Selective Vulnerability of Parvocellular Oxytocin Neuron in Social Dysfunction
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ABSTRACT: Despite the rapid progress in dissecting neural circuits for social behaviors, it remains unknown whether specific neural cell types are selectively vulnerable in social dysfunction cases often associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. Here, employing a single-cell transcriptome analysis in mice, we show that an embryonic disturbance known to induce social dysfunction preferentially impairs gene expressions crucial for neural functions in parvocellular oxytocin (OT) neurons—a subtype linked to social rewards—while neighboring cell types experience a lesser impact. Chemogenetic stimulation of OT neurons at the neonatal stage ameliorated social deficits, concomitant with a cell-type-specific sustained recovery of the pivotal gene expressions. Our data illuminates the transcriptomic selective vulnerability within the hypothalamic social behavioral center, offering a potential therapeutic target through specific neonatal neurostimulation.
ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus
PROVIDER: GSE245555 | GEO | 2023/12/05
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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