scholarly journals Computational identification of variables in neonatal vocalizations predictive for postpubertal social behaviors in a mouse model of 16p11.2 deletion

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mitsuteru Nakamura ◽  
Kenny Ye ◽  
Mariel Barbachan e Silva ◽  
Takahira Yamauchi ◽  
Daniel J. Hoeppner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Model ◽  
Mouse Models ◽  
Hidden Variables ◽  
Copy Number Variants ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Individual Variability ◽  
Phenotypic Characterization ◽  
Olfactory Responses ◽  
Hemizygous Deletion ◽  
The Impact

AbstractAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is often signaled by atypical cries during infancy. Copy number variants (CNVs) provide genetically identifiable cases of ASD, but how early atypical cries predict a later onset of ASD among CNV carriers is not understood in humans. Genetic mouse models of CNVs have provided a reliable tool to experimentally isolate the impact of CNVs and identify early predictors for later abnormalities in behaviors relevant to ASD. However, many technical issues have confounded the phenotypic characterization of such mouse models, including systematically biased genetic backgrounds and weak or absent behavioral phenotypes. To address these issues, we developed a coisogenic mouse model of human proximal 16p11.2 hemizygous deletion and applied computational approaches to identify hidden variables within neonatal vocalizations that have predictive power for postpubertal dimensions relevant to ASD. After variables of neonatal vocalizations were selected by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (Lasso), random forest, and Markov model, regression models were constructed to predict postpubertal dimensions relevant to ASD. While the average scores of many standard behavioral assays designed to model dimensions did not differentiate a model of 16p11.2 hemizygous deletion and wild-type littermates, specific call types and call sequences of neonatal vocalizations predicted individual variability of postpubertal reciprocal social interaction and olfactory responses to a social cue in a genotype-specific manner. Deep-phenotyping and computational analyses identified hidden variables within neonatal social communication that are predictive of postpubertal behaviors.

scholarly journals Intranasal oxytocin administration ameliorates social behavioral deficits in a POGZWT/Q1038R mouse model of autism spectrum disorder

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kohei Kitagawa ◽  
Kensuke Matsumura ◽  
Masayuki Baba ◽  
Momoka Kondo ◽  
Tomoya Takemoto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Social Behavior ◽  
Mouse Model ◽  
Mouse Models ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
De Novo Mutation ◽  
Behavioral Deficits

AbstractAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a highly prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by core symptoms of impaired social behavior and communication. Recent studies have suggested that the oxytocin system, which regulates social behavior in mammals, is potentially involved in ASD. Mouse models of ASD provide a useful system for understanding the associations between an impaired oxytocin system and social behavior deficits. However, limited studies have shown the involvement of the oxytocin system in the behavioral phenotypes in mouse models of ASD. We have previously demonstrated that a mouse model that carries the ASD patient-derived de novo mutation in the pogo transposable element derived with zinc finger domain (POGZWT/Q1038R mice), showed ASD-like social behavioral deficits. Here, we have explored whether oxytocin (OXT) administration improves impaired social behavior in POGZWT/Q1038R mice and found that intranasal oxytocin administration effectively restored the impaired social behavior in POGZWT/Q1038R mice. We also found that the expression level of the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) was low in POGZWT/Q1038R mice. However, we did not detect significant changes in the number of OXT-expressing neurons between the paraventricular nucleus of POGZWT/Q1038R mice and that of WT mice. A chromatin immunoprecipitation assay revealed that POGZ binds to the promoter region of OXTR and is involved in the transcriptional regulation of OXTR. In summary, our study demonstrate that the pathogenic mutation in the POGZ, a high-confidence ASD gene, impairs the oxytocin system and social behavior in mice, providing insights into the development of oxytocin-based therapeutics for ASD.

scholarly journals Structural and functional brain-wide alterations in A350V Iqsec2 mutant mice displaying autistic-like behavior

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Lichtman ◽  
Eyal Bergmann ◽  
Alexandra Kavushansky ◽  
Nadav Cohen ◽  
Nina S. Levy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Behavior ◽  
Functional Connectivity ◽  
Mouse Model ◽  
Ampa Receptor ◽  
Social Preference ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Receptor Trafficking ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Ampa Receptor Trafficking

AbstractIQSEC2 is an X-linked gene that is associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), intellectual disability, and epilepsy. IQSEC2 is a postsynaptic density protein, localized on excitatory synapses as part of the NMDA receptor complex and is suggested to play a role in AMPA receptor trafficking and mediation of long-term depression. Here, we present brain-wide structural volumetric and functional connectivity characterization in a novel mouse model with a missense mutation in the IQ domain of IQSEC2 (A350V). Using high-resolution structural and functional MRI, we show that animals with the A350V mutation display increased whole-brain volume which was further found to be specific to the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Moreover, using a data-driven approach we identify putative alterations in structure–function relations of the frontal, auditory, and visual networks in A350V mice. Examination of these alterations revealed an increase in functional connectivity between the anterior cingulate cortex and the dorsomedial striatum. We also show that corticostriatal functional connectivity is correlated with individual variability in social behavior only in A350V mice, as assessed using the three-chamber social preference test. Our results at the systems-level bridge the impact of previously reported changes in AMPA receptor trafficking to network-level disruption and impaired social behavior. Further, the A350V mouse model recapitulates similarly reported brain-wide changes in other ASD mouse models, with substantially different cellular-level pathologies that nonetheless result in similar brain-wide alterations, suggesting that novel therapeutic approaches in ASD that result in systems-level rescue will be relevant to IQSEC2 mutations.

scholarly journals MicroRNA-203 represses selection and expansion of oncogenic Hras transformed tumor initiating cells

eLife ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kent Riemondy ◽  
Xiao-jing Wang ◽  
Enrique C Torchia ◽  
Dennis R Roop ◽  
Rui Yi
Keyword(s):  
Cell Division ◽  
Skin Cancer ◽  
Mouse Model ◽  
Mouse Models ◽  
Knockout Mouse ◽  
Selection Process ◽  
Tumor Initiating Cells ◽  
Knockout Mouse Model ◽  
Active Selection ◽  
The Impact

In many mouse models of skin cancer, only a few tumors typically form even though many cells competent for tumorigenesis receive the same oncogenic stimuli. These observations suggest an active selection process for tumor-initiating cells. Here, we use quantitative mRNA- and miR-Seq to determine the impact of HrasG12V on the transcriptome of keratinocytes. We discover that microRNA-203 is downregulated by HrasG12V. Using a knockout mouse model, we demonstrate that loss of microRNA-203 promotes selection and expansion of tumor-initiating cells. Conversely, restoration of microRNA-203 using an inducible model potently inhibits proliferation of these cells. We comprehensively identify microRNA-203 targets required for Hras-initiated tumorigenesis. These targets include critical regulators of the Ras pathway and essential genes required for cell division. This study establishes a role for the loss of microRNA-203 in promoting selection and expansion of Hras mutated cells and identifies a mechanism through which microRNA-203 antagonizes Hras-mediated tumorigenesis.

scholarly journals Targeting the RHOA pathway improves learning and memory in Kctd13 and 16p11.2 deletion mouse models

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Martin Lorenzo ◽  
Valérie Nalesso ◽  
Claire Chevalier ◽  
Marie-Christine Birling ◽  
Yann Herault
Keyword(s):  
Object Recognition ◽  
Recognition Memory ◽  
Mouse Models ◽  
Copy Number Variants ◽  
Gene Copy Number ◽  
Chronic Administration ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Gene Copy ◽  
List Type ◽  
Object Recognition Memory

ABSTRACTGene copy number variants (CNV) have an important role in the appearance of neurodevelopmental disorders. Particularly, the deletion of the 16p11.2 locus is associated with autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, and several other features. Earlier studies highlighted the implication of Kctd13 genetic imbalance in the 16p11.2 deletion through the regulation of the RHOA pathway. Here, we target the pathway and rescue the cognitive phenotypes of the 16p11.2 deletion mouse models. We used a chronic administration of fasudil (HA1077), an inhibitor of the Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK), in mouse models carrying a heterozygous inactivation of Kctd13, or the deletion of the entire 16p11.2 BP4-BP5 region. We focused our attention on the most robust cognitive phenotypes seen in the 16p11.2 models and we showed that a chronic fasudil treatment can restore object recognition memory in both mouse models but does not change other behavioural traits. These findings confirm KCTD13 as one target gene causing cognitive deficits in 16p11.2 deletion patients, and the pertinence of the RHOA pathway as a therapeutic path and reinforce the contribution of other gene(s) involved in cognitive defects found in the 16p11.2 CNV models.HIGHLIGHTS- Kctd13 haploinsufficiency recapitulates most of the behaviour phenotypes found in the 16p11.2 Del/+ models- Fasudil treatment restores Kctd13 and 16p11.2 Del/+ mutant phenotypes in novel location and novel object recognition memory tests- Fasudil treatment restores the RhoA pathway in Kctd13+/- and 16p11.2 Del/+ models

scholarly journals Mouse Models of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis: Head-to-Head Comparison of Dietary Models and Impact on Inflammation and Animal Welfare

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Andreas Kroh ◽  
Vanina Ivanova ◽  
Hannah Drescher ◽  
Julia Andruszkow ◽  
Thomas Longerich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Model ◽  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Mouse Models ◽  
Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis ◽  
Cell Sorting ◽  
High Fat Diet ◽  
Histopathological Examination ◽  
Clinical Status ◽  
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver ◽  
The Impact

A variety of dietary nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) mouse models are available, and choosing the appropriate mouse model is one of the most important steps in the design of NASH studies. In addition to the histopathological and metabolic findings of NASH, a sufficient mouse model should guarantee a robust clinical status and good animal welfare. Three different NASH diets, a high-fat diet (HFD60), a western diet (WD), and a cafeteria diet (CAFD), were fed for 12 or 16 weeks. Metabolic assessment was conducted at baseline and before scheduled sacrifice, and liver inflammation was analyzed via fluorescence-associated cell sorting and histopathological examination. Clinical health conditions were scored weekly to assess the impact on animal welfare. The HFD60 and WD were identified as suitable NASH mouse models without a significant strain on animal welfare. Furthermore, the progression of inflammation and liver fibrosis was associated with a decreased proportion of CD3+ NK1.1+ cells. The WD represents a model of advanced-stage NASH, and the HFD60 is a strong model of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and metabolic syndrome. However, the CAFD should not be considered a NASH model.

scholarly journals A Review of the Current Mammalian Models of Alzheimer’s Disease and Challenges That Need to Be Overcome

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (23) ◽  
pp. 13168
Author(s):  
Natasha Elizabeth Mckean ◽  
Renee Robyn Handley ◽  
Russell Grant Snell
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Animal Models ◽  
Mouse Model ◽  
Mouse Models ◽  
Small Animal ◽  
Large Animal ◽  
Complex Disorders ◽  
Large Animal Models ◽  
The Impact

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is one of the looming health crises of the near future. Increasing lifespans and better medical treatment for other conditions mean that the prevalence of this disease is expected to triple by 2050. The impact of AD includes both the large toll on individuals and their families as well as a large financial cost to society. So far, we have no way to prevent, slow, or cure the disease. Current medications can only alleviate some of the symptoms temporarily. Many animal models of AD have been created, with the first transgenic mouse model in 1995. Mouse models have been beset by challenges, and no mouse model fully captures the symptomatology of AD without multiple genetic mutations and/or transgenes, some of which have never been implicated in human AD. Over 25 years later, many mouse models have been given an AD-like disease and then ‘cured’ in the lab, only for the treatments to fail in clinical trials. This review argues that small animal models are insufficient for modelling complex disorders such as AD. In order to find effective treatments for AD, we need to create large animal models with brains and lifespan that are closer to humans, and underlying genetics that already predispose them to AD-like phenotypes.

scholarly journals Chronic sodium bromide relieves autistic-like deficits in the Oprm1 mouse model of autism and modulates the activity of serotonin and dopamine receptors in vitro

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cécile Derieux ◽  
Sébastien Roux ◽  
Thierry Plouvier ◽  
Audrey Léauté ◽  
Agathe Brugoux ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Model ◽  
Dopamine Receptors ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Chloride Ions ◽  
Sodium Bromide ◽  
Bromide Ion ◽  
The Impact

Chronic sodium bromide relieves autistic-like deficits in the Oprm1 mouse model of autism and modulates the activity of serotonin and dopamine receptors in vitro C. DERIEUX 1 , S. ROUX 1 , A. LEAUTE 1 , T. PLOUVIER 2 , J.A.J. BECKER 1 , J. LE MERRER 1 1 Déficits de Récompense, GPCRs et Sociabilité, Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, INRA UMR0085, CNRS UMR7247, Université de Tours, Inserm ; 37380 Nouzilly, France 2 Térali Innov, 37230 Fondettes, France Corresponding author : [email protected] Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are complex neurodevelopmental diseases whose diagnosis lies on the detection of impaired social skills together with restricted and repetitive behavior and interests (DSM-5). Although the etiology of ASD remains mostly unknown, impaired excitation/inhibition ratio appears as a common mechanistic feature. Bromide ion is known to reduce hyperexcitability, possibly by competing with chloride ions at channels and transporters and may thus have therapeutic potential in ASD. Aims : We evaluated the therapeutic potential of bromide ion in the Oprm1 -/- mouse model of ASD and the molecular mechanisms involved in bromide treatment, notably effects on GPCRs. Methods : In vivo , we first assessed the effect of chronically administered sodium bromide on autistic-like behavioral deficits and performed RT-qPCR on brain structures known to be involved in ASD. In vitro , we evaluated the impact of bromide ion on G-protein mediated signaling of serotonin and dopamine receptors. Results : In vivo , sodium bromide (30 to 500 mg/Kg) dose-dependently improved social interaction and preference, reduced stereotypies and decreased anxiety. Bromide also impacts the expression of genes coding for some GPCRs, chloride transporters and GABA A subunits. In vitro , bromide behaves as a positive allosteric modulator of 5-HT 6 , 5-HT 7 and D1 receptors but not 5-HT 4 and D2 receptors. Conclusions : The beneficial effects of bromide administration in a genetic murine model of ASD and its impact on both gene expression and GPCR pharmacology predicts high translational potential in patients with autism, despite high heterogeneity in etiology and symptoms.

Executive Functions in Young Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder

2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danielle I. Brady ◽  
Donald H. Saklofske ◽  
Vicki L. Schwean ◽  
Janine M. Montgomery ◽  
Keoma J. Thorne ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Individual Variability ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Typically Developing ◽  
Adults With Autism ◽  
High Functioning ◽  
Normative Expectations ◽  
The Impact

Researchers have proposed that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized, at least in part, by executive function (EF) difficulties associated with the integrity of the frontal lobe. Given the paucity of research regarding EFs in young adults with high functioning ASD (HF-ASD), this research involves an examination of various indices of EF related to inhibition, planning, and generativity. Results indicate that although young adults with HF-ASD as a group met normative expectations on all measures of EF, they also exhibited considerable individual variability relative to their age- and sex-matched typically developing peers. These findings have important research and clinical implications, including the need to carefully consider the impact of the research comparison group, and to recognize individual variability in executive functioning among young adults with HF-ASD.

scholarly journals Targeting the RHOA pathway improves learning and memory in adult Kctd13 and 16p11.2 deletion mouse models

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Martin Lorenzo ◽  
Valérie Nalesso ◽  
Claire Chevalier ◽  
Marie-Christine Birling ◽  
Yann Herault
Keyword(s):  
Locomotor Activity ◽  
Mouse Model ◽  
Learning And Memory ◽  
Mouse Models ◽  
Genetic Background ◽  
Gene Copy Number ◽  
Chronic Administration ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Gene Copy ◽  
Homologous Region

Abstract Background Gene copy number variants play an important role in the occurrence of neurodevelopmental disorders. Particularly, the deletion of the 16p11.2 locus is associated with autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, and several other features. Earlier studies highlighted the implication of Kctd13 genetic imbalance in 16p11.2 deletion through the regulation of the RHOA pathway. Methods Here, we generated a new mouse model with a small deletion of two key exons in Kctd13. Then, we targeted the RHOA pathway to rescue the cognitive phenotypes of the Kctd13 and 16p11.2 deletion mouse models in a pure genetic background. We used a chronic administration of fasudil (HA1077), an inhibitor of the Rho-associated protein kinase, for six weeks in mouse models carrying a heterozygous inactivation of Kctd13, or the deletion of the entire 16p11.2 BP4-BP5 homologous region. Results We found that the small Kctd13 heterozygous deletion induced a cognitive phenotype similar to the whole deletion of the 16p11.2 homologous region, in the Del/+ mice. We then showed that chronic fasudil treatment can restore object recognition memory in adult heterozygous mutant mice for Kctd13 and for 16p11.2 deletion. In addition, learning and memory improvement occurred in parallel to change in the RHOA pathway. Limitations The Kcdt13 mutant line does not recapitulate all the phenotypes found in the 16p11.2 Del/+ model. In particular, the locomotor activity was not altered at 12 and 18 weeks of age and the object location memory was not defective in 18-week old mutants. Similarly, the increase in locomotor activity was not modified by the treatment in the 16p11.2 Del/+ mouse model, suggesting that other loci were involved in such defects. Rescue was observed only after four weeks of treatment but no long-term experiment has been carried out so far. Finally, we did not check the social behaviour, which requires working in another hybrid genetic background. Conclusion These findings confirm KCTD13 as one target gene causing cognitive deficits in 16p11.2 deletion patients, and the relevance of the RHOA pathway as a therapeutic path for 16p11.2 deletion. In addition, they reinforce the contribution of other gene(s) involved in cognitive defects found in the 16p11.2 models in older mice.

scholarly journals Structural and Functional Brain-wide Alterations in A350V IQSEC2 Mutant Mice Displaying Autistic-like Behavior

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Lichtman ◽  
Eyal Bergmann ◽  
Alexandra Kavushansky ◽  
Nadav Cohen ◽  
Nina S. Levy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Behavior ◽  
Functional Connectivity ◽  
Mouse Model ◽  
Missense Mutation ◽  
Ampa Receptor ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Individual Variability ◽  
Receptor Trafficking ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Dorsomedial Striatum

AbstractIQSEC2 is an X-linked gene which is associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), intellectual disability and epilepsy. IQSEC2 is a postsynaptic density protein, localized on excitatory synapses as part of the NMDA receptor complex and is suggested to play a role in AMPA receptor trafficking and mediation of long-term depression. Here, we present brain-wide structural volumetric and functional connectivity characterization in a novel mouse model with a missense mutation in the IQ domain of IQSEC2 (A350V). Using high-resolution structural and functional MRI, we show that animals with the A350V mutation display increased whole-brain volume which was further found to be specific to the cortex and hippocampus. Moreover, using a data-driven approach we demonstrate that A350V mice present alterations in structure–function relations of the frontal, auditory, and visual networks. Examination of these alterations revealed an increase in functional connectivity between the anterior cingulate cortex and the dorsomedial striatum. We also show that corticostriatal functional connectivity is correlated with individual variability in social behavior only in A350V mice, as assessed using the three–chamber social preference test. Our results at the systems-level bridge the impact of previously reported changes in AMPA receptor trafficking to network-level disruption and impaired social behavior. Further, the A350V mouse model recapitulates similarly reported brain-wide changes in other ASD mouse models, with substantially different cellular-level pathologies that nonetheless result in similar brain-wide alterations, suggesting that novel therapeutic approaches in ASD that result in systems-level rescue will be relevant to IQSEC2 mutations.Significance StatementSeveral recent studies have characterized the changes in the organization of brain networks in animal models of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Here we assessed the effect of an A350V missense mutation in the IQSEC2 gene, which is associated with ASD, on brain-wide functional connectivity and its relation to social behavior deficits in A350V mice relative to controls. We found that the A350V IQSEC2 model results in disrupted functional connectivity of the anterior cingulate cortex and the dorsomedial striatum. Critically, disrupted increased corticostriatal functional connectivity is predictive of individual variability in social interaction only in A350V mice implicating this pathway in the pathophysiology of the A350V IQSEC2 mutation.

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