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Talvio K, Castrén ML. Astrocytes in fragile X syndrome. Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 17:1322541. [PMID: 38259499 PMCID: PMC10800791 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1322541] [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: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes have an important role in neuronal maturation and synapse function in the brain. The interplay between astrocytes and neurons is found to be altered in many neurodevelopmental disorders, including fragile X syndrome (FXS) that is the most common inherited cause of intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder. Transcriptional, functional, and metabolic alterations in Fmr1 knockout mouse astrocytes, human FXS stem cell-derived astrocytes as well as in in vivo models suggest autonomous effects of astrocytes in the neurobiology of FXS. Abnormalities associated with FXS astrocytes include differentiation of central nervous system cell populations, maturation and regulation of synapses, and synaptic glutamate balance. Recently, FXS-specific changes were found more widely in astrocyte functioning, such as regulation of inflammatory pathways and maintenance of lipid homeostasis. Changes of FXS astrocytes impact the brain homeostasis and function both during development and in the adult brain and offer opportunities for novel types of approaches for intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maija L. Castrén
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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2
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Talvio K, Wagner VA, Minkeviciene R, Kirkwood JS, Kulinich AO, Umemori J, Bhatia A, Hur M, Käkelä R, Ethell IM, Castrén ML. An iPSC-derived astrocyte model of fragile X syndrome exhibits dysregulated cholesterol homeostasis. Commun Biol 2023; 6:789. [PMID: 37516746 PMCID: PMC10387075 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05147-9] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Cholesterol is an essential membrane structural component and steroid hormone precursor, and is involved in numerous signaling processes. Astrocytes regulate brain cholesterol homeostasis and they supply cholesterol to the needs of neurons. ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) is the main cholesterol efflux transporter in astrocytes. Here we show dysregulated cholesterol homeostasis in astrocytes generated from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from males with fragile X syndrome (FXS), which is the most common cause of inherited intellectual disability. ABCA1 levels are reduced in FXS human and mouse astrocytes when compared with controls. Accumulation of cholesterol associates with increased desmosterol and polyunsaturated phospholipids in the lipidome of FXS mouse astrocytes. Abnormal astrocytic responses to cytokine exposure together with altered anti-inflammatory and cytokine profiles of human FXS astrocyte secretome suggest contribution of inflammatory factors to altered cholesterol homeostasis. Our results demonstrate changes of astrocytic lipid metabolism, which can critically regulate membrane properties and affect cholesterol transport in FXS astrocytes, providing target for therapy in FXS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karo Talvio
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Victoria A Wagner
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, and Neuroscience Graduate Program, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Rimante Minkeviciene
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jay S Kirkwood
- Metabolomics Core Facility, Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Anna O Kulinich
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, and Neuroscience Graduate Program, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Juzoh Umemori
- Gene and Cell Technology, A.I.Virtanen Institute, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Anil Bhatia
- Metabolomics Core Facility, Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Manhoi Hur
- Metabolomics Core Facility, Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Reijo Käkelä
- Helsinki University Lipidomics Unit, HiLIPID, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, HiLIFE, Biocenter Finland (Metabolomics), and Molecular and Integrative Biosciences Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Iryna M Ethell
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, and Neuroscience Graduate Program, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Maija L Castrén
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
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3
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Talvio K, Minkeviciene R, Townsley KG, Achuta VS, Huckins LM, Corcoran P, Brennand KJ, Castrén ML. Reduced LYNX1 expression in transcriptome of human iPSC-derived neural progenitors modeling fragile X syndrome. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:1034679. [PMID: 36506088 PMCID: PMC9731341 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1034679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Lack of FMR1 protein results in fragile X syndrome (FXS), which is the most common inherited intellectual disability syndrome and serves as an excellent model disease to study molecular mechanisms resulting in neuropsychiatric comorbidities. We compared the transcriptomes of human neural progenitors (NPCs) generated from patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) of three FXS and three control male donors. Altered expression of RAD51C, PPIL3, GUCY1A2, MYD88, TRAPPC4, LYNX1, and GTF2A1L in FXS NPCs suggested changes related to triplet repeat instability, RNA splicing, testes development, and pathways previously shown to be affected in FXS. LYNX1 is a cholinergic brake of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA)-dependent plasticity, and its reduced expression was consistent with augmented tPA-dependent radial glial process growth in NPCs derived from FXS iPSC lines. There was evidence of human iPSC line donor-dependent variation reflecting potentially phenotypic variation. NPCs derived from an FXS male with concomitant epilepsy expressed differently several epilepsy-related genes, including genes shown to cause the auditory epilepsy phenotype in the murine model of FXS. Functional enrichment analysis highlighted regulation of insulin-like growth factor pathway in NPCs modeling FXS with epilepsy. Our results demonstrated potential of human iPSCs in disease modeling for discovery and development of therapeutic interventions by showing early gene expression changes in FXS iPSC-derived NPCs consistent with the known pathophysiological changes in FXS and by revealing disturbed FXS progenitor growth linked to reduced expression of LYNX1, suggesting dysregulated cholinergic system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karo Talvio
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Rimante Minkeviciene
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kayla G. Townsley
- Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Department of Genetics and Genomics, Icahn Institute of Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States,Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States,Graduate School of Biomedical Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | | | - Laura M. Huckins
- Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Department of Genetics and Genomics, Icahn Institute of Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States,Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Padraic Corcoran
- Array and Analysis Facility, Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Kristen J. Brennand
- Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Department of Genetics and Genomics, Icahn Institute of Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States,Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States,Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States,Department of Genetics, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Maija L. Castrén
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland,*Correspondence: Maija L. Castrén,
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Peteri UK, Pitkonen J, de Toma I, Nieminen O, Utami KH, Strandin TM, Corcoran P, Roybon L, Vaheri A, Ethell I, Casarotto P, Pouladi MA, Castrén ML. Urokinase plasminogen activator mediates changes in human astrocytes modeling fragile X syndrome. Glia 2021; 69:2947-2962. [PMID: 34427356 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The function of astrocytes intertwines with the extracellular matrix, whose neuron and glial cell-derived components shape neuronal plasticity. Astrocyte abnormalities have been reported in the brain of the mouse model for fragile X syndrome (FXS), the most common cause of inherited intellectual disability, and a monogenic cause of autism spectrum disorder. We compared human FXS and control astrocytes generated from human induced pluripotent stem cells and we found increased expression of urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), which modulates degradation of extracellular matrix. Several pathways associated with uPA and its receptor function were activated in FXS astrocytes. Levels of uPA were also increased in conditioned medium collected from FXS hiPSC-derived astrocyte cultures and correlated inversely with intracellular Ca2+ responses to activation of L-type voltage-gated calcium channels in human astrocytes. Increased uPA augmented neuronal phosphorylation of TrkB within the docking site for the phospholipase-Cγ1 (PLCγ1), indicating effects of uPA on neuronal plasticity. Gene expression changes during neuronal differentiation preceding astrogenesis likely contributed to properties of astrocytes with FXS-specific alterations that showed specificity by not affecting differentiation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-responsive astrocyte population. To conclude, our studies identified uPA as an important regulator of astrocyte function and demonstrated that increased uPA in human FXS astrocytes modulated astrocytic responses and neuronal plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulla-Kaisa Peteri
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Juho Pitkonen
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ilario de Toma
- Systems Neurobiology Laboratory, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Otso Nieminen
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kagistia Hana Utami
- Department of Physiology, National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Tomas M Strandin
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Padraic Corcoran
- Array and Analysis Facility, Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Laurent Roybon
- iPSC Laboratory for CNS Disease Modeling, Department of Experimental Medical Science, BMC D10, and MultiPark and the Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Antti Vaheri
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Iryna Ethell
- Biomedical Sciences, University of California Riverside School of Medicine, Riverside, California, USA
| | | | - Mahmoud A Pouladi
- Department of Physiology, National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore, Singapore.,British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Maija L Castrén
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Talvio K, Kanninen KM, White AR, Koistinaho J, Castrén ML. Increased iron content in the heart of the Fmr1 knockout mouse. Biometals 2021; 34:947-954. [PMID: 34089433 PMCID: PMC8313461 DOI: 10.1007/s10534-021-00320-1] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Trace elements have important functions in several processes involved in cellular homeostasis and survival. Dysfunctional metal ion homeostasis can make an important impact on cellular defence mechanisms. We assessed the concentrations of 23 trace minerals in different tissues (brain, spleen, heart and liver) of Fmr1 knockout (KO) mice that display the main phenotype of Fragile X syndrome (FXS), an intellectual disability syndrome and the best-known monogenic model of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Altogether, seven minerals—Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, and P—were above the detection limit with the analysis revealing increased iron content in the heart of Fmr1 KO mice. In addition, levels of iron were higher in the cerebellum of the transgenic mouse when compared to wild type controls. These results implicate a role for dysregulated iron homeostasis in FXS tissues and suggest that defective iron-related mechanisms contribute to increased tissue vulnerability in FXS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karo Talvio
- Faculty of Medicine, Physiology, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 63, 00290, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Katja M Kanninen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Anthony R White
- Department of Pathology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Cell and Molecular Biology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Jari Koistinaho
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.,Neuroscience Center, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Maija L Castrén
- Faculty of Medicine, Physiology, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 63, 00290, Helsinki, Finland.
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Utami KH, Skotte NH, Colaço AR, Yusof NABM, Sim B, Yeo XY, Bae HG, Garcia-Miralles M, Radulescu CI, Chen Q, Chaldaiopoulou G, Liany H, Nama S, Peteri UKA, Sampath P, Castrén ML, Jung S, Mann M, Pouladi MA. Integrative Analysis Identifies Key Molecular Signatures Underlying Neurodevelopmental Deficits in Fragile X Syndrome. Biol Psychiatry 2020; 88:500-511. [PMID: 32653109 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2020.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Revised: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by epigenetic silencing of FMR1 and loss of FMRP expression. Efforts to understand the molecular underpinnings of the disease have been largely performed in rodent or nonisogenic settings. A detailed examination of the impact of FMRP loss on cellular processes and neuronal properties in the context of isogenic human neurons remains lacking. METHODS Using CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats)/Cas9 to introduce indels in exon 3 of FMR1, we generated an isogenic human pluripotent stem cell model of FXS that shows complete loss of FMRP expression. We generated neuronal cultures and performed genome-wide transcriptome and proteome profiling followed by functional validation of key dysregulated processes. We further analyzed neurodevelopmental and neuronal properties, including neurite length and neuronal activity, using multielectrode arrays and patch clamp electrophysiology. RESULTS We showed that the transcriptome and proteome profiles of isogenic FMRP-deficient neurons demonstrate perturbations in synaptic transmission, neuron differentiation, cell proliferation and ion transmembrane transporter activity pathways, and autism spectrum disorder-associated gene sets. We uncovered key deficits in FMRP-deficient cells demonstrating abnormal neural rosette formation and neural progenitor cell proliferation. We further showed that FMRP-deficient neurons exhibit a number of additional phenotypic abnormalities, including neurite outgrowth and branching deficits and impaired electrophysiological network activity. These FMRP-deficient related impairments have also been validated in additional FXS patient-derived human-induced pluripotent stem cell neural cells. CONCLUSIONS Using isogenic human pluripotent stem cells as a model to investigate the pathophysiology of FXS in human neurons, we reveal key neural abnormalities arising from the loss of FMRP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kagistia Hana Utami
- Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore (A∗STAR), Singapore
| | - Niels H Skotte
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Ana R Colaço
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | | | - Bernice Sim
- Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore (A∗STAR), Singapore
| | - Xin Yi Yeo
- Singapore Bioimaging Consortium, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore (A∗STAR), Singapore; Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Han-Gyu Bae
- Singapore Bioimaging Consortium, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore (A∗STAR), Singapore
| | - Marta Garcia-Miralles
- Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore (A∗STAR), Singapore
| | - Carola I Radulescu
- Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore (A∗STAR), Singapore; UK Dementia Research Institute, Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Qiyu Chen
- Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore (A∗STAR), Singapore
| | - Georgia Chaldaiopoulou
- Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore (A∗STAR), Singapore
| | - Herty Liany
- Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore (A∗STAR), Singapore
| | - Srikanth Nama
- Institute of Medical Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore (A∗STAR), Singapore
| | - Ulla-Kaisa A Peteri
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Prabha Sampath
- Institute of Medical Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore (A∗STAR), Singapore
| | - Maija L Castrén
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sangyong Jung
- Singapore Bioimaging Consortium, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore (A∗STAR), Singapore; Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Matthias Mann
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Mahmoud A Pouladi
- Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore (A∗STAR), Singapore; Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
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Utami KH, Yusof NABM, Kwa JE, Peteri UK, Castrén ML, Pouladi MA. Elevated de novo protein synthesis in FMRP-deficient human neurons and its correction by metformin treatment. Mol Autism 2020; 11:41. [PMID: 32460900 PMCID: PMC7251671 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-020-00350-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
FXS is the most common genetic cause of intellectual (ID) and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). FXS is caused by loss of FMRP, an RNA-binding protein involved in the translational regulation of a large number of neuronal mRNAs. Absence of FMRP has been shown to lead to elevated protein synthesis and is thought to be a major cause of the synaptic plasticity and behavioural deficits in FXS. The increase in protein synthesis results in part from abnormal activation of key protein translation pathways downstream of ERK1/2 and mTOR signalling. Pharmacological and genetic interventions that attenuate hyperactivation of these pathways can normalize levels of protein synthesis and improve phenotypic outcomes in animal models of FXS. Several efforts are currently underway to trial this strategy in patients with FXS. To date, elevated global protein synthesis as a result of FMRP loss has not been validated in the context of human neurons. Here, using an isogenic human stem cell-based model, we show that de novo protein synthesis is elevated in FMRP-deficient neural cells. We further show that this increase is associated with elevated ERK1/2 and Akt signalling and can be rescued by metformin treatment. Finally, we examined the effect of normalizing protein synthesis on phenotypic abnormalities in FMRP-deficient neural cells. We find that treatment with metformin attenuates the increase in proliferation of FMRP-deficient neural progenitor cells but not the neuronal deficits in neurite outgrowth. The elevated level of protein synthesis and the normalization of neural progenitor proliferation by metformin treatment were validated in additional control and FXS patient-derived hiPSC lines. Overall, our results validate that loss of FMRP results in elevated de novo protein synthesis in human neurons and suggest that approaches targeting this abnormality are likely to be of partial therapeutic benefit in FXS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kagistia Hana Utami
- Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore (A*STAR), 8A Biomedical Grove, Immunos, Level 5, Singapore, 138648, Singapore.
| | - Nur Amirah Binte Mohammad Yusof
- Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore (A*STAR), 8A Biomedical Grove, Immunos, Level 5, Singapore, 138648, Singapore
| | - Jing Eugene Kwa
- Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore (A*STAR), 8A Biomedical Grove, Immunos, Level 5, Singapore, 138648, Singapore
| | - Ulla-Kaisa Peteri
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Maija L Castrén
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mahmoud A Pouladi
- Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore (A*STAR), 8A Biomedical Grove, Immunos, Level 5, Singapore, 138648, Singapore.
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
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Abstract
To an increasing extent, astrocytes are connected with various neuropathologies. Astrocytes comprise of a heterogeneous population of cells with region- and species-specific properties. The frontal cortex exhibits high levels of plasticity that is required for high cognitive functions and memory making this region especially susceptible to damage. Aberrations in the frontal cortex are involved with several cognitive disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease and frontotemporal dementia. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) provide an alternative for disease modeling and offer possibilities for studies to investigate pathological mechanisms in a cell type-specific manner. Patient-specific iPSC-derived astrocytes have been shown to recapitulate several disease phenotypes. Addressing astrocyte heterogeneity may provide an improved understanding of the mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulla-Kaisa Peteri
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mikael Niukkanen
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Maija L Castrén
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Danesi C, Keinänen K, Castrén ML. Dysregulated Ca 2+-Permeable AMPA Receptor Signaling in Neural Progenitors Modeling Fragile X Syndrome. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2019; 11:2. [PMID: 30800064 PMCID: PMC6375879 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2019.00002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [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: 08/31/2018] [Accepted: 01/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that represents a common cause of intellectual disability and is a variant of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Studies that have searched for similarities in syndromic and non-syndromic forms of ASD have paid special attention to alterations of maturation and function of glutamatergic synapses. Copy number variations (CNVs) in the loci containing genes encoding alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid receptors (AMPARs) subunits are associated with ASD in genetic studies. In FXS, dysregulated AMPAR subunit expression and trafficking affect neural progenitor differentiation and synapse formation and neuronal plasticity in the mature brain. Decreased expression of GluA2, the AMPAR subunit that critically controls Ca2+-permeability, and a concomitant increase in Ca2+-permeable AMPARs (CP-AMPARs) in human and mouse FXS neural progenitors parallels changes in expression of GluA2-targeting microRNAs (miRNAs). Thus, posttranscriptional regulation of GluA2 by miRNAs and subsequent alterations in calcium signaling may contribute to abnormal synaptic function in FXS and, by implication, in some forms of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Danesi
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kari Keinänen
- Research Program in Molecular and Integrative Biosciences, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Maija L Castrén
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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10
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Järvinen A, Laine MK, Tikkanen R, Castrén ML. Beneficial Effects of GLP-1 Agonist in a Male With Compulsive Food-Related Behavior Associated With Autism. Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:97. [PMID: 30881319 PMCID: PMC6405420 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00097] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2018] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) frequently display intensely repetitive, restricted thoughts, and behaviors. These behaviors have similarities to compulsions and/or obsessions in obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and are primarily treated with behaviourally-based interventions and serotonin uptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Due to the lack of treatment responses in many cases, however, new treatments are being sought. Here we report beneficial effects of treatment with liraglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analog, on severe obsessive food craving, binge eating, weight gain, and behavioral problems in an adolescent male with infantile autism and moderate intellectual impairment. Liraglutide treatment reduced weight and unwanted behavior seemingly by preventing food-related repetitive thoughts and compulsions. Our report provides clinical evidence that GLP-1 signaling pathway may represent a novel target for treating food-related behavioral problems and aggressive behavior in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Roope Tikkanen
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Maija L Castrén
- Autism Foundation, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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11
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Danesi C, Achuta VS, Corcoran P, Peteri UK, Turconi G, Matsui N, Albayrak I, Rezov V, Isaksson A, Castrén ML. Increased Calcium Influx through L-type Calcium Channels in Human and Mouse Neural Progenitors Lacking Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein. Stem Cell Reports 2018; 11:1449-1461. [PMID: 30503263 PMCID: PMC6294261 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2018.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [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: 03/26/2018] [Revised: 11/02/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The absence of FMR1 protein (FMRP) causes fragile X syndrome (FXS) and disturbed FMRP function is implicated in several forms of human psychopathology. We show that intracellular calcium responses to depolarization are augmented in neural progenitors derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells and mouse brain with FXS. Increased calcium influx via nifedipine-sensitive voltage-gated calcium (Cav) channels contributes to the exaggerated responses to depolarization and type 1 metabotropic glutamate receptor activation. The ratio of L-type/T-type Cav channel expression is increased in FXS progenitors and correlates with enhanced progenitor differentiation to glutamate-responsive cells. Genetic reduction of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in FXS mouse progenitors diminishes the expression of Cav channels and activity-dependent responses, which are associated with increased phosphorylation of the phospholipase C-γ1 site within TrkB receptors and changes of differentiating progenitor subpopulations. Our results show developmental effects of increased calcium influx via L-type Cav channels in FXS neural progenitors. Responses to activity are augmented in neural progenitors in fragile X syndrome (FXS). Increased Ca2+ influx contributes to the exaggerated FXS progenitor responses L-type voltage-gated channels are abnormally activated in FXS progenitors Reduced BDNF diminishes Ca2+ influx and modulates FXS progenitor differentiation
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Danesi
- Faculty of Medicine, Physiology, University of Helsinki, PO Box 63, FIN-00014 University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Venkat Swaroop Achuta
- Faculty of Medicine, Physiology, University of Helsinki, PO Box 63, FIN-00014 University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Padraic Corcoran
- Array and Analysis Facility, Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, PO Box 3056, 75003 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ulla-Kaisa Peteri
- Faculty of Medicine, Physiology, University of Helsinki, PO Box 63, FIN-00014 University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Giorgio Turconi
- Faculty of Medicine, Physiology, University of Helsinki, PO Box 63, FIN-00014 University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Nobuaki Matsui
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Tokushima, 770-8514, Japan
| | - Ilyas Albayrak
- Faculty of Medicine, Physiology, University of Helsinki, PO Box 63, FIN-00014 University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Veronika Rezov
- Faculty of Medicine, Physiology, University of Helsinki, PO Box 63, FIN-00014 University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anders Isaksson
- Array and Analysis Facility, Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, PO Box 3056, 75003 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Maija L Castrén
- Faculty of Medicine, Physiology, University of Helsinki, PO Box 63, FIN-00014 University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
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12
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Achuta VS, Möykkynen T, Peteri UK, Turconi G, Rivera C, Keinänen K, Castrén ML. Functional changes of AMPA responses in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neural progenitors in fragile X syndrome. Sci Signal 2018; 11:11/513/eaan8784. [PMID: 29339535 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.aan8784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Altered neuronal network formation and function involving dysregulated excitatory and inhibitory circuits are associated with fragile X syndrome (FXS). We examined functional maturation of the excitatory transmission system in FXS by investigating the response of FXS patient-derived neural progenitor cells to the glutamate analog (AMPA). Neural progenitors derived from induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines generated from boys with FXS had augmented intracellular Ca2+ responses to AMPA and kainate that were mediated by Ca2+-permeable AMPA receptors (CP-AMPARs) lacking the GluA2 subunit. Together with the enhanced differentiation of glutamate-responsive cells, the proportion of CP-AMPAR and N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-coexpressing cells was increased in human FXS progenitors. Differentiation of cells lacking GluA2 was also increased and paralleled the increased inward rectification in neural progenitors derived from Fmr1-knockout mice (the FXS mouse model). Human FXS progenitors had increased the expression of the precursor and mature forms of miR-181a, a microRNA that represses translation of the transcript encoding GluA2. Blocking GluA2-lacking, CP-AMPARs reduced the neurite length of human iPSC-derived control progenitors and further reduced the shortened length of neurites in human FXS progenitors, supporting the contribution of CP-AMPARs to the regulation of progenitor differentiation. Furthermore, we observed reduced expression of Gria2 (the GluA2-encoding gene) in the frontal lobe of FXS mice, consistent with functional changes of AMPARs in FXS. Increased Ca2+ influx through CP-AMPARs may increase the vulnerability and affect the differentiation and migration of distinct cell populations, which may interfere with normal circuit formation in FXS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Venkat Swaroop Achuta
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 63, FIN-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tommi Möykkynen
- Division of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Department of Biosciences, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 56, FIN-00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ulla-Kaisa Peteri
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 63, FIN-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Giorgio Turconi
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 63, FIN-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Claudio Rivera
- Neuroscience Center, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 56, FIN-00014 Helsinki, Finland.,Institut de Neurobiologie de la Méditerranée, INSERM, Unité 901, 13009 Marseille, France.,Aix-Marseille Université, Unité Mixte de Recherche 901, 13273 Marseille, France
| | - Kari Keinänen
- Division of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Department of Biosciences, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 56, FIN-00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Maija L Castrén
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 63, FIN-00014 Helsinki, Finland. .,Rinnekoti Foundation, Rinnekodintie 10, FIN-02980 Espoo, Finland.,Autism Foundation, Kuortaneenkatu 7B, FIN-00520 Helsinki, Finland
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13
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Achuta VS, Grym H, Putkonen N, Louhivuori V, Kärkkäinen V, Koistinaho J, Roybon L, Castrén ML. Cover Image. Dev Neurobiol 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/dneu.22494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Venkat Swaroop Achuta
- Faculty of Medicine, Physiology; University of Helsinki; P.O. Box 63 Helsinki FIN 00014 Finland
| | - Heli Grym
- Faculty of Medicine, Physiology; University of Helsinki; P.O. Box 63 Helsinki FIN 00014 Finland
| | - Noora Putkonen
- Faculty of Medicine, Physiology; University of Helsinki; P.O. Box 63 Helsinki FIN 00014 Finland
| | - Verna Louhivuori
- Faculty of Medicine, Physiology; University of Helsinki; P.O. Box 63 Helsinki FIN 00014 Finland
| | - Virve Kärkkäinen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences; University of Eastern Finland; Kuopio FI-70211 Finland
| | - Jari Koistinaho
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences; University of Eastern Finland; Kuopio FI-70211 Finland
| | - Laurent Roybon
- Stem Cell Laboratory for CNS Disease Modeling, Department of Experimental Medical Science; Lund University; BMC A10, Sölvegatan 19 Lund SE-221 84 Sweden
| | - Maija L. Castrén
- Faculty of Medicine, Physiology; University of Helsinki; P.O. Box 63 Helsinki FIN 00014 Finland
- Autism Foundation; Kuortaneenkatu 7B Helsinki FI-00520 Finland
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14
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Achuta VS, Grym H, Putkonen N, Louhivuori V, Kärkkäinen V, Koistinaho J, Roybon L, Castrén ML. Metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 responses dictate differentiation of neural progenitors to NMDA-responsive cells in fragile X syndrome. Dev Neurobiol 2016; 77:438-453. [PMID: 27411166 DOI: 10.1002/dneu.22419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [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: 03/15/2016] [Revised: 06/14/2016] [Accepted: 07/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Disrupted metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) signaling is implicated in many neuropsychiatric disorders, including autism spectrum disorder, found in fragile X syndrome (FXS). Here we report that intracellular calcium responses to the group I mGluR agonist (S)-3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG) are augmented, and calcium-dependent mGluR5-mediated mechanisms alter the differentiation of neural progenitors in neurospheres derived from human induced pluripotent FXS stem cells and the brains of mouse model of FXS. Treatment with the mGluR5 antagonist 2-methyl-6-(phenylethynyl)-pyridine (MPEP) prevents an abnormal clustering of DHPG-responsive cells that are responsive to activation of ionotropic receptors in mouse FXS neurospheres. MPEP also corrects morphological defects of differentiated cells and enhanced migration of neuron-like cells in mouse FXS neurospheres. Unlike in mouse neurospheres, MPEP increases the differentiation of DHPG-responsive radial glial cells as well as the subpopulation of cells responsive to both DHPG and activation of ionotropic receptors in human neurospheres. However, MPEP normalizes the FXS-specific increase in the differentiation of cells responsive only to N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) present in human neurospheres. Exposure to MPEP prevents the accumulation of intermediate basal progenitors in embryonic FXS mouse brain suggesting that rescue effects of GluR5 antagonist are progenitor type-dependent and species-specific differences of basal progenitors may modify effects of MPEP on the cortical development. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 77: 419-437, 2017.
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Affiliation(s)
- Venkat Swaroop Achuta
- Faculty of Medicine, Physiology, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 63, Helsinki, FIN, 00014, Finland
| | - Heli Grym
- Faculty of Medicine, Physiology, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 63, Helsinki, FIN, 00014, Finland
| | - Noora Putkonen
- Faculty of Medicine, Physiology, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 63, Helsinki, FIN, 00014, Finland
| | - Verna Louhivuori
- Faculty of Medicine, Physiology, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 63, Helsinki, FIN, 00014, Finland
| | - Virve Kärkkäinen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, FI-70211, Finland
| | - Jari Koistinaho
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, FI-70211, Finland
| | - Laurent Roybon
- Stem Cell Laboratory for CNS Disease Modeling, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, BMC A10, Sölvegatan 19, Lund, SE-221 84, Sweden
| | - Maija L Castrén
- Faculty of Medicine, Physiology, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 63, Helsinki, FIN, 00014, Finland.,Autism Foundation, Kuortaneenkatu 7B, Helsinki, FI-00520, Finland
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15
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Cowley B, Kirjanen S, Partanen J, Castrén ML. Epileptic Electroencephalography Profile Associates with Attention Problems in Children with Fragile X Syndrome: Review and Case Series. Front Hum Neurosci 2016; 10:353. [PMID: 27462212 PMCID: PMC4941803 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2016.00353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2015] [Accepted: 06/28/2016] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common cause of inherited intellectual disability and a variant of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The FXS population is quite heterogeneous with respect to comorbidities, which implies the need for a personalized medicine approach, relying on biomarkers or endophenotypes to guide treatment. There is evidence that quantitative electroencephalography (EEG) endophenotype-guided treatments can support increased clinical benefit by considering the patient's neurophysiological profile. We describe a case series of 11 children diagnosed with FXS, aged one to 14 years, mean 4.6 years. Case data are based on longitudinal clinically-observed reports by attending physicians for comorbid symptoms including awake and asleep EEG profiles. We tabulate the comorbid EEG symptoms in this case series, and relate them to the literature on EEG endophenotypes and associated treatment options. The two most common endophenotypes in the data were diffuse slow oscillations and epileptiform EEG, which have been associated with attention and epilepsy respectively. This observation agrees with reported prevalence of comorbid behavioral symptoms for FXS. In this sample of FXS children, attention problems were found in 37% (4 of 11), and epileptic seizures in 45% (5 of 11). Attention problems were found to associate with the epilepsy endophenotype. From the synthesis of this case series and literature review, we argue that the evidence-based personalized treatment approach, exemplified by neurofeedback, could benefit FXS children by focusing on observable, specific characteristics of comorbid disease symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Cowley
- Brain Work Research Centre, Finnish Institute of Occupational HealthHelsinki, Finland; Cognitive Brain Research Unit, Cognitive Science, Institute of Behavioral Sciences, University of HelsinkiHelsinki, Finland
| | | | - Juhani Partanen
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, University Hospital of Helsinki Helsinki, Finland
| | - Maija L Castrén
- Faculty of Medicine, Physiology, University of HelsinkiHelsinki, Finland; Autism Foundation in FinlandHelsinki, Finland
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16
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Abstract
The absence of fragile X mental retardation 1 protein (FMRP) results in fragile X syndrome (FXS) that is a common cause of intellectual disability and a variant of autism spectrum disorder. There is evidence that FMRP is involved in neurogenesis. FMRP is widely expressed throughout the embryonic brain development and its expression levels increases during neuronal differentiation. Cortical neural progenitors propagated from human fetal FXS brain show expression changes of genes which encode components of intracellular signal transduction cascades, including receptors, second messengers, and transduction factors. The absence of functional FMRP enhances transition of radial glia to intermediate progenitor cells. Radial glial cells provide scaffolding for migrating neurons and express functional receptors for metabotropic glutamate receptors. The absence of FMRP results in alterations of neuronal differentiation and migration, which contribute to developmental changes in brain structure and function in FXS. Here, cortical neurogenesis in FXS is reviewed and the putative contribution of brain-derived neurotrophic factor to defects of FXS neurogenesis is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maija L Castrén
- Biomedicine/Physiology, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 63, FIN-00014 Helsinki, Finlan,
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17
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Uutela M, Lindholm J, Rantamäki T, Umemori J, Hunter K, Võikar V, Castrén ML. Distinctive behavioral and cellular responses to fluoxetine in the mouse model for Fragile X syndrome. Front Cell Neurosci 2014; 8:150. [PMID: 24904293 PMCID: PMC4036306 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2014.00150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [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: 01/17/2014] [Accepted: 05/09/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Fluoxetine is used as a therapeutic agent for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), including Fragile X syndrome (FXS). The treatment often associates with disruptive behaviors such as agitation and disinhibited behaviors in FXS. To identify mechanisms that increase the risk to poor treatment outcome, we investigated the behavioral and cellular effects of fluoxetine on adult Fmr1 knockout (KO) mice, a mouse model for FXS. We found that fluoxetine reduced anxiety-like behavior of both wild-type and Fmr1 KO mice seen as shortened latency to enter the center area in the open field test. In Fmr1 KO mice, fluoxetine normalized locomotor hyperactivity but abnormally increased exploratory activity. Reduced brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and increased TrkB receptor expression levels in the hippocampus of Fmr1 KO mice associated with inappropriate coping responses under stressful condition and abolished antidepressant activity of fluoxetine. Fluoxetine response in the cell proliferation was also missing in the hippocampus of Fmr1 KO mice when compared with wild-type controls. The postnatal mRNA expression of serotonin transporter (SERT) was reduced in the thalamic nuclei of Fmr1 KO mice during the time of transient innervation of somatosensory neurons suggesting that developmental changes of SERT expression were involved in the differential cellular and behavioral responses to fluoxetine in wild-type and Fmr1 mice. The results indicate that changes of BDNF/TrkB signaling contribute to differential behavioral responses to fluoxetine among individuals with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marko Uutela
- Institute of Biomedicine/Physiology, University of Helsinki Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jesse Lindholm
- Neuroscience Center, University of Helsinki Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tomi Rantamäki
- Neuroscience Center, University of Helsinki Helsinki, Finland
| | - Juzoh Umemori
- Neuroscience Center, University of Helsinki Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kerri Hunter
- Institute of Biomedicine/Physiology, University of Helsinki Helsinki, Finland
| | - Vootele Võikar
- Neuroscience Center, University of Helsinki Helsinki, Finland
| | - Maija L Castrén
- Institute of Biomedicine/Physiology, University of Helsinki Helsinki, Finland ; Department of Child Neurology, Hospital for Children and Adolescents, University Hospital of Helsinki Helsinki, Finland
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18
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Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a monogenic disorder that is caused by the absence of FMR1 protein (FMRP). FXS serves as an excellent model disorder for studies investigating disturbed molecular mechanisms and synapse function underlying cognitive impairment, autism, and behavioral disturbance. Abnormalities in dendritic spines and synaptic transmission in the brain of FXS individuals and mouse models for FXS indicate perturbations in the development, maintenance, and plasticity of neuronal network connectivity. However, numerous alterations are found during the early development in FXS, including abnormal differentiation of neural progenitors and impaired migration of newly born neurons. Several aspects of FMRP function are modulated by brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling. Here, we review the evidence of the role for BDNF in the developing and adult FXS brain. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'BDNF Regulation of Synaptic Structure, Function, and Plasticity'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maija L Castrén
- Institute of Biomedicine/Physiology, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 63, FIN-00014 Helsinki, Finland; Rinnekoti Foundation, Rinnekodintie 10, FIN-02980 Espoo, Finland.
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Louhivuori LM, Louhivuori V, Wigren HK, Hakala E, Jansson LC, Nordström T, Castrén ML, Akerman KE. Role of low voltage activated calcium channels in neuritogenesis and active migration of embryonic neural progenitor cells. Stem Cells Dev 2013; 22:1206-19. [PMID: 23234460 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2012.0234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The central role of calcium influx and electrical activity in embryonic development raises important questions about the role and regulation of voltage-dependent calcium influx. Using cultured neural progenitor cell (NPC) preparations, we recorded barium currents through voltage-activated channels using the whole-cell configuration of the patch-clamp technique and monitored intracellular free calcium concentrations with Fura-2 digital imaging. We found that NPCs as well as expressing high-voltage-activated (HVA) calcium channels express functional low-threshold voltage-dependent calcium channels in the very early stages of differentiation (5 h to 1 day). The size of the currents recorded at -50 versus -20 mV after 1 day in differentiation was dependent on the nature of the charge carrier. Peak currents measured at -20 mV in the presence 10 mM Ca2+ instead of 10 mM Ba2+ had a tendency to be smaller, whereas the nature of the divalent species did not influence the amplitude measured at -50 mV. The T-type channel blockers mibefradil and NNC 55-0396 significantly reduced the calcium responses elicited by depolarizing with extracellular potassium, while the overall effect of the HVA calcium channel blockers was small at differentiation day 1. At differentiation day 20, the calcium responses were effectively blocked by nifedipine. Time-lapse imaging of differentiating neurospheres cultured in the presence of low-voltage-activated (LVA) blockers showed a significant decrease in the number of active migrating neuron-like cells and neurite extensions. Together, these data provide evidence that LVA calcium channels are involved in the physiology of differentiating and migrating NPCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauri M Louhivuori
- Biomedicum Helsinki, Institute of Biomedicine/Physiology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
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20
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Jansson LC, Louhivuori L, Wigren HK, Nordström T, Louhivuori V, Castrén ML, Åkerman KE. Effect of glutamate receptor antagonists on migrating neural progenitor cells. Eur J Neurosci 2013; 37:1369-82. [PMID: 23383979 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.12152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2012] [Revised: 01/10/2013] [Accepted: 01/10/2013] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Neurotransmitters such as glutamate are potential regulators of neurogenesis. Interference with defined glutamate receptor subtypes affects proliferation, migration and differentiation of neural progenitor cells. The cellular targets for the actions of different glutamate receptor ligands are less well known. In this study we have combined calcium imaging, measurement of membrane potential, time-lapse imaging and immunocytochemistry to obtain a spatial overview of migrating mouse embryonic neural progenitor cell-derived cells responding to glutamate receptor agonists and antagonists. Responses via metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 correlated with radial glial cells and dominated in the inner migration zones close to the neurosphere. Block of metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 resulted in shorter radial glial processes, a transient increase in neuron-like cells emerging from the neurosphere and increased motility of neuron-like cells. α-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA)/kainate receptors are present on the majority of migrating neuronal cells, which with time accumulate at the outer edge of the migration zone. Blocking these receptors leads to an enhanced extension of radial glial processes and a reduced motility of neuron-like cells. Our results indicate that functional glutamate receptors have profound effects on the motility of neural progenitor cells. The main target for metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 appears to be radial glial cells while AMPA/kainate receptors are mainly expressed in newborn neuronal cells and regulate the migratory progress of these cells. The results suggest that both metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 and AMPA/kainate receptors are of importance for the guidance of migrating embryonic progenitor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda C Jansson
- Biomedicum Helsinki, Institute of Biomedicine/Physiology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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21
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Uutela M, Lindholm J, Louhivuori V, Wei H, Louhivuori LM, Pertovaara A, Akerman K, Castrén E, Castrén ML. Reduction of BDNF expression in Fmr1 knockout mice worsens cognitive deficits but improves hyperactivity and sensorimotor deficits. Genes Brain Behav 2012; 11:513-23. [PMID: 22435671 DOI: 10.1111/j.1601-183x.2012.00784.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a common cause of inherited intellectual disability and a well-characterized form of autism spectrum disorder. As brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is implicated in the pathophysiology of FXS we examined the effects of reduced BDNF expression on the behavioral phenotype of an animal model of FXS, Fmr1 knockout (KO) mice, crossed with mice carrying a deletion of one copy of the Bdnf gene (Bdnf(+/-)). Fmr1 KO mice showed age-dependent alterations in hippocampal BDNF expression that declined after the age of 4 months compared to wild-type controls. Mild deficits in water maze learning in Bdnf(+/-) and Fmr1 KO mice were exaggerated and contextual fear learning significantly impaired in double transgenics. Reduced BDNF expression did not alter basal nociceptive responses or central hypersensitivity in Fmr1 KO mice. Paradoxically, the locomotor hyperactivity and deficits in sensorimotor learning and startle responses characteristic of Fmr1 KO mice were ameliorated by reducing BNDF, suggesting changes in simultaneously and in parallel working hippocampus-dependent and striatum-dependent systems. Furthermore, the obesity normally seen in Bdnf(+/-) mice was eliminated by the absence of fragile X mental retardation protein 1 (FMRP). Reduced BDNF decreased the survival of newborn cells in the ventral part of the hippocampus both in the presence and absence of FMRP. Since a short neurite phenotype characteristic of newborn cells lacking FMRP was not found in cells derived from double mutant mice, changes in neuronal maturation likely contributed to the behavioral phenotype. Our results show that the absence of FMRP modifies the diverse effects of BDNF on the FXS phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Uutela
- Institute of Biomedicine, Physiology, University of Helsinki, Finland
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22
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Louhivuori V, Vicario A, Uutela M, Rantamäki T, Louhivuori LM, Castrén E, Tongiorgi E, Akerman KE, Castrén ML. BDNF and TrkB in neuronal differentiation of Fmr1-knockout mouse. Neurobiol Dis 2010; 41:469-80. [PMID: 21047554 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2010.10.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2010] [Revised: 10/14/2010] [Accepted: 10/27/2010] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a common cause of inherited mental retardation and the best characterized form of autistic spectrum disorders. FXS is caused by the loss of functional fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP), which leads to abnormalities in the differentiation of neural progenitor cells (NPCs) and in the development of dendritic spines and neuronal circuits. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its TrkB receptors play a central role in neuronal maturation and plasticity. We studied BDNF/TrkB actions in the absence of FMRP and show that an increase in catalytic TrkB expression in undifferentiated NPCs of Fmr1-knockout (KO) mice, a mouse model for FXS, is associated with changes in the differentiation and migration of neurons expressing TrkB in neurosphere cultures and in the developing cortex. Aberrant intracellular calcium responses to BDNF and ATP in subpopulations of differentiating NPCs combined with changes in the expression of BDNF and TrkB suggest cell subtype-specific alterations during early neuronal maturation in the absence of FMRP. Furthermore, we show that dendritic targeting of Bdnf mRNA was increased under basal conditions and further enhanced in cortical layer V and hippocampal CA1 neurons of Fmr1-KO mice by pilocarpine-induced neuronal activity represented by convulsive seizures, suggesting that BDNF/TrkB-mediated feedback mechanisms for strengthening the synapses were compromised in the absence of FMRP. Pilocarpine-induced seizures caused an accumulation of Bdnf mRNA transcripts in the most proximal segments of dendrites in cortical but not in hippocampal neurons of Fmr1-KO mice. In addition, BDNF protein levels were increased in the hippocampus but reduced in the cortex of Fmr1-KO mice in line with regional differences of synaptic plasticity in the brain of Fmr1-KO mice. Altogether, the present data suggest that alterations in the BDNF/TrkB signaling modulate brain development and impair synaptic plasticity in FXS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verna Louhivuori
- Department of Biomedicine/Physiology, University of Helsinki, PO Box 63, FIN-00014 Helsinki, Finland
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Louhivuori V, Arvio M, Soronen P, Oksanen V, Paunio T, Castrén ML. The Val66Met polymorphism in the BDNF gene is associated with epilepsy in fragile X syndrome. Epilepsy Res 2009; 85:114-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2009.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [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: 10/27/2008] [Revised: 01/04/2009] [Accepted: 01/19/2009] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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Kärkkäinen V, Louhivuori V, Castrén ML, Åkerman KE. Neurotransmitter responsiveness during early maturation of neural progenitor cells. Differentiation 2009; 77:188-98. [DOI: 10.1016/j.diff.2008.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2007] [Revised: 08/04/2008] [Accepted: 09/18/2008] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Castrén ML, Pääkkönen A, Lampinen KE, Partanen J. Auditory Event-Related Brain Potentials in Fragile X Syndrome. Int J Circumpolar Health 2001. [DOI: 10.1080/22423982.2001.12113120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Maija L Castrén
- Clinical Research Unit, Dept. of Pediatrics, Kuopio University and University Hospital, Finland
| | - Ari Pääkkönen
- Clinical Neurophysiology Kuopio University and University Hospital, Finland
| | - Katariina E Lampinen
- Clinical Research Unit, Dept. of Pediatrics, Kuopio University and University Hospital, Finland
| | - Juhani Partanen
- Clinical Neurophysiology Kuopio University and University Hospital, Finland
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