and CRH levels as compared with normotypic controls. Moreover, there is a statistically significant correlation between the number of children with gastrointestinal symptoms and high serum NT levels. In Bull Terriers that exhibit a behavioral phenotype similar to the clinical presentation of ASD, NT and CRH levels are also significantly elevated, as compared with unaffected dogs of the same breed. Further investigation of serum NT and CRH, as well as characterization of this putative canine breed could provide useful insights into the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Tsilioni
- Department of Integrative Physiology and Pathobiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - N Dodman
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, Grafton, MA, USA
| | - A I Petra
- Department of Integrative Physiology and Pathobiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - A Taliou
- Second Department of Psychiatry, Attikon General Hospital, Athens University, Athens, Greece
| | - K Francis
- Second Department of Psychiatry, Attikon General Hospital, Athens University, Athens, Greece
| | - A Moon-Fanelli
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, Grafton, MA, USA
| | - L Shuster
- Department of Integrative Physiology and Pathobiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - T C Theoharides
- Department of Integrative Physiology and Pathobiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA,Department of Internal Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine and Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA,Department of Psychiatry, Tufts University School of Medicine and Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA,Department of Integrative Physiology and Pathobiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, 136 Harrison Avenue, Suite J304, Boston, MA 02111, USA. E-mail:
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Mazur-Kolecka B, Cohen IL, Gonzalez M, Jenkins EC, Kaczmarski W, Brown WT, Flory M, Frackowiak J. Autoantibodies against neuronal progenitors in sera from children with autism. Brain Dev 2014; 36:322-9. [PMID: 23838310 DOI: 10.1016/j.braindev.2013.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2012] [Revised: 01/09/2013] [Accepted: 04/30/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The pathological role of autoantibodies in development of CNS disorders is a new idea with growing interest among neuroscientists. The involvement of autoimmune response in the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has been suggested by the presence of multiple brain-specific autoantibodies in children with ASD and in their mothers. The possibility of the effect of autoimmunity on neurogenesis and postnatal brain plasticity has not been determined. The presence of autoantibodies against human neuronal progenitor cells (NPCs) stimulated for neuronal differentiation in culture was tested in sera from children with autism (n=20) and age-matched controls (n=18) by immunoblotting and immunocytochemistry. Immunoreactivity against multiple NPCs proteins of molecular sizes of approximately 55 kDa, 105 kDa, 150 kDa, and 210 kDa in sera from individuals with autism had a higher incidence and was stronger than in control sera which immunoreacted mainly with a 150 kDa protein. The sera from children with autism immunoreacted the strongest with NPCs expressing neuronal markers Tuj1 and doublecortin, but not astrocyte marker GFAP. The epitopes recognized by antibodies from sera were not human-specific because they detected also NPCs in situ in murine hippocampus. The autoimmune reactions against NPCs suggest an impaired tolerance to neural antigens in autism. These autoantibodies may be symptomatic for autism and furthermore, their presence suggests that autoimmunity may affect postnatal neuronal plasticity particularly after impairment of blood-brain barrier. Future studies will determine the diagnostic value of the presence of autoantibodies in autism and the therapeutic value of prevention of autoimmunity in autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bozena Mazur-Kolecka
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, USA.
| | | | | | | | - Wojciech Kaczmarski
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, USA
| | - W Ted Brown
- Department of Human Genetics, NYS IBRDD, USA
| | - Michael Flory
- Laboratory of Research Design and Analysis, NYS IBRDD, USA
| | - Janusz Frackowiak
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, USA
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Mass spectrometry for the study of autism and neurodevelopmental disorders. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2014; 806:525-44. [PMID: 24952201 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-06068-2_26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Mass spectrometry (MS) has been increasingly used to study central nervous system disorders, including autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). The first studies of ASD using MS focused on the identification of external toxins, but current research is more directed at understanding endogenous protein changes that occur in ASD (ASD proteomics). This chapter focuses on how MS has been used to study ASDs, with particular focus on proteomic analysis. Other neurodevelopmental disorders have been investigated using this technique, including genetic syndromes associated with autism such as fragile X syndrome and Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome.
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Theoharides TC. Is a subtype of autism an allergy of the brain? Clin Ther 2013; 35:584-91. [PMID: 23688533 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2013.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2013] [Revised: 04/19/2013] [Accepted: 04/19/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are characterized by deficits in social communication and language and the presence of repetitive behaviors that affect as many as 1 in 50 US children. Perinatal stress and environmental factors appear to play a significant role in increasing the risk for ASDs. There is no definitive pathogenesis, which therefore significantly hinders the development of a cure. OBJECTIVE We aimed to identify publications using basic or clinical data that suggest a possible association between atopic symptoms and ASDs, as well as evidence of how such an association could lead to brain disease, that may explain the pathogenesis of ASD. METHODS PubMed was searched for articles published since 1995 that reported any association between autism and/or ASDs and any one of the following terms: allergy, atopy, brain, corticotropin-releasing hormone, cytokines, eczema, food allergy, food intolerance, gene mutation, inflammation, mast cells, mitochondria, neurotensin, phenotype, stress, subtype, or treatment. RESULTS Children with ASD respond disproportionally to stress and also present with food and skin allergies that involve mast cells. Brain mast cells are found primarily in the hypothalamus, which participates in the regulation of behavior and language. Corticotropin-releasing hormone is secreted from the hypothalamus under stress and, together with neurotensin, stimulates brain mast cells that could result in focal brain allergy and neurotoxicity. Neurotensin is significantly increased in serum of children with ASD and stimulates mast cell secretion of mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate and DNA, which is increased in these children; these mitochondrial components are misconstrued as innate pathogens, triggering an autoallergic response in the brain. Gene mutations associated with higher risk of ASD have been linked to reduction of the phosphatase and tensin homolog, which inhibits the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). These same mutations also lead to mast cell activation and proliferation. Corticotropin-releasing hormone, neurotensin, and environmental toxins could further trigger the already activated mTOR, leading to superstimulation of brain mast cells in those areas responsible for ASD symptoms. Preliminary evidence indicates that the flavonoid luteolin is a stronger inhibitor of mTOR than rapamycin and is a potent mast cell blocker. CONCLUSION Activation of brain mast cells by allergic, environmental, immune, neurohormonal, stress, and toxic triggers, especially in those areas associated with behavior and language, lead to focal brain allergies and subsequent focal encephalitis. This possibility is more likely in the subgroup of patients with ASD susceptibility genes that also involve mast cell activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theoharis C Theoharides
- Molecular Immunopharmacology and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of Molecular Physiology and Pharmacology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
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Kotagiri P, Chance SA, Szele FG, Esiri MM. Subventricular zone cytoarchitecture changes in autism. Dev Neurobiol 2013; 74:25-41. [PMID: 24002902 DOI: 10.1002/dneu.22127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2013] [Revised: 07/29/2013] [Accepted: 08/26/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Autism is thought to be a neurodevelopmental disorder with symptoms developing during neonatal neurogenesis in the subventricular zone (SVZ). Autism associated genes alter SVZ proliferation and cytoarchitecture, yet the response of the human SVZ in autism is unknown. Epilepsy drives neurogenesis in rodents, but it is unclear how epilepsy interacts with autism in SVZ responses. The striatal and septal SVZ derive from separate lineages in rodents and generate different interneuron types. Yet it is unclear if autism unevenly regulates the striatal and septal SVZ. The human SVZ was immunohistochemically examined post-mortem from individuals with autism (n = 11) and controls (n = 11). Autism showed a lower cell density in the septal, but not striatal, SVZ hypocellular gap only in the absence of epilepsy. There was a decline in septal hypocellular gap cells with age in autism, but no correlation with age in controls. In contrast, PCNA+ cell numbers increased only in autism with epilepsy both in the hypocellular gap and in the ependymal layer on the septal but not striatal side. Ependymal cells also became GFAP immunoreactive in autism irrespective of epilepsy co-morbidity; however, this only occurred on the striatal side. In examining these questions we also discovered a subset of ependymal, astrocyte ribbon and RMS cells which express PCNA and Ki67, PLP, and α-tubulin. These results are the first example of a neuropsychiatric disease differentially affecting the septal and striatal SVZ. Altered cell density in the hypocellular gap and proliferation marker expression suggest individuals with autism may follow a different growth-trajectory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prasanti Kotagiri
- Department of Neuropathology (Nuffield Department of Clinical Neuroscience), Oxford University Hospitals, University of Oxford, United Kingdom; Department of Medicine (Neuroscience), Monash University, Australia; Royal Melbourne Hospital, Australia
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31
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Shaw C, Li Y, Tomljenovic L. Administration of aluminium to neonatal mice in vaccine-relevant amounts is associated with adverse long term neurological outcomes. J Inorg Biochem 2013; 128:237-44. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2013.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2013] [Revised: 07/10/2013] [Accepted: 07/13/2013] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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Wei H, Alberts I, Li X. Brain IL-6 and autism. Neuroscience 2013; 252:320-5. [PMID: 23994594 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2013.08.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2013] [Revised: 08/14/2013] [Accepted: 08/15/2013] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Autism is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impairments in social interaction, deficits in verbal and non-verbal communication, and repetitive behavior and restricted interests. Emerging evidence suggests that aberrant neuroimmune responses may contribute to phenotypic deficits and could be appropriate targets for pharmacologic intervention. Interleukin (IL)-6, one of the most important neuroimmune factors, has been shown to be involved in physiological brain development and in several neurological disorders. For instance, findings from postmortem and animal studies suggest that brain IL-6 is an important mediator of autism-like behaviors. In this review, a possible pathological mechanism behind autism is proposed, which suggests that IL-6 elevation in the brain, caused by the activated glia and/or maternal immune activation, could be an important inflammatory cytokine response involved in the mediation of autism-like behaviors through impairments of neuroanatomical structures and neuronal plasticity. Further studies to investigate whether IL-6 could be used for therapeutic interventions in autism would be of great significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Wei
- Central Laboratory, Shanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliate of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China.
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Lv YT, Zhang Y, Liu M, Qiuwaxi JNT, Ashwood P, Cho SC, Huan Y, Ge RC, Chen XW, Wang ZJ, Kim BJ, Hu X. Transplantation of human cord blood mononuclear cells and umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells in autism. J Transl Med 2013; 11:196. [PMID: 23978163 PMCID: PMC3765833 DOI: 10.1186/1479-5876-11-196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2013] [Accepted: 08/23/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism is a pervasive neurodevelopmental disorder. At present there are no defined mechanisms of pathogenesis and therapy is mostly limited to behavioral interventions. Stem cell transplantation may offer a unique treatment strategy for autism due to immune and neural dysregulation observed in this disease. This non-randomized, open-label, single center phase I/II trial investigated the safety and efficacy of combined transplantation of human cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMNCs) and umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UCMSCs) in treating children with autism. METHODS 37 subjects diagnosed with autism were enrolled into this study and divided into three groups: CBMNC group (14 subjects, received CBMNC transplantation and rehabilitation therapy), Combination group (9 subjects, received both CBMNC and UCMSC transplantation and rehabilitation therapy), and Control group (14 subjects, received only rehabilitation therapy). Transplantations included four stem cell infusions through intravenous and intrathecal injections once a week. Treatment safety was evaluated with laboratory examinations and clinical assessment of adverse effects. The Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scale and Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC) were adopted to assess the therapeutic efficacy at baseline (pre-treatment) and following treatment. RESULTS There were no significant safety issues related to the treatment and no observed severe adverse effects. Statistically significant differences were shown on CARS, ABC scores and CGI evaluation in the two treatment groups compared to the control at 24 weeks post-treatment (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Transplantation of CBMNCs demonstrated efficacy compared to the control group; however, the combination of CBMNCs and UCMSCs showed larger therapeutic effects than the CBMNC transplantation alone. There were no safety issues noted during infusion and the whole monitoring period. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01343511, Title "Safety and Efficacy of Stem Cell Therapy in Patients with Autism".
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Tao Lv
- Shandong Jiaotong Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yun Zhang
- Shenzhen Beike Cell Engineering Research Institute, 2/F, Yuanxing Technology Building, #1 Songpingshan Street, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518057, China
| | - Min Liu
- Shandong Jiaotong Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Jia-na-ti Qiuwaxi
- Shenzhen Beike Cell Engineering Research Institute, 2/F, Yuanxing Technology Building, #1 Songpingshan Street, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518057, China
| | - Paul Ashwood
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Sungho Charles Cho
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Ying Huan
- Shandong Jiaotong Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Ru-Cun Ge
- Shandong Jiaotong Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | | | - Zhao-Jing Wang
- Shenzhen Beike Cell Engineering Research Institute, 2/F, Yuanxing Technology Building, #1 Songpingshan Street, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518057, China
| | - Byung-Jo Kim
- Department of Neurology, Korea University Anam Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Xiang Hu
- Shenzhen Beike Cell Engineering Research Institute, 2/F, Yuanxing Technology Building, #1 Songpingshan Street, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518057, China
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Theoharides TC, Asadi S, Panagiotidou S, Weng Z. The "missing link" in autoimmunity and autism: extracellular mitochondrial components secreted from activated live mast cells. Autoimmun Rev 2013; 12:1136-42. [PMID: 23831684 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2013.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2013] [Accepted: 06/23/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Autoimmune diseases continue to increase, but the reason(s) remain obscure and infections have not proven to be major contributors. Mast cells are tissue immune cells responsible for allergies, but have been increasingly shown to be involved in innate and acquired immunity, as well as inflammation. This involvement is possible because of their ability to release multiple mediators in response to a great variety of triggers. We recently published that activation of mast cells is accompanied by mitochondrial fission and translocation to the cell surface from where they secrete at least ATP and DNA outside the cell without cell damage. These extracellular mitochondrial components are misconstrued by the body as "innate pathogens" leading to powerful autocrine and paracrine auto-immune/auto-inflammatory responses. We also showed that mitochondrial DNA is increased in the serum of young children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), a condition that could involve "focal brain allergy/encephalitits". Blocking the secretion of extracellular mitochondrial components could present unique possibilities for the therapy of ASD and other autoimmune diseases. Unique formulation of the flavonoid luteolin offers unique advantages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theoharis C Theoharides
- Molecular Immunopharmacology and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of Molecular Physiology and Pharmacology, Tufts University School of Medicine, 136 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Biochemistry, Tufts University School of Medicine, 136 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, 136 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Tufts University School of Medicine, Tufts Medical Center, 136 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA, USA; Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA.
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Possible involvement of TLRs and hemichannels in stress-induced CNS dysfunction via mastocytes, and glia activation. Mediators Inflamm 2013; 2013:893521. [PMID: 23935250 PMCID: PMC3713603 DOI: 10.1155/2013/893521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2013] [Revised: 05/16/2013] [Accepted: 06/11/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In the central nervous system (CNS), mastocytes and glial cells (microglia, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes) function as sensors of neuroinflammatory conditions, responding to stress triggers or becoming sensitized to subsequent proinflammatory challenges. The corticotropin-releasing hormone and glucocorticoids are critical players in stress-induced mastocyte degranulation and potentiation of glial inflammatory responses, respectively. Mastocytes and glial cells express different toll-like receptor (TLR) family members, and their activation via proinflammatory molecules can increase the expression of connexin hemichannels and pannexin channels in glial cells. These membrane pores are oligohexamers of the corresponding protein subunits located in the cell surface. They allow ATP release and Ca2+ influx, which are two important elements of inflammation. Consequently, activated microglia and astrocytes release ATP and glutamate, affecting myelinization, neuronal development, and survival. Binding of ligands to TLRs induces a cascade of intracellular events leading to activation of several transcription factors that regulate the expression of many genes involved in inflammation. During pregnancy, the previous responses promoted by viral infections and other proinflammatory conditions are common and might predispose the offspring to develop psychiatric disorders and neurological diseases. Such disorders could eventually be potentiated by stress and might be part of the etiopathogenesis of CNS dysfunctions including autism spectrum disorders and schizophrenia.
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Oxidative Stress and Erythrocyte Membrane Alterations in Children with Autism: Correlation with Clinical Features. PLoS One 2013; 8:e66418. [PMID: 23840462 PMCID: PMC3686873 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0066418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2013] [Accepted: 05/06/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
It has been suggested that oxidative stress may play a role in the pathogenesis of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), but the literature reports somewhat contradictory results. To further investigate the issue, we evaluated a high number of peripheral oxidative stress parameters, and some related issues such as erythrocyte membrane functional features and lipid composition. Twenty-one autistic children (Au) aged 5 to 12 years, were gender and age-matched with 20 typically developing children (TD). Erythrocyte thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, urinary isoprostane and hexanoyl-lysine adduct levels were elevated in Au, thus confirming the occurrence of an imbalance of the redox status of Au, whilst other oxidative stress markers or associated parameters (urinary 8-oxo-dG, plasma radical absorbance capacity and carbonyl groups, erythrocyte superoxide dismutase and catalase activities) were unchanged. A very significant reduction of Na+/K+-ATPase activity (−66%, p<0.0001), a reduction of erythrocyte membrane fluidity and alteration in erythrocyte fatty acid membrane profile (increase in monounsaturated fatty acids, decrease in EPA and DHA-ω3 with a consequent increase in ω6/ω3 ratio) were found in Au compared to TD, without change in membrane sialic acid content. Some Au clinical features appear to be correlated with these findings; in particular, hyperactivity score appears to be related with some parameters of the lipidomic profile and membrane fluidity. Oxidative stress and erythrocyte membrane alterations may play a role in the pathogenesis of ASD and prompt the development of palliative therapeutic protocols. Moreover, the marked decrease in NKA could be potentially utilized as a peripheral biomarker of ASD.
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Woods AG, Ngounou Wetie AG, Sokolowska I, Russell S, Ryan JP, Michel TM, Thome J, Darie CC. Mass spectrometry as a tool for studying autism spectrum disorder. J Mol Psychiatry 2013; 1:6. [PMID: 25408899 PMCID: PMC4223881 DOI: 10.1186/2049-9256-1-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2012] [Accepted: 11/13/2012] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are increasing in incidence but have an incompletely understood etiology. Tools for uncovering clues to the cause of ASDs and means for diagnoses are valuable to the field. Mass Spectrometry (MS) has been a useful method for evaluating differences between individuals with ASDs versus matched controls. Different biological substances can be evaluated using MS, including urine, blood, saliva, and hair. This technique has been used to evaluate relatively unsupported hypotheses based on introduction of exogenous factors, such as opiate and heavy metal excretion theories of ASDs. MS has also been used to support disturbances in serotonin-related molecules, which have been more consistently observed in ASDs. Serotonergic system markers, markers for oxidative stress, cholesterol system disturbances, peptide hypo-phosphorylation and methylation have been measured using MS in ASDs, although further analyses with larger numbers of subjects are needed (as well as consideration of behavioral data). Refinements in MS and data analysis are ongoing, allowing for the possibility that future studies examining body fluids and specimens from ASD subjects could continue to yield novel insights. This review summarizes MS investigations that have been conducted to study ASD to date and provides insight into future promising applications for this technique, with focus on proteomic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alisa G Woods
- Biochemistry and Proteomics Group Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science, Clarkson University, 8 Clarkson Avenue, Potsdam, NY 13699-5810 USA
| | - Armand G Ngounou Wetie
- Biochemistry and Proteomics Group Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science, Clarkson University, 8 Clarkson Avenue, Potsdam, NY 13699-5810 USA
| | - Izabela Sokolowska
- Biochemistry and Proteomics Group Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science, Clarkson University, 8 Clarkson Avenue, Potsdam, NY 13699-5810 USA
| | - Stefanie Russell
- Department of Psychology, State University of New York at Plattsburgh, 101 Broad Street, Plattsburgh, NY 12901 USA
| | - Jeanne P Ryan
- Department of Psychology, State University of New York at Plattsburgh, 101 Broad Street, Plattsburgh, NY 12901 USA
| | - Tanja Maria Michel
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Rostock, Gehlsheimer Straße 20, D-18147 Rostock, Germany
| | - Johannes Thome
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Rostock, Gehlsheimer Straße 20, D-18147 Rostock, Germany ; College of Medicine, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, SA2 8PP UK
| | - Costel C Darie
- Biochemistry and Proteomics Group Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science, Clarkson University, 8 Clarkson Avenue, Potsdam, NY 13699-5810 USA
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Bauer AZ, Kriebel D. Prenatal and perinatal analgesic exposure and autism: an ecological link. Environ Health 2013; 12:41. [PMID: 23656698 PMCID: PMC3673819 DOI: 10.1186/1476-069x-12-41] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2012] [Accepted: 04/02/2013] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are complex neurodevelopmental disorders. Susceptibility is believed to be the interaction of genetic heritability and environmental factors. The synchronous rises in autism/ASD prevalence and paracetamol (acetaminophen) use, as well as biologic plausibility have led to the hypothesis that paracetamol exposure may increase autism/ASD risk. METHODS To explore the relationship of antenatal paracetamol exposure to ASD, population weighted average autism prevalence rates and paracetamol usage rates were compared. To explore the relationship of early neonatal paracetamol exposure to autism/ASD, population weighted average male autism prevalence rates for all available countries and U.S. states were compared to male circumcision rates - a procedure for which paracetamol has been widely prescribed since the mid-1990s. Prevalence studies were extracted from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Summary of Autism/ASD Prevalence Studies database. Maternal paracetamol usage and circumcision rates were identified by searches on Pub Med. RESULTS Using all available country-level data (n = 8) for the period 1984 to 2005, prenatal use of paracetamol was correlated with autism/ASD prevalence (r = 0.80). For studies including boys born after 1995, there was a strong correlation between country-level (n = 9) autism/ASD prevalence in males and a country's circumcision rate (r = 0.98). A very similar pattern was seen among U.S. states and when comparing the 3 main racial/ethnic groups in the U.S. The country-level correlation between autism/ASD prevalence in males and paracetamol was considerably weaker before 1995 when the drug became widely used during circumcision. CONCLUSIONS This ecological analysis identified country-level correlations between indicators of prenatal and perinatal paracetamol exposure and autism/ASD. State level correlation was also identified for the indicator of perinatal paracetamol exposure and autism/ASD. Like all ecological analyses, these data cannot provide strong evidence of causality. However, biologic plausibility is provided by a growing body of experimental and clinical evidence linking paracetamol metabolism to pathways shown to be important in autism and related developmental abnormalities. Taken together, these ecological findings and mechanistic evidence suggest the need for formal study of the role of paracetamol in autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann Z Bauer
- Department of Work Environment, School of Health and Environment, University of Massachusetts- Lowell, 1 University Avenue, Lowell, MA, 01854, USA
| | - David Kriebel
- Department of Work Environment, School of Health and Environment, University of Massachusetts- Lowell, 1 University Avenue, Lowell, MA, 01854, USA
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Theoharides TC, Asadi S, Patel AB. Focal brain inflammation and autism. J Neuroinflammation 2013; 10:46. [PMID: 23570274 PMCID: PMC3626551 DOI: 10.1186/1742-2094-10-46] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2013] [Accepted: 03/15/2013] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence indicates that brain inflammation is involved in the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric diseases. Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are characterized by social and learning disabilities that affect as many as 1/80 children in the USA. There is still no definitive pathogenesis or reliable biomarkers for ASD, thus significantly curtailing the development of effective therapies. Many children with ASD regress at about age 3 years, often after a specific event such as reaction to vaccination, infection, stress or trauma implying some epigenetic triggers, and may constitute a distinct phenotype. ASD children respond disproportionally to stress and are also affected by food and skin allergies. Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) is secreted under stress and together with neurotensin (NT) stimulates mast cells and microglia resulting in focal brain inflammation and neurotoxicity. NT is significantly increased in serum of ASD children along with mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). NT stimulates mast cell secretion of mtDNA that is misconstrued as an innate pathogen triggering an auto-inflammatory response. The phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) gene mutation, associated with the higher risk of ASD, which leads to hyper-active mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signalling that is crucial for cellular homeostasis. CRH, NT and environmental triggers could hyperstimulate the already activated mTOR, as well as stimulate mast cell and microglia activation and proliferation. The natural flavonoid luteolin inhibits mTOR, mast cells and microglia and could have a significant benefit in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theoharis C Theoharides
- Molecular Immunopharmacology and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of Molecular Physiology and Pharmacology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Suite J304, 136 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
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Zhang B, Asadi S, Weng Z, Sismanopoulos N, Theoharides TC. Stimulated human mast cells secrete mitochondrial components that have autocrine and paracrine inflammatory actions. PLoS One 2012; 7:e49767. [PMID: 23284625 PMCID: PMC3524249 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0049767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2012] [Accepted: 10/15/2012] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Mast cells are hematopoietically-derived tissue immune cells that participate in acquired and innate immunity, as well as in inflammation through release of many chemokines and cytokines, especially in response to the pro-inflammatory peptide substance P (SP). Inflammation is critical in the pathogenesis of many diseases, but the trigger(s) is often unknown. We investigated if mast cell stimulation leads to secretion of mitochondrial components and whether these could elicit autocrine and/or paracrine inflammatory effects. Here we show that human LAD2 mast cells stimulated by IgE/anti-IgE or by the SP led to secretion of mitochondrial particles, mitochondrial (mt) mtDNA and ATP without cell death. Mitochondria purified from LAD2 cells and, when mitochondria added to mast cells trigger degranulation and release of histamine, PGD(2), IL-8, TNF, and IL-1β. This stimulatory effect is partially inhibited by an ATP receptor antagonist and by DNAse. These results suggest that the mitochondrial protein fraction may also contribute. Purified mitochondria also stimulate IL-8 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) release from cultured human keratinocytes, and VEGF release from primary human microvascular endothelial cells. In order to investigate if mitochondrial components could be secreted in vivo, we injected rats intraperiotoneally (ip) with compound 48/80, which mimicks the action of SP. Peritoneal mast cells degranulated and mitochondrial particles were documented by transimission electron microscopy outside the cells. We also wished to investigate if mitochondrial components secreted locally could reach the systemic circulation. Administration ip of mtDNA isolated from LAD2 cells in rats was detected in their serum within 4 hr, indicating that extravascular mtDNA could enter the systemic circulation. Secretion of mitochondrial components from stimulated live mast cells may act as "autopathogens" contributing to the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases and may be used as targets for novel treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bodi Zhang
- Molecular Immunopharmacology and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of Molecular Physiology and Pharmacology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Biochemistry, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Shahrzad Asadi
- Molecular Immunopharmacology and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of Molecular Physiology and Pharmacology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Pharmacy, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Zuyi Weng
- Molecular Immunopharmacology and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of Molecular Physiology and Pharmacology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Nikolaos Sismanopoulos
- Molecular Immunopharmacology and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of Molecular Physiology and Pharmacology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Theoharis C. Theoharides
- Molecular Immunopharmacology and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of Molecular Physiology and Pharmacology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Biochemistry, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Pharmacy, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Internal Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine and Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
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8th Annual Conference of the European Nutraceutical Association (ENA). ANNALS OF NUTRITION AND METABOLISM 2012. [DOI: 10.1159/000343769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Lee C, Walter G, Cleary M. Communicating with Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Their Families: A Practical Introduction. J Psychosoc Nurs Ment Health Serv 2012; 50:40-4. [DOI: 10.3928/02793695-20120703-06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2012] [Accepted: 06/05/2012] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Kirsten TB, Chaves-Kirsten GP, Chaible LM, Silva AC, Martins DO, Britto LRG, Dagli MLZ, Torrão AS, Palermo-Neto J, Bernardi MM. Hypoactivity of the central dopaminergic system and autistic-like behavior induced by a single early prenatal exposure to lipopolysaccharide. J Neurosci Res 2012; 90:1903-12. [PMID: 22714803 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.23089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2012] [Revised: 04/02/2012] [Accepted: 04/17/2012] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the behavioral patterns associated with autism and the prevalence of these behaviors in males and females, to verify whether our model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration represents an experimental model of autism. For this, we prenatally exposed Wistar rats to LPS (100 μg/kg, intraperitoneally, on gestational day 9.5), which mimics infection by gram-negative bacteria. Furthermore, because the exact mechanisms by which autism develops are still unknown, we investigated the neurological mechanisms that might underlie the behavioral alterations that were observed. Because we previously had demonstrated that prenatal LPS decreases striatal dopamine (DA) and metabolite levels, the striatal dopaminergic system (tyrosine hydroxylase [TH] and DA receptors D1a and D2) and glial cells (astrocytes and microglia) were analyzed by using immunohistochemistry, immunoblotting, and real-time PCR. Our results show that prenatal LPS exposure impaired communication (ultrasonic vocalizations) in male pups and learning and memory (T-maze spontaneous alternation) in male adults, as well as inducing repetitive/restricted behavior, but did not change social interactions in either infancy (play behavior) or adulthood in females. Moreover, although the expression of DA receptors was unchanged, the experimental animals exhibited reduced striatal TH levels, indicating that reduced DA synthesis impaired the striatal dopaminergic system. The expression of glial cell markers was not increased, which suggests that prenatal LPS did not induce permanent neuroinflammation in the striatum. Together with our previous finding of social impairments in males, the present findings demonstrate that prenatal LPS induced autism-like effects and also a hypoactivation of the dopaminergic system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thiago B Kirsten
- Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Frustaci A, Neri M, Cesario A, Adams JB, Domenici E, Dalla Bernardina B, Bonassi S. Oxidative stress-related biomarkers in autism: systematic review and meta-analyses. Free Radic Biol Med 2012; 52:2128-41. [PMID: 22542447 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2012.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 225] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2011] [Revised: 03/02/2012] [Accepted: 03/02/2012] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are rarely diagnosed in children younger than 2 years, because diagnosis is based entirely on behavioral tests. Oxidative damage may play a central role in this pathogenesis, together with the interconnected transmethylation cycle and transsulfuration pathway. In an attempt to clarify and quantify the relationship between oxidative stress-related blood biomarkers and ASDs, a systematic literature review was carried out. For each identified study, mean biomarker levels were compared in cases and controls providing a point estimate, the mean ratio, for each biomarker. After meta-analysis, the ASD patients showed decreased blood levels of reduced glutathione (27%), glutathione peroxidase (18%), methionine (13%), and cysteine (14%) and increased concentrations of oxidized glutathione (45%) relative to controls, whereas superoxide dismutase, homocysteine, and cystathionine showed no association with ASDs. For the C677T allele in the methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase gene (MTHFR), homozygous mutant subjects (TT) showed a meta-OR of 2.26 (95% CI 1.30-3.91) of being affected by ASD with respect to the homozygous nonmutant (CC). Case-control studies on blood levels of vitamins suggest a lack of association (folic acid and vitamin B12) or rare association (vitamins A, B6, C, D, E). Sparse results were available for other biomarkers (ceruloplasmin, catalase, cysteinylglycine, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, nitric oxide) and for polymorphisms in other genes. Existing evidence is heterogeneous and many studies are limited by small sample size and effects. In conclusion, existing evidence suggests a role for glutathione metabolism, the transmethylation cycle, and the transsulfuration pathway, although these findings should be interpreted with caution, and larger, more standardized studies are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Frustaci
- Unit of Clinical and Molecular Epidemiology, IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, 00166 Roma, Italy
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Asadi S, Theoharides TC. Corticotropin-releasing hormone and extracellular mitochondria augment IgE-stimulated human mast-cell vascular endothelial growth factor release, which is inhibited by luteolin. J Neuroinflammation 2012; 9:85. [PMID: 22559745 PMCID: PMC3464732 DOI: 10.1186/1742-2094-9-85] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2012] [Accepted: 05/04/2012] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by varying degrees of dysfunctional social abilities, learning deficits, and stereotypic behaviors. Many patients with ASDs have 'allergy-like' symptoms and respond disproportionally to stress. We have previously shown that the peptide neurotensin (NT) is increased in the serum of young children with autism and that can stimulate extracellular secretion of mitochondrial (mt)DNA which was also increased in the serum of these children. METHODS Human mast cells were stimulated by corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), mitochondrial DNA, IgE/anti-IgE, either for 24 hours to measure vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) release by ELISA or for 6 hours or quantitative PCR. RESULTS CRH augmented IgE/anti-IgE-induced human mast-cell release of VEGF and it also induced the expression of IgE receptor (FcεRI) on mast cells. Moreover, sonicated mitochondria also augmented VEGF release, and this effect was blocked by the natural flavone luteolin. CONCLUSION These results indicate that stress and infection-mimicking extracellular mitochondrial components augment allergic inflammation that may be involved in the early pathogenesis of ASDs. Moreover, luteolin inhibits these processes and may be helpful in the treatment of ASDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahrzad Asadi
- Molecular Immunopharmacology and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of Molecular Physiology and Pharmacology, Tufts University School of Medicine, 136 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02111, USA
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Angelidou A, Alysandratos KD, Asadi S, Zhang B, Francis K, Vasiadi M, Kalogeromitros D, Theoharides TC. Brief report: "allergic symptoms" in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. More than meets the eye? J Autism Dev Disord 2012; 41:1579-85. [PMID: 21210299 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-010-1171-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Many children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) have either family and/or personal history of "allergic symptomatology", often in the absence of positive skin or RAST tests. These symptoms may suggest mast cell activation by non-allergic triggers. Moreover, children with mastocytosis or mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), a spectrum of rare diseases characterized by increased number of activated mast cells in many organs, appear to have ASD at a rate tenfold higher (1/10 children) than that of the general population (1/100 children). Mast cell activation by allergic, infectious, environmental and stress-related triggers, especially perinatally, would release pro-inflammatory and neurotoxic molecules. We speculate these could disrupt the gut-blood-brain barriers, thus contributing to brain inflammation and ASD pathogenesis. Increased mast cell responsiveness may define at least a subgroup of ASD subjects, who could benefit from inhibition of mast cell activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asimenia Angelidou
- Molecular Immunopharmacology and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of Molecular Physiology and Pharmacology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Suite M&V-208, 136 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02111, USA
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Decreased mitochondrial function and increased brain inflammation in bipolar disorder and other neuropsychiatric diseases. J Clin Psychopharmacol 2011; 31:685-7. [PMID: 22020358 DOI: 10.1097/jcp.0b013e318239c190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Neuro-inflammation, blood-brain barrier, seizures and autism. J Neuroinflammation 2011; 8:168. [PMID: 22129087 PMCID: PMC3293070 DOI: 10.1186/1742-2094-8-168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2011] [Accepted: 11/30/2011] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Many children with Autism Spectrum Diseases (ASD) present with seizure activity, but the pathogenesis is not understood. Recent evidence indicates that neuro-inflammation could contribute to seizures. We hypothesize that brain mast cell activation due to allergic, environmental and/or stress triggers could lead to focal disruption of the blood-brain barrier and neuro-inflammation, thus contributing to the development of seizures. Treating neuro-inflammation may be useful when anti-seizure medications are ineffective.
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Crespi BJ, Thiselton DL. Comparative immunogenetics of autism and schizophrenia. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2011; 10:689-701. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1601-183x.2011.00710.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Gold implants and increased expression of metallothionein-I/II as a novel hypothesized therapeutic approach for autism. Toxicology 2011; 283:63-4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2011.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2011] [Accepted: 02/09/2011] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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