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Rojas AKP, Linley SB, Vertes RP. Chemogenetic inactivation of the nucleus reuniens and its projections to the orbital cortex produce deficits on discrete measures of behavioral flexibility in the attentional set-shifting task. Behav Brain Res 2024; 470:115066. [PMID: 38801950 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2024.115066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
The nucleus reuniens (RE) of the ventral midline thalamus is a critical node in the communication between the orbitomedial prefrontal cortex (OFC) and the hippocampus (HF). While RE has been shown to directly participate in memory-associated functions through its connections with the medial prefrontal cortex and HF, less is known regarding the role of RE in executive functioning. Here, we examined the involvement of RE and its projections to the orbital cortex (ORB) in attention and behavioral flexibility in male rats using the attentional set shifting task (AST). Rats expressing the hM4Di DREADD receptor in RE were implanted with indwelling cannulas in either RE or the ventromedial ORB to pharmacologically inhibit RE or its projections to the ORB with intracranial infusions of clozapine-N-oxide hydrochloride (CNO). Chemogenetic-induced suppression of RE resulted in impairments in reversal learning and set-shifting. This supports a vital role for RE in behavioral flexibility - or the ability to adapt behavior to changing reward or rule contingencies. Interestingly, CNO suppression of RE projections to the ventromedial ORB produced impairments in rule abstraction - or dissociable effects elicited with direct RE suppression. In summary, the present findings indicate that RE, mediated in part by actions on the ORB, serves a critical role in the flexible use of rules to drive goal directed behavior. The cognitive deficits of various neurological disorders with impaired communication between the HF and OFC, may be partly attributed to alterations of RE -- as an established intermediary between these cortical structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda K P Rojas
- Center for Complex Systems and Brain Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USA
| | - Stephanie B Linley
- Center for Complex Systems and Brain Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USA; Department of Psychology, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USA
| | - Robert P Vertes
- Center for Complex Systems and Brain Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USA; Department of Psychology, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USA.
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2
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Topchiy I, Mohbat J, Folorunso OO, Wang ZZ, Lazcano-Etchebarne C, Engin E. GABA system as the cause and effect in early development. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 161:105651. [PMID: 38579901 PMCID: PMC11081854 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
GABA is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the adult brain and through its actions on GABAARs, it protects against excitotoxicity and seizure activity, ensures temporal fidelity of neurotransmission, and regulates concerted rhythmic activity of neuronal populations. In the developing brain, the development of GABAergic neurons precedes that of glutamatergic neurons and the GABA system serves as a guide and framework for the development of other brain systems. Despite this early start, the maturation of the GABA system also continues well into the early postnatal period. In this review, we organize evidence around two scenarios based on the essential and protracted nature of GABA system development: 1) disruptions in the development of the GABA system can lead to large scale disruptions in other developmental processes (i.e., GABA as the cause), 2) protracted maturation of this system makes it vulnerable to the effects of developmental insults (i.e., GABA as the effect). While ample evidence supports the importance of GABA/GABAAR system in both scenarios, large gaps in existing knowledge prevent strong mechanistic conclusions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Topchiy
- Division of Basic Neuroscience, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Julie Mohbat
- Division of Basic Neuroscience, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, Lausanne CH-1015, Switzerland
| | - Oluwarotimi O Folorunso
- Division of Basic Neuroscience, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Ziyi Zephyr Wang
- Division of Basic Neuroscience, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | | | - Elif Engin
- Division of Basic Neuroscience, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
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3
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Gzieło K, Piotrowska D, Litwa E, Popik P, Nikiforuk A. Maternal immune activation affects socio-communicative behavior in adult rats. Sci Rep 2023; 13:1918. [PMID: 36732579 PMCID: PMC9894913 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-28919-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
A wide body of evidence suggests a relationship between maternal immune activation (MIA) and neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Since social and communicative deficits are included in the first diagnostic criterion of ASD, we aimed to characterize socio-communicative behaviors in the MIA model based on prenatal exposure to poly(I:C). Our previous studies demonstrated impaired socio-communicative functioning in poly(I:C)-exposed adolescent rats. Therefore, the current study sought to clarify whether these changes would persist beyond adolescence. For this purpose, we analyzed behavior during the social interaction test and recorded ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) accompanying interactions between adult poly(I:C) rats. The results demonstrated that the altered pattern of social behavior in poly(I:C) males was accompanied by the changes in acoustic parameters of emitted USVs. Poly(I:C) males also demonstrated an impaired olfactory preference for social stimuli. While poly(I:C) females did not differ from controls in socio-positive behaviors, they displayed aggression during the social encounter and were more reactive to somatosensory stimulation. Furthermore, the locomotor pattern of poly(I:C) animals were characterized by repetitive behaviors. Finally, poly(I:C) reduced parvalbumin and GAD67 expression in the cerebellum. The results showed that prenatal poly(I:C) exposure altered the pattern of socio-communicative behaviors of adult rats in a sex-specific manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinga Gzieło
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience and Drug Development, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 Smętna Street, 31-343, Kraków, Poland
| | - Diana Piotrowska
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience and Drug Development, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 Smętna Street, 31-343, Kraków, Poland
| | - Ewa Litwa
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience and Drug Development, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 Smętna Street, 31-343, Kraków, Poland
| | - Piotr Popik
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience and Drug Development, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 Smętna Street, 31-343, Kraków, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Nikiforuk
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience and Drug Development, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 Smętna Street, 31-343, Kraków, Poland.
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4
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Otero AM, Antonson AM. At the crux of maternal immune activation: Viruses, microglia, microbes, and IL-17A. Immunol Rev 2022; 311:205-223. [PMID: 35979731 PMCID: PMC9804202 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Inflammation during prenatal development can be detrimental to neurodevelopmental processes, increasing the risk of neuropsychiatric disorders. Prenatal exposure to maternal viral infection during pregnancy is a leading environmental risk factor for manifestation of these disorders. Preclinical animal models of maternal immune activation (MIA), established to investigate this link, have revealed common immune and microbial signaling pathways that link mother and fetus and set the tone for prenatal neurodevelopment. In particular, maternal intestinal T helper 17 cells, educated by endogenous microbes, appear to be key drivers of effector IL-17A signals capable of reaching the fetal brain and causing neuropathologies. Fetal microglial cells are particularly sensitive to maternally derived inflammatory and microbial signals, and they shift their functional phenotype in response to MIA. Resulting cortical malformations and miswired interneuron circuits cause aberrant offspring behaviors that recapitulate core symptoms of human neurodevelopmental disorders. Still, the popular use of "sterile" immunostimulants to initiate MIA has limited translation to the clinic, as these stimulants fail to capture biologically relevant innate and adaptive inflammatory sequelae induced by live pathogen infection. Thus, there is a need for more translatable MIA models, with a focus on relevant pathogens like seasonal influenza viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley M. Otero
- Neuroscience ProgramUniversity of Illinois Urbana‐ChampaignUrbanaIllinoisUSA
| | - Adrienne M. Antonson
- Department of Animal SciencesUniversity of Illinois Urbana‐ChampaignUrbanaIllinoisUSA
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5
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MacDowell KS, Munarriz-Cuezva E, Meana JJ, Leza JC, Ortega JE. Paliperidone Reversion of Maternal Immune Activation-Induced Changes on Brain Serotonin and Kynurenine Pathways. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:682602. [PMID: 34054556 PMCID: PMC8156415 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.682602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging evidence indicates that early-life exposure to environmental factors may increase the risk for schizophrenia via inflammatory mechanisms. Inflammation can alter the metabolism of tryptophan through the oxidative kynurenine pathway to compounds with neurotoxic and neuroprotective activity and compromise serotonin (5-HT) synthesis. Here we investigate the role of serotonergic and kynurenine pathways in the maternal immune activation (MIA) animal model of schizophrenia. The potential reversion exerted by long-term antipsychotic treatment was also evaluated. MIA was induced by prenatal administration of polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly (I:C)) in mice. Expression of different proteins and the content of different metabolites involved in the function of serotonergic and kynurenine pathways was assessed by RT-PCR, immunoblot and ELISA analyses in frontal cortex of the offspring after puberty. MIA decreased tissue 5-HT content and promoted changes in the expression of serotonin transporter, 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptors. Expression of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 2 (IDO2) and kynurenine 3-monooxygenase (KMO) was increased by poly (I:C) whereas kynurenine aminotransferase II and its metabolite kynurenic acid were not altered. Long-term paliperidone was able to counteract MIA-induced changes in 5-HT and KMO, and to increase tryptophan availability and tryptophan hydroxylase-2 expression in poly (I:C) mice but not in controls. MIA-induced increase of the cytotoxic risk ratio of kynurenine metabolites (quinolinic/kynurenic acid) was also reversed by paliperidone. MIA induces specific long-term brain effects on serotonergic activity. Such effects seem to be related with alternative activation of the kynurenine metabolic pathway towards a cytotoxic status. Atypical antipsychotic paliperodine partially remediates abnormalities observed after MIA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina S MacDowell
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University Complutense of Madrid (UCM), Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental CIBERSAM, Bizkaia, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Hospital 12 de Octubre (i+12), IUIN-UCM, Madrid, Spain
| | - Eva Munarriz-Cuezva
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental CIBERSAM, Bizkaia, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - J Javier Meana
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental CIBERSAM, Bizkaia, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain.,Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Juan C Leza
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University Complutense of Madrid (UCM), Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental CIBERSAM, Bizkaia, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Hospital 12 de Octubre (i+12), IUIN-UCM, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jorge E Ortega
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental CIBERSAM, Bizkaia, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain.,Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Bizkaia, Spain
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6
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Ang MJ, Lee S, Kim JC, Kim SH, Moon C. Behavioral Tasks Evaluating Schizophrenia-like Symptoms in Animal Models: A Recent Update. Curr Neuropharmacol 2021; 19:641-664. [PMID: 32798374 PMCID: PMC8573744 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x18666200814175114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that affects more than 21 million people worldwide. Both genetics and the environment play a role in its etiology and pathogenesis. Symptoms of schizophrenia are mainly categorized into positive, negative, and cognitive. One major approach to identify and understand these diverse symptoms in humans has been to study behavioral phenotypes in a range of animal models of schizophrenia. OBJECTIVE We aimed to provide a comprehensive review of the behavioral tasks commonly used for measuring schizophrenia-like behaviors in rodents together with an update of the recent study findings. METHODS Articles describing phenotypes of schizophrenia-like behaviors in various animal models were collected through a literature search in Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus, with a focus on advances over the last 10 years. RESULTS Numerous studies have used a range of animal models and behavioral paradigms of schizophrenia to develop antipsychotic drugs for improved therapeutics. In establishing animal models of schizophrenia, the candidate models were evaluated for schizophrenia-like behaviors using several behavioral tasks for positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms designed to verify human symptoms of schizophrenia. Such validated animal models were provided as rapid preclinical avenues for drug testing and mechanistic studies. CONCLUSION Based on the most recent advances in the field, it is apparent that a myriad of behavior tests are needed to confirm and evaluate the congruency of animal models with the numerous behaviors and clinical signs exhibited by patients with schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Changjong Moon
- Address correspondence to this author at the Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Animal Behavior, College of Veterinary Medicine and BK21 Plus Project Team, Chonnam National University, 77 Yongbong-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju 61186, South Korea, Tel: +82-62-530-2838; E-mail:
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7
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Cieślik M, Gąssowska-Dobrowolska M, Jęśko H, Czapski GA, Wilkaniec A, Zawadzka A, Dominiak A, Polowy R, Filipkowski RK, Boguszewski PM, Gewartowska M, Frontczak-Baniewicz M, Sun GY, Beversdorf DQ, Adamczyk A. Maternal Immune Activation Induces Neuroinflammation and Cortical Synaptic Deficits in the Adolescent Rat Offspring. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E4097. [PMID: 32521803 PMCID: PMC7312084 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21114097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal immune activation (MIA), induced by infection during pregnancy, is an important risk factor for neuro-developmental disorders, such as autism. Abnormal maternal cytokine signaling may affect fetal brain development and contribute to neurobiological and behavioral changes in the offspring. Here, we examined the effect of lipopolysaccharide-induced MIA on neuro-inflammatory changes, as well as synaptic morphology and key synaptic protein level in cerebral cortex of adolescent male rat offspring. Adolescent MIA offspring showed elevated blood cytokine levels, microglial activation, increased pro-inflammatory cytokines expression and increased oxidative stress in the cerebral cortex. Moreover, pathological changes in synaptic ultrastructure of MIA offspring was detected, along with presynaptic protein deficits and down-regulation of postsynaptic scaffolding proteins. Consequently, ability to unveil MIA-induced long-term alterations in synapses structure and protein level may have consequences on postnatal behavioral changes, associated with, and predisposed to, the development of neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Cieślik
- Department of Cellular Signalling, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (M.G.-D.); (H.J.); (G.A.C.); (A.W.); (A.Z.)
| | - Magdalena Gąssowska-Dobrowolska
- Department of Cellular Signalling, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (M.G.-D.); (H.J.); (G.A.C.); (A.W.); (A.Z.)
| | - Henryk Jęśko
- Department of Cellular Signalling, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (M.G.-D.); (H.J.); (G.A.C.); (A.W.); (A.Z.)
| | - Grzegorz A. Czapski
- Department of Cellular Signalling, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (M.G.-D.); (H.J.); (G.A.C.); (A.W.); (A.Z.)
| | - Anna Wilkaniec
- Department of Cellular Signalling, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (M.G.-D.); (H.J.); (G.A.C.); (A.W.); (A.Z.)
| | - Aleksandra Zawadzka
- Department of Cellular Signalling, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (M.G.-D.); (H.J.); (G.A.C.); (A.W.); (A.Z.)
| | - Agnieszka Dominiak
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacogenomics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 61, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Rafał Polowy
- Behavior and Metabolism Research Laboratory, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (R.P.); (R.K.F.)
| | - Robert K. Filipkowski
- Behavior and Metabolism Research Laboratory, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (R.P.); (R.K.F.)
| | - Paweł M. Boguszewski
- Laboratory of Animal Models, Neurobiology Center, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pasteur 3, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Magdalena Gewartowska
- Electron Microscopy Platform, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (M.G.); (M.F.-B.)
| | - Małgorzata Frontczak-Baniewicz
- Electron Microscopy Platform, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (M.G.); (M.F.-B.)
| | - Grace Y. Sun
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, 117 Schweitzer Hall, Columbia, MO 65201, USA;
| | - David Q. Beversdorf
- Departments of Radiology, Neurology, and Psychological Sciences, William and Nancy Thompson Endowed Chair in Radiology, DC069.10, One Hospital Drive, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA;
| | - Agata Adamczyk
- Department of Cellular Signalling, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (M.G.-D.); (H.J.); (G.A.C.); (A.W.); (A.Z.)
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8
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Khambadkone SG, Cordner ZA, Tamashiro KLK. Maternal stressors and the developmental origins of neuropsychiatric risk. Front Neuroendocrinol 2020; 57:100834. [PMID: 32084515 PMCID: PMC7243665 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2020.100834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2019] [Revised: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The maternal environment during pregnancy is critical for fetal development and perinatal perturbations can prime offspring disease risk. Here, we briefly review evidence linking two well-characterized maternal stressors - psychosocial stress and infection - to increased neuropsychiatric risk in offspring. In the current climate of increasing obesity and globalization of the Western-style diet, maternal overnutrition emerges as a pressing public health concern. We focus our attention on recent epidemiological and animal model evidence showing that, like psychosocial stress and infection, maternal overnutrition can also increase offspring neuropsychiatric risk. Using lessons learned from the psychosocial stress and infection literature, we discuss how altered maternal and placental physiology in the setting of overnutrition may contribute to abnormal fetal development and resulting neuropsychiatric outcomes. A better understanding of converging pathophysiological pathways shared between stressors may enable development of interventions against neuropsychiatric illnesses that may be beneficial across stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seva G Khambadkone
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Cellular & Molecular Medicine Graduate Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Zachary A Cordner
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Kellie L K Tamashiro
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Cellular & Molecular Medicine Graduate Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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9
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Maternal Immune Activation during Pregnancy Alters the Behavior Profile of Female Offspring of Sprague Dawley Rats. eNeuro 2019; 6:eN-NWR-0437-18. [PMID: 31016229 PMCID: PMC6477592 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0437-18.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2018] [Revised: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex differences are documented in psychiatric and neurological disorders, yet most preclinical animal research has been conducted in males only. There is a need to better understand of the nature of sex differences in brain disease in order to meet the needs of psychiatric patients. We present the behavior profile of adult female offspring produced using a maternal immune activation (MIA) model where pregnant rats receive an immune stimulant and the offspring typically show various abnormalities consistent with psychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia and autism. The results in female offspring were compared to a previously published cohort of their male siblings (Lins et al., 2018). We examined prepulse inhibition (PPI), sociability, MK-801-induced locomotor activity, crossmodal object recognition (CMOR), and oddity discrimination; behaviors relevant to the positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia. No between-treatment differences in PPI or locomotor activity were noted. Tactile memory was observed in the control and treated female offspring, visual recognition memory was deficient in the polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (polyI:C) offspring only, and both groups lacked crossmodal recognition. PolyI:C offspring were impaired in oddity preference and had reduced preference for a stranger conspecific in a sociability assay. Systemic maternal CXCL1, IL-6, and TNF-a levels 3 h after polyI:C treatment were determined, but no relationship was found between these cytokines and the behavior seen in the adult female offspring. Overall, female offspring of polyI:C-treated dams display an array of behavior abnormalities relevant to psychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia similar to those previously reported in male rats.
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10
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Ding S, Hu Y, Luo B, Cai Y, Hao K, Yang Y, Zhang Y, Wang X, Ding M, Zhang H, Li W, Lv L. Age-related changes in neuroinflammation and prepulse inhibition in offspring of rats treated with Poly I:C in early gestation. Behav Brain Funct 2019; 15:3. [PMID: 30836963 PMCID: PMC6399933 DOI: 10.1186/s12993-019-0154-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2018] [Accepted: 02/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Maternal immune activation (MIA) during gestation can increase the later risk of schizophrenia in adult offspring. Neuroinflammation is believed to underlie this process. Postmortem brain studies have found changes in the neuroimmune systems of patients with schizophrenia. However, little is known about the dynamic changes in cerebral inflammation and behavior during the course of the disease. Methods Here, the prepulse inhibition (PPI) test was conducted in adolescent and adult Sprague–Dawley rats prenatally challenged with polyriboinosinic–polyribocytidylic acid (Poly I:C) on gestational day 9 to determine the behavioral trajectory triggered by early exposure to Poly I:C. Brain immune changes were determined in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus (HC) at both ages. The status of the microglia and astrocytes was determined with immunohistochemical staining. The levels of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α in both brain regions were evaluated with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results Disrupted PPI, the core phenotype of schizophrenia, only emerged in adulthood. Behavioral changes during puberty and adulthood were both accompanied by the activation of microglia (PFC and HC). Astrocytes were only activated at PN60. The levels of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) in the offspring of the Poly I:C-exposed mothers differed with brain region and time, with more cytokines elevated during periadolescence than during adulthood. Conclusions Our findings indicate that immune activation emerged before symptom manifestation in the offspring of MIA rats. We conclude that early prenatal Poly I:C challenge can lead to age-related behavioral and neuroinflammatory changes. These data provide new insight into the neuroinflammatory and neuropathological mechanisms underlying the development of schizophrenia. They also suggest that periadolescence could be more important than adulthood in the prevention and treatment of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Ding
- Henan Mental Hospital, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, No. 388, Jianshe Middle Road, Xinxiang, 453002, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yunqing Hu
- Henan Mental Hospital, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, No. 388, Jianshe Middle Road, Xinxiang, 453002, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Binbin Luo
- Henan Mental Hospital, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, No. 388, Jianshe Middle Road, Xinxiang, 453002, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yaqi Cai
- Henan Mental Hospital, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, No. 388, Jianshe Middle Road, Xinxiang, 453002, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Keke Hao
- Henan Mental Hospital, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, No. 388, Jianshe Middle Road, Xinxiang, 453002, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yongfeng Yang
- Henan Mental Hospital, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, No. 388, Jianshe Middle Road, Xinxiang, 453002, Henan, People's Republic of China.,Henan Key Lab of Biological Psychiatry of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China.,International Joint Research Laboratory for Psychiatry and Neuroscience of Henan, Xinxiang, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Henan Mental Hospital, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, No. 388, Jianshe Middle Road, Xinxiang, 453002, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiujuan Wang
- Henan Mental Hospital, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, No. 388, Jianshe Middle Road, Xinxiang, 453002, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Minli Ding
- Henan Mental Hospital, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, No. 388, Jianshe Middle Road, Xinxiang, 453002, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongxing Zhang
- Henan Mental Hospital, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, No. 388, Jianshe Middle Road, Xinxiang, 453002, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenqiang Li
- Henan Mental Hospital, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, No. 388, Jianshe Middle Road, Xinxiang, 453002, Henan, People's Republic of China. .,Henan Key Lab of Biological Psychiatry of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China. .,International Joint Research Laboratory for Psychiatry and Neuroscience of Henan, Xinxiang, China.
| | - Luxian Lv
- Henan Mental Hospital, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, No. 388, Jianshe Middle Road, Xinxiang, 453002, Henan, People's Republic of China. .,Henan Key Lab of Biological Psychiatry of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China. .,International Joint Research Laboratory for Psychiatry and Neuroscience of Henan, Xinxiang, China.
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11
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Diamantopoulou A, Gogos JA. Neurocognitive and Perceptual Processing in Genetic Mouse Models of Schizophrenia: Emerging Lessons. Neuroscientist 2019; 25:597-619. [PMID: 30654694 DOI: 10.1177/1073858418819435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
During the past two decades, the number of animal models of psychiatric disorders has grown exponentially. Of these, genetic animal models that are modeled after rare but highly penetrant mutations hold great promise for deciphering critical molecular, synaptic, and neurocircuitry deficits of major psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia. Animal models should aim to focus on core aspects rather than capture the entire human disease. In this context, animal models with strong etiological validity, where behavioral and neurophysiological phenotypes and the features of the disease being modeled are in unambiguous homology, are being used to dissect both elementary and complex cognitive and perceptual processing deficits present in psychiatric disorders at the level of neurocircuitry, shedding new light on critical disease mechanisms. Recent progress in neuroscience along with large-scale initiatives that propose a consistent approach in characterizing these deficits across different laboratories will further enhance the efficacy of these studies that will ultimately lead to identifying new biological targets for drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Diamantopoulou
- Department of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.,Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Joseph A Gogos
- Department of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.,Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
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12
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Janetsian-Fritz SS, Timme NM, Timm MM, McCane AM, Baucum Ii AJ, O'Donnell BF, Lapish CC. Maternal deprivation induces alterations in cognitive and cortical function in adulthood. Transl Psychiatry 2018; 8:71. [PMID: 29581432 PMCID: PMC5913289 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-018-0119-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Revised: 10/24/2017] [Accepted: 01/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Early life trauma is a risk factor for a number of neuropsychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia (SZ). The current study assessed how an early life traumatic event, maternal deprivation (MD), alters cognition and brain function in rodents. Rats were maternally deprived in the early postnatal period and then recognition memory (RM) was tested in adulthood using the novel object recognition task. The expression of catechol-o-methyl transferase (COMT) and glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD67) were quantified in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), ventral striatum, and temporal cortex (TC). In addition, depth EEG recordings were obtained from the mPFC, vertex, and TC during a paired-click paradigm to assess the effects of MD on sensory gating. MD animals exhibited impaired RM, lower expression of COMT in the mPFC and TC, and lower expression of GAD67 in the TC. Increased bioelectric noise was observed at each recording site of MD animals. MD animals also exhibited altered information theoretic measures of stimulus encoding. These data indicate that a neurodevelopmental perturbation yields persistent alterations in cognition and brain function, and are consistent with human studies that identified relationships between allelic differences in COMT and GAD67 and bioelectric noise. These changes evoked by MD also lead to alterations in shared information between cognitive and primary sensory processing areas, which provides insight into how early life trauma confers a risk for neurodevelopmental disorders, such as SZ, later in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarine S Janetsian-Fritz
- Department of Psychology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
| | - Nicholas M Timme
- Department of Psychology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Maureen M Timm
- Department of Psychology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Aqilah M McCane
- Department of Psychology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Anthony J Baucum Ii
- Department of Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Brian F O'Donnell
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Christopher C Lapish
- Department of Psychology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Indiana University School of Medicine Stark Neuroscience Institute, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis School of Science Institute for Mathematical Modeling and Computational Sciences, Indianapolis, IN, USA
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13
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Millar J, Bilkey DK, Ward RD. Maternal immune activation alters sensitivity to action-outcome contingency in adult rat offspring. Brain Behav Immun 2017; 63:81-87. [PMID: 27592563 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2016.08.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2016] [Revised: 08/16/2016] [Accepted: 08/31/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Epidemiological studies have provided convincing evidence for a role of maternal immune activation in the pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and schizophrenia. In recent years, several research groups have capitalised on this discovery and developed animal models such as the maternal immune activation (MIA) model that emulates many phenotypes characteristic of disorders such as schizophrenia. In the present series of experiments we used the MIA model to examine motivation, a core component of the negative symptomatology in schizophrenia. Contrary to what we expected, in the progressive ratio task, which assesses an animals' willingness to work for a reward under increasing effort requirements, we found that MIA rats appeared more motivated than controls. Subsequent tests showed that this seemingly enhanced motivation was not due to an overall increase in responding, nor due to enhanced attribution of incentive salience to reward associated responses. Instead, we found that the increased willingness to work exhibited by MIA animals was due to an inability to detect changes in the contingency between their behaviour and the resulting rewarding outcome. With regard to motivation, the experiments reported here are the first to subject the MIA model to a rigorous experimental analysis of behaviour by parsing underlying processes that give rise to the overt symptoms in psychiatric disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Millar
- University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - David K Bilkey
- University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Ryan D Ward
- University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand.
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14
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Ruggiero RN, Rossignoli MT, De Ross JB, Hallak JEC, Leite JP, Bueno-Junior LS. Cannabinoids and Vanilloids in Schizophrenia: Neurophysiological Evidence and Directions for Basic Research. Front Pharmacol 2017; 8:399. [PMID: 28680405 PMCID: PMC5478733 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2017.00399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2017] [Accepted: 06/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Much of our knowledge of the endocannabinoid system in schizophrenia comes from behavioral measures in rodents, like prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle and open-field locomotion, which are commonly used along with neurochemical approaches or drug challenge designs. Such methods continue to map fundamental mechanisms of sensorimotor gating, hyperlocomotion, social interaction, and underlying monoaminergic, glutamatergic, and GABAergic disturbances. These strategies will require, however, a greater use of neurophysiological tools to better inform clinical research. In this sense, electrophysiology and viral vector-based circuit dissection, like optogenetics, can further elucidate how exogenous cannabinoids worsen (e.g., tetrahydrocannabinol, THC) or ameliorate (e.g., cannabidiol, CBD) schizophrenia symptoms, like hallucinations, delusions, and cognitive deficits. Also, recent studies point to a complex endocannabinoid-endovanilloid interplay, including the influence of anandamide (endogenous CB1 and TRPV1 agonist) on cognitive variables, such as aversive memory extinction. In fact, growing interest has been devoted to TRPV1 receptors as promising therapeutic targets. Here, these issues are reviewed with an emphasis on the neurophysiological evidence. First, we contextualize imaging and electrographic findings in humans. Then, we present a comprehensive review on rodent electrophysiology. Finally, we discuss how basic research will benefit from further combining psychopharmacological and neurophysiological tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael N Ruggiero
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São PauloRibeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Matheus T Rossignoli
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São PauloRibeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Jana B De Ross
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São PauloRibeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Jaime E C Hallak
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São PauloRibeirão Preto, Brazil.,National Institute for Science and Technology-Translational Medicine, National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq)Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Joao P Leite
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São PauloRibeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Lezio S Bueno-Junior
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São PauloRibeirão Preto, Brazil
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15
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Ronovsky M, Berger S, Molz B, Berger A, Pollak DD. Animal Models of Maternal Immune Activation in Depression Research. Curr Neuropharmacol 2017; 14:688-704. [PMID: 26666733 PMCID: PMC5050397 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x14666151215095359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2015] [Revised: 10/24/2015] [Accepted: 11/09/2015] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract: Background Depression and schizophrenia are debilitating mental illnesses with significant socio-economic impact. The high degree of comorbidity between the two disorders, and shared symptoms and risk factors, suggest partly common pathogenic mechanisms. Supported by human and animal studies, maternal immune activation (MIA) has been intimately associated with the development of schizophrenia. However, the link between MIA and depression has remained less clear, in part due to the lack of appropriate animal models. Objective Here we aim to summarize findings obtained from studies using MIA animal models and discuss their relevance for preclinical depression research. Methods Results on molecular, cellular and behavioral phenotypes in MIA animal models were collected by literature search (PubMed) and evaluated for their significance for depression. Results Several reports on offspring depression-related behavioral alterations indicate an involvement of MIA in the development of depression later in life. Depression-related behavioral phenotypes were frequently paralleled by neurogenic and neurotrophic deficits and modulated by several genetic and environmental factors. Conclusion Literature evidence analyzed in this review supports a relevance of MIA as animal model for a specific early life adversity, which may prime an individual for the development of distinct psychopathologies later life. MIA animal models may present a unique tool for the identification of additional exogenous and endogenous factors, which are required for the manifestation of a specific neuropsychiatric disorder, such as depression, later in life. Hereby, novel insights into the molecular mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of depression may be obtained, supporting the identification of alternative therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Daniela D Pollak
- Department of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Schwarzspanierstrasse 17, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
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16
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Antonson AM, Radlowski EC, Lawson MA, Rytych JL, Johnson RW. Maternal viral infection during pregnancy elicits anti-social behavior in neonatal piglet offspring independent of postnatal microglial cell activation. Brain Behav Immun 2017; 59:300-312. [PMID: 27650113 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2016.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2016] [Revised: 08/31/2016] [Accepted: 09/16/2016] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal infection during pregnancy increases risk for neurodevelopmental disorders and reduced stress resilience in offspring, but the mechanisms are not fully understood. We hypothesized that piglets born from gilts infected with a respiratory virus during late gestation would exhibit aberrant microglia activity, cognitive deficits and reduced sociability. Pregnant gilts were inoculated with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV; 5×105 TCID50 of live PRRSV) or saline at gestational day 76. Gilts infected with PRRSV exhibited fever (p<0.01) and reduced appetite (p<0.001) for 2weekspost-inoculation and were PRRSV-positive at parturition. Piglets born from infected and control gilts were weaned at postnatal day (PD) 1 and assigned to two groups. Group 1 was challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 5μg/kg body weight i.p.) or saline on PD 14 and tissues were collected. Group 2 was tested in a T-maze task to assess spatial learning and in a 3-chamber arena with unfamiliar conspecifics to assess social behavior from PD 14-27. Microglia (CD11b+ CD45low) isolated from Group 2 piglets at PD 28 were challenged ex vivo with LPS; a subset of cells was analyzed for MHCII expression. Maternal infection did not affect offspring circulating TNFα, IL-10, or cortisol levels basally or 4h post-LPS challenge. While performance in the T-maze task was not affected by maternal infection, both sociability and preference for social novelty were decreased in piglets from infected gilts. There was no effect of maternal infection on microglial MHCII expression or LPS-induced cytokine production. Taken together, these results suggest the reduced social behavior elicited by maternal infection is not due to aberrant microglia activity postnatally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrienne M Antonson
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Integrative Immunology and Behavior Program, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Emily C Radlowski
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Integrative Immunology and Behavior Program, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Marcus A Lawson
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Integrative Immunology and Behavior Program, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Jennifer L Rytych
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Integrative Immunology and Behavior Program, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Rodney W Johnson
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Integrative Immunology and Behavior Program, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
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17
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MacDowell KS, Munarriz-Cuezva E, Caso JR, Madrigal JLM, Zabala A, Meana JJ, García-Bueno B, Leza JC. Paliperidone reverts Toll-like receptor 3 signaling pathway activation and cognitive deficits in a maternal immune activation mouse model of schizophrenia. Neuropharmacology 2016; 116:196-207. [PMID: 28039001 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2016.12.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2016] [Revised: 12/16/2016] [Accepted: 12/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The pathophysiology of psychotic disorders is multifactorial, including alterations in the immune system caused by exogenous or endogenous factors. Epidemiological and experimental studies indicate that infections during the gestational period represent a risk factor to develop schizophrenia (SZ) along lifetime. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the antipsychotic paliperidone regulates immune-related brain effects in an experimental model of SZ. A well described prenatal immune activation model of SZ in mice by maternal injection of the viral mimetic poly(I:C) during pregnancy was used. Young-adult offspring animals (60PND) received paliperidone ip (0.05 mg/kg) for 21 consecutive days. One day after last injection, animals were submitted to a cognitive test and brain frontal cortex (FC) samples were obtained for biochemical determinations. The adults showed an activated innate immune receptor TLR-3 signaling pathway, oxidative/nitrosative stress and accumulation of pro-inflammatory mediators such as nuclear transcription factors (i.e., NFκB) and inducible enzymes (i.e., iNOS) in FC. Chronic paliperidone blocked this neuroinflammatory response possibly by the synergic activation and preservation of endogenous antioxidant/anti-inflammatory mechanisms such as NRF2 and PPARγ pathways, respectively. Paliperidone administration also stimulated the alternative polarization of microglia to the M2 anti-inflammatory profile. In addition, paliperidone treatment improved spatial working memory deficits of this SZ-like animal model. In conclusion, chronic administration of paliperidone to young-adult mice prenatally exposed to maternal immune (MIA) challenge elicits a general preventive anti-inflammatory/antioxidant effect at both intracellular and cellular polarization (M1/M2) level in FC, as well as ameliorates specific cognitive deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina S MacDowell
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University Complutense, Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre & IUINQ, Madrid, Spain
| | - Eva Munarriz-Cuezva
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Basque Country UPV/EHU, Bizkaia, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Spain
| | - Javier R Caso
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University Complutense, Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre & IUINQ, Madrid, Spain
| | - José L M Madrigal
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University Complutense, Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre & IUINQ, Madrid, Spain
| | - Arantzazu Zabala
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Basque Country UPV/EHU, Bizkaia, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Spain; BioCruces Health Research Institute, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - J Javier Meana
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Basque Country UPV/EHU, Bizkaia, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Spain; BioCruces Health Research Institute, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Borja García-Bueno
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University Complutense, Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre & IUINQ, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan C Leza
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University Complutense, Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre & IUINQ, Madrid, Spain.
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18
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Györffy BA, Gulyássy P, Gellén B, Völgyi K, Madarasi D, Kis V, Ozohanics O, Papp I, Kovács P, Lubec G, Dobolyi Á, Kardos J, Drahos L, Juhász G, Kékesi KA. Widespread alterations in the synaptic proteome of the adolescent cerebral cortex following prenatal immune activation in rats. Brain Behav Immun 2016; 56:289-309. [PMID: 27058163 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2016.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2016] [Revised: 03/23/2016] [Accepted: 04/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
An increasing number of studies have revealed associations between pre- and perinatal immune activation and the development of schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Accordingly, neuroimmune crosstalk has a considerably large impact on brain development during early ontogenesis. While a plethora of heterogeneous abnormalities have already been described in established maternal immune activation (MIA) rodent and primate animal models, which highly correlate to those found in human diseases, the underlying molecular background remains obscure. In the current study, we describe the long-term effects of MIA on the neocortical pre- and postsynaptic proteome of adolescent rat offspring in detail. Molecular differences were revealed in sub-synaptic fractions, which were first thoroughly characterized using independent methods. The widespread proteomic examination of cortical samples from offspring exposed to maternal lipopolysaccharide administration at embryonic day 13.5 was conducted via combinations of different gel-based proteomic techniques and tandem mass spectrometry. Our experimentally validated proteomic data revealed more pre- than postsynaptic protein level changes in the offspring. The results propose the relevance of altered synaptic vesicle recycling, cytoskeletal structure and energy metabolism in the presynaptic region in addition to alterations in vesicle trafficking, the cytoskeleton and signal transduction in the postsynaptic compartment in MIA offspring. Differing levels of the prominent signaling regulator molecule calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II in the postsynapse was validated and identified specifically in the prefrontal cortex. Finally, several potential common molecular regulators of these altered proteins, which are already known to be implicated in schizophrenia and ASD, were identified and assessed. In summary, unexpectedly widespread changes in the synaptic molecular machinery in MIA rats were demonstrated which might underlie the pathological cortical functions that are characteristic of schizophrenia and ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balázs A Györffy
- Laboratory of Proteomics, Institute of Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest H-1117, Hungary; MTA-ELTE NAP B Neuroimmunology Research Group, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest H-1117, Hungary
| | - Péter Gulyássy
- MTA-TTK NAP B MS Neuroproteomics Group, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest H-1117, Hungary; Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna A-1090, Austria
| | - Barbara Gellén
- Laboratory of Proteomics, Institute of Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest H-1117, Hungary; MTA-ELTE NAP B Laboratory of Molecular and Systems Neurobiology, Institute of Biology, Hungarian Academy of Sciences and Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest H-1117, Hungary
| | - Katalin Völgyi
- Laboratory of Proteomics, Institute of Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest H-1117, Hungary; MTA-ELTE NAP B Laboratory of Molecular and Systems Neurobiology, Institute of Biology, Hungarian Academy of Sciences and Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest H-1117, Hungary
| | - Dóra Madarasi
- Laboratory of Proteomics, Institute of Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest H-1117, Hungary
| | - Viktor Kis
- Department of Anatomy, Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest H-1117, Hungary
| | - Olivér Ozohanics
- MTA-TTK NAP B MS Neuroproteomics Group, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest H-1117, Hungary
| | | | | | - Gert Lubec
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna A-1090, Austria
| | - Árpád Dobolyi
- MTA-ELTE NAP B Laboratory of Molecular and Systems Neurobiology, Institute of Biology, Hungarian Academy of Sciences and Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest H-1117, Hungary
| | - József Kardos
- MTA-ELTE NAP B Neuroimmunology Research Group, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest H-1117, Hungary
| | - László Drahos
- MTA-TTK NAP B MS Neuroproteomics Group, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest H-1117, Hungary
| | - Gábor Juhász
- Laboratory of Proteomics, Institute of Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest H-1117, Hungary; MTA-TTK NAP B MS Neuroproteomics Group, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest H-1117, Hungary
| | - Katalin A Kékesi
- Laboratory of Proteomics, Institute of Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest H-1117, Hungary; Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Institute of Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest H-1117, Hungary.
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19
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Sigurdsson T. Neural circuit dysfunction in schizophrenia: Insights from animal models. Neuroscience 2016; 321:42-65. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.06.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2015] [Revised: 06/15/2015] [Accepted: 06/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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20
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Cassella SN, Hemmerle AM, Lundgren KH, Kyser TL, Ahlbrand R, Bronson SL, Richtand NM, Seroogy KB. Maternal immune activation alters glutamic acid decarboxylase-67 expression in the brains of adult rat offspring. Schizophr Res 2016; 171:195-9. [PMID: 26830319 PMCID: PMC4803111 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2016.01.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2015] [Revised: 01/15/2016] [Accepted: 01/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Activation of the maternal innate immune system, termed "maternal immune activation" (MIA), represents a common environmental risk factor for schizophrenia. Whereas evidence suggests dysregulation of GABA systems may underlie the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, a role for MIA in alteration of GABAergic systems is less clear. Here, pregnant rats received either the viral mimetic polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidilic acid or vehicle injection on gestational day 14. Glutamic acid decarboxylase-67 (GAD67) mRNA expression was examined in male offspring at postnatal day (P)14, P30 and P60. At P60, GAD67 mRNA was elevated in hippocampus and thalamus and decreased in prefrontal cortex of MIA offspring. MIA-induced alterations in GAD expression could contribute to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah N Cassella
- Department of Neurology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Ann M Hemmerle
- Department of Neurology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Kerstin H Lundgren
- Department of Neurology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Tara L Kyser
- Department of Neurology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Rebecca Ahlbrand
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Stefanie L Bronson
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Neil M Richtand
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA; San Diego Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, San Diego, CA 92161, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Kim B Seroogy
- Department of Neurology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA.
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21
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Luchicchi A, Lecca S, Melis M, De Felice M, Cadeddu F, Frau R, Muntoni AL, Fadda P, Devoto P, Pistis M. Maternal Immune Activation Disrupts Dopamine System in the Offspring. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2016; 19:pyw007. [PMID: 26819283 PMCID: PMC4966272 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyw007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2015] [Accepted: 01/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In utero exposure to maternal viral infections is associated with a higher incidence of psychiatric disorders with a supposed neurodevelopmental origin, including schizophrenia. Hence, immune response factors exert a negative impact on brain maturation that predisposes the offspring to the emergence of pathological phenotypes later in life. Although ventral tegmental area dopamine neurons and their target regions play essential roles in the pathophysiology of psychoses, it remains to be fully elucidated how dopamine activity and functionality are disrupted in maternal immune activation models of schizophrenia. METHODS Here, we used an immune-mediated neurodevelopmental disruption model based on prenatal administration of the polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidilic acid in rats, which mimics a viral infection and recapitulates behavioral abnormalities relevant to psychiatric disorders in the offspring. Extracellular dopamine levels were measured by brain microdialysis in both the nucleus accumbens shell and the medial prefrontal cortex, whereas dopamine neurons in ventral tegmental area were studied by in vivo electrophysiology. RESULTS Polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidilic acid-treated animals, at adulthood, displayed deficits in sensorimotor gating, memory, and social interaction and increased baseline extracellular dopamine levels in the nucleus accumbens, but not in the prefrontal cortex. In polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidilic acid rats, dopamine neurons showed reduced spontaneously firing rate and population activity. CONCLUSIONS These results confirm that maternal immune activation severely impairs dopamine system and that the polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidilic acid model can be considered a proper animal model of a psychiatric condition that fulfills a multidimensional set of validity criteria predictive of a human pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Marco Pistis
- Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy (Drs Luchicchi, Lecca, Melis, Ms De Felice, Drs Cadeddu, Frau, Fadda, Devoto, and Pistis); Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council of Italy, Section of Cagliari, Italy (Drs Muntoni and Pistis).Present address (A.L.): Department of Integrative Neurophysiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, Netherlands.Present address (S.L.): Institut du Fer à Moulin, 75005, Paris, France; Inserm, UMR-S 839, 75005, Paris, France.
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22
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Sigurdsson T, Duvarci S. Hippocampal-Prefrontal Interactions in Cognition, Behavior and Psychiatric Disease. Front Syst Neurosci 2016; 9:190. [PMID: 26858612 PMCID: PMC4727104 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2015.00190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 146] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2015] [Accepted: 12/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The hippocampus and prefrontal cortex (PFC) have long been known to play a central role in various behavioral and cognitive functions. More recently, electrophysiological and functional imaging studies have begun to examine how interactions between the two structures contribute to behavior during various tasks. At the same time, it has become clear that hippocampal-prefrontal interactions are disrupted in psychiatric disease and may contribute to their pathophysiology. These impairments have most frequently been observed in schizophrenia, a disease that has long been associated with hippocampal and prefrontal dysfunction. Studies in animal models of the illness have also begun to relate disruptions in hippocampal-prefrontal interactions to the various risk factors and pathophysiological mechanisms of the illness. The goal of this review is to summarize what is known about the role of hippocampal-prefrontal interactions in normal brain function and compare how these interactions are disrupted in schizophrenia patients and animal models of the disease. Outstanding questions for future research on the role of hippocampal-prefrontal interactions in both healthy brain function and disease states are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Torfi Sigurdsson
- Institute of Neurophysiology, Neuroscience Center, Goethe University FrankfurtFrankfurt, Germany
| | - Sevil Duvarci
- Institute of Neurophysiology, Neuroscience Center, Goethe University FrankfurtFrankfurt, Germany
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23
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Giovanoli S, Notter T, Richetto J, Labouesse MA, Vuillermot S, Riva MA, Meyer U. Late prenatal immune activation causes hippocampal deficits in the absence of persistent inflammation across aging. J Neuroinflammation 2015; 12:221. [PMID: 26602365 PMCID: PMC4659211 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-015-0437-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2015] [Accepted: 11/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal exposure to infection and/or inflammation is increasingly recognized to play an important role in neurodevelopmental brain disorders. It has recently been postulated that prenatal immune activation, especially when occurring during late gestational stages, may also induce pathological brain aging via sustained effects on systemic and central inflammation. Here, we tested this hypothesis using an established mouse model of exposure to viral-like immune activation in late pregnancy. METHODS Pregnant C57BL6/J mice on gestation day 17 were treated with the viral mimetic polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidilic acid (poly(I:C)) or control vehicle solution. The resulting offspring were first tested using cognitive and behavioral paradigms known to be sensitive to hippocampal damage, after which they were assigned to quantitative analyses of inflammatory cytokines, microglia density and morphology, astrocyte density, presynaptic markers, and neurotrophin expression in the hippocampus throughout aging (1, 5, and 22 months of age). RESULTS Maternal poly(I:C) treatment led to a robust increase in inflammatory cytokine levels in late gestation but did not cause persistent systemic or hippocampal inflammation in the offspring. The late prenatal manipulation also failed to cause long-term changes in microglia density, morphology, or activation, and did not induce signs of astrogliosis in pubescent, adult, or aged offspring. Despite the lack of persistent inflammatory or glial anomalies, offspring of poly(I:C)-exposed mothers showed marked and partly age-dependent deficits in hippocampus-regulated cognitive functions as well as impaired hippocampal synaptophysin and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression. CONCLUSIONS Late prenatal exposure to viral-like immune activation in mice causes hippocampus-related cognitive and synaptic deficits in the absence of chronic inflammation across aging. These findings do not support the hypothesis that this form of prenatal immune activation may induce pathological brain aging via sustained effects on systemic and central inflammation. We further conclude that poly(I:C)-based prenatal immune activation models are reliable in their effectiveness to induce (hippocampal) neuropathology across aging, but they appear unsuited for studying the role of chronic systemic or central inflammation in brain aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Giovanoli
- Physiology and Behavior Laboratory, ETH Zurich, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Tina Notter
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich-Vetsuisse, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Juliet Richetto
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich-Vetsuisse, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marie A Labouesse
- Physiology and Behavior Laboratory, ETH Zurich, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | | | - Marco A Riva
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Urs Meyer
- Physiology and Behavior Laboratory, ETH Zurich, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland.
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich-Vetsuisse, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland.
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Filiano AJ, Gadani SP, Kipnis J. Interactions of innate and adaptive immunity in brain development and function. Brain Res 2015; 1617:18-27. [PMID: 25110235 PMCID: PMC4320678 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2014.07.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 147] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2014] [Revised: 07/28/2014] [Accepted: 07/30/2014] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
It has been known for decades that the immune system has a tremendous impact on behavior. Most work has described the negative role of immune cells on the central nervous system. However, we and others have demonstrated over the last decade that a well-regulated immune system is needed for proper brain function. Here we discuss several neuro-immune interactions, using examples from brain homeostasis and disease states. We will highlight our understanding of the consequences of malfunctioning immunity on neurodevelopment and will discuss the roles of the innate and adaptive immune system in neurodevelopment and how T cells maintain a proper innate immune balance in the brain surroundings and within its parenchyma. Also, we describe how immune imbalance impairs higher order brain functioning, possibly leading to behavioral and cognitive impairment. Lastly, we propose our hypothesis that some behavioral deficits in neurodevelopmental disorders, such as in autism spectrum disorder, are the consequence of malfunctioning immunity. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled SI: Neuroimmunology in Health And Disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony J Filiano
- Center for Brain Immunology and Glia (BIG), Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.
| | - Sachin P Gadani
- Center for Brain Immunology and Glia (BIG), Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Graduate Program in Neuroscience and Medical Scientist Training Program, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Jonathan Kipnis
- Center for Brain Immunology and Glia (BIG), Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Graduate Program in Neuroscience and Medical Scientist Training Program, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
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25
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Reisinger S, Khan D, Kong E, Berger A, Pollak A, Pollak DD. The poly(I:C)-induced maternal immune activation model in preclinical neuropsychiatric drug discovery. Pharmacol Ther 2015; 149:213-26. [PMID: 25562580 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2015.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 166] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2014] [Accepted: 12/30/2014] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Increasing epidemiological and experimental evidence implicates gestational infections as one important factor involved in the pathogenesis of several neuropsychiatric disorders. Corresponding preclinical model systems based upon maternal immune activation (MIA) by treatment of the pregnant female have been developed. These MIA animal model systems have been successfully used in basic and translational research approaches, contributing to the investigation of the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms at the molecular, cellular and behavioral levels. The present article focuses on the application of a specific MIA rodent paradigm, based upon treatment of the gestating dam with the viral mimic polyinosinic-polycytidilic acid (Poly(I:C)), a synthetic analog of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) which activates the Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) pathway. Important advantages and constraints of this animal model will be discussed, specifically in light of gestational infection as one vulnerability factor contributing to the complex etiology of mood and psychotic disorders, which are likely the result of intricate multi-level gene×environment interactions. Improving our currently incomplete understanding of the molecular pathomechanistic principles underlying these disorders is a prerequisite for the development of alternative therapeutic approaches which are critically needed in light of the important drawbacks and limitations of currently available pharmacological treatment options regarding efficacy and side effects. The particular relevance of the Poly(I:C) MIA model for the discovery of novel drug targets for symptomatic and preventive therapeutic strategies in mood and psychotic disorders is highlighted in this review article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonali Reisinger
- Department of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Deeba Khan
- Department of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Eryan Kong
- Department of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Angelika Berger
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Arnold Pollak
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Daniela D Pollak
- Department of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria.
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26
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Nakamura T, Matsumoto J, Takamura Y, Ishii Y, Sasahara M, Ono T, Nishijo H. Relationships among parvalbumin-immunoreactive neuron density, phase-locked gamma oscillations, and autistic/schizophrenic symptoms in PDGFR-β knock-out and control mice. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0119258. [PMID: 25803852 PMCID: PMC4372342 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0119258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2014] [Accepted: 01/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cognitive deficits and negative symptoms are important therapeutic targets for schizophrenia and autism disorders. Although reduction of phase-locked gamma oscillation has been suggested to be a result of reduced parvalbumin-immunoreactive (putatively, GABAergic) neurons, no direct correlations between these have been established in these disorders. In the present study, we investigated such relationships during pharmacological treatment with a newly synthesized drug, T-817MA, which displays neuroprotective and neurotrophic effects. In this study, we used platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β gene knockout (PDGFR-β KO) mice as an animal model of schizophrenia and autism. These mutant mice display a reduction in social behaviors; deficits in prepulse inhibition (PPI); reduced levels of parvalbumin-immunoreactive neurons in the medical prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, amygdala, and superior colliculus; and a deficit in of auditory phase-locked gamma oscillations. We found that oral administration of T-817MA ameliorated all these symptoms in the PDGFR-β KO mice. Furthermore, phase-locked gamma oscillations were significantly correlated with the density of parvalbumin-immunoreactive neurons, which was, in turn, correlated with PPI and behavioral parameters. These findings suggest that recovery of parvalbumin-immunoreactive neurons by pharmacological intervention relieved the reduction of phase-locked gamma oscillations and, consequently, ameliorated PPI and social behavioral deficits. Thus, our findings suggest that phase-locked gamma oscillations could be a useful physiological biomarker for abnormality of parvalbumin-immunoreactive neurons that may induce cognitive deficits and negative symptoms of schizophrenia and autism, as well as of effective pharmacological interventions in both humans and experimental animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoya Nakamura
- System Emotional Science, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Sugitani 2630, Toyama, Japan
| | - Jumpei Matsumoto
- Department of Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Sugitani 2630, Toyama, Japan
| | - Yusaku Takamura
- System Emotional Science, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Sugitani 2630, Toyama, Japan
| | - Yoko Ishii
- Department of Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Sugitani 2630, Toyama, Japan
| | - Masakiyo Sasahara
- Department of Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Sugitani 2630, Toyama, Japan
| | - Taketoshi Ono
- System Emotional Science, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Sugitani 2630, Toyama, Japan
| | - Hisao Nishijo
- System Emotional Science, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Sugitani 2630, Toyama, Japan
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Mattei D, Schweibold R, Wolf SA. Brain in flames - animal models of psychosis: utility and limitations. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2015; 11:1313-29. [PMID: 26064050 PMCID: PMC4455860 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s65564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The neurodevelopmental hypothesis of schizophrenia posits that schizophrenia is a psychopathological condition resulting from aberrations in neurodevelopmental processes caused by a combination of environmental and genetic factors which proceed long before the onset of clinical symptoms. Many studies discuss an immunological component in the onset and progression of schizophrenia. We here review studies utilizing animal models of schizophrenia with manipulations of genetic, pharmacologic, and immunological origin. We focus on the immunological component to bridge the studies in terms of evaluation and treatment options of negative, positive, and cognitive symptoms. Throughout the review we link certain aspects of each model to the situation in human schizophrenic patients. In conclusion we suggest a combination of existing models to better represent the human situation. Moreover, we emphasize that animal models represent defined single or multiple symptoms or hallmarks of a given disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Mattei
- Department of Cellular Neuroscience, Max-Delbrueck-Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Regina Schweibold
- Department of Cellular Neuroscience, Max-Delbrueck-Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany ; Department of Neurosurgery, Helios Clinics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Susanne A Wolf
- Department of Cellular Neuroscience, Max-Delbrueck-Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
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28
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Marques AH, Bjørke-Monsen AL, Teixeira AL, Silverman MN. Maternal stress, nutrition and physical activity: Impact on immune function, CNS development and psychopathology. Brain Res 2014; 1617:28-46. [PMID: 25451133 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2014.10.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2014] [Revised: 10/20/2014] [Accepted: 10/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Evidence suggests that maternal and fetal immune dysfunction may impact fetal brain development and could play a role in neurodevelopmental disorders, although the definitive pathophysiological mechanisms are still not completely understood. Stress, malnutrition and physical inactivity are three maternal behavioral lifestyle factors that can influence immune and central nervous system (CNS) functions in both the mother and fetus, and may therefore, increase risk for neurodevelopmental/psychiatric disorders. First, we will briefly review some aspects of maternal-fetal immune system interactions and development of immune tolerance. Second, we will discuss the bidirectional communication between the immune system and CNS and the pathways by which immune dysfunction could contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders. Third, we will discuss the effects of prenatal stress and malnutrition (over and undernutrition) on perinatal programming of the CNS and immune system, and how this might influence neurodevelopment. Finally, we will discuss the beneficial impact of physical fitness during pregnancy on the maternal-fetal unit and infant and how regular physical activity and exercise can be an effective buffer against stress- and inflammatory-related disorders. Although regular physical activity has been shown to promote neuroplasticity and an anti-inflammatory state in the adult, there is a paucity of studies evaluating its impact on CNS and immune function during pregnancy. Implementing stress reduction, proper nutrition and ample physical activity during pregnancy and the childbearing period may be an efficient strategy to counteract the impact of maternal stress and malnutrition/obesity on the developing fetus. Such behavioral interventions could have an impact on early development of the CNS and immune system and contribute to the prevention of neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders. Further research is needed to elucidate this relationship and the underlying mechanisms of protection. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled SI: Neuroimmunology in Health And Disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Horvath Marques
- Obsessive--Compulsive Spectrum Disorders Program, Department & Institute of Psychiatry, University of São Paulo, Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | | | - Antônio L Teixeira
- School of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Marni N Silverman
- Consortium for Health and Military Performance, Department of Military and Emergency Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
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29
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Sangha S, Greba Q, Robinson PD, Ballendine SA, Howland JG. Heightened fear in response to a safety cue and extinguished fear cue in a rat model of maternal immune activation. Front Behav Neurosci 2014; 8:168. [PMID: 24847231 PMCID: PMC4019856 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2014.00168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2014] [Accepted: 04/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal immune activation (MIA) during pregnancy is an environmental risk factor for psychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia and autism in the offspring. Hence, changes in an array of behaviors, including behavioral flexibility, consistent with altered functioning of cortico-limbic circuits have been reported in rodent models of MIA. Surprisingly, previous studies have not examined the effect of MIA on the extinction of fear conditioning which depends on cortico-limbic circuits. Thus, we tested the effects of treating pregnant Long Evans rats with the viral mimetic polyI:C (gestational day 15; 4 mg/kg; i.v.) on fear conditioning and extinction in the male offspring using two different tasks. In the first experiment, we observed no effect of polyI:C treatment on the acquisition or extinction of a classically conditioned fear memory in a non-discriminative auditory cue paradigm. However, polyI:C-treated offspring did increase contextual freezing during the recall of fear extinction in this non-discriminative paradigm. The second experiment utilized a recently developed task to explicitly test the ability of rats to discriminate among cues signifying fear, reward, and safety; a task that requires behavioral flexibility. To our surprise, polyI:C-treated rats acquired the task in a manner similar to saline-treated rats. However, upon subsequent extinction training, they showed significantly faster extinction of the freezing response to the fear cue. In contrast, during the extinction recall test, polyI:C-treated offspring showed enhanced freezing behavior before and after presentation of the fear cue, suggesting an impairment in their ability to regulate fear behavior. These behavioral results are integrated into the literature suggesting impairments in cortico-limbic brain function in the offspring of rats treated with polyI:C during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Sangha
- Department of Physiology, University of Saskatchewan Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Quentin Greba
- Department of Physiology, University of Saskatchewan Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Paul D Robinson
- Department of Physiology, University of Saskatchewan Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | | | - John G Howland
- Department of Physiology, University of Saskatchewan Saskatoon, SK, Canada
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