Sexual dimorphism of AMBRA1-related autistic features in human and mouse.

Ambra1 is linked to autophagy and neurodevelopment. Heterozygous Ambra1 deficiency induces autism-like behavior in a sexually dimorphic manner. Extraordinarily, autistic features are seen in female mice only, combined with stronger Ambra1 protein reduction in brain compared to males. However, significance of AMBRA1 for autistic phenotypes in humans and, apart from behavior, for other autism-typical features, namely early brain enlargement or increased seizure propensity, has remained unexplored. Here we show in two independent human samples that a single normal AMBRA1 genotype, the intronic SNP rs3802890-AA, is associated with autistic features in women, who also display lower AMBRA1 mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells relative to female GG carriers. Located within a non-coding RNA, likely relevant for mRNA and protein interaction, rs3802890 (A versus G allele) may affect its stability through modification of folding, as predicted by in silico analysis. Searching for further autism-relevant characteristics in Ambra1+/- mice, we observe reduced interest of female but not male mutants regarding pheromone signals of the respective other gender in the social intellicage set-up. Moreover, altered pentylentetrazol-induced seizure propensity, an in vivo readout of neuronal excitation-inhibition dysbalance, becomes obvious exclusively in female mutants. Magnetic resonance imaging reveals mild prepubertal brain enlargement in both genders, uncoupling enhanced brain dimensions from the primarily female expression of all other autistic phenotypes investigated here. These data support a role of AMBRA1/Ambra1 partial loss-of-function genotypes for female autistic traits. Moreover, they suggest Ambra1 heterozygous mice as a novel multifaceted and construct-valid genetic mouse model for female autism.

Revisiting adult neurogenesis and the role of erythropoietin for neuronal and oligodendroglial differentiation in the hippocampus.

Recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO) improves cognitive performance in neuropsychiatric diseases ranging from schizophrenia and multiple sclerosis to major depression and bipolar disease. This consistent EPO effect on cognition is independent of its role in hematopoiesis. The cellular mechanisms of action in brain, however, have remained unclear. Here we studied healthy young mice and observed that 3-week EPO administration was associated with an increased number of pyramidal neurons and oligodendrocytes in the hippocampus of ~20%. Under constant cognitive challenge, neuron numbers remained elevated until >6 months of age. Surprisingly, this increase occurred in absence of altered cell proliferation or apoptosis. After feeding a 15N-leucine diet, we used nanoscopic secondary ion mass spectrometry, and found that in EPO-treated mice, an equivalent number of neurons was defined by elevated 15N-leucine incorporation. In EPO-treated NG2-Cre-ERT2 mice, we confirmed enhanced differentiation of preexisting oligodendrocyte precursors in the absence of elevated DNA synthesis. A corresponding analysis of the neuronal lineage awaits the identification of suitable neuronal markers. In cultured neurospheres, EPO reduced Sox9 and stimulated miR124, associated with advanced neuronal differentiation. We are discussing a resulting working model in which EPO drives the differentiation of non-dividing precursors in both (NG2+) oligodendroglial and neuronal lineages. As endogenous EPO expression is induced by brain injury, such a mechanism of adult neurogenesis may be relevant for central nervous system regeneration.

Increase in bax expression in substantia nigra following 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) treatment of mice.

Administration of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) to mammals causes damage to the nigrostriatal pathway similar to that observed in Parkinson's disease. In the present study, we have investigated alterations in cell death effector gene expression induced by the neurotoxin MPTP in mouse substantia nigra. Intraperitoneal MPTP injections in mice resulted in a significant increase in bax mRNA by about two- and three-fold after 3 and 6 days, respectively. The up-regulation of bax mRNA was associated with concomitant increase in Bax immunoreactivity observed mainly in large- and medium-sized neurons in the substantia nigra that are destined to die. Our results indicate a pathophysiological significance of bax, which promotes programmed cell death, in MPTP neurotoxicity.

Systemic application of pyrethroid insecticides evokes differential expression of c-Fos and c-Jun proteins in rat brain.

Expression of the c-Fos and c-Jun transcription factor was investigated by immunocytochemistry in the thalamus, hypothalamus, hippocampus and cortex of adult rats following intraperitoneal application of proconvulsant doses of the pyrethroid insecticides, cypermethrin and permethrin. Pyrethroid insecticides are used world-wide and their uptake, e.g., by nutrition and inhalation evokes severe neurological symptoms in animals and humans, but their effects on neuronal gene expression has not been elucidated. Cypermethrin induced a strong expression of c-Fos and c-Jun in all the thalamic nuclei, except the ventro-posterior complex and substantia nigra, and in all the hypothalamic nuclei. In general, the immunoreactivities (IR) persisted for 8 h on their maximal levels, and were still above control levels after 24 h in several thalamic and hypothalamic areas. c-Fos-IR was strongly increased in all cortical layers with a predominance in the superficial layers II-IV, whereas c-Jun-IR was only slightly increased. In the hippocampus, cypermethrin induced a weak expression of c-Fos, but not of c-Jun, in the dentate gyrus and CA-3 area. Permethrin that has a lower pharmacological potency, evoked a similar pattern of c-Fos and c-Jun expression, however, intensity and persistence of the neuronal labeling were less pronounced. Our results demonstrate that the neurotoxic effects of pyrethroid insecticides comprise molecular genetic alterations in the brain such as early and lasting induction of Fos and Jun transcription factor proteins. These changes in the neuronal program are prominent in the hypothalamus and thalamus that are involved in the regulation of the autonomic and visceral nervous systems.