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Calvier L, Alexander A, Marckx AT, Kounnas MZ, Durakoglugil M, Herz J. Safety of Anti-Reelin Therapeutic Approaches for Chronic Inflammatory Diseases. Cells 2024; 13:583. [PMID: 38607022 PMCID: PMC11011630 DOI: 10.3390/cells13070583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Reelin, a large extracellular glycoprotein, plays critical roles in neuronal development and synaptic plasticity in the central nervous system (CNS). Recent studies have revealed non-neuronal functions of plasma Reelin in inflammation by promoting endothelial-leukocyte adhesion through its canonical pathway in endothelial cells (via ApoER2 acting on NF-κB), as well as in vascular tone regulation and thrombosis. In this study, we have investigated the safety and efficacy of selectively depleting plasma Reelin as a potential therapeutic strategy for chronic inflammatory diseases. We found that Reelin expression remains stable throughout adulthood and that peripheral anti-Reelin antibody treatment with CR-50 efficiently depletes plasma Reelin without affecting its levels or functionality within the CNS. Notably, this approach preserves essential neuronal functions and synaptic plasticity. Furthermore, in mice induced with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), selective modulation of endothelial responses by anti-Reelin antibodies reduces pathological leukocyte infiltration without completely abolishing diapedesis. Finally, long-term Reelin depletion under metabolic stress induced by a Western diet did not negatively impact the heart, kidney, or liver, suggesting a favorable safety profile. These findings underscore the promising role of peripheral anti-Reelin therapeutic strategies for autoimmune diseases and conditions where endothelial function is compromised, offering a novel approach that may avoid the immunosuppressive side effects associated with conventional anti-inflammatory therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurent Calvier
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Texas (UT) Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA (A.T.M.); (M.D.); (J.H.)
- Center for Translational Neurodegeneration Research, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Anna Alexander
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Texas (UT) Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA (A.T.M.); (M.D.); (J.H.)
- Center for Translational Neurodegeneration Research, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Austin T. Marckx
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Texas (UT) Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA (A.T.M.); (M.D.); (J.H.)
- Center for Translational Neurodegeneration Research, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | | | - Murat Durakoglugil
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Texas (UT) Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA (A.T.M.); (M.D.); (J.H.)
- Center for Translational Neurodegeneration Research, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Joachim Herz
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Texas (UT) Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA (A.T.M.); (M.D.); (J.H.)
- Center for Translational Neurodegeneration Research, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Department of Neurology and Neurotherapeutics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
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2
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Mingo-Moreno N, Truschow P, Staiger JF, Wagener RJ. Caudally pronounced deficiencies in preplate splitting and migration underly a rostro-caudal progression of cortical lamination defects in the reeler brain. Cereb Cortex 2024; 34:bhae023. [PMID: 38383722 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhae023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
In mammalian neocortex development, every cohort of newborn neurons is guided toward the marginal zone, leading to an "inside-out" organization of the 6 neocortical layers. This migratory pattern is regulated by the extracellular glycoprotein Reelin. The reeler mouse shows a homozygous mutation of the reelin gene. Using RNA in situ hybridization we could demonstrate that the Reelin-deficient mouse cortex (male and female) displays an increasing lamination defect along the rostro-caudal axis that is characterized by strong cellular intermingling, but roughly reproduces the "inside-out" pattern in rostral cortex, while caudal cortex shows a relative inversion of neuronal positioning ("outside-in"). We found that in development of the reeler cortex, preplate-splitting is also defective with an increasing severity along the rostro-caudal axis. This leads to a misplacement of subplate neurons that are crucial for a switch in migration mode within the cortical plate. Using Flash Tag labeling and nucleoside analog pulse-chasing, we found an according migration defect within the cortical plate, again with a progressive severity along the rostro-caudal axis. Thus, loss of one key player in neocortical development leads to highly area-specific (caudally pronounced) developmental deficiencies that result in multiple roughly opposite rostral versus caudal adult neocortical phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nieves Mingo-Moreno
- Institute for Neuroanatomy, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen 37075, Germany
- Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain, Göttingen 37073, Germany
| | - Pavel Truschow
- Institute for Neuroanatomy, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen 37075, Germany
| | - Jochen F Staiger
- Institute for Neuroanatomy, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen 37075, Germany
- Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain, Göttingen 37073, Germany
| | - Robin J Wagener
- Institute for Neuroanatomy, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen 37075, Germany
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg 69120, Germany
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3
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Damle EB, Morrison VE, Cioma J, Volic M, Bix GJ. Co-administration of extracellular matrix-based biomaterials with neural stem cell transplantation for treatment of central nervous system injury. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1177040. [PMID: 37255752 PMCID: PMC10225608 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1177040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Injuries and disorders of the central nervous system (CNS) present a particularly difficult challenge for modern medicine to address, given the complex nature of the tissues, obstacles in researching and implementing therapies, and barriers to translating efficacious treatments into human patients. Recent advancements in neural stem cell (NSC) transplantation, endogenous neurogenesis, and in vivo reprogramming of non-neural cells into the neuronal lineage represent multiple approaches to resolving CNS injury. However, we propose that one practice that must be incorporated universally in neuroregeneration studies is the use of extracellular matrix (ECM)-mimicking biomaterials to supply the architectural support and cellular microenvironment necessary for partial or complete restoration of function. Through consideration of developmental processes including neurogenesis, cellular migration, and establishment of functional connectivity, as well as evaluation of process-specific interactions between cells and ECM components, insights can be gained to harness and modulate native and induced neurobiological processes to promote CNS tissue repair. Further, evaluation of the current landscape of regenerative medicine and tissue engineering techniques external to the neurosciences provides key perspectives into the role of the ECM in the use of stem cell-based therapies, and the potential directions future neuroregenerative approaches may take. If the most successful of these approaches achieve wide-spread adoption, innovative paired NSC-ECM strategies for neuroregeneration may become prominent in the near future, and with the rapid advances these techniques are poised to herald, a new era of treatment for CNS injury may dawn.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eshan B. Damle
- Clinical Neuroscience Research Center, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, United States
- Tulane Brain Institute, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Vivianne E. Morrison
- Clinical Neuroscience Research Center, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Jozef Cioma
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine, and Health, School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Milla Volic
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine, and Health, School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Gregory J. Bix
- Clinical Neuroscience Research Center, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, United States
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4
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Di Donato N, Guerrini R, Billington CJ, Barkovich AJ, Dinkel P, Freri E, Heide M, Gershon ES, Gertler TS, Hopkin RJ, Jacob S, Keedy SK, Kooshavar D, Lockhart PJ, Lohmann DR, Mahmoud IG, Parrini E, Schrock E, Severi G, Timms AE, Webster RI, Willis MJH, Zaki MS, Gleeson JG, Leventer RJ, Dobyns WB. Monoallelic and biallelic mutations in RELN underlie a graded series of neurodevelopmental disorders. Brain 2022; 145:3274-3287. [PMID: 35769015 PMCID: PMC9989350 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awac164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 04/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Reelin, a large extracellular protein, plays several critical roles in brain development and function. It is encoded by RELN, first identified as the gene disrupted in the reeler mouse, a classic neurological mutant exhibiting ataxia, tremors and a 'reeling' gait. In humans, biallelic variants in RELN have been associated with a recessive lissencephaly variant with cerebellar hypoplasia, which matches well with the homozygous mouse mutant that has abnormal cortical structure, small hippocampi and severe cerebellar hypoplasia. Despite the large size of the gene, only 11 individuals with RELN-related lissencephaly with cerebellar hypoplasia from six families have previously been reported. Heterozygous carriers in these families were briefly reported as unaffected, although putative loss-of-function variants are practically absent in the population (probability of loss of function intolerance = 1). Here we present data on seven individuals from four families with biallelic and 13 individuals from seven families with monoallelic (heterozygous) variants of RELN and frontotemporal or temporal-predominant lissencephaly variant. Some individuals with monoallelic variants have moderate frontotemporal lissencephaly, but with normal cerebellar structure and intellectual disability with severe behavioural dysfunction. However, one adult had abnormal MRI with normal intelligence and neurological profile. Thorough literature analysis supports a causal role for monoallelic RELN variants in four seemingly distinct phenotypes including frontotemporal lissencephaly, epilepsy, autism and probably schizophrenia. Notably, we observed a significantly higher proportion of loss-of-function variants in the biallelic compared to the monoallelic cohort, where the variant spectrum included missense and splice-site variants. We assessed the impact of two canonical splice-site variants observed as biallelic or monoallelic variants in individuals with moderately affected or normal cerebellum and demonstrated exon skipping causing in-frame loss of 46 or 52 amino acids in the central RELN domain. Previously reported functional studies demonstrated severe reduction in overall RELN secretion caused by heterozygous missense variants p.Cys539Arg and p.Arg3207Cys associated with lissencephaly suggesting a dominant-negative effect. We conclude that biallelic variants resulting in complete absence of RELN expression are associated with a consistent and severe phenotype that includes cerebellar hypoplasia. However, reduced expression of RELN remains sufficient to maintain nearly normal cerebellar structure. Monoallelic variants are associated with incomplete penetrance and variable expressivity even within the same family and may have dominant-negative effects. Reduced RELN secretion in heterozygous individuals affects only cortical structure whereas the cerebellum remains intact. Our data expand the spectrum of RELN-related neurodevelopmental disorders ranging from lethal brain malformations to adult phenotypes with normal brain imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nataliya Di Donato
- Institute for Clinical Genetics, University Hospital, TU Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Renzo Guerrini
- Pediatric Neurology, Neurogenetics and Neurobiology Unit and Laboratories, Meyer Children's Hospital, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Charles J Billington
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Genetics and Metabolism, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55454, USA
| | - A James Barkovich
- Departments of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Neurology, Pediatrics, and Neurosurgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Philine Dinkel
- Institute for Clinical Genetics, University Hospital, TU Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Elena Freri
- Department of Pediatric Neuroscience, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Michael Heide
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- German Primate Center, Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, 37077 Goettingen, Germany
| | - Elliot S Gershon
- Department of Human Genetics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Tracy S Gertler
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Robert J Hopkin
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Suma Jacob
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55454, USA
| | - Sarah K Keedy
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Daniz Kooshavar
- Bruce Lefory Centre, Murdoch Children's Research Institute and University of Melbourne Department of Pediatrics, Melbourne 3052, Australia
| | - Paul J Lockhart
- Bruce Lefory Centre, Murdoch Children's Research Institute and University of Melbourne Department of Pediatrics, Melbourne 3052, Australia
| | - Dietmar R Lohmann
- Institut fur Humangenetik, Universitatsklinikum Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Iman G Mahmoud
- Pediatric Neurology Department, Cairo University Children's Hospital, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Elena Parrini
- Pediatric Neurology, Neurogenetics and Neurobiology Unit and Laboratories, Meyer Children's Hospital, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Evelin Schrock
- Institute for Clinical Genetics, University Hospital, TU Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Giulia Severi
- Medical Genetics Unit, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrew E Timms
- Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
| | - Richard I Webster
- T. Y. Nelson Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney 2145, Australia
| | - Mary J H Willis
- Uniformed Services University School of Medicine and Naval Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, San Diego, CA 92134, USA
| | - Maha S Zaki
- Pediatric Neurology Department, Cairo University Children's Hospital, Cairo, Egypt
- Clinical Genetics Department, Human Genetics and Genome Research Division, National Research Centre, Cairo Governorate 12622, Egypt
| | - Joseph G Gleeson
- Department of Neurosciences, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Richard J Leventer
- Department of Neurology, Royal Children's Hospital, Murdoch Children's Research Institute and University of Melbourne Department of Pediatrics, Melbourne 3052, Australia
| | - William B Dobyns
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Genetics and Metabolism, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55454, USA
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5
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Shabani Z, Rahbarghazi R, Karimipour M, Ghadiri T, Salehi R, Sadigh‐Eteghad S, Farhoudi M. Transplantation of bioengineered Reelin-loaded PLGA/PEG micelles can accelerate neural tissue regeneration in photothrombotic stroke model of mouse. Bioeng Transl Med 2021; 7:e10264. [PMID: 35111956 PMCID: PMC8780906 DOI: 10.1002/btm2.10264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Ischemic stroke is characterized by extensive neuronal loss, glial scar formation, neural tissue degeneration that leading to profound changes in the extracellular matrix, neuronal circuitry, and long-lasting functional disabilities. Although transplanted neural stem cells (NSCs) can recover some of the functional deficit after stroke, retrieval is not complete and repair of lost tissue is negligible. Therefore, the current challenge is to use the combination of NSCs with suitably enriched biomaterials to retain these cells within the infarct cavity and accelerate the formation of a de novo tissue. This study aimed to test the regenerative potential of polylactic-co-glycolic acid-polyethylene glycol (PLGA-PEG) micelle biomaterial enriched with Reelin and embryonic NSCs on photothrombotic stroke model of mice to gain appropriate methods in tissue engineering. For this purpose, two sets of experiments, either in vitro or in vivo models, were performed. In vitro analyses exhibited PLGA-PEG plus Reelin-induced proliferation rate (Ki-67+ NSCs) and neurite outgrowth (axonization and dendritization) compared to PLGA-PEG + NSCs and Reelin + NSCs groups (p < 0.05). Besides, neural differentiation (Map-2+ cells) was high in NSCs cultured in the presence of Reelin-loaded PLGA-PEG micelles (p < 0.05). Double immunofluorescence staining showed that Reelin-loaded PLGA-PEG micelles increased the number of migrating neural progenitor cells (DCX+ cells) and mature neurons (NeuN+ cells) around the lesion site compared to the groups received PLGA-PEG and Reelin alone after 1 month (p < 0.05). Immunohistochemistry results showed that the PLGA/PEG plus Reelin significantly decreased the astrocytic gliosis and increased local angiogenesis (vWF-positive cells) relative to the other groups. These changes led to the reduction of cavity size in the Reelin-loaded PLGA-PEG+NSCs group. Neurobehavioral tests indicated Reelin-loaded PLGA-PEG+NSCs promoted neurological outcome and functional recovery (p < 0.05). These results indicated that Reelin-loaded PLGA-PEG is capable of promoting NSCs dynamic growth, neuronal differentiation, and local angiogenesis following ischemic injury via providing a desirable microenvironment. These features can lead to neural tissue regeneration and functional recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Shabani
- Neurosciences Research Center (NSRC)Tabriz University of Medical SciencesTabrizIran,Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Advanced Medical SciencesTabriz University of Medical SciencesTabrizIran
| | - Reza Rahbarghazi
- Stem Cell Research CenterTabriz University of Medical SciencesTabrizIran,Department of Applied Cell Sciences, Faculty of Advanced Medical SciencesTabriz University of Medical SciencesTabrizIran
| | - Mohammad Karimipour
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Advanced Medical SciencesTabriz University of Medical SciencesTabrizIran,Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of MedicineTabriz University of Medical SciencesTabrizIran
| | - Tahereh Ghadiri
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Advanced Medical SciencesTabriz University of Medical SciencesTabrizIran
| | - Roya Salehi
- Department of Medical Nanotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Medical SciencesTabriz University of Medical SciencesTabrizIran
| | - Saeed Sadigh‐Eteghad
- Neurosciences Research Center (NSRC)Tabriz University of Medical SciencesTabrizIran
| | - Mehdi Farhoudi
- Neurosciences Research Center (NSRC)Tabriz University of Medical SciencesTabrizIran
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6
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Orcinha C, Kilias A, Paschen E, Follo M, Haas CA. Reelin Is Required for Maintenance of Granule Cell Lamination in the Healthy and Epileptic Hippocampus. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:730811. [PMID: 34483838 PMCID: PMC8414139 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.730811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
One characteristic feature of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy is granule cell dispersion (GCD), a pathological widening of the granule cell layer in the dentate gyrus. The loss of the extracellular matrix protein Reelin, an important positional cue for neurons, correlates with GCD formation in MTLE patients and in rodent epilepsy models. Here, we used organotypic hippocampal slice cultures (OHSC) from transgenic mice expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) in differentiated granule cells (GCs) to monitor GCD formation dynamically by live cell video microscopy and to investigate the role of Reelin in this process. We present evidence that following treatment with the glutamate receptor agonist kainate (KA), eGFP-positive GCs migrated mainly toward the hilar region. In the hilus, Reelin-producing neurons were rapidly lost following KA treatment as shown in a detailed time series. Addition of recombinant Reelin fragments to the medium effectively prevented the KA-triggered movement of eGFP-positive GCs. Placement of Reelin-coated beads into the hilus of KA-treated cultures stopped the migration of GCs in a distance-dependent manner. In addition, quantitative Western blot analysis revealed that KA treatment affects the Reelin signal transduction pathway by increasing intracellular adaptor protein Disabled-1 synthesis and reducing the phosphorylation of cofilin, a downstream target of the Reelin pathway. Both events were normalized by addition of recombinant Reelin fragments. Finally, following neutralization of Reelin in healthy OHSC by incubation with the function-blocking CR-50 Reelin antibody, GCs started to migrate without any direction preference. Together, our findings demonstrate that normotopic position of Reelin is essential for the maintenance of GC lamination in the dentate gyrus and that GCD is the result of a local Reelin deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina Orcinha
- Experimental Epilepsy Research, Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Antje Kilias
- Biomicrotechnology, Department of Microsystems Engineering (IMTEK), University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Enya Paschen
- Experimental Epilepsy Research, Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.,Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Marie Follo
- Lighthouse Core Facility, Department of Internal Medicine I, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Carola A Haas
- Experimental Epilepsy Research, Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.,Center for Basics in NeuroModulation, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
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7
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CASK regulates Notch pathway and functions as a tumor promoter in pancreatic cancer. Arch Biochem Biophys 2021; 701:108789. [PMID: 33548214 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2021.108789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Calcium/calmodulin-dependent serine protein kinase (CASK), a member of membrane-associated guanylate kinase (MAGUK) super-family, is implicated in regulating cell proliferation, cytoskeletal remodeling, and cell metastasis. Our study aimed to investigate the effect of CASK on the malignant behaviors of pancreatic cancer cells and to determine the signaling pathway involved. CASK expression in pancreatic cancer tissues based on the TCGA database was analyzed using GEPIA online tool. The overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) in patients with pancreatic cancer based on CASK expression was also analyzed using GEPIA. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis was used to show the association of 1522 CASK-related genes and signaling pathways. The expression of CASK, Notch1 and Hey1 was detected by Western blot. Cell proliferation, colony number, invasion, and apoptosis were detected by CCK-8, colony formation assay, Transwell invasion assay, and flow cytometry analysis, respectively. Results showed that CASK was upregulated in pancreatic cancer tissues and cells. Pancreatic cancer patients with high CASK expression showed shorter OS and DFS than patients with low CASK expression. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis proved that CASK and 1522 CASK-associated genes were primarily associated with the Notch pathway. CASK silencing inhibited cell proliferation, colony formation ability, and invasion and elicited apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells. Additionally, we confirmed that CASK silencing inhibited the Notch pathway in pancreatic cancer cells. Overexpression of Notch1 resisted the anti-tumor functions of CASK knockdown in pancreatic cancer cells. In conclusion, CASK knockdown suppressed the malignant behaviors of pancreatic cancer cells by inactivating the Notch pathway.
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8
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Takeda H, Kameo Y, Adachi T. Continuum modeling for neuronal lamination during cerebral morphogenesis considering cell migration and tissue growth. Comput Methods Biomech Biomed Engin 2020; 24:1-7. [PMID: 33290089 DOI: 10.1080/10255842.2020.1852554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
For neuronal lamination during cerebral morphogenesis, later-born neurons must migrate through already-accumulated neurons. This neuronal migration is biochemically regulated by signaling molecules and mechanically affected by tissue deformation. To understand the neuronal lamination mechanisms, we constructed a continuum model of neuronal migration in a growing deformable tissue. We performed numerical analyses considering the migration promoted by signaling molecules and the tissue growth induced by neuron accumulation. The results suggest that the promoted migration and the space ensured by tissue growth are essential for neuronal lamination. The proposed model can describe the coupling of mechanical and biochemical mechanisms for neuronal lamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hironori Takeda
- Department of Micro Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Department of Biosystems Science, Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Kameo
- Department of Micro Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Department of Biosystems Science, Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Department of Mammalian Regulatory Network, Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Taiji Adachi
- Department of Micro Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Department of Biosystems Science, Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Department of Mammalian Regulatory Network, Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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9
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Fyn Tyrosine Kinase as Harmonizing Factor in Neuronal Functions and Dysfunctions. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21124444. [PMID: 32580508 PMCID: PMC7352836 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21124444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Fyn is a non-receptor or cytoplasmatic tyrosine kinase (TK) belonging to the Src family kinases (SFKs) involved in multiple transduction pathways in the central nervous system (CNS) including synaptic transmission, myelination, axon guidance, and oligodendrocyte formation. Almost one hundred years after the original description of Fyn, this protein continues to attract extreme interest because of its multiplicity of actions in the molecular signaling pathways underlying neurodevelopmental as well as neuropathologic events. This review highlights and summarizes the most relevant recent findings pertinent to the role that Fyn exerts in the brain, emphasizing aspects related to neurodevelopment and synaptic plasticity. Fyn is a common factor in healthy and diseased brains that targets different proteins and shapes different transduction signals according to the neurological conditions. We will primarily focus on Fyn-mediated signaling pathways involved in neuronal differentiation and plasticity that have been subjected to considerable attention lately, opening the fascinating scenario to target Fyn TK for the development of potential therapeutic interventions for the treatment of CNS injuries and certain neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease.
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10
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Roles of Reelin/Disabled1 pathway on functional recovery of hemiplegic mice after neural cell transplantation; Reelin promotes migration toward motor cortex and maturation to motoneurons of neural grafts. Exp Neurol 2019; 320:112970. [DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2019.112970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Revised: 04/23/2019] [Accepted: 06/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Machado RA, Benjumea-Cuartas V, Zapata Berruecos JF, Agudelo-Flóres PM, Salazar-Peláez LM. Reelin, tau phosphorylation and psychiatric complications in patients with hippocampal sclerosis and structural abnormalities in temporal lobe epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav 2019; 96:192-199. [PMID: 31150999 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2019.04.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Revised: 04/17/2019] [Accepted: 04/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is the most common adult epileptic syndrome. About 30-70% of those cases have neuropsychiatric complications. More than 10% of patients have TLE because of focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) type IIIa. OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to review the evidence of reelin (RELN) deficiency and tau phosphorylation role in the histopathological, neuropsychiatric, and hyperexcitability features in TLE because of dysplasia type IIIa. METHODS The current literature was reviewed using Cochrane, EMBASE, PROSPERO, MEDLINE, and PubMed from 1995 to July 2018. Articles of interest were reviewed by one investigator (RAM). RESULTS Reelin deficit is related to an abnormal migration of neurons in dentate gyrus, and its deficit causes dentate gyrus abnormalities, which in turn has been associated with memory deficits in patients with TLE. A decreased in the expression of RELN ribonucleic acid (RNA) was found in patients with TLE and dysplasia type IIIa compared with patients with TLE and isolated hippocampal sclerosis (HS). Reelin might affect the distribution and dynamic instability of microtubules within neurons in the cerebral cortex and their phosphorylation. Amyloid pathology, tauopathy, or phosphorylated tau (p-tau) overexpression has been reported in epileptic human brain and in animal models of epilepsy. CONCLUSION Reelin deficit may determine an abnormal cortical lamination and dentate gyrus dispersion and might be associated with an abnormal tau phosphorylation. These processes can be associated with an abnormal hyperexcitability, neuropsychiatric complications, and a myriad of typical histopathological features seen in patients with TLE because of dysplasia type IIIa.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vanesa Benjumea-Cuartas
- Neurologist-epileptologist at Neurology Institute of Colombia. Grupo de Investigación en Ciencias Básicas, Escuela de Graduados, Universidad CES
| | - José Fernando Zapata Berruecos
- Neurology at Neurology Institute of Colombia, Grupo de Investigación en Ciencias Básicas, Escuela de Graduados, Universidad CES
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12
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Zhuang M, Li B, Huang Y, Lei Q, Yan R, Li N, Sidhu K, Cheng X, Yan X, Miao Y, Zhao S, Hua J. Reelin regulates male mouse reproductive capacity via the sertoli cells. J Cell Biochem 2019; 120:1174-1184. [PMID: 30335884 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.26824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2017] [Accepted: 02/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Reelin plays important roles in brain development. Reeler mutant mice that lack the protein reelin (RELN) suffer from cell type- and region-dependent changes in their neocortical layers, and adult reeler mutant mice have dilated seminiferous tubules. Meanwhile, the mechanism by which Reelin regulates the spermatogenic cell development in mice and their reproductive abilities remains unclear. In the present study, we used reeler mutant mice to investigate the effects of Reelin on reproduction in mice. The results indicated variations in sex hormone expression among the reeler mice, indicating that they produce few offspring and their spermatogenic cells are irregularly developed. Moreover, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF)/GDNF family receptor alpha 1, Ras/extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK), and promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger (PLZF)/chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 4 (CXCR4) serve as potential regulatory pathways that respond to the changes in sertoli cells and the niche of male germ cells. Our findings provided valuable insights into the role of reeler in the reproductive abilities of male mice and development of their spermatogonia stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengru Zhuang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Bo Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yangxue Huang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Qijing Lei
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Ruichuan Yan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Na Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Kuldip Sidhu
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, UNSW Medicine, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Xiang Cheng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center-Arthur G James Cancer Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Xinrong Yan
- College of Life Science, Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yiliang Miao
- College of Animal Sciences & Technology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Shanting Zhao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jinlian Hua
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
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Anstötz M, Karsak M, Rune GM. Integrity of Cajal-Retzius cells in the reeler-mouse hippocampus. Hippocampus 2018; 29:550-565. [PMID: 30394609 DOI: 10.1002/hipo.23049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2018] [Revised: 10/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Cajal-Retzius (CR) cells are early-born glutamatergic neurons that are primarily known as the early main source of the signal protein Reelin. In the reeler mutant, the absence of Reelin causes severe defects in the radial migration of neurons, resulting in abnormal cortical layering. To date, the exact morphological properties of CR-cells independent of Reelin are unknown. With this in view, we studied the ontogenesis, density, and distribution of CR-cells in reeler mice that were cross-bred with a CXCR4-EGFP reporter mouse line, thus enabling us to clearly identify CR-cells positions in the disorganized hippocampus of the reeler mouse. As evidenced by morphological analysis, differences were found regarding CR-cell distribution and density: generally, we found fewer CR-cells in the developing and adult reeler hippocampus as compared to the hippocampus of wild-type animals (WT); however, in reeler mice, CR-cells were much more closely associated to the hippocampal fissure (HF), resulting in relatively higher local CR-cell densities. This higher local cell density was accompanied by stronger immunoreactivity of the CXCR4 ligand, stroma-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) that is known to regulate CR-cell positioning. Importantly, confocal microscopy indicates an integration of CR-cells into the developing and adult hippocampal network in reeler mice, raising evidence that network integration of CR-cells might be independent of Reelin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max Anstötz
- Institute of Neuroanatomy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Meliha Karsak
- Neuronal and Cellular Signal Transduction, Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg (ZMNH), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Gabriele M Rune
- Institute of Neuroanatomy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
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Sun L, Chen R, Bai Y, Li J, Wu Q, Shen Q, Wang X. Morphological and Physiological Characteristics of Ebf2-EGFP-Expressing Cajal-Retzius Cells in Developing Mouse Neocortex. Cereb Cortex 2018; 29:3864-3878. [DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhy265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2018] [Revised: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Cajal-Retzius (CR) cells are one of the earliest populations of neurons in the cerebral cortex of rodents and primates, and they play a critical role in corticogenesis and cortical lamination during neocortical development. However, a comprehensive morphological and physiological profile of CR cells in the mouse neocortex has not yet been established. Here, we systematically investigated the dynamic development of CR cells in Tg(Ebf2-EGFP)58Gsat/Mmcd mice. The morphological complexity, membrane activities and presynaptic inputs of CR cells coordinately increase and reach a plateau at P5–P9 before regressing. Using 3D reconstruction, we delineated a parallel-stratification pattern of the axonal extension of CR cells. Furthermore, we found that the morphological structure and presynaptic inputs of CR cells were disturbed in Reelin-deficient mice. These findings confirm that CR cells undergo a transient maturation process in layer 1 before disappearing. Importantly, Reelin deficiency impairs the formation of synaptic connections onto CR cells. In conclusion, our results provide insights into the rapid maturation and axonal stratification of CR cells in layer 1. These findings suggest that both the electrophysiological activities and the morphology of CR cells provide vital guidance for the modulation of early circuits, in a Reelin-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Le Sun
- Institute of Biophysics, State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology; Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ruiguo Chen
- Institute of Biophysics, State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology; Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- The College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ye Bai
- Institute of Biophysics, State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology; Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- The College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jia Li
- PTN graduate program, School of Life Science, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Qian Wu
- Institute of Biophysics, State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology; Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qin Shen
- Tongji Hospital, Brain and Spinal Cord Innovative Research Center, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoqun Wang
- Institute of Biophysics, State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology; Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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Guy J, Sachkova A, Möck M, Witte M, Wagener RJ, Staiger JF. Intracortical Network Effects Preserve Thalamocortical Input Efficacy in a Cortex Without Layers. Cereb Cortex 2018; 27:4851-4866. [PMID: 27620977 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhw281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2016] [Accepted: 08/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Layer IV (LIV) of the rodent somatosensory cortex contains the somatotopic barrel field. Barrels receive much of the sensory input to the cortex through innervation by thalamocortical axons from the ventral posteromedial nucleus. In the reeler mouse, the absence of cortical layers results in the formation of mispositioned barrel-equivalent clusters of LIV fated neurons. Although functional imaging suggests that sensory input activates the cortex, little is known about the cellular and synaptic properties of identified excitatory neurons of the reeler cortex. We examined the properties of thalamic input to spiny stellate (SpS) neurons in the reeler cortex with in vitro electrophysiology, optogenetics, and subcellular channelrhodopsin-2-assisted circuit mapping (sCRACM). Our results indicate that reeler SpS neurons receive direct but weakened input from the thalamus, with a dispersed spatial distribution along the somatodendritic arbor. These results further document subtle alterations in functional connectivity concomitant of absent layering in the reeler mutant. We suggest that intracortical amplification mechanisms compensate for this weakening in order to allow reliable sensory transmission to the mutant neocortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Guy
- Department of Neuroanatomy, Institute for Anatomy, University Medical Center, Georg-August-University, D-37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Alexandra Sachkova
- Department of Neuroanatomy, Institute for Anatomy, University Medical Center, Georg-August-University, D-37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Martin Möck
- Department of Neuroanatomy, Institute for Anatomy, University Medical Center, Georg-August-University, D-37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Mirko Witte
- Department of Neuroanatomy, Institute for Anatomy, University Medical Center, Georg-August-University, D-37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Robin J Wagener
- Department of Basic Neurosciences, University of Geneva, CH-1211, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Jochen F Staiger
- Department of Neuroanatomy, Institute for Anatomy, University Medical Center, Georg-August-University, D-37075 Göttingen, Germany.,DFG Center for Nanoscale Microscopy & Molecular Physiology of the Brain (CNMPB), 37075 Göttingen, Germany
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Beckinghausen J, Sillitoe RV. Insights into cerebellar development and connectivity. Neurosci Lett 2018; 688:2-13. [PMID: 29746896 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2018.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2017] [Revised: 05/04/2018] [Accepted: 05/06/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The cerebellum has a well-established role in controlling motor functions such coordination, balance, posture, and skilled learning. There is mounting evidence that it might also play a critical role in non-motor functions such as cognition and emotion. It is therefore not surprising that cerebellar defects are associated with a wide array of diseases including ataxia, dystonia, tremor, schizophrenia, dyslexia, and autism spectrum disorder. What is intriguing is that a seemingly uniform circuit that is often described as being "simple" should carry out all of these behaviors. Analyses of how cerebellar circuits develop have revealed that such descriptions massively underestimate the complexity of the cerebellum. The cerebellum is in fact highly patterned and organized around a series of parasagittal stripes and transverse zones. This topographic architecture partitions all cerebellar circuits into functional modules that are thought to enhance processing power during cerebellar dependent behaviors. What are arguably the most remarkable features of cerebellar topography are the developmental processes that produce them. This review is concerned with the genetic and cellular mechanisms that orchestrate cerebellar patterning. We place a major focus on how Purkinje cells control multiple aspects of cerebellar circuit assembly. Using this model, we discuss evidence for how "zebra-like" patterns in Purkinje cells sculpt the cerebellum, how specific genetic cues mediate the process, and how activity refines the patterns into an adult map that is capable of executing various functions. We also discuss how defective Purkinje cell patterning might impact the pathogenesis of neurological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaclyn Beckinghausen
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, 1250 Moursund Street, Suite 1325, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Neuroscience, 1250 Moursund Street, Suite 1325, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute of TX Children's Hospital, 1250 Moursund Street, Suite 1325, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Roy V Sillitoe
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, 1250 Moursund Street, Suite 1325, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Neuroscience, 1250 Moursund Street, Suite 1325, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1250 Moursund Street, Suite 1325, Houston, TX, 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute of TX Children's Hospital, 1250 Moursund Street, Suite 1325, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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17
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Eldred MK, Charlton-Perkins M, Muresan L, Harris WA. Self-organising aggregates of zebrafish retinal cells for investigating mechanisms of neural lamination. Development 2017; 144:1097-1106. [PMID: 28174240 PMCID: PMC5358108 DOI: 10.1242/dev.142760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2016] [Accepted: 01/17/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
To investigate the cell-cell interactions necessary for the formation of retinal layers, we cultured dissociated zebrafish retinal progenitors in agarose microwells. Within these wells, the cells re-aggregated within hours, forming tight retinal organoids. Using a Spectrum of Fates zebrafish line, in which all different types of retinal neurons show distinct fluorescent spectra, we found that by 48 h in culture, the retinal organoids acquire a distinct spatial organisation, i.e. they became coarsely but clearly laminated. Retinal pigment epithelium cells were in the centre, photoreceptors and bipolar cells were next most central and amacrine cells and retinal ganglion cells were on the outside. Image analysis allowed us to derive quantitative measures of lamination, which we then used to find that Müller glia, but not RPE cells, are essential for this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan K Eldred
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, Cambridge University, Cambridge CB2 3DY, UK
| | - Mark Charlton-Perkins
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, Cambridge University, Cambridge CB2 3DY, UK
| | - Leila Muresan
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, Cambridge University, Cambridge CB2 3DY, UK
| | - William A Harris
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, Cambridge University, Cambridge CB2 3DY, UK
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18
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Li M, Liu J, Tsien JZ. Theory of Connectivity: Nature and Nurture of Cell Assemblies and Cognitive Computation. Front Neural Circuits 2016; 10:34. [PMID: 27199674 PMCID: PMC4850152 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2016.00034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2016] [Accepted: 04/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Richard Semon and Donald Hebb are among the firsts to put forth the notion of cell assembly—a group of coherently or sequentially-activated neurons—to represent percept, memory, or concept. Despite the rekindled interest in this century-old idea, the concept of cell assembly still remains ill-defined and its operational principle is poorly understood. What is the size of a cell assembly? How should a cell assembly be organized? What is the computational logic underlying Hebbian cell assemblies? How might Nature vs. Nurture interact at the level of a cell assembly? In contrast to the widely assumed randomness within the mature but naïve cell assembly, the Theory of Connectivity postulates that the brain consists of the developmentally pre-programmed cell assemblies known as the functional connectivity motif (FCM). Principal cells within such FCM is organized by the power-of-two-based mathematical principle that guides the construction of specific-to-general combinatorial connectivity patterns in neuronal circuits, giving rise to a full range of specific features, various relational patterns, and generalized knowledge. This pre-configured canonical computation is predicted to be evolutionarily conserved across many circuits, ranging from these encoding memory engrams and imagination to decision-making and motor control. Although the power-of-two-based wiring and computational logic places a mathematical boundary on an individual’s cognitive capacity, the fullest intellectual potential can be brought about by optimized nature and nurture. This theory may also open up a new avenue to examining how genetic mutations and various drugs might impair or improve the computational logic of brain circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Li
- Brain and Behavior Discovery Institute and Department of Neurology, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta UniversityAugusta, GA, USA; The Brain Decoding Center, Banna Biomedical Research Institute, Yunnan Academy of Science and TechnologyYunnan, China
| | - Jun Liu
- Brain and Behavior Discovery Institute and Department of Neurology, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Joe Z Tsien
- Brain and Behavior Discovery Institute and Department of Neurology, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University Augusta, GA, USA
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Keil KP, Lein PJ. DNA methylation: a mechanism linking environmental chemical exposures to risk of autism spectrum disorders? ENVIRONMENTAL EPIGENETICS 2016; 2:dvv012. [PMID: 27158529 PMCID: PMC4856164 DOI: 10.1093/eep/dvv012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
There is now compelling evidence that gene by environment interactions are important in the etiology of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). However, the mechanisms by which environmental factors interact with genetic susceptibilities to confer individual risk for ASD remain a significant knowledge gap in the field. The epigenome, and in particular DNA methylation, is a critical gene expression regulatory mechanism in normal and pathogenic brain development. DNA methylation can be influenced by environmental factors such as diet, hormones, stress, drugs, or exposure to environmental chemicals, suggesting that environmental factors may contribute to adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes of relevance to ASD via effects on DNA methylation in the developing brain. In this review, we describe epidemiological and experimental evidence implicating altered DNA methylation as a potential mechanism by which environmental chemicals confer risk for ASD, using polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), lead, and bisphenol A (BPA) as examples. Understanding how environmental chemical exposures influence DNA methylation and how these epigenetic changes modulate the risk and/or severity of ASD will not only provide mechanistic insight regarding gene-environment interactions of relevance to ASD but may also suggest potential intervention strategies for these and potentially other neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly P. Keil
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Pamela J. Lein
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- *Correspondence address. Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Drive, Davis, CA 95616, USA. Tel:
(530) 752-1970
; Fax:
(530) 752-7690
; E-mail:
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Cell death and neurodegeneration in the postnatal development of cerebellar vermis in normal and Reeler mice. Ann Anat 2016; 207:76-90. [PMID: 26931496 DOI: 10.1016/j.aanat.2016.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2015] [Accepted: 01/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Programmed cell death (PCD) was demonstrated in neurons and glia in normal brain development, plasticity, and aging, but also in neurodegeneration. (Macro)autophagy, characterized by cytoplasmic vacuolization and activation of lysosomal hydrolases, and apoptosis, typically entailing cell shrinkage, chromatin and nuclear condensation, are the two more common forms of PCD. Their underlying intracellular pathways are partly shared and neurons can die following both modalities, according to the type of death-triggering stimulus. Reelin is an extracellular protein necessary for proper neuronal migration and brain lamination. In the mutant Reeler mouse, its absence causes neuronal mispositioning, with a notable degree of cerebellar hypoplasia that was tentatively related to an increase in PCD. We have carried out an ultrastructural analysis on the occurrence and type of postnatal PCD affecting the cerebellar neurons in normal and Reeler mice. In the forming cerebellar cortex, PCD took the form of apoptosis or autophagy and mainly affected the cerebellar granule cells (CGCs). Densities of apoptotic CGCs were comparable in both mouse strains at P0-P10, while, in mutants, they increased to become significantly higher at P15. In WT mice the density of autophagic neurons did not display statistically significant differences in the time interval examined in this study, whereas it was reduced in Reeler in the P0-P10 interval, but increased at P15. Besides CGCs, the Purkinje neurons also displayed autophagic features in both WT and Reeler mice. Therefore, cerebellar neurons undergo different types of PCD and a Reelin deficiency affects the type and degree of neuronal death during postnatal development of the cerebellum.
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Stouffer MA, Golden JA, Francis F. Neuronal migration disorders: Focus on the cytoskeleton and epilepsy. Neurobiol Dis 2015; 92:18-45. [PMID: 26299390 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2015.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2015] [Revised: 08/05/2015] [Accepted: 08/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
A wide spectrum of focal, regional, or diffuse structural brain abnormalities, collectively known as malformations of cortical development (MCDs), frequently manifest with intellectual disability (ID), epilepsy, and/or autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). As the acronym suggests, MCDs are perturbations of the normal architecture of the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. The pathogenesis of these disorders remains incompletely understood; however, one area that has provided important insights has been the study of neuronal migration. The amalgamation of human genetics and experimental studies in animal models has led to the recognition that common genetic causes of neurodevelopmental disorders, including many severe epilepsy syndromes, are due to mutations in genes regulating the migration of newly born post-mitotic neurons. Neuronal migration genes often, though not exclusively, code for proteins involved in the function of the cytoskeleton. Other cellular processes, such as cell division and axon/dendrite formation, which similarly depend on cytoskeletal functions, may also be affected. We focus here on how the susceptibility of the highly organized neocortex and hippocampus may be due to their laminar organization, which involves the tight regulation, both temporally and spatially, of gene expression, specialized progenitor cells, the migration of neurons over large distances and a birthdate-specific layering of neurons. Perturbations in neuronal migration result in abnormal lamination, neuronal differentiation defects, abnormal cellular morphology and circuit formation. Ultimately this results in disorganized excitatory and inhibitory activity leading to the symptoms observed in individuals with these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa A Stouffer
- INSERM UMRS 839, Paris, France; Sorbonne Universités, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France; Institut du Fer à Moulin, Paris, France
| | - Jeffrey A Golden
- Department of Pathology, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Fiona Francis
- INSERM UMRS 839, Paris, France; Sorbonne Universités, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France; Institut du Fer à Moulin, Paris, France.
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Caffrey JR, Hughes BD, Britto JM, Landman KA. An in silico agent-based model demonstrates Reelin function in directing lamination of neurons during cortical development. PLoS One 2014; 9:e110415. [PMID: 25334023 PMCID: PMC4204858 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0110415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2014] [Accepted: 09/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The characteristic six-layered appearance of the neocortex arises from the correct positioning of pyramidal neurons during development and alterations in this process can cause intellectual disabilities and developmental delay. Malformations in cortical development arise when neurons either fail to migrate properly from the germinal zones or fail to cease migration in the correct laminar position within the cortical plate. The Reelin signalling pathway is vital for correct neuronal positioning as loss of Reelin leads to a partially inverted cortex. The precise biological function of Reelin remains controversial and debate surrounds its role as a chemoattractant or stop signal for migrating neurons. To investigate this further we developed an in silico agent-based model of cortical layer formation. Using this model we tested four biologically plausible hypotheses for neuron motility and four biologically plausible hypotheses for the loss of neuron motility (conversion from migration). A matrix of 16 combinations of motility and conversion rules was applied against the known structure of mouse cortical layers in the wild-type cortex, the Reelin-null mutant, the Dab1-null mutant and a conditional Dab1 mutant. Using this approach, many combinations of motility and conversion mechanisms can be rejected. For example, the model does not support Reelin acting as a repelling or as a stopping signal. In contrast, the study lends very strong support to the notion that the glycoprotein Reelin acts as a chemoattractant for neurons. Furthermore, the most viable proposition for the conversion mechanism is one in which conversion is affected by a motile neuron sensing in the near vicinity neurons that have already converted. Therefore, this model helps elucidate the function of Reelin during neuronal migration and cortical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- James R. Caffrey
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Barry D. Hughes
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Joanne M. Britto
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kerry A. Landman
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- * E-mail:
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Kupferman JV, Basu J, Russo MJ, Guevarra J, Cheung SK, Siegelbaum SA. Reelin signaling specifies the molecular identity of the pyramidal neuron distal dendritic compartment. Cell 2014; 158:1335-1347. [PMID: 25201528 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2014.07.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2014] [Revised: 05/27/2014] [Accepted: 07/17/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The apical dendrites of many neurons contain proximal and distal compartments that receive synaptic inputs from different brain regions. These compartments also contain distinct complements of ion channels that enable the differential processing of their respective synaptic inputs, making them functionally distinct. At present, the molecular mechanisms that specify dendritic compartments are not well understood. Here, we report that the extracellular matrix protein Reelin, acting through its downstream, intracellular Dab1 and Src family tyrosine kinase signaling cascade, is essential for establishing and maintaining the molecular identity of the distal dendritic compartment of cortical pyramidal neurons. We find that Reelin signaling is required for the striking enrichment of HCN1 and GIRK1 channels in the distal tuft dendrites of both hippocampal CA1 and neocortical layer 5 pyramidal neurons, where the channels actively filter inputs targeted to these dendritic domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justine V Kupferman
- Department of Biology, Kavli Institute, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Kavli Institute, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Jayeeta Basu
- Department of Neuroscience, Kavli Institute, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Marco J Russo
- Department of Neuroscience, Kavli Institute, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Jenieve Guevarra
- Department of Biology, Kavli Institute, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Stephanie K Cheung
- Department of Neuroscience, Kavli Institute, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Steven A Siegelbaum
- Department of Neuroscience, Kavli Institute, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Kavli Institute, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10032, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10032, USA.
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Castagna C, Aimar P, Alasia S, Lossi L. Post-natal development of the Reeler mouse cerebellum: An ultrastructural study. Ann Anat 2014; 196:224-35. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aanat.2013.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2013] [Revised: 11/15/2013] [Accepted: 11/25/2013] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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25
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Hawthorne AL. Repurposing Reelin: the new role of radial glia, Reelin and Notch in motor neuron migration. Exp Neurol 2014; 256:17-20. [PMID: 24607503 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2014.02.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2013] [Revised: 02/20/2014] [Accepted: 02/24/2014] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The role of Reelin during cerebral cortical neuron migration has long been studied, but the Reelin signaling pathway and its possible interactions are just beginning to be unraveled. Reelin is not only important in cerebral cortical migration, but has recently been shown to interact with the Notch signaling pathway and to be critical for radial glial cell number and morphology. Lee and Song (2013) show a new Notch- and Reelin-dependent role for radial glia in the mouse spinal cord: to act as a fine filter that allows somatic motor neuron axons but not cell bodies to traverse out of the CNS. Here, the types of neuronal migration are discussed, focusing on motor neurons and cues for proper localization. The interaction of Reelin signaling with the Notch pathway is reviewed, which dictates the proper formation of radial glia in the spinal cord in order to prevent ectopic motor neuron migration (Lee and Song, 2013). Future studies may reveal novel interactions and further insights as to how Reelin functions throughout the developing nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia L Hawthorne
- Dept. of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, 615 Michael St., WBRB 415, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
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Przybycien-Szymanska MM, Rao YS, Prins SA, Pak TR. Parental binge alcohol abuse alters F1 generation hypothalamic gene expression in the absence of direct fetal alcohol exposure. PLoS One 2014; 9:e89320. [PMID: 24586686 PMCID: PMC3930730 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0089320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2013] [Accepted: 01/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Adolescent binge alcohol exposure has long-lasting effects on the expression of hypothalamic genes that regulate the stress response, even in the absence of subsequent adult alcohol exposure. This suggests that alcohol can induce permanent gene expression changes, potentially through epigenetic modifications to specific genes. Epigenetic modifications can be transmitted to future generations therefore, and in these studies we investigated the effects of adolescent binge alcohol exposure on hypothalamic gene expression patterns in the F1 generation offspring. It has been well documented that maternal alcohol exposure during fetal development can have devastating neurological consequences. However, less is known about the consequences of maternal and/or paternal alcohol exposure outside of the gestational time frame. Here, we exposed adolescent male and female rats to a repeated binge EtOH exposure paradigm and then mated them in adulthood. Hypothalamic samples were taken from the offspring of these animals at postnatal day (PND) 7 and subjected to a genome-wide microarray analysis followed by qRT-PCR for selected genes. Importantly, the parents were not intoxicated at the time of mating and were not exposed to EtOH at any time during gestation therefore the offspring were never directly exposed to EtOH. Our results showed that the offspring of alcohol-exposed parents had significant differences compared to offspring from alcohol-naïve parents. Specifically, major differences were observed in the expression of genes that mediate neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity during neurodevelopment, genes important for directing chromatin remodeling, posttranslational modifications or transcription regulation, as well as genes involved in regulation of obesity and reproductive function. These data demonstrate that repeated binge alcohol exposure during pubertal development can potentially have detrimental effects on future offspring even in the absence of direct fetal alcohol exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena M. Przybycien-Szymanska
- Loyola University Chicago Health Science Division, Department of Cell and Molecular Physiology, Maywood, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Yathindar S. Rao
- Loyola University Chicago Health Science Division, Department of Cell and Molecular Physiology, Maywood, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Sarah A. Prins
- Loyola University Chicago Health Science Division, Department of Cell and Molecular Physiology, Maywood, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Toni R. Pak
- Loyola University Chicago Health Science Division, Department of Cell and Molecular Physiology, Maywood, Illinois, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Michetti C, Romano E, Altabella L, Caruso A, Castelluccio P, Bedse G, Gaetani S, Canese R, Laviola G, Scattoni ML. Mapping pathological phenotypes in reelin mutant mice. Front Pediatr 2014; 2:95. [PMID: 25237666 PMCID: PMC4154529 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2014.00095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2014] [Accepted: 08/21/2014] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are neurodevelopmental disorders with multifactorial origin characterized by social communication deficits and the presence of repetitive behaviors/interests. Several studies showed an association between the reelin gene mutation and increased risk of ASD and a reduced reelin expression in some brain regions of ASD subjects, suggesting a role for reelin deficiency in ASD etiology. Reelin is a large extracellular matrix glycoprotein playing important roles during development of the central nervous system. To deeply investigate the role of reelin dysfunction as vulnerability factor in ASD, we assessed the behavioral, neurochemical, and brain morphological features of reeler male mice. We recently reported a genotype-dependent deviation in the ultrasonic vocal repertoire and a general delay in motor development of reeler pups. We now report that adult male heterozygous (Het) reeler mice did not show social behavior and communication deficits during male-female social interactions. Wildtype and Het mice showed a typical light/dark locomotor activity profile, with a peak during the central interval of the dark phase. However, when faced with a mild stressful stimulus (a saline injection) only Het mice showed an over response to stress. In addition to the behavioral studies, we conducted high performance liquid chromatography and magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy to investigate whether reelin mutation influences brain monoamine and metabolites levels in regions involved in ASD. Low levels of dopamine in cortex and high levels of glutamate and taurine in hippocampus were detected in Het mice, in line with clinical data collected on ASD children. Altogether, our data detected subtle but relevant neurochemical abnormalities in reeler mice supporting this mutant line, particularly male subjects, as a valid experimental model to estimate the contribution played by reelin deficiency in the global ASD neurobehavioral phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Michetti
- Neurotoxicology and Neuroendocrinology Section, Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità , Rome , Italy ; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "V. Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome , Rome , Italy
| | - Emilia Romano
- Behavioural Neuroscience Section, Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità , Rome , Italy ; Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Istituto Di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico , Rome , Italy
| | - Luisa Altabella
- Molecular and Cellular Imaging Section, Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità , Rome , Italy
| | - Angela Caruso
- Neurotoxicology and Neuroendocrinology Section, Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità , Rome , Italy ; Department of Psychology, School of Behavioural Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome , Rome , Italy
| | - Paolo Castelluccio
- Neurotoxicology and Neuroendocrinology Section, Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità , Rome , Italy
| | - Gaurav Bedse
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "V. Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome , Rome , Italy
| | - Silvana Gaetani
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "V. Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome , Rome , Italy
| | - Rossella Canese
- Molecular and Cellular Imaging Section, Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità , Rome , Italy
| | - Giovanni Laviola
- Behavioural Neuroscience Section, Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità , Rome , Italy
| | - Maria Luisa Scattoni
- Neurotoxicology and Neuroendocrinology Section, Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità , Rome , Italy
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Zhubi A, Cook EH, Guidotti A, Grayson DR. Epigenetic Mechanisms in Autism Spectrum Disorder. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2014; 115:203-44. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-801311-3.00006-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Suárez-Vega A, Gutiérrez-Gil B, Cuchillo-Ibáñez I, Sáez-Valero J, Pérez V, García-Gámez E, Benavides J, Arranz JJ. Identification of a 31-bp deletion in the RELN gene causing lissencephaly with cerebellar hypoplasia in sheep. PLoS One 2013; 8:e81072. [PMID: 24260534 PMCID: PMC3834269 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0081072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2013] [Accepted: 10/09/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Lissencephaly is an inherited developmental disorder in which neuronal migration is impaired. A type of lissencephaly associated with cerebellar hypoplasia (LCH) was diagnosed in a commercial flock of Spanish Churra sheep. The genotyping of 7 affected animals and 33 controls with the OvineSNP50 BeadChip enabled the localization of the causative mutation for ovine LCH to a 4.8-Mb interval on sheep chromosome 4 using genome-wide association and homozygosity mapping. The RELN gene, which is located within this interval, was considered a strong positional and functional candidate because it plays critical roles in neuronal migration and layer formation. By performing a sequencing analysis of this gene’s specific mRNA in a control lamb, we obtained the complete CDS of the ovine RELN gene. The cDNA sequence from an LCH-affected lamb revealed a deletion of 31 bp (c.5410_5440del) in predicted exon 36 of RELN, resulting in a premature termination codon. A functional analysis of this mutation revealed decreased levels of RELN mRNA and a lack of reelin protein in the brain cortex and blood of affected lambs. This mutation showed a complete concordance with the Mendelian recessive pattern of inheritance observed for the disease. The identification of the causal mutation of LCH in Churra sheep will facilitate the implementation of gene-assisted selection to detect heterozygous mutants, which will help breeders avoid at-risk matings in their flocks. Moreover, the identification of this naturally occurring RELN mutation provides an opportunity to use Churra sheep as a genetically characterized large animal model for the study of reelin functions in the developing and mature brain.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Inmaculada Cuchillo-Ibáñez
- Instituto de Neurociencias de Alicante, Universidad Miguel Hernández, CSIC, Sant Joan d’Alacant, Alicante, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Universidad Miguel Hernández, Sant Joan d’Alacant, Alicante, Spain
| | - Javier Sáez-Valero
- Instituto de Neurociencias de Alicante, Universidad Miguel Hernández, CSIC, Sant Joan d’Alacant, Alicante, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Universidad Miguel Hernández, Sant Joan d’Alacant, Alicante, Spain
| | - Valentín Pérez
- Dpto. de Sanidad Animal, Universidad de León, León, León, Spain
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña, Universidad de León CSIC, Grulleros, León, Spain
| | | | - Julio Benavides
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña, Universidad de León CSIC, Grulleros, León, Spain
| | - Juan Jose Arranz
- Dpto. Producción Animal, Universidad de León, León, León, Spain
- * E-mail:
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30
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Richard Hawkes
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Genes and Development Research Group and Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary
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Characterization of neonatal vocal and motor repertoire of reelin mutant mice. PLoS One 2013; 8:e64407. [PMID: 23700474 PMCID: PMC3660261 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0064407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2012] [Accepted: 04/12/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Reelin is a large secreted extracellular matrix glycoprotein playing an important role in early neurodevelopment. Several genetic studies found an association between RELN gene and increased risk of autism suggesting that reelin deficiency may be a vulnerability factor in its etiology. Moreover, a reduced reelin expression has been observed in several brain regions of subjects with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Since a number of reports have documented presence of vocal and neuromotor abnormalities in patients with autism and suggested that these dysfunctions predate the onset of the syndrome, we performed a fine-grain characterization of the neonatal vocal and motor repertoire in reelin mutant mice to explore the developmental precursors of the disorder. Our findings evidence a general delay in motor and vocal development in heterozygous (50% reduced reelin) and reeler (lacking reelin gene) mutant mice. As a whole, an increased number of calls characterized heterozygous pup's emission. Furthermore, the typical ontogenetic peak in the number of calls characterizing wild-type pups on postnatal day 4 appeared slightly delayed in heterozygous pups (to day 6) and was quite absent in reeler littermates, which exhibited a flat profile during development. We also detected a preferential use of a specific call category (two-components) by heterozygous and reeler mice at postnatal days 6 and 8 as compared to their wild-type littermates. With regard to the analysis of spontaneous movements, a differential profile emerged early in development among the three genotypes. While only slight coordination difficulties are exhibited by heterozygous pups, all indices of motor development appear delayed in reeler mice. Overall, our results evidence a genotype-dependent deviation in ultrasonic vocal repertoire and a general delay in motor development in reelin mutant pups.
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32
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Sharma JR, Arieff Z, Gameeldien H, Davids M, Kaur M, van der Merwe L. Association analysis of two single-nucleotide polymorphisms of the RELN gene with autism in the South African population. Genet Test Mol Biomarkers 2013; 17:93-8. [PMID: 23216241 PMCID: PMC3552159 DOI: 10.1089/gtmb.2012.0212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism (MIM209850) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by a triad of impairments, namely impairment in social interaction, impaired communication skills, and restrictive and repetitive behavior. A number of family and twin studies have demonstrated that genetic factors play a pivotal role in the etiology of autistic disorder. Various reports of reduced levels of reelin protein in the brain and plasma in autistic patients highlighted the role of the reelin gene (RELN) in autism. There is no such published study on the South African (SA) population. AIMS The aim of the present study was to find the genetic association of intronic rs736707 and exonic rs362691 (single-nucleotide polymorphisms [SNPs] of the RELN gene) with autism in a SA population. METHODS Genomic DNA was isolated from cheek cell swabs from autistic (136) as well as control (208) subjects. The TaqMan(®) Real-Time polymerase chain reaction and genotyping assay was utilized to determine the genotypes. RESULTS A significant association of SNP rs736707, but not for SNP rs362691, with autism in the SA population is observed. CONCLUSION There might be a possible role of RELN in autism, especially for SA populations. The present study represents the first report on genetic association studies on the RELN gene in the SA population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyoti Rajan Sharma
- Biotechnology Department, Faculty of Natural Science, University of Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
| | - Zainunisha Arieff
- Biotechnology Department, Faculty of Natural Science, University of Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
| | - Hajirah Gameeldien
- Biotechnology Department, Faculty of Natural Science, University of Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
| | - Muneera Davids
- Biotechnology Department, Faculty of Natural Science, University of Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
| | - Mandeep Kaur
- Biotechnology Department, Faculty of Natural Science, University of Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
- Computational Bioscience Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Lize van der Merwe
- Biostatistics Unit, Medical Research Council, Tygerberg, South Africa
- Department of Statistics, University of Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
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Mei X, Wu S, Bassuk AG, Slusarski DC. Mechanisms of prickle1a function in zebrafish epilepsy and retinal neurogenesis. Dis Model Mech 2013; 6:679-88. [PMID: 23324328 PMCID: PMC3634651 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.010793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy is a complex neurological disorder characterized by unprovoked seizures. The etiology is heterogeneous with both genetic and environmental causes. Genes that regulate neurotransmitters and ion channels in the central nervous system have been associated with epilepsy. However, a recent screening in human epilepsy patients identified mutations in the PRICKLE1 (PK1) locus, highlighting a potentially novel mechanism underlying seizures. PK1 is a core component of the planar cell polarity network that regulates tissue polarity. Zebrafish studies have shown that Pk1 coordinates cell movement, neuronal migration and axonal outgrowth during embryonic development. Yet how dysfunction of Pk1 relates to epilepsy is unknown. To address the mechanism underlying epileptogenesis, we used zebrafish to characterize Pk1a function and epilepsy-related mutant forms. We show that knockdown of pk1a activity sensitizes zebrafish larva to a convulsant drug. To model defects in the central nervous system, we used the retina and found that pk1a knockdown induces neurite outgrowth defects; yet visual function is maintained. Furthermore, we characterized the functional and biochemical properties of the PK1 mutant forms identified in human patients. Functional analyses demonstrate that the wild-type Pk1a partially suppresses the gene knockdown retinal defects but not the mutant forms. Biochemical analysis reveals increased ubiquitylation of one mutant form and decreased translational efficiency of another mutant form compared with the wild-type Pk1a. Taken together, our results indicate that mutation of human PK1 could lead to defects in neurodevelopment and signal processing, providing insight into seizure predisposition in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Mei
- Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
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Kwan KY. Transcriptional dysregulation of neocortical circuit assembly in ASD. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2013; 113:167-205. [PMID: 24290386 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-418700-9.00006-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) impair social cognition and communication, key higher-order functions centered in the human neocortex. The assembly of neocortical circuitry is a precisely regulated developmental process susceptible to genetic alterations that can ultimately affect cognitive abilities. Because ASD is an early onset neurodevelopmental disorder that disrupts functions executed by the neocortex, miswiring of neocortical circuits has been hypothesized to be an underlying mechanism of ASD. This possibility is supported by emerging genetic findings and data from imaging studies. Recent research on neocortical development has identified transcription factors as key determinants of neocortical circuit assembly, mediating diverse processes including neuronal specification, migration, and wiring. Many of these TFs (TBR1, SOX5, FEZF2, and SATB2) have been implicated in ASD. Here, I will discuss the functional roles of these transcriptional programs in neocortical circuit development and their neurobiological implications for the emerging etiology of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Y Kwan
- Department of Human Genetics, Molecular & Behavioral Neuroscience Institute (MBNI), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
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Kwan KY, Sestan N, Anton ES. Transcriptional co-regulation of neuronal migration and laminar identity in the neocortex. Development 2012; 139:1535-46. [PMID: 22492350 DOI: 10.1242/dev.069963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 258] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The cerebral neocortex is segregated into six horizontal layers, each containing unique populations of molecularly and functionally distinct excitatory projection (pyramidal) neurons and inhibitory interneurons. Development of the neocortex requires the orchestrated execution of a series of crucial processes, including the migration of young neurons into appropriate positions within the nascent neocortex, and the acquisition of layer-specific neuronal identities and axonal projections. Here, we discuss emerging evidence supporting the notion that the migration and final laminar positioning of cortical neurons are also co-regulated by cell type- and layer-specific transcription factors that play concomitant roles in determining the molecular identity and axonal connectivity of these neurons. These transcriptional programs thus provide direct links between the mechanisms controlling the laminar position and identity of cortical neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Y Kwan
- Department of Neurobiology and Kavli Institute for Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
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36
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Spontaneous alternation and spatial learning in Dab1scm (scrambler) mutant mice. Brain Res Bull 2012; 87:383-6. [PMID: 22245534 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2012.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2011] [Revised: 12/20/2011] [Accepted: 01/01/2012] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Homozygous Dab1scm mutants with cell ectopias in cerebellar cortex, hippocampus, and neocortex were compared with non-ataxic heterozygous and wild-type controls in spontaneous alternation and Morris water maze tests. Although there were no group differences in alternation rates, wild-type and heterozygote groups alternated above chance levels, whereas homozygous Dab1scm mutants did not. In the Morris water maze, Dab1scm mutants were impaired in both hidden and visible platform subtests. The deficits in spontaneous alternation and water maze measures reproduce the phenotype previously described in Reln(rl-Orl) mutants, attributed to disturbance of the same molecular pathway involving reelin.
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Abstract
Epilepsy is characterized by spontaneous recurrent seizures and comprises a diverse group of syndromes with different etiologies. Epileptogenesis refers to the process whereby the brain becomes epileptic and can be related to several factors, such as acquired structural brain lesions, inborn brain malformations, alterations in neuronal signaling, and defects in maturation and plasticity of neuronal networks. In this review, we will focus on alterations of brain development that lead to an hyperexcitability phenotype in adulthood, providing examples from both animal and human studies. Malformations of cortical development (including focal cortical dysplasia, lissencephaly, heterotopia, and polymicrogyria) are frequently epileptogenic and result from defects in cell proliferation in the germinal zone and/or impaired neuronal migration and differentiation. Delayed or reduced arrival of inhibitory interneurons into the cortical plate is another possible cause of epileptogenesis. GABAergic neurons are generated during early development in the ganglionic eminences, and failure to pursue migration toward the cortex alters the excitatory/inhibitory balance resulting in aberrant network hyperexcitability. More subtle defects in the developmental assembly of excitatory and inhibitory synapses are also involved in epilepsy. For example, mutations in the presynaptic proteins synapsins and SNAP-25 cause derangements of synaptic transmission and plasticity which underlie appearance of an epileptic phenotype. Finally, there is evidence that defects in synapse elimination and remodeling during early "critical periods" can trigger hyperexcitability later in life. Further clarification of the developmental pathways to epilepsy has important implications for disease prevention and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuri Bozzi
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuropathology, Centre for Integrative Biology, University of Trento Trento, Italy
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Kim J, Kwon N, Chang S, Kim KT, Lee D, Kim S, Yun SJ, Hwang D, Kim JW, Hwu Y, Margaritondo G, Je JH, Rhyu IJ. Altered branching patterns of Purkinje cells in mouse model for cortical development disorder. Sci Rep 2011; 1:122. [PMID: 22355639 PMCID: PMC3216603 DOI: 10.1038/srep00122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2011] [Accepted: 10/03/2011] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Disrupted cortical cytoarchitecture in cerebellum is a typical pathology in reeler. Particularly interesting are structural problems at the cellular level: dendritic morphology has important functional implication in signal processing. Here we describe a combinatorial imaging method of synchrotron X-ray microtomography with Golgi staining, which can deliver 3-dimensional(3-D) micro-architectures of Purkinje cell(PC) dendrites, and give access to quantitative information in 3-D geometry. In reeler, we visualized in 3-D geometry the shape alterations of planar PC dendrites (i.e., abnormal 3-D arborization). Despite these alterations, the 3-D quantitative analysis of the branching patterns showed no significant changes of the 77 ± 8° branch angle, whereas the branch segment length strongly increased with large fluctuations, comparing to control. The 3-D fractal dimension of the PCs decreased from 1.723 to 1.254, indicating a significant reduction of dendritic complexity. This study provides insights into etiologies and further potential treatment options for lissencephaly and various neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinkyung Kim
- X-ray Imaging Center, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 790-784, South Korea
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Wullimann MF, Mueller T, Distel M, Babaryka A, Grothe B, Köster RW. The long adventurous journey of rhombic lip cells in jawed vertebrates: a comparative developmental analysis. Front Neuroanat 2011; 5:27. [PMID: 21559349 PMCID: PMC3085262 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2011.00027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2010] [Accepted: 04/06/2011] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
This review summarizes vertebrate rhombic lip and early cerebellar development covering classic approaches up to modern developmental genetics which identifies the relevant differential gene expression domains and their progeny. Most of this information is derived from amniotes. However, progress in anamniotes, particularly in the zebrafish, has recently been made. The current picture suggests that rhombic lip and cerebellar development in jawed vertebrates (gnathostomes) share many characteristics. Regarding cerebellar development, these include a ptf1a expressing ventral cerebellar proliferation (VCP) giving rise to Purkinje cells and other inhibitory cerebellar cell types, and an atoh1 expressing upper rhombic lip giving rise to an external granular layer (EGL, i.e., excitatory granule cells) and an early ventral migration into the anterior rhombencephalon (cholinergic nuclei). As for the lower rhombic lip (LRL), gnathostome commonalities likely include the formation of precerebellar nuclei (mossy fiber origins) and partially primary auditory nuclei (likely convergently evolved) from the atoh1 expressing dorsal zone. The fate of the ptf1a expressing ventral LRL zone which gives rise to (excitatory cells of) the inferior olive (climbing fiber origin) and (inhibitory cells of ) cochlear nuclei in amniotes, has not been determined in anamniotes. Special for the zebrafish in comparison to amniotes is the predominant origin of anamniote excitatory deep cerebellar nuclei homologs (i.e., eurydendroid cells) from ptf1a expressing VCP cells, the sequential activity of various atoh1 paralogs and the incomplete coverage of the subpial cerebellar plate with proliferative EGL cells. Nevertheless, the conclusion that a rhombic lip and its major derivatives evolved with gnathostome vertebrates only and are thus not an ancestral craniate character complex is supported by the absence of a cerebellum (and likely absence of its afferent and efferent nuclei) in jawless fishes
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario F Wullimann
- Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences and Department Biology II, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich Planegg, Germany
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Khialeeva E, Lane TF, Carpenter EM. Disruption of reelin signaling alters mammary gland morphogenesis. Development 2011; 138:767-76. [PMID: 21266412 DOI: 10.1242/dev.057588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Reelin signaling is required for appropriate cell migration and ductal patterning during mammary gland morphogenesis. Dab1, an intracellular adaptor protein activated in response to reelin signaling, is expressed in the developing mammary bud and in luminal epithelial cells in the adult gland. Reelin protein is expressed in a complementary pattern, first in the epithelium overlying the mammary bud during embryogenesis and then in the myoepithelium and periductal stroma in the adult. Deletion in mouse of either reelin or Dab1 induced alterations in the development of the ductal network, including significant retardation in ductal elongation, decreased terminal branching, and thickening and disorganization of the luminal wall. At later stages, some mutant glands overcame these early delays, but went on to exhibit enlarged and chaotic ductal morphologies and decreased terminal branching: these phenotypes are suggestive of a role for reelin in spatial patterning or structural organization of the mammary epithelium. Isolated mammary epithelial cells exhibited decreased migration in response to exogenous reelin in vitro, a response that required Dab1. These observations highlight a role for reelin signaling in the directed migration of mammary epithelial cells driving ductal elongation into the mammary fat pad and provide the first evidence that reelin signaling may be crucial for regulating the migration and organization of non-neural tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elvira Khialeeva
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Science, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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Takanashi J, Arai H, Nabatame S, Hirai S, Hayashi S, Inazawa J, Okamoto N, Barkovich AJ. Neuroradiologic features of CASK mutations. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2010; 31:1619-22. [PMID: 20595373 DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a2173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Mutations of the CASK gene are associated with X-linked mental retardation with microcephaly and disproportionate brain stem and cerebellar hypoplasia in females. The areas of the cerebrum, corpus callosum, pons, midbrain, and cerebellar vermis and hemisphere and a ratio of cerebrum/corpus callosum areas were measured in 5 female patients with CASK mutations, 67 female controls, and 5 patients with pontine hypoplasia. MR imaging in patients with CASK mutations revealed a normal size of the corpus callosum and a low ratio of the cerebrum/corpus callosum with a reduced area of the cerebrum, pons, midbrain, and cerebellar vermis and hemispheres. The 5 patients with pontine hypoplasia showed thinning of the corpus callosum and a high ratio of the cerebrum/corpus callosum, irrespective of the size of the cerebrum. The normal size of the corpus callosum, which gives an impression of callosal thickening at first glance, may be an imaging clue to detect patients with CASK mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Takanashi
- Department of Pediatrics, Kameda Medical Center, 929 Higashi-cho, Kamogawa-shi, Chiba, Japan.
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Wedenoja J, Tuulio-Henriksson A, Suvisaari J, Loukola A, Paunio T, Partonen T, Varilo T, Lönnqvist J, Peltonen L. Replication of association between working memory and Reelin, a potential modifier gene in schizophrenia. Biol Psychiatry 2010; 67:983-91. [PMID: 19922905 PMCID: PMC3083525 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2009.09.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2009] [Revised: 09/16/2009] [Accepted: 09/18/2009] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The challenges in gene identification for psychiatric disorders have awakened interest toward quantitative traits and endophenotypes that are potentially more closely related to the underlying biology and provide more power in the linkage and association analyses. Previously, we successfully replicated schizophrenia linkage on chromosome 7q21-32 in Finnish families and demonstrated that an intragenic short tandem repeat (STR) allele of the regional Reelin (RELN) gene is associated with multiple cognitive traits representing central cognitive functions regarded as valid endophenotypes for schizophrenia. METHODS Here, we used an extended sample of 290 Finnish families with schizophrenia and 375 control subjects in an association analysis between 96 SNPs and three STRs in RELN and diagnostic categories, clinical disorder features, as well as central cognitive functions impaired in schizophrenia. RESULTS We replicated the original association between RELN intragenic STR allele and working memory in individuals (n = 342) not overlapping with the previous study. This risk allele remained central in the whole study sample by being associated with impaired cognitive functioning and more severe positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia (p = .0005-.00002). Additionally, multiple SNPs indicated association with the severity of positive symptoms of schizophrenia and together showed potential additive effect on the severity of the symptoms (p = .0000001). However, no significant associations with clinical diagnostic categories emerged. CONCLUSIONS The strongest effects on cognitive functions were detected among the affected individuals. We thus propose a particular role for RELN as a modifier gene of the pathogenesis of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juho Wedenoja
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland FIMM, University of Helsinki and National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
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Rogers D, Schor NF. The child is father to the man: developmental roles for proteins of importance for neurodegenerative disease. Ann Neurol 2010; 67:151-8. [PMID: 20225270 DOI: 10.1002/ana.21841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Although Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases predominately affect elderly adults, the proteins that play a role in the pathogenesis of these diseases are expressed throughout life. In fact, many of the proteins hypothesized to be important in the progression of neurodegeneration play direct or indirect roles in the development of the central nervous system. The systems affected by these proteins include neural stem cell fate decisions, neuronal differentiation, cellular migration, protection from oxidative stress, and programmed cell death. Insights into the developmental roles of these proteins may ultimately impact the understanding of neurodegenerative diseases and lead to the discovery of novel treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danny Rogers
- Departments of Pediatrics, Neurology, and Neurobiology & Anatomy, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
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Dekimoto H, Terashima T, Katsuyama Y. Dispersion of the neurons expressing layer specific markers in the reeler brain. Dev Growth Differ 2010; 52:181-93. [PMID: 20067496 DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-169x.2009.01153.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Neurons with similar functions including neuronal connectivity and gene expression form discrete condensed structures within the vertebrate brain. This is exemplified within the circuitry formed by the cortical layers and the neuronal nuclei. It is well known that the Reelin protein is required for development of these neuronal structures in rodents and human, but the function of Reelin remains controversial. In this report, we used "layer-specific markers" of the cerebral cortex to carry out detailed observations of spatial distribution of the neuronal subpopulations in the brain of the Reelin deficient mouse, reeler. We observed a spatially dispersed expression of the markers in the reeler cerebral cortex. These markers are expressed also in other laminated and non-laminated structures of brain, in which we observed similar abnormal gene expression. Our observations suggest that neurons within the brain structures (such as the layers and the nuclei), which normally exhibit condensed distribution of marker expressions, loosen their segregation or scatter by a lack of Reelin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hideyuki Dekimoto
- Division of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
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Abstract
The reeler mouse is one of the most famous spontaneously occurring mutants in the research field of neuroscience, and this mutant has been used as a model animal to understand mammalian brain development. The classical observations emphasized that laminar structures of the reeler brain are highly disrupted. Molecular cloning of Reelin, the gene responsible for reeler mutant provided insights into biochemistry of Reelin signal, and some models had been proposed to explain the function of Reelin signal in brain development. However, recent reports of reeler found that non-laminated structures in the central nervous system are also affected by the mutation, making function of Reelin signal more controversial. In this review, we summarized reported morphological and histological abnormalities throughout the central nervous system of the reeler comparing to those of the normal mouse. Based on this overview of the reeler abnormalities, we discuss possible function of Reelin signal in the neuronal migration and other morphological events in mouse development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Katsuyama
- Division of Anatomy and Developmental Neurobiology, Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-1 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0017 Japan.
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Sanders SS. CASK: a scaffold protein involved in X-linked brain malformation phenotypes. Clin Genet 2009. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-0004.2009.01171_2.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Yamamoto T, Setsu T, Okuyama-Yamamoto A, Terashima T. Histological study in the brain of the reelin/Dab1-compound mutant mouse. Anat Sci Int 2009; 84:200-9. [DOI: 10.1007/s12565-008-0009-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2008] [Accepted: 11/06/2008] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Mutations of CASK cause an X-linked brain malformation phenotype with microcephaly and hypoplasia of the brainstem and cerebellum. Nat Genet 2009; 40:1065-7. [PMID: 19165920 DOI: 10.1038/ng.194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 208] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
CASK is a multi-domain scaffolding protein that interacts with the transcription factor TBR1 and regulates expression of genes involved in cortical development such as RELN. Here we describe a previously unreported X-linked brain malformation syndrome caused by mutations of CASK. All five affected individuals with CASK mutations had congenital or postnatal microcephaly, disproportionate brainstem and cerebellar hypoplasia, and severe mental retardation.
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Sotelo C, Dusart I. Intrinsic versus extrinsic determinants during the development of Purkinje cell dendrites. Neuroscience 2009; 162:589-600. [PMID: 19166910 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2008.12.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2008] [Revised: 12/19/2008] [Accepted: 12/20/2008] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The peculiar shape and disposition of Purkinje cell (PC) dendrites, planar and highly branched, offers an optimal model to analyze cellular and molecular regulators for the acquisition of neuronal dendritic trees. During the first 2 weeks after the end of the proliferation period, PCs undergo a 2-phase remodeling process of their dendrites. The first phase consists in the complete retraction of the primitive but extensive dendritic tree, together with the formation of multiple filopodia-like processes arising from the cell body. In the second phase, there is a progressive disappearance of the somatic processes along with rapid growth and branching of the mature dendrite. Mature Purkinje cell dendrites bear two types of spiny protrusions, named spine and thorn. The spines are numerous, elongated, located at the distal dendritic compartment and form synapses with parallel fibers, whereas the thorns are shorter, rounded, emerge from the proximal compartment and synapse with climbing fibers. Different culture models and mutant mice analyses suggest the identification of intrinsic versus extrinsic determinants of the Purkinje cell dendritic development. The early phase of dendritic remodeling might be cell autonomous and regulated by specific transcription factors such as retinoid-related orphan receptor alpha (RORalpha). Afferent fibers, trophic factors and hormones regulate the orientation and growth of the mature dendritic tree contributing, with still unknown intrinsic factors, to sculpt its general architecture. The formation of spines appears as an intrinsic phenomenon independent of their presynaptic partner, the parallel fibers, and confined to the distal compartment by inhibitory influences of the climbing fibers along the proximal compartment.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Sotelo
- Cátedra de Neurobiología del Desarrollo Remedios Caro Almela, Instituto de Neurociencias de Alicante, Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 03550 San Juan de Alicante, Alicante, Spain.
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