Female specific dysfunction of sensory neocortical circuits in a mouse model of autism mediated by mGluR5 and Estrogen Receptor α.

Autism manifests differently in males and females and the brain mechanisms that mediate these sex-dependent differences are unknown. Here, we demonstrate that deletion of the ASD-risk gene, in neocortical pyramidal neurons (NSE KO) results in robust hyperexcitability of local neocortical circuits in female, but not male, mice, observed as prolonged, spontaneous persistent activity states (UP states). Circuit hyperexcitability in NSE KO mice is mediated by enhanced and/or altered signaling of metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) and estrogen receptor α (ERα) to ERK and protein synthesis selectively in deleted female neurons. In support of this idea, deleted Layer 5 cortical neurons have female-specific increases in mGluR5 and mGluR5-driven protein synthesis. In addition, mGluR5-ERα complexes are elevated in female cortex and genetic reduction of ERα in KO cortical neurons rescues circuit excitability, protein synthesis and enlarged neurons selectively in females. Abnormal timing and hyperexcitability of neocortical circuits in female NSE KO mice are associated with deficits in temporal processing of sensory stimuli and social behaviors as well as mGluR5-dependent seizures. Female-specific cortical hyperexcitability and mGluR5-dependent seizures are also observed in a human disease relevant mouse model, germline +/- mice. Our results reveal molecular mechanisms by which sex and a high impact ASD-risk gene interact to affect brain function and behavior.