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Sex-dependent dysregulation of the gut-brain NPYergic system in a mouse model of autism spectrum disorder
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  • Published: 04 March 2026

Sex-dependent dysregulation of the gut-brain NPYergic system in a mouse model of autism spectrum disorder

  • Beatriz Martins1,2,
  • João Martins1,2,
  • Miguel Castelo-Branco1,2,3 &
  • …
  • Joana Gonçalves1,2,4 

Scientific Reports , Article number:  (2026) Cite this article

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We are providing an unedited version of this manuscript to give early access to its findings. Before final publication, the manuscript will undergo further editing. Please note there may be errors present which affect the content, and all legal disclaimers apply.

Subjects

  • Animal disease models
  • Autism spectrum disorders
  • Molecular neuroscience
  • Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction

Abstract

The microbiome-gut-brain axis has been increasingly recognized for its role in the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), yet the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. Neuropeptide Y (NPY), a key modulator of gut-brain communication, may play a pivotal role in this axis. This study investigated the sex-specific molecular profile of the NPY system in gut-brain communication via a genetic mouse model of ASD, the Nf1+/- mice. Quantitative real-time PCR was performed to assess the expression of NPY and its receptor transcripts in the amygdala, hippocampus, prefrontal cortex and intestinal tissue of juvenile male and female Nf1+/- mice. Additionally, gut microbiota analysis focused on Lactobacillus species in stool samples. Special emphasis was placed on sex differences, an area underexplored in ASD research. Sex-specific differences in NPY and its receptor expression were observed in both the brain and intestinal tissues of Nf1+/- mice. In mutant females, estrous cycle fluctuations were partly associated with changes in the NPY system. Notably, distinct correlations between the brain and intestinal NPY systems were identified in both sexes of wild-type (WT) and Nf1+/- mice. Microbiota analysis revealed sex-dependent alterations in Lactobacillus abundance, which correlated with the intestinal NPY system. Importantly, the Y2 receptor exhibited sex-specific expression patterns in both the gut and brain of Nf1+/- mice. This study provides novel evidence that the NPY system may play a critical role in gut-brain communication in ASD, with sex-dependent alterations in both the brain and gut. The intestinal Y2 receptor has emerged as a potential molecular biomarker for ASD, underscoring the importance of incorporating sex as a biological variable in future ASD research.

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Data availability

The datasets supporting the conclusions of this article are included within the article and its additional files.

Abbreviations

ASD:

Autism spectrum disorder

mRNA:

Messenger ribonucleic acid

NF1:

Neurofibromatosis type 1

NPY:

Neuropeptide Y

PCA:

Principal component analysis

PCR:

Polymerase chain reaction

WT:

Wild-type

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Acknowledgements

We thank André Alves for excellent technical support and assistance. The authors are grateful to the animal support staff at the Institute of Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health.

Funding

This work was supported by the Ph.D. Fellow UI/BD/150837/2021 (https://doi.org/10.54499/UI/BD/150837/2021) from FCT, FCT Exploratory Project 2022.01066.PTDC, Strategic Plan FCT/UIDP&B/04950/2025, COMPETE and FEDER funds, FCT, Portugal.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal

    Beatriz Martins, João Martins, Miguel Castelo-Branco & Joana Gonçalves

  2. Institute of Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal

    Beatriz Martins, João Martins, Miguel Castelo-Branco & Joana Gonçalves

  3. Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal

    Miguel Castelo-Branco

  4. Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal

    Joana Gonçalves

Authors
  1. Beatriz Martins
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  2. João Martins
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  3. Miguel Castelo-Branco
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  4. Joana Gonçalves
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Contributions

BM: experimental design, conducted experiments, data collection/analysis/interpretation, manuscript preparation; JM: experimental design, data collection, manuscript editing; MCB: experimental design, data interpretation, manuscript editing, funding acquisition; JG: experimental design, data interpretation, manuscript preparation, manuscript editing, funding acquisition. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Joana Gonçalves.

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All animal procedures adhered to protocols approved by the ORBEA of the Institute of Nuclear Science Applied to Health (1/2017 and 8/2022).

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Martins, B., Martins, J., Castelo-Branco, M. et al. Sex-dependent dysregulation of the gut-brain NPYergic system in a mouse model of autism spectrum disorder. Sci Rep (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-42601-0

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  • Received: 08 April 2025

  • Accepted: 26 February 2026

  • Published: 04 March 2026

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-42601-0

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Keywords

  • Gut-brain
  • Neuropeptide Y
  • Sex dimorphism
  • Autism spectrum disorder
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Brain and Body Communication in Health and Disease

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