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Repetitive unidirectional spinal tactile stimulation engages microglial Bmal1 pathways to promote synaptic remodeling
Yi-Nan Chen1,2, Sha-Tong Zhao1, Ming-An Hu3
1School of Acupuncture, Tuina and Rehabilitation, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, 410208, Hunan, China.
Background:
Synaptic abnormalities are hallmark pathological features of autism spectrum disorders (ASD), contributing to the behavioral impairments frequently observed in these neurodevelopmental conditions. Microglia, as the brain's primary immune cells, are essential for synaptic refinement during adolescent development. Disrupted microglia-dependent synapse remodeling has been implicated in pathophysiology of ASDs, however, the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely elucidated. In this context, repetitive unidirectional spinal tactile stimulation (RSTS) has emerged as a promising non-invasive therapeutic strategy. This study aims to explore whether and how RSTS enhances microglia-dependent synapse remodeling in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) during adolescent development in ASD mice, with a specific focus on the role of Brain and Muscle ARNT-Like 1 (Arntl1), a core circadian protein crucial for regulating this process.
Methods:
ASD mice underwent RSTS treatment during adolescent brain for 21 days, administered twice daily for 10 min per session. Behavioral changes were evaluated using the three-chamber social interaction and open field tests. Synapse number and morphology were assessed through Golgi staining. Microglia-dependent synapse remodeling ability was analyzed using immunofluorescence and Western blot. Furthermore, the molecular mechanism was investigated using single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) and chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq). Finally, the role of Bmal1 was validated, confirming its involvement in the enhancement of RSTS during adolescent brain in ASD.
Results:
RSTS was found to alleviate autistic-like behaviors in adolescent ASD mice. Results from snRNA-seq and ChIP-seq indicated that the therapeutic effects of RSTS may be mediated through microglial Bmal1 and its role in the transcriptional regulation of microglia-dependent synapse remodeling. Furthermore, in vivo experiments confirmed that RSTS enhances microglia-dependent synapse remodeling in mPFC of adolescent ASD mice via Bmal1. These findings suggested that Bmal1 serves as a critical target of RSTS in facilitating microglia-dependent synapse remodeling during the adolescent brain developmental period in ASD mice.
Conclusion:
Our findings suggest that the therapeutic effects of RSTS are potentially mediated through the modulation of microglial Bmal1-dependent synapse remodeling and the regulation of synaptic proteins and the complement system. These results provide novel empirical evidence for RSTS in restoring synaptic balance and offer valuable insights into its potential as an intervention for ASD.
Insights
Repetitive unidirectional spinal tactile stimulation (RSTS) alleviates autism-like behaviors in adolescent mice by enhancing microglia-dependent synapse remodeling via Bmal1. This non-invasive therapy targets synaptic balance, offering potential for autism spectrum disorder interventions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are characterized by synaptic abnormalities impacting behavior.
- Microglia play a critical role in adolescent synaptic refinement, with dysregulation implicated in ASD.
- The precise mechanisms of microglia-mediated synapse remodeling in ASD remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of repetitive unidirectional spinal tactile stimulation (RSTS) in enhancing microglia-dependent synapse remodeling in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of adolescent ASD mice.
- To elucidate the role of Brain and Muscle ARNT-Like 1 (Arntl1), a core circadian protein, in mediating RSTS effects.
Main Methods:
- ASD mice received daily RSTS for 21 days.
- Behavioral assessments included social interaction and open field tests.
- Synapse morphology, microglia-dependent remodeling, and molecular mechanisms were analyzed using Golgi staining, immunofluorescence, Western blot, snRNA-seq, and ChIP-seq.
Main Results:
- RSTS treatment significantly reduced autistic-like behaviors in adolescent ASD mice.
- Single-nucleus RNA sequencing and ChIP-seq revealed that RSTS effects are mediated by microglial Bmal1.
- In vivo studies confirmed RSTS enhances microglia-dependent synapse remodeling in the mPFC via Bmal1.
Conclusions:
- RSTS therapy modulates microglial Bmal1-dependent synapse remodeling, restoring synaptic balance in adolescent ASD mice.
- Findings highlight Bmal1 as a key target for RSTS in facilitating synapse remodeling.
- This study provides evidence for RSTS as a potential therapeutic intervention for ASD.
