1
|
Wu D, Li Y, Chen L, Klein M, Franke B, Chen J, Buitelaar J. Maternal gestational weight gain and offspring's neurodevelopmental outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 153:105360. [PMID: 37573899 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
Abnormal gestational weight gain (GWG) has been increasing globally, up to 47% of all pregnancies. Multiple studies have focused on the association between GWG and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in the offspring, however with inconsistent results. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate associations between excessive or insufficient GWG and offspring's neurodevelopmental outcomes. Meta-analysis of these 23 studies using a random-effects model revealed associations between excessive GWG and neurodevelopmental disorders (ASD & ID & ADHD together: OR=1.12 [95% CI 1.06-1.19]), ASD (OR=1.18 [95% CI 1.08-1.29]), ADHD (OR=1.08 [95% CI 1.02-1.14]), ASD with ID (OR=1.15 [95% CI 1.01-1.32]), and ASD without ID (OR=1.12 [95% CI 1.06-1.19]). Insufficient GWG was associated with higher risk for ID (OR=1.14 [95% CI 1.03-1.26]). These results emphasize the significant impact, though of small effect size, of GWG across multiple neurodevelopmental disorders. It is important to note that these results do not establish causality. Other factors such as genetic factors, gene-environment interactions may confound the relationship between GWG and neurodevelopmental outcomes. To better understand the role of GWG in neurodevelopmental disorders, future studies should consider using genetically sensitive designs that can account for these potential confounders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dan Wu
- Department of Child Health Care, Shanghai Children's Hospital, School of medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 200062, Shanghai, China; Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Yicheng Li
- Department of Child Health Care, Shanghai Children's Hospital, School of medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 200062, Shanghai, China
| | - Lingyan Chen
- Department of Occupational Therapy Sciences, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 1-7-1 Sakamoto, Nagasaki-city, 852-8520, Japan
| | - Marieke Klein
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Barbara Franke
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Psychiatry, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Jinjin Chen
- Department of Child Health Care, Shanghai Children's Hospital, School of medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 200062, Shanghai, China.
| | - Jan Buitelaar
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Karakter Child and Adolescent Psychiatry University Centre, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zhu Y, Xu L, Yu J. Classification of autism based on short-term spontaneous hemodynamic fluctuations using an adaptive graph neural network. J Neurosci Methods 2023:109901. [PMID: 37295750 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2023.109901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2023] [Revised: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Short-term spontaneous hemodynamic fluctuations were collected by the functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) system to classify children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and typical development (TD), and to explore abnormalities in the left inferior frontal gyrus in ASD. METHODS Using the fNIRS data of 25 children with ASD and 22 children with TD, a graph neural network combined with the temporal convolution module and the graph convolution module was used, to extract the spatio-temporal features of the data and achieve accurate classification of ASD. RESULTS The graph neural network was used to obtain a good classification result in the left inferior frontal gyrus, with an accuracy of 97.1%, precision of 95.1%, and specificity of 93.4%. It was found that the 5th channel (which is located in BA 10) and the 8th channel (which is located in BA 47) in the left inferior frontal gyrus were closely correlated with ASD. COMPARISON WITH PREVIOUSLY USED METHOD(S) Compared with the previous deep learning model using the same input, the accuracy of our model has increased by up to 13%, and the correlation between channels in the left inferior frontal gyrus area with the best classification effect was explored through the graph neural network. CONCLUSION The adaptive graph neural network (AGNN) model may be able to mine more valuable information to distinguish ASD from TD and in addition, the left inferior frontal gyrus may have greater investigative value.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Zhu
- School of Computer Engineering and Science, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lingyu Xu
- School of Computer Engineering and Science, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Institute for Advanced Communication and Data Science, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Jie Yu
- School of Computer Engineering and Science, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Liu Z, Tan S, Zhou L, Chen L, Liu M, Wang W, Tang Y, Yang Q, Chi S, Jiang P, Zhang Y, Cui Y, Qin J, Hu X, Li S, Liu Q, Chen L, Li S, Burstein E, Li W, Zhang X, Mo X, Jia D. SCGN deficiency is a risk factor for autism spectrum disorder. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:3. [PMID: 36588101 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-01225-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects 1-2% of all children and poses a great social and economic challenge for the globe. As a highly heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder, the development of its treatment is extremely challenging. Multiple pathways have been linked to the pathogenesis of ASD, including signaling involved in synaptic function, oxytocinergic activities, immune homeostasis, chromatin modifications, and mitochondrial functions. Here, we identify secretagogin (SCGN), a regulator of synaptic transmission, as a new risk gene for ASD. Two heterozygous loss-of-function mutations in SCGN are presented in ASD probands. Deletion of Scgn in zebrafish or mice leads to autism-like behaviors and impairs brain development. Mechanistically, Scgn deficiency disrupts the oxytocin signaling and abnormally activates inflammation in both animal models. Both ASD probands carrying Scgn mutations also show reduced oxytocin levels. Importantly, we demonstrate that the administration of oxytocin and anti-inflammatory drugs can attenuate ASD-associated defects caused by SCGN deficiency. Altogether, we identify a convergence between a potential autism genetic risk factor SCGN, and the pathological deregulation in oxytocinergic signaling and immune responses, providing potential treatment for ASD patients suffering from SCGN deficiency. Our study also indicates that it is critical to identify and stratify ASD patient populations based on their disease mechanisms, which could greatly enhance therapeutic success.
Collapse
|
4
|
Bouquier N, Sakkaki S, Raynaud F, Hemonnot-Girard AL, Seube V, Compan V, Bertaso F, Perroy J, Moutin E. The Shank3 Venus/Venus knock in mouse enables isoform-specific functional studies of Shank3a. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:1081010. [PMID: 36570823 PMCID: PMC9773256 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.1081010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Shank3 is a scaffolding protein essential for the organization and function of the glutamatergic postsynapse. Monogenic mutations in SHANK3 gene are among the leading genetic causes of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The multiplicity of Shank3 isoforms seems to generate as much functional diversity and yet, there are no tools to study endogenous Shank3 proteins in an isoform-specific manner. Methods In this study, we created a novel transgenic mouse line, the Shank3Venus/Venus knock in mouse, which allows to monitor the endogenous expression of the major Shank3 isoform in the brain, the full-length Shank3a isoform. Results We show that the endogenous Venus-Shank3a protein is localized in spines and is mainly expressed in the striatum, hippocampus and cortex of the developing and adult brain. We show that Shank3Venus/+ and Shank3Venus/Venus mice have no behavioral deficiency. We further crossed Shank3Venus/Venus mice with Shank3ΔC/ΔC mice, a model of ASD, to track the Venus-tagged wild-type copy of Shank3a in physiological (Shank3Venus/+) and pathological (Shank3Venus/ΔC) conditions. We report a developmental delay in brain expression of the Venus-Shank3a isoform in Shank3Venus/ΔC mice, compared to Shank3Venus/+ control mice. Conclusion Altogether, our results show that the Shank3Venus/Venus mouse line is a powerful tool to study endogenous Shank3a expression, in physiological conditions and in ASD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Bouquier
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Sophie Sakkaki
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Fabrice Raynaud
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France,PhyMedExp, Univ Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, CHU de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Vincent Seube
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Vincent Compan
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Federica Bertaso
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Julie Perroy
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France,*Correspondence: Julie Perroy,
| | - Enora Moutin
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France,Enora Moutin,
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Sauer AK, Hagmeyer S, Grabrucker AM. Prenatal Zinc Deficient Mice as a Model for Autism Spectrum Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23116082. [PMID: 35682762 PMCID: PMC9181257 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23116082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Epidemiological studies have shown a clear association between early life zinc deficiency and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). In line with this, mouse models have revealed prenatal zinc deficiency as a profound risk factor for neurobiological and behavioral abnormalities in the offspring reminiscent of ASD behavior. From these studies, a complex pathology emerges, with alterations in the gastrointestinal and immune system and synaptic signaling in the brain, as a major consequence of prenatal zinc deficiency. The features represent a critical link in a causal chain that leads to various neuronal dysfunctions and behavioral phenotypes observed in prenatal zinc deficient (PZD) mice and probably other mouse models for ASD. Given that the complete phenotype of PZD mice may be key to understanding how non-genetic factors can modify the clinical features and severity of autistic patients and explain the observed heterogeneity, here, we summarize published data on PZD mice. We critically review the emerging evidence that prenatal zinc deficiency is at the core of several environmental risk factors associated with ASD, being mechanistically linked to ASD-associated genetic factors. In addition, we highlight future directions and outstanding questions, including potential symptomatic, disease-modifying, and preventive treatment strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ann Katrin Sauer
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Limerick, V94 T9PX Limerick, Ireland; (A.K.S.); (S.H.)
- Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, V94 T9PX Limerick, Ireland
- Health Research Institute (HRI), University of Limerick, V94 T9PX Limerick, Ireland
| | - Simone Hagmeyer
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Limerick, V94 T9PX Limerick, Ireland; (A.K.S.); (S.H.)
| | - Andreas M. Grabrucker
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Limerick, V94 T9PX Limerick, Ireland; (A.K.S.); (S.H.)
- Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, V94 T9PX Limerick, Ireland
- Health Research Institute (HRI), University of Limerick, V94 T9PX Limerick, Ireland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +353-61-237756
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Vyas Y, Cheyne JE, Lee K, Jung Y, Cheung PY, Montgomery JM. Shankopathies in the Developing Brain in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Front Neurosci 2022; 15:775431. [PMID: 35002604 PMCID: PMC8727517 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.775431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The SHANK family of proteins play critical structural and functional roles in the postsynaptic density (PSD) at excitatory glutamatergic synapses. Through their multidomain structure they form a structural platform across the PSD for protein–protein interactions, as well as recruiting protein complexes to strengthen excitatory synaptic transmission. Mutations in SHANKs reflect their importance to synapse development and plasticity. This is evident in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a neurodevelopmental disorder resulting in behavioural changes including repetitive behaviours, lack of sociability, sensory issues, learning, and language impairments. Human genetic studies have revealed ASD mutations commonly occur in SHANKs. Rodent models expressing these mutations display ASD behavioural impairments, and a subset of these deficits are rescued by reintroduction of Shank in adult animals, suggesting that lack of SHANK during key developmental periods can lead to permanent changes in the brain’s wiring. Here we explore the differences in synaptic function and plasticity from development onward in rodent Shank ASD models. To date the most explored brain regions, relate to the behavioural changes observed, e.g., the striatum, hippocampus, sensory, and prefrontal cortex. In addition, less-studied regions including the hypothalamus, cerebellum, and peripheral nervous system are also affected. Synaptic phenotypes include weakened but also strengthened synaptic function, with NMDA receptors commonly affected, as well as changes in the balance of excitation and inhibition especially in cortical brain circuits. The effects of shankopathies in activity-dependent brain wiring is an important target for therapeutic intervention. We therefore highlight areas of research consensus and identify remaining questions and challenges.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yukti Vyas
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Juliette E Cheyne
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Kevin Lee
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Yewon Jung
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Pang Ying Cheung
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Johanna M Montgomery
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Lutz AK, Pérez Arévalo A, Ioannidis V, Stirmlinger N, Demestre M, Delorme R, Bourgeron T, Boeckers TM. SHANK2 Mutations Result in Dysregulation of the ERK1/2 Pathway in Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells-Derived Neurons and Shank2(-/-) Mice. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:773571. [PMID: 34899182 PMCID: PMC8662699 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.773571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
SHANK2 (ProSAP1) is a postsynaptic scaffolding protein of excitatory synapses in the central nervous system and implicated in the development of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Patients with mutations in SHANK2 show autism-like behaviors, developmental delay, and intellectual disability. We generated human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) from a patient carrying a heterozygous deletion of SHANK2 and from the unaffected parents. In patient hiPSCs and derived neurons SHANK2 mRNA and protein expression was reduced. During neuronal maturation, a reduction in growth cone size and a transient increase in neuronal soma size were observed. Neuronal proliferation was increased, and apoptosis was decreased in young and mature neurons. Additionally, mature patient hiPSC-derived neurons showed dysregulated excitatory signaling and a decrease of a broad range of signaling molecules of the ERK-MAP kinase pathway. These findings could be confirmed in brain samples from Shank2(−/−) mice, which also showed decreased mGluR5 and phospho-ERK1/2 expression. Our study broadens the current knowledge of SHANK2-related ASD. We highlight the importance of excitatory-inhibitory balance and mGluR5 dysregulation with disturbed downstream ERK1/2 signaling in ASD, which provides possible future therapeutic strategies for SHANK2-related ASD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Kathrin Lutz
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Maria Demestre
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Thomas Bourgeron
- Génétique Humaine et Fonctions Cognitives, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Diderot, Paris, France
| | - Tobias M Boeckers
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany.,Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE), Ulm Site, Ulm, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Popow C, Ohmann S, Plener P. Practitioner's review: medication for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and comorbid conditions. Neuropsychiatr 2021; 35:113-134. [PMID: 34160787 PMCID: PMC8429404 DOI: 10.1007/s40211-021-00395-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Alleviating the multiple problems of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and its comorbid conditions presents major challenges for the affected children, parents, and therapists. Because of a complex psychopathology, structured therapy and parent training are not always sufficient, especially for those patients with intellectual disability (ID) and multiple comorbidities. Moreover, structured therapy is not available for a large number of patients, and pharmacological support is often needed, especially in those children with additional attention deficit/hyperactivity and oppositional defiant, conduct, and sleep disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christian Popow
- Dept. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18–20, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Susanne Ohmann
- Dept. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18–20, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Paul Plener
- Dept. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18–20, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Lee E, Lee S, Shin JJ, Choi W, Chung C, Lee S, Kim J, Ha S, Kim R, Yoo T, Yoo YE, Kim J, Noh YW, Rhim I, Lee SY, Kim W, Lee T, Shin H, Cho IJ, Deisseroth K, Kim SJ, Park JM, Jung MW, Paik SB, Kim E. Excitatory synapses and gap junctions cooperate to improve Pv neuronal burst firing and cortical social cognition in Shank2-mutant mice. Nat Commun 2021; 12:5116. [PMID: 34433814 PMCID: PMC8387434 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25356-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
NMDA receptor (NMDAR) and GABA neuronal dysfunctions are observed in animal models of autism spectrum disorders, but how these dysfunctions impair social cognition and behavior remains unclear. We report here that NMDARs in cortical parvalbumin (Pv)-positive interneurons cooperate with gap junctions to promote high-frequency (>80 Hz) Pv neuronal burst firing and social cognition. Shank2–/– mice, displaying improved sociability upon NMDAR activation, show impaired cortical social representation and inhibitory neuronal burst firing. Cortical Shank2–/– Pv neurons show decreased NMDAR activity, which suppresses the cooperation between NMDARs and gap junctions (GJs) for normal burst firing. Shank2–/– Pv neurons show compensatory increases in GJ activity that are not sufficient for social rescue. However, optogenetic boosting of Pv neuronal bursts, requiring GJs, rescues cortical social cognition in Shank2–/– mice, similar to the NMDAR-dependent social rescue. Therefore, NMDARs and gap junctions cooperate to promote cortical Pv neuronal bursts and social cognition. How NMDAR and GABA neuronal dysfunctions result in impaired social behaviour is unclear. Here, the authors show that NMDARs and gap junctions in cortical PV interneurons modulate burst firing, affecting social behaviour.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eunee Lee
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, Korea.,Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seungjoon Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Jae Jin Shin
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Science, College of Natural Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.,Center for Cognition and Sociality, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, Korea
| | - Woochul Choi
- Program of Brain and Cognitive Engineering, Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Korea
| | - Changuk Chung
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, Korea
| | - Suho Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Jihye Kim
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, Korea
| | - Seungmin Ha
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, Korea
| | - Ryunhee Kim
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, Korea
| | - Taesun Yoo
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, Korea
| | - Ye-Eun Yoo
- Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Jisoo Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Young Woo Noh
- Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Issac Rhim
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, Korea
| | - Soo Yeon Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Woohyun Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Taekyung Lee
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, Korea
| | - Hyogeun Shin
- Center for BioMicrosystems, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, Korea
| | - Il-Joo Cho
- Center for BioMicrosystems, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, Korea
| | - Karl Deisseroth
- Department of Bioengineering, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Sang Jeong Kim
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Joo Min Park
- Center for Cognition and Sociality, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, Korea.
| | - Min Whan Jung
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, Korea. .,Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon, Korea.
| | - Se-Bum Paik
- Program of Brain and Cognitive Engineering, Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Korea.
| | - Eunjoon Kim
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, Korea. .,Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon, Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Vyas Y, Jung Y, Lee K, Garner CC, Montgomery JM. In vitro zinc supplementation alters synaptic deficits caused by autism spectrum disorder-associated Shank2 point mutations in hippocampal neurons. Mol Brain 2021; 14:95. [PMID: 34167580 PMCID: PMC8223320 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-021-00809-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) are neurodevelopmental disorders characterised by deficits in social interactions and repetitive behaviours. ASDs have a strong genetic basis with mutations involved in the development and function of neural circuitry. Shank proteins act as master regulators of excitatory glutamatergic synapses, and Shank mutations have been identified in people with ASD. Here, we have investigated the impact of ASD-associated Shank2 single nucleotide variants (SNVs) at the synaptic level, and the potential of in vitro zinc supplementation to prevent synaptic deficits. Dissociated rat hippocampal cultures expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) tagged Shank2-Wildtype (WT), and ASD-associated Shank2 single nucleotide variants (SNVs: S557N, V717F, and L1722P), were cultured in the absence or presence of 10 μM zinc. In comparison to Shank2-WT, ASD-associated Shank2 SNVs induced significant decreases in synaptic density and reduced the frequency of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents. These structural and functional ASD-associated synaptic deficits were prevented by chronic zinc supplementation and further support zinc supplementation as a therapeutic target in ASD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yukti Vyas
- Department of Physiology and Centre for Brain Research, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Yewon Jung
- Department of Physiology and Centre for Brain Research, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Kevin Lee
- Department of Physiology and Centre for Brain Research, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Craig C Garner
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Johanna M Montgomery
- Department of Physiology and Centre for Brain Research, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Bucher M, Niebling S, Han Y, Molodenskiy D, Hassani Nia F, Kreienkamp HJ, Svergun D, Kim E, Kostyukova AS, Kreutz MR, Mikhaylova M. Autism-associated SHANK3 missense point mutations impact conformational fluctuations and protein turnover at synapses. eLife 2021; 10:66165. [PMID: 33945465 PMCID: PMC8169116 DOI: 10.7554/elife.66165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Members of the SH3- and ankyrin repeat (SHANK) protein family are considered as master scaffolds of the postsynaptic density of glutamatergic synapses. Several missense mutations within the canonical SHANK3 isoform have been proposed as causative for the development of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). However, there is a surprising paucity of data linking missense mutation-induced changes in protein structure and dynamics to the occurrence of ASD-related synaptic phenotypes. In this proof-of-principle study, we focus on two ASD-associated point mutations, both located within the same domain of SHANK3 and demonstrate that both mutant proteins indeed show distinct changes in secondary and tertiary structure as well as higher conformational fluctuations. Local and distal structural disturbances result in altered synaptic targeting and changes of protein turnover at synaptic sites in rat primary hippocampal neurons.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Bucher
- AG Optobiology, Institute of Biology, Humboldt-University, Berlin, Germany.,DFG Emmy Noether Guest Group 'Neuronal Protein Transport', Institute for Molecular Neurogenetics, Center for Molecular Neurobiology (ZMNH), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany.,RG Neuroplasticity, Leibniz-Institute for Neurobiology (LIN), Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Stephan Niebling
- Molecular Biophysics and High-Throughput Crystallization, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Yuhao Han
- DFG Emmy Noether Guest Group 'Neuronal Protein Transport', Institute for Molecular Neurogenetics, Center for Molecular Neurobiology (ZMNH), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany.,Structural Cell Biology of Viruses, Centre for Structural Systems Biology (CSSB) and Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Dmitry Molodenskiy
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) Hamburg Unit, DESY, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Fatemeh Hassani Nia
- Institute of Human Genetics, Center for Obstetrics and Pediatrics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Hans-Jürgen Kreienkamp
- Institute of Human Genetics, Center for Obstetrics and Pediatrics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Dmitri Svergun
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) Hamburg Unit, DESY, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Eunjoon Kim
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS) and Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Alla S Kostyukova
- DFG Emmy Noether Guest Group 'Neuronal Protein Transport', Institute for Molecular Neurogenetics, Center for Molecular Neurobiology (ZMNH), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany.,The Gene and Linda Voiland School of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering, Washington State University (WSU), Pullman, United States
| | - Michael R Kreutz
- RG Neuroplasticity, Leibniz-Institute for Neurobiology (LIN), Magdeburg, Germany.,Leibniz Group 'Dendritic Organelles and Synaptic Function', Center for Molecular Neurobiology (ZMNH), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany.,German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Magdeburg, Germany.,Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Marina Mikhaylova
- AG Optobiology, Institute of Biology, Humboldt-University, Berlin, Germany.,DFG Emmy Noether Guest Group 'Neuronal Protein Transport', Institute for Molecular Neurogenetics, Center for Molecular Neurobiology (ZMNH), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Kútna V, O'Leary VB, Newman E, Hoschl C, Ovsepian SV. Revisiting Brain Tuberous Sclerosis Complex in Rat and Human: Shared Molecular and Cellular Pathology Leads to Distinct Neurophysiological and Behavioral Phenotypes. Neurotherapeutics 2021; 18:845-858. [PMID: 33398801 PMCID: PMC8423952 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-020-01000-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a dominant autosomal genetic disorder caused by loss-of-function mutations in TSC1 and TSC2, which lead to constitutive activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin C1 (mTORC1) with its decoupling from regulatory inputs. Because mTORC1 integrates an array of molecular signals controlling protein synthesis and energy metabolism, its unrestrained activation inflates cell growth and division, resulting in the development of benign tumors in the brain and other organs. In humans, brain malformations typically manifest through a range of neuropsychiatric symptoms, among which mental retardation, intellectual disabilities with signs of autism, and refractory seizures, which are the most prominent. TSC in the rat brain presents the first-rate approximation of cellular and molecular pathology of the human brain, showing many instructive characteristics. Nevertheless, the developmental profile and distribution of lesions in the rat brain, with neurophysiological and behavioral manifestation, deviate considerably from humans, raising numerous research and translational questions. In this study, we revisit brain TSC in human and Eker rats to relate their histopathological, electrophysiological, and neurobehavioral characteristics. We discuss shared and distinct aspects of the pathology and consider factors contributing to phenotypic discrepancies. Given the shared genetic cause and molecular pathology, phenotypic deviations suggest an incomplete understanding of the disease. Narrowing the knowledge gap in the future should not only improve the characterization of the TSC rat model but also explain considerable variability in the clinical manifestation of the disease in humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Viera Kútna
- Department of Experimental Neurobiology, National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, 250 67, Klecany, Czech Republic.
| | - Valerie B O'Leary
- Department of Medical Genetics, Third Faculty of Medicine of Charles University, Ruská 87, 100 00, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Ehren Newman
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Cyril Hoschl
- Department of Experimental Neurobiology, National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, 250 67, Klecany, Czech Republic
- Department of Psychiatry and Medical Psychology, Third Faculty of Medicine of Charles University, Ruská 87, 100 00, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Saak V Ovsepian
- Department of Experimental Neurobiology, National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, 250 67, Klecany, Czech Republic.
- Department of Psychiatry and Medical Psychology, Third Faculty of Medicine of Charles University, Ruská 87, 100 00, Prague, Czech Republic.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Maxeiner S, Benseler F, Krasteva-Christ G, Brose N, Südhof TC. Evolution of the Autism-Associated Neuroligin-4 Gene Reveals Broad Erosion of Pseudoautosomal Regions in Rodents. Mol Biol Evol 2021; 37:1243-1258. [PMID: 32011705 PMCID: PMC7182215 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msaa014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Variants in genes encoding synaptic adhesion proteins of the neuroligin family, most notably neuroligin-4, are a significant cause of autism spectrum disorders in humans. Although human neuroligin-4 is encoded by two genes, NLGN4X and NLGN4Y, that are localized on the X-specific and male-specific regions of the two sex chromosomes, the chromosomal localization and full genomic sequence of the mouse Nlgn4 gene remain elusive. Here, we analyzed the neuroligin-4 genes of numerous rodent species by direct sequencing and bioinformatics, generated complete drafts of multiple rodent neuroligin-4 genes, and examined their evolution. Surprisingly, we find that the murine Nlgn4 gene is localized to the pseudoautosomal region (PAR) of the sex chromosomes, different from its human orthologs. We show that the sequence differences between various neuroligin-4 proteins are restricted to hotspots in which rodent neuroligin-4 proteins contain short repetitive sequence insertions compared with neuroligin-4 proteins from other species, whereas all other protein sequences are highly conserved. Evolutionarily, these sequence insertions initiate in the clade eumuroidea of the infraorder myomorpha and are additionally associated with dramatic changes in noncoding sequences and gene size. Importantly, these changes are not exclusively restricted to neuroligin-4 genes but reflect major evolutionary changes that substantially altered or even deleted genes from the PARs of both sex chromosomes. Our results show that despite the fact that the PAR in rodents and the neuroligin-4 genes within the rodent PAR underwent massive evolutionary changes, neuroligin-4 proteins maintained a highly conserved core structure, consistent with a substantial evolutionary pressure preserving its physiological function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Maxeiner
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA.,Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Fritz Benseler
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max-Planck-Institute of Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany
| | | | - Nils Brose
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max-Planck-Institute of Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Thomas C Südhof
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Abstract
Postsynaptic organizational protein complexes play central roles both in orchestrating synapse formation and in defining the functional properties of synaptic transmission that together shape the flow of information through neuronal networks. A key component of these organizational protein complexes is the family of synaptic adhesion proteins called neuroligins. Neuroligins form transsynaptic bridges with presynaptic neurexins to regulate various aspects of excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission. Neuroligin-2 (NLGN2) is the only member that acts exclusively at GABAergic inhibitory synapses. Altered expression and mutations in NLGN2 and several of its interacting partners are linked to cognitive and psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, autism, and anxiety. Research on NLGN2 has fundamentally shaped our understanding of the molecular architecture of inhibitory synapses. Here, we discuss the current knowledge on the molecular and cellular functions of mammalian NLGN2 and its role in the neuronal circuitry that regulates behavior in rodents and humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heba Ali
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
- Göttingen Graduate School for Neurosciences, Biophysics, and Molecular Biosciences, University of Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Lena Marth
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Dilja Krueger-Burg
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Rojas-Charry L, Nardi L, Methner A, Schmeisser MJ. Abnormalities of synaptic mitochondria in autism spectrum disorder and related neurodevelopmental disorders. J Mol Med (Berl) 2021; 99:161-78. [PMID: 33340060 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-020-02018-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition primarily characterized by an impairment of social interaction combined with the occurrence of repetitive behaviors. ASD starts in childhood and prevails across the lifespan. The variability of its clinical presentation renders early diagnosis difficult. Mutations in synaptic genes and alterations of mitochondrial functions are considered important underlying pathogenic factors, but it is obvious that we are far from a comprehensive understanding of ASD pathophysiology. At the synapse, mitochondria perform diverse functions, which are clearly not limited to their classical role as energy providers. Here, we review the current knowledge about mitochondria at the synapse and summarize the mitochondrial disturbances found in mouse models of ASD and other ASD-related neurodevelopmental disorders, like DiGeorge syndrome, Rett syndrome, Tuberous sclerosis complex, and Down syndrome.
Collapse
|
16
|
Pietropaolo S, Bellocchio L, Bouzón-Arnáiz I, Yee BK. The role of the endocannabinoid system in autism spectrum disorders: Evidence from mouse studies. Prog Mol Biol Transl Sci 2020; 173:183-208. [PMID: 32711810 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2020.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
A substantive volume of research on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has emerged in recent years adding to our understanding of the etiopathological process. Preclinical models in mice and rats have been highly instrumental in modeling and dissecting the contributions of a multitude of known genetic and environmental risk factors. However, the translation of preclinical data into suitable drug targets must overcome three critical hurdles: (i) ASD comprises a highly heterogeneous group of conditions that can markedly differ in terms of their clinical presentation and symptoms, (ii) the plethora of genetic and environmental risk factors suggests a complex, non-unitary, etiopathology, and (iii) the lack of consensus over the myriad of preclinical models, with respect to both construct validity and face validity. Against this backdrop, this Chapter traces how the endocannabinoid system (ECS) has emerged as a promising target for intervention with predictive validity. Recent supportive preclinical evidence is summarized, especially studies in mice demonstrating the emergence of ASD-like behaviors following diverse genetic or pharmacological manipulations targeting the ECS. The critical relevance of ECS to the complex pathogenesis of ASD is underscored by its multiple roles in modulating neuronal functions and shaping brain development. Finally, we argue that important lessons have been learned from the novel mouse models of ASD, which not only stimulate game-changing innovative treatments but also foster a consensual framework to integrate the diverse approaches applied in the search of novel treatments for ASD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susanna Pietropaolo
- University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux Cedex, France; CNRS, INCIA, UMR 5287, Bat B2, Pessac Cedex, France.
| | - Luigi Bellocchio
- CNRS, INCIA, UMR 5287, Bat B2, Pessac Cedex, France; INSERM, U1215 NeuroCentre Magendie, Bordeaux Cedex, France
| | - Inés Bouzón-Arnáiz
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain; Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Benjamin K Yee
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health & Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Kovalenko IL, Galyamina AG, Smagin DA, Kudryavtseva NN. Co-expression of glutamatergic and autism-related genes in the hippocampus of male mice with disturbances of social behavior. Vavilovskii Zhurnal Genet Selektsii 2020; 24:191-199. [PMID: 33659799 PMCID: PMC7716547 DOI: 10.18699/vj20.42-o] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
В настоящее время существует представление о вовлеченности глутаматергической системы (ГГ)
в механизмы развития аутизма. В предыдущих исследованиях нами было показано, что негативный социальный опыт, приобретенный в ежедневных межсамцовых конфронтациях, приводит к нарушениям в социальном
поведении: снижению коммуникативности, нарушению социализации, появлению стереотипных форм поведения, которые могут рассматриваться как симптомы аутистического спектра. В связи с этим целью нашей работы было изучение с помощью транскриптомного анализа изменений экспрессии генов, кодирующих белки,
вовлеченные в функционирование глутаматергической системы, и генов, связанных с патологией аутизма (ГА),
в гиппокампе. В эксперименте использовали животных с нарушениями социального поведения, вызванными
повторным опытом социальных побед или поражений в ежедневных агонистических взаимодействиях. Для
формирования групп животных с контрастными типами поведения использовали модель сенсорного контакта
(хронического социального стресса). Полученные образцы мозга были секвенированы в ЗАО «Геноаналитика»
(http://genoanalytica.ru/, Россия, Москва). Транскриптомный анализ показал, что у агрессивных животных снижается экспрессия генов Shank3, Auts2, Ctnnd2, Nrxn2, для которых показано участие в развитии аутизма, а также глутаматергического гена Grm4. В то же время у животных с негативным социальным опытом экспрессия ГА Shank2,
Nlgn2, Ptcdh10, Reln, Arx возрастает. При этом ГГ (Grik3, Grm2, Grm4, Slc17a7, Slc1a4, Slc25a22), за исключением гена
Grin2a, повышают свою экспрессию. Корреляционный анализ выявил статистически значимую взаимосвязь
из-
мененной экспрессии ГГ и ГА. Полученные результаты, с одной стороны, могут служить подтверждением участия
ГГ в патофизиологии развития симптомов аутистического спектра, с другой – свидетельствовать о коэкспрессии
ГГ и ГА в гиппокампе, развивающейся под влиянием социальной среды. Так как большинство ГА, изменивших
экспрессию в настоящем исследовании, являются генами, связанными с клеточным скелетом и внеклеточным
матриксом, в частности участвующими в формировании синапсов, а ГГ, изменившие свою экспрессию, – генами,
кодирующими субъединицы рецепторов, то можно предположить, что вовлечение ГГ в патофизиологию аутизма происходит на уровне рецепторов.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- I. L. Kovalenko
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
| | - A. G. Galyamina
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
| | - D. A. Smagin
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
| | - N. N. Kudryavtseva
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Liu DC, Soriano S, Yook Y, Lizarazo S, Eagleman DE, Tsai NP. Chronic Activation of Gp1 mGluRs Leads to Distinct Refinement of Neural Network Activity through Non-Canonical p53 and Akt Signaling. eNeuro 2020; 7:ENEURO. [PMID: 32161037 DOI: 10.1523/ENEURO.0438-19.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Revised: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Group 1 metabotropic glutamate receptors (Gp1 mGluRs), including mGluR1 and mGluR5, are critical regulators for neuronal and synaptic plasticity. Dysregulated Gp1 mGluR signaling is observed with various neurologic disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). It is well established that acute activation of Gp1 mGluRs leads to elevation of neuronal intrinsic excitability and long-term synaptic depression. However, it remains unknown how chronic activation of Gp1 mGluRs can affect neural activity and what molecular mechanisms might be involved. In the current study, we employed a multielectrode array (MEA) recording system to evaluate neural network activity of primary mouse cortical neuron cultures. We demonstrated that chronic activation of Gp1 mGluRs leads to elevation of spontaneous spike frequency while burst activity and cross-electrode synchronization are maintained at the baseline. We further showed that these neural network properties are achieved through proteasomal degradation of Akt that is dependent on the tumor suppressor p53. Genetically knocking down p53 disrupts the elevation of spontaneous spike frequency and alters the burst activity and cross-electrode synchronization following chronic activation of Gp1 mGluRs. Importantly, these deficits can be restored by pharmacologically inhibiting Akt to mimic inactivation of Akt mediated by p53. Together, our findings reveal the effects of chronic activation of Gp1 mGluRs on neural network activity and identify a unique signaling pathway involving p53 and Akt for these effects. Our data can provide insights into constitutively active Gp1 mGluR signaling observed in many neurologic and psychiatric disorders.
Collapse
|
19
|
Wong CW, Wang Y, Liu T, Li L, Cheung SKK, Or PMY, Cheng ASL, Choy KW, Burbach JPH, Feng B, Chang RCC, Chan AM. Autism-associated PTEN missense mutation leads to enhanced nuclear localization and neurite outgrowth in an induced pluripotent stem cell line. FEBS J 2020; 287:4848-4861. [PMID: 32150788 PMCID: PMC7754348 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Revised: 12/24/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Germline mutation in the PTEN gene is the genetic basis of PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome with the affected individuals harboring features of autism spectrum disorders. Characterizing a panel of 14 autism‐associated PTEN missense mutations revealed reduced protein stability, catalytic activity, and subcellular distribution. Nine out of 14 (64%) PTEN missense mutants had reduced protein expression with most mutations confined to the C2 domain. Selected mutants displayed enhanced polyubiquitination and shortened protein half‐life, but that did not appear to involve the polyubiquitination sites at lysine residues at codon 13 or 289. Analyzing their intrinsic lipid phosphatase activities revealed that 78% (11 out of 14) of these mutants had twofold to 10‐fold reduction in catalytic activity toward phosphatidylinositol phosphate substrates. Analyzing the subcellular localization of the PTEN missense mutants showed that 64% (nine out of 14) had altered nuclear‐to‐cytosol ratios with four mutants (G44D, H123Q, E157G, and D326N) showing greater nuclear localization. The E157G mutant was knocked‐in to an induced pluripotent stem cell line and recapitulated a similar nuclear targeting preference. Furthermore, iPSCs expressing the E157G mutant were more proliferative at the neural progenitor cell stage but exhibited more extensive dendritic outgrowth. In summary, the combination of biological changes in PTEN is expected to contribute to the behavioral and cellular features of this neurodevelopmental disorder.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chi Wai Wong
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yubing Wang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Tian Liu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Lisha Li
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | | | - Penelope Mei-Yu Or
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Alfred Sze-Lok Cheng
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Kwong Wai Choy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Johannes Peter Henri Burbach
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Bo Feng
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Raymond Chuen Chung Chang
- Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Andrew M Chan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.,Brain and Mind Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Abstract
An essential characteristic of nervous systems is their capacity to reshape functional connectivity in response to physiological and environmental cues. Endogenous signals, including neuropeptides, governs nervous system plasticity. Particularly, oxytocin has been recognized for its role in mediating activity-dependent circuit changes. These oxytocin-dependent changes occur at the synaptic level and consequently shape the cellular composition of circuits. Here we discuss recent advances that illustrate how oxytocin functions to reshape neural circuitry in response to environmental changes. Excitingly, recent findings pave the way for promising therapeutic applications of oxytocin to treat neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brandon T. Pekarek
- Genetics and Genomics Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Patrick J. Hunt
- Genetics and Genomics Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Benjamin R. Arenkiel
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Paterno R, Casalia M, Baraban SC. Interneuron deficits in neurodevelopmental disorders: Implications for disease pathology and interneuron-based therapies. Eur J Paediatr Neurol 2020; 24:81-8. [PMID: 31870698 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpn.2019.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
|
22
|
Geramita MA, Wen JA, Rannals MD, Urban NN. Decreased amplitude and reliability of odor-evoked responses in two mouse models of autism. J Neurophysiol 2019; 123:1283-1294. [PMID: 31891524 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00277.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Sensory processing deficits are increasingly recognized as core symptoms of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). However the molecular and circuit mechanisms that lead to sensory deficits are unknown. We show that two molecularly disparate mouse models of autism display similar deficits in sensory-evoked responses in the mouse olfactory system. We find that both Cntnap2- and Shank3-deficient mice of both sexes exhibit reduced response amplitude and trial-to-trial reliability during repeated odor presentation. Mechanistically, we show that both mouse models have weaker and fewer synapses between olfactory sensory nerve (OSN) terminals and olfactory bulb tufted cells and weaker synapses between OSN terminals and inhibitory periglomerular cells. Consequently, deficits in sensory processing provide an excellent candidate phenotype for analysis in ASDs.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The genetics of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are complex. How the many risk genes generate the similar sets of symptoms that define the disorder is unknown. In particular, little is understood about the functional consequences of these genetic alterations. Sensory processing deficits are important aspects of the ASD diagnosis and may be due to unreliable neural circuits. We show that two mouse models of autism, Cntnap2- and Shank3-deficient mice, display reduced odor-evoked response amplitudes and reliability. These data suggest that altered sensory-evoked responses may constitute a circuit phenotype in ASDs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew A Geramita
- Department of Neurobiology, Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Jing A Wen
- Department of Neurobiology, Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.,Department of Biology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Matthew D Rannals
- Department of Neurobiology, Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Nathan N Urban
- Department of Biology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Grasselli C, Carbone A, Panelli P, Giambra V, Bossi M, Mazzoccoli G, De Filippis L. Neural Stem Cells from Shank3-ko Mouse Model Autism Spectrum Disorders. Mol Neurobiol 2019; 57:1502-1515. [PMID: 31773410 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-019-01811-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) comprise a complex of neurodevelopmental disorders caused by a variety of genetic defects and characterized by alterations in social communication and repetitive behavior. Since the mechanisms leading to early neuronal degeneration remain elusive, we chose to examine the properties of NSCs isolated from an animal model of ASD in order to evaluate whether their neurogenic potential may recapitulate the early phases of neurogenesis in the brain of ASD patients. Mutations of the gene coding for the Shank3 protein play a key role in the impairment of brain development and synaptogenesis in ASD patients. Experiments here reported show that NSCs derived from the subventricular zone (SVZ) of adult Shank3Δ11-/- (Shank3-ko) mice retain self-renewal capacity in vitro, but differentiate earlier than wild-type (wt) cells, displaying an evident endosomal/lysosomal and ubiquitin aggregation in astroglial cells together with mitochondrial impairment and inflammasome activation, suggesting that glial degeneration likely contributes to neuronal damage in ASD. These in vitro observations obtained in our disease model are consistent with data in vivo obtained in ASD patients and suggest that Shank3 deficit could affect the late phases of neurogenesis and/or the survival of mature cells rather than NSC self-renewal. This evidence supports Shank3-ko NSCs as a reliable in vitro disease model and suggests the rescue of glial cells as a therapeutic strategy to prevent neuronal degeneration in ASD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C Grasselli
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - A Carbone
- Department of Medical Sciences, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, FG, Italy
| | - P Panelli
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, Via dei Cappuccini 1, 71013, San Giovanni Rotondo, FG, Italy
| | - V Giambra
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, Via dei Cappuccini 1, 71013, San Giovanni Rotondo, FG, Italy
| | - M Bossi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - G Mazzoccoli
- Department of Medical Sciences, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, FG, Italy
| | - L De Filippis
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, Via dei Cappuccini 1, 71013, San Giovanni Rotondo, FG, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Yook C, Kim K, Kim D, Kang H, Kim SG, Kim E, Kim SY. A TBR1-K228E Mutation Induces Tbr1 Upregulation, Altered Cortical Distribution of Interneurons, Increased Inhibitory Synaptic Transmission, and Autistic-Like Behavioral Deficits in Mice. Front Mol Neurosci 2019; 12:241. [PMID: 31680851 PMCID: PMC6797848 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2019.00241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in Tbr1, a high-confidence ASD (autism spectrum disorder)-risk gene encoding the transcriptional regulator TBR1, have been shown to induce diverse ASD-related molecular, synaptic, neuronal, and behavioral dysfunctions in mice. However, whether Tbr1 mutations derived from autistic individuals cause similar dysfunctions in mice remains unclear. Here we generated and characterized mice carrying the TBR1-K228E de novo mutation identified in human ASD and identified various ASD-related phenotypes. In heterozygous mice carrying this mutation (Tbr1+/K228E mice), levels of the TBR1-K228E protein, which is unable to bind target DNA, were strongly increased. RNA-Seq analysis of the Tbr1+/K228E embryonic brain indicated significant changes in the expression of genes associated with neurons, astrocytes, ribosomes, neuronal synapses, and ASD risk. The Tbr1+/K228E neocortex also displayed an abnormal distribution of parvalbumin-positive interneurons, with a lower density in superficial layers but a higher density in deep layers. These changes were associated with an increase in inhibitory synaptic transmission in layer 6 pyramidal neurons that was resistant to compensation by network activity. Behaviorally, Tbr1+/K228E mice showed decreased social interaction, increased self-grooming, and modestly increased anxiety-like behaviors. These results suggest that the human heterozygous TBR1-K228E mutation induces ASD-related transcriptomic, protein, neuronal, synaptic, and behavioral dysfunctions in mice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chaehyun Yook
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Kyungdeok Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Doyoun Kim
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Hyojin Kang
- Division of National Supercomputing, Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Sun-Gyun Kim
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Eunjoon Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, South Korea.,Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Soo Young Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Yeongnam University, Gyeongsan, South Korea
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Abstract
The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is a crucial cortical region that integrates information from numerous cortical and subcortical areas and converges updated information to output structures. It plays essential roles in the cognitive process, regulation of emotion, motivation, and sociability. Dysfunction of the mPFC has been found in various neurological and psychiatric disorders, such as depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorders, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and addiction. In the present review, we summarize the preclinical and clinical studies to illustrate the role of the mPFC in these neurological diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pan Xu
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, The George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Ai Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan China
| | - Yipeng Li
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Xuezhi Xing
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, The George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Hui Lu
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, The George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Chung C, Ha S, Kang H, Lee J, Um SM, Yan H, Yoo YE, Yoo T, Jung H, Lee D, Lee E, Lee S, Kim J, Kim R, Kwon Y, Kim W, Kim H, Duffney L, Kim D, Mah W, Won H, Mo S, Kim JY, Lim CS, Kaang BK, Boeckers TM, Chung Y, Kim H, Jiang YH, Kim E. Early Correction of N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Function Improves Autistic-like Social Behaviors in Adult Shank2 -/- Mice. Biol Psychiatry 2019; 85:534-543. [PMID: 30466882 PMCID: PMC6420362 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2018.09.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Revised: 09/20/2018] [Accepted: 09/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder involves neurodevelopmental dysregulations that lead to visible symptoms at early stages of life. Many autism spectrum disorder-related mechanisms suggested by animal studies are supported by demonstrated improvement in autistic-like phenotypes in adult animals following experimental reversal of dysregulated mechanisms. However, whether such mechanisms also act at earlier stages to cause autistic-like phenotypes is unclear. METHODS We used Shank2-/- mice carrying a mutation identified in human autism spectrum disorder (exons 6 and 7 deletion) and combined electrophysiological and behavioral analyses to see whether early pathophysiology at pup stages is different from late pathophysiology at juvenile and adult stages and whether correcting early pathophysiology can normalize late pathophysiology and abnormal behaviors in juvenile and adult mice. RESULTS Early correction of a dysregulated mechanism in young mice prevents manifestation of autistic-like social behaviors in adult mice. Shank2-/- mice, known to display N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) hypofunction and autistic-like behaviors at postweaning stages after postnatal day 21 (P21), show the opposite synaptic phenotype-NMDAR hyperfunction-at an earlier preweaning stage (∼P14). Moreover, this NMDAR hyperfunction at P14 rapidly shifts to NMDAR hypofunction after weaning (∼P24). Chronic suppression of the early NMDAR hyperfunction by the NMDAR antagonist memantine (P7-P21) prevents NMDAR hypofunction and autistic-like social behaviors from manifesting at later stages (∼P28 and P56). CONCLUSIONS Early NMDAR hyperfunction leads to late NMDAR hypofunction and autistic-like social behaviors in Shank2-/- mice, and early correction of NMDAR dysfunction has the long-lasting effect of preventing autistic-like social behaviors from developing at later stages.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Changuk Chung
- Department of Biological Sciences, South Korea; Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, South Korea
| | - Seungmin Ha
- Department of Biological Sciences, South Korea
| | - Hyojin Kang
- Department of Convergence Technology Research, Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Jiseok Lee
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, South Korea
| | | | - Haidun Yan
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Ye-Eun Yoo
- Department of Biological Sciences, South Korea
| | - Taesun Yoo
- Department of Biological Sciences, South Korea
| | - Hwajin Jung
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, South Korea
| | - Dongwon Lee
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, South Korea
| | - Eunee Lee
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, South Korea
| | | | - Jihye Kim
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, South Korea
| | - Ryunhee Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, South Korea
| | | | - Woohyun Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, South Korea
| | - Hyosang Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, South Korea
| | - Lara Duffney
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Doyoun Kim
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, South Korea
| | - Won Mah
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Dentistry, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Hyejung Won
- Department of Neurology, Center for Autism Research and Treatment, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Seojung Mo
- Department of Anatomy and Division of Brain Korea 21, Biomedical Science, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jin Yong Kim
- Department of Anatomy and Division of Brain Korea 21, Biomedical Science, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Chae-Seok Lim
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Bong-Kiun Kaang
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Tobias M Boeckers
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Yeonseung Chung
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology, South Korea
| | - Hyun Kim
- Department of Anatomy and Division of Brain Korea 21, Biomedical Science, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Yong-Hui Jiang
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina; Department of Neurobiology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina; Cell and Molecular Biology Program, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina; Duke Institute of Brain Science, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina; Genomics and Genetics Program, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Eunjoon Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, South Korea; Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, South Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Connor SA, Ammendrup-Johnsen I, Kishimoto Y, Karimi Tari P, Cvetkovska V, Harada T, Ojima D, Yamamoto T, Wang YT, Craig AM. Loss of Synapse Repressor MDGA1 Enhances Perisomatic Inhibition, Confers Resistance to Network Excitation, and Impairs Cognitive Function. Cell Rep 2019; 21:3637-3645. [PMID: 29281813 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2017.11.109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2017] [Revised: 10/10/2017] [Accepted: 11/29/2017] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Synaptopathies contributing to neurodevelopmental disorders are linked to mutations in synaptic organizing molecules, including postsynaptic neuroligins, presynaptic neurexins, and MDGAs, which regulate their interaction. The role of MDGA1 in suppressing inhibitory versus excitatory synapses is controversial based on in vitro studies. We show that genetic deletion of MDGA1 in vivo elevates hippocampal CA1 inhibitory, but not excitatory, synapse density and transmission. Furthermore, MDGA1 is selectively expressed by pyramidal neurons and regulates perisomatic, but not distal dendritic, inhibitory synapses. Mdga1-/- hippocampal networks demonstrate muted responses to neural excitation, and Mdga1-/- mice are resistant to induced seizures. Mdga1-/- mice further demonstrate compromised hippocampal long-term potentiation, consistent with observed deficits in spatial and context-dependent learning and memory. These results suggest that mutations in MDGA1 may contribute to cognitive deficits through altered synaptic transmission and plasticity by loss of suppression of inhibitory synapse development in a subcellular domain- and cell-type-selective manner.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Steven A Connor
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health and Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, Canada; Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health and Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada
| | - Ina Ammendrup-Johnsen
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health and Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, Canada
| | - Yasushi Kishimoto
- Department of Neurobiophysics, Kagawa School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Sanuki, Kagawa 769-2101, Japan
| | - Parisa Karimi Tari
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health and Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, Canada
| | - Vedrana Cvetkovska
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health and Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, Canada
| | - Takashi Harada
- Department of Neurobiophysics, Kagawa School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Sanuki, Kagawa 769-2101, Japan
| | - Daiki Ojima
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, Miki-cho, Kagawa 761-0793, Japan
| | - Tohru Yamamoto
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, Miki-cho, Kagawa 761-0793, Japan
| | - Yu Tian Wang
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health and Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada
| | - Ann Marie Craig
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health and Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Lauber E, Filice F, Schwaller B. Dysregulation of Parvalbumin Expression in the Cntnap2-/- Mouse Model of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:262. [PMID: 30116174 PMCID: PMC6082962 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2018] [Accepted: 07/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to the complex and heterogeneous etiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), identification of convergent pathways and/or common molecular endpoints in the pathophysiological processes of ASD development are highly needed in order to facilitate treatment approaches targeted at the core symptoms. We recently reported on decreased expression of the Ca2+-binding protein parvalbumin (PV) in three well-characterized ASD mouse models, Shank1-/-, Shank3B-/- and in utero VPA-exposed mice. Moreover, PV-deficient mice (PV+/- and PV-/-) were found to show behavioral impairments and neuroanatomical changes closely resembling those frequently found in human ASD individuals. Here, we combined a stereology-based approach with molecular biology methods to assess changes in the subpopulation of PV-expressing (Pvalb) interneurons in the recently characterized contactin-associated protein-like 2 (Cntnap2-/-) knockout mouse model of ASD. The CNTNAP2 gene codes for a synaptic cell adhesion molecule involved in neurodevelopmental processes; mutations affecting the human CNTNAP2 locus are associated with human ASD core symptoms, in particular speech and language problems. We demonstrate that in Cntnap2-/- mice, no loss of Pvalb neurons is evident in ASD-associated brain regions including the striatum, somatosensory cortex (SSC) and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), shown by the unaltered number of Pvalb neurons ensheathed by VVA-positive perineuronal nets. However, the number of PV-immunoreactive (PV+) neurons and also PV protein levels were decreased in the striatum of Cntnap2-/- mice indicating that PV expression levels in some striatal Pvalb neurons dropped below the detection limit, yet without a loss of Pvalb neurons. No changes in PV+ neuron numbers were detected in the cortical regions investigated and also cortical PV expression levels were unaltered. Considering that Cntnap2 shows high expression levels in the striatum during human and mouse embryonic development and that the cortico-striato-thalamic circuitry is important for speech and language development, alterations in striatal PV expression and associated (homeostatic) adaptations are likely to play an important role in Cntnap2-/- mice and, assumingly, in human ASD patients with known Cntnap2 mutations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emanuel Lauber
- Anatomy Unit, Section of Medicine, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Federica Filice
- Anatomy Unit, Section of Medicine, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Beat Schwaller
- Anatomy Unit, Section of Medicine, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterised by the concomitant occurrence of impaired social interaction; restricted, perseverative and stereotypical behaviour; and abnormal communication skills. Recent epidemiological studies have reported a dramatic increase in the prevalence of ASD with as many as 1 in every 59 children being diagnosed with ASD. The fact that ASD appears to be principally genetically driven, and may be reversible postnatally, has raised the exciting possibility of using gene therapy as a disease-modifying treatment. Such therapies have already started to seriously impact on human disease and particularly monogenic disorders (e.g. metachromatic leukodystrophy, SMA type 1). In regard to ASD, technical advances in both our capacity to model the disorder in animals and also our ability to deliver genes to the central nervous system (CNS) have led to the first preclinical studies in monogenic ASD, involving both gene replacement and silencing. Furthermore, our increasing awareness and understanding of common dysregulated pathways in ASD have broadened gene therapy's potential scope to include various polygenic ASDs. As this review highlights, despite a number of outstanding challenges, gene therapy has excellent potential to address cognitive dysfunction in ASD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Benger
- Gene Therapy, Centre for Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration, Division of Brain Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, W12 0NN, London, UK
| | - Maria Kinali
- Present address: The Portland Hospital, 205-209 Great Portland Street, London, W1W 5AH UK
| | - Nicholas D. Mazarakis
- Gene Therapy, Centre for Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration, Division of Brain Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, W12 0NN, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Wong CW, Or PMY, Wang Y, Li L, Li J, Yan M, Cao Y, Luk HM, Tong TMF, Leslie NR, Lo IFM, Choy KW, Chan AML. Identification of a PTEN mutation with reduced protein stability, phosphatase activity, and nuclear localization in Hong Kong patients with autistic features, neurodevelopmental delays, and macrocephaly. Autism Res 2018; 11:1098-1109. [PMID: 29608813 PMCID: PMC6220804 DOI: 10.1002/aur.1950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2017] [Revised: 01/28/2018] [Accepted: 03/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
PTEN is a tumor suppressor gene inactivated in over 30% of human cancers. It encodes a lipid phosphatase that serves as a gatekeeper of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase signaling pathway. Germline mutation frequently occurs in this gene in patients diagnosed with PTEN Hamartoma Tumor Syndrome (PHTS). PHTS individuals are characterized by macrocephaly, benign growth of multiple tissues and increased tumor risk. In addition, autistic phenotypes are found in 10-20% of individuals carrying the germline PTEN mutation with macrocephaly. In this report, 13 suspected PHTS patients were screened for mutation in the PTEN gene. A missense variant (c. 302T > C) substituting the isoleucine at codon 101 to a threonine, a single nucleotide insertion (c. 327-328insC) causing a frame shift mutation and termination at codon 109, and a nonsense variant (c. 1003C > T) truncated the protein at codon 335 were identified. The I101T mutation significantly reduced PTEN protein expression levels by 2.5- to 4.0-fold. Mechanistically, I101T reduced the protein half-life of PTEN possibly due to enhanced polyubiquitination at Lysine 13. However, the I101T mutant retained almost 30% of the lipid phosphatase activity of the wild-type protein. Finally, the I101T mutant has reduced phosphorylation at a PTEN auto-dephosphorylation site at Threonine 366 and a lowered ratio of nuclear to cytosolic protein level. These partial losses of multiple PTEN biochemical functions may contribute to the tissue overgrowth and autistic features of this PHTS patient. Autism Res 2018, 11: 1098-1109. © 2018 The Authors Autism Research published by International Society for Autism Research and Wiley Periodicals, Inc. LAY SUMMARY: The genetics of autism spectrum disorders is highly complex with individual risk influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Mutation in the human PTEN gene confers a high risk of developing autistic behavior. This report revealed that PTEN mutations occurred in 23% of a selected group of Hong Kong patients harboring autistic features with gross overgrowth symptoms. Detailed characterization of a PTEN mutation revealed reduced protein stability as one of the underlying mechanisms responsible for reduced PTEN activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chi Wai Wong
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Lo Kwee-Seong Integrated Biomedical Sciences Building, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Penelope Mei Yu Or
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Lo Kwee-Seong Integrated Biomedical Sciences Building, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Yubing Wang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Lo Kwee-Seong Integrated Biomedical Sciences Building, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Lisha Li
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Lo Kwee-Seong Integrated Biomedical Sciences Building, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Jing Li
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Lo Kwee-Seong Integrated Biomedical Sciences Building, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Mingfei Yan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Lo Kwee-Seong Integrated Biomedical Sciences Building, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Ye Cao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Ho Ming Luk
- Clinical Genetic Service, Department of Health, Cheung Sha Wan Jockey Club Clinic, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Tony Ming For Tong
- Clinical Genetic Service, Department of Health, Cheung Sha Wan Jockey Club Clinic, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Nick R Leslie
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Biophysics and Bio-engineering, Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - Ivan Fai-Man Lo
- Clinical Genetic Service, Department of Health, Cheung Sha Wan Jockey Club Clinic, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Kwong Wai Choy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China.,The Chinese University of Hong Kong-Baylor College of Medicine Joint Centre For Medical Genetics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Andrew Man Lok Chan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Lo Kwee-Seong Integrated Biomedical Sciences Building, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China.,Brain and Mind Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Liu DC, Seimetz J, Lee KY, Kalsotra A, Chung HJ, Lu H, Tsai NP. Mdm2 mediates FMRP- and Gp1 mGluR-dependent protein translation and neural network activity. Hum Mol Genet 2018; 26:3895-3908. [PMID: 29016848 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddx276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2016] [Accepted: 07/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Activating Group 1 (Gp1) metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs), including mGluR1 and mGluR5, elicits translation-dependent neural plasticity mechanisms that are crucial to animal behavior and circuit development. Dysregulated Gp1 mGluR signaling has been observed in numerous neurological and psychiatric disorders. However, the molecular pathways underlying Gp1 mGluR-dependent plasticity mechanisms are complex and have been elusive. In this study, we identified a novel mechanism through which Gp1 mGluR mediates protein translation and neural plasticity. Using a multi-electrode array (MEA) recording system, we showed that activating Gp1 mGluR elevates neural network activity, as demonstrated by increased spontaneous spike frequency and burst activity. Importantly, we validated that elevating neural network activity requires protein translation and is dependent on fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP), the protein that is deficient in the most common inherited form of mental retardation and autism, fragile X syndrome (FXS). In an effort to determine the mechanism by which FMRP mediates protein translation and neural network activity, we demonstrated that a ubiquitin E3 ligase, murine double minute-2 (Mdm2), is required for Gp1 mGluR-induced translation and neural network activity. Our data showed that Mdm2 acts as a translation suppressor, and FMRP is required for its ubiquitination and down-regulation upon Gp1 mGluR activation. These data revealed a novel mechanism by which Gp1 mGluR and FMRP mediate protein translation and neural network activity, potentially through de-repressing Mdm2. Our results also introduce an alternative way for understanding altered protein translation and brain circuit excitability associated with Gp1 mGluR in neurological diseases such as FXS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dai-Chi Liu
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, School of Molecular and Cellular Biology.,Neuroscience Program
| | - Joseph Seimetz
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Kwan Young Lee
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, School of Molecular and Cellular Biology
| | - Auinash Kalsotra
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA.,Carl R.Woese Institute of Genomic Biology, University of Illinois, Champaign, IL 61801, USA
| | - Hee Jung Chung
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, School of Molecular and Cellular Biology.,Neuroscience Program.,Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Hua Lu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.,Tulane Cancer Center, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Nien-Pei Tsai
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, School of Molecular and Cellular Biology.,Neuroscience Program.,Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Hillen AEJ, Burbach JPH, Hol EM. Cell adhesion and matricellular support by astrocytes of the tripartite synapse. Prog Neurobiol 2018; 165-167:66-86. [PMID: 29444459 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2018.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2016] [Revised: 07/25/2017] [Accepted: 02/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Astrocytes contribute to the formation, function, and plasticity of synapses. Their processes enwrap the neuronal components of the tripartite synapse, and due to this close interaction they are perfectly positioned to modulate neuronal communication. The interaction between astrocytes and synapses is facilitated by cell adhesion molecules and matricellular proteins, which have been implicated in the formation and functioning of tripartite synapses. The importance of such neuron-astrocyte integration at the synapse is underscored by the emerging role of astrocyte dysfunction in synaptic pathologies such as autism and schizophrenia. Here we review astrocyte-expressed cell adhesion molecules and matricellular molecules that play a role in integration of neurons and astrocytes within the tripartite synapse.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anne E J Hillen
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Pediatrics/Child Neurology, VU University Medical Center, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - J Peter H Burbach
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Elly M Hol
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands; Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Center for Neuroscience, University of Amsterdam, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Neuroimmunology, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, An Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1105 BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Krueger-Burg D, Papadopoulos T, Brose N. Organizers of inhibitory synapses come of age. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2017; 45:66-77. [DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2017.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2017] [Accepted: 04/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
|
34
|
Lee E, Rhim I, Lee JW, Ghim JW, Lee S, Kim E, Jung MW. Enhanced Neuronal Activity in the Medial Prefrontal Cortex during Social Approach Behavior. J Neurosci 2016; 36:6926-36. [PMID: 27358451 DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0307-16.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2016] [Accepted: 05/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Although the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is known to play a crucial role in rodent social behavior, little is known about mPFC neural correlates of social behavior. In the present study, we examined single-neuron activity in the mPFC of mice performing a modified version of the three-chamber test. We found that a subset of mPFC neurons elevate discharge rates when approaching a stranger mouse but not when approaching an inanimate object or an empty chamber. Our results reveal mPFC neural activity that is correlated with social approach behavior in a widely used social-interaction paradigm. These findings might be helpful for future investigations of mPFC neural processes underlying social interaction in health and disease. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Although the prefrontal cortex is known to play a crucial role in rodent social behavior, little is known about prefrontal neural correlates of social behavior. This study shows that the activity of a subset of prefrontal neurons increases in association with social approach behavior during a three-chamber test-a widely used behavioral paradigm. Such responses might be a signature of prefrontal neural processes underlying social approach behavior.
Collapse
|
35
|
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects approximately 1 % of the human population and has a strong genetic component. Hence, the recent discovery of major "ASD genes" has subsequently resulted in the generation of several genetic animal models of ASD. Careful analysis of behavioral phenotypes and characterization of the underlying neurobiological mechanisms in these models should further help us to identify novel therapeutic targets and develop more effective strategies in the future to ameliorate or even reverse core symptoms and comorbidities of ASD. In this review, we will focus on the mutant mouse as animal model and outline how to characterize both behavioral and neurobiological phenotypes in this organism. We will further discuss a selection of major ASD mutant mouse lines. Our conclusions will finally address the current goals and perspectives in the field to obtain a more comprehensive and possibly also converging picture of ASD pathogenesis, which could be most useful for the desired bench-to-bedside strategy of translational medicine for this complex disorder.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jan C Schroeder
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Dominik Reim
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Tobias M Boeckers
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Michael J Schmeisser
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany.
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Kiem LM, Dietmann P, Linnemann A, Schmeisser MJ, Kühl SJ. The Nedd4 binding protein 3 is required for anterior neural development in Xenopus laevis. Dev Biol 2017; 423:66-76. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2017.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2016] [Revised: 01/09/2017] [Accepted: 01/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
|
37
|
Ripamonti S, Ambrozkiewicz MC, Guzzi F, Gravati M, Biella G, Bormuth I, Hammer M, Tuffy LP, Sigler A, Kawabe H, Nishimori K, Toselli M, Brose N, Parenti M, Rhee J. Transient oxytocin signaling primes the development and function of excitatory hippocampal neurons. eLife 2017; 6. [PMID: 28231043 PMCID: PMC5323041 DOI: 10.7554/elife.22466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2016] [Accepted: 02/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Beyond its role in parturition and lactation, oxytocin influences higher brain processes that control social behavior of mammals, and perturbed oxytocin signaling has been linked to the pathogenesis of several psychiatric disorders. However, it is still largely unknown how oxytocin exactly regulates neuronal function. We show that early, transient oxytocin exposure in vitro inhibits the development of hippocampal glutamatergic neurons, leading to reduced dendrite complexity, synapse density, and excitatory transmission, while sparing GABAergic neurons. Conversely, genetic elimination of oxytocin receptors increases the expression of protein components of excitatory synapses and excitatory synaptic transmission in vitro. In vivo, oxytocin-receptor-deficient hippocampal pyramidal neurons develop more complex dendrites, which leads to increased spine number and reduced γ-oscillations. These results indicate that oxytocin controls the development of hippocampal excitatory neurons and contributes to the maintenance of a physiological excitation/inhibition balance, whose disruption can cause neurobehavioral disturbances. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.22466.001
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Ripamonti
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany.,Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Mateusz C Ambrozkiewicz
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany.,Cortical Development, Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Francesca Guzzi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan-Bicocca, Monza, Italy.,NeuroMi - Milan Center for Neuroscience, Monza, Italy
| | - Marta Gravati
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Gerardo Biella
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Ingo Bormuth
- Cortical Development, Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Matthieu Hammer
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Liam P Tuffy
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Albrecht Sigler
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Hiroshi Kawabe
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Katsuhiko Nishimori
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Mauro Toselli
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Nils Brose
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Marco Parenti
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan-Bicocca, Monza, Italy.,NeuroMi - Milan Center for Neuroscience, Monza, Italy
| | - JeongSeop Rhee
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Reim D, Distler U, Halbedl S, Verpelli C, Sala C, Bockmann J, Tenzer S, Boeckers TM, Schmeisser MJ. Proteomic Analysis of Post-synaptic Density Fractions from Shank3 Mutant Mice Reveals Brain Region Specific Changes Relevant to Autism Spectrum Disorder. Front Mol Neurosci 2017; 10:26. [PMID: 28261056 PMCID: PMC5306440 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2017.00026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2016] [Accepted: 01/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Disruption of the human SHANK3 gene can cause several neuropsychiatric disease entities including Phelan-McDermid syndrome, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and intellectual disability. Although, a wide array of neurobiological studies strongly supports a major role for SHANK3 in organizing the post-synaptic protein scaffold, the molecular processes at synapses of individuals harboring SHANK3 mutations are still far from being understood. In this study, we biochemically isolated the post-synaptic density (PSD) fraction from striatum and hippocampus of adult Shank3Δ11-/- mutant mice and performed ion-mobility enhanced data-independent label-free LC–MS/MS to obtain the corresponding PSD proteomes (Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD005192). This unbiased approach to identify molecular disturbances at Shank3 mutant PSDs revealed hitherto unknown brain region specific alterations including a striatal decrease of several molecules encoded by ASD susceptibility genes such as the serine/threonine kinase Cdkl5 and the potassium channel KCa1.1. Being the first comprehensive analysis of brain region specific PSD proteomes from a Shank3 mutant line, our study provides crucial information on molecular alterations that could foster translational treatment studies for SHANK3 mutation-associated synaptopathies and possibly also ASD in general.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Reim
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm UniversityUlm, Germany; International Graduate School in Molecular Medicine, Ulm UniversityUlm, Germany
| | - Ute Distler
- Institute for Immunology, University Medical Center of the Johannes-Gutenberg University MainzMainz, Germany; Focus Program Translational Neurosciences, University Medical Center of the Johannes-Gutenberg University MainzMainz, Germany
| | - Sonja Halbedl
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm UniversityUlm, Germany; International Graduate School in Molecular Medicine, Ulm UniversityUlm, Germany
| | - Chiara Verpelli
- CNR Neuroscience InstituteMilan, Italy; BIOMETRA, University of MilanMilan, Italy
| | - Carlo Sala
- CNR Neuroscience InstituteMilan, Italy; BIOMETRA, University of MilanMilan, Italy
| | - Juergen Bockmann
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University Ulm, Germany
| | - Stefan Tenzer
- Institute for Immunology, University Medical Center of the Johannes-Gutenberg University Mainz Mainz, Germany
| | | | - Michael J Schmeisser
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm UniversityUlm, Germany; Division of Neuroanatomy, Institute of Anatomy, Otto-von-Guericke UniversityMagdeburg, Germany; Leibniz Institute for NeurobiologyMagdeburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Winkler D, Daher F, Wüstefeld L, Hammerschmidt K, Poggi G, Seelbach A, Krueger-Burg D, Vafadari B, Ronnenberg A, Liu Y, Kaczmarek L, Schlüter OM, Ehrenreich H, Dere E. Hypersocial behavior and biological redundancy in mice with reduced expression of PSD95 or PSD93. Behav Brain Res 2018; 352:35-45. [PMID: 28189758 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2017.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2017] [Revised: 02/07/2017] [Accepted: 02/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The postsynaptic density proteins 95 (PSD95) and 93 (PSD93) belong to a family of scaffolding proteins, the membrane-associated guanylate kinases (MAGUKs), which are highly enriched in synapses and responsible for organizing the numerous protein complexes required for synaptic development and plasticity. Genetic studies have associated MAGUKs with diseases like autism and schizophrenia, but knockout mice show severe, complex defects with difficult-to-interpret behavioral abnormalities due to major motor dysfunction which is atypical for psychiatric phenotypes. Therefore, rather than studying loss-of-function mutants, we comprehensively investigated the behavioral consequences of reduced PSD95 expression, using heterozygous PSD95 knockout mice (PSD95+/-). Specifically, we asked whether heterozygous PSD95 deficient mice would exhibit alterations in the processing of social stimuli and social behavior. Additionally, we investigated whether PSD95 and PSD93 would reveal any indication of functional or biological redundancy. Therefore, homozygous and heterozygous PSD93 deficient mice were examined in a similar behavioral battery as PSD95 mutants. We found robust hypersocial behavior in the dyadic interaction test in both PSD95+/- males and females. Additionally, male PSD95+/- mice exhibited higher levels of aggression and territoriality, while female PSD95+/- mice showed increased vocalization upon exposure to an anesthetized female mouse. Both male and female PSD95+/- mice revealed mild hypoactivity in the open field but no obvious motor deficit. Regarding PSD93 mutants, homozygous (but not heterozygous) knockout mice displayed prominent hypersocial behavior comparable to that observed in PSD95+/- mice, despite a more severe motor phenotype, which precluded several behavioral tests or their interpretation. Considering that PSD95 and PSD93 reduction provoke strikingly similar behavioral consequences, we explored a potential substitution effect and found increased PSD93 protein expression in hippocampal synaptic enrichment preparations of PSD95+/- mice. These data suggest that both PSD95 and PSD93 are involved in processing of social stimuli and control of social behavior. This important role may be partly assured by functional/behavioral and biological/biochemical redundancy.
Collapse
|
40
|
Kleijer KTE, Huguet G, Tastet J, Bourgeron T, Burbach JPH. Anatomy and Cell Biology of Autism Spectrum Disorder: Lessons from Human Genetics. Adv Anat Embryol Cell Biol 2017; 224:1-25. [PMID: 28551748 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-52498-6_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Until recently autism spectrum disorder (ASD) was regarded as a neurodevelopmental condition with unknown causes and pathogenesis. In the footsteps of the revolution of genome technologies and genetics, and with its high degree of heritability, ASD became the first neuropsychiatric disorder for which clues towards molecular and cellular pathogenesis were uncovered by genetic identification of susceptibility genes. Currently several hundreds of risk genes have been assigned, with a recurrence below 1% in the ASD population. The multitude and diversity of known ASD genes has extended the clinical notion that ASD comprises very heterogeneous conditions ranging from severe intellectual disabilities to mild high-functioning forms. The results of genetics have allowed to pinpoint a limited number of cellular and molecular processes likely involved in ASD including protein synthesis, signal transduction, transcription/chromatin remodelling and synaptic function all playing an essential role in the regulation of synaptic homeostasis during brain development. In this context, we highlight the role of protein synthesis as a key process in ASD pathogenesis as it might be central in synaptic deregulation and a potential target for intervention. These current insights should lead to a rational design of interventions in molecular and cellular pathways of ASD pathogenesis that may be applied to affected individuals in the future.
Collapse
|
41
|
Lauber E, Filice F, Schwaller B. Prenatal Valproate Exposure Differentially Affects Parvalbumin-Expressing Neurons and Related Circuits in the Cortex and Striatum of Mice. Front Mol Neurosci 2016; 9:150. [PMID: 28066177 PMCID: PMC5174119 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2016.00150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2016] [Accepted: 12/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) comprise a number of heterogeneous neurodevelopmental diseases characterized by core behavioral symptoms in the domains of social interaction, language/communication and repetitive or stereotyped patterns of behavior. In utero exposure to valproic acid (VPA) has evolved as a highly recognized rodent ASD model due to the robust behavioral phenotype observed in the offspring and the proven construct-, face- and predictive validity of the model. The number of parvalbumin-immunoreactive (PV+) GABAergic interneurons has been consistently reported to be decreased in human ASD subjects and in ASD animal models. The presumed loss of this neuron subpopulation hereafter termed Pvalb neurons and/or PV deficits were proposed to result in an excitation/inhibition imbalance often observed in ASD. Importantly, loss of Pvalb neurons and decreased/absent PV protein levels have two fundamentally different consequences. Thus, Pvalb neurons were investigated in in utero VPA-exposed male (“VPA”) mice in the striatum, medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and somatosensory cortex (SSC), three ASD-associated brain regions. Unbiased stereology of PV+ neurons and Vicia Villosa Agglutinin-positive (VVA+) perineuronal nets, which specifically enwrap Pvalb neurons, was carried out. Analyses of PV protein expression and mRNA levels for Pvalb, Gad67, Kcnc1, Kcnc2, Kcns3, Hcn1, Hcn2, and Hcn4 were performed. We found a ∼15% reduction in the number of PV+ cells and decreased Pvalb mRNA and PV protein levels in the striatum of VPA mice compared to controls, while the number of VVA+ cells was unchanged, indicating that Pvalb neurons were affected at the level of the transcriptome. In selected cortical regions (mPFC, SSC) of VPA mice, no quantitative loss/decrease of PV+ cells was observed. However, expression of Kcnc1, coding for the voltage-gated potassium channel Kv3.1 specifically expressed in Pvalb neurons, was decreased by ∼40% in forebrain lysates of VPA mice. Moreover, hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channel (HCN) 1 expression was increased by ∼40% in the same samples from VPA mice. We conclude that VPA leads to alterations that are brain region- and gene-specific including Pvalb, Kcnc1, and Hcn1 possibly linked to homeostatic mechanisms. Striatal PV down-regulation appears as a common feature in a subset of genetic (Shank3B-/-) and environmental ASD models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emanuel Lauber
- Anatomy, Department of Medicine, University of Fribourg Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Federica Filice
- Anatomy, Department of Medicine, University of Fribourg Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Beat Schwaller
- Anatomy, Department of Medicine, University of Fribourg Fribourg, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Carter C. The barrier, airway particle clearance, placental and detoxification functions of autism susceptibility genes. Neurochem Int 2016; 99:42-51. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2016.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2016] [Revised: 05/11/2016] [Accepted: 06/07/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
|
43
|
Yang ZL, Sun GL. [Research advances in candidate genes for autism spectrum disorder]. Zhongguo Dang Dai Er Ke Za Zhi 2016; 18:282-287. [PMID: 26975830 PMCID: PMC7390002 DOI: 10.7499/j.issn.1008-8830.2016.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2015] [Accepted: 12/15/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a kind of neurodevelopmental multigenic disorder. More than one hundred of candidate genes for ASD have been reported. The candidate gene research for ASD involves in chromosome loci and screening of candidate genes and epigenetic abnormalities for candidate genes. The reported genes encode neural adhesion molecules, ion channels, scaffold proteins, protein kinases, receptor protein and carrier protein, signaling modulate molecules and circadian relevant proteins. The research of mutation screening and expression regulation of candidate genes can help to elucidate genetic mechanisms for ASD, and may provide new approaches for the diagnosis and treatment of this disorder. This article reviews the research advance in candidate genes for ASD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Liang Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China.
| | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
Ulbrich L, Favaloro FL, Trobiani L, Marchetti V, Patel V, Pascucci T, Comoletti D, Marciniak SJ, De Jaco A. Autism-associated R451C mutation in neuroligin3 leads to activation of the unfolded protein response in a PC12 Tet-On inducible system. Biochem J 2016; 473:423-34. [PMID: 26621873 DOI: 10.1042/BJ20150274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2015] [Accepted: 11/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The expression of the autism-related mutant R451C neuroligin3 activates the three branches of the unfolded protein response in neuronal-like PC12 cells and leads to up-regulation of the response target genes BiP and CHOP. Several forms of monogenic heritable autism spectrum disorders are associated with mutations in the neuroligin genes. The autism-linked substitution R451C in neuroligin3 induces local misfolding of its extracellular domain, causing partial retention in the ER (endoplasmic reticulum) of expressing cells. We have generated a PC12 Tet-On cell model system with inducible expression of wild-type or R451C neuroligin3 to investigate whether there is activation of the UPR (unfolded protein response) as a result of misfolded protein retention. As a positive control for protein misfolding, we also expressed the mutant G221R neuroligin3, which is known to be completely retained within the ER. Our data show that overexpression of either R451C or G221R mutant proteins leads to the activation of all three signalling branches of the UPR downstream of the stress sensors ATF6 (activating transcription factor 6), IRE1 (inositol-requiring enzyme 1) and PERK [PKR (dsRNA-dependent protein kinase)-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase]. Each branch displayed different activation profiles that partially correlated with the degree of misfolding caused by each mutation. We also show that up-regulation of BiP (immunoglobulin heavy-chain-binding protein) and CHOP [C/EBP (CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein)-homologous protein] was induced by both mutant proteins but not by wild-type neuroligin3, both in proliferative cells and cells differentiated to a neuron-like phenotype. Collectively, our data show that mutant R451C neuroligin3 activates the UPR in a novel cell model system, suggesting that this cellular response may have a role in monogenic forms of autism characterized by misfolding mutations.
Collapse
|
45
|
Sanders SJ. First glimpses of the neurobiology of autism spectrum disorder. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2015; 33:80-92. [PMID: 26547130 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2015.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2015] [Revised: 10/05/2015] [Accepted: 10/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Rapid progress in identifying the genes underlying autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has provided the substrate for a first wave of analyses into the underlying neurobiology. This review describes the consensus across these diverse analyses, highlighting two distinct sets of genes: 1) Genes that regulate chromatin and transcription, especially in cortical projection neurons and striatal medium spiny neurons during mid-fetal development; and 2) Genes involved in synapse development and function, especially during infancy and early childhood, and differentially expressed in the post mortem ASD brain. Both gene sets are also regulatory targets of the ASD genes CHD8 and FMRP. It remains to be seen whether these represent two independent paths to the ASD phenotype or two components of a common path.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephan J Sanders
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Miranda R, Nagapin F, Bozon B, Laroche S, Aubin T, Vaillend C. Altered social behavior and ultrasonic communication in the dystrophin-deficient mdx mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Mol Autism 2015; 6:60. [PMID: 26527530 PMCID: PMC4627616 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-015-0053-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2015] [Accepted: 10/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies (DMD, BMD) show significant comorbid diagnosis for autism, and the genomic sequences encoding the proteins responsible for these diseases, the dystrophin and associated proteins, have been proposed as new candidate risk loci for autism. Dystrophin is expressed not only in muscles but also in central inhibitory synapses in the cerebellum, hippocampus, amygdala, and cerebral cortex, where it contributes to the organization of autism-associated trans-synaptic neurexin-neuroligin complexes and to the clustering of synaptic gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptors. While brain defects due to dystrophin loss are associated with deficits in cognitive and executive functions, communication skills and social behavior, only a subpopulation of DMD patients meet the criteria for autism, suggesting that mutations in the dystrophin gene may confer a vulnerability to autism. The loss of dystrophin in the mdx mouse model of DMD has been associated with cognitive and emotional alterations, but social behavior and communication abilities have never been studied in this model. METHODS Here, we carried out the first in-depth analysis of social behavior and ultrasonic communication in dystrophin-deficient mdx mice, using a range of socially relevant paradigms involving various degrees of executive and cognitive demands, from simple presentation of sexual olfactory stimuli to social choice situations and direct encounters with female and male mice of various genotypes. RESULTS We identified context-specific alterations in social behavior and ultrasonic vocal communication in mdx mice during direct encounters in novel environments. Social behavior disturbances depended on intruders' genotype and behavior, suggesting alterations in executive functions and adaptive behaviors, and were associated with selective alterations of the development, rate, acoustic properties, and use of the ultrasonic vocal repertoire. CONCLUSIONS This first evidence that a mutation impeding expression of brain dystrophin affects social behavior and communication sheds new light on critical cognitive, emotional, and conative factors contributing to the development of autistic-like traits in this disease model.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rubén Miranda
- CNRS, Neuroscience Paris Saclay Institute, UMR 9197, Orsay, 91405 France ; Univ Paris-Sud, UMR 9197, Orsay, 91405 France ; Present address: Department of Psychobiology, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Flora Nagapin
- CNRS, Neuroscience Paris Saclay Institute, UMR 9197, Orsay, 91405 France ; Univ Paris-Sud, UMR 9197, Orsay, 91405 France
| | - Bruno Bozon
- CNRS, Neuroscience Paris Saclay Institute, UMR 9197, Orsay, 91405 France ; Univ Paris-Sud, UMR 9197, Orsay, 91405 France
| | - Serge Laroche
- CNRS, Neuroscience Paris Saclay Institute, UMR 9197, Orsay, 91405 France ; Univ Paris-Sud, UMR 9197, Orsay, 91405 France
| | - Thierry Aubin
- CNRS, Neuroscience Paris Saclay Institute, UMR 9197, Orsay, 91405 France ; Univ Paris-Sud, UMR 9197, Orsay, 91405 France
| | - Cyrille Vaillend
- CNRS, Neuroscience Paris Saclay Institute, UMR 9197, Orsay, 91405 France ; Univ Paris-Sud, UMR 9197, Orsay, 91405 France
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Hammer M, Krueger-Burg D, Tuffy LP, Cooper BH, Taschenberger H, Goswami SP, Ehrenreich H, Jonas P, Varoqueaux F, Rhee JS, Brose N. Perturbed Hippocampal Synaptic Inhibition and γ-Oscillations in a Neuroligin-4 Knockout Mouse Model of Autism. Cell Rep 2015; 13:516-523. [PMID: 26456829 PMCID: PMC5862414 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2015.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2015] [Revised: 08/23/2015] [Accepted: 09/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Loss-of-function mutations in the synaptic adhesion protein Neuroligin-4 are among the most common genetic abnormalities associated with autism spectrum disorders, but little is known about the function of Neuroligin-4 and the consequences of its loss. We assessed synaptic and network characteristics in Neuroligin-4 knockout mice, focusing on the hippocampus as a model brain region with a critical role in cognition and memory, and found that Neuroligin-4 deletion causes subtle defects of the protein composition and function of GABAergic synapses in the hippocampal CA3 region. Interestingly, these subtle synaptic changes are accompanied by pronounced perturbations of γ-oscillatory network activity, which has been implicated in cognitive function and is altered in multiple psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders. Our data provide important insights into the mechanisms by which Neuroligin-4-dependent GABAergic synapses may contribute to autism phenotypes and indicate new strategies for therapeutic approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthieu Hammer
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hermann-Rein-Straße 3, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Dilja Krueger-Burg
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hermann-Rein-Straße 3, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Liam Patrick Tuffy
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hermann-Rein-Straße 3, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Benjamin Hillman Cooper
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hermann-Rein-Straße 3, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Holger Taschenberger
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hermann-Rein-Straße 3, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Sarit Pati Goswami
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria, Am Campus 1, 3400 Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Hannelore Ehrenreich
- Clinical Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hermann-Rein-Straße 3, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Peter Jonas
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria, Am Campus 1, 3400 Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Frederique Varoqueaux
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hermann-Rein-Straße 3, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Jeong-Seop Rhee
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hermann-Rein-Straße 3, 37075 Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Nils Brose
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hermann-Rein-Straße 3, 37075 Göttingen, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Ander BP, Barger N, Stamova B, Sharp FR, Schumann CM. Atypical miRNA expression in temporal cortex associated with dysregulation of immune, cell cycle, and other pathways in autism spectrum disorders. Mol Autism 2015; 6:37. [PMID: 26146533 PMCID: PMC4491207 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-015-0029-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2015] [Accepted: 05/27/2015] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) likely involve dysregulation of multiple genes related to brain function and development. Abnormalities in individual regulatory small non-coding RNA (sncRNA), including microRNA (miRNA), could have profound effects upon multiple functional pathways. We assessed whether a brain region associated with core social impairments in ASD, the superior temporal sulcus (STS), would evidence greater transcriptional dysregulation of sncRNA than adjacent, yet functionally distinct, primary auditory cortex (PAC). METHODS We measured sncRNA expression levels in 34 samples of postmortem brain from STS and PAC to find differentially expressed sncRNA in ASD compared with control cases. For differentially expressed miRNA, we further analyzed their predicted mRNA targets and carried out functional over-representation analysis of KEGG pathways to examine their functional significance and to compare our findings to reported alterations in ASD gene expression. RESULTS Two mature miRNAs (miR-4753-5p and miR-1) were differentially expressed in ASD relative to control in STS and four (miR-664-3p, miR-4709-3p, miR-4742-3p, and miR-297) in PAC. In both regions, miRNA were functionally related to various nervous system, cell cycle, and canonical signaling pathways, including PI3K-Akt signaling, previously implicated in ASD. Immune pathways were only disrupted in STS. snoRNA and pre-miRNA were also differentially expressed in ASD brain. CONCLUSIONS Alterations in sncRNA may underlie dysregulation of molecular pathways implicated in autism. sncRNA transcriptional abnormalities in ASD were apparent in STS and in PAC, a brain region not directly associated with core behavioral impairments. Disruption of miRNA in immune pathways, frequently implicated in ASD, was unique to STS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bradley P Ander
- Department of Neurology, MIND Institute, University of California at Davis Medical Center, 2805 50th Street, Sacramento, CA 95817 USA
| | - Nicole Barger
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, MIND Institute, University of California at Davis Medical Center, 2805 50th Street, Sacramento, CA 95817 USA
| | - Boryana Stamova
- Department of Neurology, MIND Institute, University of California at Davis Medical Center, 2805 50th Street, Sacramento, CA 95817 USA
| | - Frank R Sharp
- Department of Neurology, MIND Institute, University of California at Davis Medical Center, 2805 50th Street, Sacramento, CA 95817 USA
| | - Cynthia M Schumann
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, MIND Institute, University of California at Davis Medical Center, 2805 50th Street, Sacramento, CA 95817 USA
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Lee EJ, Lee H, Huang TN, Chung C, Shin W, Kim K, Koh JY, Hsueh YP, Kim E. Trans-synaptic zinc mobilization improves social interaction in two mouse models of autism through NMDAR activation. Nat Commun 2015; 6:7168. [PMID: 25981743 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms8168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2015] [Accepted: 04/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic aspects of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) have recently been extensively explored, but environmental influences that affect ASDs have received considerably less attention. Zinc (Zn) is a nutritional factor implicated in ASDs, but evidence for a strong association and linking mechanism is largely lacking. Here we report that trans-synaptic Zn mobilization rapidly rescues social interaction in two independent mouse models of ASD. In mice lacking Shank2, an excitatory postsynaptic scaffolding protein, postsynaptic Zn elevation induced by clioquinol (a Zn chelator and ionophore) improves social interaction. Postsynaptic Zn is mainly derived from presynaptic pools and activates NMDA receptors (NMDARs) through postsynaptic activation of the tyrosine kinase Src. Clioquinol also improves social interaction in mice haploinsufficient for the transcription factor Tbr1, which accompanies NMDAR activation in the amygdala. These results suggest that trans-synaptic Zn mobilization induced by clioquinol rescues social deficits in mouse models of ASD through postsynaptic Src and NMDAR activation. Zinc is a nutritional factor implicated in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), but evidence for a strong association and linking mechanism is largely lacking. Here, the authors report that trans-synaptic zinc mobilization rapidly rescues social interaction in two independent mouse models of ASD.
Collapse
|
50
|
Arango C. Present and future of developmental neuropsychopharmacology. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2015; 25:703-12. [PMID: 25432076 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2014.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2014] [Revised: 10/08/2014] [Accepted: 11/04/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The field of child and adolescent psychiatry has always lagged behind adult psychiatry. With recent evidence that the vast majority of mental disorders, even when they emerge in adulthood, cause abnormal neurodevelopment and resultant emphasis on prevention and early intervention, there is a need to put child psychiatry at the top of the agenda in mental health research. This should also be the case for developmental neuropsychopharmacology. The target of drug discovery should shift toward a population younger than the one that is typically included in clinical trials. This is not only a matter of trying to replicate what has been found in individuals with mature brains; it is about searching for new strategies that address developing brains while the therapeutic window for their effect is still open. At present, major concerns in developmental psychopharmacology are over-prescription rates and use of psychotropic medications for conditions with a particularly underdeveloped evidence base, as well as adverse effects, especially potentially life-shortening cardiometabolic effects and suicidal ideation. The future of research in this area should focus on the use of drugs for primary and secondary prevention that would modify abnormal brain development.
Collapse
|