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Maternal immune activation induces changes in myelin and metabolic proteins, some of which can be prevented with risperidone in adolescence.

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posted on 2022-02-14, 17:41 authored by Lorna Farrelly, Melanie FockingMelanie Focking, Yael Piontkewitz, Patrick DickerPatrick Dicker, Jane A. English, Kieran Wynne, Mary CannonMary Cannon, Gerard Cagney, David CotterDavid Cotter

BACKGROUND: Maternal infection is a risk factor for schizophrenia but the molecular and cellular mechanisms are not fully known. Myelin abnormalities are amongst the most robust neuropathological changes observed in schizophrenia, and preliminary evidence suggests that prenatal inflammation may play a role.

METHODS: Label-free liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was performed on the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of adult rat offspring born to dams that were exposed on gestational day 15 to the viral mimic polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid [poly(I:C), 4 mg/kg] or saline and treated with the atypical antipsychotic drug risperidone (0.045 mg/kg) or saline in adolescence. Western blotting was employed to validate protein changes.

RESULTS: Over 1,000 proteins were quantified in the PFC with pathway analyses implicating changes in core metabolic pathways, following prenatal poly(I:C) exposure. Some of these protein changes were absent in the PFC of poly(I:C)-treated offspring that subsequently received risperidone treatment in adolescence. Particularly interesting reductions in the expression of the myelin-related proteins myelin basic protein isoform 3 (MBP1) and rhombex 29 were observed, which were reversed by risperidone treatment. Validation by Western blotting confirmed changes in MBP1 and mitogen-activated kinase 1 (MAPK1). Western blotting was extended to assess the MAPK signalling proteins due to their roles in inflammation, namely phosphorylated MAPK1 and phosphorylated MAPK-activated protein kinase 2. Both were upregulated by poly(I:C) treatment and reversed by risperidone treatment.

CONCLUSIONS: Overall, our data suggest that maternal inflammation may contribute to an increased risk for schizophrenia through mechanisms involving metabolic function and myelin formation and that risperidone in adolescence may prevent or reverse such changes.

Funding

This study was supported by a grant from Science Foundation Ireland (grant number 512 RFP1304) and a Health Research Board Clinician Scvientist Award to David Cotter.

History

Comments

The final, published version of this article is available at https://www.karger.com/Article/Abstract/368305

Published Citation

Farrelly L, Föcking M, Piontkewitz Y, Dicker P, English J, Wynne K, Cannon M, Cagney G, Cotter DR. Maternal immune activation induces changes in myelin and metabolic proteins, some of which can be prevented with risperidone in adolescence. Developmental Neuroscience. 2015;37(1):43-55.

Publication Date

2015-01-01

PubMed ID

25592202

Department/Unit

  • Beaumont Hospital
  • Psychiatry
  • Public Health and Epidemiology