Reelin cells and sex-dependent synaptopathology in autism following
postnatal immune activation
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are heterogeneous neurodevelopmental
disorders with considerably increased risk in male infants born preterm
and with neonatal infection. Here we investigated the role of postnatal
immune activation on hippocampal synaptopathology by targeting Reelin+
cells in mice with ASD-like behavior. C57/Bl6 mouse pups of both sexes
received lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 1mg/kg) on postnatal day (P) 5. At
P45, animal behavior was examined by marble burying and sociability
test, followed by ex-vivo brain MRI diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI).
Hippocampal synaptogenesis, number and morphology of Reelin+ cells, and
mRNA expression of trans-synaptic genes, including neurexin-3,
neuroligin-1, and cell-adhesion molecule nectin-1 were analyzed at P12
and P45. Social withdrawal and increased stereotypic activities in males
were related to increased mean diffusivity on MRI-DKI and overgrowth in
hippocampus together with retention of long-thin immature synapses on
apical dendrites, decreased volume and number of Reelin+ cells as well
as reduced expression of trans-synaptic and cell-adhesion molecules. The
study provides new insights into sex-dependent mechanisms that may
underlie ASD-like behavior in males following PIA. We identify GABAergic
interneurons as core components of dysmaturation of excitatory synapses
in the hippocampus following postnatal infection and provide cellular
and molecular substrates for the MRI findings with translational value.