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Pedini G, Chen CL, Achsel T, Bagni C. Cancer drug repurposing in autism spectrum disorder. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2023; 44:963-977. [PMID: 37940430 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2023.09.008] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition with uncertain origins. Understanding of the mechanisms underlying ASD remains limited, and treatments are lacking. Genetic diversity complicates drug development. Given the complexity and severity of ASD symptoms and the rising number of diagnoses, exploring novel therapeutic strategies is essential. Here, we focus on shared molecular pathways between ASD and cancer and highlight recent progress on the repurposing of cancer drugs for ASD treatment, such as mTOR inhibitors, histone deacetylase inhibitors, and anti-inflammatory agents. We discuss how to improve trial design considering drug dose and patient age. Lastly, the discussion explores the critical aspects of side effects, commercial factors, and the efficiency of drug-screening pipelines; all of which are essential considerations in the pursuit of repurposing cancer drugs for addressing core features of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Pedini
- University of Rome Tor Vergata, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Via Montpellier 1, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Chin-Lin Chen
- University of Lausanne, Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, Rue du Bugnon 9, 1005, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Tilmann Achsel
- University of Lausanne, Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, Rue du Bugnon 9, 1005, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Claudia Bagni
- University of Rome Tor Vergata, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Via Montpellier 1, 00133, Rome, Italy; University of Lausanne, Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, Rue du Bugnon 9, 1005, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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Bakhsh E, Alkhaldi M, Shaban M. Exploring the Link between Maternal Hematological Disorders during Pregnancy and Neurological Development in Newborns: Mixed Cohort Study. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:2014. [PMID: 37895395 PMCID: PMC10608318 DOI: 10.3390/life13102014] [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: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal hematological disorders during pregnancy may pose a risk to the neurological development of newborns. To investigate the association between maternal hematological disorders during pregnancy and neurological outcomes in newborns, this mixed cohort study was conducted on 200 pregnant women diagnosed with hematological disorders during pregnancy. Some cases have been identified in the past who have completed the pregnancy in full, as well as cases in pregnancy. Currently, the children of all mothers have been followed up to evaluate the neurological outcomes of the children at the age of three months. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the association between maternal hematological disorders and neurological outcomes in newborns. Children born to mothers with hematological disorders had a higher risk of developmental delays (OR = 1.50, 95% CI = 0.90-2.50), cognitive impairments (OR = 1.80, 95% CI = 1.20-2.70), and motor impairments (OR = 1.60, 95% CI = 1.00-2.50) compared to children born to mothers without hematological disorders. Hemophilia was associated with the highest risk of neurological outcomes (developmental delay: OR = 2.80, 95% CI = 1.60-4.90; cognitive impairment: OR = 3.20, 95% CI = 2.00-5.10; motor impairment: OR = 2.60, 95% CI = 1.50-4.60). Conclusion: Our study suggests that maternal hematological disorders during pregnancy may increase the risk of negative neurological consequences in newborns. Further research is needed to identify potential mechanisms and explore preventive measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ebtisam Bakhsh
- Clinical Sciences Department, College of Medicine, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Maan Alkhaldi
- College of Medicine, Al-Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh 13317, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mostafa Shaban
- College of Nursing, Jouf University, Sakaka 72388, Saudi Arabia
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Suleri A, Cecil C, Rommel AS, Hillegers M, White T, de Witte LD, Muetzel RL, Bergink V. Long-term effects of prenatal infection on the human brain: a prospective multimodal neuroimaging study. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:306. [PMID: 37789021 PMCID: PMC10547711 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02597-x] [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] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
There is convincing evidence from rodent studies suggesting that prenatal infections affect the offspring's brain, but evidence in humans is limited. Here, we assessed the occurrence of common infections during each trimester of pregnancy and examined associations with brain outcomes in adolescent offspring. Our study was embedded in the Generation R Study, a large-scale sociodemographically diverse prospective birth cohort. We included 1094 mother-child dyads and investigated brain morphology (structural MRI), white matter microstructure (DTI), and functional connectivity (functional MRI), as outcomes at the age of 14. We focused on both global and focal regions. To define prenatal infections, we composed a score based on the number and type of infections during each trimester of pregnancy. Models were adjusted for several confounders. We found that prenatal infection was negatively associated with cerebral white matter volume (B = -0.069, 95% CI -0.123 to -0.015, p = 0.011), and we found an association between higher prenatal infection scores and smaller volumes of several frontotemporal regions of the brain. After multiple testing correction, we only observed an association between prenatal infections and the caudal anterior cingulate volume (B = -0.104, 95% CI -0.164 to -0.045, p < 0.001). We did not observe effects of prenatal infection on other measures of adolescent brain morphology, white matter microstructure, or functional connectivity, which is reassuring. Our results show potential regions of interest in the brain for future studies; data on the effect of severe prenatal infections on the offspring's brain in humans are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Suleri
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Charlotte Cecil
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anna-Sophie Rommel
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | - Manon Hillegers
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tonya White
- Section on Social and Cognitive Developmental Neuroscience, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Lot D de Witte
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | - Ryan L Muetzel
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Veerle Bergink
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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Recaioglu H, Kolk SM. Developing brain under renewed attack: viral infection during pregnancy. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1119943. [PMID: 37700750 PMCID: PMC10493316 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1119943] [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: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Living in a globalized world, viral infections such as CHIKV, SARS-COV-2, and ZIKV have become inevitable to also infect the most vulnerable groups in our society. That poses a danger to these populations including pregnant women since the developing brain is sensitive to maternal stressors including viral infections. Upon maternal infection, the viruses can gain access to the fetus via the maternofetal barrier and even to the fetal brain during which factors such as viral receptor expression, time of infection, and the balance between antiviral immune responses and pro-viral mechanisms contribute to mother-to-fetus transmission and fetal infection. Both the direct pro-viral mechanisms and the resulting dysregulated immune response can cause multi-level impairment in the maternofetal and brain barriers and the developing brain itself leading to dysfunction or even loss of several cell populations. Thus, maternal viral infections can disturb brain development and even predispose to neurodevelopmental disorders. In this review, we discuss the potential contribution of maternal viral infections of three relevant relative recent players in the field: Zika, Chikungunya, and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2, to the impairment of brain development throughout the entire route.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sharon M. Kolk
- Faculty of Science, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
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Pacheco-Sánchez B, Tovar R, Ben Rabaa M, Sánchez-Salido L, Vargas A, Suárez J, Rodríguez de Fonseca F, Rivera P. Sex-Dependent Altered Expression of Cannabinoid Signaling in Hippocampal Astrocytes of the Triple Transgenic Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease: Implications for Controlling Astroglial Activity. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12598. [PMID: 37628778 PMCID: PMC10454447 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612598] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common neurodegenerative disease. In AD-associated neuroinflammation, astrocytes play a key role, finding glial activation both in patients and in animal models. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a neurolipid signaling system with anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties implicated in AD. Astrocytes respond to external cannabinoid signals and also have their own cannabinoid signaling. Our main objective is to describe the cannabinoid signaling machinery present in hippocampal astrocytes from 3×Tg-AD mice to determine if they are actively involved in the neurodegenerative process. Primary cultures of astrocytes from the hippocampus of 3×Tg-AD and non-Tg offspring were carried out. We analyzed the gene expression of astrogliosis markers, the main components of the ECS and Ca2+ signaling. 3×Tg-AD hippocampal astrocytes show low inflammatory activity (Il1b, Il6, and Gls) and Ca2+ flow (P2rx5 and Mcu), associated with low cannabinoid signaling (Cnr1 and Cnr2). These results were more evident in females. Our study corroborates glial involvement in AD pathology, in which cannabinoid signaling plays an important role. 3×Tg-AD mice born with hippocampal astrocytes with differential gene expression of the ECS associated with an innate attenuation of their activity. In addition, we show that there are sex differences from birth in this AD animal, which should be considered when investigating the pathogenesis of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Pacheco-Sánchez
- Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Salud Mental, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga y Plataforma en Nanomedicina-IBIMA Plataforma BIONAND, Hospital Universitario Regional de Málaga, 29010 Málaga, Spain; (B.P.-S.); (R.T.); (M.B.R.); (L.S.-S.); (A.V.); (J.S.)
| | - Rubén Tovar
- Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Salud Mental, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga y Plataforma en Nanomedicina-IBIMA Plataforma BIONAND, Hospital Universitario Regional de Málaga, 29010 Málaga, Spain; (B.P.-S.); (R.T.); (M.B.R.); (L.S.-S.); (A.V.); (J.S.)
| | - Meriem Ben Rabaa
- Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Salud Mental, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga y Plataforma en Nanomedicina-IBIMA Plataforma BIONAND, Hospital Universitario Regional de Málaga, 29010 Málaga, Spain; (B.P.-S.); (R.T.); (M.B.R.); (L.S.-S.); (A.V.); (J.S.)
- Molecular Biotechnology, FH Campus Wien, University for Applied Sciences, Favoritenstraße 222, 1100 Vienna, Austria
| | - Lourdes Sánchez-Salido
- Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Salud Mental, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga y Plataforma en Nanomedicina-IBIMA Plataforma BIONAND, Hospital Universitario Regional de Málaga, 29010 Málaga, Spain; (B.P.-S.); (R.T.); (M.B.R.); (L.S.-S.); (A.V.); (J.S.)
| | - Antonio Vargas
- Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Salud Mental, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga y Plataforma en Nanomedicina-IBIMA Plataforma BIONAND, Hospital Universitario Regional de Málaga, 29010 Málaga, Spain; (B.P.-S.); (R.T.); (M.B.R.); (L.S.-S.); (A.V.); (J.S.)
| | - Juan Suárez
- Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Salud Mental, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga y Plataforma en Nanomedicina-IBIMA Plataforma BIONAND, Hospital Universitario Regional de Málaga, 29010 Málaga, Spain; (B.P.-S.); (R.T.); (M.B.R.); (L.S.-S.); (A.V.); (J.S.)
- Departamento de Anatomía Humana, Medicina Legal e Historia de la Ciencia, Universidad de Málaga, 29010 Málaga, Spain
| | - Fernando Rodríguez de Fonseca
- Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Salud Mental, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga y Plataforma en Nanomedicina-IBIMA Plataforma BIONAND, Hospital Universitario Regional de Málaga, 29010 Málaga, Spain; (B.P.-S.); (R.T.); (M.B.R.); (L.S.-S.); (A.V.); (J.S.)
| | - Patricia Rivera
- Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Salud Mental, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga y Plataforma en Nanomedicina-IBIMA Plataforma BIONAND, Hospital Universitario Regional de Málaga, 29010 Málaga, Spain; (B.P.-S.); (R.T.); (M.B.R.); (L.S.-S.); (A.V.); (J.S.)
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Pradhan J, Mallick S, Mishra N, Tiwari A, Negi VD. Pregnancy, infection, and epigenetic regulation: A complex scenario. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2023:166768. [PMID: 37269984 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2023.166768] [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: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
A unique immunological condition, pregnancy ensures fetus from maternal rejection, allows adequate fetal development, and protects against microorganisms. Infections during pregnancy may lead to devastating consequences for pregnant women and fetuses, resulting in the mother's death, miscarriage, premature childbirth, or neonate with congenital infection and severe diseases and defects. Epigenetic (heritable changes in gene expression) mechanisms like DNA methylation, chromatin modification, and gene expression modulation during gestation are linked with the number of defects in the fetus and adolescents. The feto-maternal crosstalk for fetal survival during the entire gestational stages are tightly regulated by various cellular pathways, including epigenetic mechanisms that respond to both internal as well outer environmental factors, which can influence the fetal development across the gestational stages. Due to the intense physiological, endocrinological, and immunological changes, pregnant women are more susceptible to bacterial, viral, parasitic, and fungal infections than the general population. Microbial infections with viruses (LCMV, SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2) and bacteria (Clostridium perfringens, Coxiella burnetii, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella enteritidis) further increase the risk to maternal and fetal life and developmental outcome. If the infections remain untreated, the possibility of maternal and fetal death exists. This article focused on the severity and susceptibility to infections caused by Salmonella, Listeria, LCMV, and SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy and their impact on maternal health and the fetus. How epigenetic regulation during pregnancy plays a vital role in deciding the fetus's developmental outcome under various conditions, including infection and other stress. A better understanding of the host-pathogen interaction, the characterization of the maternal immune system, and the epigenetic regulations during pregnancy may help protect the mother and fetus from infection-mediated outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmin Pradhan
- Laboratory of Infection Immunology, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela 769008, Odisha, India.
| | - Swarupa Mallick
- Laboratory of Infection Immunology, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela 769008, Odisha, India.
| | - Neha Mishra
- Laboratory of Infection Immunology, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela 769008, Odisha, India.
| | - Aman Tiwari
- Vidya Devi Negi, Infection Immunology Laboratory (2i-Lab), Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Knowledge City, Sector 81, SAS Nagar, Punjab 140306, India
| | - Vidya Devi Negi
- Vidya Devi Negi, Infection Immunology Laboratory (2i-Lab), Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Knowledge City, Sector 81, SAS Nagar, Punjab 140306, India.
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Njotto LL, Simin J, Fornes R, Odsbu I, Mussche I, Callens S, Engstrand L, Bruyndonckx R, Brusselaers N. Maternal and Early-Life Exposure to Antibiotics and the Risk of Autism and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Childhood: a Swedish Population-Based Cohort Study. Drug Saf 2023; 46:467-478. [PMID: 37087706 PMCID: PMC10164008 DOI: 10.1007/s40264-023-01297-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/19/2023] [Indexed: 04/24/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Antibiotics represent the most common type of medication used during pregnancy and infancy. Antibiotics have been proposed as a possible factor in changes in microbiota composition, which may play a role in the aetiology of autism and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Our aim was to investigate the association between maternal and early-life antibiotic use and autism and ADHD in childhood. METHODS This Swedish nation-wide population-based cohort study included all first live singleton births (N = 483,459) between January 2006 and December 2016. The association of dispensed antibiotics with autism and ADHD in children aged ≤ 11 years was estimated by applying multivariable logistic regression and generalised estimating equations models. RESULTS Of the mothers, 25.9% (n = 125,106) were dispensed ≥1 antibiotic during the exposure period (from 3 months pre-conception to delivery), and 41.6% (n = 201,040) of the children received ≥ 1 antibiotic in early life (aged ≤ 2 years). Penicillin was the most prescribed antibiotic class (17.9% of mothers, 38.2% of children). Maternal antibiotic use was associated with an increased risk of autism [odds ratio (OR) = 1.16, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.09-1.23] and ADHD (OR = 1.29, 95% CI 1.21-1.36) in childhood. Early-life exposure to antibiotics showed an even stronger association [autism (OR = 1.46, 95% CI 1.38-1.55); ADHD (OR = 1.90, 95% CI 1.80-2.00)]. Both maternal and childhood-exposure sub-analyses suggested a dose-response relationship. CONCLUSION Maternal and early-life antibiotic use was associated with an increased risk of autism and ADHD in childhood. However, differences were noted by exposure period and antibiotic classes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lembris L Njotto
- Interuniversity Institute for Biostatistics and statistical Bioinformatics (I-BIOSTAT), Data Science Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
- Department of Mathematics and ICT, College of Business Education (CBE), Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Johanna Simin
- Department of Microbiology, Tumour and Cell Biology, Centre for Translational Microbiome Research (CTMR), Karolinska Institutet, Solnavägen 9, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Romina Fornes
- Department of Microbiology, Tumour and Cell Biology, Centre for Translational Microbiome Research (CTMR), Karolinska Institutet, Solnavägen 9, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ingvild Odsbu
- Division of Mental and Physical Health, Department of Mental Disorders, The Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Isabelle Mussche
- Child and Youth Psychiatry, Centre for Ambulatory Revalidation (CAR) Ascendre, Eeklo/Wetteren, Belgium
| | - Steven Callens
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Global Health Institutet, Antwerp University, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Head and Skin, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lars Engstrand
- Department of Microbiology, Tumour and Cell Biology, Centre for Translational Microbiome Research (CTMR), Karolinska Institutet, Solnavägen 9, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Robin Bruyndonckx
- Interuniversity Institute for Biostatistics and statistical Bioinformatics (I-BIOSTAT), Data Science Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
- Laboratory of Medical Microbiology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Nele Brusselaers
- Department of Microbiology, Tumour and Cell Biology, Centre for Translational Microbiome Research (CTMR), Karolinska Institutet, Solnavägen 9, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Global Health Institute, Antwerp University, Antwerp, Belgium.
- Department of Head and Skin, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
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Marie-Eve B, Elsa B, Josianne C, Yasmine K, Claude-Emilie J, Camille C, Dorothée DS, Sylvie G. Mediators of inflammation at the maternal-fetal interface are altered by SARS-CoV-2 infection and pandemic stress. Am J Reprod Immunol 2023; 89:e13679. [PMID: 36680541 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13679] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM It is now recognized that SARS-CoV-2 infection and pandemic-related stress impacts maternal health. However, their effects at the maternal-fetal interface are still debated. METHOD OF STUDY We recruited 199 women between March 2020 and July 2021, 79 SARS-CoV-2+ and 120 negative (the latter exposed to pandemic stress only). We also included 40 historic controls (i.e. pre-pandemic uncomplicated pregnancies recruited before March 2020). Placental samples were collected for protein and histological analysis. RESULTS The majority of SARS-CoV-2+ women were multiethnic, had higher pre-pregnancy BMI and elevated preterm birth rate (17%) vs SARS-CoV-2- or historic control. Placental inflammatory profile revealed increased IL-1Ra and CRP, independently of SARS-CoV-2 status, whilst MCP-1, IL-6 and IFNγ were elevated in the negative, but pandemic stress-exposed, group. These changes were predominant in placentas with inflammatory lesions on histopathological analysis. Furthermore, we observed elevated immune cells (CD45+) in placentas from SARS-CoV-2+ and negative pregnancies vs historic controls, even when individuals with pregnancy complications were excluded. CONCLUSIONS Placental inflammatory profiles differed between SARS-CoV-2 statuses, namely exposed to pandemic stress +/- SARS-CoV-2 infection. This highlights the need to understand the differences between the effects of pandemic-related stress and the added burden of SARS-CoV-2 infection on placental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brien Marie-Eve
- Ste-Justine Hospital Research Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Bernier Elsa
- Ste-Justine Hospital Research Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Microbiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Universite de Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Clavel Josianne
- Ste-Justine Hospital Research Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Kebiche Yasmine
- Ste-Justine Hospital Research Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jacob Claude-Emilie
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universite de Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM), Quebec, Canada
| | - Couture Camille
- Ste-Justine Hospital Research Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Microbiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Universite de Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Dal Soglio Dorothée
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Universite de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Girard Sylvie
- Department of Microbiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Universite de Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universite de Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
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Surianarayanan C, Lawrence JJ, Chelliah PR, Prakash E, Hewage C. Convergence of Artificial Intelligence and Neuroscience towards the Diagnosis of Neurological Disorders-A Scoping Review. Sensors (Basel) 2023; 23:3062. [PMID: 36991773 PMCID: PMC10053494 DOI: 10.3390/s23063062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a field of computer science that deals with the simulation of human intelligence using machines so that such machines gain problem-solving and decision-making capabilities similar to that of the human brain. Neuroscience is the scientific study of the struczture and cognitive functions of the brain. Neuroscience and AI are mutually interrelated. These two fields help each other in their advancements. The theory of neuroscience has brought many distinct improvisations into the AI field. The biological neural network has led to the realization of complex deep neural network architectures that are used to develop versatile applications, such as text processing, speech recognition, object detection, etc. Additionally, neuroscience helps to validate the existing AI-based models. Reinforcement learning in humans and animals has inspired computer scientists to develop algorithms for reinforcement learning in artificial systems, which enables those systems to learn complex strategies without explicit instruction. Such learning helps in building complex applications, like robot-based surgery, autonomous vehicles, gaming applications, etc. In turn, with its ability to intelligently analyze complex data and extract hidden patterns, AI fits as a perfect choice for analyzing neuroscience data that are very complex. Large-scale AI-based simulations help neuroscientists test their hypotheses. Through an interface with the brain, an AI-based system can extract the brain signals and commands that are generated according to the signals. These commands are fed into devices, such as a robotic arm, which helps in the movement of paralyzed muscles or other human parts. AI has several use cases in analyzing neuroimaging data and reducing the workload of radiologists. The study of neuroscience helps in the early detection and diagnosis of neurological disorders. In the same way, AI can effectively be applied to the prediction and detection of neurological disorders. Thus, in this paper, a scoping review has been carried out on the mutual relationship between AI and neuroscience, emphasizing the convergence between AI and neuroscience in order to detect and predict various neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Edmond Prakash
- Research Center for Creative Arts, University for the Creative Arts (UCA), Farnham GU9 7DS, UK
| | - Chaminda Hewage
- Cardiff School of Technologies, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff CF5 2YB, UK
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Pinheiro GSMA, de Souza RC, de Oliveira Azevedo VMG, Guimarães NS, Pires LG, Lemos SMA, Alves CRL. Effects of intrauterine exposure to SARS-CoV-2 on infants' development: a rapid review and meta-analysis. Eur J Pediatr 2023; 182:2041-2055. [PMID: 36899144 PMCID: PMC10005921 DOI: 10.1007/s00431-023-04910-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
Potential medium- and long-term neurodevelopmental sequelae of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection during pregnancy have not been ruled out. We aimed to systematically review and summarize the evidence regarding the effects of intrauterine exposure to SARS-CoV-2 on infant development and behavior. Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, and PsycNet databases were searched for studies published up to February 6, 2023, investigating the effects of gestational SARS-CoV-2 on infant development and behavior. We performed narrative synthesis according to updated protocols. Studies using comparison groups and with the Ages and Stages Questionnaires-Third Edition (ASQ-3) scores available were included in a meta-analysis performed according to Cochrane protocols. We used the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale to analyze the risk of bias. Heterogeneity was calculated using the I2 statistic. The search identified 2,782 studies. After removing duplicates and applying the eligibility criteria, we performed a narrative synthesis of 10 included studies and a meta-analysis of three. There was no evidence of higher developmental delay rates in infants exposed to SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy compared to non-exposed infants. However, the exposed infants scored lower than either the non-exposed children or pre-pandemic cohorts in some domains. Pooled results from the random-effects model indicated that SARS-CoV-2-exposed infants had lower scores on fine motor (mean difference [MD] = -4.70, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -8.76; -0.63), and problem-solving (MD = -3.05, 95% CI: -5.88; -0.22) domains than non-exposed infants (heterogeneity: I2 = 69% and 88%, respectively). There was no difference between the exposed and non-exposed infants in the communication, gross motor, and personal-social ASQ-3 domains. Conclusion: We did not find evidence confirming the association between SARS-CoV-2 gestational exposure and neurodevelopmental delays. However, the meta-analysis indicated that gestational exposure negatively affected fine motor and problem-solving skills. Robust evidence on this topic is still incipient, and the available studies present methodological inconsistencies that limit the drawing of clear-cut conclusions. PROSPERO registration: #CRD42022308002; March 14, 2022. What is Known: • COVID-19 is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes potentially linked to neurodevelopmental delays. • SARS-CoV-2 vertical transmission is rare; however, infections during pregnancy can be deleterious to the fetus, possibly mediated by maternal immune activation and other inflammatory mechanisms. What is New: • No evidence of increased developmental delay rates among SARS-CoV-2 gestational-exposed infants was found. However, a meta-analysis of three studies showed lower scores in fine motor and personal social ASQ-3 domains among exposed infants. • SARS-CoV-2 gestational exposure and the pandemic can affect child development via many mechanisms. Potential neurodevelopmental sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 exposure during gestation have not been ruled out.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rayany Cristina de Souza
- Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, Medicine School, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia (UFU), Uberlândia, Brazil
| | | | | | - Laura Gregório Pires
- Medicine School, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Stela Maris Aguiar Lemos
- Speech Therapy and Audiology Department, Medicine School, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Claudia Regina Lindgren Alves
- Pediatrics Department, Medicine School, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Av. Alfredo Balena, 190/247, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 30130100, Brazil.
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Carbone E, Buzzelli V, Manduca A, Leone S, Rava A, Trezza V. Maternal Immune Activation Induced by Prenatal Lipopolysaccharide Exposure Leads to Long-Lasting Autistic-like Social, Cognitive and Immune Alterations in Male Wistar Rats. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24. [PMID: 36835329 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Several studies have supported the association between maternal immune activation (MIA) caused by exposure to pathogens or inflammation during critical periods of gestation and an increased susceptibility to the development of various psychiatric and neurological disorders, including autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), in the offspring. In the present work, we aimed to provide extensive characterization of the short- and long-term consequences of MIA in the offspring, both at the behavioral and immunological level. To this end, we exposed Wistar rat dams to Lipopolysaccharide and tested the infant, adolescent and adult offspring across several behavioral domains relevant to human psychopathological traits. Furthermore, we also measured plasmatic inflammatory markers both at adolescence and adulthood. Our results support the hypothesis of a deleterious impact of MIA on the neurobehavioral development of the offspring: we found deficits in the communicative, social and cognitive domains, together with stereotypic-like behaviors and an altered inflammatory profile at the systemic level. Although the precise mechanisms underlying the role of neuroinflammatory states in neurodevelopment need to be clarified, this study contributes to a better understanding of the impact of MIA on the risk of developing behavioral deficits and psychiatric illness in the offspring.
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Alibek K, Niyazmetova L, Farmer S, Isakov T. Persistent Inflammation Initiated by TORCH Infections and Dysbiotic Microbiome in Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Prospect for Future Interventions. RIO 2022. [DOI: 10.3897/rio.8.e91179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a range of neurodevelopmental conditions that are clinically present early in childhood with the symptoms of social withdrawal and repetitive behavior. Despite an extensive research on ASD, no commonly accepted theory on the disease etiology exists. Hence, we reviewed several scientific publications, including reviews, preclinical and clinical investigations, and published hypotheses to analyze various opinions on the nature and cause of the disorder. Many studies suggest that infections and inflammation during pregnancy play a significant role in genetic and epigenetic changes in the developing fetus, resulting in an autistic phenotype in a child. Still, there is a lack of comprehensive literature about the multitude of autism inducing factors. Therefore, this article reviews and discusses available scientific evidence on the roles of viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections, overactivation of the immune system, and intestinal microflora in the pathogenesis and clinical manifestation of ASD. The overview of the scientific publications, including our own studies, suggests that TORCH infections, imbalanced microbiome, and persistent inflammation are significantly associated with the disruption of the social domain in ASD children. The ASD-related changes begin prenatally as maternal-to-fetal immune activation triggered by infection. It results in continuous low-grade inflammation and oxidative stress in a fetus, causing germline and somatic genetic changes in the developing brain and the establishment of the dysregulated immune system. These changes and dysregulations result in central and peripheral nervous systems dysfunctions as well as other comorbid conditions found in autistic children.
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Hessami K, Norooznezhad AH, Monteiro S, Barrozo ER, Abdolmaleki AS, Arian SE, Zargarzadeh N, Shekerdemian LS, Aagaard KM, Shamshirsaz AA. COVID-19 Pandemic and Infant Neurodevelopmental Impairment: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Netw Open 2022; 5:e2238941. [PMID: 36306133 PMCID: PMC9617178 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.38941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Primary studies proposed that aberrant maternal antiviral immunity and/or giving birth in quarantine, such as during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, may be associated with the risk of neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) in offspring. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the associations of birth and being raised during the COVID-19 pandemic with risk of NDI among infants and to assess the association of gestational exposure to SARS-CoV-2 with risk of NDI. DATA SOURCES PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, and preprint servers were systematically searched from inception to March 25, 2022. STUDY SELECTION Studies evaluating the neurodevelopment of infants born during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. Studies using Ages and Stages Questionnaires, Third Edition (ASQ-3), were used for quantitative meta-analysis. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses, a random-effects model meta-analysis was used to pool the proportion and odds ratios (ORs) of overall NDI, as well as each developmental domain on ASQ-3 with the corresponding 95% CI. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was the risk of overall NDI among infants screened during the pandemic vs prepandemic. The secondary outcome was the comparison of NDI by ASQ-3 domain among infants born to women with known gestational exposure to SARS-CoV-2 vs no exposure. RESULTS A total of 8 studies were included, including 21 419 infants (11 438 screened in pandemic and 9981 in prepandemic period). NDI was present in 330 of 8992 infants (7%; 95% CI, 4%-10%) screened during the COVID-19 pandemic from January 2020 to January 2021. Among the pandemic cohort, the prevalence of NDI among infants with gestational exposure to SARS-CoV-2 was 77 of 691 (12%; 95% CI, 6%-18%). Compared with the prepandemic cohort (2015-2019), the pandemic cohort was more likely to have communication impairment (OR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.37-2.11; P < .001), without significant differences in other ASQ-3 domains (eg, gross motor, fine motor, personal-social, and problem-solving). In contrast, maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection was not associated with significant differences in any neurodevelopment domain in offspring, except for increasing the odds of fine motor impairment (OR, 3.46; 95% CI, 1.43-8.38; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this systematic review and meta-analysis examining the association between COVID-19 pandemic and the risk of NDI, findings suggest that overall neurodevelopment in the first year of life was not changed by either being born or raised during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic or by gestational exposure to SARS-CoV-2. Interestingly, the first year of life during the COVID-19 pandemic, regardless of maternal infection, was significantly associated with the risk of communication delay among the offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamran Hessami
- Maternal Fetal Care Center, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Amir Hossein Norooznezhad
- Medical Biology Research Center, Health Technology Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Sonia Monteiro
- Meyer Center for Developmental Pediatrics and Autism, Department of Pediatrics, Texas Children’s Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston
| | - Enrico R. Barrozo
- Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Texas Children’s Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston
| | | | - Sara E. Arian
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Nikan Zargarzadeh
- School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Lara S. Shekerdemian
- Division of Critical Care, Department of Pediatrics, Texas Children’s Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston
| | - Kjersti M. Aagaard
- Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Texas Children’s Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston
| | - Alireza A. Shamshirsaz
- Maternal Fetal Care Center, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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Wan S, Zhao X, Niu Z, Dong L, Wu Y, Gu S, Feng Y, Hua X. Influence of ambient air pollution on successful pregnancy with frozen embryo transfer: A machine learning prediction model. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2022; 236:113444. [PMID: 35367879 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.113444] [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] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Numerous air pollutants have been reported to influence the outcomes of in vitro fertilization (IVF). However, whether air pollution affects implantation in frozen embryo transfer (FET) process is under debate. We aimed to find the association between ambient air pollution and implantation potential of FET and test the value of adding air pollution data to a random forest model (RFM) predicting intrauterine pregnancy. Using a retrospective study of a 4-year single-center design,we analyzed 3698 cycles of women living in Shanghai who underwent FET between 2015 and 2018. To estimate patients' individual exposure to air pollution, we computed averages of daily concentrations of six air pollutants including PM2.5, PM10, SO2, CO, NO2, and O3 measured at 9 monitoring stations in Shanghai for the exposure period (one month before FET). Moreover, A predictive model of 15 variables was established using RFM. Air pollutants levels of patients with or without intrauterine pregnancy were compared. Our results indicated that for exposure periods before FET, NO2 were negatively associated with intrauterine pregnancy (OR: 0.906, CI: 0.816-0.989). AUROC increased from 0.712 to 0.771 as air pollutants features were added. Overall, our findings demonstrate that exposure to NO2 before transfer has an adverse effect on clinical pregnancy. The performance to predict intrauterine pregnancy will improve with the use of air pollution data in RFM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng Wan
- Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaobo Zhao
- Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhihong Niu
- Reproductive Medical Center, Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated with the Medical School of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lingling Dong
- Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuelin Wu
- Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shengyi Gu
- Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yun Feng
- Reproductive Medical Center, Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated with the Medical School of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Xiaolin Hua
- Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
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