ESC models of autism with copy-number variations reveal cell-type-specific translational vulnerability.

Abstract

Human genetics has identified numerous copy-number variations (CNVs) associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). However, the lack of standardized biological resources impedes understanding of the cell-type-specific common features of ASD. Here, we establish a biological resource including 63 genetically modified mouse embryonic stem cell (ESC) lines as genetic models of ASD. We perform neural differentiation using 12 representative cell lines, and their comprehensive analyses, including single-cell RNA sequencing, uncover cell-type-specific susceptible pathways. Moreover, we find that a common phenotype in glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons is reduced expression of Upf3b, a core member of the translational termination and nonsense-mediated decay (NMD). This finding emphasizes that the dysfunction of translational machinery in the developing neurons can be a possible target of early intervention for ASD. This ESC model bank becomes an invaluable resource for studies in vitro and in vivo of ASD or other neuropsychiatric disorders.