Rett syndrome (RTT) is caused by loss-of-function mutations in the X-linked MECP2 encoding methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2), an epigenetic modulator of gene transcription. RTT and the more prevalent regressive type autism share a substantial phenotypic overlap, including autistic behaviors. The affected children start to lose developed skills (called regression in this proposal) after a period of apparently normal growth and development. RTT is a disease of synaptic plasticity due to abnormal epigenetic regulation, and is potentially curable if synaptic dysfunction can be ameliorated. Critical questions for our understanding of RTT include what mechanisms trigger the regression, and if astrocytes, by regulating synaptic activities, play a role in RTT onset and progression. Our studies revealed multiple abnormalities of MeCP2-deficient astrocytes, including failure to support dendritic growth, reduced spontaneous and evoked Ca2+ signaling, aberrant responses to ATP and glutamate challenges, and abnormal D-serine release, among others. We hypothesize that the progressive astrocytic abnormalities in RTT may deteriorate the neuron-glia communications and trigger the regression. To generate data in support of this hypothesis, our aims are: 1. Investigate the mechanism of abnormal intracellular Ca2+ signaling in RTT astrocytes in vitro and in situ. We will extend our existing in vitro data and examine major cellular pathways and molecules regulating intracellular Ca2+ dynamics. We will also replicate our results in situ using hippocampal slice preparations. 2. Determine the impact of astrocytic MeCP2-deficiency on hippocampal long-term potentioation (LTP), focusing on the role of D-serine. We will measure LTP in mixed neuron-glia cultures and acute hippocampal slices to determine the contribution of MeCP2-deficient astrocytes to abnormal LTP seen in RTT samples. Subsequently, we will determine if the addition of D-serine, a gliotransmitter the release of which by MeCP2-deficient astrocytes is substantially reduced, can alleviate the LTP impairments. 3. Determine the role of astrocytic MeCP2-deficiency in the onset and progression of RTT-like symptoms in vivo. We will generate mouse models in which astrocytic Mecp2 is selectively turned off in the wild-type background or turned on in the Mecp2-null background at the time of choice. We will examine the behavioral phenotype, neuropathology and biochemical changes of these mice. The results are expected to advance our understanding of the physiological and pathological functions of astrocytes during development, provide useful models for future studies, and identify potential therapeutic targets for RTT. Lay: Rett syndrome is a genetic disorder of brain development that afflicts very young girls. Astrocytes, a type of brain cells that are active partners of neurons, are highly abnormal in an animal model of Rett syndrome.
The aims of our proposal are to discover the molecular mechanisms underlying astrocytic abnormalities, and to generate new mouse models to prove the important role of astrocytes in Rett syndrome.

Public Health Relevance

Recent evidence suggests that astrocytic abnormalities in Rett syndrome interrupt the normal neuron-glia communications. The aims of our proposal are to discover the molecular mechanisms underlying astrocytic abnormalities, and to generate new mouse models to prove the important role of astrocytes in Rett syndrome.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HD064817-05
Application #
8787760
Study Section
Cellular and Molecular Biology of Glia Study Section (CMBG)
Program Officer
Parisi, Melissa, MD, Phd
Project Start
2011-01-01
Project End
2015-12-31
Budget Start
2015-01-01
Budget End
2015-12-31
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2015
Total Cost
$318,032
Indirect Cost
$110,845
Name
University of California Davis
Department
Pathology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
047120084
City
Davis
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
95618
Chen, Chao-Yin; Di Lucente, Jacopo; Lin, Yen-Chu et al. (2018) Defective GABAergic neurotransmission in the nucleus tractus solitarius in Mecp2-null mice, a model of Rett syndrome. Neurobiol Dis 109:25-32
Horiuchi, Makoto; Smith, Lucas; Maezawa, Izumi et al. (2017) CX3CR1 ablation ameliorates motor and respiratory dysfunctions and improves survival of a Rett syndrome mouse model. Brain Behav Immun 60:106-116
Jin, Lee-Way; Horiuchi, Makoto; Wulff, Heike et al. (2015) Dysregulation of glutamine transporter SNAT1 in Rett syndrome microglia: a mechanism for mitochondrial dysfunction and neurotoxicity. J Neurosci 35:2516-29
Cao, Zhengyu; Hulsizer, Susan; Cui, Yanjun et al. (2013) Enhanced asynchronous Ca(2+) oscillations associated with impaired glutamate transport in cortical astrocytes expressing Fmr1 gene premutation expansion. J Biol Chem 288:13831-41
Yasui, Dag H; Xu, Huichun; Dunaway, Keith W et al. (2013) MeCP2 modulates gene expression pathways in astrocytes. Mol Autism 4:3
Maezawa, Izumi; Calafiore, Marco; Wulff, Heike et al. (2011) Does microglial dysfunction play a role in autism and Rett syndrome? Neuron Glia Biol 7:85-97
Maezawa, Izumi; Jin, Lee-Way (2010) Rett syndrome microglia damage dendrites and synapses by the elevated release of glutamate. J Neurosci 30:5346-56