Research reportPI3K/AKT/mTOR-mediated autophagy in the development of autism spectrum disorder

•A rat model was established to study the association between autophagy and ASD.•Decreased autophagy closely correlates with elevated ASD risk.•Increased apoptosis closely correlates with elevated ASD risk.•mTOR inhibition may lead to increased autophagy.•PI3K/AKT/mTOR-mediated autophagy may be a therapeutic target for ASD.

AimTo investigate the association between PI3K/AKT/mTOR-mediated autophagy and the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).MethodsA sodium valproate (VPA)-induced baby rat model of ASD was built. Nine pregnant rats were randomly assigned into three groups, with three rats for each group: healthy control group, VPA group and mTOR inhibition group, receiving different drug administrations. Baby rats were grouped according to the maternal rats. Social interaction of baby rats (35 days after birth) was observed and their bilateral hippocampes were sliced. We used electron microscope analysis for observation of autophagosome formation, double immunofluorescence staining for location of LC3 II, TUNEL assay for observation of cell apoptosis, Western Blot assay was used for measurement of LC3 II, P62, p53, Bcl-2, PI3K/AKT/mTOR-related proteins and p-S6.ResultsVPA group had significantly lowered ability of social interaction than the control group and mTOR inhibition group (both P < 0.05). The control group and the mTOTR inhibition group presented the visual of autophagosomes, while VPA group seldom had autophagosomes. By comparison with VPA group, mTOR group had a remarkable green fluorescence in the hippocampal CA1 (P < 0.05). Western Blot assay revealved that mTOR inhibition group had a significantly higher LC3 II expression, higher LC3 II/LC3 I ratio, higher Bcl-2 expression and lower p53 than VPA group (all P < 0.05). TUNEL assay showed that mTOR inhibition group had a significant smaller number of apoptotic cells in the hippocampal CA1. Besides, lowered expressions of p-PI3K, p-AKT and p-S6 were identified in the baby rats in mTOR inhibition group compared with VPA group (all P < 0.05).ConclusionmTOR inhibition can increase PI3K/AKT/mTOR-mediated autophagic activity and improve social interaction in VPA-induced ASD, providing a novel target and direction for the treatment of ASD.