Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
2.9
2.8
Journals
CIMB
Special Issues
The Role of Prostaglandins in Autism
cimb-logo
Submit to CIMB Review for CIMB Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

► Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser
share announcement

The Role of Prostaglandins in Autism

A special issue of Current Issues in Molecular Biology (ISSN 1467-3045). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Medicine".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2024) | Viewed by 4430

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Kunio Yui

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Pediatrics, Dokkyo Medical University, Mibu, Tochigi 321-0293, Japan
Interests: autism; antioxidant protein; oxidtive stress; tuberous sclerosis; cell mechanism of signaling
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Prostaglandins are a series of unsaturated fatty acids that play critical roles in regulating various neuronal signals. Endoperoxide H synthases-1/2 (cyclooxygenases-1/2, COX-1/2) catalyze the commitment step in prostaglandin synthesis.　Moreover, prostaglandins (PGD2, PGE2, PGF2α), prostacyclin (PGI2), and thromboxane A2 (TXA2) form the prostanoid family of lipid mediators.

Alterations in their biosynthesis are accompanied by a wide range of pathological conditions. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is a membrane-derived lipid signaling molecule that has an important role in neuronal development. Abnormal PGE2 function, possibly due to environmental insult during prenatal development, has been linked to brain pathologies such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). PGE2 may destabilize the actin cytoskeleton at various stages of neuronal differentiation, causing changes in neuronal morphology. Moreover, PGE2 is a lipid signaling molecule important for brain development and function in neuronal cell lines. Prenatal exposure to PGE2 affects the Wnt pathway at the level of β-catenin, the major downstream regulator of Wnt-dependent gene transcription. After maternal exposure, PGE2 signaling converges with the Wnt canonical pathway in the developing mouse brain. All affected genes have been previously associated with disorders of the central nervous system, including ASD. Additionally, the addition of PGE2 to neuronal cells leads to changes in the expression of Wnt genes and the activation of non-phospho β-catenin abnormal PGE2 levels in the mouse brain during development, which may interfere with the Wnt pathway via the phosphorylation of β-catenin at multiple sites, leading to a differential expression of crucial neurodevelopmental genes.

Prostaglandin H synthases or cyclooxygenases (COX -1 and COX-2) play a central role in the inflammatory cascade by converting arachidonic acid into bioactive prostanoids, which is relevant to the pathophysiology of ASD. COX-2 activity is linked to anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective actions and is involved in the generation of novel lipid mediators with pro-resolution properties.

The investigation of links between the various types of prostaglandins, Wnt signaling, and the role of COX -1 and COX-2 are important issues in the pathophysiology of ASD.

Prof. Dr. Kunio Yui
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Current Issues in Molecular Biology is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • autism spectrum disorder
  • prostaglandins
  • prostaglandin E2
  • cyclooxygenases
  • signaling mediator

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (2 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

11 pages, 1151 KiB  
Article
Assessing the COX-2/PGE2 Ratio and Anti-Nucleosome Autoantibodies as Biomarkers of Autism Spectrum Disorders: Using Combined ROC Curves to Improve Diagnostic Values
by Afaf El-Ansary, Hanan A. Alfawaz, Abir Ben Bacha and Laila AL-Ayadhi
Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2024, 46(8), 8699-8709; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb46080513 - 8 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1402
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by restricted and repetitive behaviors as well as difficulties with social interaction. Numerous studies have revealed aberrant lipid mediators and autoimmunity as a recognized etiological cause of ASD that is amenable to therapeutic intervention. [...] Read more.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by restricted and repetitive behaviors as well as difficulties with social interaction. Numerous studies have revealed aberrant lipid mediators and autoimmunity as a recognized etiological cause of ASD that is amenable to therapeutic intervention. In this study, the relationship between the relative cyclooxygenase-2/prostaglandin E2 ratio (COX-2/PGE2) as a lipid mediator marker and anti-nucleosome autoantibodies as an autoimmunity marker of ASD was investigated using multiple regression and combined receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses. The study also sought to identify the linear combination of these variables that optimizes the partial area under the ROC curves. There were forty ASD children and forty-two age- and gender-matched controls included in the current study. Using combined ROC curve analysis, a notable increase in the area under the curve was seen in the patient group, using the control group as a reference group. Additionally, it was reported that the combined markers had improved specificity and sensitivity. This study demonstrates how the predictive value of particular biomarkers associated with lipid metabolism and autoimmunity in children with ASD can be measured using a ROC curve analysis. This technique should help us better understand the etiological mechanism of ASD and how it may adversely affect cellular homeostasis, which is essential to maintaining healthy metabolic pathways. Early diagnosis and intervention may be facilitated by this knowledge. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Prostaglandins in Autism)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 885 KiB  
Article
Lipid Peroxidation via Regulating the Metabolism of Docosahexaenoic Acid and Arachidonic Acid in Autistic Behavioral Symptoms
by Kunio Yui, George Imataka and Tadashi Shiohama
Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2023, 45(11), 9149-9164; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb45110574 - 15 Nov 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1990
Abstract
The association between the lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde (MDA)-modified low-density lipoprotein (MDA-LDL) and the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is unclear. This association was studied in 17 children with ASD and seven age-matched controls regarding autistic behaviors. Behavioral symptoms were assessed using [...] Read more.
The association between the lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde (MDA)-modified low-density lipoprotein (MDA-LDL) and the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is unclear. This association was studied in 17 children with ASD and seven age-matched controls regarding autistic behaviors. Behavioral symptoms were assessed using the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC). To compensate for the small sample size, adaptive Lasso was used to increase the likelihood of accurate prediction, and a coefficient of variation was calculated for suitable variable selection. Plasma MDA-LDL levels were significantly increased, and plasma SOD levels were significantly decreased in addition to significantly increased plasma docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels and significantly decreased plasma arachidonic acid (ARA) levels in the 17 subjects with ASD as compared with those of the seven healthy controls. The total ABC scores were significantly higher in the ASD group than in the control group. The results of multiple linear regression and adaptive Lasso analyses revealed an association between increased plasma DHA levels and decreased plasma ARA levels, which were significantly associated with total ABC score and increased plasma MDA-LDL levels. Therefore, an imbalance between plasma DHA and ARA levels induces ferroptosis via lipid peroxidation. Decreased levels of α-linolenic acid and γ-linolenic acid may be connected to the total ABC scores with regard to lipid peroxidation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Prostaglandins in Autism)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-2
Back to TopTop